XI

XI. The time of Heroes

„Kauli, I'm going." Announced Taka in the morning. Python lazily opened his eyes and lowered his head from acacia to hang over blackmaned.

"I know... I didn't sssssleep... just resting." Explained, as if that was a shame. "Good luck, boy. I believe you will sssstand it like a male."

"Thank Kauli, for all." Replied arbiter. "I'm not sure if we would see again..." Seeing anxiety in snake's eyes, added. "No. As I said, I won't challenge Dhalimu. But I could be rid off for good from Golden Sands."

Python crawled down on back of lion and took his place on blackmaned's neck. He gently clasped it, what was a kind of snake's farewell. When Kauli went down on sand, Taka without a word climbed up on valley's slope and set off in Golden Sands direction.

"Take care of him." Hissed former chamberlain. He pointed his head on desert, but in mind he recalled Sparthi and Zira. "You were always sssspecialists in hopelesssss cases. He needsss your help."

The morning was calm – even the slightest blow of wind wasn't disturbing its silence. "But such an inertia is the worst." Thought arbiter. "Sandstorms are coming after a silence. I sense that something is in the air... something dreadful. A change." "Yes. A change for bad." Whispered a malicious voice in lion's head. "Don't fool yourself – you are going only to bid farewell to Kota." He speeded up to outrun dismal thoughts.

To the Golden Cave he came before midday. He was greeted by silence so he stopped uncertain on the Acacia Alley, waiting for any move inside. Finally he roared quietly, however being careful no to sound as a claimant. But not Dhalimu went out to greet the guest. From cave came Raia.

"Taka..." she murmured quietly. "I hope you have some serious reasons to be here."

"May I enter the cave? King will decide if I'm worthy to be your guest."

"Good..." decided lioness. "But first promise me, that you won't violate the laws of guests." Taka with some doubts bowed his head, accepting that obligation.

"Don't be afraid, Raia." Said, coming to sandyfurred. "I know what I'm allowed to... and I know what is the best for those whom I love." Then he noticed that lioness fur on face is wet due to tears. "What has happened that she gave own water out?" thought instinctively. "Raia... what is going on?"

"Go!" she hurried him with breaking voice. When he was passing her, she added quietly. "When you get know, you will cry as well."

Taka entered the main chamber to see pride and king still sleeping. Lionesses seemed to be half-dead – wandered saw a numerous cuts on paws and muscles swollen after heavy effort. "They are hunting for that idler!" thought Taka angrily, turning to Dhalimu. Ruler was sleeping calmly with airy smile on face. But he opened his eyes as first, alarmed with loud breathing of newcomer.

"What, the rabies, are you doing here?!" he greeted him warmly.

"I'm coming from my brother." Announced Taka, putting in that as many conviction as he could. Dhalimu was eyeing him up and down for several seconds then growled.

"Get up, you lazybones! We have a guest!"

Lionesses instantly stood up, although most of them with heavy effort. Wandered gasped seeing tired muzzles of females, in desperate try to immoderately fulfil that order. Kota noticed him at once. An expression of disbelief but also of cubbish joy burst on her face. But a second later she turned her stare to the ground not to betray her emotions to the king.

"No, sir. Let them sleep..." whispered Taka to Dhalimu's ear.

"No, let them greet my guest and messenger." Replied ruler. "If Dahabu sent you, you are representing him and you have to be treated with honour. I won't let my lionesses lay in presence of royal envoy."

"Sir Taka!" exclaimed sleepy, but delighted Baka. "What a surprise!"

And in one moment the cave got back to live. Lion was amazed that tired lionesses saved so many joy and serenity. And what was even more amazing – his presence was greeted as a holiday. "They count that would change something... They are so wrong..." thought dismally.

"Sir..." finally whispered Kota, looking on king. "Can we water our guest?" ruler just waved his paw indifferently so lioness stoop up and said. "Follow me, sir."

They exited the main chamber and went to the source. When pair disappeared from monarch's sight behind a corner, Kota almost pounced on Taka, hugging with paws and licking tenderly. Lion with pleasure surrender to those caresses, but after a while froze.

"He will see us." Whispered.

"Taka... I can't stand any longer. Said lioness. "I was so scared when you went away... But right, we'll have our time later. Now you have to drink."

