caretaker of your cubs. We can’t do that. This is not in our nature.”

“But it was in my nature to seduce Vii.” Noticed Daki with shame.

“Leave Amini with Zira.” Said Horen with persuading voice. “This is the best thing, we can do...”

“But we have to help him to become a king.” Noticed Laki.

“We have to do noting!” exclaimed leader but he saw in twins eyes determination. “You promised to save Shakisa and her cub, right? We will do it... and depart right after.”

“If you say...” started Laki.

“This is the best way.” Assured Horen, looking in eyes of lion. “Amini will thank us!”

“Hey, guys!” called Amini from path below. “Are you coming?”

“Yes. We’ll be there in minute.” Replied Horen and started to go downhill.

Twins uncertainly followed him.

*

Priderock was slowly falling asleep. Only three lionesses were waiting outside, on main ledge. It was trio, who was practically ruling the pride from behind Simba: queen-mother, queen’s mother and queen herself. They were once again, talking about Golden’s threat. Because none of Golden Ones had been seen in previous few days, this menace became less real, but although... or better to say: because of that, even more scary.

“I don’t like it.” Said Sarafina, looking in evening savannah. “We have seen no trace for them in last days. It’s impossible, that group of this size could move unseen. Where they could hide?”

“Why do you assume, that they stayed, mom?” asked Nala. “Zira’s pride came from desert... they have some base there... Called <Golden Sands> I guess... Maybe, they returned there?”

Sarabi shook her head and replied.

“No, it’s not likely. I remember day, they came here. They were exhausted and dying after extremely hard journey. Even if they plan to return, they must prepare for that... But I can’t imagine such a way with cubs. And...” she looked on grassy plain, recovering fast after drought. “Those Golden Sands were heavy devastated by climate. I doubt, if they recover so fast as our land. We have unusual luck, that Prideland is still able to live here.”

“Or, it was Scar’s merit.” Thought Nala, but she quickly repressed that idea. No, Scar was evil, so he was bad ruler. “So why do you miss him so much?” asked some voice in her head, but she ignored it.

“Anyway.” Said queen. “We must convince Simba to send a reconnaissance on northern bank of the Border River. If there is even a little possibility, that they hid there, we must check it.” Two lioness looked on younger one with inquiring stare, so she replied. “Of course, I will advise it to him, but you must support me. Sarabi, Simba is sure of your wisdom and will follow every your instruction.”

“I don’t like such a situation.” Confessed Sarabi. “We are guiding king like tiny cub. It should be just opposite.”

“And it was.” said voice in Nala’s head. “Not so long ago. When Scar was treating his subjects as children. Right?” Queen shook her head, to rid of those thoughts and replied to queen-mother.

“And it will change, as soon as we handle with those outcasts. When there will be no threat of war, Simba will rule in peace. We just have to... neutralize Zira and her followers.”

Sarafina yawned loudly and looked on daughter and friend.

“Great, we will do it. But not tonight.” Said with sleepy voice. “Tomorrow, we will talk with Simba. And in general, there is no hurry. They should be hurry. We are in safe place with much food available. If Zira is on Outlands, hunger will drive her of this wasteland.”

“You right...” agreed Sarabi. “We can rest.” She stood and added with weary voice. “Good night.” She went to main cave and other lioness followed her shortly after. Hawaa could sigh with relief. They hadn’t spotted her.

Cub was all this time laying still on rock, just next to entrance. Her grey fur masked her almost perfectly and unusual calmness (as her age), allowed her to remain unseen. Some time earlier, she sneaked from mother’s hug and followed Sarabi, going out from sleeping chamber. Hawaa already had noticed, that mother of Simba was especially ill-disposed towards aunt Zira and Golden Ones. So she had to be watched. Cub heard every single word of lionesses talk and she was terrified. They were planning to kill aunt Zira and Nuka! This was much to much for tiny cub. Hawaa wanted to cry, but she knew that tears wouldn’t help anyone. She considered about waking up her mother and asking her for help. But mother was so angry on Golden Ones like queen-mother. And Simba... Hawaa was too scared to even speak with the new king and also she had no illusions about him. He would have believed to lies, that Sarabi, Sarafina and Nala told him. One, small Hawaa wasn’t able to convince him, his was wrong. There was only one thing left to do.

“Mommy, please, forgive me.” Whispered Hawaa, looking on darkness in cave. “But I fell, you are wrong. I love you, but I can’t let you hurt my friends.” She turned away and started to path downhill.

