Animation Source Forums

Well, thanks to some problems in progress, Sukari took much easier way...

XIII. …and reap the whirlwind

It all ended seemingly happily – they found Dhalimu before midnight, alive and actually unhurt. However lion was furious – also on his <saviours>. Arista used to erratic brother-in-law’s behaviour, yet he admitted silently, that he expected a bit warmer welcome. However he was still glad to see white lion again.
“I thought you needed some help.”
“Well done! You saved me!” yelled wanderer. “But surely you saved also that rouge.” He pointed tracks on sand. “I almost got him!”
They found old lion in one ravines in southern part of Dried Range. Although main peaks of mountains were not more ten kilometres wide and long in about that distance, but whole strip stretched on much bigger area. It was covered with smaller valleys and gorges and Dhalimu decided to search every single one in order to find a trespasser – and that was why trip to near mountains took so long.
In that particular ravine trails were clear. Some lion had been there for night or longer, leaving his pawprints all over the place. Arista read that from the ground. What he additionally read from his brother-in-law’s behaviour what that white lion saw the newcomer and was close to engage them, but incoming of <rescue team> spoiled that plan, scaring outsider away.
“Uncle, whom you saw?” asked Sparthi.
“Yellowmaned rouge, sneaking here.” Replied old wanderer, pointing on mountain range. “I almost had him… but your approach alarmed him.”
“And what would be, if we didn’t came?” asked Rama with stern voice. “Would you attacked him all alone?”
“Sure thing.” Snorted white lion. “Maybe I’m old, but not so old for not to stay stealth. And no one could stop me, if I attack from ambush. With advantage of surprise, I could beat anyone… as well any of you could take me down, if you manage to catch me taken aback.”
“Still, I can’t understand your irritation.” Said Arista. “We were scared about you… You can’t blame us for acting reasonably for your disappearance. If you gave us at least a sigh, you need no help…”
“All right, it doesn’t matter anymore.” Replied Dhalimu. “The trail is lost already – that rascal got away to desert. We could go home. By the way, who is leading hunts in Golden Cave?”
“Ghera.” Replied Arista. “But I put Sukari in charge in general.”
“So we should go back… now.” Added wanderer with quieter voice.
They set off east, but still white lion was in the end of formation. He was walking and thinking and those thoughts weren’t too optimistic. He didn’t tell few things to his brother-in-law. The main problem he neglected, was that he found not just a single trail. He didn’t see the other lion, but saw another line of pawprints in other valley and that feline had to met with rouge who camped in southern ravine. What Dhalimu had to establish was when Sukari happened to be out of Golden Cave. While lion had just circumstantial evidences - but strong ones! - that brownmaned rouge had met with mysterious trespasser from south. “I need to be sure before I take any action. And I must know if Zira is involved… Perhaps, I’m doing her serious harm, suspecting for that crime, but if I was right once about her… Well, I guess I could be forced to take some actions that Arista would never take.”
*
<The rescue group> spent a night in mountains then returned to Golden Cave at next day, just before midday. In cave they found just Sukari, while rest of lionesses went hunting. Rouge welcomed king and his companions on Acacia Alley.
“I hope to return you kingdom in exactly the same condition, sir.” Said brownmaned with playful voice.
“I guess that Golden Massif is rather hard to broke.” Laughed king back. “We are all back.”
Zira came to rouge and licked his cheek, what Dhalimu greeted with narrowing his eyes. All the puzzle pieces were almost in place, but the result didn’t make white lion satisfied anyway. He looked on Sukari with careful and inquiring stare. Brownmaned instantly read that something was wrong.
“It’s good to see sir Dhalimu back.” Said young lion. “I’m glad you found him unhurt. Mountains are dangerous place after all.”
“You have no idea…” thought white lion. And aloud he said. “Indeed. But believe me, I’m not so easy to break.”
“We will see.” Smiled rouge in mind. Then whole group entered the cave.
*
When lionesses returned, Sukari entered the king’s chamber and found ruler just napping his usual afternoon nap. When old lion didn’t move after quiet grunt of rouge, he came closer and nudged monarch’s side. Doing that, Sukari’s stare came to exposed throat of lion. Old feline was in fact helpless in his ignorance. Brownmaned had to fight with urging want to kill Arista there and then. “Not this time… to dangerous…” thought.
“Sir.” Said rouge, seeing that king opened his eyes and in warrior’s impulse was extending his claws, looking for enemy. “It’s just me… we need to talk.
“Talk… talk…” murmured sleepy lion. “All right, what’s wrong, boy?”
“Sir, according what I heard from Dhalimu’s report, we should take some defensive actions in face of eventual rouge threat. I suggest to talk with lionesses about it. Should I call them?”
“Yes, good idea.” Still barely aware king stood up and followed rouge.
After several minutes I Golden Cave main hall all pride gathered. Most of lionesses were resting after exhausting hunt, but in face of important pride issues none protested about disturbance in sleep. King took his place, against the entrance, while rest of lionesses stayed on their places, but it still formed - more of less – a circle in side of chamber. On right of king sat Sparthi, on left – Zira. Wivu and Sukari took places just next to exit. To their surprise, Dhalimu also sat there, as if he wanted to keep his eye on rouge constantly.
“Dhalimu.” Started king. He was looking on his brother–in-law with careful stare. On ruler’s neck hanged Kauli, looking as if he was asleep, but pride already know that it was just a sham – reptile was listening his monarch every time. “As Sukari suggested, we have to be careful indeed. You, as most experienced member of pride will be responsible for preparations to rid off rouge that might endanger our pride. What do you want us to do?”
“For now, not much.” Replied white lion. “I guess that trespasser went back to his companions and now is gathering a assault party.”
“So, there is more?” asked Zira.
“It’sss safer to expect the worst.” Hissed python. “It’sssss very nice to be dissssappointed positively in the end.”
Zira looked on her father. Dhalimu judged her surprised as looking honestly, but if he were a traitor, he would do anything to act like surprised. So instead of focusing on Sukari, he turned all his interest to his niece. “Speak freely.” He thought. “Sooner or later I will find a lies in your words!”
“Yes, we have to assume that our guest is just a one member of coalition that is scouting and spying on us.” Replied white lion, using words which ambiguity instantly touched Sukari. But wanderer was still looking in Zira’s eves, completely ignoring uneasiness of brownmaned. Princess was sitting indifferently, or better to say: really moved by rouge threat. “I think it would take some time… at least three days for scout to get rest of forces here.”
“Still…” threw Sukari in. “We should already take some securing actions. I suggest to move only in groups and drop any unnecessary recons, except of those made in significant force.” Said rouge, hoping Dhalimu to reply on his game. He was right – wanderer reacted exactly as young lion expected.
“No way!” snorted white lion, turning to browmaned. “I will be scouting the southern border as I always do. Leaving that action just expose us for attack.”
“I just think that…” started rouge.
“Do not think!” growled wanderer. “Leave it to ones handling that action better!”
“Dhalimu, cease that! You are rude!” interrupted king. “And Sukari is right – we should be extremely careful. I expect no lioness to leave Golden Cave or split from hunting team without permission or leader, is that right?”
“But sir, I must…”
“I won’t cub-sit you, Dhalimu.” Said king. “But still I hope in your reason. I will be patrolling with Sparthi. I hope you will take Sukari with you.”
Both rouges – one old and one young – narrowed their eyes in expression of discontentment, what whole pride saw and in spite of serious atmosphere, some smiles showed among lionesses.
“All right, you could with Sparthi.” Corrected monarch himself, also seeing that reaction.
“I work alone.” Replied old lion with angry tone. But seeing stares of lionesses, he added. “However I will do whatever my king want me to do.”
“Good.” Smiled Arista. “Masa, you will lead hunting team as usual, but in northern territories. Meanwhile in next few days we will try to find more about those rouges. Any questions?”
Dhalimu wanted to ask about many things, but he decided it was pointless. He had to discovered rouge’s secret at his own. “No, sir.” He said.
Sukari stared in place, thinking heavily about his new situation. Perhaps he assured king about his loyalty, but he made the quest of killing pridemembers harder. However he had no choice – if he simply assassinated Dhalimu, it would induce very troubling questions about him. But after whole pride saw his anxiety, he had free paw. “If I only arrange the situation, when Dhalimu is alone and I have enough time to finish him!” thought brownfurred.
“So, my boy.” Said king, who came to Sukari. “Tomorrow you will show me, how good are your rouge-skills. You will help me to track down them.”
“I’ll do my best, sir.” Assured browmaned.
Seeing that Dhalimu was leaving the cave, Sukari excused king and followed white lion. He was silent, going after him, until they reached Acacia Alley. There brownmaned wanted to call wanderer, but before that Dhalimu stopped and without the warning, tuned back, pouncing on young lion.
“What do you want!?” growled, pinning him to the ground.
“Choke me and you will never know!” panted brownmaned. Dhalimu let his grip loosen a bit. “I see you like talk only in superior position. Old rouge habit?”
White lion loosened his grasp and took a look around he was ashamed by his impulse, fortunately no one saw it. “I must hold my temper.” He thought. “I will find a proof against him and then finish the job!”
“So, what do you want?” snorted.
“Just to assure you, I’ll do my job.” Said rouge, standing up. “And to thank you, you didn’t make me to accompany you. You know how to reward my loyalty to pride.” Added with irony in his voice.
*
“It sucks!” yelled Msikizi, when she and rest of hunting team were going in loose sand of desert. “I guess, king had a sunstroke, sending us here. Sukari was right, we are oppressed by his infallibility!”
“Shut up!” snorted Rama, although she was tired as well. “Even when we are hunting on Home Grasses, you complain!” Bun in heart she admitted that panic made about those mysterious rouges was hard to stand.
Hunting in northern territories of kingdom was the worst. North from Golden Cave desert was… the real desert. No savannah-like grass, no mountains, no even rocky plains – just loose sand and short number of game living in such hard conditions. If Rama was in charge, she would guide team to Home Grasses on south. Rouges or not – there was easier terrain for hunting and even if that spotted some intruders, Rama thought they had to be crazy to attack team of eleven lionesses. “I guess that males think only they could fight.” She snorted in mind. “Surely I could fight better than Dhalimu hunts!”
“What’s wrong, girls?” asked Masa from lead of formation.
“Msikizi is cursing weather.” Replied Rama. “As always.”
Of course no one cared to explained the real argument, because Masa supported words of king in every situation, so talk about reasons of monarch’s orders was useless. Lionesses just formed a wide <horse-shoe formation> in hope to hind any pray. Meanwhile males of Golden Pride were doing the same, but with more deadly game.
*
Sukari guided Arista to place where some traces after Keme could be seen. That was his hope to catch attention of king and prince to have free paw to deal with Dhalimu. That was why he stopped when he spotted clear sign of rouge’s presence. Remains of hunted and devoured addax were lying in ravine of south brink of Rumble Range.
“Should I call them?” asked Sukari.
“Hm… for what?” asked monarch.
“Uh, sir… if rouge was here, he rather wasn’t there.” Replied browmaned, pointing western part of range. “I think that sir Dhalimu wished to see that.”
“Maybe. Tell them.” agreed Arista.
Rouge roared aloud, so Sparthi and white lion easily heard them. Prince instantly stopped, while his uncle was still coming down from moderate peak down to ravine. Seeing that white lion was indifferent towards call, Sparthi asked.
“Uncle, they call us.”
“Mhh…” agreed old lion, but didn’t stopped.
“Won’t we go there?”
“I won’t.” said Dhalimu. “And I wish that idiot got mute! We found new trails and if somehow that rouge is still in vicinity, he scared him away.”
“Whatever.” Snorted prince. “I’m going to father. Will you be all right for a moment?”
“Guess.” Smiled white lion. “So go and tell Sukari to shut up, until he discovered the threat.”
Meanwhile rouge and king were going in their direction. Brownmaned told king that second team could missed their call. They met Sparthi in half a way.
“What’s wrong?” asked prince.
“Nothing, just food leftover.” Said Sukari. “I guess that Dhalimu wants to see it.”
“We found another track.” Replied Sparthi. “Double, as that rouge met with someone. I guess our find is better.”
Sukari forced his face to stay indifferent, while he was thinking quickly. So white lion discovered place where he was talking with him three days earlier. Covering those trails was his top priority, but he had to do it carefully.
“That’s right.” Said rouge. “Sir, I think we should take a look on those new trails, if prince says so.”
“Well… so lead us there.” Ordered Arista.
They got to ravine in quarter. Dhalimu was already after quick investigation that showed more details about mysterious second pawsprints. Sparthi took father and rouge to place in bottom of valley.
“Here.” Said sandymaned. “One track belongs to rouge we saw earlier. But second… well, those pawprints are smaller and lighter, I guess lion that made them was rather moderate-built. It won’t help us in identification…”
Sukari took a quick look on Dhalimu. Their stares met, as white lion was observing brownmaned since some time. “He knows!” yelled Sukari in mind and he understood that he had just two option – to quickly destroy the evidence or to kill white lion in spot.
“I suspect that the second rouge is still in area.” Continued Sparthi. “That means we could catch him. With few more lioness to track, we would find him quickly… or to make an ambush, when he are back in camping place.”
“Good idea.” Said Dhalimu, standing on rock above him. “I sense that rascal will back here to cover his tracks.”
“I don’t allow you to engage him alone!” said king with decisive voice. “We will get more lionesses from home, then come here at night.”
“Right, that’s great idea!” called Sukari, seeing he still had some time to wipe his own prints.
“But if that lion comes here, while we are away?” asked Sparthi.
“That’s easy.” Said Sukari. “I will stay here and watch the spot. If he returns here, I will follow him. We will get him with reinforcements.”
“Plan is good.” Judged Dhalimu and rouge sighed with relief. “But I will stay here.” Added and brownmaned barely repressed gasp of anger. “Just go to Golden Cave and bring Rama and few girls here.”
“Sir, I could…” started desperate rouge.
“No, I think that Dhalimu will do it.” Interrupted him Arista. Then king turned to brother-in-law. “I’m putting you here, because I trust in your reason and that you won’t do anything stupid, as some youngster.”
“You know me, my king.” Replied wanderer with smile.
“And that’s why I have doubts.” Replied monarch. “But anyway, be careful, Dhalimu. We will be back soon.”
“Sir, I might stay here…” murmured panicked Sukari.
“Come, boy.” Said king with airy voice. “Dhalimu will handle it.”
“Be sure I will.” Said white lion with poisonous voice, looking into rouge’s eyes. “I won’t anyone to cover those tracks…”
“Come on, Sukari.” Sparthi nudged brownmaned in side. “Let’s go. Uncle will manage.”
Rouge stayed in place for several seconds more, looking in old wanderer’s eyes. Because Dhalimu was gazing at him too, lions were measuring with stares and old lion smiled, sensing his triumph. He needed just few moments to compare new Sukari’s pawprints with those found earlier to have a decisive proof. So when king would return with lionesses.
“Good luck, sir.” Said finally brownfurred. “I hope you will find the intruder.
“Thanks.” Replied wandered and quieter added. “Perhaps I already did!”
Sukari set off after king and prince. They were going up the ravine, as Sparthi suggested to make shortcut in mountains, to save some time. Rouge was walking on the end, still looking round, as if he was expecting of attack of Dhalimu anytime. “Keme!” thought panicked lion. “I would use some help! What would you do in my place?”
He inhaled deeper, to calm down his breathing and wondered what would older rouge say. He imagined yellowmaned, walking just next to him and smiling with his usual calmness. Then tried to guess what his protector would advise him.
“Why are you so scared?” asked imagines Keme. “This is check indeed, but you checked Dhalimu. To get <mate> you have to do just one thing.”
“Kill him now.” Replied rouge in minds. “But how? How I could do it, before king and lionesses are back in gorge? How not let them suspect me?”
“You are clever boy, Sukari.” Said unreal Keme. “I just don’t believe you have no idea. Just use whatever pretext to get there back and finish what you have started. Just…” imagined lion’s muzzle narrowed in expression of anxiety. “Be careful. He is powerful warrior.”
“He will have to fight my brain.” Replied Sukari. “That what I learned from you – to use every opportunity. Thank you, Keme. It will be all right!”
“What’s wrong?” asked Sparthi, looking back on Sukari. “Did you say something?”
“Shhh!” gasped rouge in sudden bolt of inspirations. “Pretend nothing happened!” Before prince asked about more, Sukari caught up him and king, then added with quieter voice. “Don’t you feel… watched?”
“What!?” gasped Arista, but Sparthi’s hiss make him quieter. “You saw that rouge?”
“It’s just an impression…” replied Sukari. “But I learned to trust my impressions. That rouge is here!” whispered with ironical honesty. “Just… let me make sure…”
“What you mean?” asked Sparthi.
“You will go further… slowly, in roundabout way.” Explained Sukari. “Meanwhile I will stay here in some hiding, and see who is that. I will catch you soon.”
“It’s rather risky plan.” Noticed king. “Dusk is near.”
“I have excellent eyes. In darkness I have an advantage.” Assured them. “Just do what I’m saying and we will have a chance to know about him better.”
“As you wish…” murmured Arista. “Just be careful.”
“Be sure I will.” Smiled rouge. “So go… I will try to catch you.”
He stopped when they were passing a narrow place in gorge. Sukari waited about minute to make sure that king and his son really went farther, then turned back and set off to run. He had no too much time to deal with his quest, without looking suspicious. But Keme was right – what seemed to be a sure doom, could turn out to be total victory.
*
Dhalimu was waiting just next to wall of ravine he got his sureness about Sukari – pawprints matched perfectly and last piece of puzzle came to it’s place. Or nearly last. “I just need to see Zira.” Thought old lion. “And make sure she is or isn’t involved. When I will pin that rascal down in front of her and then look into her eyes, I will know.” Smiled with wild smile.
Those thoughts made his mind wander. Also the rouge was old lion after all and his senses weren’t as sharp as used to be. He ignored few quiet noises of falling gravel, taking those as result of wind. He suspected that Sukari would return to cover tracks. But he expected brownmaned to wait as he was asleep to do his job as spies do – in secret and darkness. He simply didn’t considered about the easiest possibility – about sheer strike.
Ravine had its mouth directed due west, so setting sun was partially blinding Dhalimu. Delicate wind from desert blew into valley, whistling and muffling noise of Sukari’s steps. First sound of rolled boulders he took as natural. When he took first suspicions, it was too late.
Avalanche came from cliff without warning. White lion was hit by first stones, then jumped aside to avoid more of rocks. But eroded limestone was fragile and loose, so induced burst was massive. As wanderer rushed away from place of main fall, he was hit by shower of thick gravel. Coughing and spitting, he raised his paws to shield from bigger stones. He closed his eyes, tearing after meeting with cloud of dust. Suddenly he felt a wave of nauseating pain from his left hind paw. A bone cracked aloud and then lion understood he lost before he started his battle.
“Are you all right?” sounded Sukari’s question, when avalanche stopped. Dhalimu didn’t want to reply, but he moaned due to pain. “That’s good.” Added rouge. “We will have some fun!”
“You… traitor!” gasped Dhalimu, wiping his eyes from tears and dust. Then he tried to stand up but that action was much too hard. His rear-left paw was literally squashed. Weaker lion would faint due to pain. Thanks to his toughness, Dhalimu felt it all.
“I’m somehow disappointed with you.” Replied Sukari, coming down to gorge and stopping in front of immobilised wanderer. “You know so much about rouges life… so much about me... and you still calls me a traitor? I never sworn to those illusions of values you did.”
“You are a member of pride…” gasped Dhalimu, repeating try to stand up. “You should be loyal to it!”
“Really?” smiled rouge. “I think you should be the last person to judge about that. For you I have never entered the pride.”
“Zira… You are doing it, to became a king thanks to Zira…” murmured white lion. He managed to stand up and even stay in that way. But he know he was still helpless. He was on the edge of fainting and broken leg made any try of fight bound to fail.
“Indeed.” Nodded Sukari.
“You know, you are killing her uncle?” asked white lion. “If you love her, it should make some problem for you. Or Zira is so corrupted, that she accepted you actions and…” he stopped, hearing laughter of rouge. “What?” asked with weak voice.
“Zira?” giggled Sukari. “She has no idea what’s I’m up to! She is perfectly loyal to her father and brother… but when I remove them she will be loyal to pride still. That she will know the pride needs a king. I will be that king!”
“What!?” gasped Dhalimu. “I thought she made you…”
“Again, your hatred blinded you.” Smiled rouge. “I simply can’t get it, why you are so biased against your sweet niece…” White lion tried to hit enemy, but Sukari just jumped back, outside his range. “You want to finish it already? It’s good, I’m in hurry myself.”
“Why have you betrayed us?” asked Dhalimu.
“As I said…” rouge jumped closer, pushed white lion and overturned him, then steeped back, avoiding retaliation. “I never betrayed, because I never sworn to you… it the same as you told me.” Smiled. “You said you wanted to kill king for your sister to have home and good life. It was just a coincidence, you didn’t have to do it… But I had to make some dirty job to let Keme feast on this pray.”
“Brother?” Asked Dhalimu, mixing curiosity and anger.
“Older brother, father… in fact only family I have. I guess you spotted him recently.”
“Yeah.” Snorted Dhalimu. “He looked as son of a…” Another hit of Sukari sent him again to the ground.
“Be careful. You really don’t want me to vent all my imaginations about your death.” Replied brownmaned.
“You fool!” yelled Dhalimu, rolling on the ground. Because of last blow he based on broken paw and that pain almost knocked him out. “You would be Zira’s mate anyway… And even bring that your Keme without killing anybody.”
“It’s also personal matter.” Smiled Sukari, circling his victim. “Keme was hurt once. He had a mate… and son in pride east of here. But when king of pride discovered that his lioness had a cub without his permission… I guess he wanted to mate with her himself… he killed her, cub and almost killed Keme. Since that time he is looking for vengeance. He failed to repaid that king, who is deal already. But… well… everyone who are strong, are guilty of weak ones hurt. I think that Keme wished to start his vengeance with king, but in stead of Arista…”
“So… it’s all about Keme?” gasped Dhalimu.
“Not. It also about me.” Replied Sukari. “You know… I’m sure you know, what I want… I want finally live… as someone. Not thanks on other’s mercy, but for myself. I’m sick of all those preaches: <Be loyal to your king! Serve your pride>. How the heck lions pack could be named <pride> if it’s tool of most disgusting humiliation that creature could endure – to be subjected constant terror of elevated word and serve as errand kitty for guy who gives no heck about you. Just as your king, have I right?” Asked Sukari, looking in Dhalimu’s eyes, slowly getting dimmed with pain. Old lion was struck by aching recollection.

