II. Queen of the Gorge
Whatever would be the mourning, the time is unaffected and he forces life to go on. Always, whatever happens. So soon after death of queen, Golden Cave return to normality or at least – to some new norm. Of course life <before> and <after> was divided by clear border, but there were creatures for whom that border was very abstractive. New cubs of that year – Zira, Wivu, Epesi, Busara and Msikizi simply didn’t remember queen at all. For older cubs… or then better to say – young members of pride – Sparthi, Ghera, Macheo, Cheza and Ujuzi of course remembered Malkha (for prince it was obvious), but time did his job and those memories were put in corners of minds.
Not so much changed in Golden Sands. No new queen was announced, but pride knew that Masa was queen via facti. She never joined with king by mate-bound, as for ruler planned no more cubs. Even simple fact they loved each other wasn’t told – at least in loud words. But golden lioness was leading hunts, assisting king in all of his duties and stayed always close to lion she loved. Arista was satisfied with that way.
Dhalimu changed, at least for those who knew him earlier. He become more silent, more secretive and melancholic. He used to disappear for many days, wandering in Western Range and walking the desert to Dried Forest or even further. Sometimes he was taking Sparthi with him, to show prince of kingdom how to survive in that seemingly lifeless land.
Heir to throne was growing fast, to become strong and handsome adolescent. Thanks to teaching of father and uncle he was discovering all means required to run his land one day. But with age, those lessons started to become more and more tiring for young lion, disturbing his time. And additional duties to pride seemed sometimes unbearable. Those duties were provided by new cubs and his little sister.
“So, what would we do today?” asked Epesi, walking in group of one-year cubs.
“I guess the same what yesterday.” Replied Zira. “Playing in king of the gorge.” Other cubs sighed with mix of irritation and amusement. That was favourite princess’s game. “What’s up? Any of you have better idea?”
“There will be the same as yesterday and day before.” Snorted Busara. “You will win.”
Rules of <king of the gorge> (or queen in that case) were simple. In Rumble Gorge was bed of seasonal torrent, in dry season completely waterless. That was a trench about metre deep and of similar width. It was a space for two or three cubs to stand side by side and wrestle. Two of kitties were upper and defending position. Three were lower, trying to overturn any of defenders. Fallen competitor was going down and joining strike force, but almost each time they were playing, the outcome was the same. Zira was strongest and most agile of cubs and she always wanted to have Wivu at her side. So Zira usually won with one of defenders, took her place and was standing paying no attention on second “queen”. Sooner or later Wivu came up to her place and then princess started to fight for two or three cubs, securing Wivu’s position. Epesi, Busara and Msikizi knew the drill, but it was hard to make Zira change her acting.
“Yeah!” added Epesi. “You will help Wivu again.”
“And what’s wrong in that?” asked Zira. “She is my sister”.
“We are not plying family, but combat.” Noticed Mskizi. ”You must promise, you won’t help her in any way.”
“Why would…”
“Stop it!” gasped Wivu, who simply couldn’t stand that. She hated to hear she was weaker than her adoptive sister. In spite she knew that Zira had good intentions, just to help her, that kind of assistance was extremely embarrassing and in long run even humiliating. “Just promise them, you won’t take me to your team.”
“Why?” asked princess confused.
“Just because I don’t want it.” Snorted grey cub. “Right?”
“As you wish.” Murmured Zira. “Right, so go up with Epesi. We will start that way.”
Cubs took their positions. Best place for game was just in mouth of Rumble Gorge. Because of seasonal creek that was floating there, where gorged ended was a oasis-grove. Water from valley was floating and dripping down to mouth and there was stopped by rock-place, kind of pan buried in sand. That was why much of moisture stayed near gorge even for the driest months. A permanent oasis – or even better to say – miniature jungle was growing there. Arc-like belt of green, about two hundred metres wide and almost half kilometre long was keeping most of life in Golden Sands. There was a water storage for many creature – green forest was keeping moisture for whole year. In centre of grove was small lake and that was favourite place of most lions there – on the beach of that pond desert sand was coming straight to water, being fascinating border between two words – of dryness and moisture. Whole place was beautiful, but in fact dull as well – kings of Golden Sands forbade to hunt in proximity of hundred metres from water, not to let predators cut down the game in place where it was helpless. Also Arista was rather displeased when cubs were playing in grove – even presence of kitties – almost always with escort of some mature lioness – was kind of harassment for herbivores. That was why bubs used to play further in the gorge.