Few minutes later when Kota and Taka returned to main chamber, a meal was waiting for the guest. King himself, according to the old custom, was rationing out the portions of meat. Arbiter noticed with shock stares of lionesses. Golden Ones were looking on addax with clear hunger in eyes. But there was no regret on theirs faces but a silent consent. The guest had his rights. "I'm eating theirs last preys and they are glad of that!" he thought, enraged. "And Dhalimu will probably send them on hunting today." But he ate whole prepared portion. He could offend the host.

"Right. So what brings you here?" asked brownmaned.

"I send the greetings from the Priderock. From king Dahabu." Replied arbiter. "And I wish, on behalf of my brother to condole your pride after death of your queen." Lionesses instinctively bowed theirs heads and merry murmur fell silent.

Raia shivered. Words of blackmaned awoke in her some vague premonition. "How it could be? How he got know about Niva's death? No one sent that message to Pridelands... no one sent that message... anywhere!" She looked carefully on faces of pride but no one other felt anxious about that. "Well, maybe it isn't so important... But I would feel better if I knew how he knew about queen's death." Even in mind she still wasn't ready to name Niva her sister. The burden of old envy was too heavy. "Maybe... but no! that is impossible. Taka wouldn't killed her. For what? For Kota to became a queen? Or... who knows, what he thought? Maybe he expected that I would become a queen and I beg king to allow for relationship between Kota and Taka? Oh, Stars! I hope that I'm wrong. But if I'm right, Taka is merciless rascal!" Instinctively she extender her paws and moved closer to monarch, ready to defend him any time.

"Moreover, I'm not just an arbiter but also a historian of Lions Lands." Taka continued. "I thought you wish to hear some tales that I had got known during my journeys."

"My lord?" asked Baka with hope in her voice.

"Good idea." Agreed Dhalimu. „Go Taka, tell us something interesting and we will rest before hunting."

Arbiter breached in and recalled from memory all tales of his ancestors and thought. "Yes, your highness... I will tell you how was the fate of rulers who didn't know how to rule. If I can't hit you with paw, I'll try to do it at least with song."

"Probably all of you already heard the tale of Scar and Zira. That is a long story, long because it overgrown with myths and distortions. I'm a descendant of both lines of family – both of Simba and Scar. That why I'll try to show you the drama of the Great Drought as objectively as I could. Listen!"

And he started the tale. He told them about lives of his grandparents and great-grandparents, reign of Taka the First and return of Simba. He told them everything he knew about tragic events that had ended the War of Prides. Because Golden Ones demanded more, he said about fight between Zira and Pridelanders.

"And she was ready to do it." Finished Taka, looking on his auditory.

Lioness were lying still, inside the Golden Cave, some with closed eyes, but none of them was sleeping. His story, as well as earlier story about Scar, enchanted lioness of Golden Pride with strong spell. It wasn't merit of his storytelling skill, rather a power of this tale itself. No one remained indifferent to this story, especially there.

Taka the Second, called that after his famous grandfather, also known as Scar, was younger brother of king Dahabu and princess Amali. He was moderate built male with sandy fur and black mane, probably heritage of grandfather. Something unusual in his appearance was short but sandy-red beard, making him unlike to any other Pridelander or even Golden One. Probably this beard made him look seriously on his young age, what made him perfect bard and arbiter of prides. Since he had started his duty of communicating and building cooperation between prides, he was also a storyteller and some kind of historian of both Pridelanders and Golden Ones. In hard times of the Second Drought, aside diplomatic role he played, a tales he was telling to lions were sustaining their spirits. Even Dhalimu understood this, that why he had allowed him to speak with Golden Pride.

"Oh..." whispered Kota, beautiful lioness with shining gold fur and green eyes. "I've never seen queen Zira in that perspective..."

"Stop that!" interrupted king Dhalimu. Giant, brownmaned lion stood and entered circle of lionesses. "These are just fancy stories... a fairytales..."

"This is history about your grandmother." Said Taka with firm voice. "And my grandmother, queen Zira. Remember it, sir."

King looked like was about to hit younger and weaker male but after a while he just burst in laughter.

"Ha! My cousin spoke well!" he called. "Praise Zira, my grandmother and mother of my father, Kovu! Long live the glory of our family line..." he came closer to prince of Pridelands and whispered him to ear. "But don't you dare tell again about regicide, Scar, Zira and such a stuff... because I don't want to kill you."

"I'm not the only one, who knows this tale. You will hear it anyway... cousin!" finished with cold whisper. Monarch laughed.

"Good... I like you, Taka. What a shame that you are just second in line... What a shame that Dahabu kicked you out from the pride... But, we can't help it... regicide is a terrible crime, don't you think?"

