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Well... things are getting ugly. That's all I can say. But even so, I wait for more!

Well, some things get ugly... but some even better than in original;. But judge yourselves…

Act Three – The Duty

Should private persons attempt on their own private presumption to kill the rulers, even though tyrants, this would be dangerous for the multitude as well as for their rulers. - Saint Thomas Aquinas; De Regno

As we already know, Eastlands contained more or less seven hundred square kilometres of area (if any creature living there bothered to count), that had to be searched in order to find queen Nuru. Perhaps two seekers would have made that process twice faster, but they had to search separately, both with plan. However Nafsi was not in condition to think on his behalf, while Asili was too scared to leave monarch alone. So she just followed him in frantic march-run (they marched, when they were too tired to run) and prayed.
In next six hours they got to the southern border, where odds to find Nuru were greatest. But African night was dark – in equatorial area day switches to night rapidly and darkness stayed impenetrable almost to the moment of dawn. Of course, it stayed true to new moon and times where stars were covered with clouds. Well… but that was one of those nights – moonshield was unseen and layer of rainy clouds covered stars-light. It was a sign of coming rainy season, but for a while made Asili miss the heat of dry months.
“Sire, it can’t be like that.” She called to the king. “We are just running in darkness with no effect, while time is no our ally here.”
“Yes.” Said Nafsi and stopped. Asili collided with him and instinctively jumped aside, waiting for disciplining blow. But it hadn’t come – blackmaned most likely already emerged from his aggressive haze and moreover in that moment he was absolutely focused on finding his mate. “You’re right, it’s useless.” Added and greyfurred smiled, hearing that he accepted some logical arguments. “So… you stay here and sleep a while… You will resume the searching on morning. We should have split anyway…”
“Sire…” yelled Asili. “I didn’t mean that…” But seeing eyes of lion, she gave up all her hope. Monarch was mad. Not due to some actual madness, but driven mad by fear for his queen. “I could count him out in my mission.” Thought lioness. But what else she could do? “All right…” added after a while. “We will split. But remember, my lord. Don’t return to Eastrock without queen and before you do, try to call me and will judge if that is a right time.”
“Yes, yes.” Nodded Nafsi, but he seemed to be ready to agree with everything, if after that he would be left alone. “So… try to search the central region, near Jabari’s Waterhole, all right?” And not waiting for the answer, he run away, dissolving in the darkness.
Asili stayed alone and confused. She was tires and lost, slowly understanding what a quest she had to do. Stop all the pride and most of animals of Eastlands… That was surely more than mother expected from her. “But hell! I’m not expendable… I have no replacement!” yelled in mind. But whatever her spirit was willing, flesh rebelled. “I must take a nap… rest at least an hour.” She understood. “I will take a good place to observe the land… that hummock, for instance…” She turned north and started to climb the moderate hill, from where she had a perfect view for several kilometres of savannah, including grasses of Jabari’s Waterhole. “I won’t sleep, just sit down and…”
Of course, she fell asleep. It was stronger than her. Instantly after she sat on the ground in comfortable grasses of hilltop, her eyelids were pressed to the ground and she floated away. All her tiredness of many hours running, emotional exhaustion and hunger made her defenceless to needs of body. However, she also dreamed and that was not an ordinary dream.
Early cubhood, she had maybe six months. About a kilometres form Eastrock there was a small gorge, once bad of seasonal torrent. It was a perfect area for plays, loved by all kitties and hated by all mothers. Mzizi, as well as other lionesses, warned her daughter not to go there, without any mature one. But all they were going – she, Kendra even prince himself, it all depended on current mood of clumsy cubs.
One day Asili went all alone. Seth was grounded for some pranks he had made to Shianna, other cubs decided to stay with prince. But she slipped out of mother’s overseeing and marched to the Dried Gorge. Maybe word “gorge” was given with too much credit – that was just a ravine, about four metres deep, too shallow to be astonishing, but good enough to be dangerous. Asili discovered it herself.
She wanted to go down on good-looking, yet sloppy path. However clumsy paws of cub failed to give her proper prop. She slid down right to the edge of bluff and her hind legs hanged over the ravine. It all retuned in the dream, exactly as it was in reality. Maybe she felt as if it lasted longer, before king came.
It was pure coincidence that Nafsi was going there. He returned from one of his nightly wanderings and took a route close to the ravine. He ran to the cliff, jumped down on the steep path and with quick move, grabbed Asili in his mouth. After several seconds she was safe on the ledge.
“Well…” said Nafsi. “I guess your mother isn’t aware what you’ve done.”
She wanted to reply him, but she only burst with tears, expecting what reaction of Mzizi would be. But then happened something odd – king awkwardly hugged crying cub and held her, until tears were gone.
“All right, listen to.” Said Nafsi. “If you promise, that you will never do it again, I won’t tell it to your mother, all right?” She nodded with sudden wave of relief. “But you must remember, that the easiest way is never the best, got it?” He looked down to the gorge. “That path seemed to easy and tempting… but it almost killed you. Don’t follow an easy path. It is always the straying one.”
Asili woke up in that moment. Perhaps strong recall of king stuck her awareness and ordered body to shake off the slumber. But perhaps she simply heard him. Not king, of course, but Rubani. As well skilled huntress, Asili switched instantly to sneaking mode, carefully stood up and looked down the hill.
Day was about to begin. Because southern part of horizon sparked with lighter tones, sun was ready to rise in less than hour. That small amount of light allowed lioness to observe vicinity and quickly discover the guardian. Rubani – because he was the source of disturbing noises – was marching down on savannah, going to Jabari’s Waterhole. He was murmuring something, to himself.
“Stars! Another one!” gasped Asili with muffled voice. “Is dissociative identity disorder a contagious disease?” But then she laid down again, trying to hear what Rubani was talking to Rubani.
“She will be fine… be fine.” Murmured guardian. To somehow positive surprise of lioness, goldenmaned spoke with just one voice. “She will be fine and that ******* will be dead!”
A genius mind wasn’t required to understand whom lion referred as a <*******>. But just on that moment Asili understood even more – why Rubani hated king so much. Old feeling that guardian kept for the queen was rather wide-known fact, but greyfurred never went so far to explain goldenmaned’s disobedience in that way. However next words of lion proved her she should had.
“It can’t be more perfect…” Asili heard his words barely from the stars, but lion talked louder and louder, sure that no one listen to him. “Seth will depose that brute and no one will care… we could rid him off… If I only find a way to do it, as she doesn’t see… Some… accident. As king never returned from his trip?” Rubani laughed, in vain that brought Asili instant reference to Nafsi’s disorder. But then – the same as Nafsi – Rubani switched from joyful excess to expression of fear. “But Nuru… be all right… I can’t lose you now. When we are so close to be finally together.”
“Gnu’s dropping!” thought Asili. “They have all prepared… Seth will be the king, Rubani Nuru’s mate. Removing Nafsi is so easy and granting good fortune to so many… dreams of Seth, love of Rubani, vengeance of Ronan and Sandra… only thing to do, is to remove Nafsi. The easiest way. Always the straying one!”
She stood up and started to come down to lion. She had no prepared plan, but idea of stalking guardian from ambush she discarded quickly. Maybe it was an easy chance to knock down the lion, but also very risky way. Asili had no chance to win with guardian in normal fight, but if she failed to sneak to him, she was also good as dead. But still, she had to do something. “Just don’t let him enter that Representatives session.” Called Tamaa’s order in her mind. “But how?” lionesses asked. “I’m all alone, I’m too weak! I can’t possibly prevail him… and I don’t want!” “But still, you must.” Said hyena’s memory. So she walked further, trying to be loud. She wanted to be heard. Sun just raised from the horizon, suddenly deluging land with brightness.
“Nuru, soon we will be togeth…” murmured Rubani, but suddenly froze, discovering that he wasn’t alone. She slowly turned to Asili, who even didn’t change the tempo of her pace. “Asili…” said guardian with confusion and embarrassment in his voice.
“Yes, that’s me, last time I checked.” Smiled lioness. In fact she wanted to cry, coming closer to the lion. She always knew he was big, but estimating that mountain of muscles just before eventual fight with it, brought her very unpleasant connotations.
“What you are doing here!?” asked Rubani, showing edge of his temper. Lion was in haze and Asili could trigger an explosion any time. That why she decided that her idea was either genius or suicidal.
“Just checking things. And thinking about a story given to the queen…”
“Queen!” gasped Rubani and pounced on greyfurred. “Where is Nuru!?”
Lioness was overturned and pressed to the ground. It happened much to fast to counter it and greyfurred even didn’t try. She had to be calm just moment longer. And survive. With serious effort she inhaled the air – guardian seeing that let his grasp loose. She stood up, trying to look and sound calmly.
“Stars! You could have killed me! Queen would be mad on you.”
“Nuru, where is Nuru?” yelled Rubani with almost cry in his voice.
“Calm down!” ordered Asili, faking decisiveness. “She is all right! And don’t scream so loud, you will destroy everything…”
“Destroy… what!?” asked guardian.
“Halo, anyone there?” asked Asili with mocking tone and punched his forehead. That was a risky move to pull the string, but she had to be sure that lion bought the story. “Do you really think that queen should be present when you are dealing with Nafsi? I must keep her away from that, until all is done. Am I right?”
“Seth ordered you that?” asked surprised Rubani.
“Yes, he gave me a detailed instruction how to keep queen unaware, the same as he gave you a detailed instruction how to kill his father…” lion’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “Are you so stupid as you look!? Seth has nothing to do with it. He doesn’t have to give any instructions, because we all know what we should do. Wasn’t it like that with Ronan and hyenas? Wasn’t it like that with you?” She prayed silently that guardian would tell her more, how bad things were going on Eastrock.
“Well, you’re right, we have no settled plan.” Admitted Runabi and Asili wanted to yell with relief. “But anyway… tell me WHERE IS NURU?”
“Shut up!” gasped Asili, already decided to act. “You will wake them and spoil everything.”
If there was no plan, it meant that rebellion was fuelled by Rubani’s anger. So exactly as Tamaa said – riding of guardian was a key step to appease the mutiny. Asili still feared of technical details of that action, but at least the main idea turned out to be right.
“Listen, we will go to her, but you must promise, you will be quiet, understand?” said greyfurred. “You will just look to the den, see that she is all right, then tiptoe away, letting her sleep. We can’t afford, that she get involved before it’s done. I guess you don’t want her to know, who removed Nafsi. Huh?”
Rubani stepped few steps back with fear on his face, but then he understood a suggestion. He smiled and replied. “No, I don’t... Thank you, Asili, for your... perspicacity. I will never forger about it.” Involuntary lioness smiled. “I bet.” She thought. “So…” continued lion. “Where is she?”
“Go to the waterhole and be quiet.” Ordered greyfurred. “Now… go on!”
And guardian walked. He asked no more questions, even he didn’t ask, why he was on lead, in spite that Asili knew where queen was. But love fuelled with hope is strong, definitely stronger than the reason, so lion cast aside all doubts. He went down to the grasses of Jabari’s Waterhole, smiling. Some part of his mind screamed to him that there was no den for queen to hide, but she ignored it.
