-Thundairah-
"I stand here on the top of the white wooden wall of my pride; from this high border I now sadly look out to the north at a dying world of black and nothingness; behind me to the south is my pride Thundairah. Thundairah is one of the last great stronghold of lions amongst the many prides of Afreaha. Afreaha is still a thriving land of green and plenty; the great and honoured lion prides of Afreaha have been killed back by force over time by the alliance of others.
I am a young male lion, Lungile the son of Cheikh; Cheikh is our great king; many of the kings and queens throughout Afreaha know Cheikh to be a noble figure; always steadfast, wise and never wavering; however soon the day will come where I his son will take his place and be the leader of this pride.
My father and his advisor Jimiyu fully knew this and have great hopes for the future. I have been taught the ways to be a good ruler; ruling with a kind heart and a just claw. They have taught me so many lessons about my kind. I fully understand that the future lies in my hands."
-1-
Knowledge of your Enemy
The Cheikh pride is one of the last noble great lion prides in Afreaha, Cheikh ruled his pride with a fierce heart and razor claw. However a group of unders have stepped forward united together calling themselves the Plundarr's; signs of the Plundarr's actions can be seen throughout all Afreaha. They may be a set of terrifying rival animals by no means crazy about each other; however they work as a well-oiled machine. The alliance consists of Grass Rats, Sheath-tail Bats and Bullfrogs; who have demands of their own to rule these great land. The Plundarr's are ready to take on the lions of Thundairah and what they lack in image they truly make up for in chumming. Rahim the Grass Rat king seeks to bring his horde to glory.
To try and salvage peace throughout Afreaha, Cheikh sends his son and hire Lungile for peace talks with the lead elephant of the Siond Parade Akinlana. To show governance and the significance of this unity Lungile was given the Sword of Emeka and the gauntlet; these are the historic weapons of the lion ancestors. Lungile was accompanied on this important meeting by Jimiyu the royal advisor, Gamba the lead royal warrior and three warrioresses Chaonaine, Nadwah and Abedin.
The Plundarr's had been given information about the convoy and a plan was set; the Plundarrs would attack the convoy as they turned to their pride. Right now Rahim has set his sights on the Thundairah convoy; he gave the signal to move. the leader of the Plundarrs ran behind the convoy making sure that at every turn he wasn't seen.
The Grass Rat looked at the convoy and thought. 'I know that the feline cub is among them somewhere, no doubt he'll be in the centre carriage. I shall send out the others to attack the surrounding carriages and then I shall move in to strike and take the sword from the dying cub's hands.
Rahim's great general had noticed that the trail up ahead of them was getting slightly narrow and so he fell back to his king; "Sir I hope you don't mind me stating, but this would be the perfect opportunity for us to strike; whilst we can take the advantage of the path being at its narrowest." The general on every turn played in nice and loyal to his king; it was this acting that had placed him in this royal, but the general behind his whiskers had goals of his own.
The Grass Rat leader pulled at his whiskers in contemplation and then nodded in agreement. "As you are Radhi; we will strike hard and fast, these lions will die at our hands Radhi... At our hands.' Rahim turned to face his trusted soldier and continued. 'I am counting on you and the others, but give out the order they must leave the centre carriage till last as that is where the prise is."
Radhi nodded and without hesitation ran back to the others with their kings orders. Rahim looked down at the convoy as it entered into the narrow passing. 'When I have the feline prince in my grasp and hold tightly on the sword and gauntlet; King Cheikh will without question fall at my feet.' Rahim closed his eyes for that one second and saw in his mind himself holding high above his head the lion sword and gauntlet.
Muhsin prefect of the Sheath-tailed Bats and Salif the chieftain of the Bullfrog's took their places alongside the Grass Rat soldier's ready for Rahim's signal. 'Waiting for the signal from a common Grass Rat isn't what I had dreamed of, but I'll buy my time, soon enough the orders will come from me.' Muhsin thought as he saw Rahim lower his head, to signal the charge.
The leader gave his Plundarr horde signals with his fingers. His hordes fanned out, weapons up; each sharing gestures and nodes. This was it they were on the move about to face the Thunderians for the first time. Rahim took a breath and focus. "Come on this is it; what I've gathered you here for!" His hordes were now spread out down the narrow pass; none of the Thunderians knew that they were their.
