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I wonder how Mshauri feels playing for both sides? Keme's plan is not working at all so he's gonna have to try something else. With Horen leaving the cave there's a chance that he will unintentionally endanger his family's lives. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Story is inevitably reaching its peak. Horen indeed is created to complicate everything he touches;)
And now some more B&P (blood and pathos)

Ps.
To whom is concerned:
Although my thesis-defense-exam is 18 VI, today I spoke with promotor and he assured me that he’ll do me no harm;) I’m waiting for Monday, but with a bit lighter heart.

VII. ....within

Yakta - as he always - tried to analyse situation rationally and failed. There was no rational solution of that. He was fighting with strong lion, older and less agile than he, but for sure much more experienced in combat. Meanwhile, just behind his back, Kwini and Pili were desperately trying to defend knocked out Kisima. Epesi and Mahiri seemed to lost any scruples, seeing that the enemy was no longed helpless and even tried to counterattack. So they were jumping around two Greenlandresses, trying to exhausts them quickly and finish their job. Yakta knew that he had to help princess and her friend, but leaving Keme behind meant suicide.
“Help is on the way!” called with desperate hope he was right. “Hold on!” He also expected that rouges heard that and reconsider withdrawing.
“Death is on the way.” Keme smiled with vicious smile. “Hold on still and I’ll make it quick!”
Because Yakta considered himself as weaker fighter (and he was right), he was just shunning and steeping back, trying to exhaust adversary. When rouge leader noticed that, he suddenly changed his tactic. She pounced aside, on lionesses and inflicted a deadly blow to leg of Kwini. It was – the same as Fumo’s attack – leg wounding blow in order to cripple enemy. Princes yelled and fell on the grass.
“Back!” called Keme to fighting rouges. “Now!”
Although gerge’s chief was furious and mad, he still was smart fighter and commander. He did what he intended to as the first stage of plan, so now he could give himself a break.
“Roger!” panted Epesi and Mahiri then followed their boss.
“Kwini! Yakta!” called queen Chanua, who just had entered the clearing. “Ow, Stars! Are you...”
“Alive.” Replied princess. Although she was crying from pain, she was reporting with cold blood. “But Kisima is unconscious and I’m... partially disabled.” Finished with heavy effort.
Yakta scanned the area with careful stare but when he saw no sign of enemy, he ran to Kwini.
“Ma’am!” he cried with fear, seeing bleeding cut on her left-rear leg.
“Stay calm, Yakta.” Replied lioness. “You could do nothing to prevent that. And maybe...” she looked on him with pale face. Pain shock was overwhelming her. “...you find that injure interest addition to my beauty too?” she smiled and fell unconsciousness.
“Shaman!” called redmaned, holding princess’s head in his paws.
Spotty entered clearing with rest of forces. She was closing the cheerless conduct, securing Danti who was carrying wounded Thelui. Golden One came to senseless princess and looked on blood-red paw.
“Calm down, Yakta. She will recover...” Then a mad laughter came from jungle and all lions on clearing shivered. “...from this one. Just...” she recalled all teachings about wounds and caring of injured ones that Zira once had told to all Outlanders. “Try to minimize the bloodlet. Use your mouth to clench and hold the cut.” Without any question lion gentle grabbed edges of wound by his teethes and clenched his jaw. “And stay this way, at least for the while.” Added Spotty.
“If Horen were here...” whispered Chanua. “He knows many of shamanic ways... Ow, Stars! HOREN!” cried queen. “They could...”
“No! I’m alive!” called voice from jungle. “I’ll be there in minute.”
Indeed – soon after regent exited dense forest and stood before group of survivors. In fact he was barely standing, that Chanua, who ran to greet and hug him, had to support his side before would have fallen.
“Hyenas tail!” yelled redmaned, looking on wounded, scarred and panicking pride. “It can’t be...”
“Dad! What should we do?” asked Spotty with helpless voice.
“Surrender!” thought regent. “That is the only way for us to save our souls...” But, of course, he didn’t say it aloud. He just took a look on remaining forces and said. “We can’t stay here. We must break through jungle to the river. We can’t march home, because it’s too far and forest on our way is too dense... a perfect place for ambushes. But River... There is beach wide enough to defend on open area. While we are in forest, they have us like on a plate. Get wounded ones on backs and go. Everybody intact, apart of carriers, circle around and stay sharp.” Then he added with quieter voice. “Chanua, Jino, Spotty... I must tell you something.”
While rest of pride was forming the ordered formation, Horen took queen, prince and daughter on side and said, almost whispering.
“I know what they are up to... and this looks bad. This is Keme’s vendetta, he wants all us dead... Wait, I haven’t finished... We need to take out that madlion and make a deal with his underlings. This is the only way to come alive from this.”
“Dad!” yelled amazed Spotty. “We will win with them. With all Green Pride...”
“In that condition...” finished regent. “Look, girl, we are standing against six killers with just three, or... if you ask about me... two and half males and nine lionesses whose are keeping three wounded ones.”
“We still outnumber them.”
“They exceed us, both in tactics and strength.” Noticed redmaned.
“We, lionesses, will fight as lions.” Called Spotty with emotion. “I’m Outlander, student of Zira the Great. I’m ready to fight them all.”
“You are still a lioness.” Murmured regent with grim tone. She came closer to him and whispered to his ear.
“But I act like lion and I expect the same from you, dad.”
“Listen, I’m open-minded.” Interrupted Horen. “I’m not any kind of sexist or some like that, but I guess the Mother Nature is. Such a slaughter is not a lionesses job. And even if... ugh!” he panted and fell down.
“Horen!” cried Chanua. They saw that a swelling on his paw suddenly broke and pus, gathered there started to flow away.
“Two and one-third of lion, baby.” Panted regent who was observing own injure like hypnotised.
“That’s enough!” said Spotty with decisive voice. “Dad you ordered us to go to the river, if I’m recalling right... Jino, help me!” She crouched down and waved her tail to encourage Horen to climb on her back. Regent stood a bit surprised but he was gentle pushed by price. Then he was lifted up and he found himself carrying by daughter and ward. “And now, go!” Golden One called to whole pride. “Yakta, will you make it?” she asked, seeing that lion was carrying Kwini alone.
“I have to.” Replied redmaned and whole convoy set off.
Wounded ones were in the centre of group. Two Greenlandresses, princess Kwini and Horen were been carrying on backs of companions. Remaining lionesses, commanded by Danti and Ostasi were cruising around, looking for eventual danger. Spotty was praying to Stars that Keme and his lot wasn’t at this moment sneaking to almost defenceless pride.