“All right, stop!” ordered Asili. “I will go and check out of she is sleeping. As I said, she can’t see you now. So, lay low and wait for me.”
“Yes, yes.” Nodded Rubani. But then he asked, a bit confused. “But why the heck I’m suppose to lay down?”
“You want to see her or not?” asked greyfurred with quiet hiss. “Just do what I’m saying.” She was praying to all ancestors that could listen to her, for lion to obey. Her request was granted.
“All right, don’t be so angry.” Said goldenfurred and quietly laid on the ground.
Asili didn’t think – she just acted. She followed moves of lion’s right hind leg, as it was straightened and exposed just in front of her jaws. She was never a skilled fighter and in comparison to giant male she was weak, but in that sudden attack on surprised enemy, she had no chances to miss. She hit, before Rubani learned that something went wrong.
She plunged her teeth into lion’s hind-leg. Directly into knee, coming from a side. Her fangs sank into fur and muscles, but went much deeper than that. Loosen quadriceps and peroneus were pierced by teeth and reacted much too late. Asili’s bite reached the bone and knee joint capsule. It broke and then unspeakable wave of pain deluged Rubani’s mind.
Goldenmaned was a tough lion, but there are impulses much above the any pain-threshold. He felt a lake of fire, scorching his limb, and cutting him off all remaining senses. He rushed his leg ahead, but then he felt Asili’s jaws still plunged into his flesh. Another wave of suffering deluged him and that was even worse than before. What he didn’t know, was that move turned two holes in his joint capsule to full scale cuts, and pressed joint-mass away into the body.
Shock made him unable to scream. He partially lost consciousness, because from next few minutes he recalled just constant fire of pain and nothing more. He was too scared to even try to move any part of body, but suddenly he understood he was moved and to be exact – being dragged.
Asili put him in the deepest of cranes on waterhole’s bank, then let his leg loose. Ruthless transport made even more damage to savaged paw of lion, but frankly speaking, lioness gave no heck. In find she was still thinking on killing the guardian. She discarded that idea, but not because of fondness towards the rebel.
“Listen very carefully…” she started, hitting muzzle of lion, to return him some awareness. In the same time she smiled, recalling Tamaa. “I shall say this only once. Yes, you are right. I have no idea, where queen is. But it changes nothing. I won’t let you to kill the king, only to get his mate, understood?” Of course, Rubani was not in condition neither to agree nor argue. “He is our king and I will do anything… I mean it – ANYTHING – to it stays this way. I should have killed you already… but I won’t. Not that I sympathise with your plans… I understand them and that makes me sick. But I must think about the consequences… I crippled you and there is no power in heaven or on the earth that allow you to return now to Eastcave and kill Nafsi. But if I fail… and king is deposed… Killing you would make our situation even worse. I don’t want to bill his conscience with more violence that situation require. That’s only reason you are still alive.”
“N… Nuru…” moaned Rubani.
„As for you, it’s <queen>!” gasped Asili and stood up.
She took a look around, judging guardian’s chances for survival. Most likely lion was crippled for rest of his life, but wound itself wasn’t fatal. Rubani was helpless and defenceless for all the time greyfurred planned to leave him. But who would dare to kill a royal guardian? “I dunno… in the kingdom where subjects plot to kill their king, that is also possible.” Thought Asili. But she hoped that lion was going to survive. Indeed – eventual death of Rubani wouldn’t make Nafsi’s cause more popular.
“But I was close to kill him.” Discovered lioness with confusion. “I guess that Tamaa was right. There are no all-good guys… as well are no all-bad guys. And in ruling stuff there is no way to stay clean. I really wanted good, but it went as usual.”
She left moaning lion in grasses and turned north. It was about hour after the dawn, so she had still few hours to Representatives session. But she had to do something first. Tamaa promised to buy her time, but not eternity. Lioness wondered what old hyena was doing.
*
Ex-matriarch stood on the mouth of gorge and smiled. Because of scar on her face that looked more scary than nice, but that was also the reason for a grin. She knew that what she was doing meant a sure loss, but anyway, that was fun. She – former dictator of Eastland clan was most faithful loyalist that Nafsi ever had. “Save for Asili.” She thought. “Oh, poor girl.”
“Mother, what are you doing!?” yelled Mkia. “Just let it go.”
“Shut up!” gaped darkfurred. “Do as I told you.”
“But mother…”
“I ordered you!” growled ex-matriarch, but quiet enough for other not to hear. “Follow Ajali. Even… especially against me.”
“No…”
“Do what I’m saying.” She repeat. “If you love your mother, make her proud.”
“They will kill you.” Judged Mkia bluntly.
“So be in the first line of executioners.” Replied old hyena. “Your father would have done the same… if I told him.”
Mkia lowered his ears and stepped back. Meanwhile other hyenas pressed ahead. Ajali was among them and Tamaa hoped exactly for that. Matriarch stopped on the lead of her clan and looked on sister-in-law. Then she asked with poisonous voice.
“What the hell you think you’re doing?”
“My duty.” Smiled darkfurred. “As we are all subject of his highness, king Nafsi…”
“She’s mental!” yelled young Darion, hyena who on previous evening complained on Tamaa’s shouts. “The same as her Nafsi. Ma’am…” he looked on Ajali. “Can’t we… just remove her?”
“I bet you can.” Said ex-matriarch, coming closer to the crowd. “But here? In our sacred place of gathering? Oh, how naughty…”
“Shut up!” yelled Shadow, stepping closer to old friend. “Don’t upset us, because we could get really unpredictable.”
“No. I will.” Smiled Tamaa and pounced on matriarch’s mate.
That wasn’t in plan, but she had no other choice. Dying just instantly, being torn apart by whole clan was bad option, giving Asili no support at all. But she really surprised them all. She overturned Shadow, pressed him to the ground and placed her jaws on his neck. Fragile male was too weak to break that grasp and after several seconds of wrestling, he gave up. Clan wanted to rush ahead, but was stopped by yell of Ajali.
“Get off him!” called leaderess. “Or you will be dead.”
“I guess, if I did let him loose, I would be dead already.” She smiled as wide ad her position allowed her. “But don’t worry, I won’t take long.” She whispered to Shadow. “My old, treacherous friend… now I will surprised you. No one expects this!”
Her jaws pressed male’s neck and bone cracked. Shadow kicked in the air, but much to late to save his life. That triggered a burst of chaos. Even before hears of matriarch’s mate stopped, scavengers rushed ahead on Tamaa. She was deluged by living flood of fangs and soon after she felt fires of pain on her fur. But she was smiling.
She died, laughing, because she was almost certain that her plan worked. She saw Mkia, standing in place, as she ordered him. Her son loved her… but he was her son and he had a reason. He most likely already guess what was Tamaa’s idea.
“That’s for you, Mkia…” she thought, slowly floating away to the land of silence. “Be better ruler than I was… And be loyal to the lion king. That is one thing that would make you original.” She lost her vision, after her second eye was covered with blood. Just before she lost her awareness, she call in mind. “Nafsi… I wish you luck… as you are going to need it!”
*
It all ended after just a few minutes. Hyenas stepped aside, leaving the mess in the mouth of gorge. There were three bodies – one of Shadow, second of Tamaa and third of unknown hyena that was mistaken as ex-matriarch in the heat of battle. Rest of the clan slowly emerged from blood-frenzy and felt first pangs of confusion and guilt. For a short time they became a raging killers and if that didn’t make them regret, fact that it happened in sacred place of gathering, did.
“Shadow…” yelled Ajali and run to body of her mate.
Initially she mistaken the remains, because all three dead were just trunks, stampeded and devoid of majority of limbs. But then matriarch let loose dead Makri and went to Shadow. She bended down to body and licked its blooded head.
Meanwhile Mkia, carefully, for not to induce any more of clan’s rage, came to mother’s remains. He also sat down next to it and kissed a motionless trunk. It all came to him fast, but still, he knew he had to stay cool and do whatever mother had taught him.
“Ma’am…” said one of hyenas. “I know that is not the best moment… But we must go to Representatives.” Silence. “Ma’am…” Greyfurred male came to matriarch and nudged her. There was no reaction, expect of burst of cry from leaderess.
But then Mkia stood up and turned to the clan. As it was already said – it wasn’t the best moment, but in such issues there is no good moments. His aunt seemed to be totally out of control, crying and screaming. Whatever happened, Eastland Clan needed a strong leader, as strong as Tamaa once was. And who would be the nest successor for her than her son?
“Hyenas of Eastland Clan!” called Mkia. “Today a tragedy happened, that struck our community deeply… We must bury our dead… all dead ones and then ask ourselves, why it happened. Take the bodies and let’s go back to cave… And someone help our… matriarch.”
He pronounced word <matriarch> with neglecting softness, as he treated old hyena as no longer able to lead the clan. And he knew he was right. With just little effort, he would be able to take power in his paws… he had to somehow deal with Ajali’s daughter, Halafu, but brownfurred hyena just cried with mother at side of late father. She wasn’t a serious threat for a time being.
“But sir…” started one of hyenas. That was the same male, who wanted go to Representatives. “We told Ronan, that we…”
“Shut up!” gasped Mkia. “Don’t upset me, boy, because… egh… I could get really unpredictable.”
“Yes, sir…” replied hyena humbly, perhaps already seeing Tamaa’s son as a new leader. The history – as the Circle of Life – tends to do full circles.
*
Neither Asili nor Nafsi had no idea what happened in Hyenas Gorge and even if they did, both of them had own problems on mind.
As greyfurred ran directly to Eastcave, king still wandered on outskirts of the kingdom. More and more clouds covered the sky, but lion felt a scorching heat – not from the sun but from own fear. He run, then marched when he was unable to run more, then return to splint, after he regained some strength.
“Nuru!” he called into the morning air.
He couldn’t believe that he left her for so long… So many bad thing could happened to her, while king was away. “And animals hate me…” he thought. “So the queen should beware of rebellious subjects.”
“Indeed!” agreed a voice in Nafsi’s head. King even failed to notice, that he told that involuntary aloud.
“Shut up! I don’t need you!” yelled Nafsi.
“I’m just telling bluntly what you can’t accept.” Continued voice. “You know… you failed to discipline your subjects. If someone hurt your queen, it was because they don’t fear you enough!”
But then even voice fell silent – Nafsi noticed Nuru.
She was lying on the grass, at the first sight peacefully and airily. But she was hurt, what king noticed just seconds after. Her side was covered with small, but numerous marks of antelope’s horns. Those weren’t injured of failed hunt. Those marks of failed assassination.
“Nuru!” yelled Nafsi and got to his mate.
“Oh, Nafsi…” smiled queen, with heavy effort raising her head. “So good to see you. I was so scared…”
“Oh, Stars, don’t move!” called blackmaned, seeing wounds of lioness. “I must take you back home.”
“It’s nothing serious…” said queen, however her painful expression told something opposite. “Just…”
“Who did it!?” asked Nafsi with shivering voice and trying to find a way for lifting Nuru, without letting her wounds get dirty.
“Just…” whispered queen and burst with cry. “I was looking for you… I asked herd of antelopes to help me… But hey were very bad. They told awful things about you and I tried to calm them down and…” Her sobs became louder than actual sentences.
“Hush, calm down.” Said Nafsi and raised Nuru, placing her on his back. “We will go back home and there think about it all.”
But in the same time he understood a very important thing. Advices of the Voice failed to make him powerful. But what they did, was turning his subjects against him and his family. “I will kill every single one animal of that herd.” He thought. “But then… well, I will have to reconsider few technical issues of ruling.”
He turned to Eastrock direction and started his march. Slow and carefully, for not to hurt his queen anymore.

