to be like her?”

“I will be seriously confused.” Replied white lion. “Good night, Zira.”

*

They set off on morning. Dhalimu awoke them at sunrise, so they could drink before nightly moisture dried. Then they rested an hour more to walk away when sun was already high on sky. That day wasn’t cloudy – on morning wind was cooling wanderers a bit, but from midday heat became unbearable.

In spite of weakness of previous day, Zira was going smoothly, maybe even better than Rama. Lioness was in middle age, but yet out of her prime. She endured the way, but it clearly weakened her strength. Sparthi was going at his pace, not staying in back, but not speeding too fast – just using strengths of his youth to keep tempo dictated by Dhalimu.

lass="MsoNormal">“Don’t you ever tire, uncle?” asked Sparthi.

“I have no time for that.” Replied lion with indifferent voice.

“If we are lucky, today we will see our aim.” Added Zira.

And she was right – about midday they noticed silhouettes of mountains ahead. The distance was unable to estimate, especially that hot air often makes optical tricks with such measures. But when destination was visible, march became easier – there was no use to get lost and everyone saw that High Range actually existed.

“I think we should make stop before entering it.” Said Sparthi with careful voice.

“You could simply say, you are tired.” Smiled Zira.

“No, I meant that we could be forced to… leave out in hurry.” Explained prince. “If we get to mountains with our last breach, we won’t be able to run away.”

“Optimist, as usual.” Snorted his sister. “From whom would we escape?”

“Realist as usual.” Said Rama. “I guess that we should be prepared for anything there.”

They made a halt in small cluster of acacias in about one kilometre from mountains. They got there right on sunset, to find even small pool of water, hidden among trees. Place was inviting and swaying to camp there.

“I have no strength for guarding.” Said Dhamilu. “Just let’s sleep… carefully.”

Night passed without any unexpected events. Zira woke up with first rays of sun, taught that who stands up early, drinks more. She wanted to check the pool, but then she took a look on desert and froze in amazement.

The desert was alive. Countless animals of various kind from all directions were heading to High Range. Princess was never aware that sandy lands could be inhabited by so many species of creatures and that all population could be so numerous. Herds of herbivores were marching in tight columns, at least partially protecting each others from hungry stares of predators. But leopards, cheetahs and hyenas looked on antelopes, bovids and addaxes, staying calm. The main reason that drove them to mountains was actually not a lack of preys but insufficiency of water. Over that giant, scattered retinue many vultures were flying and looking for a meal.

“It’s hard to expect we are only ones for free lunch.” Said Dhalimu from behind Zira.

“They all…”

“…came here because of drought.” Said old lion. “I guess that in other regions that disaster is already a deadly threat.”

“There are so many…” whispered Zira, looking on countless herds. “But uncle…” she added with nervous voice. “If so many preys came here it’s nearly impossible that it hasn’t swayed any lions.”

“I bet this place is crowded also with our kind.” Replied white lion, looking on peaks of mountain range. Most of pikes were relatively low, but in some cases even snow-cape could be seen. Zira followed that stare and smiled. She never had seen a snow, but she sensed that;">“If we are lucky, today we will see our aim.” Added Zira.

And she was right – about midday they noticed silhouettes of mountains ahead. The distance was unable to estimate, especially that hot air often makes optical tricks with such measures. But when destination was visible, march became easier – there was no use to get lost and everyone saw that High Range actually existed.

“I think we should make stop before entering it.” Said Sparthi with careful voice.

“You could simply say, you are tired.” Smiled Zira.

“No, I meant that we could be forced to… leave out in hurry.” Explained prince. “If we get to mountains with our last breach, we won’t be able to run away.”

“Optimist, as usual.” Snorted his sister. “From whom would we escape?”

“Realist as usual.” Said Rama. “I guess that we should be prepared for anything there.”

They made a halt in small cluster of acacias in about one kilometre from mountains. They got there right on sunset, to find even small pool of water, hidden among trees. Place was inviting and swaying to camp there.

“I have no strength for guarding.” Said Dhamilu. “Just let’s sleep… carefully.”

Night passed without any unexpected events. Zira woke up with first rays of sun, taught that who stands up early, drinks more. She wanted to check the pool, but then she took a look on desert and froze in amazement.

