XV. The Royal Song
Taka saw just a pitch-blackness inside of his mind. The other senses were receiving perfectly the east wind, hardness of stone surface, tapping of sands grains hitting rock and the smell of incoming storm. Unfortunately, his sight was unable to show him the most important information: from were the enemy was laughing at him.
“I’m impressed, Taka.” Murmured Mtanga with poisonous irony. “Your acting was even more stupid than I expected... You challenged Dhalimu. Well, I’m not crying about that, because if you have wounded him, me and boys have easier work to do.”
Arbiter recognised that rouge was walking on the edge of plateau. He was marching slowly, but Taka knew that he was just careful. His brother–in-law set himself perfectly – blinded black-maned had no chances to get to him unseen and Mtanga could easily dodge the sudden charge. “And when he dodge me, I will fall beyond the brink.” Thought.
“So...” enemy continued. “As you probably know, I will be the new ruler of Golden Sands. You should have been happy – your sister is to become a queen.”
“You killed Niva!” gasped Taka in moment of dreadful clarity.
“Taka, Taka...” murmured Mtanga. „That is a past. Now we must think about the future.” Although black-maned couldn’t see it, he sensed that his brother-in-law stood up, turned to him and points a sneering stare on arbiter. “Soon you will die!”
Furious Taka pounced ahead, not thinking about consequences. He flew to the edge and stopped just before the brink. Of course, Mtanga was no there. He stepped aside of charge or he had never been there – due to wind Taka could be distracted.
Lion grabbed the rock with claws and jumped back. And there – unexpectedly – he hit the side of enemy. They both were surprised – laughter of rouge faded in second, but after all Mtanga reacted as a first. He hit brother-in-law with paw in nape. Arbiter was pushed back two meters, fortunately – away from the edge – and awkwardly fell on the rock.
“So you want to play a blind man’s buff?” murmured enemy. “Good, that actually might be quite funny.”
“You’ve killed the queen!” growled Taka. “You did it in person or by your sidekicks?”
“Sidekicks? You offend my boys.” Replied Mtanga with laughter. “Understand that they believe they are doing all of this to liberate Golden Pride from tyrant’s paws, not to gave me the throne.”
“Come on, say it louder!” hasped arbiter. “Maybe they will hear what you are planning.”
“No, they won’t.” said rouge. “Wind is howling too loud and we are on leeward. Actually...” he added, coming to Taka and hitting his side. “...it’s time to finish that farce. This blasted wind is even worse than all this sand all around. I hate sand!”
“You should have thought about it before you have chosen the kingdom to conquer.” Murmured Taka and in the same second another attack cut his right side.
Mtanga was everywhere, at least for black-maned. In whistle of wind he was able to move unheard easily sneaking to his victim from behind. He could see, although the omnipresent dust had to decreased that advantage it was still a great advantage. “If I stand a bit longer to the main sandstorm’s hit our chances will get equal.” Thought Taka but then a malicious voice in his head added. “Of course, that they will get equal, because you will both die!”
For a while arbiter was considering a possibility of withdrawing to Dhalimu, but then he left that idea. King could be dead then, and additionally the blind march through plateau (in the heat of storm!) wasn’t easy. And it would took much of time. Too much – the incoming storm was faster than arbiter.
“Why, Mtanga?” Taka decided to play for time. There still was a hope that lionesses would come with assistance. “That is my duty to guard the kingdom. I’m fulfilling it the best I can... although I know it still not enough.” He thought.
“You know nothing!” said rouge with unexpectedly soft voice. “You are the king’s son, raised in luxury and respect. How could you understand what feels an orphan and outcast?”
“The loneliness, humiliation and rank injustice.” Replied Taka, recalling to mind every feeling he experienced during his escape from home. “And what is the most important: the burning need for revenge! On anyone, doesn’t matter if she or he is guilty.” He heard that Mtanga stopped. He sensed some vague bolt of attention that enemy put on him. “And what now? You will avenge on me? The same outcast as you?”
