because lost of pridemember. If I were this... so called queen...”

“She is queen!” exclaimed Amini. “I saw it in her eyes.”

“All right.” Continued leader. “If I were this queen, I would say anything... promise anything to catch our attention and encourage us to action. But we must ask ourselves: will we have any profits of that?”

Amini gasped, amazed. He was looking on his leader and friend, lion who he had been admiring since was saved by him, two years earlier. But then, lion discover, that brave and wise Horen became... just Horen, a guy without all those gift.

“Horen... I don’t believe...” whispered dark lion. “You refuse to help them? Stars! They are outcasts, just like us. Where is you sympathy?”

“Counting profits...” replied leader. “And looking for dangers.” He turned to brothers. “And you... what do you think?”

“I don’t know.” Said Daki, after short silence. “But if we help them...”

“...we’ll get home, at last.” Finished Laki. “Risky but high-prized game.”

Horen was gazing on his charges, with uncertain stare. For the first time, his decision could be denied. It was something new and shocking for proud lion. He was creator and caretaker of “Windy Rouges” pack. He had found those three lion, exiled by theirs own prides... he saved them and made what they were that day. He didn’t expect any form of objection. But...

“We must help them!” exclaimed Amini. “This is matter of our honour!”

Horen smiled with bitter smile. “Honour?” he thought. “Does this kid know, what honour is? What is honour for outsider? Maybe that <queen> has it, but we not. We are just wanderers... seeking... What we exactly seek?” asked himself and discovered, that some voices in his head were convincing him to join Zira.

“Well...” he said slowly. “Just... suppose, we agree. But what then? We have no idea against what we are standing and...” he couldn’t finished, because Amini suddenly ran to him and hugged him.

“I’ve known, that you agree!” called with cubbish joy in voice. “We will have a home at last!” he turned to twins. “Come on! Let say Zira, we are in!”

And he started in baobabs direction. Daki and Laki followed.

“Democracy and common sense are not good allies.” Muttered Horen and went after friends.

*

So at the dusk, group of lionesses and lions was descending from hills to cub’s den. Twins were chatting with lionesses, clearly interested in newcomers and Amini was on the lead with Zira. Horen was walking on group’s end, seeing with fear, that his pack was disarmed and taken by females charm.

“This boy has a real problem.” Said, looking on Amini, who was adoring Zira with his stare.

“So, my lady...” said dark lion with gallant smile.

“My lady?” surprised Zira. “It sound nice to me, but I won’t get huff, if you call me just <Zira>” replied queen.

“So... Zira.” Said Amini, tasting this name like some spell. “Will you tell me your story? I wish to know as much I can, to... you know... to know, how I... how we help you.”

Zira had already noticed his mesmerized stare. “Ow... what I have stepped in?” she thought. “Can I just use this boy and his friends? Scar, what should I do?” She once again looked on lion and estimated, that he was really handsome. “Nice one... and he seems to be good-hearted. I shouldn’t entangle him in all this. This is not his tale.” But she answered, as she was requested.

“It’s a rather long story and I’ve already told most important things. Do you want more details?”

Lion turned his stare to the ground and replied with uncertain voice.

“No... Don’t say anything, unless you want to. I’m sorry about your mate.” He added quieter.

Zira narrowed her eyes, but then smiled.

“Thank you...” said with clear gratitude. “You have right... This happened so fast, that I just can’t believe it. Forgive my behaviour... I became someone else since that time. I feel...” she stopped, like she wasn’t sure to share this thought with Amini. But she continued. “I feel, like old Zira in me died that night and new one hasn’t born yet. I’m not sure, if she would ever be born.”

“I don’t know, that to say.” Replied dark lion. “I know only one: if I can help you, I will help you.”

Zira moved closer to lion and still walking, she whispered to his ear.

“Thank you, Amini. You are already helping.”

*

“Yes...” muttered Tarki, looking on this strange conduct from sky. “Scar should be satisfied. I’ve found Zira assistance and probably a new mate... just like my nephew wanted.” He wondered for a while, gazing at dark lion. “Of course, if he persuade her to stop this revenge... We must restore justice and harmony... But not in this brute way.” He turned his eyes to higher firmament, where went sleeping Scar. “My boy, I’ll show you, how we deal with such a problems uphere. We say, that justice always wins and it’s only matter of time... But as Kings of the Past we measure time in generations...”

