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and headed for Pride Rock. Ushirikina limped into the cave, the scars on his foreleg ailing his gait. I had not noticed his limp or his scars before. Perhaps they were fresh.
We sat near the back of the cave, where it was coolest and where the old lion could get out of the sun. He didn't look me in the eye, which worried me. Was he afraid?
“Now, the reason I have come here is to report the death of a pride member,” Ushirikina said softly. “Namely your father's.”
I remember the intense grief that overwhelmed me, the pain that rushed straight to my heart. I lowered my head, teeth gritted and fought hard to stop the tears that threatened to roll down my cheeks. I took a deep breath. “He was a good lion, and shall be remembered for his bravery.”
“Indeed,” Ushirikina replied solemnly. “I also wish to further explore the cause of his death. I believe he was murdered.”
This shocked me, and I lifted my head. “What makes you believe that?”
Ushirikina paused. “In fact, I am almost certain that someone murdered him. Would you care to hear the full story?”
When I nodded, he sighed. “A while after you left, I was informed of some problems with our sister lands, the other lands in the Empire. I decided to take it upon myself to resolve these problems, but I asked your father's advice and counsel. He offered to come with me, and I accepted the offer. Two is always better than one, I say.
“When we got to the land, we discovered it empty and decided to explore further. There were no prey animals, and the only signs of life was a pack of jackals that followed us to some extent. We soon found where the pride would have lived, and found it strewn with bodies and bones.
“We were horrified by our discovery, and decided to flee as soon as possible. Before we could, though, we were stopped by a group of about nine or ten lions who said to us, 'They died in the name of Tau, first of the Leonine.'” He looked at me. “You know of Tau?”
“Yes, Ushirikina,” I replied. “Tau is the son of Bophelô, Lord of Life, who was sent to the mortal world and many sons and daughters, whose ancestors later became great leaders of lion kingdoms. Many followers of that belief also believe that we are all descended from Tau, although this has yet to be proved.”
Ushirikina nodded. “You are very well informed, child. In any case, I tried to plead mercy from these strangers, but your father would have none of it. He set about fighting them, and I tried to join him, but one of them set about my leg.” He lifted his foreleg, the one with the scars. “I could tell that your father wasn't going to win, so I pulled him from the battle and tried to run, but they stopped us.”
He sighed, his face becoming a mask of pain. “They said to us, 'The pride were killed in the name of Tau, but you shall die in the name of the DraKhyze.' Now, before you ask, I have no idea what a DraKhyze is. I imagine he or she is a leader of a larger group that associate themselves with murder in the name of the Gods.”
I looked at him intently. “What happened next?”
“I blacked out,” Ushirikina murmured, as though he was ashamed. “I don't know what happened to your father, but I believe they killed him. As for me, I think they believed me to be dead after they'd wounded me, so they left me. I managed to return to the pride, but I remember none of it. Your mother nursed me back to health, but she says I was muttering nonsense like a mad lion.”
I stayed silent, then narrowed my eyes and glared at him. “You want me to investigate this, don't you? You want me to get payback for you, for what they did to you. You want me to do your dirty work for you!”
He looked shocked. “Now, I never said that!”
“But you do, don't you?”
“I...” He paused. “I am old, Aliona. And you are Right Paw of the King. You are strong. And besides, if this DraKhyze turns out to be a threat to the pride, your King may need to do something about it. Who better to send than his Right Paw and her Confidant?”
I sighed and lowered my head. “I'm sorry, Ushirikina. You're right. My grief has taken over my actions. Forgive me.”
He nuzzled me softly. “Child, you don't need forgiveness for what you said. You were very accurate in your voicing of my intentions, I'll admit. But I don't wish that you should come to harm, child.” He smiled at me when I lifted my head. “I brought you into this world, Aliona, when you were but a writhing newborn desperate to feed from your mother. I waited by Kiara as the pain took over her, and I watched as you came into the world. I sat by as you grew and became strong, and I will say to you this: I believe in you, I believe that you will overcome this.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Ushirikina.”
He nodded. “I believe it is time to go back to the Vale. I shall tell your mother that you offer your condolences, yes?” When I nodded, he turned to leave.
I watched him go, and sat, as though in a trance, in the same position until Dhoruba entered the cave, a broad smile on his face. “I trust your day went well?”
As he sat down beside me, all I could do was bury my head in his mane as I wept.
*****
I remember the days that followed. Dhoruba was extremely protective of me and would ask that I never leave his sight. Mfalme was informed of this 'DraKhyze' and the dangers he or she posed. Guards were put up around the borders and messengers were sent into our sister lands, spreading the news of the murders.
Mother came to visit the Pridelands, and would only speak to me and Kopa. Kovu avoided her, as did the terribly aged Nala. I would often sit with her and talk with her, but she was very distant now. I remember some of the words she said to me, like, 'Oh Little Flower, how proud your father would have been' and 'Oh my Little Flower, just think what your father would say if he could see you now.' I worried for her health and her sanity.
Tensions also grew in our neighbouring lands, as border guards were set up on their borders to rival our own. I do believe that the other Kings saw our actions as a provocation, and I feared for a war.
Most of all, I worried for the kingdom and what would happen if this 'DraKhyze' came into power. What would happen to us? What would he do? How powerful were they?
And even though I knew the odds of survival were not in my favour, I swore an oath to avenge my father and destroy the DraKhyze.
Even if it meant my own death.
*****
To be Continued
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Aliona, Iba, Bibi, Ushirikina, Kivuli, Dhoruba, Lingana, Mwokozi, Mfalme, Tau, Bophelô, DraKhyze © Me
Avem © SarabiMirage123
All others © Disney
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