Looks like those hyenas are trying to get into a big mess. Typical of scavengers. But at least, Nafsi found Nuru. I wonder who tried to kill her... but at least she is safe now, and Nafsi is trying not to hurt her. Well, I wait for more!

Ok, so here is the tragic outcome of whole mutiny… and even more tragic result of stopping it. (But after reading, don’t leave your seats - tomorrow a concluding epilogue)

Act Four – The Judgement

The law of God declares that the son who defies his father or mother should be put to death. If the father is a murderer, a thief, the betrayer of his country, incestuous, a parricide, a blasphemer or an atheist, though all the punishments imaginable would not be sufficient penalty for him, it is not for his son to play the executioner. - Jean Bodin, Six Book of the Commonwealth; Book II, Chapter V

Sometimes secondary issues make history. For Seth the decisive moment was a funeral of wildebeest representative, when prince spoke as not a prince anymore – but as a king. Many big and elevated words were told, and however none of them directly referred to Seth as the new ruler, all creatures listening to that speech, knew what it meant. Sometimes it doesn’t matter what one is speaking, but how.
Then those early representatives went to rest. That was pain for guardians to secure safe sleep of special guests, but Seth insisted to keep animals close. On the other day – when all interested creatures of the land could sent their spoke-animal – another session of gathering was planned. Ronan smiled, thinking about it.
He spent few hours, trying to put guests in proper order, not endangering the assembly. That would be a tragedy, if the first session of Representatives since a long time would be disturbed by some accidents. So he had lots of work, ordering newcomers. But he did it with pleasure. He knew that Representatives were needed to depose Nafsi.
Sandra was not too well that day, most likely all the nerves of passing week made her exhausted. But it was going to an end. “No fear, my love.” Thought guardian. “After Nafsi is out, no one will hurt you!”
Finally Ronan went asleep – just in case – among gathered animals. Fortunately for assembly, night passed without problems and even arrival of leopard delegates didn’t spoil the order. With new day – thanks Stars, cloudy and much cooler than previous one – all creatures gathered near Eastrock waited patiently for a change. Guardian walked among them for the very first time since long feeling their fondness, not just fear.
“Good day, Ronan.” Said Seth, exiting the cave and looking down on grass with all his guess. “No problems, I assume.”
“All is going smoothly, sire.” Smiled guardian. “Just waiting for you.”
“Yeah, we should start it soon.” Replied prince with a bit uncertain voice. He still preferred not to say aloud what he would start. “But… Asili… I sent her yesterday for my mother and they both still aren’t here.”
“Should I look for them?” asked brownfurred.
“No, You must be totally exhausted.” Said Seth. “Go to cave, Sandra is still sleeping and it’s still not too late to join her. I will send someone else.”
“Thank you, sire.” Replied Ronan. “Thanks, Seth. I believe that you could easily tame them. they all want the change, so they all will be cooperative.” And guardian set off to pride’s keep.
Prince stayed among several dozens of animal, looking on his new subjects. That thought slipped out of his mind earlier, but then he realised that he was glad to stand in that place. He knew that ruling meant duties and much of responsibility but that was a kind of burden he greeted with pleasure. “I will… I am the king.” The thought. “Just my father…” but then he recalled what grandmother always told him – it was bad, very bad when ruler craves for the power. That should be the duty and nothing except of the duty. “I’m doing it for kingdom.”
Then much sadder thoughts came to him. They still hadn’t discovered what caused Shianna to beat up her daughter. Prince knew that all were a bit nervous lately but what old huntress did – slashed her child in the face with fully extended claws (“Stars!” thought Seth. “I hope that Kendra’s eyes will recover.”) – seemed to be beyond any thinkable nervous problem.
“*****!” whispered prince. “I guess that mom would help me in this. She has a talent to appease such problems.”
“Sire, I came here as a representative of cheetahs and I’m ready…” started a newcomer feline, coming to blackmaned. But then a shout interrupted that peaceful introduction.
“SIRE!” called hyena, running from western savannah.
“Wait a second, cheetah.” Asked Seth, leaving new representative among zebras. Both species felt a bit unsure because of that.
Prince ran to sandyfurred hyena male. He couldn’t recall his name, but he knew that one served as a liaison for all the clan. Young messenger stopped on the edge of gathering place. Just two days earlier there was no gathering place, but so many animals, walking and lying on so limited space made a square of trodden grass. Hyena just looked with hungry sate on so many wildebeests gathered there, but then turned his stare down, trying not to think about so easy meal.
“All right, what’s the problem?” asked Seth.
“Sire, I’m afraid have bad news from our clan. There are some reasons we won’t be present on Representative session…”
*
Asili cursed a flat relief of her land. Save for Dried Gorge, East Rock itself and countless, but not too high hummocks, kingdom was a perfect plain. Sneaking – what was possible on Western Border – in case of centre of kingdom seemed to be much above lioness abilities. So she stopped about half a kilometre from Eastrock, preferring to be unseen. Then she started to circle the area, taking a cover of distant hummocks. Place of assemble was on the north side of pride keep, in direction of Dried Gorge, so lioness had to make a wide arc. She was unable to hear too much, because of distance but also because of noise made my numerous delegates.
However she got to a cluster of a bit higher grasses and sat down, listening to nearest creatures. Some rumours about hyenas matriarch’s mate death were already heard, but Asili had a limited trust towards gossips. But if hyenas still weren’t there, that was a good sign.
“But what I could do now?” asked greyfurred herself. “Wait for king to return with queen? It would take ages… if queen is all right. It she is not, it will take the eternity… Tamaa… I would use your advise.”
Time was running out and lioness still didn’t make her choice. In any minute Representatives session would start and then she had to have any idea how interrupt it, before any direct rebellious declaration is told. She had no arguments on her side – she could use just queen (if queen was alive and going to Eastrock), queen-mother (whose attitude towards whole case was still an enigma to Asili) or use a trick. “Lie.” Thought lioness. “I could call everyone to look for lady Nuru… But they will be really pissed, when they found I have no idea where they should search. Or when they find her simply walking with the king…” She looked to pride’s keep and noticed queen-mother, walking aside of Sandra to shadow of acacias. Two tired lionesses, one tired with age, second burdened with illness, took a place aside of gathering, in calmer spot.
“Lady Neema.” Decided Asili. “My only chance. I must get to her unnoticed…”
She started to sneak towards acacias. Queen-mother and redfurred laid aside of gathering, but still Asili had to be careful going there. She almost exposed herself to giraffe delegates (“They necks are too ***** long!” thought lioness) but after another thirty minutes of that strange hide-and-seek, she got behind the grove of acacias. And then she listened a talk.
“Ma’am, I perfectly understand you.” Said Sandra, apparently continuing previously started topic. “But this is unavoidable. I believe your grandson will do everything all right.”
“Yes, I know.” Replied Neema. “I know that my son is unfitting to rule.” Asili almost gasped hearing that. She expected that queen-mother had such an opinion, but thinking that way and encouraging subjects to similar declarations were completely different things. “And I’m waiting for ruler, properly replacing my beloved Jabari, as well as you. But Nafsi… He was a king, rightful king. Deposing him we strike not only on him, but principle of the rule in general.”
“Was a king.” Repeated Asili soundlessly. So it was all lost. Even Neema didn’t want to defend her son. Greyfurred fell on the grass and breathed deeply. All what she were doing was useless.
“Stars!” she thought. “What I should do? There is no one, no one to back our king. This is madness! How it’s possible, that whole kingdom cast its oaths aside! All guardians! All huntresses. And all animal watch this in awe and relief. Is that possible only I stayed sane? Or maybe it’s just opposite. I did go mad?” She looked straight up to the sky.
Clouds covered the firmament, dimming the sun and announcing that season changed. No drop of rain fell yet, but a heavenly shower was unavoidable. There was nothing to do, if one wanted to stop the weather. “And maybe I am opposing the weather, opposing the sky itself?” thought greyfurred. “What if the change is good and also natural? Am I defending a dry season from refreshing rain?” Cloud over her looked a bit scary – violent in their power, but she knew that water was to give a new life.
But then, with sudden glimpse of eye, she saw mother. On the sky. Just shape of clouds formed an image of late lioness, to dissolve a second later. Or maybe that figure never resembled Mzizi, but mind of Asili did. That short spark of memories was enough to give any answer that lioness needed.
“NO!” she thought. “If that is unavoidable rain, let it be. But maybe not, maybe I should do it. Do my duty and follow my mother. I swore… an oath to my ruler and oath to my mother. Hell… I have certain duty to do. I don’t care that simple truth slipped out of guardians minds.” She noticed a clearance in layer of cumulonimbuses. The sun shone through it, directly down on gathered animals. Maybe for all present there it was a sign that Seth was going the right thing. However Asili knew better. “Mom!” she whispered. “I will not fail you! Whatever is the price, I will follow your pawprints. I’m weak, I’m alone, but still I have to do it. I have no replacement.” She stood up in decisive move.
She did it exactly too see a catastrophe she failed to predict.
*
“He’s back!” sounded a collective murmur among animals.
All eyes turned to Eastrock and noticed silhouette of giant, brownfurred lion, carrying something on his back. A two gasps of surprise sounded – first when they recognized that was the king and second when they learned that he was carrying not <something>, but <someone>. The queen.
“Help her!” called Nafsi. “Get shamans! Where is that blasted furball and that disgusting vermin when I need them!?”
“Mother!” called Seth and ran to queen.
Nafsi put Nuru on the grass, just in front of Eastrock. He was instantly surrounded by a circle of curious and shocked creatures, on what he replied with outburst of anger. He roared (catching attention of last animals that happened to miss his arrival) and shouted.
“Get back, fools! Don’t crowd here!” He made an attempt with paw to push back pair of gnus. He wanted to hit another intruder, but he stopped in last moment, when he noticed that it was Nabihi, running to her patient. “Go on! Do something!” called Nafsi. Then Seth came.
Prince stopped in front of lying mother, just next to waiting father. For few seconds he was watching soundlessly, as Nahibi and Spencer were examining wounds. Two lions were breathing hard due to emotions (while king also due to exhaustion), rest of animals froze in their places. Finally Spencer called.
“She’s unconsciousness… some superficial wound, but she will live.”
A collective sigh of relief sounded over savannah. Tired Nafsi fell to the ground, laughing. He roared again with joy, being sure that it all was done. From then on all problems were going to be solved. Apparently, he thought. That conviction couldn’t farther from reality.
“Father!” called Seth with sudden freezing tone in his voice. Word <father> sounded like it had nothing to do with family relations. Nafsi stopped his laughter and looked on son, still laying on his back. “Father! What happened to mother?” asked prince.
It cause an explosion. All emotions, previously kept by the crown on leash, were freed. In that short question, everyone read suggestion and accusation. Creatures of Eastland looked on their ruler (was he still their ruler?) with merciless stares. If sight could kill, blast radius of that hatred would take out also prince, queen, shamans and everyone on decent distance.
“Thanks Stars I found her on time…” started king, but then he also understood what was the idea of Seth. Or perhaps he felt it, with countless stares, piercing him. “What!?” He gasped. “You think that I…”
“Father, what happened to mother?” replied Seth with even colder voice.
“Son, I didn’t do anything!” started Nafsi, quickly standing up and taking a look around. “I found your mother on southern border…”
“You almost let her die!” gasped prince. In fact he meant that because his father left, his mother went to search for him and got injured. But animals understood that charge in much different way.
“That tyrant killed his mate!” called some zebra.
“You idiot!” answered another voice. “She is alive… yet.”
But suggestion was already given and no one thought rationally no longer. No one asked a simple question, why Nafsi would beat his mate up and then take her back to cave himself, crying for shaman and not hiding at all. A collective mind of the crowd is never the sum of intelligence of its participators. It’s the sum of their stupidity.
“What is the meaning of this! How you dare to suggest that!?” growled Nafsi, who just had regained his royal temper and decisiveness. However it was a moment too late.
“Tyrant!” called great part of animals.
“Father…” started Seth with cold and desperate tone. “I’m forced to take a leadership over the pride and kingdom. For your own good, don’t resist and don’t make your situation ever worse.”
“Resist!?” roared Nafsi. “I am the king, Seth! Don’t you dare to speak to me in this way.”
“Sorry, father.” Replied Seth. “You are no longer our king.”
“Tyrant!” called some animals.
“All hail to king Seth!” called some other voices.
Nafsi turned his stare to the crowd and understood everything. At once. Not only that his rule was widely questioned, but also how it came to this. In merely fraction of second he saw in mind all those situations when he acted as a ruler, but not monarch and when he acted even not as a ruler, but as a bandit. It was a long record, but terrified mind of Nafsi managed to show it all. Lion was terrified, but not simply about his rule or life, but terrified that he become a being he didn’t wish to know.
Meanwhile the Voice from back of his head managed to utter just one word.
“******!”
And he got silent for good.
And Nafsi still was looking on the plain, searching for just one face, showing him he was not alone. That he was still Nafsi he always wanted to be. He was looking and looking to find none.
Except of one.
*
If Asili had any doubts before, view of king’s desperate eyes would cast them out anyway. Nafsi was again a scared cub, not spoiled, not pranking but just newborn kitty, devoid of protection of his mother. “His mother won’t help him.” Thought Asili. “I have to.” And she learned what was to do.
She gave just a single sigh of sorrow. She knew what the only solution meant, but that was a poor time to cry over it. The really important sacrificed are always done quickly and without big words. Lioness had to focus on some technical details of her final move, not on visual ornaments. “So…” she thought. “I’m still so sleepy… But I will sleep soon.”
It’s hard to <reply> with a stare, but lioness tried. She put all her effort to pass a simple message to the king. “Trust me!” she looked. And then she took a deep breath, preparing herself for the endgame. She never lied well, but every creature learns for the whole life. Sometimes late lessons could be much faster than normal ones. She roared.
“Prince!” she called just after. Her prayers were granted, because almost all eyes turned to her, including two she aimed for the most. “Sire, I think you have to see this.”
“Hold him!” ordered Seth, pointing on the king. Ronan, Danso and Marko pressed king to the ground, but no one cared for then anymore. Even Nafsi himself. So prince stepped few steps ahead, closer to the crowd but also to Asili. “What happened?” asked with powerful voice.
“Sire, you should go with me.” said greyfurred, barely forcing her throat to spell audible sentenced. “Let guardians keep Nafsi in place, while you go with me and see… him.”
Hit! Short sentence triggered exactly the same idea that Asili hoped. Among animals sounded another gasp, mostly amorphous, but some creatures called: Rubani! Well, indeed goldenfurred was not there and adding him tot the list of Nafsi’s victims was easy logical operation. Of course, logical for a crowd. No one asked, how the heck Asili, coming from north, could bring news about dead guardian who went south, or how returning from border king could kill the other lion being in complete different place. In crowd number rules. Number, meaning: sum of stupidity.
“I will be right back.” Said Seth with breaking voice. “Hold him here.” Added, looking on father with hatred in his eyes.
Then he ran towards Asili. Animals – all, including other lions – were paralysed. Only those who had to step aside, making the route for the prince, moved. Rest stayed in place, making Asili almost cry out of triumph. There still was a chance.
“Follow me, sire.” She said, when Seth came to her.
“Where…” asked lion.
“Seth, there is no time.” Said Asili and set off to run.
He followed and they exited square of gathering. Escorted by stares of Representatives, they climbed the hummock and than disappeared on its other side. Then they were seen no more. Greyfurred tried to stomp with additional force – she was sure that beating of her heart would alarm everyone in sight.
“Just that one more.” Thought lioness. “I must do what other failed to do… I’m so sorry, Seth… Stars… I don’t want to, but if not me, who?” She saw Dried Gorge and clenched her jaws. Nafsi came to her mind. “I’m sorry, my king… I tried to obey your orders. And Stars witness, that is not the easiest way. It only seems like that. You will have finish, what I start anyway.” She stopped on the bluff of ravine and took a look around.
No, that was still too risky. She had to go further. “Follow me, Seth!” she called and walked the path down. The same path that once almost claimed her life. “Mother… You won’t be proud of me… but I also won’t put you in shame. I will fulfil my promise. I started already. King is much better now. Now I just must secure that.”
“What!?” asked prince. “Where is Rubani!?”
“You must see it yourself.” Said lioness. “I’m so sorry…” she cried with perfect honesty.
“Oh no! Father…” said lion and stopped on ledge where Asili stood.
He came to bluff and looked down. In the bed of gorge was nothing, except of rocks and dust. Prince started to scan the area with terrified eyes, but found nothing looking like dead or wounded body of guardian. “Oh, don’t worry.” Wanted to assure Asili. “They will find him alive. Almost…”
“But where is he?” asked Seth. “Did my father murder him? I swear, I will kill him for that.”
“No, you won’t sire.” Sobbed lioness. “I’m not doing a good thing, but protecting you from committing even worse. Forgive me, but you can’t do it. Power of your father was given from above. We are not the ones to change it.”
“Asili… what the heck you mean?” yelled confused Seth.
“Honour your father and mother!” roared greyfurred and pounced ahead.
Blackmaned was standing on the edge of path. Asili trampled from rock-wall, so she could put all her strength into the charge. Of course, she was weaker, lighter and much worse in combat than prince, however she made it. It’s not up to me to judge if moral rights and fairness had anything to do with that, but I can say for sure that Asili had the high ground. Literally. I mean much, much better position.
Seth was a good fighter. Teaching that father and guardians gave him, prepared him for almost every dangerous situation. From peaceful and calm animal, prince could turn to killing machine in seconds. Usually it was good enough, however not this time.
It’s hard to retaliate on surprising attack and if it’s very surprising – as its name suggests – it no use to counter it. But Seth could block such an assault quickly. The second problem was the person who attacked. Hitting female, especially well known, old-good friend from cubhood times, one about whom prince had absolute certainness she wouldn’t hurt him, was difficult. Seth froze for blink of an eye, unsure how to react on attack of his pride-sister. But then he saw her eyes.
In eyes of Asili burned a will to kill. Not out of hatred – her desperation came from different source. But just one look in those blue, then icy cold eyes woke Seth up. Lion knew that it was the endgame – he would kill or be killed. And didn’t matter how he esteemed Asili, he also esteemed his own life. Of course, not because of selfish reasons, but he had a king to depose and kingdom to rebuild, before he die. Unfortunately he was not given a time.
Seth reacted properly, hitting Asili’s head with fully extended claws. But it happened much too late – they both were already falling out of the ledge and flying the arc down to the ground three metres below. It lasted second, but much happened in that period.
Asili knew her strength was no match for male. But she wished to deliver just one blow – that would be enough, if happened to be fatal. She ignored all defence. She let left paw of price plunge in her shoulder and right to him her face. Claws of lion pierced her fur, coming right next to neck aorta. Just one pull back would kill lioness in seconds.
But she did act. She let Seth grab her shoulder and she grabbed his shoulder with right paw. The left one, she extended as far as she could, placing it on lion’s throat. Her limb was too short to deliver a blow and Seth blocked her that way knowing that. But Seth missed one, simple detail.
Lioness managed to push prince down. Blackmaned was falling on his back, while greyfurred followed him, but being on top. In that configuration they reached the ground and lion could do nothing to change that. He hit he earth with back and side, but that wasn’t the worse thing.
Blackmaned easily had been holding Asili’s paw about ten centimetres from his throat. In the fly. But when they collided with the ground, greyfurred’s limb was pressed down with all the energy that lioness gained during her fall. Muscles of Seth were strong, but not strong enough to stop that impetus. He had to surrender.
He even didn’t feel a thing. Just heard, as just after sound of falling body, another noise called. It was a sound of crushing and sudden wave of paralyse exploded from his neck. Then they both fell aside and Asili hit the ground with her hip and left hind leg. Bone cracked.
They rolled aside and driven with fighting instinct, both stood up. Seth saw as lioness based on damaged paw and almost lose her consciousness due to pain. But she held. And he held too, managing to stay on paws. On four, undamaged paws, what in eventual fight would be a decisive argument. But crack, still sounding in his ears and that funny feeling of lightness in his throat made him a bit nervous.
Then he felt warm blood in his mouth and understood.
“I should have honoured my father and mother!” concluded.
And Asili looked. As soon as she noticed crashed trachea of prince, the killing rage in her eyes died. Being sure that lion was dead, she seemed to not care about own fate. She fell to the ground, ignoring the pain coming from leg that she pressed with own body. And then she crawled two moves ahead. She put her head on the dirt and exposed her throat.
Seth could reach her neck and open her windpipe in a single move. But what for? In eyes of greyfurred left only sad calmness. She was ready to die, paying the usual fare for spilling royal blood. Although she didn’t say a word, Seth understood her calling. Those were three simple messages, coming from heart. “I had to, my prince, forgive me.” Then “Mother…” directed into air above lion’s head. And finally last message to the prince. “Go on. Punish me.” Her exposed throat was waiting.
“But… what for?” asked himself Seth. “Enough of pain for today. I’m imperfect, as my father. I did mistakes. So bad, I did this one.”
Then he finally breathed out, spitting potion of bloody saliva ahead. In next second he tried to inhale, but to his lungs – instead of the air – came just warm blood.
“Father… I tried…” he thought. “I wanted to be a good king.” And then he died.
*
If Asili was able to do it, she most likely checked if Seth was definitely dead. Fortunately, she couldn’t move an inch, while her nerves were torn apart by pain of broken and then seriously pressed leg. So she stayed in place, in that extremely unfortunate position, where all her body pushed down savaged leg. She liked it, because all the pain she could take as a start of her punishment.
It’s hard to say why she didn’t loose her awareness, but she didn’t. She even heard soon after voices from above and one, overwhelming roar, bone-chilling cry of pain.
King Nafsi looked down from the ledge to see dead body of his one and only, so beloved son.

Well... it is indeed a tragic outcome. I just hope that at least Nafsi becomes a good ruler after his son's death. That's all I can say.

Ok. so here the road ends. Decide yourself, which ending serves Eastlands better.