05 – Echoes of the past

Silent night in Golden Hall.

Firsts days of rainy season passed and Outlanders felt benefits of wet weather. Hunts were significant easier, sun - usually scorching Outlands domain - was more often covered by heavy clouds. Nights became slightly colder and it made them peaceful and pleasant. And those nightmares ceased. Zira was suffering from burning memories in slumber, especially in hot nights of dry season. But then, when rains came, bad dream went away. It was the weather or maybe consciousness, that her plan was already in motion? It wasn’t matter, point was, that Zira could sleep well.

She used to be tormenting by pictures of dying Scar and all other her friends who had died. Faces of Rama, Doria and Vii, voice of crying Yakta. It all was gone. That night, Zira was dreaming some ridiculous dream, but it was a pleasant one. At first, about Scar. But no last moments, fight with those cursed hyenas and death of the king, but scenes from earlier past. Anxiety on Scar face, when they had met at first time. Surprise, when she told, she loves him. And joy, when he was cuddling her and newborn Nuka. Merry pictures of happy life. They had faded, but faded in calm and gentle way, like sunset. And then, other memories. Later. She with Nuka and Vitani, then... Amini? Zira hadn’t thought about Amini since a long time. But it was bright picture of devotion and protectiveness, when she was pregnant with Kovu. Amini was talking something to her, but she hadn’t understood a word. Probably another warning. He all the time, at least, when she had been knowing him, just warned her and beg for caution. Why he hadn’t been careful himself? But never mind, that dream set as gentle as sun too. And Zira awoke.

It was just after midnight, she noticed moonlit in mound’s funnel. Queen stood and looked on her pride. Whole pride was in place... of course except Nuka and Hawaa. Zira smiled. She had felt a serious relief, when she had noticed, that Nuka found devoted mate. It was a chance for him, to start new life, aside this horrible past and war of prides. Zira knew, that her first son wasn’t able to challenge Simba... But if he decided to start a new pride at his own? Golden Sands? After six years of regeneration, theirs old homeland was probably ready to dwell in. So, he could return there, with or without Vitani (Zira wasn’t sure, what was her daughter intending), and live as royal descendant, whom was in fact. And Hawaa... Zira loved that girl like her own daughter. For her spirit, she had been showing from early cubhood. Young lioness had chosen her pride herself. This was huge step in unknown, a choice between comfort living on Priderock between insidious Pridelanders and harsh dwelling in Outlands. She decided to join’s Zira’s pride and suffer the same lot, that all Outlanders were suffering. Only reward for that was love and respect from her new family. So small, but also so great prize. She had chosen well.

So Zira laid again to sleep without any anxiety. She though, her favourite was with her son in their night love-walk. Technically, she was right, but...

*

Hawaa was sneaking through savannah after lion’s silhouette. She had to be careful in order to remain unseen. Nuka as poor he was a fighter, he was gifted scout. His light body could creeping silently and his agility allowed him move without disturbing grass or leaves. So lioness was forced to watch of being unseen by dwellers of this land and also by Nuka. He didn’t know, she was following. He though, he was making it completely himself.

A deep reconnaissance in Prideland, maybe even trip to Priderock. Risky move – Simba once ordered to kill all Outlanders, who entered his domain. Of course, Zira’s lionesses notoriously crossed Border River and hunt in northern part of savannah. But never went to Simba’s keep. It was to dangerous to be next to enemy’s lair. Single scout could only escape, when he was attacked by all lioness from Simba’s pride. But this was extreme case – Nuka was so silent, that Hawaa was sure, he wouldn’t awake any Pridelander. She was more afraid about her own moving.

But what for Nuka was doing this? Lioness wasn’t sure, and thought, that even Nuka wasn’t sure. It was just a reconnaissance, to see if there is any chance to get to Simba. And if not, what other could be made. Hawaa was silently praying, that Nuka wouldn’t do something stupid.

Lion was running firmly, probably knowing the route. Lioness heard stories about Nuka’s and Vitani’s trips to Priderock’s foot. Every such a try was punished by Zira, but queen was secretly proud of her brave children. Only Kovu hadn’t participating in those trips, because of his heavy built, that made him poor scout. Hawaa knew well, that real value of lion seldom could be seen at first sight. That was once with Mufasa and Scar... and that was with Kovu and Nuka. She believed that hidden power is that mightier one.

Nuka stopped almost