Chapter 3
Kijanjwie hurried to her tent. Something was wrong here. From the horse's mouth, er lion's mouth, she heard the opposite of what Lidia had. Charles and his wife had bought her freedom when they had come to her village when she was ten. By the age of sixteen she had been a slave, been beaten, and rescued. The Harelds had been very kind to her. Letting her live with them she felt like a daughter. As a slave she was orphaned. Her parents were killed in a battle and she was utterly alone. Other than the animals she talked to, of course.
She had a birthmark on her arm the same shape and color as a necklace that she always wore. The flat tear shaped stone was the only thing she had left of her family and she held it very dear to her heart. She kept her gift, so she considered it, a secret. She wouldn't even tell her adopted family.
She took a deep breath and walked into Lidia's tent. She looked up from her book and smiled, "Kiji, Darling," putting the book down she patted the cot next to her.
Sitting she asked right out, "Where are the lions from?"
"Why do ask, dear?" she asked confusion lighting up on her face.
"I do not think they are from the reserve," Kiji said.
"What makes you think that?" Lidia asked.
"The lions from the reserve are not afraid of us. They are very comfortable around humans. But these lions are terrified." she explained, "Where are they from?"
Lidia sighed, "I'm afraid you'll have to ask Charles. He told me there were from the reserve."
Kiji sighed, "Thank you, Lidia, er Mathee," She stood to leave.
"Oh and do get some sleep," Lidia added, "You look exhausted."
Leaving she nodded to herself. She was very tired. Walking to her tent she was jumped from behind. She laughed after the fright was discovered.
"Adre! You scared me!" she held the little ferret in the crook of her arm and opened the tent flap.
"Any more information?" he asked eagerly.
"No, nothing from Lidia yet. She said I had to ask Charles." Kiji said, "Sometimes he scares me. His temper is so random at times. I seriously thought he was going to hurt me that time."
"Well," he said, "If it's any consolation, I found out where they're from!"
"You did?!" she asked excitedly, "That's great! Where?"
"Some place called the Pridelands." he said.
"Pridelands," she repeated, "That is such a cool name." Her smile turned to a frown, "I have to help them."
"What?" Adre was taken aback, "How?"
Kiji shrugged, "There's got to be a way. I could let them loose when they get transferred to the yard."
"You might want to get more acquainted with them first." Adre said, "I heard the younger wants to talk to you. Next time you come."
Kiji thought for a moment, "I can go early tomorrow morning."
"Better get some sleep then," he reminded her curling up in lap.
She smiled. Laying down she stroked him and soon fell asleep.
***
Nuku paced. The dirt was well trodden when Kiara asked him to stop and sleep. "I'm sorry," he laid down, "I'm just…anxious."
"We all are," Kiara said then looked over to her father.
Simba stared at the ground angrily. He was angry about almost everything. The fact that he couldn't protect the pride from their worst enemy. The fact that he might fail this time in escaping from them. The fact that he lied…again.
The memory flashed in his mind connecting Kiji's face with a much younger child.
He was up in a tree when he heard it. Someone shouted Get down! He caught the girl's eyes before he followed her instruction. Simba ran and hid peeking out, he saw the man who had almost shot him grab the girl's arm. His eyes grew wide and he watched in horror as the man beat the girl. She was crying for help and bleeding from her head. The cub never saw her again.
Until now. He hated lying, but he was too ashamed by his attitude toward the girl. He would trust her, even if he had to fight the instincts inside that would inevitably kill her.
AN: it's short but it's informational. read and review!!!