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IV. The Arbiter

Taka tamed the desert or he was tamed by desert. Anyway he was returning from Golden Sands as completely different lion than he had gone there. Route once he had marched through in five days, he made in less than four – easy and certainly, like was wag running not on hot sand but on comfortable savannah of Prideland. He discovered a convenient path on south – it turned out that most of way could be made on stone valley, that once had been created by decay of limestone ranges. So Taka not only was marching almost on solid rock but also he found that those rocks collects descent dose of dew every morning. So wandered wasn’t afraid of thirst anymore.
Taka was walking and seeing his new way, he both laughing and shivering while thinking of his previous efforts. His last journey had succeeded miraculously. But then lion was rediscovering that waterless land was filled with life – easy to get when you know how to look for hidden treasures. Half-forgotten lesions from cubhood that mother once had told him, reminded by Kota and Kauli, started to giving profits every day. Lion was travelling fast, avoiding unnecessary risk of thirst and sunstrokes.
For first two nights he was walking, because found shelter for day. Only in last day of journey he had to march without stop, not to risk a rest without shade.
He didn’t hunt, but few times accidentally he found some preys. With real regret and sympathy he was killing and eating desert rats and geckos. In those days of intense study of a new life he stopped to see only a meat in preys but also noticed that those brave creatures are actually his brother in struggle against element of desert. “I’m sorry!” he was thinking, while he was chewing hunted animal. “But maybe some day I will be the one that won’t strand a sun’s rays and my body become a meal for some of you?” For that hard, but also glorious time he discovered how terribly little he had known about the Circle of Life, living on home’s savannah. “We are complaining about drought?! We just underestimating generosity of the Circle of Life...” he repeated in mind, closing to home.
Just before the dawn, about four am, he stopped at the bank of Border River. Since time of escape, muddy bed dried even more, but Taka smiled seeing something what seemed to be a ocean of water for him. Carefully he drank few draught of dirty liquid from salty mud. Then he entered kingdom of his brother – he run there airily and joyfully, like he was returning from short trip not from long journey. That smile faded when he noticed a group of lionesses, standing on Priderock’s foot. They were silent, looking on the valley of graves.
King was not there.
“Cheka?” whispered wandered uncertainly to lioness standing nearby. Female came out from circle of pride and cried before him. Taka came to friend and hugged her gently. “Cheka... what has happened?” he swallowed a thick saliva, pointed with paw on new grave and asked with tensed voice. “Is that... king?”
“Anasa.” Sobbed grey-furred. “Anasa is dead.”
“What with my brother?” asked Taka, a little harsher that he intended to. “Where is Dahabu?”
Hearing that lionesses turned to newcomer. “Taka!” “He’s back!” sounded whispers of Pridelandresses and black-maned sensed a heavy stare of eleven pair of eyes. Pride stepped few steps out from graves (“Grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, new tomb, I guess Anasa... that’s all!” thought Taka. “Dahabu could be still alive!”) and without word surrounded prince. Only Cheka was still crying, nestled into lion’s side.
“You are here.” Finally said Maitha, the oldest lioness of pride. “So Ahadi hasn’t forsaken us...”
“What with king?” repeated his question black-maned. “What happened to Anasa?”
“They attacked from ambush.” Said slowly elder one. “Three rouges. They struck king. Anasa was defending him, when Cheka went for reinforcements, for rest of the pride. But...” female turned her stare into the ground. “We have come too late.” Taka narrowed his eyes with pain. “Yes, king... come with me.” Ordered Maitha.
Black-maned followed lioness and rest of the pride followed Taka. They went on Priderock. It was an early morning, but sun was already shining hard, making every breath difficult and unpleasant. “In such a weather we should rest in shade.” Thought Taka, trying to concentrate on anything else that graves beneath him.
That entered cave, but lionesses stopped on doorstep, afraid of breaking sacred peace of royal cave. Only old Maitha was walking slowly inside, to lying ruler. On bedding was golden-furred and golden-maned body of monarch. Taka clenched his jaws but just a second after he relaxed – chest of his brother was moving up and down, slowly but still. Lion stood over Dahabu, carefully bending his paw down to him.
King was severely wounded. Dark, deluged with pus, cuts were going through almost all left side of ruler and on his forehead a red bump after strong hit. Front-left paw was broken and due to open wound no one had tried to set the bone. Dahabu was breathing heavily, blood and saliva was dripping from his opened mouth.
“Brother...” whispered black-maned.
“Taka?” asked monarch with weary and quiet voice. He seemed not to believe that prince was there. He opened his eyes and his stare met with Taka’s. Then ruler called with stronger voice. “Out! Everyone apart of Taka: out!” And when last lioness disappeared over chamber’s doorstep, lion said to black-maned. “Welcome back! So you have come to reclaim what is your?”
“Dahabu, what has happened?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Replied wounded one. “The point is: what is about to be now. I think we both know?”
“I don’t” gasped Taka. “We must set your bone. Send lionesses and Tiko to find some shaman and meanwhile...”
“I will die, Taka.” Interrupted king. „And that’s good. I will go to my beloved Anasa.”
Black-maned needed no more explanations. Anasa was always admireress of Dahabu, but just about half year earlier prince started to interest with beautiful subject. And when golden-furred had become a king, she had become a queen. Taka was glad about that, however he wished that she could use that title for longer than one month...
“I don’t want to upset you, but you have some duties to your kingdom.” Murmured prince, trying to sound jokingly. “As a king you can’t die – there is no one who could allow you for that!”
“Take care of our pride, brother.” Said Dahabu, ingoing Taka’s words. “I guess that Kings of the Past punished me for my haughtiness and ingratitude towards you. Well, you will have an opportunity to show that you are better lion and ruler than me.”
Finally in that moment a awareness of situation came to Taka. He was going to be king! At last, after so many years of scorn and humiliations! Waiting in Dahabu’s shade was over – he could stand in the fist rank. Suddenly lion’s life – earlier grey and useless - gained a new meaning. The throne! He would be a monarch of great Lion Land! As a ruler he would show himself with pride to Kota and say: Well, my baby, maybe you want to live at king’s side? He ceased to be just and pitiful invalid and bore as Taka the Second, heir of Prideland. It was wonderful, it was magnificent, it was... too easy!
“He won’t die!” thought prince. “I won’t allow for that. That is my brother, my pride!”
“I will make sure that you are treated well.” He added aloud.
“I forbade lionesses to search for shaman and waste water to cleaning my wounds. And I forbid that also to you.” Taka even hadn’t managed narrow his eyes due to surprise, when his brother raised his hand with effort, hushing his protest. “We are starving and dying from thirst. One mouth less to feed and water could mean life for all pride. I wish to be buried in...”
‘SIR!” interrupted him Taka with official tone. “As a son of king Tanabi and your brother I assume the duties of regent until you are in condition to continue your reign. Your silence I consider as an approval, your highness.” Said lion and put his paw on Dahabu’s mouth to muffle his reply. “We will get shaman as soon as it’s possible. Then we will think about additional water. Sleep well, sir, I will take care of everything.”
So he let brother loose and not waiting for further protests he run out the cave. He found lionesses in shade of Priderock. Although he was sorry, he had to interrupt a bereavement after deceased queen, he understood that duties to death could wait, on the contrary to duties to living ones. With gentle but wilfully orders he induced females to action. Before sun reached its zenith, Pridelanders were working hard.
*
Plan was very simple, but also very hard to follow.
Taka had got known everything about attack of the rouges. Three aggressive lions had made an ambush on king, who had been walking on eastern border with mate and her best friend – Cheka. Young lioness run for help, sent by Dahabu, but she hadn’t managed to bring pride on time, at least on time for Anasa. When lionesses came, aggressors had already inflicted fatal wounds to queen and almost fatal to king. Rouges escaped, seeing coming relief and Maitha was almost sure they wouldn’t dare to attack once more.
So Taka decided to divide Pridelandresses. Until Tiko was still looking for help for king in Mighty Jungle, prince-regent left four lionesses to nurse Dahabu and ordered to rest to follow him on the desert.
“That’s simple.” He explained Maitha, whom he had made a leader of king’s security. “You are with him, guarding him and feeding him. Four of you could defend that narrow entrance to royal cave even from herd of elephants and for five mouth water from Priderock’s source will be enough. Thanks to that you will be able to regularly cleaning infected wounds of Dahabu. We will bring you food and...”
“Sir, you won’t survive on desert.”
“Do you want to bet, aunt?” asked prince-regent with pride. It sounded strange, because just two moths earlier elder lioness was calling black-maned just <Taka> and he was treating her, especially since death of Vitani, as aunt and caretaker. But Taka matured for previous months – death of his father, exile and return had changed lion in extraordinary way. That why elder lioness considered that black-maned wasn’t the old, tiny Taka, but actual leader of the pride.
“I hope you know what are you doing.”
“I hope it too, aunt.” Murmured lion and licked her forehead. “Wish us a luck and pray to Kings of the Past to light our ways.” Then he turned to seven lionesses of hunting team and commanded. “Follow me!” And they set off on north-west, almost in setting sun direction.
First stop he made just before dusk, on Border River’s bank. He showed how to drink from mud. Unconvinced Pridelandresses were looking on that with fear, when prince was quickly sucking water from slime. But then the bravest ones followed his example.
“Sir! That water is salty. It’s dangerous.” Yelled Biti, the youngest lioness of Prideland.
“I prefer to suffer some intoxication than to die in healthy way.” Replied prince, still lapping a mud. “Easy, a bit of salt hurt no one and won’t hurt us, if we avoid of sunstroke. Drink just from upper layers, that wait for mud to deposit on the bottom... Look, Cheka got it right.”
Through his lips a learning of mother, Kota and Kauli was flowing. What strange, also a some unknown voice was sounding in Taka’s words. Lion had never heard most of advices he was giving. But he didn’t care, because he felt a certainty that what he was doing was right. Heritage of the Golden Lion was awakening.
They were hunting at night, getting one adaks antelope, fennec and over dozen of smaller creatures. Lionesses were obediently listening to prince’s orders, still hardly believing that unknown to them desert was hiding so much treasures. And even greater confusion made Taka on next morning, when he instructed to gather a dew from below rock.
“Water is here!” exclaimed shocked Cheka. “But it just can’t be...”
“During the day, it can’t.” agreed black-maned. “So drink faster, until sun will he high.”
“Sir, that way we could live here for ever!” called delighted Biti.
“No exactly, my dear. It’s not so simple.” Said lion. “We cleaned that area from preys. So in next week we won’t find food here.”
“So what we are going to do?” asked scared lioness.
“We will go where Golden Pride once went, seeking sanctuary for them and Pridelanders. To the Outlands.”
“Ow, yeah... right.” Agreed Biti. In fact she was ready to believe that Taka could find a source in the centre of Great Desert.
And life was going that way: they were hunting during day, drink a dew on mornings and then carrying foot on Priderock, to feed king and his carers. They were resting in shade of cave and on evening set off on next hunting to next territory. Pridelanders slowly became desert lions – always in motion, always ready to improvise. As once Golden Rock was only a temporally shelter for ancestors of Golden Pride, the Priderock became just a night haven for mobile hunting team.
After four days to Dahabu came Kinamu – a wise mandrill from Mighty Jungle. Quickly he took duties of nursing over febrile king and it turn out that he made it in last moment. Two days after his arrival, shaman woke up resting Taka and took him on side. He said straight.
“Your brother, sir, would be dead right now if not a wonderful care you have provided to him. Especially Maitha – as a lioness she wasn’t agile enough to perfectly clean his wounds but she did it as good as her nature allowed her. By the way: you have organised it very well, my prince. I’m impressed that you managed to feed and water him and save enough water for cleaning the wounds. Water from your source allowed him to live.”
“When the king will recover?” asked Taka. “That way, constant effort and nomad life is fatiguing fast lioness of my... that is: of his pride.”
“Few more weeks.” Replied mandrill, smiling while hearing regent’s mistake. “My prince... if you did nothing to your brother, you would be <my king> right now. You know?”
“Maybe.” Said lion. „But there are many thrones on this world but I have just one brother.”
So with that answer he left shaman next to ill monarch. He once again led hunting team, that time on south, in South Forest’s direction. <Forest> as dried and lifeless already but among dead trunks there was still a little preys, seeking haven from sunrays. So he had enough meat for his pride. “No! For his pride!” repeated Taka in mind, while carrying antelope’s haunch in his mouth into home’s direction.
Three weeks later, just before dawn, Dahabu for the very first time left the cave. Supported by prince’s and Cheka’s sides, he carefully went down from rock’s ledge and went to grave of dead mate. Here for long time remained in silence, then uncertain lionesses started to going way, to leave ruler alone with memories of Anasa. But when Taka turned to path uphill, king ordered.
“No. You stay!” Lion sat next to brother and when lionesses went away, he said with calm, maybe even contrary voice.
“We made a long journey. So much has happened, but so little had changed. Once again we are in front of ours beloved graves and once again I should prepare myself for a journey...”
“You will decide by yourself.” Replied Dahabu seriously. He looked on brother and put his paw on Taka’s shoulder. “You are wrong, much have changed and Anasa’a death let me to see that. Taka, I wronged you, but you turned out to be generous and forgiving – you gave up your revenge. Or I’m wrong...”
“Hm? What do you mean?” surprised Taka.
“Don’t say you don’t know.” Snorted older of brothers. “This is the last moment when you can became a king. You are weaker, we know it both. But you have proved that you can make up for it by your wit and endurance. So today you are still able to challenge me and win according to the Code of Challenge.”
“Are you lost your mind?” yelled Taka. “What the hack for should I have saved you if I wanted to dispose you? I won’t raise my paws against brother.” He stood and went to graves of parents. He put right paw on tomb of father and left of tomb of mother. “I’ve learned many things in last few months. Important things. I want build what parents were building and grandparents and theirs ancestors before them. Some very wise creature showed me real sources, that will never dry. One of that sources is old law of our kingdom tells the oldest son of king to rule after him. I won’t fight neither you nor any other monarch in Lions Lands. I will obey laws of our father as he once was obedient to laws of ancestors.”
“Taka... but you seem to be king more than I.” Interrupted him brother. “I wouldn’t forgive so easy and think only about good of pride.”
“Every lion learns whole life...”
“You don’t understand!” snorted Dahabu. “When I regain my strength and haughtiness of healthy and mighty lion, I will forget about every word we are saying now. Do you think we will be living like one, loving family? I wish to, Taka, but I doubt I will be able to.”
“And you don’t have to.” Replied black-maned. “I will go away. Priderock already has its king. And what most important: almost fully functional king!” He burst in airy laughter, but face of his brother remained serious.
“We can’t waste that.” Said Dahabu and then he answered on silent question of younger brother. “You. Your wisdom and faith.”
“That’s not my wisdom, I just trust in wisdom of greater ones than I.”
“Do you remember grandpa Simba? You was just a cub when he died, but I remember still his tales, that once he heard from your great-grandfather – Mufasa.” Said pensive king. “Those tales about times before our ancestors came on Prideland. About times of wanders.” Taka nodded his head. Maybe he was just a cub then, but curious cub. “And about arbiters...”
“Those lions who were living outside prides, judges arguments, negotiate during wars and bequeath history of Lions Lands?”
“Yes... Taka, be our arbiter.” Asked with authentic humility Dahabu. “Help the others as you helped us. I know...” with wave of paw he interrupted brother’s objection. “...arbiter is not a ruler, but he is also no subject. This is free lion, who serves everyone but he is noone’s servant. I can’t appoint you as a arbiter. I just can recognize you as arbiter and humbly ask you to take care of pride. I don’t know if other prides will do the same, but I believe that they will.”
Taka was silent for long while, still stroking stone-piles of both graves. Horizon on east was already enlighten by rising sun, but cold of night was still gently caressing lions sides. Black-maned looked with questioning stare on graves then of stars, fading on the sky due to starting day. He heard no voice but he sensed it. Ancestors spoke and ask him to agree.
“Point for you, bro.” Said black-maned finally. “As the Arbiter of Lions Lands I’m taking charge of your kingdom, your highness. Wish me a luck.” Asked and instantly turned west and started to run, like he was hastened by rays of rising sun.
“Taka!” called Dahabu.
“There is no time for farewells.” Replied running brother. “Also... I will be back!” but for moment he stopped on top of hill nearby and once again called to golden-maned. “Kinamu said that pride behind Mighty Jungle is ruled by some youngster. So many preys escaped from there that they are probably starving right now. I must figure out few things... Take care, brother!”
“Take care... our arbiter.”
Taka again started to run, hastened by sunlit, warm wind and unexpected lightness in heart. The Stars spoke to him so he knew his path. And additionally, somewhere deep in mind a exiting thought was sprouting. “Well, Kota... I wonder what could you say now. Everybody knows what kings can. Now let see what can the arbiter!”

