like he was hastened by rays of rising sun.

“Taka!” called Dahabu.

“There is no time for farewells.” Replied running brother. “Also... I will be back!” but for moment he stopped on top of hill nearby and once again called to golden-maned. “Kinamu said that pride behind Mighty Jungle is ruled by some youngster. So many preys escaped from there that they are probably starving right now. I must figure out few things... Take care, brother!”

“Take care... our arbiter.”

Taka again started to run, hastened by sunlit, warm wind and unexpected lightness in heart. The Stars spoke to him so he knew his path. And additionally, somewhere deep in mind a exiting thought was sprouting. “Well, Kota... I wonder what could you say now. Everybody knows what kings can. Now let see what can the arbiter!”

V. The Endless Route

Two groups of lions were looking on each other with deadly stares. Although in darkness of moonless night was hard to see tensed faces and bared teethes, eyes of predators were sparking with fury and will to fight. On the right, on the edge of forest were thirteen lionesses and their young king. Grey-maned leader was rather moderate built, showing his young age, but in spite of that... or maybe: because of that, he intended to do no step back. He believed that as a ruler and protector of lionesses he had no right to recede. And females, in hearts heavily scared by whole situation, seeing monarch’s determination, were encouraging with roars. Rouges, waiting on savannah didn’t want to retreat too. There were no heroism in that – five of lions were just starving and thirsting. Exhaustion muffled in theirs minds clear judge of situation and respect for laws. Four younger males, led by hoary-maned elder were close to desperate charge on pride. Against fourteen jaws they have limited chances – even counting males strength as twice as females (however, what was very risky presumption – experienced lionesses of Green Valley were fighting no worse than their young king) and considering that old guide will stand the heat of battle, rouges were clearly weaker. But Green Ones have no reasons to be satisfied – incoming fight betoken as hard and bloody and dreadful roars of rouges sounded like a sentence for many lionesses from Valley.

But those two seas of anger were divided by a dam - lone lion, standing between groups, was looking on one, then on second pack, waiting for proper moment. Finally both adversaries for a second turned theirs stares on arbiter. Taka raised his paw to get their attention. With gentle but wilful voice he said.

“Njaa.. and you, your highness. As the Stars witness: I won’t allow on this!”

“Not only Stars.” Murmured Vitani, looking on scene below her paws.

Almost whole Star Family of Taka, ancestors of both family lines in silence were staring on evening events. Even Elders of Ancients descended that night from Higher Firmament. Tarki and Ahadi, long-absent in those insignificant matters of earth, that time both considered importance of moment. If Taka the Second succeeded with his idea of great alliance of Lions Lands, the Circle of Life could speed up its round. But even mighty Kings of the Past didn’t intended to interfere in living matters. They trusted in judge of new Star Arbiter on Lower Firmament – Scar.

“No only Stars.” Agreed black-maned ghost. “But it would be better if your son believe he is on his own. And the best would be if he was on his own. Our help, in longer perspective, causes only more disturbances of the Round.”

Unseen for living ones, silhouettes went on the ground on the brink of dried jungle. Then surrounded Taka, still maintaining required distance. Among the Ancient Ones were burning many emotions connected with descendant – love, care, family pride and ordinary curiosity. That was why Scar was keeping them further, beware no"text-align: justify; text-indent: 9pt;">V. The Endless Route

Two groups of lions were looking on each other with deadly stares. Although in darkness of moonless night was hard to see tensed faces and bared teethes, eyes of predators were sparking with fury and will to fight. On the right, on the edge of forest were thirteen lionesses and their young king. Grey-maned leader was rather moderate built, showing his young age, but in spite of that... or maybe: because of that, he intended to do no step back. He believed that as a ruler and protector of lionesses he had no right to recede. And females, in hearts heavily scared by whole situation, seeing monarch’s determination, were encouraging with roars. Rouges, waiting on savannah didn’t want to retreat too. There were no heroism in that – five of lions were just starving and thirsting. Exhaustion muffled in theirs minds clear judge of situation and respect for laws. Four younger males, led by hoary-maned elder were close to desperate charge on pride. Against fourteen jaws they have limited chances – even counting males strength as twice as females (however, what was very risky presumption – experienced lionesses of Green Valley were fighting no worse than their young king) and considering that old guide will stand the heat of battle, rouges were clearly weaker. But Green Ones have no reasons to be satisfied – incoming fight betoken as hard and bloody and dreadful roars of rouges sounded like a sentence for many lionesses from Valley.

