deadly incorrect.

Malkha always had health problems. At least since the day when Arista met her. He saved young lioness from avalanche in Rumble Gorge, as she was wandering homeless with her brother Dhalimu. Prince of Golden Sands (king Ananias was still alive then) decided to take care about siblings and allowed them say in kingdom. Soon after he chose Malkha as his mate, not bothering with imparity she was marked with. Accident in Rumble Gorge damaged lioness’s pelvis, making her constantly hobbling. Also that injure was endangering eventual pregnancy and labour what always worried her mate. But Sparthi was born alive. Zira the same. However Kira hadn’t so much luck and she died just before her mother passed away.

That was a strange day. For almost whole night lasted pre-delivery pains and cubbirth itself. First came female cub that parents decided to call Zira - what was ancient name of lionesses in Golden Pride, even from times when Golden Lions had been living on the North, behind the desert. In legend, sister of Zira was called Kira and those two lionesses were both ruling kingdom just before Great Trek south – so the other cub – if that was to be girl too – was meant to be called like that. Second cub was a girl indeed, but she outlived just about hour.

None of efforts of Arista himself, Sparthi, Hatibu and secretary bird Hatibu, who was current major-domo of kingdom, couldn’t stop exhausted mother from dying. In wave of despair, Arista ordered Hatibu to announce day of Sacred Peace and call all creatures of Desert. Animals would do what turned out to be proper – welcome newborn royal cubs or give their last salute to respected and beloved monarchess. It happened they made both those things.

Kira gave her last breath just a while after Arista announce in cave name of her daughter. In someway fortunately – Malkha was already unconsciousness and she died happy, thinking that her both children made it.

There was another participator of that drama – Dhalimu. Brother of queen was running all the time, carrying water and looking for any eventual help. When he returned to Golden Cave to report sad truth that there was no creature skilled with shamanic lore available at moment, he saw his younger sister dead, as well as his niece.

So there was just one thing to do – tell subjects what tragedy struck them. Arista gently lifted tiny Zira (presenting so young, just newborn cubs, wasn’t normal, but Masa suggested that they can’t be sure about also Zira’s back to cave, just to be sure she was going to be all right. Sparthi and Dhalimu were steeping behind him like shadows, but then white lion whispered to his nephew with heavy voice.

“Boy… help me. We must bury your mother.”

Masa nodded her head, hearing that. When king was paralysed in his grieve, lioness took over the main duty of basic planning – she was acting as a queen, when queen was actually gone. She silently thanked Dhalimu that he didn’t asked Arista for help, taking him aside from newborn cub. Then goldenfurred laid down on brushy bedding, gently hugging Zira.

Masa was about to bear her own cub. And that was a blessing in that cursed day. Lioness was already able to provide milk for newborn and thanks to that Zira survived. While Dhalimu and Sparthi were carrying Malkha and Kira to the top of Golden Massif (traditional place to leave dead ones – bodies were given to winds and storms over the desert) and Arista was lying still with unaware stare fixed on his daughter, Masa was nursing weak cub. Zira was strong child, but labour was really hard. However Masa was full of hope – if kitty made her first hours on this world, she was close to stay here for a longer while.

“And now…” started Arista with hollow voice. “And know… I just don’t know. Nothing has sense now.”

“Don’t say that, my king.” Replied Masa. “I know it hard time for you, but you must remember about your duties. To our pride and family. Sparthi needs strong and caring father… Zira needs the same.”

“Will you help me?” asked Arista with sudden softness in voice. Good that no one from pride heard that – all lionesses except of Masa were in main chamber of cave, too scared to disturb their ruler, but ready to come on first call. But king was marked with that kind of loneliness that even presence of full pride couldn’t help. He stood up, came to Masa and touched her shoulder with paw.

“I am here for that.” She replied. “I’m sure that lady Malkha would have been wonderful mother for Zira and Kira… as she was wonderful mother for Sparthi. I will try to do my best, to replace her… of course, in that range I’m, able to.”

She barely repressed herself to say for what range she was ready for, but that was useless in that moment and very improper due to mourning after queen. Masa loved her king, not only as a king, but also as greatest lions she ever knew. She even wasn’t thinking in selfish categories – should would be extremely happy, if monarch made her his mate the new queen. But for her Arista was more important than king – she was primary bothered with his loss, not with her small hopes and expectations.