Epilogue – The Prize

It’s true – we live in the age of constant revolution and defiance. We can’t be surprised by that overwhelming wave of cosmic disobedience. But also – God forbid! – we can’t complain that few of us that remain faithful. – Adam Piotr Podlewski

Rain fell from the sky, as if it wanted to muffle with its murmur a murmurs of disbelief, among lions and representatives. Few dozens of animals watched down to the gorge, but in fact no one believed what was seen. It was impossible – Seth, their beloved prince and king to be, so real and virile just few moments earlier, laid dead in the dirt. With more and more drops from the sky, dirt become a mud what gave the scene additional indecency. Price shouldn’t had died so early. Maybe ten years later, as a old and widely respected ruler, surrounded by his numerous family, praised by subjects. But even if he had to die young, not like this. Not in that gorge, falling into mud with crushed throat. If some cold-hearted watcher of this scene failed to feel the emotional loss, she or she had to feel the aesthetical obscenity.
But there are – except of lifeless body – two main actors of that drama. Asili still laid just in front of dead Seth, breathing hard and looking up to the bluff. Nafsi, accompanied by whisper of rain and murmurs among animals, in few jumps got down to the bed of ravine and laid down to remains of his son.
When they heard a rumble in the gorge, much things changed. As Nafsi had been previously hold tightly by guardians, strange noise from rocksite, the atmosphere of judgment broke. In just one second lions switched from anger towards king to fear for price’s life. And Nafsi did the same, of course.
He pushed guardians paws aside and they let him loose. In blink of an eye he turned from accused tyrant to be worried father and no creature there dared to oppose that change. Whatever state could be, it was nothing more than extended family, consisting countless cells, forming one organism. If animals allowed to fail a simple mechanism of family love, destruction of any other order was just a matter of time. Nafsi was freed.
He ran to ledge of gorge, before anyone else get there. But when he roared with pain, seeing dead son, everyone there knew that – in general – happened.
Just moment later king was laying next to dead Seth, crying aloud. Tears on his face mixed with water drops and mud, while dark mane of ruler from noble look, changed to wet and soaking tuft. But in spite of that Nafsi didn’t lose his regal look. In some strange way he regained it.
More and more animals looked down to crying king and father. Of course no one was aware of this, but sudden wave of sympathy towards hurt parent effectively extinguished fire of anger on ruthless ruler. Nafsi was showing his animale face, perhaps in least expected way and most loathed circumstances, but he did. Three guardians, standing on ledge of gorge – Ronan, Danso and Marko – involuntary turned their stares into ground. They were shocked, but not only because of death of their prince and good friends, but also because their acting. They used the force on king. They wanted to kill their king. Just few moments earlier. In a way, rebellious spirit of lions was crushed.
Asili knew it, although her dimmed sight didn’t read all details. But she sensed that the main danger was cast aside. Much depended on king then, but Nafsi had a free paw to rebuild his authority. “I did it!” she tried to smile, but pain was too severe. “Mother, I did it! I fulfilled the oath I give you. King is safe… Stars! I’m no longer required here… they could kill me already!”
Then Nafsi stood up. Animals on the upper ledge reacted with involuntary move, some stepping aside, some even with lowering their ears. They no longer saw a tyrant, but a king, mourning his son. And to administer royal justice. Although all animals seemingly were still looking on Seth, more and more discrete stares went to Asili.
“Asili…” whispered Nafsi, with voice mixing crying tone and sparks of fury. “Why did you do it?”
“I was the only way, my lord.” Replied lioness, moving a bit. She finally managed to put aside her broken leg, what effected with nauseating sound of moving bone.
“But why did you took him away from me?” asked king, barely keeping his rage under control. “I wish I were killed than him… He would be ten times better ruler than me.”
“But he would be never the king. Only well administering usurper.” Explained greyfurred. “I don’t expect you to forgive me. I only except you to understand me, that I did what was my duty.”
“Forgive…” whispered blackmaned. “I killed him. I let you do that. We are *****!”
“No, we’re not. It’s all up to you, my lord.” Said lioness and with desperate effort she leaned herself up on three paws. “Go on, I’m ready.” Seeing surprise on Nafsi’s face. “Sire, you must kill me. I spilled the royal blood.”
They weren’t talking loud, also rain and distance made their voices too muffled to be heard by animals above them. And perhaps that was good. Not everything should be heard by subjects. Not how the authority works. Not about that authority sometimes bases on so weak basis.
“I was all my fault.” Added Nafsi. “If I were a good king, it would never came to this.”
“I hope you to draw a conclusion.” This time Asili managed to smile, despite pain didn’t decrease at all.
“What I should do?” asked blackmaned. He wanted to add <with you>, but that was not all the question and they both knew it.
“Rule. Live long and prosper.” Replied Asili. “And try to understand. I am sorry!”
Nafsi roared with grief and anger. Then he clenched his jaws, for long seconds fighting with urge to kill lioness in spot. But he stood it. He breathed heavily and looked back, to animals. He focused his stare on three guardians. He called with decisive voice.
“Come here!” even if just hour earlier lions wanted to kill him, they had to obey. They went down in run to stand in front of ruler. Nafsi said with quiet voice, carefully not to be heard from above. “I’m now going to administrate the royal justice. If you think I don’t deserve, I still demand from you a formal challenge. It won’t be hard… just require some guts.” None of guardians moved, just their stares escaped from monarch down to the ground. “All right… so I’m still your king. I won’t accept any doubts on that.” Added with whisper, but with dose of forcefulness that would stop the sandstorm. “Is that clear!?” When none of lions replied, he repeated even harder. “Is… that… clear?!”
“Yes, sire!” replied three felines.
“Stand at my side, as I’m giving the royal judgement.” Said king and turned again to Asili. “Is that your only deed today?”
“Sire, Rubani is near the Jabari’s Waterhole.” Said lioness, knowing that were last moments for dealing with technical issues. A while later should could be unable to say anything. “If you find him quickly, he should live. And…” he voice trailed off. “Sire… if you could tell queen how I am sorry.”
“Don’t tell any word more.” Gasped Nafsi, closing his eyes. He stayed silent for a while, then roared with all his might. He turned back to animals. “Listen, creatures of Eastlands! Today a tragedy struck our land. My son… my son and heir was killed. Whatever you thought about me, from now on will do my best to be king he wanted for me to be. Stars, help me and you watch me in this oath!” No one cheered, but no cheers were required. animals just heard, as they always should simply listen their king. “I will not comment what happened today, after few things that must be done. I suggest you also never return to that topic. For your own and kingdom’s interest.” Then he turned back to Asili and spoke. But not longer as a lion regretting his deeds or mourning father. It was again the king.
“Asili!” he spoke with seemingly normal voice, but in complete silence of gorge that was heard clearly. Even rain almost ceased, stopping it’s whisper in background. “You killed my son.”
“I’m aware of that, my king.” Replied lioness. She smiled, sensing lion’s rage. She was sure that monarch was going to finally kill her. Other gazers of that scene read her grim in much different way. “I hurt you very deep and I did a terrible thing. I had no choice.”
“I can’t sentence you to die.” Said Nafsi and all gathered animals gasped in amazement. Perhaps most surprised was Asili herself. “You stood for your king and as we all know… the circumstances, of what happened… according to the law, you did nothing but that.” So, king didn’t wish to kill prince’s murderer. Perhaps it could bring some of rebellious spirit back, but no one dared to follow it. King was a king. Prince… he was a prince but also he was a rebel.
“I’m afraid it’s true, sire.” Nodded greyfurred.
“I have no right to punish you for what can’t be taken as a crime.” Said king with shivering voice. “However I have no obligation to stand your existence anymore. Thank you, Asili, for your loyal service to the kingdom. For your other actions you are exiled from East Lands. That sentence is ultimate and binding. Do you have anything to add?”
“You should kill me, sire.” Said Asili, but too quiet to animals hear her. Just king and guardians did. “One who killed royal lion should be punished in this way.”
“That is the easiest way.” Replied Nafsi. “Besides, that would mean, I should die too.”
“I understand, sire.” Said Asili. “In fact that would be the best. I will go now…”
“Naf… Sire!” called Ronan, driven by sudden wave of emotion. He didn’t know what exactly happened between king and lioness, but he sensed that black-and-while scheme he had in mind was definitely inappropriate to judge prince’s murderer. Oh, that was the detail – she was not a murderer, but a killer. “But… her leg is a mess. She can’t hunt and if you cast her out now…”
“King spoke!” growled Asili, silencing the guardian. “Listen to him.” Then she looked on Nafsi once again. “Sir, I’m so sorry. It’s good that I will pay…” But he interrupted her.
“Go to the Moon Waterfall.” Said with cold voice. “That’s beyond our borders. Wait for nightfall and I will bring you meat. I meant exile, not starving execution.”
“He is merciful.” Said Asili, looking on Ronan. “Remember that!”
But in that moment Nafsi turned back and started to climb up the path. Soon after he reached the upper ledge and gathered animals stepped aside. With fear and awe, but also with respect. King has return. Jabari’s successor. Not the one they expected, but still the one they waited.
“Dinari.” Ordered to last of guardians present there. “Take some animals and look for Rubani. Ronan, Danso and Marko will take care for Asili. I’m going back home, to look after queen… When you return with Rubani, we will go for my son. He need to be carried with honours. Tell your mother, she is responsible for technical details.”
“Yes, sire.” Replied reddishfurred lion. Then he turned back to look for older friend. That was king’s order and king didn’t like to wait. Also Rubani required instant help.
*
Ronan, Danso and Marko returned to East Rock after leaving Asili on northern border of the kingdom. It took them about four hours (mostly because they had to carry exile on their backs), but when they got back home, king didn’t scolded them. Just ordered (with calm, yet broken voice) to prepare for another retinue. They have to bring prince to the cave.
“We will go all.” He said. “Mother, stay with Nuru… Don’t tell her, if she wakes up. I should do it.”
“Yes, my son.” Sobbed queen-mother back.
“All right, are you ready?” asked Nafsi and without taking a look, set off south. Guardians followed.
Rain ceased and over the land shone a beautiful rainbow. Nafsi thought that it was much too beautiful and weather had no respect for dead. “Why it all seems to be so happy?” asked silently. “Because the king is back? Did Seth die only to wake me up? ***** expensive awakening!” Thought and another tear escaped his eye.
The Voice didn’t respond. In fact he never said anything more. Perhaps Nafsi was cured, but maybe it was just the Voice, who felt very embarrassed.
*
Asili discovered that walking on three legs is possible and even easy.
Of course no shaman would allow her on that, because every move, every tension of muscles, relocated broken bones and damaged body even more. But there was no shaman in sight and that didn’t matter at all.
Asili felt proud of herself and glad that all was about to end. She did her job, fulfilled her duty and most likely made her mother proud. She was going to ask Mzizi herself soon, so she hobbled with hope and light heart.
Of course, there she was bound to meet with Seth, but she hoped that prince already understood. He didn’t kill her when he had a chance, apparently giving her time to solve all her issues and announce what she had to announce. “Thanks, my friend.” Whispered lioness to lion whom she just had killed.
She got to Moon Waterfall. Guardians left her next to Northern Ford, so she had to walk about a kilometre herself. With just three legs it hurt, but it should to. Asili smiled, hearing the growing noise of falling water and marched firmly, with every step happier and happier. In minutes she was about to fulfil her last duty to her king.
He wanted her to live and he planned to take care about that. But in that small detail, her monarch was wrong. She – walking and breathing example that one could kill kingdom’s heir and live – was very demoralizing example. And Nafsi required some help in rebuilding monarchy authority.
“I’m always to help my king.” Murmured Asili, coming to the edge of waterfall’s bluff. “But now, when my job is done, I am expendable. Anyway… I guess you was really surprised that I succeeded. So, may I dismiss, sire?” She stepped firmly ahead.
…
Nothing lasts forever, and that rule includes also the mourning, political crisis and most of physical damages. Of course, Rubani never moved his leg again and he barely could walk on his own, but that also will cease in the moment he dies.
Eastlands returned to something new. That means – some order returned, but it was a new order. Much better, if I could judge that.
Nafsi became a good king. Subjects obey him – initially they obeyed him due to fear, but in time respect replaced that. He became a perfect mate, as devoted to his queen as it was possible. Nuru is really great-hearted lioness. She never again reminded him all those years when Nafsi hurt her. And they are happy together, in spite of passing time.
Nuru forgave him all. The loss of Seth put them together again, even closer that they had been once. They have another cub – in spite of her age, queen was blessed with second son. He was named Mrihti and parent hope that he will grow up to be as noble and just as his late brother.
As far as I know, Nafsi got closer also with Rubani. He usually cares about crippled lion in person and they talk a lot. However I guess that some topics are absent in those chats, but no one knows.
As I mentioned before, Mrithi is the heir to Eastlands throne. He grows to be strong but also wise and generous lion. Father dedicates much time to teach his son of ancestral wisdom and ways of rule – the same wise rule that Nafsi carries on.
I could say that all went better, easier and much more peacefully. The pride is living in peace and prosperity and no one could deny it.
But also no one could deny that it is devoid of two members.