Taka II is one amazing lion!

He could've accepted Dhahabu's request to be the next king but didn't! Instead he stays, keeps the pride together and keeps his brother alive?

Talk about loyal!

He'll make a good arbiter, he's got the knowledge and skill.

Good chapter! Update soon!

Right, so there is next chapter. I’m sorry for very poor (yes, it could be worse than usual) translation of song. In original version symbolism of the absolute monarch is clear. Just believe me, that Polish lyrics are filled with <sun-king> and <social peace as a music> metaphors. It will be useful in further chapters.

V. The Endless Route

Two groups of lions were looking on each other with deadly stares. Although in darkness of moonless night was hard to see tensed faces and bared teethes, eyes of predators were sparking with fury and will to fight. On the right, on the edge of forest were thirteen lionesses and their young king. Grey-maned leader was rather moderate built, showing his young age, but in spite of that... or maybe: because of that, he intended to do no step back. He believed that as a ruler and protector of lionesses he had no right to recede. And females, in hearts heavily scared by whole situation, seeing monarch’s determination, were encouraging with roars. Rouges, waiting on savannah didn’t want to retreat too. There were no heroism in that – five of lions was just starving and thirsting. Exhaustion muffled in theirs minds clear judge of situation and respect for laws. Four younger males, led by hoary-maned elder were close to desperate charge on pride. Against fourteen jaws they have limited chances – even counting males strength as twice as females (however, what was very risky presumption – experienced lionesses of Green Valley were fighting no worse than their young king) and considering that old guide will stand the heat of battle, rouges were clearly weaker. But Green Ones have no reasons to be satisfied – incoming fight betoken as hard and bloody and dreadful roars of rouges sounded like a sentence for many lionesses from Valley.
But those two seas of anger were divided by a dam - lone lion, standing between groups, was looking on one, then on second pack, waiting for proper moment. Finally both adversaries for a second turned theirs stares on arbiter. Taka raised his paw to get their attention. With gentle but wilful voice he said.
“Njaa.. and you, your highness. As the Stars witness: I won’t allow on this!”
“Not only Stars.” Murmured Vitani, looking on scene below her paws.
Almost whole Star Family of Taka, ancestors of both family lines in silence were staring on evening events. Even Elders of Ancients descended that night from Higher Firmament. Tarki and Ahadi, long-absent in those insignificant matters of earth, that time both considered importance of moment. If Taka the Second succeeded with his idea of great alliance of Lions Lands, the Circle of Life could speed up its round. But even mighty Kings of the Past didn’t intended to interfere in living matters. They trusted in judge of new Star Arbiter on lower Firmament – Scar.
“No only Stars.” Agreed black-maned ghost. “But it would be better if your son believe he is on his own. And the best would be if he was on his own. Our help, in longer perspective, causes only more disturbances of the Round.”
Unseen for living ones, silhouettes went on the ground on the brink of dried jungle. Then surrounded Taka, still maintaining required distance. Among the Ancient Ones were burning many emotions connected with descendant – love, care, family pride and ordinary curiosity. That was why Scar was keeping them further, beware not to let them interrupt actions of living ones. He asked parents of arbiter – Vitani and Tanabi, to stand with him, even further.
“Just in case.” He whispered to daughter and son-in-law. “He believes that you are watching him. But you know... a cheering of parents could be very disrupting.”
But Taka was thinking about nothing except of growing conflict. Five of starving rouges had come to dying kingdom, scaring away remnants of the herds and capturing one of the last fully safe waterholes in area. Green Pride was just going to regain the source it with force and rouges had prepared an ambush on the edge of forest. Arbiter got there in last moment.
“Come closer... please.” Asked Taka. He tried to maintained a polite and calm voice, however inside he was shivering. Even not about his life – although he was standing between two, bloodthirsty armies – but about success of his plan. Peace in Green Valley was required to finishing an alliance, so called the Drought Coalition, a fragile covenant of numerous prides, building by arbiter.
“I’m coming.” Replied Kijani, ruler of Green Valey. „But only because I want to get closer to those thugs.”
“I’m coming...” murmured Njaa. “I’m sick of standing on that blasted sand.”
Both lions got closer to each other and stopped on the distance of outstretched paw. But the first ice was broken – Taka, standing between them, sensed that they wanted to negotiate, to talk, or at least to spit few words to offend enemy. That was no too much, but good for a start. That why arbiter made few steps back and said aloud, trying to sound airily.
”Good. As I said already, before you will pounce on yourselves with claws, you have to kill me first. But I’m still wondering about one thing. Just imagine: I’m dead, you are fighting to glorious death... Somebody wins...” dreadful roars of both sides announced common certainness of triumph.“...somebody lost. Then all live long and prosper, of course apart those who died... But what then?” He looked with freeing stare on king. “We have pride of six survived lionesses, with crippled king or without him. Pride is raising ruler’s cubs...” Arbiter took a quick look on one of females in advanced pregnancy. “...hoping that no other group of rouges would come to Green Valley and finish what Njaa has started.” Hearing that Kijani shivered, looked on his queen and turned his stare into the ground. Taka continued. “Or a different situation: Rouges kill king, after long, glorious and bloody fight. They are probably hoping that pride would surrender after lost of ruler and efforts of dead companions won’t be taken in vain. But are they sure if lionesses of Green Valley would obey the murderers of their monarch? Or maybe they would defend the throne for Kijani’s cubs? Think, conqueror, if you wouldn’t be forced to kill each one of your new subjects to provide yourself safety.”
“I’m impressed, desert one.” Interrupted him Njaa. “But such a preaches won’t give us preys nor water us.”
“No.” agreed Taka. “That why you have to find yourselves some other place.” King of Green Valley smiled and elder, as well as four of his companions, bared his teethes. “Of course, after you left a hospitality of Green Pride.” A murmur of confusion sounded among lionesses. Taka went to four rouges and wagged his tail, inviting they to follow. He turned to pride and looked on king. “Your highness, please accept me and my friends as a guest on your land.”
“You don’t have to bother, black-maned.” Murmured Njaa. “We will get what we need by ourselves.”
“Maybe, but not here.” Replied arbiter, even not looking on elder. “This valley belongs to Green Pride.” And to king he said. “Sir, host us for one night, feed and water us. On tomorrow’s evening we will go on south.
“You will, comrade?” jeered one of rouges.
“Silence!” gasped black-maned. “When they rest, they will go with me on Sunny Plains, to seek for new waterholes and to learn how to live on savannah. I also wish that at least two lionesses of your pride go with me and learn the same. It will be helpful for your kingdom and a relief for your water-stock when king’s heir will be born.”
“But what for?” surprised Tanabi, looking carefully on son’s face.
“Nice done!” judged Sparthi. “Young Taka wants actually to learn those lionesses of desert knowledge, but probably he hopes for something more. Do you see that two females?” he showed to Simba’s son two grey-furred, standing aside. “They are restless and tired of living in pride. Most likely Kijani will send them with your son and rouges. One of them could never return home. That younger one is named Kadiri. Matura, the tallest of rouges, since over a quarter is looking on her like on sun. Maybe they will became mates and left the pride? Less mouths to feed in those days means greater chances for cubs to survive. Really, Taka has brains!”
Meanwhile arbiter was guiding five of rouges among lionesses. He still was watching on Kijani and Njaa, ready to interfere if leader decided to change theirs minds about pack. But he felt that the worst is already gone. Another conflict was appeased and another pride was close to accept the alliance. Additionally, black-maned provided himself some company on incoming weeks of desert march. He was glad about it too, because loneliness started to became more and more annoying. More and more often he dreamed a merry, but in the same time sad dreams about his old home and Golden Sands. And of course, about Kota. He was comforting himself that he was about to return to his grandmother’s land. Golden Pride was a final part of his coalition.
“Thank you.” Whispered Kimeta to Taka’s ear. “For me, Kijani and our child. I hope, you will still look after our pride.”
“I hope so too.” Murmured arbiter. “I started to like this job.”
And he went with reconciled lions into valley. Silhouettes of satisfied Kings of the Past flew back to the sky.
*
Zira didn’t see that another triumph of Taka. Dead queen were looking from different part of firmament on different scene. That was: on her homeland. That night Golden Sands were stepped in darkness and almost perfect silence. Even the slightest wind wasn’t blowing and every creature seemed to sleep deeply and calmly. But in Golden Cave no one slept. And no one was calm.
Dhalimu was marching through royal chamber, over and over, from one wall to the other, passing a tight rank of his subjects. Although queen could accompany her mate in inspection, she had instinctively stood next to pride-mates at the end of the line. She lowered her head, just as her companions and seemed to be ashamed and scared as well. King was furious and furious on everybody.
“Whole day! And whole team was hunting, weather was good! You retuned with nothing! Nothing!” repeated lion with powerful voice and stood in front of his mate. White-furred bended her head even lower. “I’m sure you will yell about drought, cursed and that other prides steal our preys. But it doesn’t justify your incompetence.”
“Justify.” Murmured Zira, heard by no one. Ghost of lioness descended to cave and stood exactly behind her grandson. As Dhalimu was furious on his pride, Zira was furious on him. “They finished hunting when firsts signs of incoming storm came. If wind burst then and they were still hunting, sand would killed them. You know it, Dhalimu.” Dhalimu didn’t knew, or at least he wasn’t able to ask his reason. So he just raised his front-right paw and extended his claws. He took his limb before Niva’s face and froze in place.
“This is the king’s paw. You see? Strong and healthy, ready to defend our home. But if we are going to starve, I – the ruler - will leave the cave that I have to guard and go with you on tomorrow’s hunt.” He put his paws on the ground and started to next end of row. When he made few steps, white-furred, gathering all her courage, said with quiet and uncertain voice.
“My lord, that storm will surely come tomorrow.”
“WHO SAID THAT?!” growled ruler, turning his stare on the rank. Before queen managed to react, she heard a voice of her sister, standing next to her.
“I did!” Dhalimu with paw inflicted a blow in her occiput, so sandy-furred hit with muzzle on to the ground. Apart of hollow smack of blow, she made no sound. Instantly she added. “Forgive me, my lord. I’m wrong.”
“You are.” Agreed monarch. Raia’s voice was so similar to voice of her sister, that Dhalimu was convinced that sandy-furred had objected his rebukes. Satisfied that he had punished a rebel, he started again to next end of row. “So, tomorrow I will lead you on hunt. I’ll show you how you should fulfil your duties.”
Kota was desperately thinking about that. Dhalimu couldn’t hunt – he was mighty and strong lion, but a lion, not lioness. Nature fitted him with all skills needed in fight and defence of pride, but hadn’t made him hunter neither in body nor in spirit. Golden-furred understood that to successful chase a patience, calmness and ability to repress own pride (to work in team) was required. And king had none of those gifts. Probably next hunting was about to finish as a catastrophe – if even storm wouldn’t come to Golden Sands, Dhalimu wouldn’t be able to lead a successful chase. And for his failure he would surely blame his subjects. Kota looked discretely on Raia and decided that a risk was necessary.
“There is no need, sir!” exclaimed, putting as much humility in that, as she could. “Next time we will bring a decent prey. I promise!” “Now his anger will focus on me.” She whispered in mind, both proud of her courage and terrified by incoming consequences. Probably soon consequences, because ruler set off into subject’s direction, gasping angrily.
“She’s right, my lord!” suddenly called Raia. “The shame of today’s defeat will strengthen us tomorrow. We won’t disappoint you!”
“Great! So his anger will get us all.” Thought golden-furred, surprised by words of lioness. She just couldn’t believe that sandy-furred distracted Dhalimu only stop him from punishing her friend. “Raia could give her life for me... but first she have to make sure if her life isn’t needed for her king!” added silently with bitter tone. She gave a quick look on queen’s sister to see she raised her head, staring on monarch. Dhalimu had to believe in subject’s assurances because he turned back from rank of lionesses.
“Good. You have the last chance tomorrow, to show from what stuff are you.”
“Thank you, sir!” sounded instinctive choir of Golden Ones voices, but Kota shivered once again. She finally understood what her promise meant for whole pride. “We will go on hunting during the storm. This is a madness, but Dhalimu won’t let it go...” she thought.
“Good. Now you may rest. Tomorrow you have some work to do.” Instructed ruler.
“You will kill them!” yelled unheard Zira. “My grandson, you went mad completely. You are giving them as a prey to the storm!”
Emotions of Ancient One were avid to show herself there and then and as a Queen of the Past to call Dhalimu to order. But reason said: no. She was Scar’s mate during her life and after her death. With her beloved she was bearing duties of Star Arbiter. She was not allowed to interfere and to break the balance. Especially that she knew in what direction the Circle of Life was going. However, as well as living ones, she couldn’t exactly predict the future, but better than them she knew that some sacrifices were required. “Hawaa’s, Nuka’s and my lives were needed to end War of the Prides. I can’t break the master plan, whatever it is. I must trust in living ones.” And with fondness she looked on Kota, lioness who was the closest to open rebellion against the king. “To raise a paw on monarch is a terrible crime. But maybe you will find someone who would be more proper for Golden Throne.” She finished with hope and left her charges. She had to tell Scar and the others of her family about all she had seen. Maybe her friend and kins would find some solution for Golden Ones.
“So... fall out!” ordered Dhalimu and he went into royal cave’s direction, where he used to sleep when he didn’t want to be with subjects. “No, you not.” Announced to Niva, when she started to follow him. “I don’t want to see you today. And no one!” finished with dreadful tone. Then left main hall.
For about minute a silence maintained among Golden Ones. Lionesses were looking on each other, even not being sure what to say. Finally Raia came before pride, climbed on one of the borders in hall, waited some time, to catch attention of everybody and with her quiet but serious voice said to her pride-mates.
“Listen to me... We have failed today and...”
“Storm was coming!” yelled Simmi, one of the youngest lionesses.
“Storms were, are and will be.” Replied queen’s sister, almost screaming. But then instantly lowered her voice, careful not to wake her king. “The matter is that tomorrow...”
“If storm hasn’t come today, it will be tomorrow.” Noticed Kota.
“That changes nothing.” Said Raia. “We will go on that hunting, and get some real game for our king. I’m not a hunting-team leader...” she looked on sister with reproaches. “But I can assure you, that I won’t return to our cave without some prey. Is that clear?”
“If storm comes, you won’t return even with prey.” Threw Simmi, but Kota nudged her in side. Arguing with sandy-furred seemed to be useless.
“Is that clear?” repeated Raia.
“Yes.” Confirmed pride, as if obligation of queen’s sister was obligatory for all Golden Ones. “But now, to go sleep.” Instructed and jumped down from the stone.
“He will kill us.” Whispered Kota, when sandy-furred was passing next to her.
“So be it!” replied Raia, coming to her sister. “Come with me, my lady. Maybe king has changed his mind.”
And she guided Niva to royal cave, leaving confused lionesses in main hall. Sisters entered chamber and came to lying ruler. They stopped over Dhalimu, hearing his slow and regular breathing. Finally Niva whispered.
“Come. He is sleeping.”
“Go, my lady. I will bring him more brush for bedding.” Said sandy-furred.
After about quarter of searching of acacia brush, she returned with her load to cave. She passed through main hall, went among sleeping pride then entered king’s chamber. She made a first step in, when...
“I’m not sleeping.” Said Dhalimu.
“Forgive, my lord. I was just...” whispered lioness.
“I know what you was doing. Thank you.” Replied lion and raised his head. „Look at me.” Ordered and when sandy-furred turned her stare on him, said with tired voice. “You don’t listen to me.”
“My lord!” yelled female.
“Silence! I know that is happening. You are constantly purling against me. You prove your laziness and sloth. That can’t be hidden before me.”
“My lord, I beg you: don’t say that.” Whispered Raia. “Today we have failed, but we will make up for that soon. Pride loves you, my lord, and tomorrow we will prove that. You will be proud of us.”
“I don’t believe you.” Replied Dhalimu. “Lionesses aren’t loving me... They even don’t fear me! I have to growl every order to be heard. And that isn’t right...” added with sad and unexpectedly soft voice. “We should to live as a concordant pride, obedient and strong. Why it isn’t going that way, Raia?”
“It is going that way, my lord.” Assured him lioness. “All is going to be better. Today some accident happened, but it was just an accident. Tomorrow will be better. Will be... perfectly!” Shyly she reached with jaws for branches she had brought and started to put it under monarch’s side. When she had in mouth no brush, she was speaking. “We are ungrateful and stupid, my lord. But we are still learning... Some day every Golden One will see how many you did for our pride. That day we all will be obedient to you, my lord. Some day... But now sleep, my king. Tomorrow you have to awake and take care of us.