A lioness stood up from her seat and stopped her carriage; she had started to small a scent flow out from the jungle around her; the lion leaned out of her window she saw the movement. The lioness looked over her shoulder; a fellow female lioness called over to her carriage. "Chaonaine, come now we must keep moving; here is no place to stop. If you've smelt what I have then they are coming and coming in fast!"
Chaonaine nodded and shook the feeling out of her head and order her carriage on. "As you ordered Nadwah!" called out the warrioress. However, as the carriage moved forward arrows were fired. Nadwah quickly rushed forward to the front of the convoy and stopped it sharply. "Damn those blasted Plundarr's; their blood thirstiness knows no bounds!" said Nadwah. 'I must warn Jimiyu, he must protect the king's son.'
Jimiyu looked out of his carriage window; his nose had no doubt picked up the many scents of the Plundarr's and said quietly to the young prince. "The day I feared all my life has finally raised its ugly head.' The lion advisor stepped out of his carriage; he saw Lungile step forward his hand on the gauntlet. 'No not yet Lungile; I must see that you are protected." his voice sounded broken and full of concern.
Nadwah came up alongside Jimiyu's side; the advisor turned to face the lioness. "It looks as if there's no way out of this; the Plundarr's have planned this ambush well!"
Jimiyu nodded. "That may be true Nadwah, but we must find a way! The young prince and the Sword of Emeka must not be allowed to full into their hands." stated the wise Lion.
"You already know I can't just turn my back and leave you!"
The elder lion moved back and placed his hand on the lionesses shoulder. "Nadwah I ask you to ride with Lungile and get him safely to the lair back in his father's protection!"
"No I wouldn't allow it; I must stand by your side Jimiyu and together we shall fight them!" stated Nadwah.
"Please now is not the time to argue warrioress, I must hold them off as long as possible so I can be sure of Lungile's safety and our prides future."
"We can't be sure of anything Jimiyu; we must take our chances together; we must!" snapped Nadwah defiantly.
"Enough!' he replied, raising a hand and silencing her. 'Like you've already said the Plundarr's have clearly planned this and their end will see us all killed. I cannot allow that to happen. I am the oldest of all of you, the advisor to the king himself and that gives me power to give you the order to leave Nadwah. You must ride with the prince."
Gamba saw the exchange of words between the advisor and the warrioress. 'This truly looks interesting, maybe Jimiyu as a plan to get us out of here alive.' "Jimiyu they are playing with us; they won't wait much longer to pick us off, what is your plan noble one?" the warrior asked as he came to the advisor's side.
Jimiyu turned to his king's lead warrior. "Gamba, Nadwah must get the prince back to the lair. There will be darker times ahead if she fails, but will only rest easy knowing that in time our leader will lead the Thunderian's to great victory."
"But Jimiyu!" Nadwah interrupted still not wanting to leave Jimiyu alone at the Plundarr's mercy.
Gamba lowered his head; he saw the need to follow Jimiyu's orders. "No Nadwah what Jimiyu says is true; you must travel fast and get Prince Lungile back King Cheikh."
"Come now Nadwah see sense; as this is the right thing to do!"
"Alright if I'm going to do it, let's do it now!" roared the Lioness.
"And Jimiyu what about the sword?" Gamba raised an eye brow in hope.
Jimiyu saw Gamba smile as he kept looking back within the carriage at the Sword of Emeka, the wise lion had sported this out of the corner of his eye. As he was caught the lion looked up at the advisor sharply and addressed. "No doubt the sword needs to be back within our walls Jimiyu!"
"Gamba you will have to leave here." Gamba nodded in agreement. Seeing the Plundarrs at bay for now gave that chance to get the sword and prince to safety had come.
The lion advisor had quickly re-entered the carriage and Jimiyu turned to face the young Lungile and unclipped the sword from its holster and brought it out of the carriage. "Take the Sword of Emeka Gamba back to the king. Cheikh will know then who to pass the sword on to, to carry on its purpose of great deeds."
'If I am the one who hands back the sword to Cheikh, then he will have no other option, but to hand it over to me. I will show him and the others that the future lies with me.' The eager young lion warrior thought as he look down at the sword, which Jimiyu held tightly at his side.
"I will try with all my might to return this sword to our king in your name Jimiyu." stated Gamba.
