Author's Note: Okay, here's a new chapter. So sorry for the delay everyone, I had some health issues, but am well now and as you can see, back to writing. I sure missed it while being sick. Anyway, before we begin, I have an announcement. Since this story is so different from my last one I have decided to do a plot chapter split. That means the odd chapters, you know, 1, 3, 5, etc will be about Nkosi and the Eastern Valley Pride. The evens, well you know you're evens, will be about Hisani and the Northern Valley Pride. Everything will blend together when the appropriate time approaches.
So, enough of me talking and on with the show…
Chapter 2
The sun had yet to rise over the Northern Valley, but the lack of light didn't stop the inhabitants of the lands from roaming. It was every animal's way, at least here. Carnivore and herbivore could speak freely without the temptation of the carnivore's urge for a snack. The herbivores had no reason to fear. Any hunger pains the carnivores had was forced down. How cruel was it to eat your neighbor, even if it was for survival?
Here, in the Northern Valley, no one fought for survival, they merely strived to live their lives in peace, prosperity and solitude. But they all knew how the balance worked. The predators had to eat those who did not live off meat in order to live. It was the way things worked, but that didn't mean it had to be an all day thing. If it were, the land would be devoid of life and the balance would fall. When it came to eating, both sides only took what they needed to feed themselves and their families. Everyone was careful and happy.
The Northern Valley was riddled with caves. One large area, in the near middle of the Valley held a vast number of caves, which were already taken by the lions.
A lioness sat on a large jutted stone, her position strong yet relaxed. She sighed as her deep blue eyes took in her surroundings and the beautiful sight in front of her. She smiled, loving this time of the day, when everyone was still asleep in the dens and she could be alone in her thoughts. These days she had much to think about. It would be another year or two before she finally reached adulthood. She felt relieved. She enjoyed her cubhood.
The relief was for something else, which spoke to her mind as she stared, watching the first rays of the rising sun. King's daughter… Adaeze smiled again, deep pride surging. She was indeed her father's daughter, the king's daughter as the meaning of her name suggested. She was his only child, and next in line to the throne. That was another reason she was out here. Knowing she would one day inherit this kingdom, its inhabitants, and the responsibilities did not overwhelm her. It gave her a sense of duty and purpose. She wasn't worried. She'd known about her future all her life. She'd been taught at an early age and one day it would be put to use.
Adaeze closed her eyes. "Father… when my time comes, I promise I won't fail you."
"He knows you won't, Ada," said a gentle bass voice.
She opened her eyes but did not turn. She recognized the voice and it made her heart skip a beat. She heard steps and felt a presence beside her. Finally, she turned and smiled. A lion about her age with dark brown fur, a still incoming black mane and kind gold hazel eyes stared at her.
"Good morning, Maabade, you're up early." She nuzzled him gently.
He returned the gesture. "Morning, and yes, I am. I felt I needed to be."
"I'm glad." Adaeze sighed again and fixed her gaze on the lands. "It's going to be a good day."
He also looked. "Yes, I think it is." He wanted to draw closer but ruled against it. They were good friends, but he wanted more. The question was, did she? He could only hope.
They were silent a long time, but it was their way. They weren't chatters. They loved the quiet. It gave them time to think and reflect on their lives.
Adaeze broke the silence. "I know I ask this always, but… How're your parents?"
The fact that she cared for his parents and their well being made him smile. "They're well and still sleeping when I left, but if I know my dad, he should be up soon and my mother is doing better." He noticed the worry on her face. Hesitantly, he put a paw on hers. "Why?" he asked softly, then it hit him. "How are your parents?"
She didn't blame him for asking. It was what she wanted. She winced and tried to speak. "They're…" She looked at the ground, played at the dirt with a paw, and shut her eyes. "They're alright," was all she could manage.
There was pain in her voice. He hated to hear it and spoke quietly. "At least they're okay."
Adaeze lowered her head. "I don't think they are. My mom… She…" She couldn't continue and stopped, her throat aching.