“You know nothing!” gasped his brother-in-law. “That was just in beginning. Then I met Amali... and whole world has changed. She gave me the strength and will to live. Thanks to her I believed in myself and in my might.”
“If you are doing it for Amali, think: she would be quite displeased with death of her brother...” jeered Taka.
“Shut up!” called Mtanga. “Amali will be the queen not because she is princess but because I want that! Now I will be the king, I instead of you all will be setting the rules! I’m stronger that you all. I was starting from zero to reach the stars! I was lying in mud and now I’m standing where I’m standing.”
“Coordinates, please!” murmured Taka, raising his paw. “I can’t see you clearly, I could miss...”
Mtanga ran to brother-in-law and pushed him on the ground with blow in nape. Then he stopped over lying lion and with malicious smile on face started to slowly cut his back with claws. Pain deluged Taka’s senses, but it didn’t make him scream. One who has lost his eyes, survived the sandstorm in open air and many timed said goodbye to his life wasn’t able to scream nor beg for mercy. That part of arbiter was probably already dead.
“Don’t you get it?” growled furious Mtanga. “That is the end! I will be the king, not some aristocrat from high family. I, Mtanga of Cut Trunks Pride. Once I was no one, now I’m the everything! I am the future! The play is over, Taka!” lion plunged his claw in arbiter’s paw and started to drag him on edge of massif, farther away from path, on south-east. When he got almost to the centre of plateau he let his victim loose, panted heavily and looked on close brink of bluff. Stronger and stronger wind was blowing the chocking clouds of dust.
[„See it” song. Melody is fast and uneasy. Mtanga sings with high-pitched, ironical, theatrical voice.]
[Mtanga drags Taka almost to the edge to big, flat boulder. The stone looks almost as a stage, especially that dusty clouds dim almost everything else. Only Mtanga on the stone and Taka on the <auditorium> before it is seen. Black-maned with effort raised his head and turns his wounded face on brother-in-law, as if he was watching his <play>. From beyond the clouds shines a faint rays of moon. It enlightening the rouge, like a theatrical reflector.]
Mtanga:
I doubt if you see it – time to open eyes
Time to end this pitiful show that once joined us
[On words < I doubt if you see it> Mtanga maliciously cover his eyes with paw.]
You are leaving scene now, I will play intact
There is end of common part, cause you’ll die in this act
[On word <act> he leans out from scene to Taka. Black-maned tries to hit him, but he misses terribly.]
Those are our masques, those are our role
You this time so down, alone, I will rock this show
[On words <I will rock this show> Mtanga raised his paw and points the moon.]
You are king no more, now you’re playing fool
If you want applause at all, be my useful tool
[On words < you’re playing fool> Mtanga hit with his paw in wound on Taka’s eyes. He spreads blood on black-maned’s cheeks, making a round spots, similar to clown’s make-up. Arbiter hit Mtanga’s limb and rouge draws back in pain. With fury he hits powerfully Taka’s head. His claws cut a wound on his brother-in-law’s forehead.]
Chorus:
Voice is full of pain
Blind and helpless strain
Weak as cub and dumb as cub
But you won’t grow again
[Mtanga stands up then he jumps down to Taka, circle him with triumphal smile. He doesn’t notice that blood floating from arbiter’s wounds cakes hair of his mane – a bloody plica looks like a crown.]
Is that our lord?
Sharpest justice’s sword?
Ruler of those fertile land
Cannot raise his hand!
[Mtanga pushes Taka in side – black-maned falters but doesn’t fall. Rouge parodies the ceremonial bow and in that moment arbiter hits. His paw comes over bowed Mtanga’s head – rouge laughs with malicious laughter.]
Lo on sacred, shining throne
I think it is gone!
[He points on <scene-rock>, where a blood of prince splashed. Then he hits Taka in cheek – arbiter steps back few steps, awkwardly blocking with right paw.]