Hatima
Taka - May 2008

All characters belong to MinisterSweetGoodKid
Except of: Asili, Mzizi, Tamaa and Mwokozi copyrighted by Taka PL

Well... I think MinisterSweetGoodKid's ending serves the Eastlands better... no offense meant, OK? Your ending was also interesting. And I really hope to see more Lion-King fanfics from you in the future.

Well Done,how long did it take you to type this

Short, one-shot story, but also a prelude to upcoming fanfic called “The Diamond of Savannah”. As for tDoS is leading in the poll, You could take a preview on the plot and eventually change your vote;)
!Warning! romance inside (yuck!)
ATNGAAT is a supplement to my storyline, however it’s not 100% compatible. In this version, Uru is Mohatu’s daughter and Ahadi became a king only thank to marriage.
Story takes place about six and half years before Scar’s coronation and the Great Drought (Year Zero in my vision), ie. six years before TLK. Young queen Uru is pregnant and carrying Mufasa. However she meets someone special.
Thanks for Ograndebatata for inspiration and impulse to take a second look on Ahadi.

Ps.
Ad Chameleon:
Well, depends. I write, more or less since 2 years, of course not continuously, but in one-story session. Usually I write about 20 000 – 25 000 characters chapter, if I’m writing English story.

All the nice girls are already taken
(Prelude to “The Diamond of Savannah)

