numbers panic surged through Nassor and Vitani as the odds were very much stacked against them. Standing their ground the pair tried to look more confident then they felt.

“Very brave. Why are you out here Vitani?” Yejida asked in a sly tone.

“My reasons are my own Yejida,” Vitani replied.

“Back of, we don’t want any trouble,” Nassor said eyeing the pack.

“Keep quiet Pridelander! Vitani you are a filthy traitor.”

“The fighting was going to destroy both prides, it had to stop.”

“It would have ended with Simba’s death!” Yejida snarled, her eyes shining with malice. 

“It would have carried on. Look where you are. You live a life consumed by exile and hardship. Let go of the hatred. I’ve already lost my Mother.”

“Through weakness.”

      Emotions running high the pair faced each other. Then the wind changed bringing with it the scents of an approaching lion pride. Panic ripped through the hyenas while Yejida looked confused as one of the scents she recognised. Looking between the approaching lions and the kill Yejida suddenly sprang. The hyenas attacked, their numbers sending Nassor and Vitani to the floor. Desperately Nassor and Vitani fought for their very lives. The attacks were constant. The odds were not in their favour. Laying on the ground Nassor and Vitani exchanged the briefest of looks, they were done for, and no amount of trickery could win against such numbers.

     In that moment when it looked like the end five powerful lions jumped into the fray scattering the hyenas. Yejida’s eyes went wide with astonishment. In front of her stood Chumvi and Masika. Masika her former best friend who had vanished with Zola and who Yejida had believed dead. The hyenas cowered at the sight of the lions, all five lean yet well fed, the power radiating out of them. Seeing Vitani and Nassor laid on the ground Masika and Chumvi walked over and the pair felt a brief spike of fear. Their faces changed to ones of concern while still maintaining an air of authority.

“I am Chumvi. This kingdom is ruled by King Delmar and Queen Zola. Who are you?” Chumvi asked.

“I am Nassor son of Ni, half-brother of Aketch and Majani,” Nassor said, slowly climbing to his paws.

“We come from the Pridelands. I am Vitani daughter of Zira,” Vitani said softly.

      Hearing the words Masika and Chumvi looked at each other than to the other three lions. Majani stood among them her face a perfect mask of calm. A spike of panic raced through them, knowing the words meant trouble and bringing a million questions. Over the years birds had brought news of events in the kingdom, they both knew what had happened to Scar and Zira. Their hearts beating wildly Masika and Chumvi turned back to the lions in front of them.

“Don’t worry the pair of you are safe,” Chumvi said, his face softening.

“Thank you,” Nassor whispered.

“Get behind me, this could turn nasty,” Chumvi replied as other lioness arrived on the scene.

        Now the hyenas were vastly outnumbered by lions who were in the peak of health. The eyes of the lions were filled with hate for the hyenas had long troubled their borders.

“I sentence all hyenas to imprisonment. Queen Zola and King Delmar will decided your fate,” Masika said glaring the hyenas.

“You’ll kill us before we get there,” Yejida laughed hysterically.

“THAT IS NOT OUR WAY!”

    The voice caused all to turn around in shock. Zola had appeared from the tress. The years had changed the teenager into a powerful adult. Zola had Zira’s colouring on her body, though where most lionesses had lighter fur she had black. In appearance she looked more like Zira yet she had the bright emerald eyes of Scar.

“I have listened silently to what you have said Vitani and Nassor. You bring much welcome and unwelcome news. As for your motives for being here they are as yet unknown.”

“I can guess why that male is here Zola,” Majani said stepping forward. “He will be looking for me.”

“You’re Majani?” Nassor stammered.

“Correct cub,” Majani replied.

“This is neither the time nor place for these conversations. Vitani, Nassor you are welcome,” Zola replied.

     Before another word could be said Yejida tried to jump forward. In a swift movement the other lions pinned her to the floor. Gasping for breath Yejida climbed to her paws, her eyes locked on Zola. The encircling lions closed in around her. Tension filled the air. Nassor and Vitani standing awkwardly to one side. Zola and Masika looking coldly at Yejida, unsure what to say, torn between the past and present.