Second verse:
Years the last in backline fate made me to be
But I knew that will come time, it came, as you see
[Mtanga again climbs on rock, in the same time hitting with end of his tail in Taka’s cheek.]
I will play the bigger role, because I am big enough
You this time so down, alone, now I have the stuff!
[With triumph he jumps up, for a while stands on rear paws and front ones. He raises up a victory gesture. Scene is turning to Mtanga’s vision: rouge is standing in front of Golden Pride, who is giving him a bow.]
So bright shine of royal gowns is already mine
Smile of fortune, crowds of fan – all come in time
[Vision fades away, the reality of sandstorm returns. Taka with effort comes to <stage>, putting his front-paws on rock, trying to climb up. Mtanga steps on his limbs.]
All the pride will gather on my imperious paw
Die you fool, don’t dare to bother king whom all will bow
[Rouge bends down to brother-in-law and hit him with head. Taka fells back.]
Chorus:
Voice is full of pain
Blind and helpless strain
Weak as cub and dumb as cub
But you won’t grow again
[Mtanga stands on the rock and grabs sands, brought by the wind. He throws with pawful in Taka’s face, what clearly brings serious pain to prince, when dust gets to wounds.]
The leader of mine?
Blood of ancient line?
He is bleeding out to death
Cannot rule his breath!
[Mtanga thrown another pawful and freezes with outstretched paw, pointing on Taka. Arbiter sits on the ground, bleeding hard from face. When sand gets to his mouth he coughs and a new portion of blood comes out of his lips.]
Lo on sacred, heaven-sent
Reaching for his end!
[Mtanga ends with powerful call and hit arbiter’s face with clenched fist.]
[Music stops.]
“And what now, my prince?” asked Mtanga with poisonous voice. “I will be the king!”
“No, you won’t.” panted Taka and his brother-in-law narrowed his eyes. “You are playing ruler, but you won’t be the real one. Ever! Sitting on the throne doesn’t make a real monarch.”
“No.” agreed Mtanga, looking from rock on arbiter. “But my wit and reason do.” Only Taka’s laughter answered him. “And what you laughing at, you fool?”
„You are the fool!” growled prince, still chocking because of laughter. “You are only playing monarch. Do you know how to know the real king?”
“No, but you will tell me.”
In prince’s head many voices were calling. In darkness of his senses suddenly shone well known silhouettes of parents. They seemed to show him one direction, ahead of Taka. And lion understood that he was actually seeing – flat boulder before him and Mtanga on it. Clod determination gripped prince’s throat. “Yes!” whispered some voice in his mind, so similar to Zira’s. “You are the real king and you have a sacred duty.”
“We could know the real monarch when he gives his life for his land.” Replied Taka and slowly stood up on four paws.
“Well.” Smiled rouge. „It isn’t so easy to notice.”
“Always...” arbiter crouched on rear paws. “...it could...” he clenched his blooded eyelids and stretched his aching muscles.”... be...” He raised his tail to recognize the direction of wind. “...PROVED!” and he pounced in usurper’s direction.
Amazed Mtanga saw only that from sandy cloud appearing a silhouette of jumping lion. Face of Taka was bleeding but rouge was almost sure that in place of ripped eyes were gleaming two red stars. The stare of the king, who was administering the royal justice.
Arbiter hit the sitting lion with serious impetus. He inflicted no blow, just set his paws to final push. He picked brother-in-law from rock and they both flew further in sand clouds. In spite of omnipresent dust, gliding Mtanga with terror saw the brink of bluff, mercilessly receding from them.
And then they both fell down.
*
“No, you won’t.” repeated Hofu with hollow voice. “You love him.”
“That is quite obvious, usurper.” Said Raia, baring teethes. “He is my king. Mine!”
Rouges stepped back, as if they were hit by this statement. Hofu and Udole looked uncertain on Baridi. Lion was silent for a longer while, then he whispered to lioness.
“We wanted to save you from tyrant.”