That time they were under care of Sparthi and Ghera. But young carers were not exactly there. They stayed in grove, relaxing in paradise-like scenery of lake, tired of cubbish plays and – what was even more important – wanting rather own company than hanging with loud and clumsy charges. Sparthi was near, ready to come with assistance, if any of kitties got into trouble, but he simply didn’t bothered with constant surveillance. Zira and her friends were absolutely satisfied with that deal.
So they finally started the game. When sun was almost in zenith, Wivu and Epesi took their places in narrow spot of creek’s bed. Zira, Busara and Msikizi waited lower and when <queens> declared as ready, they started to skirmish. Rules were simple – there wasn’t any. Perhaps some acts were considered as unfair – for example attackers were meant not to hit defenders paws and defenders were not allowed to throw any rocks down, but that was more a silent agreement of participators than set rule. In theory cubs should have claws hidden, for not to wound each other, but in practise during heavy combat – sooner or later – one of kitties extended claws, what always caused some cries and reproaches and often ended whole game. Kids many times returned to Golden Cave really bruised, but Arista didn’t scold pride-cubs nor carers, because he knew that real training meant sweat and sometimes blood. He trusted in cubs reason and usually he was right.
So the main technique to win for <claimant> was to grab <queen’s> neck and pull her back to overturn her. Defenders were avoiding those attacks or wrestling to push enemy’s paws away. Role of claimant was more tiring, because it required constant jumping, but strike team was three, while defenders were two and score was a result of slightest error of <queen>. In normal condition game was fair, but strength and perfect balance of Zira made it handicapped.
“Go on!” called Wivu, standing above Zira in defensive pose. “Let’s start it.”
“As you wish.” Murmured princess, feeling a bit strange, while fighting against her adoptive sister.
She rushed ahead to first strike, jumping and trying to grab Wivu’s neck. Grey cub reacted with instant and rapid retaliation. That was not a dodge, but strong put of Zira’s paws aside. Because <queen> was lighter than <claimant> it was rather dangerous tactic, due to risk of losing balance. But grey kitty was tired of avoiding confrontation, especially with Zira.
“Ow, it hurt!” yelled princess, falling on river’s bed. Of course, she was faking her yell, to quickly pounce and surprise adversary. But Wivu seemed to be unmoved by that. When Zira attacked once again, she was ready and one time more boldly grabbed paws of sister. She ably push them aside, making gold cub lose her balance. But what good for Wivu wasn’t best for Epesi.
Second <queen> had just pushed Busara’s charge and she was balancing at the edge of river’s rapid. Zira involuntary hit her side and both cubs fell down. Surprised Wivu stayed on top.
“Score!” called Busara with airy voice.
“Perhaps.” Snorted angry Epesi. “But surely not yours. Zira threw me down.”
“Rules are rules.” Said Msikizi. “Zira – up, Epesi down.”
“But…” murmured Busara.
“Wivu, what you say?” asked Zira.
Grey cub was silent for a moment, but then she said with slightly angry tone. “I guess that was your score.”
Princess smiled and climbed to take a place of <queen>. She stopped at Wivu’s right and looked on her. She noticed that her sister was narrowing her eyes in expression of discontent. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I don’t need any help!” murmured grey kitty. “Go!” called to friends down.
Epesi, Busara and Msikizi rushed at once to get <queens>. But that was not very smart move, because place was so narrow that charge of three attackers was perfectly predictable, so Zira and Wivu stopped it easily. All three claimants fell down with loud yells, but soon after stood up to another strike.
“No helping!” gasped Wivu. “I can take care myself.”
“Of course, you can.” Replied a bit confused Zira. “What’s eating you today?”
“Just fight!” snorted grey kitty.
Three other cubs changed tactics. Because they hated to stand against well known and efficient team, they decide to cooperate even not looking for own scores. They started constant attacks on <queens>. Sooner or later that always effected with tiring defenders. Three of strikers could make a short break between charges, while cubs on the top had to be still at full alert.
Scoring was simple – one point for throwing down the queen and one point for every three overturning the claimant. And those who fell lost his point – <queen> after one and <claimant> after three failures. That was simple zero-sum game. Attackers hit carefully, not letting Zira and Wivu score, but fatiguing them fast. After several minutes sisters were exhausted.
“That’s… not fair!” panted Zira, looking down on friends.
“I… will… stand… longer.” Panted Wivu at her side.
And that was true. Epesi finally managed to took princess down. Zira landed hard among claimants and rolled few metres with angry sights. Team of claimants gave a collective cry of triumph and before Zira managed to stand up, Epesi was already on the rapid.
“Hey, that was my score!” called Busara.
