XIV. Here and Now

Overwhelming fear and sense of temporality.

Perhaps Dhalimu had some memories from times he was just a merry cub, but new experiences quickly covered those with layer of much stronger and more painful sensations. They were on run, since day that white lion wished to forget.

From moment of banishment, he could recall just scraps of images. An angry and powerful king, standing over the body of lion who was Dhalimu’s father. Mother, crying, but too scared to came closer to dead one. She was holding new born cub – rogue’s sister Malkha. Cold words of king. “You transgressed my laws! You know what penalty for that is!” And then run.

Dhalimu had about year then, but drama of next year – constant fight for life of his mother, sister and his own – made that period a black hole. Also from first months of wandering, white lion didn’t remember too much. He perfectly could recall day of mother’s death, because since that moment his and his sister’s situation from dire became tragic. All three ate too old carcass and digestive infection claimed life of mother, where her children somehow survived. But since then Dhalimu had to hunt for two and fact he succeeded to feed himself and Malkha was even greater miracle than recovering after alimentary inflammation. Sibling made their way alone, but it was extremely hard time.

Later it was better – a bit. Dhalimu had to grow up quickly, what he deed and in age of two he was ready to keep his sister in safety in health easily. But still it was a rogue life, devoid of comforts of living in pride. Then tried of fitting to some desert coalition – always failures. Dhalimu feared about Malkha’s fate if he died – what would happened to her, if she stayed in such a band. But if white lion died, leaving sister without any help, it was even worse.

And later desperate attempt to take over Golden Pride, what ended with disaster – on one of recons, they caused an avalanche that almost buried Malkha. Prince Arista helped them and solved all problems troubling Dhalimu at once.

Those were recollections that white lion saw in ravine of Rumble Range, sensing incoming death. In spite that every death was rather a sad event, that one had especially bitter taste. Wanderer was looking on face of Sukari and seeing not brownfurred but himself. That was white lion, five years younger, before he joined Golden Pride. Dhalimu tried to find a rage inside, angry feelings towards rogue, but he found just a perfect understanding.

“I see you know what I’m up to.” Said brownmaned. He was on bottom of ravine, busy with wiping his tracks from gravel. However he didn’t have to keep an eye on white lion – enemy was disarmed and helpless. “Hold on still, I’ll make it quick. Just let me finish with those trails.”

“There still isn’t too late.” Said Dhalimu with despaired voice. He wasn’t scared about death – he saw too many deaths in his life to treat it as something special. But he was analysing Sukari’s behaviour and he came to conclusion that rogue just had started his plan and more dangers could strike Golden Pride, where rule of rogue was just insignificant result of terrifying actions. “I won’t tell about you to anyone, if you let me go.”

“No, it’s much too late.” Replied Sukari. n lang="EN-GB">Overwhelming fear and sense of temporality.

Perhaps Dhalimu had some memories from times he was just a merry cub, but new experiences quickly covered those with layer of much stronger and more painful sensations. They were on run, since day that white lion wished to forget.

From moment of banishment, he could recall just scraps of images. An angry and powerful king, standing over the body of lion who was Dhalimu’s father. Mother, crying, but too scared to came closer to dead one. She was holding new born cub – rogue’s sister Malkha. Cold words of king. “You transgressed my laws! You know what penalty for that is!” And then run.

Dhalimu had about year then, but drama of next year – constant fight for life of his mother, sister and his own – made that period a black hole. Also from first months of wandering, white lion didn’t remember too much. He perfectly could recall day of mother’s death, because since that moment his and his sister’s situation from dire became tragic. All three ate too old carcass and digestive infection claimed life of mother, where her children somehow survived. But since then Dhalimu had to hunt for two and fact he succeeded to feed himself and Malkha was even greater miracle than recovering after alimentary inflammation. Sibling made their way alone, but it was extremely hard time.

Later it was better – a bit. Dhalimu had to grow up quickly, what he deed and in age of two he was ready to keep his sister in safety in health easily. But still it was a rogue life, devoid of comforts of living in pride. Then tried of fitting to some desert coalition – always failures. Dhalimu feared about Malkha’s fate if he died – what would happened to her, if she stayed in such a band. But if white lion died, leaving sister without any help, it was even worse.

And later desperate attempt to take over Golden Pride, what ended with disaster – on one of recons, they caused an avalanche that almost buried Malkha. Prince Arista helped them and solved all problems troubling Dhalimu at once.

Those were recollections that white lion saw in ravine of Rumble Range, sensing incoming death. In spite that every death was rather a sad event, that one had especially bitter taste. Wanderer was looking on face of Sukari and seeing not brownfurred but himself. That was white lion, five years younger, before he joined Golden Pride. Dhalimu tried to find a rage inside, angry feelings towards rogue, but he found just a perfect understanding.

“I see you know what I’m up to.” Said brownmaned. He was on bottom of ravine, busy with wiping his tracks from gravel. However he didn’t have to keep an eye on white lion – enemy was disarmed and helpless. “Hold on still, I’ll make it quick. Just let me finish with those trails.”

“There still isn’t too late.” Said Dhalimu with despaired voice. He wasn’t scared about death – he saw too many deaths in his life to treat it as something special. But he was analysing Sukari’s behaviour and he came to “It was much too late when we met.”

“If you think you could kill Sparthi in that way…” growled Dhalimu.

“Don’t worry about that.” Smiled bromwnmaned, still looking for visible tracks. “I took care about some reinforcements.”

“Damn you!” snorted white lion, although in fact he couldn’t condemn young rogue for what he was doing.

“Damn me?” smiled Sukari, turning to old wanderer. “I tell you something – You stand at the wrong side!” he came closer, stopping at the edge of Dhalimu paws range. “You are in league with all those fat and self-satisfied lions of prides and against us – outcasts and exiles. And you know what?” asked brownfurred. “You are right! I’m coming to your side as well!”

 

[“Here and Now” song. Tune is slow and melancholic, with some faster tones in choruses. Instrumental line is mostly classic guitar with marching-like drums. ”Choir aahs” in choruses.

The scene takes place in mouth of ravine – just about fifty metres from place where lays Dhalimu and Sukari is covering his tracks, is brink of desert. In some crack of rock there is small termite mound. Last sunrays are shining to the gorge. Dhalimu tries to stand up, but his every approach ends with another fall. He is too weak.

Sukari leaves his job and comes to termite hive. He violently breaking the outer shell, ripping to the centre of small colony. Starts to sing]

Look on world – the steel and endless chain

Of those who rule and those who are in pain

[He expose the centre of hive and queen’s chamber is visible. On <those who rule> he crash chamber’s walls and termite queen falls down on the ground.]

Of those satisfied and happy to see the sun

And those never had a chance to win this run

[Around queen countless drones are running, trying to carry monarchess to some safe place. Sukari looks on it with disgust, few times rubbing his paw to rock, to rid off warrior termites, biting him.]

Of those who’re preaching the gospel for their own

And those who had to listen angels choirs bygone

[He destroys food storage with single blow. Gathered sugar mass is slowly floating down, drowning some drones and covering queen.]

Of those who’re feasting in everlasting bliss

And those who’re only drooling at the porch this

[Some larvae – unaware what is happening – still eat the feeding mass, but then drown in it, as well as some drones and warriors.]

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