“First you have to kill us, one by one.” Replied sandy-furred. “That the way you wish to save us?”
“But we...”
“You are getting the throne for Mtanga.” Gasped Raia. “I hope that. Because if you really believe that you may kill the king and reign all as the rulers – without laws and hierarchy... your minds have to be saved. You are mad.”
“Not Mtanga killed your queen.” Yelled Baridi. “That was Dhalimu.”
“Liar!” growled lioness. “I trust my king... and Baka, who was with him that evening.” Rouges stepped back even further to path, turning theirs stares into the ground.
“But if not him... who did it?” whispered Udole. “No...”
“We are *****, brothers!” sobbed Udole, and all three turned back and started to run the path down.
And on plateau was just Dhalimu, supported by Raia. Pair was for longer while looking in sandy darkness, after escaping intruders. But then lionesses understood what they have to do. She hugged her beloved tighter and whispered.
“We must go, my love. That storm will kill us.”
*
Pride gathered before main entrance to Golden Cave on the Acacia Alley. Although storm was growing stronger and stronger, Golden Ones were waiting, looking on desert with hope.
“They are no here!” reported Simmi to Kauli, who was hanging on Akra’s neck. “The sandstorm is growing, so we can’t see any pawprint. But we found unconsciousness Kota, next to western path. She will be all right, but...”
“But they are already on the top.” Whispered Akra and started to run to way up.
“Ssssstop” called python. “Now issss too late! Dhalimu and Taka have to manage their own.”
Terrified lionesses froze, looking on massif’s top, dimmed with sand clouds. And then some dark shape fell from there, hitting the ground in before their paws.
“Mtanga?” yelled shocked Amali and rushed to twisted bodies.
“TAKA!” screamed Kota, barely opening her eyes. Two lionesses grabbed her and took to two lions.
Mtanga fell as the first one on sand of alley. Life instantly left the broken body in moment he reached the ground. Amali run to lions but froze, seeing that on her mate was lying her brother.
Taka was still alive, but even quick look on wounded one shows that arbiter is doomed anyway. Rouge a little amortized the fall of black-maned but prince was bleeding from numerous wounds and his paws and ribs were smashed. From mouth a stream of blood was floating and barely taking breach was mixed with bloody coughs.
“Stars!” yelled Amali.
“Forgive me, sister...” whispered Taka. “He wanted to hurt us all.”
Lionesses fell down and burst in laughter, nestling to both mate and brother. In the same moment lionesses noticed three silhouettes of lions, standing in clouds of dust and looking on events in alley. Akra set off, extending her claws to attack rouges, but Kauli stopped her with hiss.
“Taka... why? What happened?” cried Amali.
“I have to.” Replied Taka with weak voice. “Do you believe me?” his sister nodded his head. “Don’t judge him too hard...” he stopped to cough with blood. “He wanted to make you a queen.”
Kota came to beloved from the other side and with motherly care draught his body from dead rouge. Arbiter was lying on the sand and breating with effort. But he was smiling airily.
“Taka, you saved us...” cried Kota. “But you can’t die. Not now!”
“Not now, not yet.” Agreed lion. “Kings are dying hard. Where are... Ow, they are here.”
“King!” sounded a amazed roar.
Lionesses turned to east to see Raia and Dhalimu, running, or maybe better to say: hobbling to the pride. Brown-maned lion got to dying enemy, raised his paw and terrifying gathered ones, he lowered it on Taka. He stopped his limb over the forehead of wounded one.
“You won, Taka.” said Dhalimu. “According to the Law of Challenge you won the duel. As the first one you left the battlefield by your own.” Seeing amaze of Raia, he whispered her to ear. “Forgive me, my love. But I must be obedient to laws. And you will be my queen anyway.” To pride he roared louder. “Listen to me! I, Dhalimu of Golden Sands, profess that Taka the Second prevailed me in duel. I deposit my crown to him.”