[“It’s time to sleep” song. Tune is merry, airy but in last lines of verses turns to be more disturbing.]
[Raia is still bending over Dhalimu, fixing his bedding with paw and jaws. She starts to sing and king, like a tiny child, seems to fall asleep due to that.]

Sir, close your eyes and rest at last
The day was long but now it’s passed
Let gentle blow of wind summon your sleep

[Lioness slowly leaves lying lion, quietly and careful not to awake him. She goes to cavity of chamber where is the only source in Golden Cave. She carefully fills a gourd with water and brings it to ruler.]

Just sleep to raise again on day
And warm us all with sunny ray
Like sun from sky you will peace for us keep

[When it’s obvious that Dhalimu fell asleep, Raia slyly bends down and licks monarch’s paw. Then she goes away from bedding, still looking over her shoulder on lion and still singing.]

Sleep my lord, in hard times too
Nothing would stop our faith in you
Every burden, every grief
Will fade like day with your relief

[She goes through corridor to main hall, passes pride-mates, stopping for a moment before her sister. She looks on her with expression of envy on face.]

Chorus:
Cause in your warm, royal embrace
We see the Circle’s loving face
And its round going through us all
So close, well known like is your call
But now all worries bury deep
It’s time, my lord, to sleep

[She moves further. She exits the Golden Cave and goes into moonless, but starlit night. She is walking on Acacia Valley. Zoon-in on face: in her eyes we see reflections of past events – king, hitting Niva, expulsion of Taka, recent scene in main hall. But Raia shakes off her head to dispel that visions.]

Second verse:
And even if some a false tone
Would disrupt peace within your home
Tomorrow you will play that tune again

[Then a next vision – Dhalimu from times of coronation. Raia is going in acacia valley, but suddenly scene is changing – lioness is walking in daylight, next to Kota, after sister and Dhalimu. Procession goes to the end of alley, on the border of desert. New ruler growls proudly, Raia barely repressing joy. But a look on Niva disturbs her delight.]

Once more you’ll build a perfect choir
Of grateful hearts like dreams of your
Concordant souls and minds to praise your fame

[Again a scene of Raia in night. She stands of edge of alley, looking on dark horizon. Some there a sandstorm cloud are gathering – a sing of incoming element. But she ignores it.]

Sleep my lord, in hard times too
Nothing would stop our faith in you
Every burden soon will cease
When you will wake and rows appease

[She returns to the cave. She stops, seeing a skeleton in alley. With decisive move she throws it away – a trash no longer spotted the landscape.]

Chorus:
Cause in your warm, royal embrace
We see the Circle’s loving face
And nothing would disrupt our calm
If you are shelter from the storms

[She bended over sand and draws a picture of Dhalimu. She is smiling in delight. Then she adds sun-like rays, coming from king’s silhouette, as if he was a sun. Finally she tensed her face in shame and wipes out the sketch. She stops on the doorstep of cave and ends lullaby.]

But now don’t worry about those
So now, my lord, repose

[Screen fades to black, with Raia in entrance to Golden Cave.]

Nice one! Don't worry about the translation song, it wasn't bad. Really.

Taka's a good arbiter. He brought that solution between the Green Valley pride and the rogues to peace and without bloodshed. He's made his grandfather, granduncle and parents proud.

I feel sorry for Zira, seeing her homeland be ruled by a tyrant who just happens to be her grandson... heartwrenching!

Good chapter! Update soon!