Well, Sukari's plan is actually in motion, and not in a good way. I just wonder what is Dhalimu's recollection. Very good. I wait for more!

I’m terribly sorry for my so long absence. I had a university-trip and some minor health-problems. But now I’m operative again, and back in TPR-writing.
Sorry for making such a break after such a cliffhanger;)
So let’s back to Dhalimu in his deep troubles…

XIV. Here and Now

Overwhelming fear and sense of temporality.
Perhaps Dhalimu had some memories from times he was just a merry cub, but new experiences quickly covered those with layer of much stronger and more painful sensations. They were on run, since day that white lion wished to forget.
From moment of banishment, he could recall just scraps of images. An angry and powerful king, standing over the body of lion who was Dhalimu’s father. Mother, crying, but too scared to came closer to dead one. She was holding new born cub – rouge’s sister Malkha. Cold words of king. “You transgressed my laws! You know what penalty for that is!” And then run.
Dhalimu had about year then, but drama of next year – constant fight for life of his mother, sister and his own – made that period a black hole. Also from first months of wandering, white lion didn’t remember too much. He perfectly could recall day of mother’s death, because since that moment his and his sister’s situation from dire became tragic. All three ate too old carcass and digestive infection claimed life of mother, where her children somehow survived. But since then Dhalimu had to hunt for two and fact he succeeded to feed himself and Malkha was even greater miracle than recovering after alimentary inflammation. Sibling made their way alone, but it was extremely hard time.
Later it was better – a bit. Dhalimu had to grow up quickly, what he deed and in age of two he was ready to keep his sister in safety in health easily. But still it was a rouge life, devoid of comforts of living in pride. Then tried of fitting to some desert coalition – always failures. Dhalimu feared about Malkha’s fate if he died – what would happened to her, if she stayed in such a band. But if white lion died, leaving sister without any help, it was even worse.
And later desperate attempt to take over Golden Pride, what ended with disaster – on one of recons, they caused an avalanche that almost buried Malkha. Prince Arista helped them and solved all problems troubling Dhalimu at once.
Those were recollections that white lion saw in ravine of Rumble Range, sensing incoming death. In spite that every death was rather a sad event, that one had especially bitter taste. Wanderer was looking on face of Sukari and seeing not brownfurred but himself. That was white lion, five years younger, before he joined Golden Pride. Dhalimu tried to find a rage inside, angry feelings towards rouge, but he found just a perfect understanding.
“I see you know what I’m up to.” Said brownmaned. He was on bottom of ravine, busy with wiping his tracks from gravel. However he didn’t have to keep an eye on white lion – enemy was disarmed and helpless. “Hold on still, I’ll make it quick. Just let me finish with those trails.”
“There still isn’t too late.” Said Dhalimu with despaired voice. He wasn’t scared about death – he saw too many deaths in his life to treat it as something special. But he was analysing Sukari’s behaviour and he came to conclusion that rouge just had started his plan and more dangers could strike Golden Pride, where rule of rouge was just insignificant result of terrifying actions. “I won’t tell about you to anyone, if you let me go.”
“No, it’s much too late.” Replied Sukari. “It was much too late when we met.”
“If you think you could kill Sparthi in that way…” growled Dhalimu.
“Don’t worry about that.” Smiled bromwnmaned, still looking for visible tracks. “I took care about some reinforcements.”
“***** you!” snorted white lion, although in fact he couldn’t condemn young rouge for what he was doing.
“***** me?” smiled Sukari, turning to old wanderer. “I tell you something – You stand at the wrong side!” he came closer, stopping at the edge of Dhalimu paws range. “You are in league with all those fat and lions of prides and against us – outcasts and exiles. And you know what?” asked brownfurred. “You are right! I’m coming to your side as well!”

