way.”

       As Yejida was taken away Zola felt a spark of sadness that was swiftly replaced by cold hard sense. Yejida has sealed her fate and that of her pack. For too long the hyenas had harried the borders, committing countless crimes and threatening the security of the kingdom. Until today neither Chumvi, Masika nor Zola had realised Yejida was the pack leader as she rarely took active part in raids. On the occasions she had participated other pride members had dealt with her, having never met her neither Majani or King Delmar had known who she was. The subjects of Delmar and Zola had demanded justice, the highest justice available in the kingdom, the kind only Delmar and Zola could pass.

     Walking away from the prison the lions turned their attention away from the prisoners whose fate were decided to Nassor and Vitani.

“It seems the past has come back to haunt us,” Masika said heavily.

“Masika we have known for a long time this might happen. Ever since we became aware of Scar’s death, Vitani’s birth and Zira’s death. This is the very reason we have gathered news over these past years,” Zola replied seriously.

“It’s still a shock though. I hoped we were done with the past,” Masika replied.

“So did I. Nassor and Vitani are obviously here for a reason. Perhaps by hearing them we will be able to lay the past to rest,” Zola replied.

“Zola is right Masika. We all knew a day would come when we would have to face the past. I think Nala might have been forced to reveal your existence,” Chumvi said sadly.

“I want to hear what Vitani has to say. She is still my sister,” Zola replied.

      Standing on the edge of the sea the five prepared to face the future that was for shadowed by the past.  

Part 2 Kingdom by the sea

  Zola and Majani

      A day had passed since Nassor and Vitani had arrived in the seaside kingdom. Having had a full nights’ sleep and a good meal the pair had recovered their strength. On the rocks in front of the caves the pair looked out to the magnificent sea that glittered in front of them. Next to them lay Majani, Masika, Chumvi, Zola and Delmar. Hanging out in a ledge just above them were the cubs of four of the adults, their eyes fixed on the two new comers. The adults were relaxed yet determined to have their questions answered. All six looked at one another hesitantly, unsure where to begin or what to say.

“News has reached us about the events of the Pridelands, all that has happened there we are aware of. I know you are my sister Vitani,” Zola began softly.

“I know about everything, how is that possible?” Vitani asked hesitantly.

“We have had birds monitor events there. For you to understand us you both need to know a little of our pasts,” Zola replied.

“I need to know,” Vitani replied a touch of steel in her voice.

    Slowly the adult lions began to tell their tale. On leaving the Prideland the owl Tau guided Wanderer, Zola and their small pride through the savannah. Along the way they met Chumvi who eventually joined them.

     On reaching the seaside it kingdom it was revealed that Wanderer was in fact the true king Gatura’s son. Gatura had abandoned the kingdom in favour of a life freedom. In his stead his illegitimate half-brother Ramala had been forced to rule. As a shaman and illegitimate Ramala could only ever be considered regent. Ramala’s powers had allowed him to find Gatura and Wanderer along with him. Gatura had refused to return to the kingdom and a week after this visit he had abandoned Wander and his mother. Over the passing years Ramala and an owl Tau had watched Wanderer grow. When Wanderer had been forced out Tau had been sent to guide him to the kingdom.

     With the truth revealed Wanderer had claimed his heritage and taken the name of Delmar. In time Zola and Delmar married and Zola became queen. In time Masika and Chumvi had fallen in love and mated. Majani had found the better life she had been looking for. She was happy for Ni and Kula. Past experiences and time had turned her into fierce warrior who had no desire for cubs.

  “If I had stayed there would have been only bloodshed. Leaving was the only way to save all from the darkness that could have consumed me,” Zola said bitterly. 

“Mother thought you died,” Vitani said with a hint of anger.

“I am truly sorry for the pain my actions caused. You are my sister, any help you require I will give you,” Zola replied, placing a paw on her shoulder.

“Thank you Zola. I just want to understand…….”Vitani replied, lapsing into silence.