Jimiyu gave the Sword of Emeka to Gamba; the male warrior held the sword tightly in his paw. "You must succeed Gemba, our kingdom must have hope!"
In his grasp Gamba straight away the lion felt the power and energy of the Sword of Emeka rush right throw his enter body. "The sword it seems to be alive."
"Oh yes the sword is strong Gamba holding power's even I don't know, that is why those Plundarr's fight for it so and the felines of Thundairah have fought to protect it for all these years.' addressed the advisor. 'Please now strong warriors go from this battlefield hand the sword to our kin!"
Nadwah looked across at Gamba and then over her shoulder to witness the approaching Plundarr hordes. 'Is this it, is this how the future must form its self around.' "I know now Jimiyu what I have to do, tell the prince he comes with me. Jimiyu I will not let you down!' as she realised there was oh so much at play here.
Jimiyu leaned back inside the main carriage. "Please now my prince our defences can't hold out much longer against the Plundarr hordes."
The young prince saw the change in Jimiyu's face; there was fear on his lines. "But what is wrong Jimiyu?"
"Sadly the Plundarrs are coming; Lungile I must get you back to your father. Please now I need you to stay close to Nadwah, the journey ahead will be fast so please keep close to her!" said Jimiyu.
Nadwah stepped forward ready to protect her prince and placed a hand on Lungile's shoulder. "Come close Lungile, the Plundarr's seemed to have followed us and struck when we're at our weakest, I cannot let them take you or the sword.
The prince looked at the advisor holding back the sorrow; Jimiyu could feel the wave of doubt fill the young prince. "The nobles around you now; they will guide you in the right direction Lungile; there is a need for you to live on past this dark day; to carry on the code of our kin."
At hearing this words from his pride's advisor Lungile was filled with confidence. "As you request I will return to the pride and to my father the king.' replied Lungile; knowing what Jimiyu had said was true. 'I will leave with Nadwah and know this Jimiyu the code of the Thundairah's will live on long after this day my friend, I swear it!"
"Very good my strong prince… with you the code will live on; as long as you carry it in your heart! Justice, truth, honour and loyalty."
Jimiyu addressed the nobles. "If they got hold of our future then no one will ever know of the Thundairah's; I have hope and respect for you all. You are a great nation I rest well knowing you can fight on."
-2-
Pause on our Past.
There were further arrow shots fired from the jungle around them, a Grass Rat archer pulled back the string of his bow. He took his time and took aim; thinking he had the perfect line he let go. The arrow cut through the air and his arrow almost came close to Chaonaine, she cried out. "Defensive positions everyone, they mustn't be allowed to attack the main flag carriage." the Lioness ordered. Gamba and the lionesses formed a circle to protect the centre carriage the best they could.
Rahim saw the sudden halt of the convoy and moved his hordes forward. "They are forming a circle around the main carriage Rahim!" stated Radhi in frustration; slamming his right fist into his left palm.
"A very risky front; those plucky lions always fighting to the very last slim hope.' grinned Rahim. 'I wouldn't have accepted anything less from them, but Radhi it truly doesn't matter now what they do. Our spy has guarantee me that they aren't heavily armed. So let them try, our only aim now is to get to the centre carriage at all cost!" ordered Rahim; drive by one goal one aim. The Plundarr's charged on the lion's convoy as ordered hard and fast; and within seconds the Thunderian's were surrounded by Rahim's army.
Radhi stepped forward bravely, Nadwah roared at the Grass Rat hoping to scare him back; but that didn't fluster him. The general didn't have any intention in backing down and draw his weapon and clearly pointed them past her at the centre carriage. "We are in a stronger position lioness; I only want the cub prince and the sword."
"What!"
"Oh come on Jimiyu you heard what he said wise one, now I advise you to hand over the cub and the sword, yes." stated the Bullfrog general having the confidence and nerve to step to Radhi's side.
"That won't happen, not now not ever.' stated Jimiyu in response to the demands of the Plundarr's.
The advisor looked around him; he saw the dyer predicament the Thunderiah's found themselves in; Chaonaine and Abedin fighting bravely alongside Gamba against the soldiers of Plundarr. When Jimiyu saw that the Plundarr's were being kept at bay he out the order. "Now go prince, go!" With the others by her side Nadwah with the prince and Gamba holding the sword they managed to break through the Plundarr's blockade.