[“Here and Now” song. Tune is slow and melancholic, with some faster tones in choruses. Instrumental line is mostly classic guitar with marching-like drums. ”Choir aahs” in choruses.
The scene takes place in mouth of ravine – just about fifty metres from place where lays Dhalimu and Sukari is covering his tracks, is brink of desert. In some crack of rock there is small termite mound. Last sunrays are shining to the gorge. Dhalimu tries to stand up, but his every approach ends with another fall. He is too weak.
Sukari leaves his job and comes to termite hive. He violently breaking the outer shell, ripping to the centre of small colony. Starts to sing]
Look on world – the steel and endless chain
Of those who rule and those who are in pain
[He expose the centre of hive and queen’s chamber is visible. On <those who rule> he crash chamber’s walls and termite queen falls down on the ground.]
Of those satisfied and happy to see the sun
And those never had a chance to win this run
[Around queen countless drones are running, trying to carry monarchess to some safe place. Sukari looks on it with disgust, few times rubbing his paw to rock, to rid off warrior termites, biting him.]
Of those who’re preaching the gospel for their own
And those who had to listen angels choirs bygone
[He destroys food storage with single blow. Gathered sugar mass is slowly floating down, drowning some drones and covering queen.]
Of those who’re feasting in everlasting bliss
And those who’re only drooling at the porch this
[Some larvae – unaware what is happening – still eat the feeding mass, but then drown in it, as well as some drones and warriors.]
Chorus:
If you now feel hungry, thirsty, alone
You could wait your life until pain is gone
[Sukari raises his paw to mouth, licks it, swallowing sweet mass and countless termites. Then puts limb back on the ground, squashing many others creatures.]
With death, that levels beggar and king
You could believe that is the justice what it brings
But I simply don’t!
[On words < levels beggar and king> he squashes queen and many drones, trying to help her. Then he just hits remnants of hive, making it crumble down completely.]
Second verse:
Your hierarchy is just chain for the worse
Royalty is shining robe of force
[He walks towards Dhalimu, with paw rubbing on stone-wall, wiping out sugar mass and remains of killed termites. A dirty-red line stays.]
For king and country you’re standing by own wish
Is there anything worse than loving of own leash?
[When rouge comes in close range, white lion tries to hit him, but Sukari jumps aside, outside range of old adversary. Then strikes back, simply pushed Dhalimu back, forcing him to lean on his broken paw. Whitefurred yells in pain and falls down.]
By keeping you safe their always keep you down
Their helping hand is stroking with a claw
[With words <stroking with a claw> Sukari moves his paw on Dhalimu’s back, scratching him – not too deep, but still painfully. He starts from middle of back then comes to neck, making white lion’s head raise up and look at him.]
Their hug is choking and every grace is bane
Everything they’re changing is to stay the same
[Dhalimu raises id paw, trying to hit close enemy, but Sukari grabs his neck with single paw and squeezes so hard, that old wanderer let loose his grab.]
Second Chorus:
If you now feel wronged, lied up and cheated
You could give up, but also could fight with it
[Rouge jumps aside and stands before Dhalimu in fighting pose. He fake a blow, stopping paw just before old wanderer’s face. White lion tried to shield himself and loses his balance again.]
If only your want to get what they have today
Will you be worse that they are, by walking the same way?
That’s were I will go!
[Sukari leaves helpless Dhalimu and runs aside, then climbs on ledge just above wounded lion. He throws down a small avalanche of gravel, partially burying enemy.]
Ending bridge:
Drown in your helplessness
And praise the whip until your final breath
Wait for the prize to get
Repeat: “There is no life, before the death”
[Gravel is still coming down, burying Dhalimu – white lion tries to uncover himself, but he is too weak. Sukari stands above him on ledge and singing. On words <stop this bloody preach> he grabs a single stone and throws right into Dhalimu’s forehead.]
Don’t feel as scorned and weak
As for your life was one, great bow
But stop this bloody preach
If I want to life just here and now!
[Finally Sukari jumps down, lands just next to white lion. Shot on wall of gorge, where last rays of sun make a shadow of two silhouettes. Sukari raises his paws to fatal blow and Dhalimu tries to shield himself. Sun dies and shadows fade before the blow is delivered.
Music stops.]
*
Zira couldn’t sleep. She knew that would be severely banned by her father, but she exited cave and went to path up the massif. Night just had fallen, and moon still hadn’t risen. But stars were shining from firmament, as no cloud covered it. Princess stopped when some blink attracted her attention. She looked up and noticed that almost right above Golden Massif shone star that she never saw there. “Someone died.” She thought. “I wonder, who was that.”
She got to massif’s plateau and came to pride’s tombstone. She sat in front of it looking on boulder. She gently touched its surface, feeling fading warmth of day. She believed she also felt a touch of the other force. “Mother…” she whispered with hope. Zira looked up the sky, wondering which star was representing her mother’s soul.
“Mom… are you there?” asked with quiet voice. “I know it’s strange I’m talking to you like this… But I still wonder, if you are satisfied with me… I’m not saying <proud>, because I know I didn’t deserve such note… But I just hope you see, how I’m trying. It’s hard time for us… but I will do everything to help dad and Sparthi. Will you be watching?”
Stars gave no answer, but princess didn’t expected it.
*
“It takes too long.” Said Arista, slowing down. “Something is wrong.”
“Perhaps, but we can’t determine it now.” Replied Sparthi. “We will wait for Sukari in Mouth Grove.”
They were marching through Rumble Gorge, under nightly sky. In spite of his silence, prince was scared. Not about himself, of course, but he knew that eventual attack of rouge coalition would be deadly. They still were in mountains, where enemy could wait in every shadow and every crack. Sparthi was fast and agile lion and in face of danger exceeding his fighting skills he could simply run. But Arista was weaker point of that two. Old ruler was probably stronger, but much slower. Also senses of monarch weren’t as sharp as used to be, so prince knew that in eventual fight he would be the sight and hear of them both.
“Come on, dad.” He hurried his father up. “We must get to the desert.” At least on plains they had a chance to deal with rouge threat.
Then something sounded just behind them. Sparthi stopped and turned back, shouting: “Dad, run!”. Then stopped in defensive position, just to see Sukari, descending from slope of gorge.
“Wait, wait… that’s only me!” called rouge.
“Stars…” gasped prince.
“And what’s up, boy?” asked excited king. “Have you seen him? Or them…”
“I have no idea, what happened.” Said brownmaned. “I know, there was some rouge in those mountains… I saw some silhouette, but I lost it. I thought I was following it… but then I figured out those were you.”
“But you sure, that intruder were here?” asked Sparthi. Sukari nodded his head, hiding a smile. “So we must get lionesses quickly. Uncle could be in trouble right now.” Seeing surprised stare of Arista, he added. “I will run to cave. You wait in oasis with Sukari. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“Son, are you sure…”
“He’s right, sir.” Threw rouge in. “Dhalimu shouldn’t stay alone longer than it’s necessary.”
“If you say so…” murmured monarch. “So go, my son!” Sparthi set off to run.
Meanwhile Arista and Sukari were marching with normal tempo, through the Rumble Gorge. In silence rouge was listening to tired breath of old king. A troubling ideas came to his mind. “I could kill him here and now… It would be easy… But how to explain it? I guess it’s dangerous. Lucky you, Arista.”
“It’s good that you are here in times like those.” Said finally king. “I feel safer, having you at side, before confrontation with rouges.”
“I’m glad I’m in right place in right time.” Replied brownmaned.
“Tell me, boy.” Started monarch. “Are you thinking about future?”
“Constantly.” Said rouge in mind. but aloud he replied just. “What do you mean, my king?”
“My king…” murmured Arista. “I guess you already feel as member of the pride.”
“I know that I’m here just to your generosity…” started Sukari, but then old ruler interrupted him.
“Do you love Zira?”
“Excuse me?!” gasped rouge. He was surprised not by the content of question, but time when it was asked. “That old rascal wants to invite me to family, just after I made first steps at my own…” thought with irony. Then added aloud. “Sir… that’s a question… I must reply with affirmative.” Finished, faking emotion. “I guess that’s not a question you wanted to hear.”
“No, I’m glad that my daughter found someone so reliable and honest.”
“So… you think she…”
“I’m sure she loves you, in spite she isn’t fully aware of that yet.” Replied Arista with merry tone.
“But sir… if that’s true… I don’t want to make Zira leave her land.” Said Sukari, still playing. But in the same moment, he discovered that his right paw was spotted with blood. “Crap!” he yelled in mind. “That’s Dhalimu’s! the didn’t notice, because it’s dark, but I must clean it!” Then he continued, thinking how to cover the red spots. “I mean: if I become her mate, we will have to leave this land. And I’m not sure if that is the best for her. You see, sir, that…”
“No, I don’t.” Laughed Arista. “Sukari, don’t worry. I love Zira and I will do anything to make her happy. I will let you stay… and I’m sure that Sparthi won’t change that thing when I die. He is loving brother and he wants to have Zira at paw. You could stay here as long as you want.”
“You are very generous, sir.” Said Sukari. “You breaks some old traditions of your pride just for outsider. It’s not common among rulers. But…” he sighed and added. “I also have some unfinished business before I take any step closer to Zira. Some there on desert there is lion who saved my life and raised me… I must find him and make sure he is all right.”
“You… you want me to invite him to the pride too?” asked Arista. Sukari stopped and his jaws dropped in amazement.
“Would you… do this… sir?” asked slowly.
“Well…” said ruler, stopping as well. “I guess I can’t let him enter your pride, but I guess he could live in our domain. You would be able to take care of him, when he gets old and pride would help him. If that is so important for you…”
Sukari was thinking about hundred different thoughts at one. Many voices were calling in his skull and most of them sounded with painful reproach. “He would let Keme stay here!” shouted dominating tone in rouge’s head. “Just like that! You could have Zira as a mate and Keme at near, without all this killing! It’s…” “…to late.” Added another voice and lion turned his stare down, to see blood on his paws. He had already entered the path and reached point of no return. Only way ahead was available.
“Sir… thank you.” Said rouge with tensed voice. “Just let me think about it.”
They reached Mouth Oasis and lake. Moon slowly was raising from the horizon and Sukari understood that he had to clear his fur quickly, before bloody spots would be visible. He stopped and asked.
“Sir, just a minute. I must take a drink.” Without waiting for answer, he ran to water and entered it, submerging his paws.
“***** it, ***** it!” he was snorting, even he wasn’t sure what he cursed. Spots of blood didn’t dissolved and words of king still were sounding in his ears. “You would be able to take care of him… if that is so important for you.” Said king and Sukari discarded that option before he could use it. “***** it, Dhalimu!” yelled in kind. “You were right – there is the way! But now… what I should do?!”
“Father! Father!” sounded calls from the desert. Sparthi was leading unit of lionesses and called king.
“It’s all right.” Replied Arista. “Nothing happened.”
“Nothing happened.” Murmured Sukari. “No one will know…” He exited the water and called to prince. “All right, we should go back, before that rouge could endanger sir Dhalimu.”
“***** it!” snorted Zira, who was running next to brother. “I hope we aren’t too late!”
“You are too late.” Thought rouge. “The same as I am!”
*
Death of old wanderer was a shock that made pride speechless. They came to valley and quickly noticed half-buried body. King and prince froze in place, while Zira gave a terrified cry and ran to dead uncle. She nestled to still body of white lion and burst with tears. Dhalimu was always a torn in her heart – menacing ghost of dead mother that was standing over her and hurrying her to take burdens she couldn’t lift. He had been haunting her and aching – like a torn exactly. But when it was removed, the wound exploded with pain above imagination.
“No… no…” she was sobbing over dead wanderer.
Sukari came to her and put his paw on her shoulder. He waited as her cry stopped, thinking on what he could say. In the end he found nothing proper and nothing totally safe, without risking own showdown.
“We must go.” He said finally, pulling her gently. Then he turned to lionesses. “Take him out!”
*
Pride was back in Golden Cave just before the dawn. During the way back almost no word was spoken, but thoughts of most of Goldenlanders were alike. Something ended in their kingdom. Old wanderer was commonly respected and even – in some special way – loved. In spite of harsh appearance and sometimes not to polite attitude, he was vital element of pride, always ready to help with his paws and with his experience. Althought in that way, but Rama was especially crestfallen by that loss.
Zira the same – she even vented it in more visible way. For most of way back she was crying. Sukari tried to somehow appease her tears, but he learned there was no use. So he helplessly looked on Masa and she took the comforting duties.
“Listen, my dear.” Said her adoptive mother. “I know it’s hard moment for you… as it is hard moment for all of us.” Then lowered her voice. “I know you weren’t with your uncle too well… in general. And maybe that’s why you blame yourself you didn’t manage to fully reconcile with him. But I could assure you, he loved you, as daughter of his beloved sister.” Zira wanted to reply that Masa had no idea how it was, but she just sobbed. “Anyway…” Continued lioness. “One thing I know for sure – Dhalimu would order us now to make sure the pride is safe. He was our defender. We need you, Zira, in this task. Are you ready to step in uncle’s pawprints.”
“Of course, I am.” Replied goldenfurred with decisive tone, although her eyes were still wet.
*
“We will take sir Dhalimu on plateau.” Called Sukari, who somehow seemed to take over the control of preparations. “I think that enemy might be at near, so those are last hours of rest.” He looked on king. “Sir, I think that pride should go water itself, when it’s possible. Using resources of cave source would be necessary in battle.”
“Yes, you’re right.” Nodded Arista. “Who is thirsty?” asked his lionesses. Almost everyone stepped step ahead. “So… eight of you. I think you might risk a trip to Mouth Oasis, while we are… serving Dhalimu.”
“Sir, I suggest send them to Dried Oasis.” Whispered Sukari to monarch’s ear. “It could be reconnaissance in the same time.”
“Right.” Agreed Arista. “Ghera, lead girls to Dried Oasis, but be careful. If you encounter enemy, draw back in order, do not engage.” Then turned to his adjutant lionesses, son and rouge. Those two were carrying Dhalimu’s body. “Masa, Rama, Sparthi, Sukari, come with me to plateau.” Then king kneeled down, letting Kauli slide to his neck.
When queen brother’s funeral retinue set off to path up, Ghera shouted on rest of pride.
“Come on. We don’t have much time.” Then pointed south.
They moved on, but lightfurred stayed in place, carefully watching Zira. Finally, when golden princess set off, Ghera followed at the end of formation. She was barely repressing her excited breathing and soon after Zira returned her stare, she turned her eyes to the ground, being careful not to show her anger and decisiveness. Light lioness knew that Zira hadn’t been in Golden Cave previous evening. She also saw clearly that golden fur of princess’s front paws was spotted in blood.
“So, I was right from the very beginning.” Thought Ghera, marching just behind Zira.
Meanwhile Sukari was carrying dead Dhalimu’s body and trying not to show his tiredness and anxiety. He was thinking how fast Keme would bring gerge to Golden Sands. He was inpatient, but in the same time he knew that his quest was still undone. He killed Dhalimu, but Rama and other lionesses were still ready to fight. Rouge had to find some way to change it.
Quick.
He hoped that gerge would meet them in way. But still he wished to arrange some side-actions on his own.
*
Lionesses circled pan of oasis with guarding line. At once only two Goldenlandresses were drinking, while seven remaining waited, ready to intercept incoming strike. Watering hole and whole ravine was in wider depression, so visibility was reduced just to range about of kilometre. Zira wanted to leave that place as soon as it was possible. She overcame a shock after uncle’s death and then was ready to do what she should to – to defend her pride.
“Uncle… watch me! I show you, I am worthy daughter of Malkha!” she murmured.
But when she wanted to steep to descend of oasis, Ghera blocked her way. She ruthlessly pushed her sister-in-law back, as goldenfurred almost overturned. Zira gasped with surprise and looked on lightfurred.
“What the heck!? What’s wrong with you!?”
“You thought you could cheat us so easily… you murderer?” called Ghera with decisive voice. Rest of lionesses gasped in confusion.
“What? Ghera, don’t mess around! Let me go!” replied. Then recalled what her sister-in-law told. “You said what!?”
“You killed sir Dhalimu.” Growled lightfurred.
Zira just turned her stare on other lionesses and noticed the same amazement that was on her own face. Goldenlandresses looked on Ghera, unable to make any comment on such ridicules accusation. But first princes of Golden Sands countered those stares with decisive tone.
“Can’t you see!? She wasn’t in cave yesterday at dusk… Her fur is in blood… And she wants to mate with that treacherous Sukari! They plotted that!”
“Ghera…” started Epesi gently. “I know we all are nervous…”
“Nervous!?” yelled Zira. “She lost her mind! I was on massif yesterday…” She looked down on her paws. Fur was indeed blood-spotted. “I must have… When I hugged my uncle…”
“After or before he was murdered?” asked Ghera with deadly stare pointed at her sister-in-law.
“She is mad!” shouted second princess. “I would never…”
“She wants to make Sukari the king!” yelled Ghera. “And kill all who could stop them! She is murderer.”
“Girls! That is impossible…” started Macheo.
“Why not?” asked Wivu. All lionesses looked on her.
“What!?” yelled Zira. “And you are against me?”
Greyfurred walked ahead and passed her step-sister by. Doing that she whispered. “You wanted to pick up wrong boy… My boy!” Then called to lionesses louder. “I didn’t see her yesterday too!”
“Ghera, Wivu, I think you went too far.” Said Epesi. “You just have accused Zira of so terrible crime that I don’t want to repeat it and give actually no proof.”
“I will get her confession!” growled lightfurred and without warning pounced on sister-in-law.
Both princesses overturned, but prepared Ghera got a sure grab on adversary’s neck. She pressed goldenfurred to the sand and with hind legs immobilised he body. Meanwhile Wivu stood in defensive position between fighting ones and rest of lionesses. Goldenlandresses froze, still not fully aware what had happened.
“Is this a joke?” asked Mhamiji.
“That’s a judgement.” Replied Wivu.
In fact greyfurred made no deal nor any setup with Ghera. She just took an opportunity to settle down her own business. She knew that rouge threat was faked and Sukari had everything in control. That was why she complexly ignored that duel – whatever absurd it was – was twice that absurd, because it weakened forced of pride before the battle.
“Step back.” Said Wivu. “Let Ghera make Zira talk.”
“This isn’t funny anymore!” cried Epesi. “Ghera, let her go!” but when lightfurred didn’t reacted, lioness steeped ahead to stop the fight. But she was stopped herself by Vii.
“Well… actually Zira wasn’t yesterday in cave.”
“You are mad as well!” yelled Epesi.
Meanwhile Zira was choking. She gradually was loosing her vision and image of furious Ghera blurred to distant, amorphous cloud before her weary eyes. Zira was younger and still weaker than her brother’s mate. “But I can’t be weak.” Thought with fading mind. “I’m princess of Golden Sands!” She coved her whole body and reached with tail straight to Ghera’s left eye. She couldn’t and didn’t want to make any substantial harm, but she succeeded with disturbing enemy. Grab got loosen and goldenfurred pushed with all her might. Her muscles yelled with pain but obeyed the command. Barely.
She overturned Ghera and stood up in one second. Seeing that light furred was standing up as well, she pounced at her with all her mass, pinning adversary down and hitting with right paw right into her head. Situation turned completely, because then she was on Ghera, pressing her to the ground. But Zira repressed her impulses, loosing grasp a bit. Then she was wondering, why other girls hadn’t interfered yet.
She raised her stare to see seven other lionesses paralysed in place, looking in her direction. But in fact no one was looking on her, nor on Ghera. Zira made another effort and turned her head back too see what was just behind her and caught attention of her friends.
“Go on! Go on!” said Shababu, standing on dune nearby, among his rouges. “I have an artistic soul and I definitely won’t spoil this beautiful view… Two beautiful and sexy lionesses slashing themselves to death…” finished with mad tone. Then added with cold voice. “Just remember that I will finish the winner off!”