“Dad, we will make it.” Whispered Golden One to lion on her back.
“Listen to me...” interrupted her Horen with painful voice. “And you too, Jino. If something goes wrong... you have duties to your pride, I admit that... But in the first place you have duties to your family. Get your mother, sister and Spotty out of here if I’m not able too. Right?”
“Right!” nodded prince. “Then I will go back to continue fight.”
“No! stay with them, whatever happens!”
“Do not listen to him.” Said Spotty. “I won’t retreat under any condition.”
“***** you all!” murmured Horen. But then he noticed a move in bushed on their way. “Right, twenty metres ahead! Alarm!”
From green wall jumped Keme and four rouges. But Danti managed to gather a hard rank of free lionesses just before him. After just few terrifying roars, gerge’s leader ordered to withdraw.
“We must reach river before the dusk.” Whispered Horen. “If they attack in darkness, we’re toasted!” Then he added in mind. “So Mshauri, I trust you will do your part of deal and do it quick!”
*
“Mshauri!” growled with muffled roar Keme. “Where have you been!?”
“Around, boss.” Replied adjutant. “I know where they are heading. Let’s go to the river.” Leader wanted to scold his soldier, but he suppressed his rage, seeing that all rouges are following Mshauri. He also followed, feeling like something was sliding away from his paws. But he ignored it, in order to fuel his fury towards Greenlanders.
“Wait!” said adjutant after few minutes of marching in bushes. “Boss, stay here, when I made a reconnaissance.” Keme nodded his head. “Kiunda! Fumo! Cover me!” Three lions disappeared in forest.
“Pal, what is going on?” whispered Fumo, when they went a bit from Keme.
“We are changing plans...” replied Mshauri. “WE are changing HIS plans.”
“What!?” gasped Kiunda. “Are you lost your mind?”
“Sadly to say, but Keme lost his.” Said adjutant with firm voice. “As a second-in-command it’s my duty to secure the vital interests of pack. I know what we all owe to Keme... But we must depose him, if we are going to survive.”
“This is a treachery!” yelled Fumo.
“I won’t kill him!” gasped Mshauri. “I will just execute my plan. We will get this pride and establish here. With Keme, even if I have to make him do agree. I have a deal with Horen. He will surrender pride if we let him and his family flee.”
“Will we?” asked rouge. In his voice was no longer resistance, just curiosity. He was ready to support Mshauri.
“We will.” Murmured adjutant. “We have some others troubles on mind.”
“But he killed Masafa...” noticed Kiunda.
“Dou you want to avenge him!?” called Mshauri with desperate voice. Then he suddenly quieted his tone, scared that chief could her him. “So get back to Keme and die with him. Cub, this is matter of life and death. We won’t fight if we could get it for free!”
“And young ones?” asked Kiunda.
“Won’t they follow us? You see how they were close to disobey Keme, when he ordered them to kill every lioness.”
“So your reconnaissance is over?” smiled Fumo with bitter smile.
“Right. I had to scout if you are with me.”
*
About hour before sunset, Green Pride reached the river bank. Procession marched to beach with terrible slow tempo, but it was hard for them as the fastest run. Carriers almost threw down wounded ones and guards burst with cry of joy that they no longer have to watch every leaf in forest.
“Do not lay down.” Called Horen, who had been just put from Jino’s and Spotty’s backs. “Form line on the narrowest place of that cape!” he pointed a sandbank on bend of river. It was the only place where weaken pride had some chances for longer defence. “Go on!” he – wanting to give an example – crawled to pointed area. “Spotty, order them in some formation...”
His daughter was barely standing, but she tried to form a defence. With help of Danti and Ostasi, in a quarter they turned that sandbank into improvised fortification. In first rank of pride were lying (definitely too tired to guard standing) unwounded lionesses. Nine of Greenlandresses were standing for three unconsciousness companions and barely aware Horen. On the end of cape there was a quick war-deliberation.
“The plan is simple.” Said Horen. “To take out Keme – I bet he will be in first line - then surrender to Mshauri. He won’t hurt us.”
Chanua looked on regent with sadness in her eyes but she said. “If you are sure there is no other way, we will do what you tell us.”
“No, mom... we could win...” whispered Jino, but then his stare turned to unconsciousness sister. He fell silent, unable to say more.
“I won’t leave this pride, doesn’t matter how.” Said Spotty with decisive voice.
“Maybe we will swim to the other bank when night falls, march on the second side, return on our bank and strike them from both sides?” proposed Jino but with limited hope that is idea would be executed.
“Is that river is safe?” asked Danti.
“For next five kilometres – perfectly safe.” Said prince. “But then we have a waterfall.”
“We can’t cross the river with whole pride.” Murmured Ostasi. “That would see this and attack those who stayed on bank...”
“No, wait!” said suddenly Horen with tensed voice, as if somebody else was talking through him. “Jino has right. Only combined attack work... according we haven’t wounded in your ranks and we kill Keme in first place.”
“I could do it.” Said Yakta. He was lying next to Kwini, who were sleeping with her uneasy sleep. Wounded princess was cuddled in lion’s side, but in that situation, when all etiquette got waxed, no one had anything against. Even Yakta. “In night he won’t have any superiority over me. He is skilled and experienced, but he do not see in darkness. And if blind exchange of blows I should take out him quickly. I think the sudden attack is good idea. But what we will do with wounded ones?” He looked on Kwini.
“We will cross river with them.”
“We?” amazed Chanua. “My dear... are you sure that you’ll make it?” Spotty felt some wave of nauseating press in her throat, however she had no idea why. Regent replied instantly.
“Yes. I swim good enough to take this rive on three paws.”
“But in one try?” asked Yakta. “Ow, sorry, bad joke.”
“Let’s do it.” Said Chanua. “I trust Horen in everything.”
“I’m for.” agreed Jino.
“I don’t know...” murmured Spotty, looking in her father’s eyes. “Are you honest, dad?” she thought. “Or it’s just another trick?”
“Come one, Spotty, that’s is the only chance to spot them.” Said Danti and Ostasi nodded her head. Lioness know that her friends had made theirs decisions and nothing would change it. They were determined to stand for Green Pride and atone for guilt of theirs fathers whatever it would take. She would have strongly agreed with that plan... but something was bothering her.
“Who will swim?” she asked.
“I first, to check the current.” Said Horen. Then queen Chanua, secured by Spotty, then Jino and with one of wounded. Then you, girls” he looked on Golden Ones. “If You are able, with the second wounded. Then Yakta with Kwini.”
“If we fail, those who stay would be squashed.” Noticed Yakta.
“That why queen will give them order to surrender, if we are unable to attack and take out Keme.” Chanua narrowed her eyes, but nodded her head. “Any questions?”