Jimiyu then stepped forward; 'This is a bad day; I must buy them sometime to get away... Back to the pride walls.' he thought, and then cried out to the Plundarr's leader. "Come on; let's see if you've got the courage for your stake!" taunted the Thunderian.
Rahim grabbed hold of Muhsin and spun him and the leader got into his face; warm air felt on the bat's face. "Fly Muhsin cut through the air and get after them, I want that sword!"
However his flight was stopped. "Oh no you don't; Rahim lay down your weapons and go from here as a free animal. There is no way I cannot allow you to win on this day." Jimiyu addressed the Grass Rat as he stood in their path.
The Grass Rat king simply laughed this folly off and stepped up into the lone lion's face. "Never Jimiyu, for the king's advisor you have only gone and sealed your fate. This day will be your last, I shall be most proud of the one Plundarr who kills you Jimiyu!"
Jimiyu knew that he was about to sacrifice himself; as hard to admit as it was; he knew deep down it must be done. Jimiyu battled on bravely, hoping to buy the others some time to get away, he was able to stop the strikes of three Sheath-tailed Bats with his single blade. However his blade was snatched from his hand by a Bullfrog soldier as he leaped over the lion's head. "Yes, I'll take that!" he croaked.
Jimiyu turned away for one split second to see where the Bullfrog had landed, however the lion was kicked in the chest by Milap and he fell to the floor. "I advise you to stay down yes lion." cried the Bullfrog as he licked the blade that once belonged to Jimiyu.
The lion however took a few good breaths and still in pain got to his feet, Jimiyu had always hated the fact that he was too weak to fight whilst the young now took to battle in Cheikh's name. But his great sacrifice once again would give him that chance to return to the battlefield and fight once again in Cheikh's honour. "Stand back creature, I may be old, but there is still fight in the old Lion yet.' the lion said as the Sheath-tail Bat moved in for the kill. 'Where is your leader Milap isn't he powerful enough to fight me himself?"
Jimiyu's words didn't phase the Sheath-tail Bat. "The outcome would still be that same old lion; no matter who steps before you now let's not play around!' stated Milap. 'Now oh Jimiyu I have planned this moment for many a year; at last I will end the life of the great Thunderian advisor!" laughed the Sheath-tail Bat.
Jimiyu tried to fight him off; even making a lung for the Bullfrog to retrieve his blade, but he was killed in battle at the hands of Milap. 'It has been said that when one dies they relive their life seeing there regrets and worries; well this time I don't have any; I only have hope. Yes I can only hope; hope that Nadwah was able to get Lungile back to the king!' were the lion's last thoughts.
Cheikh stepped out of the Lion's lair and turned to face a lion warrioress. "Lautoka to my chamber now." The male lion was adorned in Afreaha-toned garments offset by rich and coloured pieces of jewellery; a head crown, a neck chain and matching wrist and ankle bracelets of breads, seeds and feathers.
A few seconds later Lautoka joined Cheikh in his chamber; the king relight a plate of scented herbs and spies. "I have done all that I truly can be protect this pride, as we speak my young son is in talks with Akinlana the figure head of the Siond Parade, but Lungile has not yet returned."
"We must have hope your majesty." replied Lautoka.
"I must admit Lautoka I am growing worried for every second the princess's absence." he said truthfully.
Cheikh walking behind the royal table and sat down, he looked up at the lioness. Behind the kings throne hung two finely woven hangings one to his left the second place to his right. The chamber walls from ceiling to floor was washed in royal red and gold rich paint. "I ask of you to head out and find the convoy, to make sure my son and the Sword of Emeka are brought home safely."
"As you wish my king." replied Lautoka, she curtsied and then made her exit.
With Jimiyu dead at the hands of Milap Rahim gave out the orders to go after the prince and the sword yet again. And this time Muhsin would take to the skies, without hesitation and headed after them with Barika and Waitimu at his side.
Lautoka left through the gates of Thundairah on her hover board, Xjhana watching on from the watch tower as Lautoka disappeared in the distance. 'Good luck.' She though. 'And bring our prince home safely.' She looked down at Cheikh, who no doubt thought the same as she did.
