Flower on the rock

If the Circle of life was going in it’s rightful way, that day should be flooded by summer rain. A climax of rainy season was called “the water day”, sometimes even “the day of love”. But that year earth was so dry as year before, and two years earlier. The disaster, that had come to Prideland, was still holding whole kingdom in steel grip.

Scar laid off the green of grass, so he was able even to satisfy his eyes with yellow colour of savannah – because every colour meant life. Dried grass was fighting with the sun and still protection those remnants of plain’s vigour from scorching heat. King appreciated that and was stomping on brave weeds with authentic respect.

Monarch’s task was neither easy nor pleasant. He was guarding hyenas, that were wandering on Prideland and looking for preys. Scar precisely determined, what kind of carcass scavengers (and his personal subjects) could take, but he didn’t trust hungry animals. He wanted Shenzi’s clan to give lionesses all meat, that was still proper to eat for lions kind. And if his confident triplets were usually obedient, the others hyenas rarely upheld that rule.

“We must save every gram of food!” thought the king. “And now even more than ever – Zira and Nuka need fresh preys.”

Wandering thought empty plain, he often escaped with his thoughts to Priderock, where were his mate and newborn son. Those thoughts weren’t too merry, because Nuka still was fighting with strange illness and heavy labour exhausted Zira. And that was not all – mood on Priderock was awful and Scar was slowly discovering, that he could count rather on Golden Lionesses, than his original subjects. At least, desert lionesses willingly were helping in new born prince’s care and they were showing proper dose of respect for king’s heir. “And for me.” Thought Scar. “I’m not theirs natural monarch, but Zira’s mate. But they treat as a real ruler, opposite to Pridelanders, who are still considering Zira as stranger, not a queen. And that is not right.” Then he spotted Rama and Doria, carrying dead gnu with them. He run to Golden Ones and looked on prey with clear joy in his stare.

“Wonderful, my dears!” he greeted they cordially. “You are irreplaceable.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Replied Rama. “But this is not our merit. Gnu died because of sunstroke.”

“But it’s still eatable.” Added younger Doria quickly. “I would say: delicious.” Whispered with dreamy voice and lick her dry lips. Part of prey was devoured, but that was just a portion for two lionesses for light meal. And Golden Ones could eat even half of gnu and later tell king, that they had found prey in that condition. “But no... They are too truthful and too faithful for theirs queen, even in hunger. I haven’t deserved for such a subjects.” Thought Scar.

“Don’t toil at it so much.” Said king. “Put that gnu on my back and just help me to maintain balance. I’ll carry it on the Priderock. It would be faster and...”

“No, sir.” Interrupted him Rama. „This is our duty. You have to guard your kingdom.” And seeing anxiety in monarch’s eyes, she added. “We will handle it, and we will take it home, as soon, as it’s possible. Don’t worry, Zira will get solid meal before sunset.”

In spite of request and suggestions, they didn’t want Scar to help them. So monarch nodded his head with thankfulness and started on savannah-watch. Also, he had something else on mind. He felt very unpleasant, because of it – he was seeing whole pride (at least, its golden part) in hurry with daily duties, doing theirs best to take care of queen and prince. And he was going to deal with almost private matter. Of course, if king still have some private matters. He wanted to get back quickly, before next dawn, but he wasn’t sure if he did it. Outlands were dangerous and king Scar knew it well.

*

Rama and Doria came to Priderock just before the sunset, raising burst of joy among the lionesses. Such a feast was rare in times of drought, both for Pridelanders and Golden Ones. Due to unexpected holiday, Zira allowed every subject to take additional portion of water from Priderock’s own source in lower caves (Scar allowed for that very seldom), so the meal become a joyful celebration. King hasn’t returned for night, but huntresses soothed queen, that he was going on further patrol. Zira, a bit disappointed, but calmed down went to monarch’s chamber to lull to sleep Nuka.