“Dad will you...” started Spotty.
“I changed, my girl. I’ve changed a lot!” interrupted her Horen. “Yes.” He added in mind. “I’ve changed. I’m older, weaker and more vulnerable than I was once. And if then, on Prideland, I could afford for some bravery, now I definitely could not. The only weakness I could afford is you, my girl. I want you to live!” But aloud he added just. “So if there is no question, let’s move!”
*
Rouges came to cape just after sunset. They just took positions before line of lionesses and laid down to wait for instructions. Only Keme and Mshauri were walking restlessly. Leader was still burned by flames of his anger, adjutant was still and still waiting for Horen’s sign. Fortunately for sieged lions, rouges were so concerned with nerves or sleep, that sound of splashing water went away unnoticed.
“What for we are waiting?” asked Keme with mad voice.
“Easy, boss. Let became a pitch-black night. Then they will be defenceless.”
Leader wanted to reply that he also would be defenceless, because he was seeing bad in darkness, but he didn’t open his mouth. Even in that situation, he still remembered not to show his weakness.
“But for what I’m doing it?” asked himself in mind. “For what I’m keeping my leadership I have no one to pass it after me... Masafa... you should be my successor. If you are not here, nothing has its purpose...”
“I heard something.” Said suddenly young Mahiri. „As if someone is swimming.”
“No, it’s nothing.” Replied Mshauri, playing firm voice. “Just water splash in tree-roots on bend.” But he smiled in mind, knowing that Horen started to do his part – to run away.
*
Cool water of river was appeasing regent and even soothing pain in his paw. It helped also with muffling his minds, because redmaned wasn’t able to thing more about his plan and consequences of it. So he didn’t think about betrayal, he was just listening to easy sound of water.
But then some others memories haunted him. Border River three years earlier. He, swimming with Vitani. Logs... And Amini coming with help.
“Amini!” whispered rouge in darkness of night. Vision of old charge stood before him as if it was real. But regent closed his eyes and opened them again to hind it was just an illusion. Right in time – he just touched the sand on the other bank.
He exited water and sat on sand, panting heavily. He waited, until two other silhouettes appeared from darkness. He sighed with relief: Chanua and Spotty made it easily. Lionesses went on beach and laid down on sand, cuddling in sides of regent. Without word, both of them expressed once again their love and trust, that Horen felt chocking grasp on his throat. Once again – however it was impossible – fur on his neck was strangling him. “But I have to!” whispered in mind.
Next swam Jino and still unconsciousness Kisima. Then joined Danti with Pili and Ostasi with Theluji. Silhouette of Yakta and Kwini was more and more clear in darkness.
“Listen...” said Horen with tensed voice. “I must tell you something.” All eyes turned to him and lion felt his neck was burning. “I didn’t tell you everything about our situation.” In silence of beach sounded murmurs of fear and disbelief. “Don’t worry about lionesses on the other bank. I dealt with Mshauri, second-in-command in gerge, he will depose Keme and take his place. He won’t hurt them... if they surrender.”
“But... but...” yelled Spotty. “We are going to strike on them!”
“We are going to die, doing this.” Replied Horen. “How you could fight, after another swim, another effort going back.”
“But you knew and...”
“I did, what I did to make sure you follow me.” Said regent. “There is no shame in retreating in front of stronger enemy. You just have to be smart enough, how save as much as you can.”
“My dear...” whispered Chanua. “My pride is there.”
“You could call me, whatever you wish, my queen. You could hate me now, but the point is that you and your children live.” Old lioness burst in sudden cry. “Cry, curse, blame me, but not for too long.” Added Horen. “I promised Mshauri we will quickly leave the valley...”
“NO!” called Danti. “I won’t leave! I won’t be like my father!” finished with breaking voice. Ostasi nodded her head and joined the cry.
“Horen...” whispered Jino. “I don’t believe you... You won’t leave them... You won’t leave us.”
“Spotty, please tell him, that I’m ready to do it.” Said redmaned with steel voice. Lioness raised her crying face but she said nothing. “Well, tell them what I did three years ago!” hasted lion. “Just condemn me all, and move along! We have to hurry!”
“I won’t go with you!” murmured Spotty with almost growing voice. “If girls stay to atone for theirs fathers, I will do the same!”
Suddenly Horen noticed a shadow behind gathered lions. He instantly recognised that... spectre. Amini was looking on him with his sad, trustful stare. Saying something, but redmaned was unable to hear what. Lion clenched his jaws.
“We will die to save memories of ours fathers.” Said Ostasi with so cold and determined voice, that even Keme would have shivered hearing that. “Right, sisters?”
“Girls from Zira’s club choose only such attractions.” Smiled Danti with bitter smile. “I’m with you, friend. Long live our long lost cause!” called with old Outlanders war-cry. “We will die for it, sir.” Added, looking on Horen.
“So you will die in vain!” growled Horen. “Your pitiful sacrifice has nothing to do with that!” ghost of Amini stopped and looked on Horen with interest. “I will do it, you rascal!” yelled regent in mind. “You made me! You win! I will tell them!” and added to amazed lionesses. “It was my fault! Daki and Laki wanted to stay but I told them to go...” The freezing silence burst on riverbank. Even water seemed to slow its run. “And during battle, when they wanted to join Zira’s forces... I deceived them that, you won. I told them, that Zira won and they were useless... They trusted me... like too many poor creatures on this world.” Finished, looking on crying Chanua.
“But... but...” started Danti.
“...it means...” continued Ostasi, just like Daki and Laki in old times.
“...that your fathers are innocent.” Finished Horen. He also saw as Amini smiled with enigmatic smile. “And during my escape, when I was stopped by some Pridelandress... Kilia, I guess... I killed her to prevent boys from being alarmed.” When he saw another bolt of shock and disgust on lionesses faces, he added. “Another reason to hate me? Let someone write it down!”
“You killed Hawaa’s mother...” Whispered Spotty.
“Clean cut of her throat.” Described Horen. “She trusted me so much, that she turned her back on me...” another wave of silence deluged beach, so regent was speaking still. “So what now? Do you think I will return? I’m the killer of my friend Amini and killer of innocent lioness. I was living with it for years... do you understand it? For years! And you still think I will have some scruples, leaving them!?” pointing on the other side, he finished with scream and them felt a sudden pierce of pain and fear. Chanua slowly turned his stare on him. Horen knew that this time he showed as he went beyond any border of moral fall. The trickster was dead. Only the villain remained.