VI. The Storm

The Golden Pride went out late, after midday. King had overslept and lionesses had been to scared to wake him or to set off alone. When Dhalimu awoke, of course he wanted to scold subjects for laziness, but Raia managed (however – she never told how) to appease monarch. So calm ruler smiled to leaving lionesses and waved his paw to them. Then he set off on inspection of Golden Cave’s vicinity. So hunting party uncertainly followed Niva on east.
Actually Raia was leading. Younger of sisters had the instinct of real predator and pride willingly accepted her as a leader. She wanted to reach the Dried Forest – a grove of dead acacias and baobabs, that had been (in better times) living and fertile island of green on sea of sand. It was a long way, but guide was marching firmly.
“Raia...” whispered Kota to her friend. “Wind is intensifying.”
Indeed – sun was shining over desert mercilessly, but surprisingly air over the ground wasn’t too hot. Lioness were glad about that change but golden-furred as a first understood what it meant.
“I know.” Replied queen’s sister unflinchingly. “Storm will be here at dusk. That why we are going to the Dried Forest. If there is some herds nearby, they will hide here.”
“Don’t you thing that WE ALSO need some shelter?”
“We will manage.” Snorted sandy-furred. “I’m not a team-leader, so I can’t order you. But I have promised.” “And You too!” added with silent grimace. Kota found further argument with friend as useless. So she slowed down, letting Raia catch her sister and then she looked on rest of the pride. Lionesses were uneasy and probably slowly started to understand the gravity of situation. But they are still more frightened by eventual anger of king than very probable death in raging element. So they were marching quickly.
“Form a column, my lady.” Advised Raia to Niva. “I will go on lead.”
“Fall in a column!” ordered queen. “Raia on the lead, Kota securing the tail.”
Because wind was already causing a small sand-clouds and visibility downgraded significantly, Golden Ones formed a rank, marching in single file after sandy-furred who was clearing a path in loose sand. Golden-furred, who was closing a column had to make sure that no lioness lost a formation and was left behind. Penultimate in file of course had to keep if closing one is stile there, but Kota was heavily scared anyway. In cubhood she heard many dreadful tales about lionesses lost in sandstorm, so when clouds of dusk dimmed her way, she instinctively got closer to Akra, marching before her. Lioness put her tail on friend’s shoulder, but it didn’t appeased the closing one. “Faster! We must reach Dried Forest as soon as it’s possible.” She thought desperately.
To the grove of dead trees they got on dusk. That is: probably on dusk, because omnipresent dust was darkening the sun, making huntresses unable to determine the actual time. Raia was furious, because they had been marching so slow and reach destination so late. But then a scent of easy prey encouraged her. In spite she was (as leading one) endangered the most by fury of the element, she felt neither fear nor exhaustion. Awareness that she was doing it for beloved king - and additionally was on important duty instead of her sister - was bracing and was soothing an ache in paws and sore in throat. Moreover that pain was sharpening senses. Raia quickly smelled a pack of adakses, blindly searching for shelter from the storm. With ancient code of Golden Pride she made few signs with tail, to Niva, marching after her. So then she had to wait for information reach the end of rank, then hunting could be started.
“Attack!” she called and rushed among dried trunks.
Hunting-team quickly formed a chasing <horse-shoe-formation>. Because among trees wind wasn’t so strong, lionesses were running fast and firmly, getting surprised and extremely exhausted antelopes. In two minutes Golden Ones killed three mature cows and dispersed rest of the herd in grove. But antelopes were still in a trap – growing sandstorm imprisoned them in few hectares of improvised shelter. And lionesses didn’t want to finish their hunt.
“Preys on the edge of grove!” called Raia, who took a lead for good. Kota was dragging one fallen adaks to gathering point when she noticed that sandy-furred was hurt. Raia cowered wounded paw but still was commanding companions, like nothing had happened. “We’ve gotten three! Watch the rest, they could try to escape on desert.”
“Raia!” called Kota, getting to friend. “Lay down, you are hurt!”
“Just a scratch!” snorted lioness, barely overscreaming the storm. She quickly looked on limb, cut with some dry branch of acacia, then she turned her stare on the east. “They are running!” she cried, pointing on two antelopes, who made a desperate escape on open air and were jumping in heavy fight with overwhelming element. “Wait with preys. Akra, Simma and Kota, follow me!”
“This is a suicide!” yelled Akra.
“No, you stay!” growled Kota, looking on bleeding paw of Raia. “You won’t run even minute in this condition.” She nudged Simmi and Akra to chase and she turned her stare on friend. “Right, we will get them. But not for your king. For you!” she gasped and followed the chase.
Lioness had thought that wind in grove was strong. But when she run away the shelter of dead trees, fury of sandstorm almost stunned her. She stopped, waiting for two companions, who fell down due to sand-blows, then all three followed a quickly fading paw-prints of adakses. They were running side to side, supporting each other. Kota, running between friends, felt regrets, because she had the easiest task. But suddenly the chase finished – they almost ran into adaks, who - blinded and panicked - was lying and kicking in the air. Fast blow of Kota’s paw finished a torment of creature.
“We’re going back.” Called golden-furred. “We’ll never find that second one. Simmi, you go between us!”
She let lioness between her and Akra, then all of them grabbed a dead body on jaws. They started off with wind in grove’s direction, or at least in direction where Kota expected to find a grove. But march with wind was sometimes even harder than against it. It was so tempting to surrender to element’s power and to go wherever it was leading. In theory it wasn’t a problem, because wind seemed to blow in right direction, but...
“Stop!” cried golden-furred, looking ahead with terrified stare.
Lionesses got to the next body of antelope. It was an animal that had escaped them just moment before. Someone got lost – adaks or huntresses. Or maybe all of them.
„And what now?” asked Akra. Or at least Kota thought that she told that, reading from lips. Howling of the wind was muffling every word.
“Let finish her and go ahead. Maybe...”
Suddenly adaks, in desperate attempt, jerked and pinned her horn in golden-furred’s paw. Kota yelled in pain but instinctively hit a victim, killing it. But then she fell on the sand, next to antelope’s carcass.
“Kota!” cried Akra and Simmi.
Lionesses laid down next to friend, and Akra looked on wounded paw of huntress. Cut wasn’t bleeding too much, but was deep. Hit of adaks damaged muscles and – what was much worse – opened the body to sandy dust. Akra started to lick a wound, trying to clean it from and sand other filth to avoid an infection.
„And what NOW?” cried terrified Simmi.
“Leave the meat and search for grove.” Gasped Kota, repressing the burning pain in limb.
“And what with you? And... we even don’t know where to go!”
Wind again changed its direction. If it had been blowing in lionesses backs, then was hitting theirs sides. So if even had been earlier some possibility to determine the right direction of march, then it became impossible – even the most experienced Kota had no idea where they were and where Dried Forest could be. “Sparthi, the patron of desert, help us!” whispered in mind and he came almost instantly. Not Sparthi, of course. That time an emissary of desert guardian was a lion with blond-red beard and black mane. He went to lost lionesses with heavy effort but with determined expression on his face. Without needless questions he grabbed Kota’s side.
“Go to the grove!” called to Akra and Simmi. “There, about three hundred meters ahead.” He pointed a direction from he had come. “I will take care of her.” Lionesses looked uncertain on friend but black-maned added. “This is Niva’s order. Get the meat and go! In Dried Forest drink blood of adakses, to prevent dehydration.” He raised his head higher and thousands of sandy projectiles hit his muzzle. “Wind is growing, sandstorm will be even stronger. Tell Raia she must take whole team back home. Immediately! At dawn will come the wind you won’t stand even in grove!”
“And you?” asked terrified Akra.
“We will join you... I hope. But go now!”
Uncertain lionesses, hastened by stare of wanderer, grabbed meat and set off in showed direction. And lion laid on windward side of Kota, shielding her (at least: partially) from fury of element. He started to lick a wound, to finish what Akra had started.
“Taka...” whispered Kota.
He just murmured, hushing golden-furred. With free paw he pressed her head to sand surface, waiting for some calmer moment. “But what then?” thought Kota. “If the greater storm is nearing...” But incoming wave of exhaustion, weariness caused by wound and sudden sense of safety deluged lioness. She wanted to say something, to order Taka to leave her and save himself, but sleep muffled her mind.
Raia was leading a column of Golden Ones to home. Wounded, she was supporting by sister’s side, but sandy-furred was guiding – it was obvious that she knew the route better. Although wound was aching mercilessly, she didn’t complain but just giving strict orders to the team. According to Taka’s warning, she had to get them to some solid shelter. But she already completed the main goal of that mission – she got a prey for her king. So then she could focus on duties to the pride.
“Faster! Storm is coming!” she called, still hobbling next to Niva’s side.
Her heart was beating fast, scared about Kota’s fate. But in the same time she was appeasing by soothing awareness that time she hadn’t failed her king.
*
Senses were returning to Kota slowly and it wasn’t a pleasant return. Before she regained her sight and hearing, even before she understood that she was lying on sand, nestled into Taka’s side, the pain had stricken. That time it was enflaming not only wound but also whole right paw and it didn’t let her even think about moving a limb. She moaned what instantly alarmed Taka.
“Thank Ahadi, you are awake!” he said. Or actually: Kota guessed that he said that. Wind was still muffling almost any other sound. “We must go, to find some shelter, until storm still isn’t in its prime.”
“Isn’t?” thought Kota. “So what is all THIS?” sand was constantly and ruthlessly hitting in lying lions, but maybe not as hard as few hours earlier. Taka had on mind some real disaster – the one he warned Golden Ones about.
“So we must go.” Repeated gently, bending over her ear. “I take you on my back, but you have to hold me tight. Right?”
Golden-furred couldn’t answer, but obediently tighten her paws on shoulder of black-maned and cuddled to his mane. Taka stoop up and started top march with slow but certain steps against the wind. Lioness actually hadn’t idea where they were going but she was too tired to be scared due to that. Calm breathing of Taka and his regular steps were lulling her, however she remembered the order to hold saviour’s neck. If not those sandy projectiles, hitting her painfully, she would fell only a blissful calm. She worried about nothing and just was rocked by swaying of lion’s back.
So they were marching oven an hour. Finally black-maned put lioness on the ground and she opened her eyes. But instead of expected wave of dust she was attacked only by almost perfect darkness. After a longer while she understood that she was in some kind of den and a shadow moving next to her was Taka, securing a entrance to improvised lair.
“Now it should endure a while.” Announced lion. “But after several hours we will have enough of sand above us.”
“Taka...” whispered Kota, feeling burning thirst.
“Yes, me too.” Confessed wanderer. “Unfortunately we have only... a previous resident of that place.” She put a body of fennec in front of lioness. “This isn’t much, but his blood is a liquid too.”
She greedily plunger her teethes into a carcass and started to suck blood. After a longer while, when she almost drank everything, she froze, looking on Taka.
“I... I left nothing.” Confessed with breaking voice.
“That’s good.” Replied lion, in the same time looking for something in vault of lair. After a minute he pulled from ceiling a root of some herb and started to chew it. “I will satisfy with dry appetizer for now. But it doesn’t matter, the point is to survive the storm. Then we will thing about a better drink.”
“Taka... I’m afraid.” Said lion.
„There is no reason to be afraid.” Lied lion, then he laid next to female. “Now we have just wait.”
After few minutes Kota’s eyes used to darkness in den, so she could see her unexpected saviour better. And that view amazed her. Taka fell asleep, but in spite of that he was still holding Kota with left paw and his left limb was outstretched before him, as if he was ready to fight and defend her any time. For that few months since he left Dry Oasis, he had changed much. Still was skinny and light-built (then maybe even more), but it was just a testimony of his long and exhausting wanders. Under his dark fur a touch muscles were seen, that earlier had carried Kota to shelter. Face of lion was also different – more mature and more serious. Maybe it was because dim in lair, but Kota thought that clumsy adolescent she had been carrying few months earlier, then looked like a king. “Like the Golden King.” Added silently. “He was walking through the desert like ruler of Golden Sands.” But in that moment wandered opened his eyes and with smile he looked on Kota.
“You would better sleep.” Advised. “Unless the storm is over, we must stay here. There is nothing to do with that.”
“Maybe is.” Whispered lioness. „Taka, what happened to you after you left Golden Sands?”
“Ow, you won’t believe me anyway.” He murmured, but she demanded a story. So he told her. And she believed.
*
Dhalimu was leading a mourning ceremony in Acacia Alley. Golden Pride usually gives their dead to the desert – rulers put bodies on plateau on top of the massif and nearest sandstorm tears earthly remnants apart, spreading those over the dry ocean. That way deceased one was going away, still being in home, at least in certain sense. But in that case body hadn’t been found.
“Kota was a brave lioness, devoted to her pride.” Said Dhalimu. In spite of the best intentions, he couldn’t say: <and to the king> because he felt that is wasn’t true. “Kota had been always plotting against me!” thought ruler, although sorrow of losing his subject was genuine and was almost muffling his anger. “She died, fulfilling her duties as a huntress. She stayed on desert – I believe that spirits of our ancestors were waiting for her. Hailed be brave Kota!” finished his speech, poured a paw of sand to the wind and set off in cave’s direction, followed by sad lionesses. Only Raia remained a while longer, looking on horizon with hollow stare. But when she heard first shout of angry king, she run to the cave.
“I think that is nasty.” Murmured Kota, lying on dune, on side of Taka. “They believe that I’m actually dead.”
“And that is it!” whispered amused arbiter. “I would pay any price to see my own funeral.”
“So how many I owe you for that privilege?” she asked with contrariness.
“A kiss.” Smiled lion and licked Kota’s cheek. They burst in merry laughter, but after a while arbiter narrowed his eyes and said seriously. “It’s time. We must make a good impression. How my mane?”
“Dreadful, as always. And how I look?”
“As for a dead, wonderful.” Replied Taka and when on his muzzle came a playfully smack, he added with smile. “As a living, of course, too.”
So they set off to the cave. They were a strange couple – she, beautiful, but hobbling on three paws, still based on Taka’s side. He – proudly marching black-maned, also was presenting on his body whole host of marks, a permanent record of his wanders and adventures: numerous scars, much lighter than his dark fur. Those were giving him serious and a bit scary appearance, at least as for four-year-old male. As a first spotted them Akra, when they reached Acacia Alley.
“Sir! Kota is alive!” called young lioness and run to newcomers. “Taka?” asked surprised, but instantly then she felt ashamed of calling arbiter just with name. “You are back, sir.” Added uncertainly.
“Taka the Second, arbiter of Lions Lands.” Said black-maned. “I must speak with your king. This is an urgent matter.”
Seeing the freshly bereaved subject, monarch managed to find a lot of joy in his heart. But it wasn’t enough to warm welcome for Taka. Although Dhalimu let the guest in, he still was looking on him with dreadful stare, as if he was waiting for a pretext to fight.
“An arbiter... Lions Lands haven’t arbiters since generations...” murmured, when he placed guest on rather not so honourable seat, near entrance of cave.
“Maybe, sir, but the time has come for prides to again work together. If we take care about peace among us, hunger won’t cease but it would be significantly reduced. We won’t scare away the herds each other. A bit of self-control could save us from a disaster.”
“Golden Sands are the most powerful of Lions Lands!” growled Dhalimu. “The biggest: yes.” Agreed Taka in mind. “Most powerful? Well, should we count a hundreds of square kilometres of sands as a proof of power?” “We are managing without your advices.” Finished king.
“I have never said that it is not true.” Replied arbiter calmly, but he looked with a telling stare on wounds of Raia and Kota.
“Good!” added sandy-maned. “We thank you for saving Kota, but you don’t have to worry about or kingdom any longer. The king is leading us firmly and will be, with or without your alliance.”
“So I’m humbly asking you, sir...” started Taka. “...to send two lionesses with me. I would teach them how to...”
“What?” gasped angry monarch. “You want to teach Golden Lionesses how to live on desert?” Taka felt he went too far and wanted to quit his idea, but unexpectedly Niva supported him.
“My king...” she whispered to mate’s ear. “Maybe you will try. Thanks to that we could re-establish a contact with other courts and...”
“<And> what?” hastened her ruler.
“News about welfare of Golden Sands would extol you name, darling.”
Brown-maned was thinking some time, looking on queen then on arbiter. Finally he said with proud voice.
“So be it, black-maned. Two Golden Ones will come with you...” meanwhile he was wondering who he could send. “I wish to rid off Kota, because she would again start to plot against me. I thought that I would get like her, because she gave her life for her monarch... but she HAD TO return! I bet she is already up to something. But on the other hand, Kota – because of her spite – won’t tell about my successes as a king. I must send also somebody reliable and trustworthy...” His stare stopped on queen’s sister. “Raia, Kota. I send you with Taka, to spread a news about our kingdom among others lions courts. Deliver them greetings from Golden Sands.”
“Yes, my lord.” Said Raia with barely repressing sorrow. She knew that king chose her because of her faithfulness, but incoming parting with Dhalimu was hard for her.
“Yes, sir!” almost shouted Kota, barely repressing her joy. She looked on Taka and smiled. Maybe not everything had gone as they planned, but they were about to be together for few months.
“So eat, drink and go, when you are ready.” Ordered Dhalimu. “This audience is over.”

Dhalimu is one uncaring king. *growls angrily* At least Kota will be okay thanks to Taka. He's just as caring as his grandfather.

Good chapter, as always my friend. Update soon!