Cub, satisfied and watered seemed to be stronger and healthier. He didn’t coughed so often and probably due to very good huntings in that week, he started to show typical cubbish vigour. Zira smiled, seeing as her son was carefully playing with Yakta and newborn Hawaa. Girl was only a week old, so Nuka (for a case, heavily guarded by Kilia) very gentle treated the youngest member of the pride.

“They can live together in peace...” thought queen, watching the cubs. “If only Kilia showed me at least part of trust, that Hawaa gave to Nuka, we would be the perfect pride.” But cub’s mother just didn’t liked Golden Ones. When Zira entered the chamber, she raised up and officially bow her head. It looked sham and false.

“Go and eat something.” Ask queen. “I’ll watch them.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Replied Pridelandress indifferent. She licked Hawaa’s head and went out to the hall.

And Zira laid next to trio of cubs, with tenderness stroking all young ones. As a queen she should be as a mother to all pridemembers, whatever Pridelandresses thought. So the airy mood of that evening was disturbing only by one thing. “We met year ago.” Thought Zira. “I know: he is a king and he has his duties. But he should remember. If he really had to go tonight?”

*

Sarabi and Sarafina was looking on hyenas, that were laying on Priderock’s foot. Scavengers were calm, maybe even unnatural calm as for situation, when Scar was not there. Clan was usually clearly scorning lionesses, of course not in case, when king was near. Hyenas were afraid only of Scar, maybe because only him had courage to give orders and to punish his personal subjects. Few times Sarabi was sure, that scavengers were close to kill king, when he was merciless disciplining clan. But up to that day, hyenas never rioted against they benefactor. Because of that single reason, former queen wished, that Scar was in place. Just in case.

“I don’t like it.” Murmured to her friend. “They are too quiet.” Sarafina gave a look on over hundred of scavengers and replied.

“Scar was disciplining they last days. You know – drill and far huntings. Maybe he was intending to exhaust them and show who is in charge here? It would be good idea, especially before longer patrol. But I wished he was here anyway. I don’t fell safe.” She looked on former queen with curiosity. “By the way... Don’t you know where he went? It’s unlike for him, especially since... he took Zira as his mate.”

“No, I don’t know.” Lied Sarabi. “Don’t worry. Better go sleep. I must take a walk.” She said and started on path downhill, just in hyenas direction.

“Wait!” called Sarafina. “Isn’t it a little... dangerous?”

“No.” replied former queen. She entered clan’s area with expression of  superiority on her face. It was even hard to say, who despise whom more. And Sarabi quickly pass next to the scavengers and started to march due north. She didn’t know, why paws were carrying her in that direction, but she knew, that night she wasn’t able to sleep anyway.

It had happened three years earlier, just in “the day of love”. That day fatal duel between Taka and Mufasa took place. After that younger prince was militated and exiled. Year after that, he returned from Outlands, but as a different lion, odd to Sarabi. In spite of that from time to time in lioness heart sounded voice of regret and remorse, that supported venomous words of Scar. “Yes. I have killed Taka and for Taka I’m crying tonight.” Thought former queen. “Who knows? Maybe in his memory still remained some remnants of our love? For what else he could run out the pride tonight?” Because of that she had to find the king and check how many of old Taka remained in Scar. Since king’s relationship with Zira, Sarabi started one again to bereave after long lost love, like she missed it just jest she understood, it’s ultimately lost.

She came to the Border River. Of course, word “border” should be taken in invert, because old great bed had shrunken to pathetic creek of dirty and salt water. It was unable to drink for almost every creature. The fate of river was most stunning example of drought’s menace. Sarabi could cross this swam without any problem. So she did it and entered the Outlands.

And the Outlands were silent as ever. Both in rainy season and dryer times it was dead and deaf. Even the Great Drought couldn’t corrupt that land more. In fullmoon light high rocks and termite mounds were seen clearly on the horizon. From high cliff over the river Sarabi was watching that cursed soil, felling, that somewhere was her old King of Plateau.

*

Scar hadn't been on a trip on Outlands since long time. Actually, since the day of coronation. Most