His mind didn't want it, but his heart did. She was hurting and he wasn't about to let her hurt alone. He drew closer, their shoulders touching.
His closeness ignited a spark in her. Her heart skipped another beat and instinctively, she allowed her head to fall against his neck. She cried quietly.
Maabade purred to calm her and closed his eyes. Whatever was wrong with her parents was affecting her badly. If only he could know… As he consoled her and wondered, another question came. Did she even know what was going on with her parents? Maabade shivered inside. Whatever it was probably wasn't good. He put his head on top of hers.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
In the dark coolness of the royal caverns, the king and queen of the Northern Valley rested. Hisani, the lion of royal blood, slowly opened his eyes and yawned softly. He lifted his majestic head, looked around and turned to his right to see his wife, Queen Idhara, sleeping beside him, her breathing soft. A smile formed on his face. After nearly three years she still managed to take his breath away. After nearly three years he was still true to his wedding vows. He knew she was too. She loved him too much not to be. He stared down at her, mesmerized. Her medium light sanded fur. She was beautiful. He leaned down to let her know that he was going to leave.
"Idhara," he whispered. When she didn't move he kissed her cheek and gently nudged her. "Idhara?" he asked softly.
Finally, she stirred, her ears twitching. "What is it?" she grumbled.
Her tone surprised him. Usually she liked it when he woke and gave her a morning kiss. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm leaving to round up the guards and Nabila should be arriving soon to give me a report."
"Yeah, okay. Take care. See you when you come home." Without another word, she resumed her sleep not even bothering to wish him well.
Hisani drew his head back, confused. That was it? That was all she had to say? She must not have slept well, he thought, but how could that be? Dismissing other thoughts, he gave her another kiss on the cheek. "I love you, Idhara." Surely he could get a good response from that.
She didn't raise her head to kiss him. Instead, she murmured, "Yeah, love you too."
The words sent a cold chill through his body. He was stunned and shocked. How could she say 'love you too' and so callously? In such a tone, the words wounded him. A large lump of emotion filled his throat but he swallowed it. If in that moment she did turn to him he couldn't let her see that she had hurt him. Maybe she didn't mean to, and yet…
Hisani shut his eyes, shook his head, rose, and left his chambers. How could she? All he wanted was to let her know that he was leaving! Was it really so hard to give him a heartfelt 'I love you too'? But it wasn't the first time she had done that. Her sudden change in attitude, at least toward him, had been going on for months, but it had never given birth to such a cold way of saying those three special words. Now that it did, he had done something to upset her.
Hisani stopped and surveyed his pride, at least those who were in the main den. The rest, the guardians, were in the lower caves. Some lionesses were up and talking in quiet tones. Upon seeing him they stopped and bowed in respect. He smiled and bowed back, giving them good mornings, which they returned.
As he walked it suddenly occurred to him that his daughter, Princess Adaeze was not in the royal chambers. He was about to ask one of the lionesses, then had a feeling she was out on the stone ledge. He smirked. She was so like him… King's daughter… His smile grew. He had named her well and right.
He stepped out into the morning light, yawned and stretched his still tired muscles. He breathed in the crisp air. Up ahead he noticed two forms sitting on the stone… a lion and a lioness. Hisani took a closer look, another smile forming. He should have guessed his only daughter wasn't alone, but he'd rather have this lion with her than another. Allowing them privacy, Hisani silently walked down the stones that led to the lower caves. They were almost adults and responsible. They didn't need to have the king watching over them from a distance.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Maabade had never seen Adaeze so shaken and it scared him a little. She was always a confident, vibrant, strong and independent lioness, even as a cub too. Now she was reduced to a cub that had seen a kill actually happen right in front of her. Were her parents having problems so severe that they caused this deep an ache? He held her tighter with a paw wrapped around her back. She pressed her head deeper into his neck. He shushed her gently and soothingly as the sobs continued to shake her body.