It’s very politically correct to not mention which grandfather You mean <lol2>

Next chapter.
Song poor as always, but important for a plot.
In return action speeds up a bit;)

VII. For king and country

From Golden Sands they set off to Sahel Plains. That kingdom was bordered upon Prideland on the east. It lies over one of the tributary of Border River. Once. In those days the border with Taka’s homeland was just a strip of swamp, so salty that even arbiter was afraid of drinking from it. But not drinking was a goal of journey. Raia, Kota and Taka were going on court of Hodari – Sahel Plains king. Old ruler had been cooperating with arbiter since some time, but black-maned tried to often refresh friendship with monarchs supporting him. Moreover, he had something more on mind.
“Amali and Mtanga.” He thought. “They weren’t in South Forest, because forest is completely lifeless. They are still looking for their place or they stopped on one of the courts. Or maybe...” But he ceased that grim thought and was marching ahead. His sister just couldn’t die, that would be absurd. She always had more luck, even most sophisticated pranks, for whose Taka and Dahabu were punished severely, got away scot-free for her. “And parents surely are caring for her.” Added lion silently. “We care about you too.” Sounded in his mind, but it could be just a sun-stroke illusion.
“Sir, are turning west?” asked Raia suspiciously.
Indeed – thoughtful lion sidetracked on right. He hadn’t noticed when he turned away from Limestone Alley (a route discovered by Taka when he was returning from Golden Sands) and voice of lioness awoke him from reverie. Immediately he shook off the heavy thoughts and joined queen’s sister and Kota.
“No. I just have checked sand’s temperature.” Replied and golden-furred burst in laughter, clearly seeing error of lion.
“So still due south?” asked Raia with grave seriousness. “Good, you are leading, sir.”
They were a strange fellowship – Kota and Taka were behaving like young cubs, laughing and playing pranks, probably slowly understanding they have a case on each other. Meanwhile sandy-furred was marching next to them, although far from them in the same time. She was speaking little, as if she wasn’t going with old friend and interesting teacher, but among strangers. Only in case of learning of the desert life, Raia was curious, inquiring and demanding more and more of new knowledge. She took seriously ruler’s order and was trying to learn as much as she could.
Kota addressed Taka by name probably since always. But Raia called him <sir>, giving in it a decent dose of official respect. Asked why she did rubbed shoulders with lion, she replied with no hesitation.
“If my king recognized you as an arbiter, you are worthy of my respect due to you title.” And of course she added with serious tone. “Sir!”
Taka couldn’t say that he don’t like sandy-furred. Actually was just the opposite – firm character of lioness, her strength of will and smart mind aroused a genuine admire of wanderer. But Raia just couldn’t win a true friendship because she didn’t ask for it. She favoured him just with cold kindness and all acts that Taka could recognise as proofs of fondness were connected with a gratitude towards his as a teacher. Finally arbiter found that Raia wasn’t able to get like him unless he prove he was a friend of her beloved king.
During nights on open air (that was: four of five rest in their journey), whole three was sleeping together, side to side, for security. But if Kota and Taka both enjoyed and felt a bit ashamed by that intimacy, sandy-furred seemed to completely ignoring closeness of male and innocent caresses that her companions were exchanging.
“Tomorrow we should be there.” Said Raia on last stop, lying down next to Kota. “Sir, awake us before the dawn. We will collect a dew...”
“In that den dew will stay to dawn.” Murmured surprised Taka, pointing on pan in rock. “There is no need to wake up so early. We will drink anyway...”
“But I prefer to see how you are collecting moisture from as small stones as those ones.” She looked on pile of limestone pieces nearby their bedding. “Please.”
“Yes, of course.” Agreed a bit ashamed arbiter. “Kota?”
“Thank you, but I prefer to sleep a little longer...”
*
Sahel Plains never were a fertile land. Once it was placed partially on swamps and main prey of local lions were either giant and extremely hard to kill cape buffalos or small game from marsh. When the Second Drought came, swamps dried up, turning into weird-looking plains of sallow lumps. Only swamp that remained was a bed of Muddy Torrent, one of the Border River’s tributary. Rest of territory was covered with dried savannah, on north slowly turning into a desert. But in spite of that... or maybe: thanks to that, the crisis hadn’t destroyed Sahel Plains. There was little preys, but there always was little. There was too less water, as well as earlier was too much. King and ten of his lionesses were living peacefully in their land, quite nicely enduring trials of the Circle of Life. Without hesitation they joined Taka’s alliance, surrendering to requests and restrictions in hunting preys, demanded by arbiter. Additionally old, hoary-maned monarch, welcomed guest warmly.
“We haven’t many goods to share, but what we have is yours as well.” Announced ruler with conviction.
Sahel Cave was in cliff of Muddy Torrent. Entrance was directed north, but from midday sun, keep was shielded by high wall of the other bank of river. It was a calm and secluded place where our trio could rest from constant wind of desert and omnipresent sand. Hodari led his guests to his keep, still talking with proud voice.
“I’m afraid that you may find my cave a bit narrow, because we already hosting few additional manes. But those are nice guests so I believe you will live on goods term with them.”
“Who...” started lion, but in that moment he noticed on doorstep of cave well known silhouette.
“Taka?” amazed Amali. „Brother...”
„Yes, it’s me again.” Replied black-maned, carefully hiding a sigh of relief, seeing her sister. “It happened that Circle of Life guided me here.”
“Mtanga!” called Pridelandress to cave. “Look who is here!”
“Come in, come in!” invited Horadi. “I will introduce you to my lionesses and my queen.”
Inside they found ten females, including one, lying on special prepared bedding. Taka quickly figured out that was ruler’s mate, expecting a child. Moreover in Hodari’s cave were living four additional lions: Taka’s brother-in-law, Mtanga and three rouges, met by arbiter’s sister and her mate during their way from South Forest.
“Baridi, Hofu, Udole.” Introduced them Mtanga. In voice of male Taka sensed a carefully hidden irritation, however black-maned wasn’t able to find the reason. “we are here thanks to Horadi’s hospitality. But if he has now eighteen mouths to feed we must reconsider further way. Especially that lady Kivuli could deliver any moment...” added with clear annoyance and pointed on queen.
“There is no hurry, my friend.” Replied ruler with merry voice. “Until we could feed you we will host you. But Taka, my dear, tell us what with yours? In Prideland, in Golden Sands...”
So arbiter sat down inside of circle of lionesses and started to tell news from others Lions Lands. Finally he told a brief report from his grandmother’s kingdom. Those news interested both Sahel Ones and, unexpectedly, Mtanga. Wanderer inquired about detail on Dhabau’s reign, making Raia very suspicious.
“I don’t like him.” Whispered to Kota. “He is trying to put Taka on to criticise our lord.”
“Taka said nothing untrue about Dhalimu.” Replied golden-furred, although she also was a bit confused by interest of lion.
“He refuse to participate in alliance...” murmured Hodari. “That’s bad, but we can’t help it. He is king after all.”
“If he exercises his power in bad way, he should to be deposed.” Threw Mtanga en passant. Hearing this Raia gasped. “That’s a fact, miss. Rulers have theirs duties to their subjects.”
“Indeed.” Agreed sandy-furred. „For example: to defend kingdom from strays...”
But that reply missed of attention of gathered lions. Instead of that king, lionesses and guests laid down to sleep in deeper chamber. For a while Taka was talking with sister, but soon those two fell asleep too. The only awaken creatures in Sahel Plains were four of lions: Mtanga and his companions.
Just after end of arbiter’s tale, they sneaked out the cave and went on savannah, about half a mile away from royal keep. All they were marching in silence, as if dead plain could eavesdrop their talks. Night was dark, moonless and even stars seemed to shine not as bright as usual, partially shaded over dusty clouds. It was an ideal time for plotters and secret deliberations.
“Hunt me down!” thought enraged Mtanga. “Everything was going so well... Old Hodari hadn’t children apart of deceased Asta. What came over him to take a young mate and conceive a cub? He got like Amali so much, that he was treating her almost as a daughter. I thought that I would get the throne thanks to that, but he had to complicate all things!” He stopped that angrily thoughts to recall Taka’s words. “But maybe it’s time to search for another chance. That Dhalimu must be a real rascal. Even crippled zebra won’t shed a tear after him, if we depose him. It could be arranged, if guys help. And they will help if I... convince them to our sacred cause... That is: crown for me!”
They stopped under a lone acacia, then Mtanga took a look around, checking if somebody is watching them. Finally, clearly appeased, he climbed on some low branch of tree and looked on his friends. He smiled in mind.
“Listen to me... I know where we should go.” Started with fiery tone. “You heard about dreadful Dhalimu and his bloody reign. That is our aim: to get know more about him and then make all what will be necessary to depose him!”
“Hm...” interrupted Baridi. “But what if we are wrong? One of those lionesses told many good things about that king.”
“But he is a king!” replied wandered. “Everyone of them is evil. And that one especially...”
“But, but...” threw Hofu. “...when we were trying to liberate Prideland from Dahabu, it turned out that all lionesses came to help him! He was defended not only by a queen but also others females. We had to run, because that so called <oppressed subjects> were ready to stand for tyrant...”
“No!” gasped Mtanga. “The time will come for Prideland.” He added. “I’m too weak to prevail Dahabu by my own and guys failed that time. Maybe Golden Sands would be easier pray for us.” He thought and said. “Those lionesses were so oppressed that they even were unable to feel the taste of freedom. That why they were defending their own persecutor. But in Golden Sands will be different. There the pride is ready to live without a king.” Finished with firm voice and added in mind. “...but it would be even better if I were a king! We must just make a reconnaissance... Or even we will be able to convince noble Taka to do the dirty job.” Then he said aloud. “We will make sure of that. Who are we?”
“Tyrannocides!” called three lions.
“With whom we fight?”
“With wicked monarchs!”
“What for we seek?” asked wanderer with passion in his voice and chocking laughter in his soul.
“Freedom for all!” cried rouges.
“Exactly!” whispered with grave voice Mtanga. “We will depose that king and some day: every king. The time of monarchs passed. We are the future! The freedom will prevail!”

[Song “The rain to come”. Melody is mysterious and ominous with a tune of pathos.]
[Mtanga jumps down from branch among rouges – they jump aside. Lion turns to acacia and hit with all might in branch he was sitting earlier. It breaks to pieces – it was rotten.]

Like drought is turning wood into the dried, dead rot
The same our old world is rotten, falling on the spot

[In his paws remain a portion of touchwood. He slowly spills it on the ground.]

So let from its pathetic rest
Create the new, create the best
A brave new world proper just for a brave new day

[Small heap he created, he treads into ground, then he returns to trunk of tree.]

After old pictures left so many hollow frames
It’s time for change and burn the thrashes that remain

[He extends his claws and scratches on acacia’s bark.]

In the era of bared teethes
The strength is what we do believe
And with the claws we’ll punish tyrants of today

[He pulls out a piece of bark and smash it into smaller pieces.]

Chorus:
Because old world is dried and we are rain to come
We burn all weeds and pull out roots that they are from

[He pull the sprout that sticks out from ground. He discovers he is holding a solid root of tree, so he cuts it with claw and throws away.]

On scorched soil it's time to sow
Bring ashes fruit, bring dust to grow
That just because we are the promised rain to come

[He tosses up a pawful of sand. Sand falls on three rouges. They, a bit irritated, shook it off.]

Second verse:
The throne is past and finally came a time to change
There is a king in every one, the reign’s in range

[Mtanga comes to rouges and bends down to Baridi’s ear. Sings.]

Let every one be oneself king
The freedom’s call is what we sing
And the shine of equality what we arrange

[Than he stands between Hofu and Udole, points on a ground below theirs feet.]

Ow, kingship was a pitiful failure to the core
Whatever it created soon will be no more

[He digs in sand, to get to some dried bone.]

Maybe that dead and pitiful grave
Will be the only thing is saved
From times of ignorance, times of obscurants lore

[With decisive move he throws bone away. To dodge it, Hofu falls on the ground. Bone flies further, then smash to pieces after hitting the trunk of acacia.]

Chorus:
Because old world is dried and we are rain to come
We burn all weeds and pull out roots that they are from

[Next to place he found a bone, Mtanga with extended claws ploughs the soil then with one of his claw he cut his won paw. A drop of blood falls on ploughed sand.]

On scorched soil it's time to sow
Water with blood the sprouts to grow
That just because we are the promised rain to come

[Under decisive stare of Mtanga, all rouges extend theirs claws, cut pawpads and sprinkle sand with blood. Then all three goes away. We see a zoom-in on acacia trunk, where Mtanga pulled out a branch. Tree is rotten inside and when lions are gone, a fragment of bark falls inside the hollow trunk.]

