sandy-furred hit with muzzle on to the ground. Apart of hollow smack of blow, she made no sound. Instantly she added. “Forgive me, my lord. I’m wrong.”

“You are.” Agreed monarch. Raia’s voice was so similar to voice of her sister, that Dhalimu was convinced that sandy-furred had objected his rebukes. Satisfied that he had punished a rebel, he started again to next end of row. “So, tomorrow I will lead you on hunt. I’ll show you how you should fulfil your duties.”

Kota was desperately thinking about that. Dhalimu couldn’t hunt – he was mighty and strong lion, but a lion, not lioness. Nature fitted him with all skills needed in fight and defence of pride, but hadn’t made him hunter neither in body nor in spirit. Golden-furred understood that to successful chase a patience, calmness and ability to repress own pride (to work in team) were required. And king had none of those gifts. Probably next hunting was about to finish as a catastrophe – if even storm wouldn’t come to Golden Sands, Dhalimu wouldn’t be able to lead a successful chase. And for his failure he would surely blame his subjects. Kota looked discretely on Raia and decided that a risk was necessary.

s anger will focus on me.” She whispered in mind, both proud of her courage and terrified by incoming consequences. Probably soon consequences, because ruler set off into subject’s direction, gasping angrily.

“She’s right, my lord!” suddenly called Raia. “The shame of today’s defeat will strengthen us tomorrow. We won’t disappoint you!”

“Great! So his anger will get us all.” Thought golden-furred, surprised by words of lioness. She just couldn’t believe that sandy-furred distracted Dhalimu only stop him from punishing her friend. “Raia could give her life for me... but first she have to make sure if her life isn’t needed for her king!” added silently with bitter tone. She gave a quick look on queen’s sister to see she raised her head, staring on monarch. Dhalimu had to believe in subject’s assurances because he turned back from rank of lionesses.

“Good. You have the last chance tomorrow, to show from what stuff you are.”

“Thank you, sir!” sounded instinctive choir of Golden Ones voices, but Kota shivered once again. She finally understood what her promise meant for whole pride. “We will go on hunting during the storm. This is a madness, but Dhalimu won’t let it go...” she thought.

“Good. Now you may rest. Tomorrow you have some work to do.” Instructed ruler.

“You will kill them!” yelled unheard Zira. “My grandson, you went mad completely. You are giving them as a prey to the storm!”

Emotions of Ancient One were avid to show herself there and then and as a Queen of the Past to call Dhalimu to order. But reason said: no. She was Scar’s mate during her life and after her death. With her beloved she was bearing duties of Star Arbiter. She was not allowed to interfere and to break the balance. Especially that she knew in what direction the Circle of Life was going. However, as well as living ones, she couldn’t exactly predict the future, but better than them she knew that some sacrifices were required. “Hawaa’s, Nuka’s and my lives were needed to end War of the Prides. I can’t break the master plan, whatever it is. I must trust in living ones.” And with fondness she looked on Kota, lioness who was the closest to open rebellion against the king. “To raise a paw on monarch is a terrible crime. But maybe you will find someone who would be more proper for Golden Throne.” She finished with hope and left her charges. She had to tell Scar and the others of her family about all she had seen. Maybe her friend and kins would find some solution for Golden Ones.

“So... fall out!” ordered Dhalimu and he went into royal cave’s direction, where he used to sleep when he didn’t want to be with subjects. “No, you not.” Announced to Niva, when she started to follow him. “I don’t want to see you today. And no one!” finished with dreadful tone. Then left main hall.

For about minute a silence maintained among Golden Ones. Lionesses were looking on each other, even not being sure what to say. Finally Raia came before pride, climbed on one of the borders in hall, waited some time, to catch attention of everybody and with her quiet but serious voice said to her pride-mates.

“Listen to me... We have failed today and...”

“She’s right, my lord!” suddenly called Raia. “The shame of today’s defeat will strengthen us tomorrow. We won’t disappoint you!”

“Great! So his anger will get us all.” Thought golden-furred, surprised by words of lioness. She just couldn’t believe that sandy-furred distracted Dhalimu only stop him from punishing her friend. “Raia could give her life for me... but first she have to make sure if her life isn’t needed for her king!” added silently with bitter tone. She gave a quick look on queen’s sister to see she raised her head, staring on monarch. Dhalimu had to believe in subject’s assurances because he turned back from rank of lionesses.