But those two seas of anger were divided by a dam - lone lion, standing between groups, was looking on one, then t to let them interrupt actions of living ones. He asked parents of arbiter – Vitani and Tanabi, to stand with him, even further.

“Just in case.” He whispered to daughter and son-in-law. “He believes that you are watching him. But you know... a cheering of parents could be very disrupting.”

But Taka was thinking about nothing except of growing conflict. Five of starving rouges had come to dying kingdom, scaring away remnants of the herds and capturing one of the last fully safe waterholes in area. Green Pride was just going to regain the source it with force and rouges had prepared an ambush on the edge of forest. Arbiter got there in last moment.

“Come closer... please.” Asked Taka. He tried to maintained a polite and calm voice, however inside he was shivering. Even not about his life – although he was standing between two, bloodthirsty armies – but about success of his plan. Peace in Green Valley was required to finishing an alliance, so called the Drought Coalition, a fragile covenant of numerous prides, building by arbiter.

“I’m coming.” Replied Kijani, ruler of Green Valey. „But only because I want to get closer to those thugs.”

“I’m coming...” murmured Njaa. “I’m sick of standing on that blasted sand.”

Both lions got closer to each other and stopped on the distance of outstretched paw. But the first ice was broken – Taka, standing between them, sensed that they wanted to negotiate, to talk, or at least to spit few words to offend enemy. That was no too much, but good for a start. That why arbiter made few steps back and said aloud, trying to sound airily.
”Good. As I said already, before you will pounce on yourselves with claws, you have to kill me first. But I’m still wondering about one thing. Just imagine: I’m dead, you are fighting to glorious death... Somebody wins...” dreadful roars of both sides announced common certainness of triumph.“...somebody lost. Then all live long and prosper, of course except of those who died... But what then?” He looked with freeing stare on king. “We have pride of six survived lionesses, with crippled king or without him. Pride is raising ruler’s cubs...” Arbiter took a quick look on one of females in advanced pregnancy. “...hoping that no other group of rouges would come to Green Valley and finish what Njaa has started.” Hearing that Kijani shivered, looked on his queen and turned his stare into the ground. Taka continued. “Or a different situation: Rouges kill king, after long, glorious and bloody fight. They are probably hoping that pride would surrender after lost of ruler and efforts of dead companions won’t be taken in vain. But are they sure if lionesses of Green Valley would obey the murderers of their monarch? Or maybe they would defend the throne for Kijani’s cubs? Think, conqueror, if you wouldn’t be forced to kill each one of your new subjects to provide yourself safety.”

“I’m impressed, desert one.” Interrupted him Njaa. “But such a preaches won’t give us preys nor water us.”

“No.” agreed Taka. “That why you have to find yourselves some other place.” King of Green Valley smiled and elder, as well as four of his companions, bared his teethes. “Of course, after you left a hospitality of Green Pride.” A murmur of confusion sounded among lionesses. Taka went to four rouges and wagged his tail, inviting they to follow. He turned to pride and looked on king. “Your highness,“Just in case.” He whispered to daughter and son-in-law. “He believes that you are watching him. But you know... a cheering of parents could be very disrupting.”

But Taka was thinking about nothing except of growing conflict. Five of starving rouges had come to dying kingdom, scaring away remnants of the herds and capturing one of the last fully safe waterholes in area. Green Pride was just going to regain the source it with force and rouges had prepared an ambush on the edge of forest. Arbiter got there in last moment.

“Come closer... please.” Asked Taka. He tried to maintained a polite and calm voice, however inside he was shivering. Even not about his life – although he was standing between two, bloodthirsty armies – but about success of his plan. Peace in Green Valley was required to finishing an alliance, so called the Drought Coalition, a fragile covenant of numerous prides, building by arbiter.

“I’m coming.” Replied Kijani, ruler of Green Valey. „But only