*
On the next day there was a quick farewell. Taka decided that Raia and Kota had taught enough and they could return to Golden Sands. Golden-furred wasn’t so sure about that, but her sandy friend was insisting. Additionally arbiter didn’t want to burden hospitable pride any longer.
“I know you don’t drive us away, sir.” He explained Horadi. “Wherever I’ll go, I’ll tell about hospitality and generosity of your pride. But we have no right to overuse your kindness. Soon your cub will be born. Whole pride have to carrying about him. We don’t want to disturb.”
“So Godspeed then.” Said old ruler. “Sahel Plains will remain in alliance.”
Taka came to sister, standing next to her mate. He nodded his head, so Pridelandress left Mtanga and went aside.
“Will you be all right?” asked black-maned.
“That a strange question. I’m the older sister and I should take care about you, younger brother. I should be worried.”
“So I suppose, you will.” Replied arbiter. “Just remember, that if some goes wrong... Dahabu will welcome you home anytime. He went through some hard times but has changed a lot and for good. Believe me.”
“I believe.” Said lioness. “But we will try to find some haven elsewhere. Mtanga just couldn’t live in pride as a subject.”
“Do as you like. Just if you need of hospitality of one of prides, just tell that you are my sister. I’m rather liked among Lions Lands...”
“...especially when you are away!” finished Amali and siblings burst in laughter. “Right, go now, or I’ll cry. Your golden girlfriend is waiting.”
So Taka set off to Kota and Raia, standing on dune nearby. Golden-furred was actually waiting for him and when he got there, she held out her muzzle for lick. The second of lionesses was already looking on the desert, probably being in her mind with her king.
“Ready?” asked arbiter and when both females nodded her head (Raia after a longer while – for some time she was awakening from reverie), then started to march in Golden Sands direction.
*
Way back was disrupted by some nasty accident. Raia, coming down from dune’s slope, lost her balance, slipped on loose sand and hit some dead trunk in valley. Kota, marching next to friend, commented that with a burst of laughter, but soon she fell silent, seeing that sandy-furred had twisted paw.
“*****!” gasped Taka, as if he was replacing lioness in yell of pain – Raia made no sound of complain nor cursed. “Badly?”
“I don’t know.” She said. „I fell nothing there.”
“Taka... you asked us to watch the clouds...” she discretely pointed on cumulus of dust, growing fast on horizon. Raia spotted that gesture.
“A storm.” She said. „It will be here in few hours.”
Taka looked on her, for a while estimating his strength. Finally he kneeled next to queen’s sister and tried to take her on back. He succeeded on second attempt when Kota helped him.
“That is stupid.” Murmured the carried one. “I will slow you too much. Leave me under some rock. Maybe I’ll stand it and...”
“We will get to Golden Sands or to Dried Oasis.” Interrupted arbiter. “Raia, I beg you: hang still and you won’t exhaust me so fast.”
They set off again. After a short hesitation Taka decided to leave the comfortable path on rock and go straight through desert. Limestone Alley in storm couldn’t shield them from wind and night without drinking was much easier to stand than fury of sandstorm. Thanks to shortcut they were about to save few hours. It was possible due to strict sharing of tasks – arbiter was carrying sandy-furred on his back and Kota was marching before them, clearing the path. When the first wave of storm hit they were just five kilometres from Golden Rock.
“A break?” asked golden-furred, panting aloud.
“Not now!” replied Taka. “If we stop now, we won’t start again.” There was still two hours to dusk, but it was dark anyway – clouds of sand dimmed the sun. wind started to hit more and more painfully marching lions. “We won’t get it!” panted Taka. “Kota, run to yours and bring some help. I will stay with Raia.”
“You go, Taka.” Whispered golden-furred, probably even more exhausted that arbiter. “I’m not in condition to run.”
So black-maned put sandy-furred on the ground and laid down Kota next to her. Then he started to run in shortest rout to the cave. After few seconds he understood he did well – sprint against the wind was much heavier than waiting for help. He was glad that Kota didn’t have to wrestle with element.
To Acacia Alley he got after just an hour of intensive run. He went between rows of trees to see with amaze a whole Golden Pride outside the cave. Inside of group was walking Dhalimu with unconscious Niva on his back. “Again he ordered them to hunt in the storm!” thought furious Taka.
“I need help! Raia and Kota are on the route!”
“You left them in desert?” growled king with amaze. “Are you mad?!”
“Maybe.” Thought arbiter. „But surely not as mad as you.” And added loud. “Come, faster! Until is too late!”
Ruler wagged his tail, calling two lionesses nearby, who were in the best condition. Taka noticed that were probably Akra and Simmi, but omnipresent sand didn’t let him make sure.
“Follow me!” ordered arbiter and lions formed a row behind him.
To Kota and Raia they got supporting by wind in backs. It turned out that females had lost their temper and tried to walk... or crawl on their own in home’s direction. Golden-furred, shielding queen’s sister got numerous cuts due to hitting sand, so she was no longer able to march on her own. Akra and Taka took her on backs and Raia was took by Simmi and Dhalimu. In half a way rescue team met a patrol of four more lionesses, who after few draughts of water had run to support king. They got to Acacia Alley heavily scratched but alive.
And furious.
“You left my lionesses, that I have commended under your charge!” growled brown-maned when they passed the cave’s doorstep.
Taka was amazed by that nonsense reproach so we went angry too. He thought that he would be greeted as a hero, mean Dhalimu seemed to want to expulse guest out.
“I have saved you lionesses, you didn’t take care of!” replied in impulse. “Had I carry them both on back?!”
“You have to deliver them safe to home.” Gasped Dhalimu, pointing on travelleresses, unconscious or barely conscious due to pain and exhaustion. “Great!” thought black-maned. “And you CAN send subject to die!”
“I can assure you, they are in far better condition than was your hunting team, last time we met!”
“Silence!” growled Dhalimu. Taka was extending his claws, but in the same moment he understood what meant open conflict with monarch. “He is Kota’s ruler.” He thought with fear. “She will have trouble because of me...” And king was shouting still with furious voice. “I don’t want to see you here... ever! You can wait until down, then you will go away and never return to Golden Sands, arbiter.”
Black-maned took a quick look on lionesses lying on the floor. Kota couldn’t say what was actually. Raia wasn’t able to appease ruler. Niva couldn’t use her authority to ask for Taka. They all were unconscious. But Akra was awake and was looking on Taka with fear. She didn’t have to say anything, arbiter understood. “Just one word more and he falls in rage. That would the end...”
“I almost lost two subjects because of you!” was whispering Dhalimu with voice chocking from anger. “Who are you? A courier and storyteller of prides. You have nothing to do with Golden Lions. I forbid you to speak with any lioness, understand? That sentence is ultimate!”
“He speaks about Kota, I know it.” Thought shocked lion. And he was closer to desperate attack then ever before. Claws went out from paw-pads and were calling to pounce on proud despot and tear his muzzle to pieces. Word turned to black and white pictures, time slowed down, just like before hunting... of a fight. But then Taka heard a weak moan of unconscious Kota, when she was lifting by friends. “I can’t! She will die if I try...” Taka relaxed his muscles and hid his claws.
“Good. I will go away.” He whispered humbly. “Forgive me, sir.”
The storm ended before dawn, before Kota regained her consciousness. Akra told leaving Taka, that she would tell everything to golden-furred. “I so wished to hear your voice, before I go... just for farewell...” thought arbiter. “But I can’t risk. I’m leaving for you, Kota.”
He was marching slowly into Prideland’s direction and hot sand was burning his paw-pads like never before.

I wonder if Amali knows what sort of lion she's married. Mtanga is definetly bad news.

Dhalimu is getting worse and worse and honestly I wouldn't blame if Mtanga and his friends plan to be rid of him.

Dhalimu sends his lionesses out into a storm, his mate becomes injured... talk about careless. He wishes to send Taka away after he saves a few lionesses.

Gee, thanks alot. Good chapter! Update soon!