“Why didn’t you return? Why allow your parents to die at Simba’s paws?” Yejida asked, an almost mad look in her eyes.

“Silence poacher! I am fully aware of what has happened. Word has reached my ears over the years. I am not the cub you once knew Yejida,” Zola replied silkily.

     Turning away Zola ordered some of the lions to take the hyenas to the prison while the rest were to follow her. Silently the lions walked together through the kingdom. Filled with uncertainty Nassor and Vitani walked with the lions in-between Chumvi and Masika. Both were nursing injuries which made their pace slower. To their surprise the pride took it at their pace. At all times Zola made sure the pair were close to her. Neither friendly nor hostile she seemed to be assessing them.

    After a few hours of walking the lions came to the sea. Arriving at the shore they saw a magnificent cliff, rocks jutted out into the ocean, in the cliff wide paths led down to a multitude of caves. The paths were very wide, wide enough for lions to lay on without fear of falling. Stopping Nassor and Vitani gazed in awe. A magnificent male lion approached.  He had a mane the colour of beach sand, a body various shades of brown, handsome blue eyes with four scars on his left scar and a deep red scar on his left cheek. The scars shaped hinted that it had been it had been given deliberately.

“Zola welcome home,” he said nuzzling her.

“Delmar allow me to introduce Nassor and Vitani,” Zola replied licking his cheek.

“Welcome you my kingdom, it appears both of you have suffered,” Delmar replied looking at the pair.

“They were attacked by those hyenas,” Zola replied softly. “This time we got them.”

      Zola and Delmar exchanged a look that spoke all that was needed. Turning back to the pair Delmar called to an older lion. The lion bore a striking resemblance to Delmar, the same sandy body streaked with grey, a whitey grey mane and brilliant purple eyes.

“Uncle Ramala please meet Nassor and Vitani. They have run afoul of the hyenas, please treat their wounds,” Delmar said.

“It is a pleasure to meet the two whose fates I have long watched. Come with me, healing and sleep are required,” Ramala replied kindly.

“Come on, don’t worry he doesn’t bite,” Zola said seeing the confused looks on Nassor and Vitani’s faces.

       Walking up the paths the five passed other pride members who greeted them cordially. In a large cave Nassor and Vitani lay downs on beds of grass. Around the cave were herbs, plants and shells filled with potions, crystals and shells hung from planks of driftwood and pictures were drawn on the walls. Swiftly Ramala treated their wounds then giving them both a potion to make them sleep. Exhausted from travelling and their injuries the pair gave into the potion, falling into a deep sleep.

    Leaving the pair under the watchful eye of Ramala, Zola and Delmar re-joined Chumvi, Masika and Majani outside. Together the five walked to a series of underground caves in the middle of the savannah that were used as prisons. There was only one entrance into the system and that was kept very well guarded. The area had a terrify reputation. Many believed it to be haunted by the restless ghosts of animals who had died down there.

   Standing at the entrance the five watched as Yejida was led towards them by members of the prison guard. Yejida’s eyes were filled with malice yet also disbelief. Standing together Zola and Masika looked down on their former friend.

“You’ve been alive all this time, why didn’t you come back? Simba exiled us and your parents are dead!” Yejida asked.

“I chose freedom….not to be defined by my blood line,” Zola replied calmly.

“You could have retaken the kingdom!”

“I am queen here. This land is my home. Yejida let go of the hatred,” Zola implored.

“Never. I remember the past. I know the life…..”

“Yejida please listen to Zola,” Masika said, her eyes pleading with Yejida.

“Yejida listen to me. We used to be friends. I can help you if you are willing to let go of this hatred. I can spare you the fate that awaits but only if you promise to change.”

“You will not” Yejida snapped. “If you cared the past you would never have left the Pridelands.”

“Yejida for Great Kings’ sake see what is in front of you! Zola is trying to help you!”

“I am no traitor!” Yejida snarled, her eyes wild with madness.

“Then so be it I cannot help you!” Zola roared. “Guards take her

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