Welll... Dhalimu's and Malkha's live was surely hard, I can't deny it. How ironical, to be taken in by the pride that he wanted to take over. Sukari is not being a good guy here. Killing Dhalimu... but Ghera is being even worse at accusing Zira of killing Dhalimu. And Wivu is not helping. Well... it looks like Zira has a hard choice: to be killed by Ghera, or by Shababu. I know she must survive... I just can't imagine how!

I guess the endgame has to begin... to reach the state of pride We saw in TSH.
So here is the Golden Pride’s defense… and its consequences.

XV. Battle of Mouth Oasis

Whatever was the fury of Ghera towards Zira, she restrained it instantly. Under stare of five rouges, she stopped her tries to hit sister-in-law, then sensed as goldenfurred’s grip got loosen. Both lionesses stood up, lightfurred even felt a helping push of Zira, before she leaned on four paws. Then they in just two jumps joined the compact group of lionesses. Goldenlandresses were standing just in front of oasis descend, waiting in tension for some command.
“We can’t fight them.” Whispered Zira to Ghera’s ear. After quick estimation, princess was sure that if rouges decided to storm the more numerous enemy, they were ready to do it and skilled in fight. “I suggest to draw back home.”
“Won’t you join them?” asked lightfurred with shivering voice.
“If I do, you are all dead.” Snorted irritated Zira. “Cheer this option, if you prefer…”
“All right… sorry, I trust you.” Said Ghera. Then added fearfully. “So what I should do?”
“Tell girls to slowly draw back. Still turned to them, not showing any fear.”
Lionesses started to back north. With every step that group took, rouges approached and Zira felt totally confused. “What they waiting for?” she asked. Fortunately Shababu decided to quench her curiosity. He came on lead of enemies and said with mocking tone.
“It’s so kind of you, you don’t turn your back on us… But face it – it’s over. You would join your king and die or give up now. That would save some casualties.”
“At your side!” called Epesi, but under menacing stare of one-eyes, she made w faster steps to hide among friends.
“Perhaps.” Replied Shababu with easy voice. “But just think about it. Is it better to wait for battle, kill some of us and then fall to survivors? If you are really brave, it could end with some funny switch. I think that it’s better to have a coalition as authority, than a single king. You know… if we rule you as a group, you could always use our tensions and brawls to gain more freedom that you have under rule of single male. Think about that.”
“We have sir Arista and we don’t complain!” called Msikizi, although in perspective of last weeks it wasn’t fully true. “Go away.”
“Well, I gave you a chance.” Snorted Shababu. “There will be some time before you lose, I hope that some of you give up to us willingly. And for now… have a good day!” finished and waged his tail in fixed command.
He set off to run and others followed him. But it wasn’t a charge on lionesses. Zira growled on friends to take defensive positions, but lions just passed them by and ran more on west. Goldenlandresses looked after them, until males disappeared behind a nearest dune. No one said a word, until Vii yelled.
“They strike home!”
“No, that is not this direction.” Said Zira. “But still we need go back as soon as possible. Follow me.”
On that suggestion even Ghera didn’t reply with complains. All lionesses followed goldenfurred in run through the sands.
*
From the top of Golden Massif watcher could see on great distances in good weather. That day a wind was blowing – not too strong one, but fast enough to induce some dust clouds that reduced visibility to few hundred metres. But still silhoutees of lionesses turn to be visible, before king heard their calls. Sukari noticed them as first.
“Sir!” he called.
“We hope that Kings of the Past will reward him for loyal service to pride and…” Arista was continuing his improvised speech over body of Dhalimu, but voice of rouge stopped him. “What!?”
“I think we should go down… now!” shouted brownmaned and rushed to path down.
He had to act fast – that meant: to meet with Keme when neither Arista nor Shababu knew what was his real plan. It was hard in his place, but he shivered, understanding that Keme had even harder task with cheating naturally suspicious rouges of gerge. He ran down to meet Zira on lead of lionesses group.
“What happened?” called. He had to almost shout, because a gentle wind grew to be serious blow, inducing cumuluses of dust and howling loud.
“Five of them!” replied princess. “It’s your old coalition!”
“Shadows of my youth chase me.” Laughed brownmaned nervously. “But anyway… Get lionesses to cave and drink if you didn’t manage to do that in oasis. Then send sentries round massif, or at least it’s southern side. Try to stick close…”
“And you?” asked Zira.
“I will go on recon.” Said Sukari. He looked on Wivu and smiled discretely, nodding meaningly. “I’ll be right back.”
“Sukari… be careful!” called Zira, ran to rouge and licked his cheek.
“Don’t worry. I have all in control.” Replied rouge, hoping he said truth.
When he disappeared in clouds of dust, Ghere came to goldenfurred and nudged her in side. “Zira… how could you trust him?”
“Just like that.” Replied goldenfurred with tired voice. She was sick of arguing with sister-in-law. “Trust him, if you trust me.”
“You didn’t choose the best argument…” noticed Ghera.
“Anyway – do, what he said!” said Zira. And seeing that her father was already there, she called. “Dad, we are under attack. Sukari went on recon, but he told us to…”
*
Meanwhile rouge was running in sandwind, praying he was lucky that day. He had to find gerge, before gerge found him and speak with Keme aside. It was crucial those two settle their acting. Plan they had – or at least Sukari hoped they had – was sophisticated. And it got even harder after rouge failed to kill more defenders than just Dhalimu.
Brownmaned almost collided with gerge. He stopped just before walking lions and froze in place. He tried to become one with sand, looking on lions, who were passing him just few metres away. Fortunately Keme was walking in the tail of group. Sukari nudged him in side.
“Go ahead, where I told you!” growled yellowmaned to companions. “I will catch you there.”
“What’s up!?” asked Mhamiji.
“I sense we have a tail.” Replied lion. “Just go… Soon, I will join you!”
Gerge want it’s way and Keme sat in sand,. Waiting for younger friend. When other rouges disappeared behind a dune, Sukari showed himself, coming from behind of thistle cluster. He ran to yellowmaned and put his paw on his shoulder in gesture of joy.
“Great to see you… but things got tangled.”
“That what I already figured out.” Laughed Keme. “But troubles are our branded line.” They sat in poor caver of thistles and yellowmaned asked. “What’s wrong?”
“Dhalimu is dead, but I failed to kill anyone more.” Replied Sukari.
“Well.” Said yellowmaned after a pause. “At least the most dangerous adversary is out. Well done anyway.” Seeing that rouge narrowed his eyes in expression of guilt, added. “Come on, I couldn’t expect more from you. You’ve done great thing anyway. Listen, we have a simple plan that allow us to win this match easily… Or would allow, if we wanted to win it. We will take over the Mouth Oasis.”
Idea of Keme was striking simple – to wait in fertile reservoir of whole kingdom and provoke locals to counterattack. By occupying lake, gerge put pride in serious trouble. That was main source of water (much more reliable than Dried Oasis or Malkha’s Waterhole) and place of haven from sandstorms for many animals. If oasis was taken, rouges endangered not just a pride, but also whole population of the land. If lions somehow could survive, drinking from other waterholes, many animals couldn’t. Pride had to rid off attackers before kingdom would be cleared from refugees.
“Right.” Interrupted Sukari. “But have we any idea how to kill Shahabu and Arista?”
“The optimal option would be made them to challenge in duel.” Murmured Keme. “But I doubt if we are so lucky. Let me think… I hope to rid off chief for good, but as for king, I have no ideas for now.”
“I’ll do my best at my side.” Assured him brownmaned. Then added with anxious tone. “You know… if something goes really wrong… we could try to do it my way. Surrender and I will make sure to take you into pride.”
“Let think about it as a last resort.” Replied Keme. “For now we have a plan to win whole stake. Good luck, Sukari. I hope to soon address you as a king!”
“Take care, Keme!” called rouge, overscreaming growing storm. Yellowmaned disappeared in clouds of dust, then Sukari stood up and repeat quietly. “It was harder that I thought… but for you, I’m ready to finish the job!”
*
When rouge returned to Golden Massif, storm was already raging. He managed in last moment to hide in cave, already covered with dust a bruised with sand abrasions. Whole pride was waiting in main chamber and coming of brownmaned stopped a fierce discussion.
“I guesssss it’s point for Zira.” Hissed Kauli.
“Sukari!” called goldenfurred and ran to exhausted rouge. She grabbed him, as he was falling on the ground, then gently put him down. “Give me some water.”
“As I said – he is back.” King spoke.
“Sir, perhaps they just kicked him out.” Snorted Ghera.
“Shut up!” yelled Zira, letting Sukari drink from gourd. “He risk his life in recon. You might stop your blakcmouthing, at least until he tell us, what he saw.”
“No too much, storm is coming.” Panted rouge. “Wait…” he added, faking amazement. “You thought I would join them?”
“No quite.” Replied Ghera. “We still think that.”
“Darling, leave him alone.” Whispered Sparthi to mate’s ear.
“I’m back.” Called Sukari with a bit louder voice. “And I have rather good news. They are just five, Shahabu recruited no one else. They were heading to Mouth Oasis…” A common yell interrupted him. “What wrong? You prefer they came straight here?”
“No… but it’s Mouth Oasis.” Said Sparthi. “We must rid them off, before they would slaughter our herds, watering there.”
“For now we won’t go anywhere.” Judged Sukari and stood up. “We must wait to end of this storm and…”
“No!” smiled Arista. “We are desert lions. We live with the desert in league. We could strike now, before storm ends. Enemy will be surprised and unprepared!”
“I don’t know if you noticed that… but there is hell outside!” yelled rouge.
“Boy… you chose this home yourself. You must use to its beauty.” Said Arista.
“Come on!” murmured Zira to his ear. “We will easily win by surprising attack and do it without casualties.”
“Sparthi…” yelled Sukari. “I trust your reason. Tell them, the attack is not an option now.”
“Sitting here is not an option now.” Replied prince. “Don’t worry, Sukari, you will see how Golden Pride fights with desert as an ally!” Then turned to king. “Father, will you let me guide our charge?” Arista nodded his head, so prince again turned to pride. “My friends! There will be no briefing before battle, because we strike in storm, as we are the storm. Just let’s go there and kill all trespassers, who refuse to bow before my king and father. Drink at will, Pridelanders. Another watering we will get in Mouth Oasis!” A collective roar replied him. Then lionesses formed a queue to small cave-source.
Sukari came to prince and put paw on his shoulder. “You must be kidding! How we could go there in weather conditions like this!?”
“You will see.” Smiled Sparthi. “Just follow us and watch. You will be needed in the heat of battle.”
“Sure I will.” Replied angry rouge. “But not in the way you think!” thought.
Sukari understood he was in troubles he hadn’t predicted. If idea of instant counterattack was serious and Goldenlanders were ready to walk in storm, gerge was in trouble. “They are weaker!” thought rouge. “All Shababu’s and Keme’s estimation are made on that simple assumption they defend themselves in easy point, ready to stand against enemies. They also wanted me to take out some lionesses.” Then he looked to exit from cave and saw a sandy mass of dust-filled air. He smiled in desperate decision. They still hadn’t gotten to Mouth Oasis. He still had a time to weaken the pride.
“If you are ready – let’s go!” ordered Sparthi and he led pride out. “Kauli, you say here and guard the home.”
“Sssssure thing, my prince! I won’t let anyone in!” replied reptile, looking on setting off lions. Then added with angry voice. “A civil guard! They pay me much too lessssss!”
Whatever Sukari planned, if was bound to fail. Rouge was put in line of lionesses, only Rama was closing an array after him. Pride was going in tight formation, where making any member sidetrack and guide away the group was impossible. And even if Sukari was able to get any lioness away and kill her, it meant suicide. In storm rouge was helpless – he depended on guidance of Goldenlenders. He walked just after Wivu and just before Rama, holding in mouth tail of greyfurred and letting lightfurred lioness to keep his tail. Storm was raging around, almost overturning brownmaned. Soon he learned to walk in half-crouch, as did Rama and Wivu. In that way, march wasn’t so hard, if leader chose proper way. On lead was zira and she somehow – Sukari had no idea how – managed to take route between dunes to use their cover and in the same time group was still travelling in taken direction. In such weather gerge would seek nearest shelter. Pride was walking. Sukari with every step sensed a tragedy – his old companions couldn’t be prepared for that strike.
They got to the bring of oasis. Zira turned and stopped the array between two dunes that gave them temporal shelter. Then she looked on her brother with waiting stare. Sparthi looked on pride, searching any injuries, but way thought storm somehow resulted just few minor abrasions and no serious wound. Then he formed an array with few moves of tail. Seeing that his army is ready, he came to king and Masa, who stood in first line.
“No way!” called in storm. “Dad, if you let me command the fight, obey my orders. Go with Masa to last line.” Formation of Goldlanders was simple rectangle of three line with four lioness each. Sparthi and Sukari stayed outside, able to lead or cover main force. King and Masa took places in middle of first rank, place that was endangered to enemy’s attack most. “Please…” added prince.
“Son, I’m a king…”
“And that’s why we can’t allow you to take any wound.” Replied prince. “I’m leading that fight. This is no a duel according to Rule of Challenge. This is war.”
“He is right, my dear.” Said Masa. “You let him command himself. Now you must be consequent and trust your heir. I sure you could do it without fear.”