"Maabade…?" Her voice still held pain and she moved her head from him.
Hearing his name from her like that broke his heart. "Adaeze…" he breathed.
She pulled away and wiped her eyes with a paw. She sniffed. "I'm sorry. I guess I just -" She felt him put a paw on her shoulder and she turned to see his eyes so kind that she was drawn.
The paw that was on her shoulder he now moved to up tilt her chin. He smiled warmly. "Ada, it's okay. If you need to lay your head on my shoulder go ahead. I…" They weren't the words he wanted, but he forced them out. "I'm your friend. I care about you. If you need to talk, I'm here. You know that, right?"
Adaeze sighed, but didn't speak. Instead, whether on impulse or because she needed more contact with him, she nuzzled him and buried her head in the side of the still incoming mane on his neck. At last she spoke. "I know you are, Maabade. And I thank you for it." A tear slipped out of her left eye and down her cheek.
Maabade smiled and licked the side of her neck. "You're welcome." He sighed deeply. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Having her close to him, and twice in one morning felt like a dream but it wasn't. What concerned him most was what caused her breakdown in the first place, and what did her mother have to do with it? These were questions he couldn't answer and he wasn't about to go to the source, the queen. It would be inappropriate but if it was causing Adaeze pain what was he, her best friend, to do? He pushed the questions out of his mind for now. The lioness whose head was buried in his neck, whose body was still shuddering in his embrace, needed him and he would be there.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Hisani stared at his two guards then eyed the lioness. "I'm glad you're feeling better, Atiya. I was worried about you."
The lioness smiled. "You know me, Hisani. Not even a small fever can keep me down. I just needed to rest for a few days."
The other guard, a lion, warmly nuzzled the lioness. "I, too, am glad you're feeling better. You really had me and our son worried."
Atiya nuzzled him back. "I promise, Imani, I'm alright. Even our son could believe that."
Hisani looked at the ground, not wanting his eyes to intrude on his friends' affection. Why couldn't he and Idhara assure each other like that after one of them recovered from a small bout of sickness? Even when they weren't sick they weren't as affectionate like Imani and Atiya. What was going on with him and his wife? He shook himself. If he showed one hint of worry over him and Idhara, Imani would notice and try to help. Hisani wasn't ready for his friend's counsel. Not yet, anyway.
"Imani, where's your brother?" the king asked.
The lion pulled away from his wife and furrowed his brow in thought. "To be honest, and no pun intended, I'm not sure, but he should be around." Imani wasn't surprised to know of his older brother's absence. If Nyoka wanted to stay away, he certainly had the right to, but when the king came into the guardians' caves… Nyoka, if I see you, we're gonna have a talk!
Hisani nodded. "Yeah, probably… Anyway, if you two are ready, shall we begin the day?"
Imani and Atiya stepped forward, their heads high, their stances strong. "We are, sire," they said in saluting voices.
Hisani smiled. He could always count them, which is why he loved them like a brother and sister and why he was still so proud that they had decided to serve as guardians.
The three walked out of the cave. As Imani stepped out, he looked around and up to the stone. What he saw made him smile. He turned to Atiya and whispered, "I think I found our son." He looked back at the stone. She followed his gaze and smiled too.
Hisani spoke. "What is it?" he asked.
Atiya cleared her throat. "I see our son, and your daughter."
"Oh, you mean that?" He chuckled. "I noticed that when I came out of the den. Something must be on their minds."
Imani laughed. "Hisani, we know that's very obvious. Atiya and I have been aware of Maabade's deep affection for your daughter. I can't say I was surprised when they were cubs and I won't say I'm surprised now that they're near adulthood. Adaeze and Maabade have always had a close relationship. I think it's time they became a little bit more than friends."
"Yes, I think so too, but it'll happen in its own good time. Anyway, we'd best leave them alone. You two don't mind that Maabade doesn't join you?"
