night... He took a look around and burst in laughter.

So, after he had told his tales so many times, he discovered that he understood nothing from them. He was singing about heroes of the past, but with no slightest think that such a personalities could be needed in future. So, what far he was telling it? To amuse Kota? That Kota, who he just had left with tyrant, to her dreadful fate? He clutched paw into fist and hit on the ground. Golden Queen was right: weakness is just a state of mind. Fortunately, there wasn’t to late to change his mind. Such a thing is never easy, but always possible.

Taka had something to do. He turned back and started in Golden Sand’s direction.

 

XII. Pro fide, lege et leone

 

“Right! Enough of this laziness.” Growled Dhalimu. “It’s time to hunt.”

Golden Ones obediently stood up and started to cave’s exit. Raia went with them, although she was still hobbling. Kota wanted to stop her, but she just waved her paw and speeded up her steps. So the team in full number of ten lionesses left the Golden Cave.

Sun already set, but sky on west was still enlighten by red glow of fading day. Evening was warm, although not hot – night was about to be pleasantly cool but also windy. Light blow from the east was gently caressing lionesses muzzles, but it also was a sign of coming storm. The perfect harmony of landscape was disrupted only by one thing. On Acacia Alley was waiting the black-maned lion.

“I do not ask you for hospitality.” He said, seeing Raia. “That time I came here not as a messenger. I’m here as the prince of Prideland and descendant of Golden Pride. I’m going to fight with your king, according to the Law of Challenge.”

Team froze in place and all lionesses turned theirs stares in Taka’s face. Lion had changed. Maybe it was an earlier change, but it was seen clearly in that moment. Golden Ones saw the arbiter in new light. He was standing firmly, watching with decisive stare the entrance to the cave. Although he was significantly shorter and weaker than Dhalimu, he seemed to feel no fear. Some unknown glow of self-confidence was sparking from him. Even his soft voice gained some new, harsher tone. Wind was blowing in his blackspered him to ear. “I tell you a secret: weakness is just a state of mind.”

“Would you help me then?” asked unconvinced lion.

“I already have, Taka...” replied she, slowly disappearing into the air. “I already have.”

After minute of gentle wind, all sand from cloud felt on the ground. Taka noticed, that there was just calm, silent night... He took a look around and burst in laughter.

So, after he had told his tales so many times, he discovered that he understood nothing from them. He was singing about heroes of the past, but with no slightest think that such a personalities could be needed in future. So, what far he was telling it? To amuse Kota? That Kota, who he just had left with tyrant, to her dreadful fate? He clutched paw into fist and hit on the ground. Golden Queen was right: weakness is just a state of mind. Fortunately, there wasn’t to late to change his mind. Such a thing is never easy, but always possible.

Taka had something to do. He turned back and started in Golden Sand’s direction.

 

XII. Pro fide, lege et leone

 

“Right! Enough of this laziness.” Growled Dhalimu. “It’s time to hunt.”

Golden Ones obediently stood up and started to cave’s exit. Raia went with them, although she was still hobbling. Kota wanted to stop her, but she just waved her paw and speeded up her steps. So the team in full number of ten lionesses left the Golden Cave.

Sun already set, but sky on west was still enlighten by red glow of fading day. Evening was warm, although not hot – night was about to be pleasantly cool but also windy. Light blow from the east was gently caressing lionesses muzzles, but it also was a sign of coming storm. The perfect harmony of landscape was disrupted only by one thing. On Acacia Alley was waiting the black-maned lion.

“I do not ask you for hospitality.” He said, seeing Raia. “That time I came here not as a messenger. I’m here as the prince of Prideland and descendant of Golden Pride. I’m going to fight with your king, according to the Law of Challenge.”

Team froze in place and all mane. “The king!” thought Kota with pride but also with fear. “This is the real king of Golden Sands. Stars... but he won’t win with Dhalimu!”

Raia broke the spell as the first. She steeped before the rank of lionesses and stood in front of male. She extended her claws and took a defensive position. Careful observer could notice that she was shivering, although she tried to hide this. But when she spoke, in her voice was no hesitation.

“Make one step more and I’ll kill you.” She gasped. “I won’t allow you to question power of our king. Go away, before Dhalimu hear you.”

“Let him hear.” Replied arbiter and roared. Lionesses stopped in horror, knowing that the confrontation was already foregone. “Raia, please, don’t interfere.”