So there it is. Bon apetit

VIII. The songs of Desert

Kota awoke on evening, when Beluwa was washing her wounds. The first thought of lioness was: don’t waste our water! She tried to get up, but her friend hold her down and again put on bedding.
“King ordered to take care of you.” She said. “And we have already drunk.”
“Raia... Niva!” whispered golden-furred.
“Easy, they are alive.” Explained her caretaker. “Wounded and exhausted, but they soon will recover. Now they are sleeping, so be quieter.”
“Call Taka.” Asked kota.
“Sir Taka... went away.” Replied Beluwa with tensed voice. “After... an argument with king.”
“Went away? Where?!” yelled golden-furred.
“I don’t know. About dusk he set off from Golden Sands. He asked about you, put he didn’t want to leave any message. King ordered him to leave at once.” She gently put her paw on friends shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”
“I must stand up...” gasped lioness and tensed her muscles. But body was disobedient, inert, as if it was sleeping. After few seconds of struggle with weakness to golden-furred’s mind came a impulse of pain from wounded side. She wasn’t able to stand, so she couldn’t even thing about following Taka.
“Lay low. Dhalimu is worrying about you... about you all. He went on hunting in person...” explained Beluwa with uncertain voice. Probably she wasn’t sure what to think about ruler’s behaviour. “Should I be grateful to him?” gasped Kota silently. “He took Taka away from me. I hate him!”
“Yes.” She agreed aloud. “I will rest.”
So Beluwa stood up and went to unconscious queen to repeat every required healing procedures. Golden Cave was almost empty and only sounds that were heard there were quiet steps of lionesses, nursing wounded and sleepy breathing of Niva and Raia. Then also sobing of Kota joined.
*
Meanwhile Taka reached the Dry Oasis. He didn’t intend to stay in pan, but loud calling of Kauli caught his attention. So he went down to valley and when his eyes used to shade, he noticed python, rolled around acacia.
“Good afternoon!” greeted him snake.
“Not so good for me.” Murmured black-maned.
“Ssso maybe let ssstart in different way...” added former chamberlain. “Hello. Would you drink with me?”
“Should I uncover your well?” asked Taka, starting to dig.
“No. I just have propossssed you a drink.” Replied snake. “You have to calm down and tell me what hassss happened.”
“You weren’t there...” gasped lion. “You won’t understand...”
“I wasn’t there, sssso I have greater chancessss to understand.” Disagreed python. “I’m not as furioussss as you, I’m not so desssssperate as you. I do not afraid as you. My fear doesssssn’t blind me.”
“I fear no one!” growled Taka, extending his claws.
“You do. You fear that Dhalimu would hurt Kota.” Judged python. He slipped down from tree and rolled around lion’s neck. Through fur he sensed that his friend’s muscles were tensed and he was shivering due to anger. “If not Kota, you would have challenged him.” “No!” wanted to oppose black-maned, but reptile was still talking. “But if you did it, you would became the ssssame as he is!”
“What?!” growled Taka, shaking Kauli off his back. „Don’t you dare to say that!”
“And if you would have been sure that Kota is safe and you have challenged Dhalimu, what would has happened?”
“I would killed that rascal!” replied Taka with no hesitation. He clenched his right paw.
“And...”
“And... I would became a king?” asked lion, as if that thought had never come to his mind.
“You just had undersssstood what it mean?” asked python, showing his surprise. “You would get the throne just because of love for Kota and hatred towardssss Dhalimu. Think! What a king you would be! Taking rule for own profit, don’t carrying for fate of kingdom.”
“For Kota, only because of her!”
“Golden Sands are not jusssst Kota.” Noticed former chamberlain. “Dhalimu caressss only about own fame. But are you sure, you care about something more? If you really love Kota, you will do everything to ssssecure her future... and not to endanger her.”
“That means...”
“I don’t know... You are responssssible for her, not me!”
Taka lost his temper. He just turned away from snake and started to climb up on valley’s slope. Python called him, but black-maned was deaf to that. He went on hot sand and started to run south. In fact he didn’t intend to return home, but his paws were guiding him ahead. Instinct forced him to march on Limestone Alley and when he sensed a solid ground under his paws, he switched off his reason and fell into mindless trans of constant run, ignoring exhaustion and thirst. The same he completely ignored signs of growing wind. When sun set he was still speeding south-east, keeping his head low and not watching way before him.
Fatigue struck his body about midnight. In one moment Taka lost his balance and fell on limestone ground, still impulsive waving his paws in the air. After a while he stopped and layed motionless, gathering strength to further way. Night was bright, although moonless. Stars were shining on clear sky, none of sandy cloud were dimming firmament. Wind was growing slowly, but in that moment it was still a fresh and pleasant breeze. No sound was disturbing the silence of night. All life had to sleep, moved closer to wetter areas or to dig deeper. Taka understood that he was all alone on that dead waste.
“I guess I fell asleep. Asleep, still being awake.” He thought. “I must rest a little, then go ahead.”
But then came to him quite obvious thought: actually he had nowhere to go. Although he way lying in the centre of desert, in spirit he was in the same place he had been, retreating from Prideland six months earlier. Again he ran ahead, escaping from something, not going to something. “Since dad’s death I don’t know who I am. My old life has ended and a new one still hasn’t started. What I should do?” He stood up carefully and based on paws, shivering because of exhaustion. He made few steps ahead and looked up, on thousands of stars over him.
“Father!” called in silent night. “Hear me!”
He sensed a strange feeling, and noticed that one of stars faded on second, that burst in even brighter light. But it could be just an illusion – his head was dizzy and sight was dimmed due to dehydration. But he put his faith in that abstract feeling and irrational hope, that someone was listening. So he was still looking on mysterious star on north-east horizon.
“Father! Help me! I’m lost... I don’t know where to go.” He fell silent, waiting for any answer that didn’t come. “I don’t know who I am and if I have right to claim for something that was never mine. Dad, show me the way!” he asked, but star was silent. “You knew everything! You knew that was necessary to help mom, to disobey grandpa Simba... But what I have to do? Father, I don’t hear you!” he sat on rocks, counting heartbeats. After ten claps inside of his tired chest he added with quiet voice. “Mom? Would you help me?”
“Don’t you dare!” gasped Scar, a bit harsher than he wanted to. “You are not allowed to contact with him, as well as I.”
Spirits of parents and grandfather weren’t looking on descendant from the sky, but were standing next to him on Limestone Alley. Since some time Vitani and Tanabi had been following step by step after son. But his famous namesake was also there. He was just watching daughter and son-in-law and reminding them rules of Circle, as well as consequences of transgressing those.
“You can’t interfere now.” Said Scar seriously. “I don’t know what will happen, but I sense that Taka’s decision would change whole round of Circle of Life.”
“Dad...” whispered Vitani. Her voice was tensed and shivering, but anyway inaudible for living ones. “I’m so worried about him. Give just... to say few words.”
“And what you will say him?” asked star arbiter. “You know what advice him? If he have to leave lioness he love and regret that till the end of his days or to challenge your nephew in suicide duel? And whole round of Circle is...” he stopped, regretting he started that theme.
“What: round of the circle?” asked Tanabi.
“I don’t think I have to remind you the past.” Replied Scar carefully. “You remember that every round of Circle was announced by some tragedy. To end the war between prides, your mother, Nuka, Hawaa, Sarafina, Sarabi and Sakia had to die. For you to become a king, your father almost blinded you.”
“And to end the Great Drought you, Shakisa and many others died. If we for every good have to pay so dear?” asked angry Tanabi.
“I have no idea.” Confessed dead king. “But I’m afraid that every wrong intervention from us would multiply that price. Trust in living ones, don’t matter how you love them. Trust them because you love them.”
“You did help us!” called Simba’s son.
“Because I was sure what to do. Now I have no idea. And you?” Tanabi was looking on him uneasy stare but then pointed his eyes into the ground and said.
“Me too. But maybe we could just show him, how we love him...”
“Without words?”
“Without words.”
And then a new blow of wind swept sitting Taka the Second. It was special wind – warm but not hot, warming, not drying, giving relief to lost lion. Black-maned without any sound surrendered to caress of nightly air. He stoop up to fell unknown feeling with all his body. He remained that way for several minutes, until wind ceased.
“Yes... a storm!” whispered lion. Fatigue disappeared in one second and instead of it a new might and will to life pervaded wanderer’s body. In heart of black-maned a lost Taka fell asleep and arbiter woke up. “Maybe I still don’t know where to go...” she set off, murmuring quietly. “...but I know where I should guide the others. I’m responsible for all who are given under my charge. I’m the arbiter...” and then recent dilemmas faded out. “I AM THE ARBITER!” called in silence of the night. “I have to guide my prides, teach them and take care of their prosperity. I’m not a king and I swore it off. I promised...” he recalled words he had told in front of his brother. “I won’t interfere in matter that are not mine. I have my own!”
And he was going further, appeased by that thoughts. He was sure that Kota would understood his decision. Night was about to end.
*
On morning Dahabu was awoke by uneasy murmur among lionesses. King opened his eyes, stood and took a look on his cave. Most of his subjects were standing on doorstep of chamber and looking outside. Rest was surrounding Amali, who was standing on the ledge. Seeing sister, ruler dimmed remnants of sleep and ran to newcomer.
“Welcome, sis!” called with joy, unexpected joy, for a lion awoken on so early hour.
“Hi, Dah...” nodded shyly lioness.
“What happened?” asked golden-maned, coming to princess and licking her cheek.
“I’m here...” she replied. “Will you host me in you cave?”
“Of course, I will!” answered confused lion. He looked on Baka and gasped. “Bring some water for Amali. Now!” He again turned to sister and asked. “But where is Mtanga?”
“I don’t know.” She confessed. “He told me to wait here, until he deal with his matters.” She came further to chamber and took her old place, next to west wall. After a while Baka brought a gourd of fresh water and Amali thanked her with a nod. “He went on desert with his friends, I guess, companions from cub-times. He didn’t say whet he intended, but he assured that is something important.”
“Hm...” murmured confused Dahabu. “I can’t help you in this matter, but you may stay here as long as you wish. I will host you...” but he corrected immediately. “No, I can’t host you, because it is your home too!”
“And Taka’s” added Amali instinctively, but instantly understood that remark could offend king.
“And Taka’s.” Agreed monarch. “I hope he will be back here soon...” said with some strange expression on his face. “He promised to tell us when his alliance is complete. But it doesn’t matter now. Tell me, what happen to you...” So lionesses started to say her story.
Meanwhile, many miles north-west from Priderock, Mtanga and his three companions were carefully observing the Golden Pride. Hidden on one of the dunes, west from Golden Cave were looking on Dhalimu’s lionesses, who were searching for something on desert.
“What they search for in such a heat?” asked Baridi. Sun, although it was still low above the horizon, was already scorching hard, turning a chill morning into hot day.
“For us!” thought Mtanga. “They sensed the presence of intruders, who steal them preys and drink them water. Not surprisingly they looking for us and not to thank us for our care.” Of course he didn’t say it to companions. “They are desperate.” He said. “They trying to find some new herds and new sources. That another reason we must act quickly.”
“So... what for we waiting for?” asked Hufu. “Let go to their cave and finish that mad-lion on the throne.”
“Not SO quickly!” gasped Mtanga. “We must be careful. Remember what happened when we tried to liberate Prideland. We have to make sure that we take out Dhalimu in one, clean blow, without endangering those poor lionesses. I know that despot is a great burden for his pride. He abused his subject and endangers them. He beats own mate and despise pride-lionesses. That must be stopped, but when we will be sure of win. Understand?” he explained patiently and added in mind. “But first of all I have to find some way to take over the land as a king. That is: to rid you off, my tyrannocides!”
“So we are waiting?” asked tired Udole.
“Yes. You must get know more about pride and I will bring Amali here. I’ll be back as soon as possible.” And he set off downhill, directing south. Rouges were quite surprised, but no one objected.
“But... but maybe we don’t involve her to this... at least for now.” Suggested Hofu. “Maybe we send for her when it all will be over? When we already create the First Lions Republic?”
“No!” replied Mtanga. “She wants to participate in that. We have no right to forbid her. Do you remember? Equal rights!”
“Right!” said rouge. “So... Godspeed. Be back soon.” Mtanga already wasn’t listening, just running into Prideland’s direction. And Hofu turned to friends with uncertain stare. “Guys... I know it sounds silly... But we actually have never think about those kings...”
“Hm?” asked Baridi, confused and bored by idle laying.
“See... Mtanga is our friend, right? But he is also mate of Prideland Princess. If Dahabu dies and Amala inherits a throne...”
“You’re talking rots!” interrupted him Hofu. “If he wanted a throne, he surely wouldn’t hang with rouges like us and plans a struggle with tyrants.”
“Of course, if he isn’t planning to get rule after tyrants he depose...” threw Udole, but he was rebuked by heavy stare of friend. “I’m sorry, that is idiotic idea. Mtanga is one of us.”
“But look...” something was still bothering Baridi. “Amali is very nice and good for us although she is a princess. So maybe her brother isn’t so bad...”
“Don’t think too much. Mtanga is much better in that.” Advised Hofu. “We will live with Golden Pride, when we take out their king. With Amali too. Then she show that princesses aren’t bad, on condition that they don’t want to rule.” She stopped for a while, thinking about something too. “I just don’t get it, why Mtanga is going for her if we are still don’t know if we win with Dhalimu...”
Fortunately Mtanga knew it well.
“I must have Amali at my side, just in case. I can trust only her, when I proclaim myself a king.” Lion came down from dune and went to Limestone Alley. He was praising Taka in mind, because arbiter was telling everyone about his discovers on desert. “Thanks to naivety of my brother-in-law my life is easier. That gallant is running on desert, thinking he is saving the world and its nearest vicinity. And when he will save himself? I’m thinking about the throne for me and Amali and soon I will get it. If not thanks to rouges, maybe thanks to Taka. I could put him on challenging Dhalimu. I would wait until end of that duel and then finish a winner. Dhalimu, because he killed my brother-in-law. Or Taka, punishing that insolent regicide. One way or another, the justice will be on my side.” Sunk in thoughts he didn’t notice that over next hill was waiting a lost lioness.
“Forgive me, my lord.” Sobbed white-furred. “I just went on a walk when you went to search for those trespassers... It was going well but I got dirty my wound and...” Confused Mtanga was looking on beautiful female, helplessly lying on the sand. She was holding a wounded paw in the air, trying to lick her cut. Rouge was coming from sun’s direction, so he wasn’t recognised. “Dhalimu, my dear, don’t be angry on me. You have help me. I can’t get on my own...” Suddenly Niva noticed that enlighten by sunrays silhouette wasn’t her mate. “Who are...”
“Hush... easy, ma’am.” Replied Mtanga nervously. His mind was working hard to find any solution for that deconspiration. He have no idea for excuse or lie he would fool queen and Golden Pride. Finally he tried the easiest way. “I’m Taka’s friend.”
“Taka...” sighed queen with relief. “But better don’t say it Dhalimu. Now help me to stand and return to Golden Cave...”
“Sure, your highness.” Replied rouges, who understood with whom he was talking. And in the same time a genius idea sparkled in his mind. It was so obvious and easy to apply, that he initially couldn’t believe in his luck. Of course it wasn’t too elegant and too noble solution, but Mtanga had already stopped to care about both aesthetical and moral matters. “I have ordered my boys to kill my brother-in-law. I’m going to kill Dhalimu. I’m sorry, my queen, but you came to bad place in bad time. But believe me – your sacrifice won’t be taken in vain.” He thought.
“I’m on my way, ma’am.” Murmured lion, coming from back-side to immobilised female. “I will take care of you...”
Then he neatly aimed a blow and with hit with paw Niva’s nape. He was a strong lion and she was fragile lioness. Although his claws were hidden, heavy paw was a terrible weapon. It sounded a nauseating crunch of cracking spine and white-furred’s head fell motionless on the sand. To be sure, Mtanga repeated a hit, carefully not to leave any trace. Then he set off to south. His plan was simple.
He had to find Taka, convince him to visit the Golden Sands again. “I wonder what will do our hero, knowing that Dhalimu had murdered own mate. My tiny revolution frames as very interesting. The strong ones fight by their strength. The wise ones fight with strong ones.” And convinced about his victory he was still marching to domain of his brother-in-law.
*
Taka met on his way lionesses from Shale Plains. Queen Kivuli had gave birth to her son and whole pride was hunting to provide mother a solid diet. Arbiter heard with joy and pride about heir of friendly kingdom. Among merry and airy females of Sahel Plains he almost forgot about his troubles. He stayed with hunting team on one night in shelter of unnamed rock (however lionesses quickly named the cave <The Simo’s Cave>, because it was a name of newborn prince.) and eating meat of theirs preys, hearing theirs tales, was asked to tell some story about Kings of the Past.
“Well... and why not?” thought lion. “I’m the arbiter and also a bard of the desert. If I achieve nothing in my life at least I’ll show the others that everyone could be great, victorious and noble.”
“That is a tale about my great-grandfather, king Arista, who was ruling in Golden Sands before the Great Drought.” He announced and started to sing with his gentle voice. Song sounded on lifeless plain, to fade out somewhere on horizon. And from the sky two pairs of eyes were watching on bard.
“I don’t know if we are doing right, my daughter.” Said Zira. “But if you are sure that you want it, I’ll help him the best I could.”
“Try, mom...” asked Vitani. “If we do nothing, the Circle will crush not only Taka but also everyone in your... our...” she corrected quickly, looking in Golden Sand’s direction. “...home.”
“He sings about me.” Smiled Zira. „He calls me a heroine. I wonder if he ever suspected that he would be a subject of such songs...” she looked on grandson with anxiety but also with hope. “We just have to make sure if those songs will be triumphal ones.”

At least Taka has found a haven in the Sahel Plains.

I can understand Mtanga's reasoning for wanting to be rid of Dhailmu. He knows the way Dhailmu treats his lionesses and his mate.

I do feel bad for Queen Nivia though, but then again if Mtanga hadn't walked by and ended her suffering Dhailmu would've and wel... you know what I mean right.

Mtanga is Taka's friend in a way, maybe that's a good thing, and it's obvious that now he does not want to kill Dhahabu, for he knows that he is not a bad king unlike his cousin.

Another brilliant chapter! Update soon!

Well, that’s is not all what Mtanga intends;) Let’s take a look...

IX. Calm before the Storm

Furious lionesses returned to cave on evening. They hadn’t found even a trace of intruders that Dhalimu had told them about. But none on them complained directly about king. Their irritation gave vent in rebukes that they were gasping to each other. That made mood of cave unbearable. Fortunately Dhalimu was not there to complicate situation even more. Ruler was hunting with Baka, one of the youngest lionesses. Dhalimu saved her, bringing from ill-fated hunting in sandstorm two days earlier. Since that time little grey-furred became king’s favourite and was accompanying him in hunts. In fact she had that honour even when the rest of pride was looking for mysterious intruders. Monarch and his companion left about midday, so they about not to return before midnight. That why Golden Pride had a few hours for unpunished complains and grumbling. But that evening the usual irritation, amplified by wasted day of wandering on heat turned to the seed of real mutiny.
Kota was walking in cave, angry and constantly scolding on pride-mates. She was furious on no one personally, with harshness she was just hiding her regret and growing loneliness for Taka. Waiting in queue to the source she wasn’t listen to lionesses talk, but just murmuring silently. “What is wrong with them?” she asked in mind. “They complain about weather, sun, wind... No one dares to say it straight: Dhalimu. It’s all because our king is mad. He sends us in the storms, risking our lives. That is all his fault, but they can’t even admit it!”
“Kota, it’s your turn.” Urged her Akra, who was a keeper of source that day. Golden-furred was so absorbed with her heavy thoughts, that for log while she stood motionless, blocking queue to the water. “Please, that is from king’s source.” She instinctively added a official formula, but this was too much for Kota.
“I want water. Not DHALIMU’S water.” She gasped and ostentatiously left the queue. “Maybe I will wait until that source will be ours not just his.”
“Better not, Kota.” Sounded a voice from doorstep of chamber. “Until that you would suffer a very long thirst.”
Raia – because she replied to golden-furred – had just entered cave. Lioness was still hobbling, due to unhealed paw, she had sprained during return from Taka’s expedition. That evening she didn’t hunt nor was looking for intruders on desert, because king forbade her (as well as he forbade Niva) to tire. So she went on short walk to stretch her paws and she got back exactly to hear Kota’s words. She also heard some murmurs of Golden Ones and in spite of seeming calmness, she was on the edge of fury too. Her king was being offended.
“This source will be Dhalimu’s source as long as he will be the monarch.” Added queen’s sister.
“So... maybe it won’t be too long...” replied Kota. In normal conditions she would never say so rebellious words aloud, but exhaustion, thirst and general anger muffled her fear and scruples. She didn’t regretted that, even he was proud to that it, seeing amaze on Raia’s face.
“What... what did you say?” yelled sandy-maned.
“Dhalimu won’t be our king forever.” Replied Kota with fire in her eyes. “So what for we have to wait for him to destroy our pride? Sisters...” she looked on lionesses. “Wake up... We deserve for better monarch than Dhalimu!”
Raia breathed out aloud, thinking intensively. She muffled all emotions and let her cold reason work. She knew that if she would lose that argument with friend, ruler would be in danger. Quickly she understood that Kota was serious and determined. “Taka!” she thought. “Taka corrupted her. He turned her around his paw and induced to rebel. Who know... maybe ha wants to take over throne of Golden Sands? But I won’t let it!”
“Simmi!” she gasped quietly. “Where is the queen?”
“Still on walk.”
“Immediately, go for her. NOW!”
And she steeped to water chamber and with heavy effort climbed on the ledge above source. She stood just above the water-stream, looking like she was ready to defend cave’s treasure from everyone.
“This is king’s source.” Repeated with decisive voice, although inside she was terrified.
“Raia, stop it!” called Kota, walking among confused lionesses. “He is not here. You don’t have to play your role.”
“The king is a king even if he is thousand miles away.”
“Listen to yourself!” interrupted golden-furred. Meanwhile she also found a ledge on the opposite wall. She easily jumped ton it and looked on the pride. “Why do you stand up for him? I hope you see that he is mad!”
“You are mad, if you question the authority of our monarch.” Answered sandy-furred. “That why I’ll forgive you and forget, saying nothing to the king. But no say no more word and promise that you won’t...”
“Raia...” started Kota with gentle and soft voice. “Please, think a while. We all are concerned with good of the pride...”
“You are concerned with Taka! You want him to take over Golden Sand’s throne!” interrupted her queen’s sister. “You want the power!”
“WHAT?!” yelled golden-furred. She sensed that every stare went on her and is carefully examining her face with silent question. Raia smiled triumphantly, but then...
“GREAT IDEA!” called Akra. “Let Taka return here and put all in order.” Among pride sounded an accepting murmur. Raia instinctively extended her claws, ready to pounce on enemy. But wounded lioness wasn’t sure if that enemy became the whole pride.
“King! You swore your loyalty to him! This is a betrayal!” she roared.
“No. This is a necessity.” Replied Kota. “We must depose Dhalimu.”
Sandy-furred raised her wounded paw. It looked like gesture of hushing her friend, an ask for attention... But extended claws and decisive expression on face added some new meaning to that.
“I can assure you about one thing. I will kill everyone, who would dare to rebel against the king.”
Silence. That declaration froze whole pride, like stream of cold rain. Raia, although she had a choleric and a bit harsh character was loved and respected among Golden Ones. She was the best huntress of team and her preys had saved pride from starvation many times. Few lionesses had owed her life – sandy-furred many times had been searching for pride-sisters lost during sandstorms. Additionally, usually Raia was restraining king’s fury and she had protected her pride from numerous disasters.
“No...” whispered one of lionesses. “Don’t leave us...”
“There will be no mutiny!” said Raia, sensing that her decisive reaction had effectively tempered that revolutionary flame. Part, probably majority of lionesses, turned theirs stares to the ground, ashamed by that absurd behaviour. “The pride will remain the Pride, whatever would happen. Every argument is bad, but an argument in pride... family, especially started in such hard times, is a tragedy. Queen, my sister, would told you about it much better. She has a gift of speech and you would probably hear her more gladly...” She purposely mentioned about Niva to support her cause with common fondness towards white-furred. “But try to accept what I say. Dhalimu is our monarch and opposing him, we are opposing ourselves. The ruler is a head of pride. We must take care about your head, if we want it to guide us to safe haven in that ***** drought...”
“No, Raia!” called Kota. “We heard enough of your touchy speeches. We need a change!”