"He was not about to sacrifice the pride simply because it would be the honorable thing to do, even though doing what was honorable would have been so much easier to do, and so much more easier to accept for his pride. Indeed, sometimes it takes a lion more courage to be a coward than it would take him to become a hero."

This felt somehowwhat appropriate

I agree. Now that Horen has told the truth about Danti and Ostasi's fathers and the ghost of Amini has appeared to him what will everyone say? Will he be trusted again and make true amends for what he's done?

Let's hope.

Well, my heroes are a bit more old-fashion-made than Coritor’s ones, so they have to solve all in more old-fashioned way...
Tommorow an Epilogue, but now...
Ladies and Gentelmens:
And now the le grande finale (background sublime music starts)
Prepare your handkerchiefs...
...to wipe out blood from screen.

VIII. Father’s Day

Queen was looking on lion with whom she had been living for two years, in silence. Finally she stepped few steps ahead and raised her paw. Horen made his body to stay calm, ready to take her blow with upfronted face. But her paw touched lion’s cheek with shocking gentleness.
“You... you... poor creature...” sobbed lionesses. “Whole this years you haven’t tell me... It had to be hell.” She finished with loud cry and... hugged regent tight.
Rest of lions – of course those awaken ones – steeped back, but it wasn’t a sign of disgust of hostility but a shock and disbelief. Silence fell once again and even when Yakta came with unconsciousness Kwini he instantly understood that something bad had happened. He put his precious load on sand and joined the wall of silence around Horen.
Only Chanua was still sobbing quietly. Jino was looking on regent, then on mother, then on Spotty. But she was exchanging silent stares with her friends. There was no need to be especially gifted to understand what they were thinking about. “That is not your fight.” Called Spotty with her yes. “You are relived. Your fathers don’t need to be atoned. My does..”
“No way, sister.” Suddenly said Ostasi. “We are staying here.”
“May I ask, what the hell for?” said Horen. “It’s only me to blame. Your fathers were heroes. You don’t have to pay theirs bills.”
“No.” replied Danti. “But now we have to follow theirs pawprints.”
Regent sighed and murmured. “You word of heroic nobleness might seems pretty but it lacks of basic logic.”
“So we counterattack?” asked Yakta. No one was surprised he stood for Kwini’s pride.
“Yes.” Nodded Ostati. “My father’s idea is the best what we could do.” Horen shivered, because it sounded as if lioness was talking about dead one.
“But mister Horen... you are staying here?” added Yakta, who guessed what had happened there. Crying Chanua nodded her head. “That’s good... someone will guard wounded ones...” said, whoever he looked only on Kwini.
“Take care of her.” Whispered queen. “I hope I can ask you for that.”
“What!?” yelled Horen. “No, you will take care of her. You won’t go! You can’t! I forbid you!”
“Horen, please... don’t say more.” Said Jino with breaking voice.
“Dad.” Whispered Spotty, coming to regent. “Go to Prideland and tell them... as much truth as you will be able too. And say that to Kovu: Long live our long dead cause! This is the password of ours, king will know that you are really my father...” she shivered, saying that. “And he will accept you in pride.”
“It’s ridicules!” yelled redmaned. “Go with me! All of you!”
Kovu came to Horen and said with indifferent voice. “Sir, please tell lord Kovu that I’m terribly sorry I can’t report for further missions. But I hope he will understand it... He is also drained out of logic.” Added with poisonous tone, but then again murmured with breaking voice. “And to princess... tell her that everything I said was true.”
“Yakta, have you lost your mind?” asked Horen with feverish whisper. “You are supposed to protect your pride-mates. And now you lead them to death.”
“I’m supposed to protect not just lives of my pride... but also... it’s honour.” Then he turned to Golden Ones. “Spotty, will you lead?”
“Yes.” Nodded lioness. She looked on father and said. “Anyway, I thanks you for those few days when I thought that...” he voice broke and she instantly ran to the water. Danti, Ostasi, Jino and Yakta followed her.
Only Chanua stayed for a while long, still holding Horen in paws, what turned to be real torment for regent. Finally she stepped back and said.
“What ever happened and will happen, I want you to know that I still love you and hold no grudge against you. I’m really glad you will survive... And I forgive you on my behalf. But I can’t forgive you for others.” She stood up and turned to the river.
“Chanua... stop! Do not leave me!” yelled Horen.
“And now you still consider yourself left?” asked she with sad whisper. “Poor creature... I will pray that Stars may have mercy on you.” She entered river’s stream and Horen had to turn his stare away – in her silhouette he saw Amini.
“Fact I deserve for it, doesn’t mean you are not sadist.” Thought redmaned with picture of his ward before his eyes. Lion sat on sand, waiting for any call in his mind to advice him. But no one called.
So, he could only wait for unconscious come to senses. Then hunt something for them... wait until they are ready for departure to Prideland. “And maybe I should work on my version of story.” He thought. “Kwini will have many questions when she wake up.” That thought scares him. Instead of mending any of his errors, he was about to just improve lies behind it.
“But I must save what I’m still able to.” He went to senseless Kwini and bended down to her cut. In the same moment from the other bank or river sounded roars and yells of pain. Lion recognised Spotty, who was swimming as a first. So his genius plan failed from the very start – rouges were expecting attack on shore and waiting for defenceless, swimming enemy. Hearing cry of pain of his daughter, Horen froze, just before face of Kwini. In the same moment princess opened her eyes and looked on redmaned with half-awaken stare.
“What happened, dad? I mean... Horen...”
Through the body of former regent came a bolt of shock. “Dad!” She addressed him as father! Not that he wasn’t her carer for years and such a statement shouldn’t seem strange for him.. but it happened as first time. And as a first time opened some deep, unknown cave in heart of redmaned. The cave of responsibility.
“It happened something very bad.” Said lion “Yes, I sent your mother and brother to certain death.” Thought bitterly. “But do not worry... I...”
“...will fix that.” Finished Kwini by quoting favourite sentence of ex-regent. “I bet you will, Horen.”
“Dad?” asked lion with breaking voice.
“As, you wish... of course. I hope you know who you are for me.” Said a bit confused princes. “I bet you will, dad.”
“Wait here, my sweet.” Said lion with strange tone, where extreme joy and extreme guilt was mixed. “And take a look on girls. I’m coming for our family.”
And Horen turned back to jump to the river. Fortunately, he submerge underwater and his yell of pain, caused by twisted leg, drown in noise of torrent. Redmaned was ignoring it and just waving his all paws to swim faster. He was dreadfully curious if those few minutes of indecision would cost him dearer than years of it.
*
For few hours rouges were just waiting before sieged lionesses. Greenlandresses became extremely scared and nervous, although not only them. Maybe even they had some comfort if they knew that Mshauri is nervous as well. Some things were to be done – mainly deposing of Keme.
“Boys it’s time.” Said adjutant. Fumo and Kiunda nodded theirs heads, but Epesi and Mahiri just turned theirs suspicious stare on older companion. “Let make it quick...”
“Alarm!” called Keme suddenly. “They are surrounding us!”
“Hm?” murmured Fumo with disbelief.
“They are swimming from the other bank and...” shouted leader feverish, running on shore.
“Boss...” said Mshauri with gentle voice. “Maybe your sight... fails you this time.”
