Smiled brownmaned to princess. “Just do what I say and we all be fine.”

“Haven’t you confused your team?” asked goldenfurred.

“I did. But you have no reason for complaining on that.” Smiled. Then called again aloud. “Sorry, buddies, but I won’t let you slaughter those helpless lioness. That’s not fair what we are doing now.”

“Just few hours back, you had no scruples.” Growled Mhamiji.

“Just few hours back I had no full image.” Replied brownfurred. “I grateful to you for year that you took care over me… but it doesn’t mean I could support your every action.”

“That’s a trick?” asked Sparthi with panting voice.

“I don’t know.” Replied Zira. “Pray that is not!”

“So… what you are going to do. Side with this pride?” asked Keme.

“If that is only way to stop you… yes.” Rogues growled with rage. “Listen to me, that has no sense. You won’t win.”

“We took down their boss.” Noticed Tariki.

“I guess they are fighting still.” Replied Sukari. “And now… You are just four. Shababu is down and I will stand for Highlanders. However, if you draw back, we will spare boss’s life.”

“Will we?” asked Zira with doubtful voice.

“Do what I’m saying if you want to live!” snorted Sukari.

“We were doing fine without your help!” murmured princess.

“I see.” Smiled brownfurred, looking on unconscious body of Dhalimu. “Zira, if you want to save your uncle, just trust me!”

In Keme’s heart storm was raging. The failure would be nothing, if it came just from badluck. But that stalemate was result of betrayal. “No!” thought lion. “I told him myself that he has to take care of won business. If he hopes to join the pride… oh, hell… I’m glad if he succeed.” Then his stare met Sukari’s. Eyes of young lion were full of fear, despair but also something different. Keme followed his lips movement. “Trust me!” seemed to whisper Sukari.

“All right…” said yellowmaned finally. “If you promise let Shababu live, we will draw back.”

“And leave the High Pride!” called Sparthi, still holding enemy’s paw.

“And never harass us again!” added Bonde.

“That not a decision I could make without word with boss.”

“Please, be quick, Keme.” Said Sukari with shivering voice. Bit his tone was filled not with panic, but determination. “Soon boss would be unable to speak.” And he put his claws on throat of one-eyed.

“Done!” called rogue. “We will let you alone. But free Shababu! Sukari, I trust your word.”

“Don’t worry, Keme.” Replied young lion. “I always keep my word. Believe it!”

Two parties started to divide. Yellowmaned grabbed Shababu’s neck in his jaws and started to step back to line of grasses. Other rogues, seeing that their chief and companions weren’t stopped, stepped there two. Sparthi knelled down to charge, seeing as they were passing Rama by, but nothing happened – attackers ignored presence of knocked down lioness. Meanwhile High Lionesses gathered around unconscious Dhalimu.

“What with him?” asked Sukari.

“He is alive. Wounded, but alive.” Replied Bonde.

“So, we both kept our terms.” Called brownfurred into darkness. “Go away!”

“We will, Sukari.” Replied Keme. “Believe that I also keep my promises!”

Zira ran to uncle and seeing his life wasn’t in danger, rushed to Rama. When she got there, older lioness already was regaining her awareness. Princess just held her on the grass.

“Don’t move… just let me see your head.”

“Just a scratch…” replied Rama. “But… have we won?”

“I guess so…”

Rama and Dhalimu were taken to cave and put next to earlier wounded lionesses and king. Then Sparthi ordered Highlandresses to fall in rank to see their eventual injuries. It seemed that except of two commanders, all were generally intact.