[Song “Ruling soul”. Melody is pompous and disturbing. Choruses are choirs of lionesses.]
[Kota stands on the ledge next to entrance to the Water Chamber. She raises up her paw and points on Raia (who stands on the ledge above source) with reproaches.]

Kota, loud, a tune of reproach:
Don’t pretend that you don’t see it
As we suffer so oppressed
You’re still scoffing, you’re still sneering
Although you starve with the rest

[She lowers her paw, pointing on gathered lionesses. Some of them are nodding theirs heads with consent, some others turning theirs stares with shame. In centre stands young, beautiful lioness – Busu, who with fear is looking on both Kota and Raia, confused und undecided. Few times she moves her paw to make a step, but finally she stops, without making any decision.]

Saying about law, tradition?
Save us preaches - talk to king
Spare us details of your mission
Of blind love that pain your brings

[With words <blind love> Kota covers her eyes with paw, pretends she make a step ahead and lose a balance on the edge of ledge. A capture of angry Raia. She raises her right (wounded) paw, hushing excited pride.]

Raia, maybe even louder. Her voice is full of outrage and disbelief:
So the laws seem for you severe?
So go leave them, but beware

[She hits the wall with wounded paw. From cut drips few drops of water and fall to the ground.]

You will lost your pride forever
This is kingdom, not a fair.

[She points on undecided Busu, and she cowers with shame. Voice of sandy-furred turned to be sad, gentle and almost mother-like.]

Obeying king is an honour
He watches ours right ways to live

[She points on the source and carefully goes down from ledge.]

Not a tyrant, he’s a donor
Peace and wisdom – what he gives

[She submerges a paw in water-reservoir and gat a coconut shell, filled with liquid. She gives it to scared Busu.]

Chorus – whole pride except of Raia and Kota:
Ruling soul, ruling heart
If this is not a weight too hard
When he hugs us in embrace
Won’t he choke us by a chance?

[Capture of cave’s inside fades out and we see common memories of the pride – Dhalimu during Kiara’s funeral: after leaving his mother’s body on top of Golden Massif, he goes down to one of crying lionesses and hugs her with brotherly sensivity. Zoom-in on that lioness face – scene turns from day of funeral to presence inside Golden Cave. Lioness opens her eyes, shaking her head. Two tears fall from her cheeks. She breathe heavily, as if she was chocking a moment before.]

He’s the leader in hard day
But he still could lead astray
If the path he walk is clear
Or it is just way to kill?

[Again: a capture of choir of Golden Ones but we also see in background another memory – Dhalimu guiding a march through sandstorm.]

Second verse, Kota:
Peace? We pay it with a sweat
Servant’s, not a lion’s pride

[She jumps down to pride. She walks among lionesses, stops before Busu and gently nudges her, forcing cowed lioness to straighten herself.]

If we something get instead
This is madness from his mind

[She looks in Busu’s eyes, but we could notice that Kota’s stare looks a bit mad.]

Time to think about the riot
Stop to swallow every tear

[She comes to king’s bedding (made few days earlier by Raia) and scatters it with few moves of paw.]

Live without a king – well, lets try it!
Will be worse than we’ve got here?

[She raises some acacia brush and crushed it in paw.]
[A capture of Raia. She also walks among lionesses, although she is clearly hobbling.]

Raia – her voice sounds still amazed and furious:
Bite the paw that always feeds you?
It’s like hit own heart instead

[She falters, maybe due to emotions, maybe just because of pain in paw (or maybe she does it intentionally). One of sitting lionesses supports sandy-furred. Raia thanks with a nod, then sings further.]

We’re the part of the same pride too
If we kill him, we are dead

[She goes farther, lionesses are following her with stares, full of regret.]

You want leave the law that keeps us
This the madness, can’t you see?

[She gets to Kota. Friends are eyeing each other up and down. Golden-furred doesn’t step down.]

<Freedom> of a hateful chaos
Seems more like captivity

[Raia points with paw on scattered bedding of king and nods her head.]

Chorus – all pride:
Ruling soul, ruling heart
Core of life from very start

[Golden Ones comes to bedding and starts to gather a scattered acacia brush to rebuild bed for the king. Disappointed Kota steps back few steps.]

If without his helping will
Will we manage living still
Yes, he punished us today
But had he some other way?

[Zoom-in on few lionesses faces. Apart from scars made by sandstorms on few muzzles we see clear signs of hitting with paw. Big, male’s paw.]

How the rebel could be done
If the king and we are one?

[Golden Ones finished their job and disperse in silence. Music fades out, Raia follows Kota to the wall of chamber.]

„You see?” she asked with whisper. “You won’t make us do to this madness. And even if... I will stand for Dhalimu to my last breath. And not only me.” She bended down to friend’s ear. “Niva would rather die than allow on mutiny.”
And then breathless Simmi entered the Water Chamber. She almost fell on doorstep, but after few heavy breathes she swallowed dry saliva and ran to the source. Pride let her pass and she started to drink greedily. A perfect silence fell in cave. Finally, after several draughts lioness raised her head and looked on Raia and Kota. On her face an expression of terror was seen.
“Queen... Niva is dead!”
*
Taka got to Prideland calm and cool. He put up with joy and caresses of lionesses that were greeting him. When formal welcome was complete he discrete asked brother and sister for a talk on a side. Whole three went on Priderock Plateau to speak about recent events in rays of setting sun.
„Listen... in Golden Sands something went terribly wrong.” Started Taka without useless introduction. “Dhalimu is not performing duties of a king as he should to.”
“So...” Dahabu urged him on. “What would we do with it?”
“He is our cousin!” said arbiter seriously. “we are responsible for him, especially if he isn’t a responsible person.”
“But what could we help?” asked Amali.
“I don’t know.” Confessed Taka. “That why I’m asking you. The Golden Pride swore loyalty to his ruler, so I doubt it would rebel against him. And I... I’m the arbiter.”
“Right...” nodded Dahabu. “If you decided that you have right to question monarch’s power... you would have done it already.” He looked on brother with telling stare, reminding events between them. Taka smiled with bitter smile. “But I ask you hypothetically: if...”
“No.” replied black-maned. “He is stronger. Significantly. I wouldn’t do it.”
“But I?” king asked quieter.
Arbiter estimated brother’s powers. Dahabu was strong and healthy lion, but it was clear the Dhalimu was superior to him, at least in body-constitution. Moreover, Pridelander never fully recovered after accident with mysterious intruders. He was limping on front-left paw and scares on his side was freshly healed. Taka shook his head with sorrow.
“I don’t know. That would be a great risk.”
“Have you rabbies?!” yelled Amali. “Dah, you have a kingdom to protect, not wander on others lands. Taka, you have also your duties, who knows, maybe even greater. You did great job, but for now you have to keep the Alliance until that blasted drought is gone. To be near to you allies, you should stay here, on Priderock... With us.”
“I should.” Replied black-maned, looking on brother. “But in the same time I can’t. I’m responsible for that pride.”
“Taka, listen...” interrupted him Dahabu. “I can’t do too much alone. But if you make sure that all lionesses want to depose our cousin...”
“...we will call a congress of all monarchs in alliance.” Finished younger of brothers. “I will call it, as an arbiter. They will decide what to do. You are genius, Dahabu.”
“E...” whispered king to his sister. “In fact, I had no idea what he would tell, but at least I have stirred him up to some thought.” And he added louder. “Today we will do nothing, come down. You will rest and set off when you are ready.”
Three of siblings started to path down. Descending from plateau, Taka stopped few times, to look on landscape from height of rock. He hadn’t been there since over a year and events of previous months turned that year almost to eternity – that why he really missed his home and like tiny cub was looking with amaze on his family keep. Suddenly he sensed with paw some scratches in the rock-wall. “What’s this?” he asked in mind, but then he found a simple answer. “That is here, where once Mufasa was hanging and Taka the First pulled him on plateau, saving him. The rock remembers its history better than lions do.” But he went farther, leaving a traces of the past behind. “Maybe even those aren’t the same scratches... But they could be those. The point is they help us to remember.”
“Memories?” asked Amali to thoughtful lion.
“Some sort.” Replied Black-maned.
Sun had almost set when they went down and entered cave. They found one more guest inside – Mtanga. Rouge was lying in sleep chamber, panting heavily. Biti gave him a gourd of water.
“Mtanga!” smiled Amali. “You are already...”
“My dear...” said lion seriously. “Something very sad has happened...” he looked on the rest of pride. “Would you leave me alone with Dahabu and Taka?” Pridelandresses uncertainly turned theirs stares on king, but he nodded his head. Amali licked mate’s forehead and went after lionesses. Ruler and black-maned sat next to rouge, waiting for bad news. “Queen Niva is dead.” Said finally Mtanga.
“Ho... how it could be?” yelled Taka.
“She was found on desert, dead.” Replied lion. “No one knows what had happened, but...”
“But what?!” repeated confused Dahabu.
“Lionesses are afraid of king.” Whispered rouge with mysterious tone.
In the cave sounded a painful roar and ear-piercing rasp. Dahabu extended his claws and dragged with them on stone-wall. Before his eyes came a vision of Anasa, dying on sand. Ruler tensed his muscles and stopped in silence for long while. Taka said then.
“No, it can’t be.” He disagreed. “Dhalimu is mad coxcomb, but he would never killed his mate!”
“I haven’t seen it...” lied rouge. “I just repeat what Golden Ones say. We must help those poor lionesses.”
“Taka...” murmured finally Dahabu. “You are an arbiter. I can’t order you, so I humbly ask you...”
“I know.” Black-maned nodded his head. „I will go there one again and find out that has happened to Niva. But it isn’t so easy. I’m not welcome there...”
“So go there as the brother of Prideland King. Send Dhalimu a greetings from cousin...” said determined ruler. “And if you discover that he had something to do with that death... I will greet him in person!” roared with full might. He looked on brother and added with ashamed voice. “I’m so sorry, that I have to use your help. But I must be sure I’m doing right... and for now I must keep my pride.”
“Sir, maybe I would help.” Said Mtanga, barely repressing his smile. Lions looked on him with amaze. “I heard that Dhalimu is skilled warrior. No offend, Taka, but you wouldn’t stand a chance.” Black-maned nodded his head with understanding. “But he is just one. And I know many rouges like I am. Give me few weeks and I’ll find lions who help you to restore an order in Golden Sands.”
“Yes, great idea.” Replied Dahabu. „Of course, don’t attack him without permission of other monarchs. But be prepared. Taka, you have to make some reconnaissance anyway. If Dhalimu killed his mate, all Golden Ones are in danger.”
“I will go as soon as I will rest.”
“I’ll go when I will be able to.” Threw Mtanga. “I’ve twisted my paw during my way. But I’ll do my best to gather my unit soon.” And in mind he added. “And I hope you will do your best to play as I want you to. Godspeed, my actors!”
Not long after that Pridelanders and theirs guests went to uneasy sleep. Lionesses were anxious, although they didn’t know why exactly. Amali, nestled in Mtanga’s side, was breathing in deep slumber. Her dreams were scary, as she worried about mate and brother. But the rouge was dreaming about his power to come. Dahabu fell asleep with expression of anger on his face and claws extended, as if he was about to fight. He also was moaning and quietly growling in his uneasy sleep.
Taka was calm and relaxed. He was afraid about Kota’s and Golden Ones fate and didn’t know what future was about to bring. But he was ready to do everything to help them and protect them. He was calm with that particular kind of calmness that feel soldiers on the eve of bloody battle.