“Right in time!” whispered Taka. “Well... actually you don’t like to hurry.” And he burst with laughter, what caused another wave of blood from his mouth.
“Save you strength, Taka.” Advised former king. “You have to announce that.”
“But Dhalimu...” yelled Kota. “He...”
“Female!” roared brown-maned. “You have stirred enough. Let the males to do what they have to do.”
Taka narrowed his dead eyes and pride gasped, thinking he was passing away. But he was just gathering strength, looking with eyes of his soul on Acacia Alley. The spirits of Ancestors were standing there, looking with pride on descendant and successor. Thanks to that the new king managed to swallow bloody and dusted saliva and roared with all his might – louder that growing storm. The sky helped him, giving a powerful thunder in the same moment.
“That’sssssss the king!” hissed Kauli and Golden Ones bowed theirs heads. All, except Raia.
“Right, you not.” Whispered Taka. “You have already your king and nothing would change that.” He turned his muzzle to Dhalimu. Although he couldn’t see brown-maned he was sensing his presence clearly. “Forgive me, my friend, but you can’t stay here.”
“I know.” Replied lion. „I lost this kingdom long ago. But I demand that you all will treat Raia as the queen. She became the queen yesterday on plateau.”
“Of course.” Said Taka. “I won’t see to it, but I’m sure...”
“NO!” interrupted lioness with decisive voice. “If Dhalimu leaves I will leave as well. I’m going wherever my king goes.” Brown-maned looked on her a bit surprised. His lips seem to whisper: you don’t have to. “I’m going with my mate. I must and I want.” She nestled in Dhalimu’s mane.
Kota was still lying next to her beloved, crying but also carefully looking on blooded face of Taka. He sensed that because he turned his muzzle to her.
“Are you sure, you are carrying our cub?” asked and when she nodded, he continued. “Are you ready to raise him to be Golden King?”
“Taka...” she yelled, but in her voice confirmation sounded.
“Listen to me... until my child will be mature, Kota will rule as the Golden Regent. Is that clear?” among gathered ones sounded murmurs of agreement.
“Taka, do something with those rouges.” Reminded Dhalimu.
“Ow, yes...” agreed king. “Are they still standing there?” he asked, pointing with muzzle on desert. Pride yelled from amaze, because blind ruler had no chance to see the trio. “Bring them here, until storm will bury them...” When rouges came in shameful silence to wounded monarch, he said to his sister. “Will you stay here or you will go with them?” hearing amazed gasps of lions, he added. “Why are you surprised? Do you think that I should have punished you for Mtanga’s crimes? Go your way, just never spread such a mayhem as you did today, right?” once again he looked on sister. “Amali?”
“I can’t stay here.” She replied with breaking voice. “Not after what happened to Mtanga. Forgive brother.”
“My lady, we will take care of you!” called Baridi with decisive voice. “Of course, if you want that...”
“Go, sis...” whispered king. “Start everything once more... And if you ever go home... tell Dahabu... that I will be watching him from the sky.”
“Farewell, brother.” Said Amali and stood up. She instinctively nestled to Baridi’s side.
“That’s all?” asked Taka quietly.
“I think so...” replied Dhalimu. “But I’m not sure. I wasn’t the best king...”
“Right... so it’s done.” Whispered Taka. “Listen to your queen, my subjects. She will guide you in hard times. Kota... I love you.”
Golden-furred closed her eyes and nestled harder in mate’s mane. She was remaining that way for long minutes, unless she was sure that in king’s chest any spark of life is burning. Then she stood up and pricked up her ears. Wind ceased in one moment and from beyond the cloud a new star appeared on the firmament.
“A gift, my love?” whispered Kota into darkness.
Slowly, lazy but also decisively, drops of rain started to fall from nightly sky to meet the earth. They were dropping on amazed lions and lionesses, making more furrows on faces. But this time there were happiest furrows than ones after tears. After three years of death to Lions Lands the life was returning. With death of king Taka the Second the Second Drought was finished.