Father always told Kunga that stealing pride’s preys is a wrong deed. But on the second thought old lion added that allowing one’s family to walk hungry is ten times worse. So they both hunted also on pride lands, hoping that they would never encounter any hunting party or – Stars forbid! – king. Not that Kunga was a weakling or a coward, however as he was young and strong, he couldn’t say that about his father. Old, greyfurred lion with mane overgrown with hoary fur could run as fast or fight as efficiently as earlier.
However that was him – eleven years old rogue called Jali – who encouraged his son to enter lands of local pride. Jali knew the life well and was perfectly aware that it was a dangerous venture (terminal with hundred percent of cases) and creature has to take some risk to live with dignity. And even more risk to live with some fun.
“I have a bad feeling about this.” Said Kunga, leading his father down from Green Hills. It was calm and cool morning of late rainy season, however that walk didn’t have to be taken as refreshing relax. Predators were hungry and looking for preys.
The other lion seemed to be just a younger copy of this parent – the same noble muzzle features, similar grey fur and grey mane, with no streaks of hoary hair. Just in his eyes there was not so many mature and grave wisdom of his father. However Kunga was a smart lion, careful and serious in his own way. That’s why he didn’t like that trip to Pridelands at all. He didn’t want to risk father’s life.
“You always have some bad feeling.” Noticed Jali.
“Perhaps that’s the reason I’m still alive.” Replied Kunga.
“I’m seven years older than you.” Said his father. “I lived that long, without constant bothering about my hunches. And I never shivered about own shadow.” Kunga stopped and turned to older lion. “All right, sorry.” Added hoarymaned. “I didn’t mean you are a chicken… We both know you are tough tomcat. But I just…”
“I’m not offended, just tired, dad.” Interrupted him Kunga. “You may be talkative now, but if something goes wrong, it will come down on me to get us both away alive.”
“Right, sorry again.” Said Jali. “But… son, why do you think that lioness would be hostile? Your mother wasn’t…”
“That was… something completely different!” snorted rogue and resumed his way downhill. “Wasn’t it?” added with quieter voice.
“No, it was all the same.” Said Jali. “I met your mother hunting in Grassy Pride lands. I admit that our first contact was rather of violent nature, as she and your aunt Raha decided to… well… to treat me as a trespasser. But it all come in much better way in time.” His voice become more dreamy.
“Dad, stop that.” Interrupted him Kunga. “This is not the best time for family stories.” In fact lion didn’t want to bring back unhappy memories.
He grew up in Grassy Pride with his mother, Sharifa. King of that land was lenient anyway – he let rogue’s cub to live in his cave over two years. Just before his thord birthday greymaned was… well, not exiled, but asked to leave. Sharifa was begging king to let her son stay, swearing that Kunga would never question pride’s order. But on the other paw it was just a way of life – every male cub that is potential danger for royal line has to go away. Sharifa knew it and her son knew it as well.
Lion departed without being forced. He loved his mother deeply, but maybe that was why he didn’t wish to make her any troubles. And there was the second reason. Father. Sharifa and Kunga decided that lion would find Jali and help him in his old years while she would visit her mate and son as often as it would be possible. That worked perfectly for year, as Sharifa visited and watched two lions she loved living in good relation. But on that rainy season she didn’t came to keep of her family. Jali and Kunga learned she died, after hunting accident.
As they weren’t connected with Grassy Lands anymore, they decided to move on, leaving the past behind. But that past hurt and young lion tried not to recall it more often than it was necessary. If Jali coped with death of mate in hard but short bereavement, his son hardly could accept his mother was gone. That was also one of motifs for hoarymaned lion to take his kid away of home.
“Yeah, maybe that’s not the best time.” Admitted after a while of silent march. “But son… I just wanted to say you must look into the future.”
“I do!” snorted Kunga. „And I have a bad...”
“You really need to find yourself a girl.” Sighed Jali.
The Circle of life goes that way since always. Of course not all males are blessed to born as royals or start a new pride. Most of them are rogues, wandering on plains without home. But not always without families. As no king would allow rogue to permanently live within his domain, everyone has to accept, or at least tolerate that his lionesses meet and also mates with wanderers outside royal family. Sometime lionesses left prides to live with chosen mate and father of their offspring. But raising cub without support of the pride was hard and risky, so in most of cases mother lived with pride, while fathers went away. That’s how the Circle rolls.
And Jali hoped that sooner or later also his son decide to get closer to some pride and take a mate on his own. By that he could become a mature lion, finally end his airy youth and discover all the joys and responsibilities of fatherhood. Maybe hard sometimes, but also in Jali’s opinion only decent feeling worth to live for.
They didn’t have to hunt in Pridelands. They could wander still on no-lions lands between kingdoms. Maybe there preys were worse, but for experienced rogues feasting there wasn’t so hard. However a chance for Kunga to meet any girl in outlands plains was marginal.
Father and son reached the border of kingdoms savannah. Knowing some, but not too much, about that land, they entered it carefully. It seemed to be calm and devoid of any other predators, but Jali would never let his pretences fool him. He ordered his son to stop on last hummock before the plains.
“We will wait here, just in case.” He said, laying in deep grasses of hill. “Try to watch for preys and when you notice something worthy of our jaws, let me know.”
“And you?” asked lion.
“I will take a nap.” Replied Jali. “What? I think your old cat deserved for a break after so long way.”
“You wanted…”
“Stop it.” Snorted hoarymaned. “You really need a girl. There is a rule in nature that females complain, not males. It’s time for you to learn it yourself.”
“I won’t mess in pride matters and I will not look for lionesses here, as it could bring us troubles and…”
“Good night.” Said Jali with already shut eyes. “Or good day. Whatever.”
Kunga sighed and looked on the plain. He hoped to find some prey soon, however he noticed even more.
*
On the second thought Uru could admit her caprice was stupid. Her pregnancy wasn’t advanced, but Rastanian – kingdom’s shaman – strongly recommended her to stay away from heavy efforts. Young queen treated hunting more like a entertainment than effort, but she admitted that it could be tiring. “Just one last time.” She thought, starting a chase after a warthog.
Brownfurred lioness was real diamond of savannah – her nobly shaped muzzle was in the same time gently and decisive-looking and she looked around with green eyes of bight intelligence and sharp sense of humour. In spite of so important even in her recent life – become Ahadi’s mate, death of her father Mohatu and becoming the queen of her land, she kept a spirit of youthful joy and merriness. As a born huntress she couldn’t just let warthog go. She decided to hunt that prey, of course the last one, before she could a break to spent rest of her pregnancy as peaceful cave-mate.
But her blessed state already caused some drawbacks. Her condition wasn’t as perfect it used to be. Lioness let her prey to escape on western border, almost to range of hills on the outskirts. Uru snorted with anger, but just after smiled widely. If swine reached the border, it would be safe. That was a challenge and queen loved challenges.
She followed running prey out of grasses to narrow path up the hummock. On that short space, she had a last chance to catch her meal, so she took a deeper breath and pounced ahead to block running way of the warthog. Rastarian wouldn’t approved that. It was an effort.
And Uru herself – in the air already – understood she overestimated her condition. She flew above running swine but then heavily hit the slope of ravine. She slid down, confused with blow and failed to stop on the path. Queen fell down, back to grasses, cursing her thoughtlessness. In last possible moment she cowed her body, protecting her vulnerable belly. She hit the ground hard, but her hind legs and pelvis amortised all energy. She heard a noise of stretched joint and then she felt a wave of pain. But she have no cry – just silently rolled in grass to stop few metres from the slope.
She waited few seconds in complete paralysis. Nothing happened, save for left back leg calling with painful call. Then she exhaled aloud. “Stars!” she thought. “I was so stupid.” She reached with paw to her belly. Inside she had her unborn cub. It seemed all to be right, but she shivered, thinking what would be, if she his the ground with her front. When she was sure that her child if safe and she felt nothing strange about her womb, she could focus on the paw.
“Stretched, not fractured, thanks Stars. But it hurts!” she thought. “And it’s ***** good it hurts. I will learn to be careful in the future.” She rolled on her back and wondered what to do then.
She had told Ahadi that she was going with hunting party. She had told lionesses of hunting party she was staying on the Priderock. Her mate was patrolling, most likely the other side of land. Hunting party was somewhere… but for sure not in the range of roar. So at least for several hours no one would look for her. That wasn’t the best news she could imagine.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid!” she snorted. “I should have hit myself in the head to support thinking process. And what now? I’m pretty…”
“Indeed.” Said voice from the grasses. “I would even say: beautiful.”
She wanted to finish her sentence like ‘pretty messed up’, but voice of newcomer interrupted her. She looked aside to see greymaned lion, slowly coming to her with smile mixed with anxiety on his muzzle. She learned that he was rogue, but she wasn’t scared of that. What he would wanted from her?
“I’m terribly sorry, ma’am.” Said lion. “I would never disturb you, but I saw that you had some accident…”
“I’m pretty messed up.” Replied brownfurred. “And that was what I intended to say.”
“I still insist with saying just ‘pretty’.” Smiled lion, but then noticed her hip, quickly growing with oedema. “Ma’am… may I look it closer?”
“It just…” she started, but then added. “No, it is serious. You saw my prank and I guess I deserved it.” He kneeled down to her leg. “No fracture, I guess, but it does hurt.”
“I’m terribly sorry.” Said greymaned, then started to examine hip with his tongue. “Right I sense no breaking but joint is clearly stretched. Try not to move it…”
“Sure thing, doc…” she smiled, in spite of pain. “I know I rather overuse your courtesy, but could you let know my pride about it?”
“And leave you here?” gasped lion. “Ma’am, I can’t do that! I will wait for my father and then eventually I will go to your pride… Just by the way, when it happen, what name I should announce?”
“Oh, sorry.” Said lioness, raising her stare and looking into greymaned’s eyes. Rogue thought that sun itself was shining through those lakes of emerald light. “Maybe I did get my head damaged and I forgot. My name is Uru.”
“Diamond.” Murmured lion. “That would explain few things…”Then added louder. “I’m Kunga and I’m travelling with my father Jali. He should find us soon. Then I will be able to get some professional help for you.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Said Uru and then she unwillingly moved her leg. She gasped in pain.
Before she reacted on that, rogue laid down next to her and started a gentle massage of her upper thigh. She wanted to take her hind leg back, scared not of lion himself, but of eventual pain that therapy would bring. But to her confusion, pain ceased. Maybe not ceased completely, but its level dropped instantly when Kunga made her muscles loose. Using his tongue and carefully helping with paws, he pressed and stroked her body, letting her thigh relax and swollen joint was no longer teased by stretched muscles.
“Sorry, Uru.” Said lion, for short moment stopping operating with his muzzle. “Trust me, that will help.”
“Yes, it is helping already.” She replied. “I even doubt if any other professional is required, if you are here.”