The desert was alive. Countless animals of various kind from all directions were heading to High Range. Princess was never aware that sandy lands could be inhabited by so many species of creatures and that all population could be so numerous. Herds of herbivores were marching in tight columns, at least partially protecting each others from hungry stares of predators. But leopards, cheetahs and hyenas looked on antelopes, bovids and addaxes, staying calm. The main reason that drove them to mountains was actually not a lack of preys but insufficiency of water. Over that giant, scattered retinue many vultures were flying and looking for a meal.

“It’s hard to expect we are only ones for free lunch.” Said Dhalimu from behind Zira.

“They all…”

“…came here because of drought.” Said old lion. “I guess that in other regions that disaster is already a deadly threat.”

“There are so many…” whispered Zira, looking on countless herds. “But uncle…” she added with nervous voice. “If so many preys came here it’s nearly impossible that it hasn’t swayed any lions.”

t was somehow connected with water.

“I think that some pride normally lives here.” Added white lion. “But I bet they already had some visitors.” He pointed on brink of desert, where skeleton of feline was reflecting rays of sun. “Easy, that’s a rogue.” Continued old wanderer. “I bet that local pride had some problems with unwelcome guests and that one is the result. It’s male, outsider, I guess. No one would leave king’s remains like that.”

“We should quickly find that pride and tell them, we have no hostile intentions.” Said Zira.

“Right.” Nodded Dhalimu. “But now wake up others. We could make an easy hunt now.”

*

It actually didn’t take much time for four lions to get their prey and feast on it. Because pool in grove was still containing some water, they even drank to that meal. But then Dhalimu ordered his charges to set off. Idea of fining local pride was very reasonable, and much better than waiting for pride to find visitors. Skeleton of rogue suggested that original inhabitants of High Range knew how to defend themselves.

Just when desert ended, widdringtonia trees belt started, slowly becoming slope to higher hills. After about kilometre of that border zone, mountain relief and flora could be found. First, moderate peaks were sprouting from light ascend and numerous caverns covered the area. Dhalimu stopped his group on the edge of widdringtonia forest.

“We have to say <hello>.” He explained and called with all his might. “HELLO!” echo returned that voice from caves and slopes of nearest mountains. “Anyone there?”

They waited about five minutes in complete silence, standing at brink of the grove. Finally Zira saw as Dhalimu took a deep breath to call one time more, but in next second lioness was pulled down and pressed to the ground. Before she managed to understand what was happening, she found herself on the grass, with claws put on her neck. Greyfurred lioness in middle age was standing above her and keeping her steel grip.

“Make a move and watch her die!” gasped lioness. Rama and Sparthi froze in place.

“Lips movement counts too?” asked Dhalimu, seemingly not feeling threaten at all.

“Back off!” gasped attacker. “And be quiet. If you call for any help, I will kill her.”

“Have we wronged you in any way?” asked white lion and ignoring given ultimatum, steeped ahead to newcomer.

“I said: stay there!” cried lioness, pointing with front-right paw on wanderer.

Zira used that opportunity. On her throat was just one paw and she grabbed with her limb. Then she rolled aside, with hind legs tripping enemy and causing her fall down. On that moment seemed to wait Dhalimu, who pounced on grey lioness and immobilize her, pinning with all his mass. Zira stood up uncertainly.

“Sis!” Sparthi ran to her. “Are you all right?”

“I’m afraid: yes.” Replied princess. “Hold her tight.”

“You rascals!” growled aggressive lioness. “You won’t have this land!”

“Shhh!” hissed Dhalimu. “You said it: be quiet. So be quiet, right?”

“Uncle! What the hell possessed you!” called Sparthi, ignoring previous advise. “She might have killed Zira!”

“Why you are so irritated she failed?” smiled white lion, still pressing grey lioness to the grass.

“It’s all right, Sparthi.” Replied princess. “Uncle did a right thing. I would do the same at his place.” She smiled, looking on Dhalimu. They stares met and old wandered also narrowed his lips in some kind of smile. “It doesn’t matter now. Let’s get some information on her.”

“I will tell you nothing!” growled prisoner.

“Your perkiness is admirable.” Said Dhalimu. “But I think we will get some agreement. Tell us, why the heck you attacked us?”

“That’s our land! You are trespassers!” hissed greyfurred. It was clear that however she tried to sound firmly and brave, she was at the edge of cry. She wasn’t scared – she was simply despaired.

“Yes and no.”

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