“That’s right, dad!” called Zira. She was just next to Masa, on front left corner of formation. “We will manage.”
“But who goes in my place?” asked Arista.
“I will.” Called Sukari, seeing charge in fist line as only change to warn Keme before tragedy. “I will take you place, sir.”
“Will you manage?” asked Arista.
“I guess that’s not so hard.” Replied rouge. “My only order is: Onward!” Monarch laughed.
“I trust you, Sukari. I’m sure you will fight well in my place.”
“Good.” Smiled Masa, seeing as her bellowed king walked to last line. “Now we could go.”
“Not so fast, mom!” said Wivu. She stood on front-right corned, once next to Arista, then next to Sukari. “You are going back too… Right, prince?” she looked on Sparthi, hoping she uphold it.
“Rama, could you take Masa’s place?” asked sandymaned. When lightfurred lioness came there, Wivu sighed with relief. However she many times repeated she hated her mother… it was still her mother. Greyfurred was grateful to friend she volunteered.
“Now, mom is safe and I will show her I’m better than Zira and… But wait!” she looked left, on Sukari. “But what he plans? He didn’t say me anything.” She came closer to rouge and whispered. “My dear… what is your plan?”
“Just… hold your place and don’t let them kill you.” Replied irritated rouge. “I will take care about rest.”
“A kiss for good luck?” she asked.
“I’m afraid it could bring you a back luck.” Murmured lion, but discretely licked lioness’s cheek. Then looked on Rama, who just had taken place instead of Masa. “*****!” he thought. “I should have somehow eliminated her. She is the threat almost of the same seriousness that Dhalimu!”
Then Sparthi came in front of formation and waged his tail on pride. They all set off. Initially it was slow march, then turned to faster pace and when they passed peak of dune, speeded up to run. Before them laid Mouth Oasis. Grove was covered in dust and still hit by blows of wind. Rouges were there – simply lying in cover of trees, perhaps sleeping, perhaps just waiting for end of storm. No one expected the strike and it had to be just coincidence that Tariki raised up his stare to see enemy silhouettes, emerging from wall of sand.
“Alarm!” roared rouge.
Before anyone reacted, pride got to brink of oasis forest. Only Shababu and Keme looked that way, both with expressions of amazement. Of course yellowmaned calmed down himself in seconds. “Sukari is on my side. He would never betray me… I learnt to trust him.” But then he noticed his charge, running in first line of enemies, with helpless expression on his face. Even someone much less intelligent that Keme would figure out that something had gone wrong. Yellowmaned looked on formation of pride lions and quickly learned that gerge had no chance to win that fight.
Desertlanders hit like a storm from which they came. They swarmed five lions, in case of Gebali and Mhamiji even not letting them stand up. Tariki, Keme and chief were alerted and stood up to stop attacker. Shababu knew that is main priority was to free Gebali and Mhamiji from surrounding. It was not a leader’s care of own soldiers, or at least not only, but also a rational calculation – with two casualties in the beginning, gerge was bound to be wiped out quickly.
“Cover me!” called to Keme and Tariki. Then he pounced on Zira and Rama, attacking Gebali.
Sukari jumped in Keme’s direction, calling “He’s mine!” and hoping that Rama let them alone. Greyfurred lioness did, but rouge was followed by Wivu. “Stars!” thought brownmaned. “Is she so carrying about me?” But then landed on grass before Keme and growled loud.
Of course, he let yellowmaned see that was just a play – claws of his left paw were extended, for all to see, but his right pawpad was cowed in unarmed position. Stares of Keme and Sukari met and brownmaned whispered “Help me!” Of course no one could hear that due to wind, but yellowmaned understood.
“I’m covering you!” called Wivu. Sukari took a look back and seeing that rest of pride was busy, replied.
“No, leave him… he is on our side!”
“So…” asked confused Wivu.
“Look busy!” yelled Sukari and started a fighting dance around Keme. In spite of all appearances, it’s not so easy to look fighting, without dealing any blow. “Keme, I’m sorry… I couldn’t make any more…”
“***** it!” snorted yellowmaned. “We can’t win that… And Shahabu is focused on survival, not killing king.”
“Plan B?” asked younger rouge with hope in his voice. “Will you surrender?”
“And you are sure you could guarantee my safety?” asked Keme, pouncing on friend. Me intentionally missed and landed just next to him, but it looked as really fierce combat. Meanwhile Sukari shook his head.
“I have no idea… They have some suspicions about me.”
“***** it!” growled yellowmaned. “We must wait and look what we could do. And pray that we find something.”
In the same time four remaining rouges were fighting for life. Gerge leader and Tariki managed to free Gebali and Mhamiji, but because of that all of them were cornered in gorge. Mouth of ravine was over fifty metres wide, but in fact only several metres of space was possible with fight at. Four lions had just to block that narrow way and then they were invincible… for time being.
Both attackers and defenders knew that time was an ally of pride. More numerous Goldenlanders could rest and make switches in engagement of gerge, so intruders were first to tire. Shababu saw it perfectly, especially that he was fatigued already. Older lion’s breath became heavier and faster, and gerge leader looked forward any opportunity to finish combat quickly… and victoriously.
“Duel!” he called with desperate voice. “Arista, I challenge you for rule over this land.”
“Pretend you didn’t hear.” Called Rama to Arista’s ear.
“Heard what?” asked ruler, in whose ears wind was whistling louder than rouge’s words. But then understood one-eyed’s intention. “But, why not? I could teach that rascal some manners.”
“No, dad. If there will be any duel, I will fight.” Said Sparthi. “But we must nothing. He attack without warning and we have right to kill him as trespasser!”
“Just come here, you coward brat and repeat that!” called Shahabu.
Both father and son came to line of rouges. All fighting stopped, even tired Sukari and Keme ceased their play. Monarch of Golden Sands stopped just in front of gerge leader and looked into his eyes. Then called with decisive voice.
“You didn’t deserve for honour to duel with me! You are just a bandit. You can’t even…”
“…preach so touching speeches?” asked one-eyed and pounced ahead, just on king.
Before Sparthi or Zira managed to react, blackamaned pinned monarch down and hit with both paws to neck of enemy. If that was a lioness, she would be dead. Fortunately Arista’s mane absorbed some energy of blow and claws plunged into flesh, but didn’t reach the neck arteries. Enraged rouge pushed his adversary aside and they both rolled away.
Sparthi and Zira reacted in the same moment when rouges. Siblings jumped on one-eyes, mercilessly slashing his sides, just to take him off from king as soon as possible. But Tariki, Gebali and Mhamiji rushed ahead and got to princes, before other pridememebers attacked. In furious exchange of blows, Arista was thrown away with wounds of side and neck, while rouges took back their leader. Blackmaned left a thick trail of blood on rock.
“Dad!” yelled Zira. “Dad, are…”
“Alive…” gasped king. “But hurts as hell!”
Princess looked closely and with yell of relief learned that no artery was damaged. She let father to lean on her, while Sparthi turned back, ready to intercept eventual attack. But it wasn’t necessary. Rouges stood over bleeding leader.
“***** it!” gasped Tariki, seeing massacred neck of chief. “It looks bad.”
“Let me stand up!” whispered blackmaned with weary voice.
“Boss, you should…”
“Let me…” he didn’t finished, but three lions grabbed wounded leader and assisted in his stand.
Meanwhile Sukari and Keme were watching on that with confusion. If someone saw them, standing side by side and showing no hostile intentions towards each other, could ask on which side brownmaned was. Fortunately, pride was so wrapped up with scene in gorge, that no pain any attention of that. Except of Wivu.
“Keme, run!” gasped Shababu. “We can’t do anything more. Not this time.”
“But guys…” started yellowmaned.
“They are doomed anyway.” Snorted Sukari. “And besides… we enlisted them as dead, didn’t we?”
“So what now?” asked Wivu. Two lions looked on her with surprise.
“Is she…”
“She is with us.” Replied Sukari.
“I thought you want Zira to…” but seeing grimace on brownmaned’s face said just. “Right… tell them I run… I will find you and then we do your job!” Lion disappeared in clouds of dust.
Meanwhile Shahabu stood up and looked down to see giant pool of his own blood under his paws. In just one second he understood he was doomed anyway. He felt no fear nor sorrow, just an overwhelming anger on unfair life that was about to end just before the promised land. “I don’t get it…” he thought. But then his stare came to ground where pride was standing. “And if I don’t… no one will!” He roared with fury.
“Give up and we will think about letting you live!” called Arista.
“You are dreaming!” snorted Shahabu and turned to his rouges. “Gentlemen, this is endgame. Just be loyal to me for that moment longer.”
“Boss…” started Tariki. “You are…”
“I know… just keep them in place for while!” growled lion. He turned back and then added with softer voice. Rouges never heard that tone in his mouth before. “Try to escape. That is not worthy to die for…” and finished with louder growl. “Or won’t be in few moments!” Then he set off to run.
“What is he doing?” asked Sparthi.
“I don’t know.” Replied Zira, looking as wounded and bleeding lion was climbing on almost vertical wall of gorge. “But it looks bad. Let’s stop him!”
“No way!” shouted Tariki. “You won’t make any step further!”
Three lions formed a tight wall, in front of ascend that Shahabu had taken. Wave of lioness rushed to stop rouge leader, but his three companions didn’t move. In short clash, they pushed attackers back. Meanwhile Zira was looking after climbing one-eyed.
“He is running…” she said, but then her eyes narrowed. “No… he…” She looked on Wivu and called. “Sister, help me!” then ran into gorge.
Wivu with first impulse followed princess. In spite of calls, orders and pleads of king and lionesses, those two started to climb on side path. Shortest way was blocked by rouges, but some runabout route was available… if one could climb. Greyfurred had no idea, why Zira wanted to chase escaping rouge, but coming after her, she smiled, struck by brilliant idea. Upper part of gorge was covered with dusty clouds. No one would see… if that was her or rouge to throw princess down.
“Zira, Wivu! Get down!” called Masa from the ground.
“Don’t worry, mom.” Whispered greyfurred and smiled. “Soon you will have your beloved daughter down with you… faster than you expect.”
Shahabu was moving with remains of his strength. He knew that bleeding was about to kill him in few minutes, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was to wipe out that proud smile of king from his face. To force him to taste hard fate of outsider that he – Shababu – suffered whole life. Rouge leader had limited chance to succeed, but he had nothing else to do. He just continued his climb, paying no attention of anything around. He completely ignored goldenfurred lioness closing to him.
“Good!” thought Wivu, seeing Zira catching Shababu up. Princess was almost unseen in clouds of dust and just several metres upper, she would disappear in cumuluses blown by wind. “Just to get a bit closer…”
“Wivu, are you with me?” called Zira back.
“Just on your tail.” Laughed Wivu, what princess took as expression of high spirit.
“We must stop him, whatever he intends to do!” added goldenfurred and continued her climb.
Both lionesses got to path that Shababu had come. That was easy to see, because route was marked with red line of blood-dripping. Princess noticed that rouge leader didn’t try to get just on bluff, but he was heading to ledge direct above mouth of gorge. A giant stone-fragment stuck out of wall, hanging above jungle below. Zira felt dreadful shiver in her spine, as she noticed aim of rouge’s climb.
Meanwhile Wivu was almost behind her. They got to upper part of gorge, where visibility was reduced almost to zero thanks to blowing wind and dust. Greyfurred took a look down to see that lions gathered at foot of slope were barely visible. She smiled with evil smile.
“Now… after years of humiliations… Finally I have a chance to finish it!” she thought. “No one would see who threw her down!”
She jumped on ledge where Zira was waiting for lighter wind for further go, but then froze in place. Several events took place in the same moment. First – wind ceased, letting princess jump farther. But goldenfurred didn’t go. She just watched, as clouds were blown away and Shahabu standing on rocky-balcony and laughing maliciously. Then – when she raised her paw to throw her step-sister down, she froze too.
“Perhaps I lost here.” Called Shahabu. “But I’ll be ***** if you won!” And then he jumped.
Up. He made a spring in place, then landed hard at the end of sticking out rock. It shivered, cracked and mass of many tones of limestone sat off to free fall down. Bleeding Shababu held stone below him, filling whole gorge with mad laughter. Then it died in rumble of rock hitting the ground.
Stone hit not rock of gorge, but soil of oasis. However that impact called with monstrous noise, as falling mass met the limestone pan. All gathered lions – both rouges and pridemembers – jumped back to avoid shards flying in all directions. When rumble ceased and dust induced by impact started to dissolve, Sparthi stood up and called with his full might.
“Hey! Are everyone all right?”
“I guess.” Replied Zira from upper ledge.
Wivu still stood paralysed, unable to made a move or ever to breathe. Her paw was raised to deliver w blow to Zira, but she didn’t move it. She was looking like hypnotized to the ground, where rock-mass felt. Her pupils extended as ground moved and in front and behind fallen boulder showed a crack in ground.
A crack make a rocky noise, then started to got longer and longer. It came to standing pride, dividing ground on two parts. In the middle stood Arista, but initially he missed the process, because crack had just few centimetres of width. But he turned back, as he heard a strange noise coming from behind. There he saw an oasis lake and a line of bubbles coming from below.
Before minute passed, lions noticed dropping level of water.