“You’re dreaming.” Replied golden cub and smiled cheeky. “Go on, intruders!”
Zira came to claimants and took her place. The solidarity among team ceased as cubs seeing that their sacrifice gave Epesi second point, decided to think about own results. Princess stood against Wivu, because Busara and Msikizi wanted to <avenge> outrage that Epesi had done, by scoring thanks to their help. So Zira jumped to her sister.
“Sweet!” smiled Wivu, shunning her charge. “One on one, finally.”
“You are in strange mood, today.” Noticed Zira and hit the edge of rapid-ledge with her chin. Grey cub instantly used that situation and pushed her paws, causing her fall down.
“Perhaps.” She replied. “Two more falls and I have a defending score.”
“What’s wrong with you!?” asked Zira. “Why today you are taking it so seriously?”
“Because I’m winning.” Smiled Wivu. “You are doing the same when you have good result.”
Using moment of inattention, Zira managed to grab Wivu’s neck. She pulled down, hauling on sister. Grey cub was fighting with gravity and princess for a second, but then she fell ahead from rapid-ledge. In fact Zira was the one who felt some real pain – after landing on her back and then being hit by kitty in her belly. But she just growled with triumph.
“My score!”
Wivu rolled aside without a word. She slowly stood up and looked on her adoptive sister then said with angry voice.
“Right… Zira – two points. Me – zero. Epesi – zero. Msikizi – zero. Busara – two minus. So… go up!” then added quieter, kneeling down. “Do you need my back to climb there, sis?”
“That’s not fair!” yelled Busara. “You are cheating!”
Zira took her place as a <queen> and again stood against Wivu. She was wondering why grey cub was so aggressive and so avid to win that time. Another round started and game spitted – Epesi, Msikizi and Busara were rivalling at their own, while sisters focused on their competition. That wasn’t too smart considering the rules, because of inner game logic they should gain points on Zira, not on themselves. But emotions were already playing the main role.
“Stand and fight!” called Wivu and pounced ahead.
Instead of grabbing Zira, she just jumped to the ledge. It was hard to stay there, but there was always a hope to pull <queen> down too. Risk was greater than in normal attack, but to lose a point Wivu could fall three times, while Zira just one. Sisters were wrestling on the edge, because grey cub lost her ground, but she grabbed princess hard. They even didn’t noticed as claw came out of their pawpads and plunged into adversary’s furs. Finally Zira heard as her sister gasped from pain and she let her grasp looser. That was maybe noble acting, but bad move in game, because Wivu instantly regained her initiative and pushed princess aside. They both rolled on Epesi, heroically defending herself from Msikizi and Busara. All three felt down on two remaining cub. A collective yell of pain was heard, because kitties on the bottom were pressed by solid mass and Zira and Wivu had still extended claws. They both scratched each other in that landing.
“Blast it!” called Epesi, who regained her senses as a first. “What the heck happened!?”
“I scored!” called Busara from below.
“I scored!” growled Zira and Wivu in the same time.
Then they noticed that they still were holding each other, and plunging their small, yet sharp claws into each other. Then let loose in the same moment, steeping back, but still looking with anger.
“Girls…” asked Epesi, seeing cuts on their sides. “Is something wrong?”
“I overthrown them both!” called Busara. “I have zero now, the same as Zira, Epesi and Msikizi, while Wivu has minus one…”
“The sum is not right.” Noticed Msikizi reasonably. “I guess that Wivu scored, because she took Zira down. What happened on our side doesn’t matter. So Zira and Wivu has one point.”
“A play-off?” asked grey cub.
“Sure thing.” Replied princess with emotional voice. Spirit of rivalry wrapped her up too and she dropped all doubts she had earlier. “Just one on one.”
“Hey, girls… that is not funny anymore.” Judged Epesi.
“Don’t worry.” Said Wivu, playing sweet and innocent voice. “My sister and I have to just settle down final result… it won’t take long.”
“Tomorrow maybe?” proposed Epesi.
“Shouldn’t I be in play-off?” threw Busara in.
“No… now.” Said Zira.
“Look!” called Msikizi, gazing on grove and lake. “That’s disgusting… Sparthi and Ghera look like they are about to kiss each other!”
“Wow!” called Busara, forgetting about her huffs in moment. “That’s disgusting indeed. Let’s go and take a look!”
Three kitties set off down the gorge, leaving Zira and Wivu alone. Epesi wanted to take princess and grey cub with them, but they both just snorted with irritation, speeding others up. Then they stopped, looking into each other’s eyes. Silence came to gorge, disrupted only by quiet whistling of wind in some cracks.
