“A lion,” Navia marveled, her full attention on the little furry face looking up at her, “I’ve only seen drawings. I never knew they could be so small…” She trailed off to shift her hold on the cub and smooth her hand over the top of its head. Its eyes closed, then it gave a shake of its head, causing her to smile. Suddenly she had so many questions about the little one, “How old is it? Is it a boy or a girl? Does he eat food yet?" She hadn't a clue how old baby animals had to be to be away from their mothers, but the cub was just so small and delicate. Surely he needed the care of a parent.<br/><br/>“He is only six weeks old,” the man told her with a solemn nod, “Just old enough to survive without a mother, but young enough to need her care. He will eat any meat you give him. And when he grows large, you can walk anywhere in any country with him by your side and no man would trouble you! You would be the envy of everyone in Khlurios. Even your king would covet your lion.”<br/><br/>“I doubt that,” Navia muttered lowly, thinking of how disinterested Kazim was in most animals. No, the only ones that held his attention were horses. He would take one look at a lion cub and decide it was more trouble than it was worth and move on. Any thoughts on Kazim quickly scattered when the little lion cub grew more curious in Navia’s arms and he was sniffing her gown before lifting his head more to inspect her face. Grinning, Navia leaned down to the lion to sate his curiosity and allowed their noses to touch, not giving the man much of her attention when he went on about lions, “He will make the most excellent companion, Sister. He will be more loyal than any man and be your protector his entire life.”<br/><br/>“You speak as though you assume I hate men,” Navia chuckled, watching as the cub’s attention shifted from her face to her hair and his little paw reached for it. She started to speak further, but the voice of a man she could never hate sounded behind her. There was a tease in Théadan’s voice, he did not at all sound surprised she had ended up around another animal, and Navia immediately wanted to share her findings with him. She turned toward him with eyes wide and a foolish smile on her lips. “He’s a lion cub,” Navia explained while sliding her hand over the top of the lion’s head and rubbing at his ears, “Look at how precious he is, Théadan, and how tiny.”<br/><br/>The addition of Théadan seemed to change the man’s selling tactics and he was soon bowing to Théadan with a gracious smile. “Ah, my western sister has a friend from the North,” the Iradocian announced grandly before gesturing to the lion cub, “Tell me, new friend. Can you think of a worthier gift to bestow upon your woman? You can return to your home from your travels knowing you have given her a gift no one else could. And I’m sure she would find a way to best show you her gratitude.” And then his expression turned more knowing and he gave Navia an appreciative glance before winking knowingly to Théadan.<br/><br/>She saw none of it though; her focus was too intent on the lion cub now curiously biting at the seam of her cloak and giving it a shake. “I think we need him,” Navia said quietly after stepping closer to Théadan so only he would hear her. She looked up at him imploringly then, dark eyes hopeful he would agree.