than that.

I had passed my Msako Sherehe, and all the huntresses were proud of me. I was a natural when it came to the hunt, and Mother expected much of me.

It was a while after my last conversation with Bibi when a strange lion, about my age, came running into the Hollow. His fur was dark red, but his eyes were bright green. He locked gazes with me for a moment, and smiled. He said nothing, and retreated deeper into the Hollow, but I could tell by the way he looked at me that had taken an interest.

I followed him, and found him talking to Mother. She was looking intently at him, with a look on her face that suggested hurt or anger.

“Lord Kopa requests that you, as a former lioness of his pride and a relative of his, visit the Pridelands to give congratulations to his son, King Mfalme, who has ascended to the title of King,” the lion was saying.

Mother narrowed her eyes. “What would Kopa want of me, Kivuli? He knows of my connections to our father's death. Is he a fool?”

“Our brother is no fool, Kiara,” Kivuli murmured. “He wishes to make amends.”

Mother sighed and lowered her gaze. “Tell me, Kivuli, dear brother, how is Kovu? How has your father fared since I left him?”

“Father is very distant, dear sister, and speaks of you often,” Kivuli said softly. “I think that in his heart, he is still in love with you, even though he pledged allegiance to our mother.”

My eyes widened. Kivuli was my uncle, albeit my half-uncle, the half-brother of Mother. And from what I'd heard, it appeared that he was the son of Mother's former lover, and that Mother and Kivuli shared a mother.

“And how is our mother?”

“She disapproved of Kopa's decision to invite you, but she accepted him.” Kivuli sighed. “She is so old though. I fear that if the wind blew too strong it would simply knock her over like a tree in a storm.”

Mother smiled softly. “You speak fondly of her, brother. I am proud of you for becoming such a strong young lion.”

Kivuli bowed his head. “My thanks, sister. Now, should I return home and tell Kopa of the news?”

“You may stay, if it be your wish.”

“No, sister, I think I'll be off. I wish to make it home before nightfall, and this valley is far from the Pridelands.”

Mother nuzzled him. “Be safe then.”

“I will.”

Kivuli left Mother and climbed out of the Hollow. I followed, interested. When we were both out, I jumped in front of him and faced him. “What were you doing, talking to my mother like that?”

Kivuli looked shocked. “Your mother? I'm s-sorry, I didn't realise.”

I smiled kindly. “Don't be so startled. So, does that make you my uncle?”

Kivuli laughed softly. “I suppose. What's your name?”

“Aliona.”

He smiled, and I could tell he was fascinated. “Pretty name. Mine's Kivuli.”

“What were you telling my mother?”

“Only that the new King of her homeland has requested her presence for his coronation ceremony.”

“Wow,” I breathed. “What an honour.”

He laughed. “Yeah. Lucky for me, I'm the King's uncle, as well as yours, so I get to go as well.”

My eyes widened. “Wow, I'm happy for you.”

“Thanks.”

There was a pause, and I could tell Kivuli was struggling for something to say. Then, he looked me in the eye and said, “Hey, you know, if you want to go to the ceremony, you could come back to the Pridelands with me.”

My ears perked up and my breath caught in my throat. “You mean it?”

He nodded. “I'm sure my father wouldn't mind.”

I smiled. “That sounds great!” Now, don't judge. I was young and headstrong, and even though I didn't know Kivuli or the land he spoke of, I was eager to visit this strange new place.

Kivuli smiled too. “Good. I'll let you talk to your parents about it, and then we'll be off.”

 

*****

 

Father was very sceptical of Kivuli and said no to my pleas, but Mother was kind and said yes, as long as I stuck with him and didn't get tangled up with strangers. I smiled and bid them farewell, knowing I would be seeing Mother soon anyway, and departed with Kivuli.

The journey was long, and we only just made it before the sun crept down behind the horizon. The first thing I noticed about the Pridelands was the abundance of prey. There were so many herds here, and many of them were friendly and cooperative.

Then there was Pride Rock.

It was tall and towering, a massive stone structure with a promontory and a cave, and passage to the top where I wagered you could see the whole world. Kivuli told me that a long time ago, the first Empress fought her sister atop the rock, and it crumbled, becoming its current shape.

