Sunspots decided to return, just after a fortnight, as Toula had requested. It was his last chance, so he was determined not to lose his patience this time. Although he begged not to meet Zaahira, since the mere presence of the female made him forget his manners.
He stayed on the other side of the border, waiting. He didn't dare howl, as waiting was his way of apologizing for insulting the queen earlier.
He stood very still, though from time to time he wagged his tail nervously. He had a headache, he was thirsty and hungry, but he did not try to cross the border
the palace was full.
and he was loathe against the brothers.
quick steps carried quick prince, alone.
"what do you bring for our regent?"
Sunspots instinctively bristled at the sight of Senmut, but she took a deep breath and managed to calm down in time.
"The queen said for me to return in a fortnight" he stood up, his tail flicking restlessly behind him, waiting for Senmut to give him permission to enter the territory. "And here I am"
"and what did you accomplish in a fortnight? i see no gifts, or confidence. perhaps you have brought useful information."
but senmut's eyes were hard. "i would have had you beaten that very day," he warned the man in an icy tone. "proof of your change of heart, were her words. yet you have nothing."
how dare he return?
Sunspots felt his heart stop. "gifts"? "information"? He didn't have any of that.
He knew Senmut didn't want him in the pack. He knew that Zaahira hated him and that Toula did not fully trust him. Actually, Sunspots was about to never go back into that territory.
But Toula had given him another chance. And Tavina had told his to do anything for her and Akashingo.
Sunspots nervously sat back down. "I will hunt for Akashingo, I will feed the wolves that live in this territory. I will protect its borders."
"I'm not asking you to accept me in this pack. I'm not asking you to give me a rank" he said "I just want you to give me a chance. I can do anything; hunt, fight, clean. And if you want, you just have to tell me anytime... and I'll go"
Sunspots expected him to order him away, or even attack him, but the wolf trusted Senmut to remember Toula's words.
sunspots offered more deference to senmut than he had the holy queen of this very place, and the prince was insulted anew.
but she had meant mercy to this vagabond, somehow.
"bring a fine white sheepskin and an item that is precious to these gates. you may decide what that is."
his eyes were hard.
"if you do this, i shall bring you again to her so you might be judged anew."
Sunspots was disappointed. With his little experience, he had thought they would let him into Akashingo. A sheep?
He remembered hearing stories about that animal. They looked like clouds with legs. But how could he hunt a sheep? He had never seen one. Or did he have to find the sheepskin?
However, he did not question Senmut's order. He looked at him, thanking him, and turned to leave.
<3
senmut said nothing. he did not think sunspots would return.
but the queen had decreed mercy.
and so if those things were fulfilled, he would grant audience.
the prince watched until the other had gone from view.