“Do you have a shaman in service of your pride, Uru?” asked greymaned.
“Yes, his mane is Rafiki and he is annoying mandrill.” She said. “And comparing to you, he seems to be inexperienced in healing stuff. Maybe you are a shaman yourself?”
“No…” murmured Kunga. He wished to shook his head, but because he kept licking under lioness’s injure, he just shook his tail. “My father taught me. When you live as a rogue, you must know many useful things…” Then stopped and looked again into her eyes. He simply couldn’t resist that. “Of course what I say has nothing to do with you. I think you are a queen and there should be ten shamans to watch over you.”
“Right, I am a queen.” Greeneyed laughed back, what he took as a joke. “But please, call me still Uru.”
“I shouldn’t take liberties with patient.” Said lion and they both laughed even louder. “However if you insist…”
Greymaned resumed his treatment, but just a moment after that, his process was disrupted by another wave of laughter – that time of his father. Jali came out from ravine and still laughing, came closer to them.
“Oh, son… I hoped that you would reconsider your old cat’s advices, however I’m surprised with the tempo of your education.” He finally said.
“Dad!” gasped Kunga, lifting his head over Uru. “Do not embarrass me. Don’t say a word!”
“Can’t I even introduce myself?” asked hoarymaned.
“Sorry…” murmured young lion. “Uru, this is my father, Jali. Dad, this is Uru.”
“I’m glad to meet you, sir.” Said lioness.
“What’s the problem, my child?” asked old rogue. “I hope that is not a fracture.”
“Stretched joint of hip and swollen quadriceps.” Instantly replied his son. “That is why I…”
“Sure.” Nodded Jali. “I won’t disturb you that, but I will take a quick look too.” He examined her leg himself. “It should be fine in few days. But if we were closer to the river, I would find mukva plants and made some painkilling compress.”
“I will go there, if you keep an eye on her.” Said Kunga.
“I’m not that old. I could…” started hoary rogue, preferring to leave son with beautiful lioness, instead of using him as an errand cub.
“No, wait!” threw Uru in. “I’m sorry to say that, because You both do your best… but there is a problem.” They looked on her, confused. “King is a bit… nervous. If he encounter one of us within our land, without formal ask for hospitality, he could… act irresponsible. If I could go with you, that would be not a problem, but in this case…”
“Sure.” Nodded Kunga. “Tell me, where is your keep and I will go there. I could report about your state and look for herbs just after.”
“I could go as well.” Said Jali.
“No, you stay here…”
“Boy, I am your father and I…” rogue started their usual argument.
“Wait.” Said Uru. “I’m sorry to be so bossy, but I must ask that sir Jali go.” Kunga looked on her with silent question. “There is too much to tell. Just… he is very touchy king… in every rogue he sees a threat. So if you see you, young and in prime… no offence, sir Jali, I’m just pointing that your son looks strong and dominant.” Older lion nodded. “He could take it as a challenge, before you explain whole situation. However sir Jali looks… with all your… senior dignity.” Said lioness carefully, but hoarymaned just smiled. “…that you won’t challenge Ahadi. So… it would be better if you let your father go to the Priderock.”
“Are you su…”
“Yes, she is.” Answered Jali. “Just point me, where to go and I will bring some help.” When she looked west on the high rock, lion instantly set off to march. “I’ll be right back.” However he murmured much quieter. “But as an old lion I don’t have to hurry. I will leave you some time, my dears.” And with no to hasty steps he left the scene.
For next half an hour the conversation between lion and lioness was heavy-going. However that was no one’s fault, as Kunga continued his treatment. So mostly Uru talked, while he was massaging.
“All right, don’t reply me, as you are busy. Just… well, should I talk something about myself?” He nodded his head. “But I guess that is not a wrapping up story. I just live here since the day I was born. I bet your life is ten times more interesting.”
“Unfortunately.” Replied lion for short moment stopping his action. “How does it feel.”
“Much, much better.” She said.
“All right, I will leave it for a moment, but if you feel that cramp is back, I will resume.”
“Suit yourself. In fact that was nice.” And the thought in the same time. “When Ahadi did any massage to me? Has he ever? I wonder, what he would do if he was here. I guess he would just send me to shaman, saying how he cares… and walk away.” But then she felt afraid of her thoughts. She wished that handsome lion touched her again.
“So. What can I do for you now?” asked Kunga.
“You can tell me more about you and your father… Wasn’t you raised in the pride?”
“It is a bit complicated.” Started lion. And he told her everything, still looking in her emerald eyes.
*
Jali found Priderock easily, but there he learned that no one was there. All lionesses went on hunting, Ona with cubs had to go on walk and king was still patrolling the borders. Old rogue decided that few minutes… or hours of waiting wouldn’t hurt anyone. So he just laid on the ledge of rock and looked on the plain. He smiled.
It was a beautiful kingdom. If other lionesses were at least half as fair as encountered Uru, land had also nice inhabitants. Jali doubted that local king – especially after what he heard about him – would allow his son to stay there. But if he allowed Kunga to mate with one of lionesses… that Uru for instance. And live on the outskirts. That would be great – a chance for his son to settle down and for him to rest. Jali was an old lion, he preferred to finally find his place on the Earth. With those merry thought he fell asleep.
…
Deducing from air movement, he was almost hit. Giant brownmaned lion wanted to hit him, but change direction of his blow in last possible moment. And that was good – if rogue was slashed with those sharp claws into his neck, he would be dead already. Jali woke up for good. In fraction of a second he cast away his sleepiness.
“Who the heck are you!?” growled young lion, apparently king of that land.
“Easy, boss… no one to be furious on.” Replied rogue and jumped back, shunning another blow of ruler.
“Sire!” called Zari, putting a paw on his shoulder. “Please, let him speak.”
Ahadi wanted to slash her as well. But it was impossible. Zari was friend of Uru and Uru… “I’m not a king here!” thought giant lion, torn between his fury and cubbish cry. I’m just her mate… Stray rogue, who came here and bossy only thanks to the queen. They don’t respect me… They will never…” He looked on hunting party to see as lionesses tried to hide stares of embarrassment. Ahadi understood he acted not like a king, but as a rogue. “But if I show any weakness, it would be even worse.”
“So… speak!” growled Ahadi, grabbing neck of old lion.
“Let… me… loose…” gasped newcomer. Ahadi ceased his grasp, understanding he made any speech almost impossible. Hoarymaned fell on the ground. “That’s better… your majesty!” panted with clear mockery. Ahadi barely repressed his rage. “Sire, I’m just a rogue and I was travelling with my son, with no intention to disturb you. But we saw as one of your lionesses had an accident.”
“LIAR!” growled Ahadi. “All my lionesses are here…” But then his voice tuned down to terrified whisper. “Except of Uru…” He grabbed lion again. “Where she is? What happened.”
“SIR!”
That time Zari and Ona reacted instantly, grabbing king’s paws and overturning him. They didn’t want to offend their ruler, but brownmaned was close to choke newcomer and that way endanger their queen. So they immobilised Ahadi, letting grey lion roll aside.
“Please… calm down.” Whispered Ona.
“Uru.” Growled monarch.
“She is fine.” Panted half-chocked rogue. “She just can’t walk by herself. She need a lift and some painkilling herbs.”
“You…” started Ahadi.
“What’s her state?” asked Ona.
“Where is she?” added Zari.
“Just a stretched joint.” Replied rogue, ignoring the ruler. “I left her on the border of the plains, near to hills west from here. But don’t worry, my son is guarding her.”
“Thanks Stars.” Sighed Zari. “Let’s go… sire.” She looked on Ahadi.
“Yes, lead the way.” Said brownmaned. Then he looked on newcomer. “If anything happened to my queen…”
“She is a queen!” thought confused Jali. “That would complicate few things.
*
“Don’t think we are some sick pride… it’s just our customs.” Continued Uru.
She just wanted to answer on his question, but it turned out that she was telling him about all problems bothering her. Or maybe not all. She had no idea why, but she hadn’t told him she had a mate and she was pregnant. “He didn’t ask.” She thought. “I don’t lie to him.” But those were just excuses.
“You king seems to be… with all respect due to him… not the best ruler.” Said Kunga. “You said he so easily loses his temper.”
“I understand him.” Said lioness. “He is just so unsure of his power.” She was talking about matters of the pride, but in fact she just wanted to talk about anything. Feeling that handsome lion was looking on her like on rainbow filled her with sweet feeling. However she wanted to fight it, she loved it. “He is not king’s son, just ruler because of marriage. He once was a rogue, but dad appointed him for his successor, after he…” Then she stopped, feeling she told something she didn’t want to.
“Dad?” asked lion confused.
“I meant… king Mohatu.”
“King… your father?” asked Kunga with shivering voice. Lioness understood she told too much to keep rogue in any delusion. “So… you are actually the queen? And Ahadi is…”
“I’m… sorry.” She said, turning her stare to the ground. “I didn’t tell you. He is my mate and I’m pregnant with him.”
“I see…” replied greymaned, feeling like whole the world run away from under his feet.
“She is… a queen… she has a mate.” Thought in stream of chaotic thoughts. “And I just hoped that she… Stars… I really hoped that.” He felt as she gently touched his shoulder.
“Kunga… I didn’t want to offend you. I’m sorry I didn’t point it clearly from beginning.”
“It’s all right, your highness.” Replied lion with unnatural voice. “I’m sorry if my behaviour put you in uncomfortable position and…”
“URU!” they heard a growl.
Kunga didn’t hear anymore. Or maybe his ears received some voices, words and sentences, but the brain hardly ordered them into any message. He just remembered it as dream. When king wanted to pounce on him, he ducked. When he stood up, ready to defend himself, brownmaned was already appeased and also put back to order by Uru herself. Then he heard kings words – angry words but seemingly expressing a gratitude. He shook ruler’s paw and then helped Uru to climb on Ahadi’s back.
“Thanks again.” She said and that was only sentence he remembered correctly.
“All pleasure was mine, your highness.”
“I hope not all…” she added, but he seemed not to comprehend that.
“So…” said Ahadi uncertainly. “You did a great job, but it’s done. You may go now.”
“Sire.” Said Jali with a bit uncertain tone. However stares of Ona and Zari cheered him up. “Why are you so hasty? Maybe you will let us stay in vicinity and…”
“You want to mate with my lionesses?” asked Ahadi bluntly, but just a second later understood his faux pas. All females looked on him with freezing stares. All, save for Uru, who was still looking on Kunga.
“My son wants just to… make some acquaintances with your pride.” Said Jali in more diplomatic way.
“No, you ro…” started king, but then took a look on Uru. He inhaled deeply and said with calmer voice. “We are very grateful that you helped my queen and that’s why I will gladly host you for… few days.” In fact his voice suggested something completely opposite.
“See, my boy?” asked Jali, looking on Kunga. But he saw and heard something he didn’t expected.
“No, father.” Said greymaned. “I don’t want to disturb pride’s peace. Also it’s an important time for the queen. I guess we should leave your noble hosts alone. But thanks your highness for that dose of trust.”
“Son…” murmured old rogue.
“We will be going, sire.” Said young lion. He looked on Uru. “It was an honour for me to met you, my lady.” He bended his head down. Then he turned back.
“Kunga!” called Uru after him. He stopped and looked back. “Won’t you stay at least few days?” in her voice a clear plead was heard.
“No, my queen. I don’t want to disturb you in that time. But I will keep you in my mind and I will pray to stars for you and your cub’s fortune.”
“Great! You are welcome anytime!” said Ahadi, sensing lion was decided to go away.
“My majesties…” said confused Jali and then walked after his son.
They disappeared in grass of the hills soon after. But Uru understood that she was looking after him much too long as for just a lion whom she was grateful.