Once I was on the promontory, Kivuli told me to wait. He went inside the cave, and when he returned, he was not alone. Beside him, three lions and a lioness walked. The first lion had a golden pelt and dark green eyes. The second had a darker gold pelt, and blue eyes. The third had a dark brown coat and a fearsome scar that ran down his left eye. The lioness had a russet pelt, and the violet eyes, which had a kind look about them.

The dark lion glared at me. “Who is this, son?”

Kivuli cleared his throat. “Her name is Aliona. She comes from the Western Vale.”

The first male smiled. “Ah, Aliona, I have heard of you. How is your mother?”

The dark lion growled. “Please, Kopa, don't encourage her. You know I'm in a foul mood.”

Kopa sighed. “Your feud with Kiara is of no concern of mine, Kovu.”

Kovu scowled, but said nothing.

“My mother is fine, thank you for asking, sir,” I replied. “I take it you are Lord Kopa, former King of the Pridelands?”

Kopa smiled. “That's me.” He gestured to the darker gold lion, with the blue eyes. “This is my son, the King Mfalme, and,” he gestured to the lioness, “his mate and Queen, Avem.”

Avem smiled and padded up to me. “Pleasure to meet you, Aliona. Me and my mate welcome you to our home, and hope you enjoy your stay.”

Mfalme smiled. “It's a pleasure having you here. We enjoy catering for guests, and as King, I plan to be more lenient with the borders.”

I nodded. “Very wise, my King, but also very risky. Can you be sure to trust any newcomers that stray upon your lands?”

Mfalme laughed. “It's a risk I plan to take to better aid the rogues in need of shelter or a home.”

Kovu then growled low in his throat. “Mfalme, my boy, if you don't mind, might we get to the task of sending out invitations to our sister kingdoms, such as the Eastlands, or the Grasslands, being as members of our royal family share their blood? And might we also invite the Rebel Sentinels, my uncle's former pride?”

Mfalme nodded. “Of course, Kovu, of course. We'll get to that. But right now we have a guest, and we must see to it that she is catered for.”

Kovu curled his lips in a snarl. “As you wish, my King.”

As Mfalme led me on into the cave, I felt that I should be wary of Kovu. He seemed submissive and obedient, but also very rugged and harsh. Would I be able to trust him?

 

*****

 

A few weeks later, after I had become settled in the Pridelands, other lions began to arrive from other prides. There were the tawny-furred hunters from the Grasslands, and the dark, heavily-accented warriors from the Eastlands. There was also the quiet priests from the North and the lean monks of the South. A few other lands I had not heard of, like the Sentinel Valley and the Stormlands, but I tried to stay friendly and interacted with the representatives of the other prides.

There was one lion, though, that caught my eye.

He was Dhoruba, and his fur was red-brown. His eyes were bright green, like summer grass, and his mane was dark and rugged. With him was a dark brown lioness, possibly his mate or his sister. Dhoruba was also very quiet, I noticed, and did not speak often, not even to his companion. He was interesting, and I planned to speak to him during the time that he would spend in the Pridelands.

In any case, I noticed that Mother didn't show up. This was probably Father's fault, but it was fine. I'd be all right without them, or so I thought. The coronation ceremony was to be held in a few days, and I had been given permission to hunt and do as I please.

I noticed that Kivuli would spend most of his time with me, giving me a tour, sparring with me or just chatting. I could tell that he wished to be closer, and I was close to him, but I felt no other affections. My eyes were on Dhoruba, and I would not stop until he was mine.

On one of the days while we were awaiting the ceremony, I noticed Dhoruba sat on a rock. I was far from Pride Rock and had planned to hunt, but as soon as I saw Dhoruba, my heart raced and I had an idea.

I would speak to him.

He was quiet, and had his head lifted to the sky. His eyes were closed and his breathing was slow. Perhaps he was in deep contemplation, thinking, planning. I tried to walk up quietly.

“I know you're there, lioness.” Dhoruba lowered his head, eyes now open with an amused gleam to them. “What do you want?”

I struggled for words, but found my voice. “I was hunting, then I saw you all alone. Are you all right?”

Dhoruba smiled. “Couldn't be better. And you?”

“I'm...” I felt

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