"He may be our son, but he's growing up," said Atiya. "We can't drag him along on our patrols for the rest of his life. He's free to choose and it's clear he's choosing to spend some time with Adaeze."
Before either Hisani or Imani could speak, another voice from behind the lions interrupted with a respectful, "Good morning, your majesty."
They turned and Hisani's eyes shimmered. "Morning, Nabila."
The female cheetah approached and bowed. "Sire," she said to the king, and bowed to the guards. They may not have been royalty but they risked their lives every day to protect the kingdom. They deserved the same respect.
"Are there any problems today?"
"The kingdom is well, but there are a few issues that need resolving."
Hisani sighed, but felt relieved. Getting into the work he'd been doing every day for three years would take his mind off many pressing things. He looked at Imani and his wife.
The brown lion saw the stare and understood. "Don't worry, sire. We know what to do."
"Are you sure? It's a lot of work for just the two of you, and Nyoka –"
Imani shuffled the dirt with a paw. "My brother knows this kingdom inside and out. If he sees me, he'll jump in and help."
"And I've been out of commission for two days," Atiya added. "I need to catch up and don't mind working a double shift."
"Alright, Atiya, but if it gets to be too much, come home," Hisani said.
She smiled.
"Alright, let's get to work."
With that, they departed. Imani and Atiya went in one direction. As they left, Atiya whispered to Imani. "What about Nyoka? We'll need his help."
Imani shrugged. "I don't know. Frankly I'm concerned about him. He hasn't been himself lately, or rather, he has. He's been disappearing a lot. I'm tired of it."
"I know you are. I am too. Maybe… he'll come to his senses?" she said, hopeful.
"These days I'm not so sure. I just wish he could be more responsible. He is the guardian leader and he's not acting like it."
Atiya walked closer. "You would make a better leader, Imani."
He chuckled. "Nyoka's my older brother. Hisani thought he's best suited for the job."
"Maybe Hisani will talk to him."
"Yeah, maybe…"
Behind them, Hisani watched them go. He faced Nabila, nodded, and walked with her as she led him in another direction. The king was grateful to get to work. He needed something to take his mind off of whatever bothered Adaeze, but he would speak with her later. And, above all, he needed this to take his mind off the painful affects the words his own wife had spoken.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Nyoka opened his eyes slowly. He lifted his head and looked to the side, both right and left, then in front of him and to the back. A disappointing look crossed his face. He growled softly. She didn't show up, after she'd said she would. Or wasn't that she'd try? He couldn't remember. All he'd heard was that she'd be there not if she'd try. Trying didn't matter to him. He wanted her there with him! Now he wasn't sure if her word could be trusted.
What was he doing, and more importantly, what was she doing? It was wrong. He knew it as did she, but the attraction… It'd always been there starting when they were just adolescents, going through the changes in their lives, having feelings that were new and frightening. But fate had twisted them and everyone else. The others had their other halves. Him, he had no one. And she, she had the most powerful and influential lion in all of the Northern Valley. It wasn't fair. She was with that lion, and he had nothing but a fantasy of what could have been. Or, what could be if they were careful. They hadn't been discovered so far. Maybe they could keep going, but for how long?
He clawed the grass. He wanted her to arrive now. To tell him that she had been delayed, that she was sorry, that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He gritted his teeth. Her image came to his eyes. He closed them, hoping to savor the image for just a moment. There she was. Her light sanded fur… His heart pounded hard. He imagined her there now, with him. He imagined her warmth. Then, as soon as it came, the image was gone, and with it the warmth.
He opened his eyes and struck the grass with a paw. Now, he was angry. If he had his way about it, he'd kill her mate and take her for his own. There were times when he thought about it, but all times, he dismissed it. It wouldn't work. He'd die in the process and that would hurt her. No, they would continue just like this, meeting secretly. It was easier, even with all the questions as to why they were late or seen together, which they decided, wasn't a good idea. Someone would suspect and other questions would arise.