The Diamond of Savannah

Preface

All right, here we go, after a long break. TDOS is kind of new experience for me, as I tried to write a romance. If I succeeded, find out yourselves, the story will be fully displayed in incoming days. But for now few remarks.
TDOS is a complementary story to my general plotline. It explains backgrounds of few characters, including Uru and Ahadi. It’s not 100% compatible with my saga (I’ve made one change, making Uru Mohatu’s daughter and Ahadi become a king only by marriage, what match many popular TLK Extended Universe theories and many fanfics), but You may treat it as a part of my storyline, because the backgrounds of characters fit it well (I guess…).
Reading TSH is not necessary, although very, very helpful in understanding the plot. Prologue is placed during 12th TSH chapter (Answers), but then comes back to old times, even before Mufasa’s birth.
I should rate the story with PG13 and that is actual PG13 due to rather troubling plot issues and few indirect, although certainly existing sexual references.
2nd chapter is just slightly extended version of stand-off short story “All the nice girls are already taken”. If read that one, you could skip it, although I still suggest rereading.

Prologue: I Need This

It was late rainy season, but weather was perfect. Rains and humidity in the air made it easier to breathe, sun was shining for most of days, but saving the Earth from scorching heat. One could say that natural conditions were beautiful, so comforting and easy. But in fact only thing that lion cared those days was how it would affect’s mother’s state. Uru was dying – even her younger son realized that – but technically every creature is dying since the vary day it was born, so prince was doing everything to prolong that process. He just hoped that good weather would reduce his mother’s pains.
But on the other paw – he was sure that trips like that would act in opposite way.
“Taka, let’s make a stop.” Ordered queen-mother, when they reached eastern brink of savannah. From that point hummock and hills started, going far beyond Pridelands. Some called these parts “Windy Hills” but for Scar it was just “Bloody Far Hills”, much too remote for his sick mother. He put his parent on the grass, using careful Sarafina’s and Onya’s assitance.
“Thanks Star!” Gasped blackmaned prince to Uru’s ear. “Are you done with exploring?”
“Son.” Replied old lioness with seemingly calm voice. “I used to go here on my own, countless times in the past.” Scar failed to hear a dreamy tone in her voice, he just thought he offended her, by reminding about her disability and weakness.
“Mom…” He said with shivering voice. “I’m sorry. I didn’t…”
“Of course, you didn’t.” Interrupted him queen-mother. “I just noticed that I loved to go here and that bloody tumour might kill me, but it’s helpless against my liking and disliking.”
After tumour was mentioned, they both looked down to hind-leg thigh of Uru. A nasty oedema, most likely kind of cancer overgrew the living tissue, making a dreary view for any creature that had any kind of medical knowledge. Lioness was dying and there was nothing to do with that. Tumour had been growing for years, hidden on the bone, under layer of muscles. When Rafiki finally discovered the nature of queen-mother’s pains, it was much too late to start any kind of treatment. Herbs – mostly painkillers – could slow down the process, but couldn’t cancel the sentence.
“All right.” Said Uru, a bit embarrassed. “I’m not going to die today, right?”
“Every movement makes your condition worse…” Started Scar.
“Stop it!” Gasped lioness. “Send girls back to the Pride Rock. You will take me further.”
Blackmaned would do anything to stop her from giving that order. But it was already said and lion – maybe mature price of the pride, but still son of Uru – had to obey. He stood up and looked on two assisting lionesses.
“Queen is fine… You may go back to your duties.” Then he added with quieter voice. “Be ready that I will ask you for help about the dusk. It’s much better if few of us carry her.”
“Scar…” Said Sarafina, looking in prince’s eyes. As usually – she found there just a wall of cold indifference, what hurt her deeply. But she wanted to do anything to help Taka. “Maybe I will stay with you…”
“No.” Replied Scar, maybe a tone harsher than he intended. “Mom wants to be alone. I bet she will send me off as well.”
“As you wish, Scar.” Replied lioness and turned to queen-mother. “If you need us, call.”
Then she and Onya set off to march back. Mother and son waited few minutes as they disappear behind the hill. Meanwhile sun was covered by one of clouds, but no rain came. Just weather wanted to ease old queen in her trip. Finally blackamned came back to lioness.
“So… what’s now?” He asked, barely hiding irritation in his voice.
“You will take me to up the Windy Hills and leave there.” Said Uru.
“Sure.” Snorted lion with irony. “What else?”
“I think you may be back about the dusk, but I will give you a sign. Maybe you will take me back on the morning.”
“MOM!” Yelled shocked blackmaned. “What has possessed you? I can’t leave you alone, while are you in this state! I even should have carry you myself, as it means serious danger to damage your tumour. *****! We should carry you at all, as it…”
“Son, I’m dying.” She interrupted him with perfectly calm voice.
Lion came to her and without a word laid down, nestling to her side. Of course – carefully, not to touch her aching hind-leg. They stayed motionlessly for long minutes. Lion was hearing calm breathing of his mother, hardly believing that sound would cease forever in just few months. Then she continued.
“I’m dying. My time is coming, as it has come for your father…” Saying that her voice shivered, as late king Ahadi was not a person that Scar would recall with pleasure. “Taka, I love you and I’m so glad you are here with me, supporting me and caring over me. But you can’t change the round of the Circle of Life. There is a path we are all going and for each one that path ends somewhere. For me, it would ends soon. Please, I want to live my last days in happy way.”
“I’m killing you, allowing for such ridicules…” Started prince.
“No! Not ridicules.” Interrupted Uru. “Son, I’m so glad that you help me. Mufasa…” She Sighed, spelling that name. „As a king has no time for me and I understand that. But I need this! I can’t just die in the den, I want to life, if not forever, at least as long as I can in the way I want.”
“Mother, I understand that.” Said Scar. “And I don’t object your orders, in spite how stupid they are…”
He put her on his back and stated to climb on hill’s slope. It took few minutes before they reached the top, where lion carefully put queen-mother on the grass.
“I’m still your mother.” Noticed lioness with smile. “And you were always a good cub.”
“And I will do anything…” Continued Scar. “But after you make me sure that’s not a sophisticated form of suicide. So, will he take care of you?”
These words freeze the air around, or at least Uru thought that. She looked on her son with scared stare and asked, putting all her might to sound calm.
“What do you mean?”
“Want to be sure that he will be careful.” Said prince. “That he won’t let you get cold on evening, he will prevent you from any sunstroke, avoid any irritation of the tumour and…” Lion was clearly embarrassed, having a great difficulty to put his thought in elegant words. “…and if he’s aware that your limited ability to move and extreme vulnerability in backside, due to ill hind-leg, would make any… contact very dangerous without special care.”
“Taka, I don’t know what are you talking about!” She lied nervously. “I came to here to rest and admire the landscape.”
“The landscape usually doesn’t make pawprints of mature male lion.” Said blackmaned, pointing a mark on the grass. Seeing his mother almost crying nervously, added quickly. “Mom, it’s all right! Don’t tell me anything! I don’t need to know and I’m very sorry to mention that issue… Just I want to know if he is careful and don’t hurt you.”
“How could he? He knows and will take care of me.” Replied lioness with dreamy voice. Then added instantly. “I meant: I will be careful, watching landscape here.”
“That’s all I need to know.” Said Scar. “So… take your time. I will be in some den there.” He pointed foot of hill. “When you roar, I will come.”
“Go back to Priderock…”
“No, I will stay there… a week, if it’s necessary. We all love you.” Assured, and they both knew to whom he was referring as one among those ‘all’. “I promise, I won’t look for him. But I want to be close, just in case.”
“Thank you, my son.” Said Uru smiling. “I don’t deserve for all good I experienced in my life… I made many mistakes and paid for them, but others paid for me as well.”
“Mom, if you want to talk, pick a merrier subject.” Snorted Scar.
“Never mind… we will see later.” Said queen-mother. She licked Scar and watched him leave, going down to savannah.
Her statement about mistakes and paying about them was generally true, however the whole story was very, very complex. Or at least I think so – judge yourselves.

whatever limited attention the show draws, it mu go on...