“Shut up! I hear them coming!”
“Eee... Mshauri...” murmured Fumo. “He’s right.” Then they all heard a noise of swimming group.
“*****!” growled adjutant. Keme disappeared in darkness. He wasn’t there – so he could be knock out and deposed but – what was maybe more important on that moment, he weakened the line of rouges. Lionesses started to stand up from sand, ready to some sudden move. “Horen! It was supposed to be done smoothly!” thought lion.
“Plan is suspended?” asked Kiunda.
“What plan?” inquired Mahiri.
“Stay sharp!” growled rouge. “Boss will greet those swimmers and we have to keep lionesses.”
Keme managed to get on second sandbank, about hundred metres downriver exactly in moment when Spotty was coming out from water. Old rouge pounced on her – helpless due to effort and being in mud of shallows. He jumped on her back and pressed her down. Shocked lioness submerged, desperately trying to keep her breath. Bouncing on back of attacked Golden One, Keme made another jump, right into Jino, who was just closing to the shore. Instant and definitely unorthodox action of leader surprised lion. He allowed to be hit in head and almost lost his breath, being submerged. Seeing that, Keme swam back to Spotty, who was barely standing on bottom and hit her with paw of extended claws.
“Yakta! Ma’am! Swam further!” called shocked Golden One. “We will stop him.”
Because Jino understood that plural form was about him, he overcame the pain and speeded to shore. He stopped on shallow, just before fighting Spotty and Keme. Then he hit rouge’s back.
“Ma’am!” called Yakta. “They are right! We are detected and we must get to pride as soon as we could!”
“But there... there...” yelled Chanua, thinking about Spotty, confronted with giant male.
“Don’t worry.” Replied Yakta. “Spotty will defend your son...”
Without any more chats, redmaned and queen exited water and ran to cape. Yakta took a lead and lioness tried to hide behind his back. The trick was plain as savannah, but – not surprisingly – it worked.
“Keme?” asked amazed Mahiri. „You took them already?”
In the same moment Yakta pounced on surprised scout, overturning him easily and Chanua stopped before fighting lions, covering redmaned.
“*****!” yelled Mshauri. “Epesi, help him!”
Danti and Ostasi managed to land directly on cape and after shaking water off theirs furs and taking a quick look around, they took an initiative.
“Girls! They are just four now!” smiled Ostasi.
“And we are a bit more numerous...” finished Danti. “Get them!” And wave of Greenlandresses, supported by two Outlandresses, set off on enemy.
Meanwhile Spotty and Jino were still standing on shallow water, waiting for Keme to move. Because of second sandbank was down the river-bend that area of beach was covered in shade – moonlight was stopped by high wall of jungle. Three lions were fighting in almost complete darkness. Paradoxically it increased Keme’s chances. Rouge could hit at random, to any shadow he notice. But lioness and prince had to be careful not to hit themselves. Half-stunned and half-drowned, hobbling Spotty was especially uncertain with whom she was fighting with.
“Prince, talk to me!” she called. “I don’t know where are you and where is...” She attacked at random.
“Au!” sounded a yell of pain. “That’s me!” added Jino with confused voice. “Unfortunately...”
“I’m serious!” repeated Outlandress.
“I know!” called Keme from darkness. If not that call, Spotty would hit Jino again. “That was you! You killed my Masafa!”
“You should swim thought this river and apologise Horen.” Said prince with irony. “Au! Watch you steps, ma’am!”
“That was me, this time.” Smiled Keme. Then he added. “Fatal wound were inflicted by paws smaller than Horen’s. I heard you are his daughter. So soon he will felt how is to lost child!”
“Jino, talk to me!” called Spotty, uncertain where to turn. Where Keme finished his speech she was to confused to navigate.
“All right, ma’am.” Said lion. It was clear that he was quickly losing his strength. Swimming and nervous battle on darkness turn out to be too much, even for brave prince. “So ma’am...”
“Maybe Spotty?” asked lioness.”
“As you wish, Spot... ugh!” called prince with pain.
“Do worry, my dear.” Said Keme with sarcastic voice. “I did it!”
“So Spotty...” continued Jino. “If we came alive from this... maybe... we just go out somewhere together... Au! Not now, you idiot!” called lion, hit again by Keme.
“Excellent!” smiled lioness with bitter smile. “You have unusual talent for choosing dramatic circumstances to ask girl for a date... But beware... if you want to maintain such a grade of suspense, your eventual proposal should will be performed during earthquake combined with flood...”
“Let’s focus on the first step.” Smiled Jino in darkness. “Could I count it as <yes>?”
“Of course, my prin...”
And then Spotty suddenly fell silent. Lion heard just nauseating sound of blow in neck, then he felt as Outlandress’s body hit the ground. He pounced in blind charge in direction he expected Keme, but it was the thing that leader expected.
“You will be together, until death tears you apart.” Called rouge. “I give you two minutes!” and with full force he slashed Jino in side.
Lion felt a terrible pain on his left shoulder and left side of back. He wanted to shout, but he even lost his breath to do it. Falling to the water, he managed to push senseless Spotty’s body further to shallower water, praying that her head will reach the shore. But every pray was about to be in vain, if he died there from Keme’s paws. Lion submerged into the water – there about thirty centimetres deep. Well, it’s hard to drown in such a depth, at least alone. But Keme, with his helping paw pressed head of price in mud on bottom of shallow, slashing with the other paw back of lion. In normal circumstances prince would stand over minute underwater, but rain of pain on his side made him to open his mouth. When water deluged his throat and he understood he was dying, only thing he would think about was lone silhouette of Horen, who left on the other side. “I forgive you... dad...” whispered, letting last of his air from lungs and them darkness came. What Jino failed to feel was the lion’s body, who fell down on bottom next to him.
“JINO!” cried Horen, desperately wrestling with Keme. He knew that he could pull up his ward, before he deal with rouge, but sight of numerous air-bubbles round head of stunned lion froze his heart. When he felt that Keme’s resistance weakened a bit, with rear paws he tried to lift prince’s head.
He overturned motionless body with mouth up, that lion had top of his nose overwater. He coughed with mud, but because he was still partially submerged, another wave of liquid deluged his throat. Seeing that Horen let him loose and ran to ward Keme coughed and prepared to deadly blow. Meanwhile redmaned pulled body up to beach, when a blow from rouge hit his back. But Horen – so swollen and beaten on whole body that he barely registered another wave of pain – ignored it and jumped to Spotty. Unconsciousness lioness was still alive and breathing fast, what ex-regent greeted with cry of relief. He lifted her body and threw next to Jino’s. Then he turned back, just to receive another blow.
”You have returned!” called Keme. “Excellent, I will kill you all.”
“Keme, I’m really sorry, about...”
“Don’t dare to speak his name!” roared rouge and pounced on enemy.
They both fall down to the mud of shoal, mercilessly slashing each other on chest. “Ow, great place to fight for scums like we are.” Thought Horen, ripping a long cut in Keme’s side. He had to fill his mind with any thought, because pain of rouge’s dice on his arm was crushing. Enemy cut his swelling and get to damaged bone. “Outcasts, trashes of world, killing each other in mud. But Stars! Now I’m standing for kids... let me bear this one!”
After mutual mutilation of point-blank distance slashes, both lions, bleeding like slaughtered prays, fell in water. As first Keme gathered his strength and with malicious laughter he stood up and stepped to the shore.