"My brother hasn't banished me!" replied Taka. "I took this service according to my will."

"Service of royal messenger?" asked Dhalimu with irony. "And teller of fairytales? Well, it's good to have an aim in life."

"I must go, cousin." Gasped Taka and bowed before king, but without any respect. He added louder. "My brother is waiting for news from Golden Sands."

"Tell him, we are fine." Ordered king.

"I'll tell him, what I saw." Replied Taka. King smiled, covering anger inside.

"All right, you deserved for meal you have eaten and water you have drunk. I like fairy tales. Now, go on your 'mission'."

"Right, sir." Gasped wandered, went out from royal and turned into desert. He started to march with slow steps, saving energy for desert crossing.

"We will go on hunting in one hour." Ordered Dhalimu to lionesses. "You can rest until that."

In times of drought, only night were allowing on hunts. Life was hard, both on Pridelands, Golden Sands and others kingdoms, that were in alliance with them, thanks to journeys of Taka. But on land of Golden Family, life was hard especially. Reign of king Dhalimu was difficult for all subject and guests of pride as well.

\/\/\/

Kota overtook him right behind border of Keep's Grass. He heard her running, stopped and waited until lioness came there. Before she touched him, he said with uncertain voice.

"He could be observing us..."

"He could." Replied lioness and hugged Taka tight. "But I don't care about it. I'm sick of this fear." She licked him in cheek and added. "And I hoped, that someday, you will feel it too..."

Taka sighed and turned to beloved. He looked in her green eyes and said with weary and painful voice.

"We were talking about that hundreds of times. I can't do anything!" she turn her stare into the ground and replied with sad voice.

"He want me to be his mate. Bereavement after Niva will end in week."

"So, you will become a queen..." said Taka, faking admire. In fact, he was burning inside from despair.

"I will be a tyrant's toy!" sobbed Kota. "Don't you see?! We even don't know, what happened to Niva, but I'm sure, that brute had been beating her from start. And if you..."

Taka sighed again and interrupted lioness.

"I can assure you asylum on Priderock. I'm not well with my brother, but he will accept you, if I ask him..."

"No!" exclaimed Kota. "Whole pride is suffering! We are suffering from drought, but this isn't even half the pain, we are suffering from that tyrant..."

"He is the rightful king!" called lion, but without any conviction. "He is son of my uncle Kovu and aunt Kiara. What should I do? Depose him?!" he was looking in beautiful eyes of lioness, that moment filled with tears. "He is my cousin! I can't turn against my family! I can only tell it my brother..."

"...who thinks exactly like you." Finished Kota. "And nothing will change.

"Kota..." whispered Taka and hugged lioness. "I love you and would do anything I can, to be with you and see you safe... But only what I can do. Don't require from me breaking the laws. This is not about us... this is more important than any single lion's fate. This is the Circle of Life! We can't fight it..."

"You grandfather could." Replied Kota. "And grandmother... You are telling me those beautiful stories about them, but I feel that they aren't real."

"They are real..." disagreed Taka, but Kota was talking still.

"And if... so what? So what, if we haven't today anyone like Zira, Scar, Hawaa, Tanabi or Amini? So those are just legends about something, that once was, but will never return..."

"You want me to kill him?" asked Taka. "I'm weaker, I have minimal chances to win, but I can try. I don't fear of death, you know. I can challenge Dhalimu, but even if I win, I couldn't take his place. I can't..."

Kota interrupted his speech with kiss, then she answered with breaking voice.

"I know and I love you because of that too. You are so honourable and obedient to law. I love we because of thing... that will never allow us to be together." She looked on the ground. "You have right... Go now, before Dhalimu sees you. When you will back?"

"I try be in next month. If I have no reason, I'll surely find some pretext."

"I'll try to find some too. Give some sign to Akra or Simmi and I'll find you in Dry Oasis. But I can't guaranty it... Then I will be already..."

"Goodbye, Kota." Interrupted Taka. He wasn't able to hear it anymore. He licked his beloved and turned on south-east. He started to run as fast as he could, doesn't matter to save any strength. In fact, he wouldn't be upset, if he would died on desert. Finally.

\/\/\/

And the end seemed to be near. After less than hour, just before sunset, first signs of sandstorm showed. Taka knew that he was too far from Golden Sands to get back and there was no other shelter in sight. So he just laid down on hot sand and waited.