“Good. You have the last chance tomorrow, to show from what stuff you are.”

“Thank you, sir!” sounded instinctive choir of Golden Ones voices, but Kota shivered once again. She finally understood what her promise meant for whole pride. “We will go on hunting during the storm. This is a madness, but Dhalimu won’t let it go...” she thought.

“Good. Now you may rest. Tomorrow you have some work to do.” Instructed ruler.

“You will kill them!” yelled unheard Zira. “My grandson, you went mad completely. You are giving them as a prey to the storm!”

Emotions of Ancient One were avid to show herself there and then and as a Queen of the Past to call Dhalimu to order. But reason said: no. She was Scar’s mate during her life and after her death. With her beloved she was bearing duties of Star Arbiter. She was not allowed to interfere and to break the balance. Especially that she knew in what direction the Circle of Life was going. However, as well as living ones, she couldn’t exactly predict the future, but better than them she knew that some sacrifices were required. “Hawaa’s, Nuka’s and my lives were needed to end War of the Prides. I can’t break the master plan, whatever it is. I must trust in living ones.” And with fondness she looked on Kota, lioness who was the closest to open rebellion against the king. “To raise a paw on monarch is a terrible crime. But maybe you will find someone who would be more proper for Golden Throne.” She finished with hope and left her charges. She had to tell Scar and the others of her family about all she had seen. Maybe her friend and kins would find some solution for Golden Ones.

“So... fall out!” ordered Dhalimu and he went into royal cave’s direction, where he used to sleep when he didn’t want to be with subjects. “No, you not.” Announced to Niva, when she started to follow him. “I don’t want to see you today. And no one!” finished with dreadful tone. Then left main hall.

For about minute a silence maintained among Golden Ones. Lionesses were looking on each other, even not being sure what to say. Finally Raia came before pride, climbed on one of the borders in hall, waited some time, to catch attention of everybody and with her >

“Storm was coming!” yelled Simmi, one of the youngest lionesses.

“Storms were, are and will be.” Replied queen’s sister, almost screaming. But then instantly lowered her voice, careful not to wake her king. “The matter is that tomorrow...”

“If storm hasn’t come today, it will be tomorrow.” Noticed Kota.

“That changes nothing.” Said Raia. “We will go on that hunting, and get some real game for our king. I’m not a hunting-team leader...” she looked on sister with reproaches. “But I can assure you, that I won’t return to our cave without some prey. Is that clear?”

“If storm comes, you won’t return even with prey.” Threw Simmi, but Kota nudged her in side. Arguing with sandy-furred seemed to be useless.

“Is that clear?” repeated Raia.

“Yes.” Confirmed pride, as if obligation of queen’s sister was obligatory for all Golden Ones. “But now, to go sleep.” Instructed and jumped down from the stone.

“He will kill us.” Whispered Kota, when sandy-furred was passing next to her.

“So be it!” replied Raia, coming to her sister. “Come with me, my lady. Maybe king has changed his mind.”

And she guided Niva to royal cave, leaving confused lionesses in main hall. Sisters entered chamber and came to lying ruler. They stopped over Dhalimu, hearing his slow and regular breathing. Finally Niva whispered.

“Come. He is sleeping.”

“Go, my lady. I will bring him more brush for bedding.” Said sandy-furred.

After about quarter of searching of acacia brush, she returned with her load to cave. She passed through main hall, went among sleeping pride then entered king’s chamber. She made a first step in, when...

“I’m not sleeping.” Said Dhalimu.

“Forgive, my lord. I was just...” whispered lioness.

“I know what you was doing. Thank you.” Replied lion and raised his head. „Look at me.” Ordered and when sandy-furred turned her stare on him, said with tired voice. “You don’t listen to me.”

“My lord!” yelled female.

“Silence! I know that is happening. You are constantly purling against me. You prove your laziness and sloth. That can’t be hidden before me.”

“My lord, I beg you: don’t say that.” Whispered Raia. “Today we have failed, but we will make up for that soon. Pride loves you, my lord, and tomorr 9pt;">“Storms were, are and will be.” Replied queen’s sister, almost screaming. But then instantly lowered her voice, careful not to wake her king. “The matter is that tomorrow...”

“If storm hasn’t come today, it will be tomorrow.” Noticed Kota.

“That changes nothing.” Said Raia. “We will go on that hunting, and get some real game for our king. I’m not a hunting-team leader...” she looked on sister with reproaches. “But I can

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