“So… what kind of play-off you meant?” asked gold cub.
“The easiest possible.” Replied grey one. “We don’t need even rapid-ledge.”
“If you say so…” murmured princess and without warning pounced on step-sister.
Cubs fell down and rolled aside, wrestling and trying to reach enemy’s throat. They both fully extended their claws, not paying attention on any consequences that could bring. Stronger Zira quickly grabbed Wivu’s neck, but then she hit in stone-wall. Her confusion let grey kitty kick with her hind legs and threw princess away.
“My score!” laughed Wivu. “This time mommy won’t get on time to save her favourite baby.”
“This time there is no such a need!” replied Zira and without thinking about what her sister said, pounced ahead.
But that time Wivu was prepared. She ducked down, letting gold cub flew over. Then she jumped up, hitting with head into belly of speeding princess. Zira landed hard, coughing with pain and rolling aside. That was a smart move, because grey kitty was already in run to her sister.
“Are you sure!?” she asked, grabbing hind leg of Zira with extended claws.
“Perfectly.” Replied princess, cowering her paw and hitting head of Wivu. Her claws plunged just next to eyes of grey cub. “Ow… are you all right?” asked instinctively Zira, seeing how close was to some real tragedy. But as soon Wivu nodded her head, she attacked again, pinning adversary with all her mass.
Grey kitty threw her front-right paw up, at random slashing her sister. She hit side of neck, making even direr probability of fatality, but she even didn’t notice how it was. Zira dragged her – still pressing - on the ground about two metres, hoping that pain would make Wiva to let loose her grab on her neck. It worked – grey kitty just rolled aside, yelling from pain.
“Now you are crying for mom!” called Zira triumphally.
“Shut up!” growled Wivu and stood up. What confused Zira, who thought that her sister had enough. “Don’t say any word more about mother!”
“Mom, mom, mom!” growled Zira. „What’s wrong with that.”
“You stole her from me!” cried grey kitty, pouncing on step-sister. “She loves you more, because you are king’s cub! It’s not fair!” both cubs collided in mid-air, falling down and wrestling. “Because you are princess, her eyes are always on you!”
“Maybe I simply better?” asked Zira and pinned sister down, putting paws on her throat.
“You had your own mother! You killed her and took mine!” cried Wivu and world fell silent.
At least for Zira. In moment of clarity she understood everything. All strange looks of pride. Father’s sad eyes and uncle’s melancholic appearance. Stories about late queen that were always cut down when Zira come. That strange mixture of care and fear that Sparthi was showing towards her. She killed her mother. She was a monster.
“No…” she whispered and Wivu stopped at once.
For a while, since Zira heard sister’s words, few things happened. Because princess lost her all attention, Wivu threw her aside, stood up and pinned gold kitty herself. Then started to hit at random in Zira’s head. That was a pain, but in fact princess felt nothing, completely separated from world around. Only those words <You killed your mother> were screaming in her ears.
“Zira…” asked Wivu with quiet and scared voice.
Grey kitty stopped her fighting, stepped back and looked again on step-sister. Then she sighed with disbelief, what she had done. She was fighting Zira, her sister! She slashed her with claws, inflicting some serious pain… Cub simply couldn’t understand why it happened. Then she noticed as Zira burst with tears.
“No, Zira… please!” She ran to her and knelled down. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t want to…” she started to lick cut on her sister’s face. But it was no use – cry of princess got even louder. “I’m so sorry, Zira, please don’t cry!” said Wivu and burst with tears as well. She felt even worse than if she had than cut on her muzzle.
“I… I killed…” sobbed golden cub and in simple impulse hugged Wivu.
She hugged her too, then licking step-sister’s head. The whole scene slowly returned to grey cub with all details. She was shivering inside, thinking how it was possible that she got in so brutal fight with Zira and then shouted she…
“No…” yelled Wivu, recalling words she just had spoken. “Zira, I didn’t mean to! I didn’t say it. Forget about it, please!”
“I killed her!” princess sobbed again. “And my sister too. I should have died in stead of them!”
Both kitties were lying on the ground and crying for longer while. Wivu didn’t try to talk more, seeing that Zira was unable to listening her. In fact grey cub was also unable to speak freely, without sobbing, so they spent few minutes to wash at least some of emotions with tears. Then Wivu carefully let Zira loose and stood up.
“Zira… please, say something.” She whispered. Princess stopped her crying and replied.
“What?”
“Zira… I didn’t want to say that… That is not true, of course… I just…”
“But I did kill them.” said kitty. Then was no sobs in her voice, but that decisiveness sounded even more creepy. “If not me, my mother and Kira would be alive.”
