A/N: Here comes the plot…
As usual, a shout out to TheSheep64 and Geschichtensammler! I can't thank you enough for your support!
Chapter 12:
As they walked, Nala noticed that all of the former queen's subjects cast their eyes down when she passed, as if even acknowledging Sarabi would bring Scar's wrath. Nala seethed at the disrespect, but forced herself to control her temper; Scar was the one to blame, not these tortured civilians.
She sighed quietly, and was trying to hurry the others along when the three were startled by a loud "crash!" Their heads whipped around.
A short, middle-aged woman with fiery hair had collapsed under the weight of her pack, spilling the contents everywhere—including by a scowling Looter's feet.
"Hey, get this crap out of my way!"
The woman, gasping, attempted to stand only to buckle under her own weight.
"Well?!"
The Looter took a whip from his belt, and raised it to strike the exhausted woman. Sarabi rushed forward as the whip swished through the air. Nala and Sarafina cringed, waiting for the inevitable "CRACK."
It never came.
Mother and daughter opened their eyes to see Sarabi standing tall in front of the woman, the end of the Looter's whip firmly grasped in her hand.
"This is rather shameful behavior from a supposed ally of our people."
Recovering quickly from shock, the Looter scowled.
"This is none of your business, lady!"
Sarabi maintained her intense gaze and chilly demeanor.
"Oh, but the mistreatment of innocents is my business. You seemed to have failed to comprehend the fact that I am a Royal."
The Looter's eyes widened slightly, but he made no move to back off. Neither did Sarabi.
"I may no longer be queen, but I am still a Royal, and unlike others in my clan, I fully intend to protect my people."
"But—"
"Perhaps you did not hear me."
In one smooth movement, she tossed her end of the whip around his shoulders, wrapping the leather strip around his neck. Before the Looter could react, Sarabi had snatched up both ends and pulled.
"I fully intend to protect my people...by any means necessary."
He gasped and clawed pathetically at his throat until Sarabi finally relaxed her grip. Coughing, the Looter stumbled back and retreated, tail between his legs. As soon as the criminal had left her line of sight, Sarabi turned to the woman behind her. Shock dissipating, Nala and Sarafina came forward and knelt by the woman's side as well.
"Are you hurt?"
The wide-eyed redhead simply stared for a moment. Suddenly, she sprung unsteadily to her feet and attempted to curtsy.
"Yer Highnesses! I—woaaah!"
Nala and Sarabi managed to catch her before she collapsed again.
"Do not try to stand so quickly! You are overheated!"
Sarafina took a flask from her side and it offered the woman, who gratefully drank the cool water.
"Thank you, Yer Highnesses."
A sad smile appeared on Sarabi's face.
"You should not address us as such—King Scar might suspect you of treason."
"Well, to me, it'd be treasonous not to! That king of ours can shove his overblown ego up his—"
The woman stopped short, surprised at her own outburst.
"Oh geez, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"
Sarabi held up a hand.
"No one should ever have to apologize for speaking their mind. Tell me, what is your name?"
"Er...Nuri. I'm a miner."
"If I may ask, Ms. Nuri, why do you resent King Scar so?"
The redhead's eyebrows shot up.
"Ya...ya really want to know?"
All three royals nodded.
"Well...I feel like a ruler needs to respect their people as much as the people respect them, ya know? I got that with ya and King Mufasa, Yer Highness."
Sarabi blinked back a tear.
"Thank you for saying so."
"Well it's true! Ya cared about us miners by the Northern border!
Nuri sighed miserably.
"We're attacked by Looters almost daily now."
The four women were silent for a moment, lamenting how the low the kingdom had fallen. Finally, Nala rose and looked Nuri in the eyes.
"Too many people are afraid to speak out against injustice today. Thank you for your honesty."
Having recovered, Nuri finally managed to execute a steady curtsy. She shouldered her pack and made to leave, but hesitated.
"Is...is there anything I can do for ya, Yer Highnesses? To return the favor?"
Sarafina and Nala looked to Sarabi, who shook her head slowly.
"I appreciate the offer, but my wishes are unobtainable."
Nuri bowed her head in sympathy.
"I get it. I had a husband and a little boy once, too."
She resumed walking; the royals had started for the other direction when Nuri froze and called out.
"Wait, Yer Highness? I-I don't know if this is helpful, and I don't like spreadin' rumors..."
Sarabi turned back.
"Yes?"
"Well, I overhead a couple of Looters talkin' a few days back. One of 'em had headed to the Badlands to scrounge for stuff, but ran into some Outcasts and had to give up."
Nuri took a deep breath.
"Again, not sure if this is true—it's not like those Looters are too trustworthy. But by the way they were describin' 'em, it sounded like...like one of those Outcasts was a royal."
The other women waited for Sarabi to reply, but she simply stood, too shocked to say a word. Finally, Sarafina spoke up.
"Well, thank you for informing us."
"Yeah, sure. Thanks for all yer help, Yer Highnesses."
With one more backwards glance, Nuri trudged away.