The jungle terrain was taught and difficult to get through, but Gamba made sure that he was in front of Lungile and the lionesses; he only has two wishes; the first to show the king how powerful he is and the next to be the next in line for the sword. Chaonaine heard the cries of the Sheath-tailed Bats as they approached. "Jimiyu did his best, we must have ten minutes on them." she stated continuing on into the jungle green.
Lungile knew that that must mean the advisor had fallen to the might of the Plundarr's. "Come then Lungile, we must move on, no time to cry now for him. That isn't what he would have wanted, he wanted you home safe and I promised him I would do that." He nodded back at her.
The young prince picked up the pace; running as fast as he could to keep up with Nadwah, who was truly fast and nimble on her feet.
Lautoka first met with Gamba as he made his way back to the Thundairah, she notice that he had the sword and knew that something bad must have happened. "Gamba you have the great sword, what has happened?" she asked as she came up alongside Gamba.
"Look now Lautoka I have no time to explain, I have orders from Jimiyu. The Plundarr's came for us they knew just where we were; now lioness the prince is back there in danger. Please now you must save him, I will complete my orders and hand the Sword of Emeka to King Cheikh!"
The sound of trumpets echoed through the plains, Lautoka turn sharply in surprise; Gamba however kept looking straight ahead towards Thundairah as the need to prove himself to King Cheikh grew within him. "I will head forward see if I can be of assistance to Lungile; will you be okay Gamba."
Gamba nodded in his agreement. "There is nothing in this world that could prevent we now. Cheikh will know that it was me who returned the sword."
"Very well… Go!" she roared out and headed on. Gamba however didn't wait for her promotion; the lion warrior had already continued to run on.
Lautoka shook this off, believing it to be Gamba's braver and flies on to face the approaching Plundarr army, she spots Lungile and the two lioness warriors running through the jungle. There behind them led by Muhsin were the combined forced of the Plundarrs; Sheath-tailed Bat, Grass Rat and Bullfrog soldiers chanced after them.
Each one of the Plundarr's hoped to kill the prince and to deliver his body back to Rahim for their own gain. She flew in closer of the Plundarr. "Get her, let her be another casualty!" called out Milap.
"Nadwah you two have been courageous; Lungile stay close to them young prince, Thundairah is almost upon you."
"They want get that chance!' called out Muhsin. 'Bring her down!" At the Sheath-tailed Bat's orders the soldiers fired up at Lautoka. She managed to keep clear, drawing their fire; giving the others the chance to bring some distance behind them and the Plundarr army.
Lautoka drops smoke powder bombs on the troops below her; smoke filled their path disorientating the Bullfrogs and the Grass Rats. Muhsin stopped and flow back after coming face to face with Lautoka; he took pleasure in informing Rahim about his army's first failure.
As Gamba neared his pride lands of Thundairah, he could make out the different woven tent huts that surrounded the main central lair; each structure entirely constructed by dried leaves and course fibers, which had been meticulously intertwined. The main central tent hut was adorned with scrimshaw, as if it told the story in pictures of the beginning of the great pride who leave around the village.
Gamba as the main gates of Thundairah entered through the opening, he let no one stop him and the lead warrior climbed up the short set of steps that led to his lion's lair, he took a deep breath and tightened his paw around the swords hilt. Gamba pushed the heavy curtain aside and entered in the lion's main hall. The scent of burning herbs wafted over him. In the rusty lantern glow of the chamber Gamba saw King Cheikh sitting behind the great council table; he was facing the fine ganging of fine woven wall pictograph. "My king I have returned!".
The large male lion turned to face his trusted fight; Cheikh was pleased to see that his warrior had returned and the king saw that his warrior held out the Sword of Emeka in his arms. "I know who will gain the honour of the Sword of Emeka!' stated the king of Thundairah, even more grateful for the safe return of the Sword of Emeka.
'Yes I did it, just like the warriors of the past; I will one day become king over royal blood.' Gamba thought he was talking about him, not knowing that Lungile had walking into his father's chamber.
"Son I am truly pleased you are home!" called out Cheikh.
"Father I am grateful to the actions of our pride today." replied Lungile casting a hand at his fellow pride member. Neither Cheikh nor Lungile however picked upon Gamba's disgruntled look as his actions were over looked. The warrior's ears did pick up when Cheikh thanks Gamba and almost implied that is actions would be rewarded by the sword.