“YOU don’t interfere in matters of our pride!” she said with bitter tone. Meanwhile Kota went to her beloved and whispered to him.

“Taka... wait... reconsider this. I’m sorry... I didn’t mean this. I want you to get some help, not you to solve it yourself. Understand... he will kill you!”

“I will fight with him according to the Law of Challenge.” Replied lion with voice totally washed out of emotions. In fact he was terrified as well as his love. Of course, not about himself, but about her. “I hope she wouldn’t do something stupid when... I mean: if I lose.”

“Kota, help me!” ordered Raia. “Golden Ones, help me, all of you. We have to rid off that intruder.” And quieter she added. “Taka, I beg you, go away...” None of lionesses moved even an inch, in spite of hastening gesture that sandy-furred made with her tail. “Sir, don’t make what I don’t want to!”

“Raia, that is nothing personal.” Replied black-maned. “But I must depose Dhalimu. Forgive me, I have no choice.”

“NO!” cried Raia and Kota.

And sandy-furred pounced. Taka was so surprised that he made no dodge. He received a fast charge of lioness without any preparation and just when claws of attacker plunged deep in his neck, he shook his head. Raia missed Taka’s aortas by few centimetres. She wanted to mend that unsuccessful strike, but lion threw away her paws. He jumped back two meters and took a defensive pose. Lioness didn’t wait, but jumped after him. But that time arbiter intercepted her easily in flight and pushed right. But a second later he felt a wave of pain, enflaming his back. That Raia hit with her rear paws. “Stars!” yelled shocked Taka. “What a technique! This is a real fighter!” But in that moment Kota pounced on landing sandy-furred.

“Leave him alone!” she called.

“Save your king, my friend!” gasped Raia and pushed Kota away with strong move. Then she crouched to prepare next charge, when...

“Enough!” growled Dhalimu. Lion ran out from cave and stopped in front of pride. He looked with dreadful stare on fighting ones and repeated. “Enough! Raia that is not your business!”

Raia broke the spell as the first. She steeped before the rank of lionesses and stood in front of male. She extended her claws and took a defensive position. Careful observer could notice that she was shivering, although she tried to hide this. But when she spoke, in her voice was no hesitation.

“Make one step more and I’ll kill you.” She gasped. “I won’t allow you to question power of our king. Go away, before Dhalimu hear you.”

“Let him hear.” Replied arbiter and roared. Lionesses stopped in horror, knowing that the confrontation was already foregone. “Raia, please, don’t interfere.”

“YOU don’t interfere in matters of our pride!” she said with bitter tone. Meanwhile Kota went to her beloved and whispered to him.

“Taka... wait... reconsider this. I’m sorry... I didn’t mean this. I want you to get some help, not you to solve it yourself. Understand... he will kill you!”

“I will fight with him according to the Law of Challenge.” Replied lion with voice totally washed out of emotions. In fact he was terrified as well as his love. Of course, not about himself, but about her. “I hope she wouldn’t do something stupid when... I mean: if I lose.”

“Kota, help me!” ordered Raia. “Golden Ones, help me, all of you. We have to rid off that intruder.” And quieter she added. “Taka, I beg you, go away...” None of lionesses moved even an inch, in spite of hastening gesture that sandy-furred made with her tail. “Sir, don’t make what I don’t want to!”

“Raia, that is nothing personal.” Replied black-maned. “But I must depose Dhalimu. Forgive me, I have no choice.”

“NO!” cried Raia and Kota.

And sandy-furred pounced. Taka was so surprised that he made no dodge. He received a fast charge of lioness without any preparation and just when claws of attacker plunged deep in his neck, he shook his head. Raia missed Taka’s aortas by few centimetres. She wanted to mend that unsuccessful strike, but lion threw away her paws. He jumped back two meters and took a defensive pose. Lioness didn’t wait, but jumped after him. But that time arbiter intercepted her easily in flight and pushed right. But a second later he felt a wave of pain, enflaming his back. That Raia hit with her rear paws. “Stars!” yelled shocked Taka. “What a technique! This is a real fighter!” But in that moment Kota pounced on landing sandy-furred.

“Leave him alone!” she called.

“Save your king, my friend!” gasped Raia and pushed Kota away with strong move. Then she crouched to prepare next charge, when...

style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 9pt;">“My lord!” called sandy-maned but she stayed in place.

“Dhalimu, we will deal it on our own.” Gasped Taka.

“My lord, let me kill him for you!” begged loyal subject. It was looking quite amusing:

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