Nyoka rose with a grunt. He was still tired but now that it was morning he had to get home before Hisani called Imani and Atiya, but he had a gut aching fear that he already did. If so, he was late and if he was late he would get an earful about his position from Hisani and how it could be stripped from him with a single command. Hisani was a merciful king, but even his mercy had limits and tardiness was not something he could forgive, especially since Nyoka had been late many times in the past.
Then there was Imani. The thought of his younger brother made his blood boil. Imani always thought himself to be a righteous animal. Truth was, at least from Nyoka's view point; his brother was nothing like the righteous. Imani relied too much on faith and honesty. He trusted too much. One day, Nyoka knew, that faith and honesty Imani was named for by their late parents, would be his downfall.
Licking his lips, Nyoka started his walk home. How he wished last night could have been different. Maybe they'd try tonight. He would love it if they could. As soon as he saw a waterhole, he groaned. Imani was standing next to it, drinking. Where Atiya was, he didn't know or cared. Nyoka drew in a breath and approached.
"Morning, brother," he said.
Imani lifted his head and turned, water dripping from his chin. He felt anger but swallowed it. Now wasn't the time, especially with Atiya on the other side. He didn't want to cause her worry not after she'd just gotten over being sick physically.
He dipped his head. "Morning to you too, brother…" He looked over to where Atiya was and saw her resting. He was relieved and saw it as an opportunity. If he could get Nyoka alone he could speak honestly with a bit of harshness. It was needed. He eyed Nyoka and jerked his head. His brother followed and when they were far enough away, Imani spoke. "Where were you this morning, Nyoka? Hisani was asking."
"You didn't tell him did you?"
"No, how could I when I, your own brother, didn't even know!"
Nyoka sighed. "I was out."
"So it seems. You've been out a lot lately. Care to explain?"
"Not really, no. It's none of your business, little brother."
"No, but it is Hisani's. He is the king. He appointed you head guard. What he appoints to any of us he can –"
"Take away. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know." Nyoka rolled his eyes.
"Then act like it!" Imani snapped. "Stop disappearing on us so much and do your job!"
"You think you could do it better?"
Imani stood firm. "Like I said, Hisani appointed you. You've done fine in the past. Whatever's changed, you're gonna have to deal and move with it or move from it." He sighed, shaking his head sadly. "Atiya volunteered to take a double shift… We need you, Nyoka and not just today, but all days."
Nyoka saw the worry in his brother's eyes. He wasn't moved, but… He put a paw on Imani's shoulder. "You're right. I'm sorry. Come on, let's get to work. The usual route, I take it?"
"Yes, the usual route."
They walked back to the waterhole where Atiya was now drinking. Imani joined her and nuzzled her. She saw Nyoka and smiled. He gave half a one.
"Good, you made it," she said.
"Yeah, I did." He looked around. "Where's your son?"
"He's with Princess Adaeze."
Nyoka stopped, mouth open. "He's with the princess? Heh, he'll have fun then, won't he?" He smirked.
Atiya looked up horrified to Imani, while he rounded back on Nyoka, almost snarling. "How dare you say that? Maabade's your nephew! He would never –"
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding." Nyoka laughed but Imani and Atiya didn't join in. He stopped. "Sorry, sorry. So, why's he with her?"
"We're not sure and we didn't ask. He'll tell us and if he doesn't, that's alright."
Nyoka nodded but only heard part of the sentence. His mind was too busy thinking of the night that was to come. In his mind, he imagined it, and her. Yes, tonight was going to make up for the previous and it would be the best so far.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Author's Note: Alright, that's this chapter. Hope it was to your liking. Yeah, it had some hard emotional moments, but I assure you it was all needed.
Here are the meanings of these characters' names: Hisani 'Mercy, forgiveness', Idhara, (well, I think I'll save that one for later.) Adaeze (of course means) 'King's daughter', Imani (obviously) 'Faith, honesty', Atiya 'Gift', Maabade 'Sanctuary', Nyoka 'Snake', and Nabila 'Noble'.