“Soon... Horen...” he painted, bleeding from cut on his chest and from his mouth. “...you will fell how it’s like...” He stopped over Spotty’s body and roared. “Happy father’s day!” But before his raised paw fell on motionless lioness, a shadow flew over him. Driven by unknown force, Horen instantly stood up and bounced into the air on all his four paws. Twisted limp didn’t make it and forearm bone popped out from damaged joint, making a nauseating sound of tearing muscles. But brain stopped the crushing wave of pain and three remaining, ready paws were extended and willing to kill.
Lion fell on Keme, pinning him to the ground, partially underwater. With disabled paw he just pressed down rouge’s limb, unable to do more. But with front-left paw he reached to leader’s armpit, cutting tendon, artery and layer of muscles. Roars of Keme became a one, continuous cry of rage and pain. Lions rolled aside, leaving coughing and slowly awaking Spotty. Regent and leader were both crippled in similar grade, with one paw disabled, and open bloodlets, however they were fighting still. When Keme understood that his cut would make him bleed-out a bit faster, he just stop his garde of right paw, letting redmaned reach his throat. But he did it with clear purpose.
“You will feel...” wheezed yellowmaned, when Horen was slitting his throat. “Now!”
Half-dead body of leader make a final attempt, by cowering rear paws and pushing them out in ultimate hit. Horen with terror in eyes saw as dying enemy hits lying Jino and pushed him to the river. Redmaned pressed swirling body and mended a lethal cut, but what was done was done – prince started to slowly drift downriver. With insist, regent again slashed second armpit of enemy, almost cutting paw off, to make sure that rouge was unable to hurt Spotty. Then – trying to stop Jino – he stood...
...and fell down. Right paw of Horen was in one piece only thanks to fur, because inside it was probably looking firm as week-old carcass. Left limb was cut in fight, aching as hell and too weak to support body of regent. So redmaned hit the surface of water with face and it took several second for him to lift mouth above. Meanwhile prince was already taken by main current.
Yelling from pain Horen started to crawl in mud to reach deeper water where he could swim. He had no idea how he could, being so injured, but sight of Jino’s face, still being overwater, was calling to him over any ache. Finally lion pushed the bottom under his legs and started to flow.
“Help!” called, however river’s noise was too loud to let anyone hear. Redmaned understood that he was on his own.
With three paws (and that front-left hurt so much, that one could say: on two and half) he started to paddle in river. All the world was against him, including own blood, that was flowing out so intensively that water before him became a sticky, reddish liquid, spotting fur on his face, even making harder to see. So Horen speeded up, at least to float a bit faster than current. Being faster than river has its advantages. For instance: you don’t see, how fast you are bleeding.
*
All discipline failed. However it was far more deadly for rouges, who were less numerous and based their superiority in organised plan of action. When it failed, firm victors turned to be losers. Lionesses were fighting in mass and there was a mass of four against mass of ten. Chances become more and more equal.
Yakta knocked out Mahiri fast, and being covered by Chanua, engaged Mshauri. Indeed – night made fighting much harder, but it level advantages of rouge. After just minute of duel, Mshauri, being still harassed from sides by queen, understood that he was losing. With no Keme in sight, he decided to do one thing he could.
“We will surrender for letting us go!” panted.
“Your highness?” called Yakta. “I strongly advice to consider it!”
“You hide you claws and wait for our mercy.” Replied queen quickly. “I guarantee you safe pass as a queen of Green Va...”
“Deal!” panted Mshauri and called with all remaining strength. “Boys! We’re giving up!”
Order was an order and rouges stopped they fight instantly, just stepping back to the river to avoid too frenzy lionesses. But they wasn’t too avid to pursuit enemies – just, seeing persecutors withdrawing, stopped in place with amaze. Then a cry of relief sounded over river that quickly turned to actual crying of joy.
*
When Spotty retuned to senses, the very first thing she saw was motionless body of Keme. Then a giant spot of blood, covering over few metres of red mud on shore. Before she managed to scream, she also noticed that on shallows stayed a bloody mark, slowly dispersing in water. There were no Jino nor Horen.
“Dad!” called, but he couldn’t hear her, being almost kilometre downriver. “Queen! Girls! Help!” she shouted, barely standing on paws.
Meanwhile regent and prince were floating and bleeding. Horen reached his ward, grabbed him and hold him as firm as he could do it with one, wounded paw. Then he understood he had no further plan. Lion was too weak to swim with his ward to the bank. All he could to was to keep them both on surface and think. He had little time, because from bloody track behind him, regent presumed that he had a chance to bleed-out maybe even before waterfall. He wanted to scream and cry, however he knew it was useless. And on the other hand he had no strength to do that. Suddenly he looked on prince and gasped with amaze.
“Amini!”
In darkness of night, blood-spotted mane of young lion seemed to be almost black. The memory hit Horen’s mind with terrible force. “Amini!” called in night. “I deserve it... But why it happened Jino! Why...”
Then he felt a painful blow in his head. Both lions collided with single stone in bed of river. Horena and Jino submerged, but regent instantly understood a chance and grabbed rock with both paws. He didn’t know it right paw helped in any degree or just brought some additional pain, but he managed to hold on and pull himself and prince to saving stone. With all remaining might, Horen lifted ward’s body and put his paws over stone’s edge.
“Grab it!” panted. “You must grab it and hold on!”
“All right, dad...” replied half-awaken lion. Horen, seeing that in impulse limbs of prince grasped solid surface, smiled with airy smile and let the current take him down. Mission was done.
But he wasn’t.
After some time he understood he was somehow still alive and aware of world around him. And more: of world within him. He noticed that he was still holding (or maybe he had been hold by) some lion with dark or blood-spotted mane.
“Jino... son... no...”
“I’m not Jino.” Replied dark silhouette. “But you could call me <son>.”
“Amini!” whispered Horen with panting voice.
“Don’t worry...” replied spectre. “It all be all right... pain with cease within minutes.”
“Amini... I’m so sorry...” started regent, but he was interrupted.
“I know. That why you are here...” she smiled with his usual, carefree smile. “Stars! Twins and I were praying that you made it... We were praying for years for you to do it tonight.”
“Do...” whispered confused lion. “I mean... did I mend what...”
“It doesn’t matter, father.” Said Amini. “You stayed with them. Now we could forget all the shades. Day has come.”
“But...” Horen wanted to express his disbelief, how could he repair just with one night errors and lies of years. But blackmaned was only holding him with firm and sensitive grab that soothed every question and fear.
“And now we will depart.” Said Amini. “Don’t worry, you left here the best of you.”
Motionless body of Horen fell behind the edge of waterfall and started to falling fast, maybe even faster than it should. Who knows – maybe the weight of old guilts was pressing it down? But it wasn’t most important, because it wasn’t the end of journey.
Two souls, one radiant and long healed from wounds of earth and the second – just freed from bounds of flesh, were flying still, not down to boiling water of river, but ahead to the horizon, or even further – to the Stars.

