"Thanks," murmured Sarafina as the four of them dropped the gazelle onto the ground.

            "It's no problem," replied Duka, who licked his lips.

            "She's going to get you both in trouble, though."

            "Abel's not going to do anything to us," said Sanaa. "Yejide's just full of hot air, haven't you realized that?"

            Oh yeah, thought Zareb. Loads and loads of times.

            Sarafina was shocked by their nonchalant attitude, but she did not prod for an explanation. She accepted the pair's response, and left it at that.

            "Who's guarding the prisoner den?" she asked them.

            "It's Nunka and Ishonda this time," said Duka.

            Oh, Nunka's on guard duty? And with Ishonda? Must be important, thought Zareb. He never saw a moment when the yellow lioness wasn't attached to Abel's side. I bet he's having a grand old time.

            Even Sarafina seemed surprised. "Really? But Ishonda's usually with Abel. Why did he ask for her to stay behind?"

            Neither Duka nor Sanaa knew the answer. They both shrugged.

            "I guess I can't get in to say hi to Abrafo then," sighed Sarafina.

            Zareb's eyes went to her, and in his mind he imagined strutting up to Ishonda, and demanding that they see Abrafo. And Ishonda would quiver underneath his hard gaze, and allow them through.

            However, it was Duka who spoke up, a gentle smile on his face. "We'll talk to them about it. Maybe we can replace them as guards."

            Sanaa winked. "We'll let you see your brother."

            Despite the delight radiating on Sarafina's face, Zareb was less than thrilled by the offer, only because it was they who suggested it, not he.

            "Oh I also wanted to ask," said Sarafina. "What was going on back there? That crowd?"

            "I assumed it was a new arrival," said Duka. "And Abel sent his welcoming party."

            "At first I was a bit nervous, but then it turned out that it was a rogue," sighed Sanaa. Zareb cocked his head at that. Nervous? Why?

            "Do you know who it is?"

            "No. Other than it was a lioness, and she had the most unusually colored coat."

            "Yeah, it was black," added Duka. "Never seen a black lioness before."

            His attention now captured, Zareb asked, "No name was mentioned?" He knew of one black lioness, long ago, when he still lived with his family. Her name was Ramla, and they had been cub hood friends.

            But Duka shook his head. "No, didn't hear anything."

            Sarafina was staring at him intently. "Someone you know?"

            Zareb shrugged, already starting to move away from them. "Nah, probably not."

~ * ~

            Ashiki watched Abel with narrowed eyes as the small lion was exchanging eccentric words with the dark lioness, even long after the crowd had cleared away. Only he and Mawusi, who were the ones patrolling the border, remained, waiting for Abel to bark his commands.

            "I heard tales about dark lions," Mawusi mumbled beside him. "They bring bad luck."

            "I don't know why Abel didn't let me kill her," growled Ashiki.

            "He's building up his army."

            "But she's another one deliberately trespassing. Doesn't that seem odd to you?"

            Mawusi shrugged.

            "Hmph, if I was in charge, I would've had her killed for thinking that she was special. So what if she's a black lion? Big whoop."

            "Yes, but it is King Abel who rules now."

            "Let's clear out!" roared Abel, his bright eyes dancing with delight. "Back to the Rock! Mawusi, take my father out into the fields for a while! Keep him occupied."

            Mawusi was surprised by the command. After all, Abel had not done much with the way of his depressed father. He just let Defir be. Nonetheless, Defir's son was in charge now, who was he to question him otherwise? "Yes sir." Mawusi felt Ashiki's eyes fall upon him.

            When Abel led the dark lioness off, Ashiki nudged Mawusi, his face scrunched up. "I don't trust her," he growled. "I'm going to catch up with them, see what's going on."

            Mawusi blinked his eyes rapidly. "You mustn't, Ashiki! He won't tolerate your business now."

            "Feh, what do I care what he tolerates now and tomorrow?"

            "Ashiki..."

            "Go tend to his incapacitated father. I'm going to find out what's so interesting about this female here..."

            Mawusi swallowed his protest as he watched the large gray lion stalk off. It wouldn't have done him any good to continue to waste his breath dissuading Ashiki from his task. He had learned that quite well that the gray lion had darker intentions, far more than anyone else saw.

            So Mawusi did what he had to do - he went to Defir to see how his old friend was doing. And every time he saw the black-maned lion, his heart broke every time. He once met Defir when Defir used to live in the confines of the Shadowland pride, when he, Mawusi, was still young. The pair had become close, only separating when they decided that they needed to part ways to discover their own destiny.

            Mawusi had been ecstatic to reunite with Defir, and never left his side, which was why he requested Abel that it should be he to look after Defir. Abel never protested Mawusi's intents, for he knew how loyal the light colored lion was to him.

            Defir used to be so youthful, but now with the death of his mate he had become a shell of himself. He barely ate much anymore, only doing so when Abel forced him to, and his black mane began to lose its healthy gleam. He even barely left the spot of the large den where he and Kiara used to sleep together.

            There's no life to him anymore, Mawusi thought sadly as he approached Defir. Many times he had wondered about putting Defir out of his misery, but he had made the mistake of mentioning it to Abel, who had responded with a harsh no, and had since been suspicious of Mawusi seeing his father sometimes.

            Mawusi sidled up to Defir, who barely responded to his presence. Mawusi expected nonetheless from him.

            "Defir, do you want to go hunting?" he asked.         

            Defir shook his head weakly.

            "Come on. Abel thinks it's time for you to leave the den."

            "I'm fine," he murmured, his eyes never leaving the

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