She was determined to reach so called <Border River> and then to find Zira and her pride. They had to be warned, that Pridelanders were up to attack them. Cub had no idea, how she could pass the river but wasn’t matter. She never have seen actually river, so she wasn’t scared. She was sure, that Golden Ones were on north. Why? She wasn’t sure of that, but some silent voice seemed to whisper in her ear.

Hawaa started to walk thought wet savannah. On her short legs that were more like constant jumping, because she was in hurry. After short time, her legs started to hurt, but she just narrowed her eyes and ignored it. She had a quest and she wanted to fulfil it, don’t matter what.

*

Kilia awoke because of bad dream. This was really creepy and crazy dream.

She was dreaming about recent past, a times of drought. She was dying from hunger, laying on Priderock’s ledge. Suddenly, team of golden huntresses returned with heavy portion of meat. Lioness raised her head, hoping, that they give her some. But Golden Ones, led by Zira, started to eat they prey alone. Kilia smelled delicious smell of fresh meat and cried from hunger.

“Zira... help me!” she yelled.

“You banished Shakisa!” replied Golden Queen with cold voice. Shakisa was already exiled? Well, in this strange dream, maybe.

“It was Nala’s idea!” squeaked hungry lioness. “Please, give me some.”

“Murderer!” shouted another Golden One. Vii? Doria? Kilia wasn’t sure.

“What happened?” asked Scar, who just went out from the royal cave. “Zira, my dear, this lioness looks ill!”

“I don’t know, my love.” Replied Zira and swallowed giant portion of meat. Kilia sobbed.

“My king... I’m so hungry! Please... fed me!”

Scar went closer to lying lioness and looked on her with careful, curious stare. In his eyes, Kilia noticed real concern and sympathy. She felt, she loved her king with all heart. Lion turned to his mate.

“Zira, she is dying from hunger! Give her some meat, now!” said with calm but wilful voice. Queen bowed her head and replied.

“Yes, my lord.” She and other lionesses dragged carcass (it was so heavy) to Kilia. Lioness, sobbing, bit her first portion and swallowed it quickly. Meat was delicious, but this taste was a little... strange.

“Do you like it?” asked Scar with gentle voice. “You deserved for the lion’s share.”

Then Kilia discovered, what she was eating. Carcass before her changed to motionless and partially devoured body of Simba. Lioness froze in panic.

“My dear...” said king. “I’m sorry for that taste. Simba was young... and you know... that insect diet... Mufasa was much better, but we have eaten him yesterday.”

Kilia awoke covered with cold sweat. She raised her head and looked on king, sleeping on royal bed with Nala. Silent, motionless, but for sure alive. She sighed with relief and harder cuddled... cuddled... cuddled...

“Sarafina?” asked Kilia in silence of cave.

“Yes?” replied lioness with sleepy voice.

“Is Hawaa with you?” asked Kilia with anxiety.

“Yes... that mean: no.” answered queen’s mother. “Why do you ask?”

Kilia’s hear froze. She stood immediately and looked on darkened chamber. Everyone was in place, but l She was dying from hunger, laying on Priderock’s ledge. Suddenly, team of golden huntresses returned with heavy portion of meat. Lioness raised her head, hoping, that they give her some. But Golden Ones, led by Zira, started to eat they prey alone. Kilia smelled delicious smell of fresh meat and cried from hunger.

ioness was looking for her cub, sleeping with other pridemamber. But there was no cub in whole chamber. Terror of recent dream was replaced by new one.

“Hawaa is gone!” whispered shocked lioness. “Saffy, she is not here...”

In that moment, to cave flew Zazu, speeding with incredible speed. He almost hit in back wall but in last moment, he stopped and landed awkwardly next to royal bed. He was panting, for a while, unable to say a word. Finally, he screamed in panic.

“We are attacked!”

Shout of hornbill broke sleepy silence and awoke most of lioness at once. They raised theirs heads and looked on king’s majordomo.

“Simba, Zira is coming!” called Zazu and felt on rock, exhausted.

“Great!” muttered Simba. “But make an appointment for audience on tomorrow’s midday... WHAT?!” he opened his eyes and looked on bird, shocked.

“Group of invaders, sir!” panted hornbill. “I see at least six of them, but it could be just one division. They are heading here from the river.”

Simba immediately stood and roared. For that kind of impulse, all pride awoke. Lionesses stood as well and looked on their king.

“They are back!” said Simba with calm voice. But careful beholder could notice, that he was shaking on his body. He was totally surprised. “We will stop them on Northern Path, away from Priderock. All are going with me. Only...” he was thinking a while, that looked on queen’s mother. “Sarafina stays with Kilia and her cub.”

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