spoke. “Okay, ‘Jozi, I need to ask again. Are you sure you want to tell her?” He glanced at the ground. “You know what happened with me… Your mother doesn’t listen to things that are… spiritual.”

            The brown cub put a paw on his foreleg. “Dad, she’s in my dreams like you are. With everything –” She paused, her eyes moistening. “With everything that you both are going through…” Her ears fell. “I’m afraid that if she keeps distancing herself from you, me, and Adabu and Adisa she’ll…” Njozi trailed off.

            Arif pulled her close with an outstretched foreleg. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “And we’ll never know what she’ll say unless we go. Are you ready?”

            Njozi only nodded and with a warm smile, Arif walked to the stairs, his daughter following.

            As they left, a figure came out of the den and stood at the top of the ramp, watching the lion and cub leaving. Baraka sighed. He knew of his brother’s plan to see his mate. Hasira had told Arif where Akase was residing and Baraka accidently heard. But the Prince was grateful. After a week in a half, Arif knew he had to face his wife sooner or later, and he felt Njozi’s dream was important. Now, watching his brother and niece walking through the grasslands Baraka could only hope that his sister-in-law was willing to listen.

            The king smiled as he thought of Njozi and how special she was. He believed she would be like her father and become a shaman. That would be nice for the pride and the family. Have the shamanism be a family trait. Njozi would be perfect for it.

            “Njozi’s a cub with a good heart, Baraka. She’ll be fine whether Akase believes her or not.”

            Baraka’s smile grew. He looked to the side to see Etana standing beside him. He dipped his head. “Morning,” he said warmly.

            “Morning,” Etana replied with a smile and she continued, her voice firm and serious. “Akase is hardheaded, but if she wants to keep her family, she will listen to Njozi.”

            “And if she doesn’t?” the lion asked softly.

            Etana was silent.

            “I don’t want to see Arif or his children in anymore pain,” Baraka said quietly. “It’s hurting all of us. If Akase is that hardheaded and stubborn to not even listen to her own child then she doesn’t deserve to be their mother.” His eyes snapped.

            “When I healed Njozi…” Etana began again slowly, “I felt her suffering in mind, body, and spirit. Her mother’s behavior against Arif is affecting her in all ways possible. And…” She paused, unsure of how to proceed.

            “And what…” Baraka wondered.

            “And if it continues, the princess’s dreams will get worse. She will never be at peace.”

            Baraka shivered. “Akase,” he muttered. “Why can’t you just accept this?”

            “She’s afraid and confused,” Etana intoned. “It’s all about fear. And her fear is pushing her from her family. She’s embracing it day by day, and the more she stays away from Arif, away from his position, the more she may decide not to return.”

            “How do you know that?” Baraka asked, a small wave of pain washing over him.

            “What other reason or explanation is there, sire?”

            Baraka sighed. He didn’t have an answer.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Dailia walked beside Kadiri with a hung head. She dreaded this day every year. It was like reliving the past, a past she just as soon forget completely. She rested her head against Kadiri’s mane, letting out a pained sigh. Kadiri looked down at her in sympathy. He always accompanied her. He felt it was his duty as her mate.

            As they made their way to their destination, Kadiri saw a speck out of the corner of his eye. A speck of gray and brown… “Dailia,” he said gently. She lifted her head and followed his gaze. “Do you want me to go this time?” he asked.

            She shook her head. “No, I will, but thanks.” She smiled at him and left, walking towards the speck. As she got closer, she wasn’t surprised and knew Kadiri wasn’t either. It was to be expected. Dailia approached her sister with careful steps. This day was just as painful for her as it was for Dailia. “Hasira,” Dailia said softly.

            The lioness grunted. “You know what today is right?” she asked gruffly.

            Dailia nodded slowly. “Yes. Why don’t you come with us this year? Maybe it’ll help…”

            “No!” Hasira’s fur rose along her back. “You know I can’t. She wanted me dead. She always hurt me, but never you. She thought I was a disappointment.” Her ears lowered. “Dailia, I never meant to hurt you, especially when we were younger. It… it was the only way I could deal. She verbally abused me and then I’d hurt you, even if I was playing. Then she’d find out and beat me…” Hasira shut her eyes. “You’re not gonna change my mind. Don’t even try. I hated her when she was alive and I hate her in death. Even when I die I will always hate her.”

            “Hasira…”

            “Go!” Hasira suddenly rounded on her sister. “Go on! Pay tribute to that mother of ours, but leave me! I don’t want any part of it, Dailia! You hear me? No part!” Her eyes were wild, her face angry and fearful. She bore her teeth but did not attack.

            Dailia bowed her head painfully. She understood but it still hurt. This was something they were supposed to do as sisters. They were the last of their mother’s line, aside from Dailia’s children.

            “Okay, Hasira,” her sister said quietly. “Your reasons were understandable then and they still are now. You want me to say something in your stead?”

            Hasira snarled. “You know the answer to that. It was the same last year, the year before, and the year before that. What makes you think it’ll be different now? When she died, I was free. Free from her cruelty and we were both free from her insanity.”

            Dailia felt like crying. What Hasira said was true. She silently left and walked back to Kadiri.

            “Will she ever be alright?” the gray lion asked.

            “No, and I will never blame her for feeling the way she does.” Dailia sniffed. “In a lot of ways, Kadiri… I hated our mother too. And like Hasira, I too have my memories…”

            Kadiri nuzzled her, and against the will of her mind and heart, Dailia’s mind wandered to a painful past though in the back of her mind, she knew Hasira was remembering too.

            The past can hurt…

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Hasira and Dailia’s lives were not what any animal would call happy. In fact, their lives were almost a living hell. The reason was all too clear from day one. Hasira and Dailia had been born to their mother not long after Princess Kiara had given birth to twin sons, Prince Baraka and Prince Arif. A few days later, two other lionesses also gave birth. One had a son named Kadiri while the other had a son and daughter named Mabaki and Saada.

            The lioness who birthed Hasira and Dailia knew her daughters were twins and very different, as was she. Some say she