Things are getting bad. The battle with the rogues is becoming more and more complicated... eventhough I'm glad for Keme and Sukari to worry for each other... Shababu's idea of the challenge was smart, but it seems it failed. Well, fortunately Wivu failed in killing Zira, but... it seems that things are getting ugly anyway. My best consolation now is to know that some characters will have to survive whatever happens.

Well and now something on the Rule of Challenge – as it works and when it doesn’t;)

XVI. Of Kings and Claimants

View was so hypnotizing, that everyone stopped her or his current action. Lionesses of pride stepped back from three surrounded rouges, but them – in stead of running away – just stared on amazing occurrence in the lake. Whatever Shababu planned it or nor, result of his action surprised everyone. Only eye-eyed himself was calm. Still, silent and dead, lying under one of fragments what giant rock broke into.
“Stars! Boss…” whispered Mhamiji, looking on dead leader.
Shababu was smiling. His dead grimace was nothing to do with triumph, but much with relief. If take his last words seriously, he had been playing for a draw and in some way he surely achieved it. He died instantly, after hitting the ground, so he couldn’t see how it ended. But most likely he had predicted that.
Meanwhile pride slowly came to shore of lake. It backed about metre and sight of bubbles coming from under surface it was just beginning. The lake was placed on rock plate, in small pan where all water that floated down from gorge stayed on impenetrable layer. Just a small crack was enough to destroy that balance and moisture started to sink into dried sand below.
“Crap!” snorted Sukari, looking on damaged oasis. “That wasn’t in plan!”
Finally amazement dropped to level allowing some reasonable actions. Three rouges looked on dead body of leader, then took a look in search of fourth companion and when they failed to see him, Tariki called.
“Gentlemen, I think it’s high time to leave…”
Stay started to draw back, deeper to gorge, being careful not to alarm Goldenlanders. But none of pride paid attention to beaten enemy – all were focused in dying oasis. So after sneaking about hundred metres, gerge turned into fast run, loud and open declaration of defeat. No one cared to chase them. Pride had own problems.
“Dad… what should we do!?” yelled Sparthi, touching surface of water.
“I doubt if there is anything to do, son.” Replied king with stare full of confusion. “***** it! Get Kauli here! Get Hatibu here!” But then he turned back and looked for enemy. “But… where are they!?” he finished with hateful growl.
“Gone.” Replied Masa.
“I will rip them…” but then he noticed Zira and Wivu, standing on ledge of cliff. “Stars! Come down! Come down now!”
“Yes, dad…” said Zira and turned back to descend.
Wivu was helpless. She couldn’t push her step-sister then, because almost whole pride was watching. And she… didn’t want to. Greyfurred saw the damage done by avalanche and even before anyone explained it to her, she sensed a tragedy. Oasis was hurt, the same as living creature and that was a fatal injure. Wivu let Zira pass her by.
“Sis… we must go down.” Said princess with soft voice. “I believe we couldn’t do any more.”
Meanwhile Sukari returned to place where pride stood. He examined lioness to see that they were all alive and basically unhurt. All injuries were minor ones and – it seemed especially ironical – most of them had done the falling rock-fragments. On the other paw gerge came out for that battle almost unhurt as well. Almost – Shababu was the sole victim of confrontation.
“Where is that rouge?” asked Epesi, looking on brownmaned.
“He ran away.” Replied Sukari, trying to hide his confusion and anger. “When it happened, I lost my concentration and he broke out free.”
“Liar!” yelled Ghera. “I saw it all! He let him go!”
“Wait, wait…” called Busara. “Clam down. First let’s check if everyone is all right, then…”
“No, nothing is right!” growled lightfurred. “He is a traitor!” she pointed on Sukari.
“Darling, calm down.” Said Sparthi with appeasing voice. He looked not too well – his paw was bleeding – but in the same time he seemed to be the calmest of all gathered there. “We should go back to cave…”
Then oasis was filled with terrified yell of countless animals. Creature living there – hidden deep for the time of battle – had gotten away from shelters and came to see what happened and what meant that rumbling sound few moments earlier. And seeing what happened with their life-giving lake, they all cried aloud in burst of panic. Something what always was – a constant point of landscape and their lives, a source of water seemed to be gone.
“What’s that?” asked surprised Masa.
“Those whom we failed.” Replied Arista with grave tone.
*
Zira and Wivu went down without any accident. Princess ran to Sukari and licked his cheek, but rouge shook her away as if that was a kind of torment. Wivu smiled, seeing that, then she decided to came there herself, but seeing frantic stare of brownfurred, she decided to stay in place. Then all lions came to shore of lake, that for not more than twenty minutes backed about two metres, lowering about half a metre. Then came Rama with Kauli and Hatibu.
Old secretary bird was almost blind, so he was taken just to crack in plate. He and python were put on the ground and whole pride waited for result of examination. Even Ghera stopped her panicked accuses of Sukari. Reptile slid to crack and lowered his head into to it. Hatibu just looked, with effort trying to understands what he saw. Then finally judged.
“This lake is dead. Drink, while you still can.”
In spite that wasn’t shock as striking as the view of growing crack, pride gave another gasp of amazement.
*
They returned to Golden Cave, saying almost no word. It was sad, but also a slow way – Sparthi’s paw was wounded after fight with Shababu and prince couldn’t walk on hi own. He was leaning on Ghera and Busara, what made view of pride even worse. Winners returned home looking as losers.
In the first moment retinue of lions was followed my many animals, expecting to hear some words from king. But when creatures learned that even monarch still had nothing to say, they left felines alone. Pride had to think at own first. So lions entered cave alone, then sat down in circle in main hall of royal keep. No one called a pride meeting, but all knew there was a crucial matter to discuss. Arista sensed a heavy stares of his subjects and started.
“My pride… a tragedy happened today. We still don’t know how it would end, but we must be prepared for even worse.”
“Is there could be worse?” asked Sukari in mind. “All is lost! This kingdom is dying… there will be no home for me nor Keme… or will be?” He looked on king, sting on his usual place against the entrance. “Sir.” Asked. “We should wait with any decisions for lake to establish. We don’t know if that is temporal or perm…”
“It issssss permanent!” hissed Kauli. “That it physical damage of rock plate. Water will disssssappear in few day completely.”
“You mean, lake will vanish for good?” asked Masa with tensed voice.
“Not for ever, I guessssss.” Replied python. “But it issssss no longer our concert. Rock and gravel brought by seasonal torrents could fill that crack and make pan again functional. It would take a generation or ssssssso. In next few years that oasis isssss dead.”
“That sounds scary…” murmured Epesi. “How it impact on kingdom’s environmental balance?” Kauli looked on Hatibu, but when old bird just nodded his head, he answered at his own.
“If that wasssss a normal year, I guesssss we could stand it. But that’ssss a Great Drought. We won’t survive here.”
“WHAT!?” yelled several lionesses at once. But Epesi was who asked again. “But how it’s possible!? We have other sources with definitely more water than pride needs.”
“But your pride isssss just one element of Circle of Life.” Answered snake. “There are countless creatures here that in total needs much more than you imagine. Desert was always a ssssstrange place. Place that existed in fragile harmony. Animals of sands are stronger and wiser than those born in fertile landssss… But there are limits that no one could trangresssss.” He paused and looked in king’s eyes. “I’m terribly sorry to sssay it, sir, but my estimations are fully compatible with Hatibu’s thinking. Golden Sands will wither and die in just few months.”
“No… it’s impossible…” whispered Epesi.
“Before rain season?” asked Arista with serious voice.
“There is no rainy season now, sir.” Said Hatibu quietly.
“I mean: before the season we could count on any rain?” Both advisors nodded their heads. “So, it finally came to this. We must leave our home.”
A murmur burst among lionesses. They were looking on each others and in random and chaotic complains or curses, gave vent to their disbelief. Only two lions stayed calm. One was king himself. The second was Sukari. Monarch turned his stare down and whispered.
“I dreamed… but it came anyway. I failed to counter that…” Then suddenly a decisive voice cut a noise in cave.
“We won’t leave!”
Lionesses turned their stares to exit, when they saw Sukari, standing and staring at king with angry expression. Zira and Sparthi, sitting on sided of monarch stood up too, confused by rouge’s burst. Stares of browmaned and princess met, but then Zira noticed in eyes of lion she thought she loved a new, cold and odd blaze.
“We won’t leave!”
“Yeah, we won’t leave!” called Msikizi automatically. Then looked on Suraki. “But what you have to do with that?”
“You can’t leave your ancient home, only because of single error of your ruler.” Said rouge and whole pride got silent in blink of an eye.
Sukari had no time to prepare any plan, but he knew that it was last chance to save anything. His calculation was simple – with pride leaving Golden Sands, he had no chance to become ruler of it. And even if he somehow succeeded with plan of getting power by Zira’s agency, becoming a chief of nomadic pride with no place to live didn’t appealed to young rouge. “it all starts again.” He thought. “Promised Keme a home and I failed. There is just one, easiest way to do this now.”
He looked on old monarch. Probably Arista once was a powerful warrior. But didn’t matter with what enemies he won, he was loosing with the ultimate adversary of every living creature – with time. Tired with age and in last day much more tired with failures he met, goldenmaned lion couldn’t be a tough combatant. At least not compared with youthful vigour of rouge. “I’m playing the highest stake here…” silently snorted Sukari. “But for the very first time I’m glad I have nothing. Now I have nothing to lose.” Then he cleared his throat and looked on lions.
“Sukari, you should watch your tongue.” Said Sparthi with cold voice.
“He is a traitor!” called Ghera for another time. “He let that rouge escape!”
“Keme, that’s is our showdown!” growled brownmaned in mind, then roared loud. When all eyes in cave looked on him, he called. “King Arista! In order to save this poor pride, I’m challenging you for rule over this kingdom!”
Silence. One, two, three… all still watching. Four…
“That’s not funny, young boy.” Snorted Hatibu and started his own speech. “I know that walking desert in this season, in drought and between sandstorms is dangerous, but staying here…”
“I was serious!” growled Sukari. “Arista, I challenge you, according to the Law of Challenge!”
“You have ten seconds to change your mind.” murmured Rama just next to him. “Then I’ll make you unable even to apologise.”
“What?” asked Arista, looking on rouge with surprise. “What’s wrong with you?”
“You are acting against vital interests of the pride and your bad decision endangered us all.” Explained brownfurred. “I was against that irresponsible order to strike and I was proved right.”
“Eight, nine…” Rama raised her front-right paw and extended claws.
“Leave him!” ordered goldenmaned and turned to rouge. “Sukari, explain yourself.”
“Sukari, what possessed you!?” yelled Zira. “Apologise father, now!”
“They set it up together!” called Ghera. “She was plotting with him!”
“There is nothing to apologise… from my side.” Replied brownmaned. “Arista caused all that trouble and by leaving his land he wants to escape his responsibility.”
“You can’t be serious…” started one of lionesses.
“No, he can’t.” Added Kauli. “He even can’t challenge king. He isssss a guest of pride, what puts him in position where he can’t be claimant.”
Zira rushed to rouge, grabbed his neck and shook, calling. “Cease it! It’s madness?”
“My lord.” Said Sukari with mocking tone. “Could you discipline your daughter. She disrupt us in dispute about issues of kingdom…”
“Zira, leave him… for now.” Said Arista. “And you – better think on way to prove all you were joking.”
“Excuses.” Snorted rouge. “Confess your errors as a ruler and I will be merciful, when I win with you.”
“You can’t challenge king.” Repeated Kauli. “You are jussssst a guest of pride.”
“Am I?” smiled brownmaned, freeing himself from Zira’s grasp. “Did king invited me? Or maybe it was just her?” he pointed on Zira and smiled. “But she isn’t king, queen, nor even future queen, aren’t she?”
“Rama, hold him!” ordered Sparthi and tried to stood up, but Masa sitting next to him had to help.
“Well… sirs…” said Kauli with uncertain voice. “Technically he isss right. He could challenge king of prince according to the Law of Challenge, because he wasn’t granted with official hossssssspitality here.” Seeing angry stares of Rama and Masa, he added quickly. “However ssssssssome accident could happen to him, before fight starts.”
Hearing that Sukari made a step back. He thought that place near the exit was very favourable after all. That was his last chance and he felt he lost it as well. Only possibility to win that was force king to act according to law. Old, customary, almost forgotten law from hard times. Actually for rouge it was barely thinkable that king could subject to that willingly. What was why he felt really shocked.
“I accept your challenge.” Said monarch.
“WHAT!?” called all creatures in cave, including Hatibu and Kauli, but also including Sukari, who didn’t expect that at all.
“Sukari told here many brutal and hurting words.” Said Arista. “But the harsh form doesn’t change the meaning and in some points he is right. Our pride suffers a punishment now. A punishment for years of errors, mostly my errors, as a ruler.”
“Your only error was not killing him at first sight.” Snorted Rama.
“Kings of Past showed us that they are not pleased with our neglecting of old laws.” Added Arista. “We can’t show them more disrespect with breaking a code older than is memory of our pride. And I’m first to pay for errors of pride, because the pride rots from the head.”
“But amputating the head won’t make the body any better.” Murmured Kauli, quickly estimating chances of both opponents.
“Sir, cut it. We will kill him here and now!” called Rama, coming to Sukari. Rouge steeped further back.
“I accepted the challenge!” growled Arista. “Willingly. Rama, do you question my orders or my sanity!?”
“None of those, sir.” Said greyfurred lioness. “I’m just doing my job.”
Wivu looked on that with terrified stare. She was sure that Sukari challenge Arista for her, seeing no other means to fulfil his promise. That was surely sweet, but she would agreed to wait or even leave that idea for brownfurred’s safety. She looked on rouge, but Sukari was looking in Rama’s eyes and backing still.
“Rama, I told you, to leave him.” Ordered Arista. Voice of king was powerful and decisive. Lioness – although she knew she was doing right thing – stopped. “Let’s go on top of the massif.”
“Dad!” called Sparthi in the same moment. “Don’t do it!”
“Kings of the Past should judge me.” Replied monarch. “That rouge…” staying <word> rouge> he didn’t hide his despise. “…is only the mean of this trial.”
He stood up and nodded. Sukari turned back, perhaps escaping from hostile stares of Rama and Zira, then he walked outside the cave. Pride followed him in silence and king marched in the ends of array. Zira ran to Sparthi and Rama and sobbed.
“I didn’t want to! I had no idea…”
“Hush, no one could blame you for that.” Interrupted greyfurred. “Now we must just think, how to don’t let that rascal kill your father.”
“It’s simple.” Said Zira, regaining her calmness. “He will unfortunately trip and fall down from path.”
“Try and you’ll be dead yourself!” sounded a hateful voice. Three lions turned back to see Wivu. “I heard that! You want put out pride in shame, by breaking the sacred ritual.”
“Wivu, it’s about my father!” gasped Zira.
“It doesn’t matter, about whom it is.” Replied greyfurred, barely repressing her smile. “The law won’t be broken.”
“Your mother should have taught you…” Started Rama, but Sparthi interrupted her.
“Calm down. She is right. It’s too late. Dad accepted the challenge. Sukari must get his fight.”
“But he can’t fight with dad!” yelled Zira.
“And he won’t.” prince looked on Rama. “I’m sure about Zira, but I want to be sure of you. Will you make something absolutely necessary for the kingdom, for good of king?”
“But against his will?” asked lioness. Sandymaned nodded his head. “I don’t like it… but still, I’ll do it. But what do you mean?”
“Hold him here.” Said Sparthi. “Just for few moments, as I will be dealing with Sukari.”
“You can’t fight!” whispered Zira, looking on brother’s wounded paw.
“I know it’s bad solution, but still I have greater chances that dad.” Replied prince. “It’s only way to do it proper.” Then he slowed down, letting Rama and Wivu ahead and stopped Zira. “Sis… there is some thing we should settle now…”
“Sparthi, I’m so sorry, that it came to this…”
“Never mind, that was your fault in the same degree as mine.” Replied prince. “But you must listen to me. I hope to win with him easily… but if something happens to me… You know. Ghera isn’t pregnant and I doubt if dad and Masa decide to have any cub. That makes you heir to throne. Your mate will be next king of…”
“Don’t tell it!” asked Zira with begging whisper.
“I must, that’s just in case. You must be ready to take your responsibility. The pride will be under your leadership and protection. You must do anything to save it. It our exodus is required, go. If you find another way to survive, do it. I trust in your reason, that is strong in our family… in spite of all appearances.” Finished with smile. “So will you promise me that?”
“But if you promise to survive that.”
“I guess it’s a stalemate.” Laughed Sparthi nervously. “But all right, I promise to outlive that one. Your turn.”
“I…” started Zira. “...promise to keep our pride safe in any time. Stars, help me!”
“Now, we could go. Just hold him still.” Said Sparthi and speeded up, nudging Rama’s side.
Zira and her older friend stopped, waiting for monarch to catch them up. Wivu wanted to stop them, whatever they planned, but eventually she decided to go faster ahead and catch up Sukari. That just in case. She passed by most of lionesses, what was on narrow path up rather difficult, then came to rouge.
“They didn’t want king to fight.” She said quietly.
“Arista accepted my challenge.” Replied rouge nervously. “I will have my duel.”
But then Arista stopped on a bit wider ledge of path up the massif, what Zira and Rama took as good opportunity. Without warning two lionesses tripped ruler and pinned him down to the ground. Masa, walking just next to, instantly understood the plan and instead of resisting, grabbed king herself.
“What the heck is wrong with you!” growled goldenmaned. “Let me go!”
“Not yet, sir.” Said Rama. “I’m very sorry, but it have to this way.”
“Sukari!” called Sparthi, running up the path. Rouge just got to the plateau and turned back with surprise. “It’s me, with whom your are fighting!”
“What!?” asked brownmaned.
“King is not able to stand against you right now.” Said sandymaned, giving a quick look to Arista, being held by three lionesses. “But I – as prince of the pride – will stand instead of him. That is a custom of Golden Pride.”
“I always respect old customs.” Smiled Sukari, looking on bleeding paw of prince. “How sweet… but also how stupid.”
“We will see that. Go!” growled Sparthi
“Son, no!” called Arista from middle of path, but Masa, Rama and Zira just tightened their grabs.
“Just make sure your hotshots will respect the result of duel.” Snorted Sukari.
“Sure they will.” Smiled prince. “Of this duel and the next one, if there will be a need.”
“What do you mean?” asked confused Sukari.
“Simple.” Replied Sparthi. “If you win with me, my father will stand and challenge you. I guess you missed that in your calculations…”
Rouge narrowed his eyes in angry stare, but then he saw Wivu. Greyfurred was standing just next to him, scared and confused, but still willing to help. “My last resort… if situation gets really grim, I will use her to leave the scene.” Then he said aloud. “Anyway. Let’s begin!”
“As you with…” started Sparthi. “Ghera, my dear, make sure girls won’t interfere.”
“You can’t be serious!” sobbed lightfurred. “You really want to fight with him?”
“I’ll be just fine… I’m always.” Smiled prince and licked mate’s cheek. “Just keep girls away…”
Meanwhile Sukari was analysing his situation. Plateau of Golden Massif, was an irregular polygon, of widest intersect of about two hundreds and fifty meters from west to east and shorter dimension of about hundred and fifty meters from north to south. But the battle ground would be most likely just a central square – just next to ceremonial tombstone laid a ring of more of less twenty metres radius, where rock surface was quite plain and without any stones to block moves of combatants. Walking there Sukari wondered how much blood was spilled in that place and how many times Golden Sands had changed its royal dynasty. He would be surprised - nothing it hadn’t taken place in history known by pride.
On tombstone still laid Dhalimu. His body was already partially torn by sandstorm, what looked really grim. Skeleton was still mostly covered with tissue, but just scraps of fur remained. “He really waited as death level him with king.” Thought Sukari with irony. “But still it is degrading to the lowest level. I aim higher than that!”
“How noble of you, that you pay homage to hero of our pride.” Said Sparthi with mocking voice, coming to stone.
“If you want to see it in that way…” murmured rouge, turning to prince. He stepped ahead and bended to rival’s ear. “But actually I just reminded myself, how I killed him!”
“What!?” gasped Sparthi, but in the same moment be was hit but Sukari’s paw.
Rouge hit unshielded prince and easily sent them to the ground. Sparthi had to lean on wounded paw what cost him a new wave of pain. He rolled few rolls away, yelling and trying to regain his orientation and shun another Sukari’s blow. Rouge didn’t waste any time and pounced on sandymaned.
“But I see this time I will have more fun!” laughed rouge.
*
Mhamiji, Tariki and Gebali laid in one of minor ravines of Rumble Range. Since moment of panicked retreat from dying oasis they said maybe ten sentences each. They managed to find a small mountain source and quench thirst. But then their perspectives looked grim. They had no quest in front of them, they were wounded as a group and in above all else – they lost leader. A tiredness that came to them turned to almost catatonia, as they laid in mountains, waiting for any impulse to go farther. Keme was prepared for that.
He came from the dust. As remnants of gerge waited in ravine, he walked to them, emerging from cumuluses of sand, blown on desert. He stopped in front of them, watching their exhausted, yet hopeful stares. He was alive… and he was someone would could substitute for dead leader.
“Your wounds.” Said yellowfurred. “Any serious injuries?” Rouges looked on each other, but in fact none of them was actually hurt. Only a psychic wound was wound was dangerous. “All right… have you eaten anything?” Tariki shook his head. “I found a colony of quails nearby. And dens that could be inhabited by some rodents. We must get up and go hunt, while you still have a strength to do it.”
“And then?” asked Gebali with tired voice.
“What <then>?” murmured Keme.
“What would we do then?” repeated rouge. “Boss is dead.”
“Yes, I noticed that.” Snorted Keme. Then paused, took a deep breath and called with angry voice. “What lions are you!?” they all lifted their heads in something like interest on faces. “You are going to sit here for ever?”
“Just tell me, what you are going to do?” Murmured tired Tariki.
“Those ******* killed Shababu!” growled yellowmaned. “He was our leader for almost two years. We have a duty to avenge him!”
That idea sparked rouges. It was a proposition of substantial action, at least something rational, more rational than sitting in place. Three lions looked on Keme as they were looking on their new leader. Finally Mhamiji said with unsure tone.
“But… we are just four. And they are over ten and…”
“That is not an excuse.” Replied Keme, growling. “We don’t want to subdue them… just make them pay. We will harass them from ambushes, as long as we get Arista and Sparthi. Then we will decide what to do next.”
“Yeah!” called sandyfurred rouge. “Let’s do it! They will pay for killing boss.”
“Now, I hear lion I knew.” Replied Keme and smiled. “But for now, we should eat. Let’s go hunt!”
In fact yellowmaned didn’t care about king, prince nor any of pridelionesses. But still he needed gerge to do his top priority. In Golden Cave stayed Sukari. Maybe still as member of pride. Maybe as a prisoner or hostage. Anyway – he was in danger, as Goldenlanders could discover his involvement in Dhalimu’s death. Keme had to take him back.
And after that he could think about revenge. He also was furious on lions that spoiled him plan.