Well, in the given circumstances this was as happy an end as could be. Somehow... in a bloodsoaked manner.
Quite some heroism though, and redemption for one's sins.

"But beware... if you want to maintain such a grade of suspense, your eventual proposal should will be performed during earthquake combined with flood."
That was pretty hilarious.

Nice ending! Horen's will to save his 'son' and to float to his death with true dignity is really something. Now he's truly redeemed for his sins. Good chapter! Bloodsoaked but needed all the way through.

Ow, excuse me – epilogue was ready yesterday, but I was somewhere out (bureaucracy-stuff before last exam). So this is end of FD day story, few final answers and something to smile at goodbye (I hope). Have a good reading.

Ps.
I’m waiting for overall comments – how do You like it, any advantages/flaws (be honest) and... what I should write next <lol> (in general future. In the moment I have a little time).

IX. Following Well-Known Pawprints

[“Saved” song. Music is rather serene, although it has some more serious tones – but it general airy music is making a bit confusing contrast with grave events in sight. Capture of just-before-dawn beach of river. In shades of incoming day lionesses of Green Pride surrounds rouges. They – day before fearless conquerors – now tired and confused outcast, gives themselves to mercy of locals.]

When the fight’s over, night is gone
We’re – alive just to wake up
Sun is raising – day’s to be done
On the ride we’ll never stop

[Chanua and Yakta carry half-stunned Mahiri to main group. Young rouge there stands on paws, looking with disbelief on friends among lionesses. He seems not to believe all that night-drama was real. But them wounded Spotty comes in, calling with terror.]

Even if we’re hit again, some new scratches on forehead
Even if it hurts this time still we’re far from being dead

[Lionesses surrounds her, ignoring rouges. However lions shows no inclination to attack or retreat. Spotty talk something fast, although we can’t hear it, we suppose that she is asking about Horen and Jino. Then all healthy lionesses (and Yakta and exhausted Spotty) sets off down river, led by Chanua.]

Chorus:
We saved – What in us
Deepest, deepest, most is ours
Still, intact its grow and trust
We will keep it with all our power
Shining as a star
We saved who we are

[They go on beach, passing place where – on the other side – wait wounded lionesses. Kwini wants to swim river through and join, but Yakta stops her with decisive wave of paw. Faster tempo – sun is rising up.]