“But it’s not your fault!” exclaimed Wivu. “You even don’t remember it.”
“That’s why I learnt about it just today…”
“Zira… please, don’t be angry on me.” Said grey cub with repentant voice. “I didn’t want to offend you… I regret we were fighting… I didn’t want you to cry!” She again hugged to step-sister, who return that hug. After all they loved each other, what was especially clear after those moments they seemed to hate each other.
“It’s nothing.” Said Zira with calmer voice. “It is all… right, at least in range it could be.”
“You won’t cry?” asked grey cub with inquiring voice. When Zira nodded her head, she added. “I did something terrible…” she raised her paw and touched Zira’s cheek. Just few minutes earlier she hit that cheek with her claws but then she stroked it with sibling’s tenderness. “I’m sorry I hit you.”
“That’s not your fault!” replied Zira. “Just…let me stand up.”
“But aren’t you angry?” asked Wivu. “If not me, that wouldn’t happened.”
Zira stood on her paws, but froze hearing then. She repeated that phrase silently and understand everything once again. Perhaps she didn’t remember it, but it happened anyway. Her mother was dead and that was because of her.
“Right… If not me, that wouldn’t happened.” Said Zira louder. Wivu understood what she meant.
“Zira… drop that stupid blaming… It’s ridicules!” she cried.
“I won’t cry.” Said princess. “Don’t worry… Let’s go to others… But then we have to find some explanation for… mom.” She meant Masa, of course. But recalling of her late biological mother made that word sounding strange in her lips. “We are bruised after all.”
“Yeah… we could say that.” Smiled Wivu awkwardly. Both cubs were covered with minor abrasions – often result of playing in gorge, but some deeper cut, painted with blood would and should evoke some inquiring questions. “We fell from ledge?”
“Maybe… but that way Sparthi would be to blame that he didn’t keep an eye on us?”
“We run away from him.” Proposed grey cub, but then added. “However in that way we won’t miss some real disciplining.”
“Right… but we shouldn’t involve Sparthi in that… Wivu… just don’t tell anyone, what happened.”
“Of course…”
“So, let’s go.” Decided Zira. And when Wivu was passing her by, she added with whisper. “And I still think you are right. If not me…” But then followed her step-sister.
*
Dhalimu saw whole scene from upper part of the gorge. He didn’t interfere, although he knew he should had. Somehow he read from acting of Zira what that all was about and he involuntary smiled. He didn’t wish any harm to his niece, but the truth was undeniable. If not her, Malkha would be still alive. Old lion made few steps down, when he noticed as kitties started to fight for real, but before he decided to roar with stopping command, brawl ceased.
Next scene Dhalimu read also properly. He just came down and hid behind stones of some middle ledge, just in distance to hear some words of Wivu and princess. He smiled again, although there was no reason to smile.
Or was? “That’s good.” Thought white lion. “Zira knew what she did and that will keep her in place. Sparthi is real Malkha’s heir and I must make sure he will be the king. Zira… if Zira falls envy towards her brother, she would do something terrible… find some rouge to help and one day depose my nephew. Improbable, but not impossible, for cub who killed own mother… But it won’t happen… She learned what guilt she is marked with. I won’t let her hurt Malkha anymore. I will keep my eye on her!”
Then he looked farther, on jungle grove and lake’s beach. Sparthi and Ghera were there, playing like they were young cubs. But it was different kind of play – a shyly attempts to say something they knew but were unable to put into the words. Dhalimu smiled even wider. It seemed – in spite Sparthi wasn’t fully aware of that – he already chose his queen to be.
*
“Gnu’s dropping!” snorted Busara. “Where the heck you were!?”
Zira and Wivu get to friends, hidden in canes. Fortunately three kitties were so wrapped up with monitoring prince’s and lioness actions that they missed strange marks on newcomers – both cuts and trails of tears went unnoticed.
“What’s up?” asked Zira. She tried to sound normally, but careful listener would detect in her voice some odd tone, remains of sobs quarter earlier.
“We want to help them.” said Msikizi. “Zira, how about helping your brother with picking Ghera up?”
“Personally, I think it looks scary.” Judged Epesi. “They will lick each other in the end, as far as I know. It’s terribly unhygienic.”
“Your mother licked you this morning in order to keep you hygienic.” Noticed Busara.
“Well… she did, but it’s a special case. They both are going to enjoy it.”
“So… do you have any plan?” asked Zira.
“Some sort.” Smiled Msikizi. “Follow me, we need also your help.” And she turned to deeper canes.
I wait for more.