"Strange wind." He thought. "It's coming really fast... I have never seen such sudden sandstorm. I saw no signs today... well, I failed that. I just wonder, if it just wound me, or rip my flesh apart from bones. I guess, my career as prides arbiter soon will be over... O, Kota... It's good you will have nothing to do with such a loser like me." And he understood that all his life was just a escape from life itself. He was younger brother of the king and he allowed to be exiled, or even he exiled himself. He was doing job necessary for prides, but not because he wanted to, but because... he had nothing better to do. "Arbiter!" thought. "Who will be remember me, after I will be squashed by the sandstorm? They will find another arbiter and another historian. I won't be remembered even as secondary character in this tale. Kota, you have right..."

And first blow of wind hit laying lion. He whispered in mind call for Vitani and Tanabi, his parents, to greet him in skyword, but just in case, he also called to Sparthi, patron of desert wanderers. There was small chance he would survive. Very small, but lion wasn't killed with first blow, so maybe...

"Huh? What?" whispered, still cuddling face in sand. Wind stopped.

Taka carefully raised his face and opened his eyes. When he noticed cloud of sand before him, he knew that his eyes would be painfully rip out by charge of dirt and soon or later whole his body would be crushed by power of element. But it didn't happened.

"What, on Stars!?" muttered lion, seeing, that golden cloud in front of him was floating in the air... in place, just mixing inside. Suddenly, he saw some silhouette in centre of sandy cumulus, lioness's silhouette. It said with little ironical, but still friendly voice.

"Well, well, well... you are Taka, son of Vitani and Tanabi!" shade came closer to him, and all cloud moved too, that lion found himself in. Sand was hitting his fur, but in strange, gentle way, doing no harm. He even opened eyes, that he closed earlier. Nothing happened. "You have always been my favourite... mostly because of name!"

"Zira..." whispered Taka with amaze. "Grandmother Zira!" he bowed with respect. "Welcome here, ma'am. Am I dead?" asked with doubt. But he felt alive as never. Not, that was not this. "What brought you here, so low under the sky?"

"Your stupidity." Replied queen and came closer to grandson. Her body turned from sandy shadow to almost material flesh. "Look at yourself! You would be fine lion... if you only wanted to!" she touched his shoulder. "Why have you refused Kota? You would be now king..."

"...of the Past." Finished lion and lioness's ghost burst in laughter.

"Good! That was great!" said with playful voice. "Someday, you will meet Tarki and... oh, never mind... Yes, I know, you are weaker. I know, you would probably die in challenge... But I see no fear in your eyes. Someone, who wanders through the desert, just to maintain liaison between prides and make them cooperate to resist the drought... is probably mad or ready to die at any time. Or both, what I see in you eyes. Why don't you want to challenge Dhalimu?"

"He is my cousin." Replied Taka. "And rightful king. I have no right..."

"...to defend lioness, you love?" finished Zira. "Don't you think that are quite poor laws?"

"This is the Circle of Life." Said lion. "My duty is to guard it."

"Well done..." Zira clapped her paws. "But I think, that should be opposite: it has to guard you. And you think the same, but you are afraid to admit it. You are the same as your grandfather was!"

"I would break the laws..."

"Dhalimu is breaking the laws! He is a tyrant! He doesn't care about his subjects. You have right to dispose him... as a descendant of the royal line. Golden Ones can't do this, because killing own monarch is a terrible crime. But you can, you are not his subject. You won't break any oath and you will be worthy to assume the throne."

"I'm too weak to win with Dhalimu." Said Taka quietly.

"And Scar was too weak to win with Mufasa! He was too weak to survive drought and save his prides. Also, he was too weak to conquer the throne for Vitani. But he did it all! You know that, because you are telling about it so often..." she came even closer and whispered him to ear. "I tell you a secret: weakness is just a state of mind."

"Would you help me then?" asked unconvinced lion.

"I already have, Taka..." replied she, slowly disappearing into the air. "I already have."

After minute of gentle wind, all sand from cloud felt on the ground. Taka noticed, that there was just calm, silent night... He took a look around and burst in laughter.

So, after he had told his tales so many times, he discovered that he understood nothing from them. He was singing about heroes of the past, but with no slightest thought that such personalities could be needed in future. So, what far he was telling it? To amuse Kota? That Kota, who he just had left with tyrant, to her dreadful fate? He clutched paw into fist and hit on the ground. Golden Queen was right: weakness is just a state of mind. Fortunately, there wasn't to late to change his mind. Such a thing is never easy, but always possible.

Taka had something to do. He turned back and started in Golden Sand's direction.