“Yes… I want to ask you to take care for Zira.” Said lion quietly. “I know that is a lots of work, especially that your cub will born soon, but…”

“As I said – I’ll do my best.” Interrupted Masa.

“May I touch her?” asked Arista, bending down to sleeping newborn.

“Well, that’s your daughter.” Smiled Masa.

“Yes, but…” king froze with half-extended paw, but lioness grabbed his limb and put on Zira’s body.

Goldenmaned was touching his daughter for loner while and then knee me. We must bury your mother.”

Masa nodded her head, hearing that. When king was paralysed in his grieve, lioness took over the main duty of basic planning – she was acting as a queen, when queen was actually gone. She silently thanked Dhalimu that he didn’t asked Arista for help, taking him aside from newborn cub. Then goldenfurred laid down on brushy bedding, gently hugging Zira.

Masa was about to bear her own cub. And that was a blessing in that cursed day. Lioness was already able to provide milk for newborn and thanks to that Zira survived. While Dhalimu and Sparthi were carrying Malkha and Kira to the top of Golden Massif (traditional place to leave dead ones – bodies were given to winds and storms over the desert) and Arista was lying still with unaware stare fixed on his daughter, Masa was nursing weak cub. Zira was strong child, but labour was really hard. However Masa was full of hope – if kitty made her first hours on this world, she was close to stay here for a longer while.

“And now…” started Arista with hollow voice. “And know… I just don’t know. Nothing has sense now.”

“Don’t say that, my king.” Replied Masa. “I know it hard time for you, but you must remember about your duties. To our pride and family. Sparthi needs strong and caring father… Zira needs the same.”

“Will you help me?” asked Arista with sudden softness in voice. Good that no one from pride heard that – all lionesses except of Masa were in main chamber of cave, too scared to disturb their ruler, but ready to come on first call. But king was marked with that kind of loneliness that even presence of full pride couldn’t help. He stood up, came to Masa and touched her shoulder with paw.

“I am here for that.” She replied. “I’m sure that lady Malkha would have been wonderful mother for Zira and Kira… as she was wonderful mother for Sparthi. I will try to do my best, to replace her… of course, in that range I’m, able to.”

She barely repressed herself to say for what range she was ready for, but that was useless in that moment and very improper due to mourning after queen. Masa loved her king, not only as a king, but also as greatest lions she ever knew. She even wasn’t thinking in selfish categories – should would be extremely happy, if monarch made her his mate the new queen. But for her Arista was more important than king – she was primary bothered with his loss, not with her small hopes and expectations.

“Yes… I want to ask you to take care for Zira.” Said lion quietly. “I know that is a lots of work, especially that your cub will born soon, but…”

“As I said – I’ll do my best.” Interrupted Masa.

“May I touch her?” asked Arista, bending down to sleeping newborn.

“Well, that’s your daughter.” Smiled Masa.

led down and gently licked cub’s head. Although kitty was barely aware of world around her, she had to recognise touch of love and care, because she instinctively moved to Arista’s muzzle, nestling in his fur.

“That’s good.” Murmured Masa. “The worst is already behind us. Now you must rest, both of you. My lord, just… try to get some sleep and Zira and I will do the same. All right?”

Meanwhile bodies of queen and princess were placed in ceremonial stone. Golden Pride had no specified rites to bid farewell to dead one. Just ruler announced the tragic news and then pride took body on massif’s plateau. Mortal coil put on the top of rock was just left there. Usually nearest sandstorm was tearing body to the bones, spreading earthly remains of deceased over whole desert. And that was the whole idea of that tradition – dead one was returning to the desert. In Golden Sands was no strict custom to salute graves, but absent members of pride were remembered in songs and tales for long generation.

Malkha was about to be remembered even longer – she was beloved monarchess of always smiling lips and great heart. She was somehow balancing a bit choleric temperament of king Arista and performing all her royal duties with dignity. In spite of her imparity, she never avoided hunts and helped her mate and king in his tasks whenever it was necessary. It was meaningful – year earlier, just before Sparthi’s birth – when rumours about endanger pregnancy spread among desert’s habitants, many herbivores – before announcing the

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