“Majani…..Dad misses you,” Nassor began.

“I miss him too, I’m glad you’ve come little brother,” Majani replied.

“Come on the four of you, enough skulking above,” Zola said looking up at the four cubs.

     In a line the four cubs walked down. Delmar and Zola’s son was the same age as Nassor and Vitani while their daughter was just a few months old. Both cubs were a mixture of both their parents in appearance. Next to them stood Chumvi and Masika’s daughter who was the same age as Vitani and their son who was a few months old. Standing awkwardly the cubs looked at Nassor and Vitani. Stepping forward Zola and Delmar’s son broke the silence.

“I’m Arjana (African name meaning paradise) crown prince of the kingdom Kingdom. This sister Penina (African name meaning red coral or pearl). It’s good to you meet you Aunt Vitani, Nassor,” Arjana said smiling awkwardly.

“Aunt Vitani, that seems strange as we are the same age,” Vitani laughed, breaking the tension.

“Yeh pretty complicated family we come from. Guess that’s what you get when you have a psychotic tyrant as a relative,” Arjana replied.

“Very true my son,” Zola smirked, seeing the surprised look on Vitani’s face. “Oh Vitani don’t look so surprised, you’re naïve to think I kept the truth from them.”

“I guess Vitani and I thought you’d make Scar nice or just not mention him,” Nassor said.

“Don’t be foolish. The blood of Scar and Zira runs through their veins so both are bound by their legacy,” Zola replied.

   Hearing the words Nassor and Vitani saw the wisdom in the statement. Their own problems had been caused by deceit, the truth had allowed Zola and Delmar’s cubs to accept their arrival with ease. Breaking rank Arjana flopped down next to his father while Penina curled up next to Zola. With apparent ease Arjana began to tell them about growing up in the kingdom. In return Nassor and Vitani began to tell of their own lives.

     A short time later after Chumvi had recounted a particularly humorous story from his own cubhood, Vitani abruptly left the gathering. Quickly Zola followed her, the older lioness concerned for the younger. A few meters apart they walked to the tops of the cliff well out of the earshot of the pride. In the distance far out to sea dolphins leaped. Standing on the edge of the cliffs Vitani stopped, her eyes fixed on the leaping dolphins. Sensing her pain Zola walked over to her. For a moment the two sisters stood side by side in silence.

“Your kingdom is beautiful……..I never imagined a place like it,” Vitani said softly.

“It is paradise for me. I understand how strange this is. No matter what impact the past has on us……I am glad you are here. I can imagine what my actions might have caused. I will answer any questions to have, anything you need, all you need do is ask,” Zola replied, her voice full of gentleness yet devoid of regret.

“Thank you Zola. I’m not here to cause trouble. I just want to find out who you are and perhaps who I am,” Vitani replied, a hint of melancholy in her voice.

    Side by side both sisters looked out across the water. They had made a start. Though the path ahead was full of uncertainty they had embarked upon it together.

                      Seaside Paradise

       A couple of days had passed since their arrival. In the passing days Delmar had made Nassor and Vitani honouree members of the pride. Delmar and Chumvi had decided to take Nassor under their wing and both lions were on the way to becoming friends with their older cubs.

        High in the mountains Nassor and Majani walked side by side on border patrol. As they walked they talked about their family. With utter honesty Majani admitted she felt no guilt over leaving the family nor walking out on Aketch. In her view the welfare of Aketch had been the sole responsibility of Ni. Majani still blamed him for the death of her mother. In fact Majani saw Ni as a coward and didn’t much care what happened to him. In the same vein she did not hate Nassor’s mother Kula.

“If you had the chance to see him and Aketch….even in just so they knew you were happy……would you?” Nassor asked cautiously.

“If that is an offer then I’ll have to think about it,” Majani replied coolly.

“That’s fair,” Nassor replied shrugging his shoulders.

“You’re a smart cub, I like that. Too many lions act first and think later.”

“Which

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