upon the Stone Lion lands. A deep growl of thunder issued across from the East as Romy, Emiliia and Tamura came within sight of the Stone Tribe's camp, a large gully edged with massive boulders. The wind grew stronger and stronger as dark clouds spread out like a thick wool blanket; on the Northeastern horizon, a twisted-wire bolt of lighting made its instantaneous appearance; and then finally, the rain came down. Torrents and torrents of fat, cold raindrops pummeled the backs of the three running lionesses, and transformed the ground almost to mud. In a matter of time, large patches of the surrounding grass, glistening wet, were driven flat by the weight of the heavy shower.
'Romy, Emiliia, Tamura!' came the voice of a dark brown lioness with a great ruff of fur around her neck, who was standing at the entrance to the gully as the three neared it. Her belly was noticeably large.
'Kelly!' yelled Romy, hurrying into the gully as the rain began positively lashing down. 'I'm horrified! You're due to cub! I bet your mate Imammu didn't let you come out to wait for us!'
'Nope,' came the laid-back voice of a golden-furred lion that was trotting up to Kelly's side. His mane drooped like dead grass it was so wet. 'But you know Kelly! '
'Let's all get in - now!' Romy urged everyone down into the bottom of the gully, where a ring of huge stones and boulders stood leaning towards each other over a slightly smaller gully dug into ground. The rocks created a kind of cave. Over the whole pile grew a thick blanket of vines and grasses which sealed any gaps that rain might get through.
When Romy led her group into the little gully, she was startled to find what looked like the whole pride gathered there. This wasn't unusual in itself, for the den was the communal shelter where all except the Emperor's family slept in bad weather. It was the atmostphere that surprised her; a tense vibe hung in the air. Lions were milling about, talking in hushed voices. Something was afoot.
'Perhaps the pride already know about Jafiya and Jet,' said Romy, to herself. Kelly, however, heard her.
'What was that?' the pregnant lioness asked.
'You'll find out soon, Kel; but first, what's going on?' Romy whispered.
'I wanted to tell you before you hurried us all in here,' chuckled Kelly. 'A couple of strange lions arrived, just before you got back. Your parents met them in the Royal Cave, and will be showing them in here shortly, to give them a public questioning. Let's go to the Chair. We'll get a better view there.'
Soon Romy, Emiliia and Tamura were seated with Kelly at the base of a large tree stump, the Chair, where Emperor Obbler and his Empress Safi sat to address Tribe meetings. Imammu had gone to the Royal cave to act as official escort to the newcomers.
As they waited, Romy told Kelly about the marks on the tree. She explained as carefully and gently as she could, not wanting to overly upset the in-cub, dark brown lioness, who was one of her oldest friends. Kelly, however, was made of fairly stern stuff (she wasn't a member to the Stone Lion army - outside maternity leave - for nothing). Despite her vulnerable condition, Kelly took Romy's news rather more calmly than expected.
'I'm horrified,' she said, 'but not altogether surprised.'
'I've told Tamura and Emiliia not to tell anyone else about it until I've told father - sorry?' Romy blinked. 'You're not surprised?'
'Well, dear . . . ' Kelly bit her lip, as if regretting what she'd just said. Finally, she dropped her voice and said close to Romy's ear. 'You may have forgotten - it was so long ago - and you probably didn't want to believe it but - there were those rumours.' Kelly nodded subtly over at Tamura, who was chatting to her aunt Emiliia.
Romy's eyes widened as she caught her breath.
Those rumours. No, no, no, they couldn't be
true. 'Tamura's parents . . . '
She wasn't able to finish. Her mind was left jostling with heavy fears as Imammu's voice rang out, asking the Tribe of Stones to make way for their rulers, Obbler and Safi.
The crowd backed away to allow a large circle around the Chair. Then the Emperor and Empress finally entered the den, striding with heads held high. After them walked the strange lions, a male and female, both yellow-furred, the female being the most golden; she had a rough edge to her appearance and air, returning the stares that the crowd gave her. The male on the other hand kept his eyes front, walking almost as grandly as the rulers he walked behind.
Obbler and Safi jumped onto the Chair and faced the strangers, who sat down. The male, with a demeanor of confidence and calm, tipped his head to murmur something to his female companion, who had appeared just a little tense but now seemed to relax, and even gave a small smile.
Obbler's voice boomed around the den. 'Guests from afar, please . . . reveal to all gathered, your names.'
The strange male lion rose and executed a bow to Obbler, putting his right foreleg out and touching his nose to it.
'Your Majesties and most gracious hosts,' he said in a clear voice. 'I am Bamoma Gabon, poet and creator of verse; storyteller and bard. I come from a distant land with my mate and muse, the lovely Rileigh.' Here the lioness also bowed. 'We seek a place to call our new home; I seek employment. I was hoping that your Tribe would consider the humble service of one such as myself.'
Looking at Obbler's face, Romy could see that her father was pleased with the strangers. He had a liking for protocol and formalities, and the well-mannered way that Bamoma Gabon spoke obviously mildly delighted him.
'You are welcome, Bamoma Gabon and Rileigh,' nodded the Emperor. 'However, I am afraid you will find us cautious hosts. We are unfortunately in the midst of great strife, due to the trespassing of rogues as well the threat of war with another pride, the Goldencraters, so forgive us if we treat you with a little . . . hostility. These are unpleasant times. But tell me, where are you both from?'
'Technically, we are wanderers,' obliged Bamoma. 'My dear mate Riliegh was once a rogue after leaving the Kroka Pride, but she has dwelt with my pride for a spell. I myself am from a nomadic family that wanders the edge of the North desert. . . . Perhaps you know of the leader, Gabon?'
'Yes indeed!' Obbler raised his eyebrows. 'Gabon son of Ebon, I presume? By your full name I gather Gabon is a relation of yours . . . ?'
'I am proud to say Gabon is my father.'
'You are much like him and his father Ebon, my distant cousin. Well, that settles things.' Obbler smiled broadly. 'Both of you may stay for good. If it pleases you, I name you bard of this pride, Bamoma, and I hope you will grace us with your skill this evening, here in the den.'
'It would be my pleasure!' said Bamoma with a flourish of his paw.
'Imammu! See to it that our new members get food,' ordered Obbler. 'I announce this meeting ended.'
While the Stone Lions moved in to welcome the newcomers, Romy slipped to Obbler's side as her parents headed towards the den entrance. Her spsirt burned at the news she had to deliver. 'Father, Mother, I need to speak to you!'
'Mhhm? Ah, Romy!' Obbler smiled. 'How was that little stalking test you gave Emiliia?'
'It went really well - and Emiliia did very well.' Romy was starting to stammer after waiting so long to report. She was also flustered by Kelly's words - they needed thinking over.
'What is it, Romy?' her mother frowned.
'At the watering hole - we found something bad . . . '
End of Book 1 and 2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2570 visits
Report this fanfic 