Sun is climbing upper still
Shining on the shades downhere
Even if those look so weird
So dark, deep, soon they will heal

[Early morning – conduct gets to place where Jino is. Lion is still unconsciousness, grabbing to stone where Horen put him. Few lionesses come for him and drag him on shore. Spotty with joy hobbles to him and licks his cheek. But soon after she turns with fear on west and calls everybody to move ahead.]

Even if we’re hit again, some new scar won’t ache too much
Even if it hurt this time what’s most matters is untouched

[They get to edge of water fall to see only sign of Horen: bloodspotted rocks on brink. Chanua and Spotty turn theirs stares down in silence. Yatka seeing that no one orders to unrest lionesses, seems to take over lead and calls them to rank, chooses two scouts in good condition, points on path down... etc.]

Chorus:
We saved – What in us
Deepest, deepest, most is ours
Still, intact its grow and trust
We will keep it with all our power
Finding inner bliss
Where it always is

[Two scouts go down to find dead Horen’s body. When lionesses come closer find that regent has peaceful smile on his lips. Music stops.]

Both lionesses – queen and Golden Ones cried in tight hug but they soon calmed down seeing stares of pride. Because eyes of lionesses were full mot only of compassion to monarchess and friend, but also genuine loss of deceased regent somehow the mourning became easier. It was the matter of whole pride. And if even old queen was unable to carry her loss alone, with love of her subjects she could. So she shook off the tears and looked in Spotty’s eyes.
“He died standing for us, however he died. I’m proud of him, but it doesn’t change how I will miss him. And I see you too... I’m so sorry, we weren’t able to save him.”
“No, your highness.” Replied lioness with firm voice. “We both know we saved what was the greatest in him.”
*
Month earlier three lionesses and one lion had departed from Prideland. On that particular morning no one was specially looking for travellers, however whole pride (or even two prides) was waiting for them with anxiety. Their safe return was a pleasant surprise, however a bit confusing surprise. To Priderock were heading four lionesses and two lions.
“Sir!” called Tiko, landing on Tanabi’s shoulder. “They are back... and even more!”
“Hm?” surprised king. “Or, anyway, tell Kiara and Kovu...”
Official welcome-committee waited for newcomers next to waterhole. Because the presence of stranger lionesses and stranger lion, both kings were ready to welcome new guest with old customs, taken from Golden Pride tradition – with gourds full of water as a sing of hospitality.
“Our customs are beautiful and touching.” Murmured Vitani, standing next to Tanabi. “However I must admit you look stupid with that gourd in your mouth.” Tanabi was unable to reply, due to load in his jaws, but according to moves of his tail, he wanted to answer for than. But Prideland queen continued. “Ow, look on them! That stranger looks royal indeed... lionesses next tom him too... Stars! Did Yakta just licked that girl or I have a sunstroke.”
“We have to bow to kings and queens then drink water they serve.” Instructed redmaned. “Just one draught for everyone to get. Instantly then, after welcome, you ma’am and you, sir have to ask to release Spotty and me from oath of loyalty and let us go away from pride.”
“To establish a new one as a king, in your case.” Smiled Jino.
“It doesn’t matter, sir.” Replied redmaned and turned to princess. “Do you remember what you have to say, ma’am?”
“Why do you still <ma’am> me?” asked Kwini. “We are going to be mates, so I think that a little of informallity won’t hurt...”
“But we still aren’t and until then I expect you to expect me proper treating.” Said Yakta with decisive voice.
“As you wish, my love.” Nodded princess.
Vitani didn’t heard exactly all the dialogue, but she understood that Yakta wouldn’t have problem with leaving Kovu, because found someone else to become her indispensable subject. Kovu would still have a problem with redmaned’s retirement, but Prideland queen also knew that Outlanders are born to solve every problem they came across.
“Welcome, you all.” Started Kovu with a bit uncertain voice. “I’m Golden King Kovu and you are entering domain of mine and my cousin Tanabi of Priderock...” Then a silent whisper of Yakta sounded.
“Excellent, sir. But step a little closer and give them a bow. They are from royal blood too.”
King Kovu, king Tanabi, queen Kiara and queen Vitani instantly obeyed request of lion.

Interesting ending. Overall this was a good read... like all your stories are How's your thesis coming along? Hope you're doing okay on it. As to your next story, what did you have in mind? Well, whatever you decide to write after this is alright with me.

completely off-top:
Today I became the Master of Arts on University of Warsaw (history-faculty) with thesis:
“Tyrant on the Priderock: a King, a Tyrant, a Successor and the others archetypes of classical political philosophy in films: “The Lion King” and “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride” as the legacy of Ancient Regime’s tradition.
(Based on writings of Aristotle, saint Thomas Aquinas, Erasmus Roterodamus, Jan Bodinus and dramas of William Shakespeare)”

I’m not sure what note exactly I will receive after counting my all-studies-average, but I still hope for summa cum laude.

More of my carrier-news will come soon...

...dude...

But about FD!

Well, I've reviewed all seperate chapters, and the last one kind of just wraped everything up.
So a (brief) general impression then.

The style has pretty much remained the same since your first fanfic (a bit 19th century-realism like [that's not an acurate term, but I jst couldn't find an appropriate english translation for what I was thinking of]), although the general tone was a bit 'lighter' now.

The 'lighter' tone probably has to do with the 'new-begginings' feeling you get at the start (indeed, on the Pridelands, all big, historic battles for the comming decade have allready been fought), and the fact the camera turns to one of the 'marginal' events in the Prideland's history: the story litteraly takes place at the edge of the Pridelands, and all main characers used to be secondary cast (the only main character from previous episodes, Yakta, however, now becomes rather secondary).

The fight scenes were also written with less restraint; in previous episodes, it was always (litaraly) a battle of the gods. Now, the battles felt a bit less significant, yet more entertaining. It is a two edged sword.

In short, to me it felt like less drama, but more fun. I can appriciate both.

ps: yes, I know this sounds relativistic, but that's just the way I think! I can't help it; everytime I judge somthing, all I can see is a ballace with pro's and con's.
But then again, if I say good, I do mean good; the less you use a word, the more meaning it gets. Think marginal value.
So... it was good.