Well... things are ugly. So, Sukari challenged Arista, only because of a home for him and Keme? That sounds nice, but he's doing it in the wrong way. Whatever it appears, things are getting really ugly. I doubt Sukari stands a chance of winning the duel. Keme became the leader of the pack, it seems... but, as I said, things are ugly.

Well, so now something how sometimes RoC works...
And more of dramatic events of “Dust of golden Sands”.

XVII. Circle’s Turn

Sparthi’s choice to fight instead of father was a rational one – young prince had greater chances to win with rouge. But still greater, didn’t mean <great> - if there was a possibility, sandymaned wouldn’t play hero, just let lionesses to stop the claimant. And after being thrown down, lion thought, it still was a tempting idea.
“Dad, you acted highly irresponsible.” Snorted prince in mind. “Why have you accepted the challenge?”
But it was too late – if challenge was accepted, it had to be settled in one or other way. Sparthi knew that lionesses wouldn’t move to assist him, but only because he ordered them to stay in place. If he got knocked down, or Ghera decided that things turned to be really dangerous, Goldenlandresses would most likely stop the duel. Prince was curious, if Sukari knew that.
“Stand up!” called rouge, but he didn’t give any time to his adversary.
He instantly pounced on him and again attacked the wounded, front-left paw of sandymaned. Lionesses gasped in fear and Ghera rushed ahead, stopped by Epesi. Brownmaned noticed that move and most likely just then understood he was standing on lost position. He took a look around to see that second path down was also guarded by three lionesses. He cursed aloud.
A moment of disruption let Sparthi stood up. He hobbled away few steps and his stare met with Ghera’s look. He just shook his head, ordering her to stay calm. If Sparthi wanted lionesses to knock out or even kill claimant, it would happened in seconds. But prince had to learn more about Dhalimu’s death. Sandymaned didn’t know if Sukari’s words were true or it was just a bluff to enrage adversary, but he decided to check.
“Why have you killed him?” asked with panting voice. Few closest lionesses heard that and gasped in amazement.
“He was a rouge… only lion here thinking in my way.” Sukari smiled, but he was still estimating his chances to break free. “I had to remove him.”
“Remove? For what?” gasped Sparthi and tried to attack. It was bad idea.
A pounce of wounded prince was too slow to surprise rouge. Additionally, while landing, Sparthi leaned on aching paw. It nearly cost him consciousness. Meanwhile Sukari jumped aside and even delivered a quick blow into sandymaned’s side.
“Guess.” Snorted rouge. Then he called louder. “Lionesses of Golden Sand… You have your chance to choose. Let me finish prince and I will be your king.” A silence replied him. Wivu wanted to say anything to cheer her beloved up, but she understood that showing her true colours would be dangerous… and maybe it would discard last chance for Sukari. “Think a while!” growled rouge. “What king I would be? Stronger than Arista? I will get my power thanks to you and I will be forced to listen to you, instead of giving orders. You choose and you can demand.”
“I’m just curious then.” asked Sparthi. “Why do you want to be such a king? It sounds as you are just a coalition leader, chosen for one season and to be removed if his successor promises more.”
“Living in coalition isn’t bad.” Replied Sukari, hitting enemy with left paw. It pushed prince left and forced him to base on wounded paw. Sparthi repressed a scream and estimated that few more times and his limb would give up. “At least we are free!”
In the same time he wondered about his own words. Not that he was really appreciating living as rouge, but he was thinking what for he fought. “*****! I want to be king of dying pride?” he asked silently. “Most likely they really need to move away!” To gain some new perspective, he started to circle Sparthi and preparing to another charge. In the same time he watched his back. Waiting lionesses could strike any minute.
“Your pride is dying!” called. “You must think about future. Will your incompetent king defend you in your search of new home? Or his son?”
“And will you?” asked Msikizi, mixing mocking voice and real curiosity.
“I have much greater chances.” Replied rouge. “My old gerge would protect you… teach you how to live on desert. I think you should choose rouges who run you, that wait for some force you to obedience.”
“Just like you?” asked Sparthi.
“***** it! One last chance!” growled Sukari. “Are staying with them, or try with me?” When again silence replied him, he snorted. “Well… that is not an end… but just a beginning!”
He pounced on Sparthi, pinning him to the ground and hitting with both paws. He didn’t hope to hit and kill prince, but he needed lionesses to react. All watchers of duel rushed to combatants with clear intention of stopping Sukari. That was what rouge waited for.
He was ready to jump aside. When eight lionesses ran to prince, he just passed them by and speeded to path down. Goldenlendresses were too surprised to intercept him and brownmaned unharassed got to descend from massif. He set off to run down ignoring angry roars behind him. In just half a minute he got to ledge where laid Arista. Three lionesses – Zira, Rama and Masa, still were holding furious ruler. “How nice.” Smiled rouge and pounced on surprised four.
He didn’t want to kill. But hoped to cause some mayhem by a chance. He trampled on Masa’s back, attacked at random, hitting with right paw to king’s side and tried to jump farther. But Masa grabbed his hind leg, and pulled back, making him hit back of king. Zira and Rama let ruler loose, but that turned out to be bad choice. Masa hit enemy again, pushing him back. Rouge lost his balance and tripped. Seeing he was falling out from path, he grabbed only possible basis. The king.
He grabbed standing up Arista, but it wasn’t enough to regain his balance. He just pulled goldenmaned and they both tripped on edge of ledge. Before Zira or Rama managed to catch lion, king and rouge fell down from path with accompaniment of Masa’s scream.
It was moderate altitude of about five metres. But if Sukari was somehow prepared for impact, Arista hit the ground helplessly with his back. Zira instinctively closed her eyes, expecting crack of bones, but any sound of injure was muffled by collective gasp of two lions. Sukari trampled from body of king and rolled aside, quickly regaining his balance and readiness. Not bothering even to look back on monarch, he started to run west, leaving goldenmaned yelling from pain.
“Dad!” cried Zira and in three jumped reached the ground next to him and in fourth one got to lying father. King was alive and at first glance even unhurt. But he was gasping and cursing with anger princess noticed never before. When she wanted to help him stand, she sensed some unusual tension of muscles in his belly. King tried to lean on paws but then he fall again.
“Get him!” growled with fury boosted with pain.
“Dad! Are you…”
“Just get…” but then they noticed as rouge already disappeared behind dune. When it came to running, he turned out to be mush better than anyone thought. “Or anyway… I hope storm will bury him!”
“Dad, lay low, I must see if…”
“Arista!” called Masa and got to goldenmaned. Zira quickly made w space for adoptive-mother, but still was examining father. “What happened? Are you hurt?”
“I have no idea.” Gasped king. “Just let me rest a little.”
Zira gently grabbed father’s neck and with help of Rama she rolled him on the other side. King snorted with pain, but two lionesses acted too fast top be stopped. Monarch was put on left side and his right flank. There they noticed extremely odd view.
There was no would, but place of impact was clearly seen. King hit the ground, but in about half of his side he hit the pointing out rock. Under golden fur of monarch a pulsing oedemas was growing – it’s size surpassed a coconut and perhaps is wasn’t end of it’s grow. Zira carefully touched the bump and Arista gasped with pain. That was odd – father was the toughest creature that princess knew.
“We must take you to cave.” Said Rama with tensed voice. She and Zira ignored protests of Arista and carried him away.
Masa wanted to rush after them, but she was stopped by grab of Wivu. Lioness just had run down, after running Sukari, but view of wounded king set her in place. Then monarch was taken under a good care, but greyfurred not.
“Mom, you are bleeding.” Said Wivu with gentle tone.
“He will be all right.” Said Masa with tension on her face. “He has to be…”
“Mom, you are bleeding.” Repeated younger lioness.
She pressed her down to sit then started to lick four parallel cuts made by Sukari. In the same time in her mind storm raged. Her prince-to-be just retreated. She slowly let her mind to join many events. Sukari never assured about his love. He had been still flirting with Zira all the time. Then he admitted he provoked rouge’s assault that brought that lot to them. Wivu knew she was somehow responsible too, but that wasn’t an argument for believing in him, but to doubt in herself. “Stars!” thought lioness. “How blind I was!”
“It’s nothing.” Called Masa, but then she noticed that aching cuts on side were actually deep. “Or maybe… anyway, take me to the king and…”
“Yes. Right now, mother.” Said Wivu and let her lean on her back. They set off to cave and greyfurred said. “Mom, I so sorry for…”
“Oh, cut it now!” snorted lioness, but then added with quieter voice. “I mean… we’ll talk later. For now kings matters in the first place.”
Before lionesses and Sparthi got from plateau, king was taken to main hall. Hatibu and Kauli examined monarch, but both creatures could just witness to his injuries, being unable to do any specified action. Bird had prehensile wings instead of paws, python had no paws at all. Always there had been Dhalimu to help in such matters. White lion turned out to be irreplaceable even before he was mourned.
“I have no idea how to check if there isssss an internal bleeding.” Said Kauli.
“And I see no reason to check.” Replied secretary bird. “If there is, king will…” Then he stopped, feeling a stare of Arista on him.
“I’m not that hurt!” snorted, however if expression on his face showed how he was feeling, it was a lie. “It just a bump!” Then added quieter. “Although aches as hell.”
“I’m not sssssssure what to do.” Said Kauli. “I think that we could find just some herbs to ease the pain and wait what would be.”
“Sir.” Said Hatibu, bending down to king’s ear. “I know it’s rather stupid suggestion, but you would better recover fast. You must leave Golden Sands before great, dry storms start…”
“I’ll be fine in few day!” snorted Arista. “Rama, you are responsible for preparing pride to departure. I will rest a while, then…”
They didn’t hear what was to do <then>. Ruler lost his consciousness.
*
Pride acted in full alert. Sparthi, Masa and king of course, was injured in greater or lesser degree, but they all were unable to act normally. Prince took over the command and ordered lioness to scout for possible enemies.
“Sukari or rest of rouges… perhaps now all of them, still endanger us. Rama, go with all ready lioness.”
“Who will stay here?” asked greyfurred.
“I will.” Replied prince. Seeing her stern stare, added with irritated voice. “Don’t argue! I don’t want you to go in units lesser than five jaws what makes you all to go together. Just make sure they aren’t in sight, then search for those herbs for my father. Do it now!”
“As you wish, sir.” Replied Rama. “Ghera, go with me.” Said to princess.
“I’ll be fine, I promise.” Said Sparthi, seeing fear on face of his mate. “Just go… We need to know, what happened.”
Group set off. Rama and Zira led it west, on trails of Sukari. Moderate wind blew the sand, so pawprints turned out to be barely visible. But still – a track guided them to Rumble Range. Rama speeded his array up, hoping to finish recognisance before sun set. It was still about two hours to evening, but being in hurry was always a good choice on desert.
*
Sukari was too exhausted to raise up, when he heard lions voices. Whoever those were, it meant troubles for him – both gerge and pride was turned against him and encountering any of those two was thing he wanted to avoid. But in gerge still was Keme. And it happened to be gerge incoming.
“Stars!” cried Tariki, noticing exhausted lion. “It’s Sukari!” called with happy voice. “Let’s kill him!”
He rushed ahead, just to be tripped and overturned by Keme. When brownmaned raised his head, he noticed yellowmaned, pinning down Tariki and two other rouges, growling at sudden changed companion. Sukari tried to get up, but he failed.
“What’s wrong with you?” asked Gebali. “That brat set us up! Boss died because of him!”
“Let him alone!” growled Keme.
“Why?” asked Mhamiji, coming slowly from behind, ready to attack yellowmaned.
“Because I told you so!” replied Keme and roared. “I’m the leader now and I tell you, whoever hurt Sukari, is good as dead.”
“But he sold us!” yelled fallen Tariki.
“So… why he is here?” asked yellowmaned.
“Hi, Keme…” murmured Sukari weakly. “Hi boys… just sorry for that… when I saw boss is gone… I tried to get Arista… but I failed and had to run away.”
“You chose a bad spot to hide…” snorted Mhamiji and stepped towards rouge, but Keme stopped him with a roar.
“I said: you will be cool!” He let Tariki loose and went to brownmaned himself. “Are you all right, boy?”
“Just… thirsty.”
“Let’s get him to the oasis… or to whatever left from it.” Ordered yellowmaned.
Rouges stepped to Sukari and Keme followed them, just in case if they still wanted to quench their vengeance in easiest way. But it wasn’t necessary – after yellowmaned declared he took gerge over, three subordinates didn’t dare to oppose him. But it didn’t mean they were happy about helping the traitor.
After short march they got to pathetic pool, that once was a Mouth Lake. Sukari was put on shore and started to drink from muddy reservoir. Mhamiji, Tariki and Gebali left him to drink themselves in some distance, even in that way showing their despise.
“Stars!” snorted Keme, sitting down next to brownmaned. “That was close… we must think on good story to appease them.”
“Keme…” whispered younger rouge. “I really tried to kill that king… for you. To show you I can do something and…”
“All right, just rest now.” Said rouge. “And then we will think how show boys you had good intentions…”
*
“Let’s make it quick.” Said Rama, seeing that her group walked still too slow. “Another storm could hit.” Perhaps the main strike of element was gone, but some minor sand-blow could turn their way into very unpleasant experience.
“We must find grey herbs for king!” said Masa with decisive voice. “Doesn’t matter how you are in hurry…”
“That wasn’t prince’s order.” Noticed Rama. “We have no time for that!”
“Do whatever you wish.” Replied greyfurred. “I’m going to search for herbs.”
“Mom… we can’t split!” yelled Zira. “Not before we make sure gerge is away.”
“We will meet in cave.” Said Masa. “I just gather few and go back…”
“Mom, it’s really dangerous.” Threw Wivu in. “We could wait for tomorrow…”
“It’s cheeky to speak about it in king’s name…” murmured Masa and turned more south, going away from group.
“Masa, wait!” called Rama.
“You will order me?” asked older lioness with irritation. “As who? I missed your acclamation as the regent.” Then marched ahead to setting sun.
“Crap!” snorted Zira and followed mother. Wivu did the same.
“No!” called Rama. “Zira, you must help us in tracking. You are the one who know the best…” princess froze and turned back to Rama. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“Yes.” Said Zira with breaking voice. “Sukari is my responsibility. I must get him!” then called to Wivu. “Just… keep an eye on mom, right?” Greyfurred nodded her head and ran, catching up mother.
Princess followed the group, but she watched after adoptive-mother and step-sister, until they disappeared behind dune. It would be cliché to say she had bad feelings, because she was filled with bad feeling at least since day before. But princess wished to be with Masa. She also withed to quickly hunt down Sukari and finally repay the lion who pretended he loved her. But Zira was just one. She ran after Rama.
*
“Mother.” Said Wivu, after while of embarrassing silence.
At least it was embarrassing for daughter – mother seemed to be totally wrapped up by her quest of searing for healing plant. Small vegetable, called just <grey herb> was common weed in slopes of Rumble Range, but after a sandstorm, where all flora was covered with layer of dust, it was hard to spot. Older lioness checked in every crack on the thin belt of grasses on border of desert, starting from Mouth Oasis and going north. She had on her mind much more than her daughter’s sudden remorse.
“Yes?” asked, not turning her head. She uncovered a weed from dust, just too see it was completely useless plant.
“Mom… I just…” whatever difficulty felt Wivu, she was working in the same time, searching in parallel crack. “I did a great mistake, mother.”
“Mistake?” asked Masa automatically, still checking next weed. “Honey, we could talk about it, when we are back home.”
“I knew what Sukari planned.” She said. “I wanted to help him.”
Masa stopped and raised her head to look on daughter. Wivu sat on the ground, with stare pointed to the ground and ears lowered in gesture of sorrow and guilt, while her mother came closer, still unaware what it was all about.
“What do you mean? What plan?” she asked. “Sukari betrayed us, challenging king. How could you be responsible for that?”
“We planned it!” Wivu burst with sudden wave of cry. “I wanted him to take over the pride… and make ma a queen…”
“But…” said completely confused Masa. “Not, that’s not true. I knew he wanted to seduce Zira, but your sister managed to discover who that rouge is and…”
“That was all settled.” Continued Wivu. “I wanted you all bad. I… wanted Zira dead!” She stepped ahead to nestle to mother’s side, but then she stopped, thinking if she was worthy to ask for any kind of consolation and forgiveness. That wasn’t a question that Masa could give an answer, because old lioness still didn’t understand what her daughter spoke about.
“What? How it…”
“Sukari set it all.” Sobbed Wivu. “He used his old gerge to attack us, hoping to kill or wound king, then take pride over as our saviour.”
“But… what did you say about Zira?” asked Masa with sudden burst of angry tone, as if she just heard those strange confession.
“I hated her!” cried Wivu. “I hated her, because you loved her more than me.”
Masa understood that perhaps the talk with daughter would be in long run more important than looking for herbs. She stepped to Wivu, hugged her gently, still thinking why such words came out so sudden and what it meant. But in the same moment she felt a kick of crude enlightenment in her heart. Many different scenes of passed two years formed an image in her mind that suggested there was something wrong. Very wrong.
“Wait a second… let’s talk easily and honestly.” Said, slowly loosing her self-confidence. With each second Wivu was crying, she recalled moments she let her daughter know that Zira not her was the real child of real child of Masa. “Why you took an impression I could ever care more about Zira than you?” asked, but just after regretted that question. “I mean…” and she burst in tears herself. “Oh, Wivu… I’m so sorry I ever let you think that way. I...“ Next words came out from her mouth unwelcome, but the force of conscience was urging her to spit it. “Yes… I was a poor mother for you… But, please… understand me… Zira is his child… I love your king so much that…”
“I know mother.” Replied Wivu with shivering voice. “I should understand that and accept before I did what I did.”
Wind grew up a little, covering the desert with clouds of dust. It wasn’t a sign of storm. Two desert lionesses were so accustomed to living in their land that they instinctively judged a weather and if instinct wasn’t warning them about dangerous storm, their minds even didn’t bother to pay attention of world around. They could focus in issues that should had been solved much earlier.
“But my dear… could we reconcile… I mean – we all. You, me and Zira. And be again… or at least a real family?”
“It’s much too late, I started it all.” Cried Wivu. “Because of me, sir Dhalimu is dead… and king was wounded. I can’t undo it. I can’t…”
“But if you want, we could.” Said Masa, trying to keep her voice calmer. “If you want forgive me for my errors… forgive Zira for what she done wrong and then apologise us for how you wronged us, I’m sure we would explain it all and reconcile for good.”
“But Dhalimu is dead, because I trusted Sukari!” sobbed Wivu.
“We must speak about it with king… you will tell about it all. But we won’t blame you, for that you was deceived and used… We are pride, after all. And you will always be my daughter. I’m a right?” Wivu just nodded her head. “Are you ready to reconcile with your sister?” She nodded again. “So… could we get those blasted herbs and back to the cave?”
“I love you, mother.” Said Wivu. “I’m sorry to forget about it for so long…”
“I love you. You will be always my little kitty…” said Masa and felt a sudden looseness in embrace of daughter. Then learned that Wivu was falling down to the ground.
“I think you both should be grateful I waited until the end of that touching scene.” Said Sukari.
Rouge came unnoticed, thanks to wind cover. Noise of blows and clouds of dust fooled senses of two desert lionesses and let brownmaned stray just behind Wivu and knock her down with one single blow of paw with hidden claws. Then, looking on his done, smiled with half-crazy smile and looked on Masa.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you live… I heard that she told you too much. Pride can’t be warned, before we start our show.”
Masa wanted to rush to her daughter, but rouge gasped menacingly, baring his teeth and stopping lioness. She looked left, hoping to see main group of pride, but clouds of dust made it impossible. Sukari had chosen a place to strike well.
“We… should talk.” Said Masa and then barely repressed her smile.
She saw as Wivu – who had seemed to be knocked out just moment earlier – opened her eyes and carefully started to draw back from rouge, making as little noise at it was possible. Masa understood she had to play on time, giving her daughter time to run. “To run?” she thought. “Or she wants to fight back… That’s not easy, but we are two and could take him down, eventually…”
“What about we could talk?” asked Sukari. “I was given with no choice.” Added, with a bit tensed voice. “I must prove my gerge I left you for good.”
“I believe you.” Assured greyfurred, stepping back to rock-crack. It was narrowing to dead end and in fact could stand as very poor cover, as it limited lioness’s moves, still giving free paw to rouge. But Masa meant just to give her daughter some time. So she continued. “Why… I thought you loved Zira… then I heard you loved Wivu. Why did you destroy that?”
“I doubt if you get whole picture.” Said Sukari, smiling. “I had to use your pretty daughters to get into pride… When Zira was the easiest route, Wivu stood as <plan b>. What doesn’t make me happy to kill her…” murmured with some tone of real regret. “But unfortunately she could tell too much about me.”
“So… you don’t love Wivu?” asked Masa, seeing as her daughter stood up and was sneaking to rouge.
“No.” replied brownmaned and lioness smiled. “And what the hell is so funny?”
“You should have learnt more about good manners, witty speeches and all above else: about treating girls.” Said greyfurred a second before claws of Wivu hit rouge’s neck.
But Sukari was an agile lion. He sensed coming attack just before it came and pushed front-right paw in defensive blow. It didn’t stopped Wivu’s attack – her claws plunged into rouge’s neck, but he fell down, freeing himself from deadly cut. He rolled right, tripping Wivu and overturning her. Two lions started to wrestle in desperate fight.
Masa pounced ahead, trying to get Sukari. She hit them both, dividing their bodies, what in fact saved Wivu – Sukari already grabbed her shoulders with his paws and was preparing to a deadly bite. After few seconds of chaos, rouge managed to stand up as the first. He struck at random, hitting head of Masa and sending old lioness on sand again. Then he pounced on Wivu.
Brownfurred managed to greet attacker with extended claws and ready hold. She pushed him aside, scratching his paws painfully and roaring with fury. All was burning with her. She just realised, how deeply she was deceived and that Sukari never really loved her. But what was even more important, she learned that there was a way back – mother forgave her and king and Zira could forgive too. That makes her fully determined to survive.
“How could you!?” she gasped, deluging Sukari with wave of weak, but fast blows, that rouge failed to shield from all.
“But at least I’m loyal to my coalition… what you can’t say about you and your pride.” Laughed brownmaned and grabbed lioness in her grasp. He was hit several times in head, but he ignored it and just threw Wivu on the ground. He raised his paw to finish her off. “But still I regret that you didn’t do your job. We could have some nice time together…”
“It’s my daughter, you’re talking to!” roared Masa, jumping on back of rouge.
Sukari, pressed by additional weight, lost his balance and fell down. All three coiled on sand, trying to deliver any blow, but again it was lion, who stood up first. He jumped back, ready to further fight. Lionesses understood that was a fight they could lose alone, or at least pay for victory with deadly price.
“So… what you are going to do?” asked Masa, standing up and regaining her breath. Her age showed – she was already exhausted by that combat. She felt that if they don’t find some way, they could be dead soon. “You are fighting for nothing! We are leaving Golden Sands.”
“Yeah, sure, we know that.” Laughed Sukari with malicious smile. “And we prepared a surprise for you… Boys are avenging Shababu… Keme has his own business with royal blood in general. I’m helping him… but also repaying for something I got… or I haven’t gotten here!”
“You can’t fight our pride and you know this!” growled Wivu and pounced on brownmaned. He just jumped aside, letting her fall at his feet. He wanted to pinned her down, but he noticed Masa, ready to attack. So he just replied.
“You are leaving… During your trek through the desert, we will take you down, one by one. Killing you two will make this much easier.”
“Mom… we must find girls!” called Wivu. She had to call, because wind got stronger, howling in cracks of mountain slope. “We must warn them anyway. Just… run south, I will cover you.”
“How sweet.” Smiled Sukari. “But I think you won’t stand against me long enough to let your mother find the pride.”
Masa realised in seconds what in danger was Golden Pride. Gerge seemed to be desperate – from mad stare of Sukari she read he really wanted to kill them and all else. Vulnerable pride, marching on desert was weak. With wounded king and prince, without Dhalimu and possibly without two lionesses, it was given to mercy of rouges.
“We must warn Rama about them!” called Masa back. “And now, listen to me… He won’t get us both. Let’s split and take separate ways. You – to the cave, I will run to Rama.”
“Mom, we can’t…”
“Sorry, my child. It was my idea to go here… But now we must make sure they won’t endanger our pride.”
“I can’t leave you!” yelled Wivu. She understood that Masa – as slower and weaker, was a natural choice for Sukari.
“My child… I love you… and we both forgot about our argument. So now I’m again your mother, right?” Wivu nodded her head, with tears in her eyes. “So I order you to warn our king!” called Masa. “As your mother and a senior lioness.”
“Mom, no…”
“Go!” ordered Masa and turned south.
She set off to desperate run. Sukari stood few seconds longer, gaining strength to pursue, but then followed old lioness. Masa rushed much faster than Wivu expected to. In heart of young lioness sprouted hope. She turned to open desert, where – about kilometre behind those dusty clouds – was Golden Cave. She started to run with all her might.
It was impossible for Sukari to get on time. Wivu knew that, but she also was sure that scream she heard was of her mother. She stopped, then even faster rushed south-west, in direction she heard the noise. She saw nothing before her, but ran frantically still, until a sudden blow from side sent her on the sand. Before the hit the ground, she saw a blooded body of Masa and Keme, standing over her.
“Finish her off quickly!” called yellowmaned to Sukari. “I will tell boys you took them both by yourself. That should convince them.”
Wivu cried with painful roar, but urged by a duty, she raised her paws to shield from Sukari’s attack. But rouge’s strike was well aimed and lioness felt as rouge’s limbs miss her garde and a blink of an eye later his claws plunge into her throat.
Then whole world became a storm.

Well, this chapter was interesting. I can't help but to feel a little bit relieved that Keme still accepted Sukari. Once again I say that he's a rather nice guy, compared to his older-self. But their plot is rather bad. Bad... or maybe better to say, bloody. It's good that Wivu confessed the whole truth to her mother, and that at least Masa forgave her, but unfortunately, with Keme killing Masa and Sukari killing Wivu, there's no way back for them. And soon, probably there won't be for Sukari as well.