XIII. …and reap the whirlwind
It all ended seemingly happily – they found Dhalimu before midnight, alive and actually unhurt. However lion was furious – also on his saviours. Arista used to erratic brother-in-law's behaviour, yet he admitted silently, that he expected a bit warmer welcome. However he was still glad to see white lion again.
"I thought you needed some help."
"Well done! You saved me!" yelled wanderer. "But surely you saved also that rogue." He pointed tracks on sand. "I almost got him!"
They found old lion in one of ravines in southern part of Dried Range. Although main peaks of mountains were not more ten kilometres wide and long in about that distance, but whole strip stretched on much bigger area. It was covered with smaller valleys and gorges and Dhalimu decided to search every single one in order to find a trespasser – and that was why trip to near mountains took so long.
In that particular ravine trails were clear. Some lion had been there for night or longer, leaving his pawprints all over the place. Arista read that from the ground. What he additionally read from his brother-in-law's behaviour what that white lion saw the newcomer and was close to engage them, but incoming of rescue team spoiled that plan, scaring outsider away.
"Uncle, whom you saw?" asked Sparthi.
"Yellowmaned rogue, sneaking here." Replied old wanderer, pointing on mountain range. "I almost had him… but your approach alarmed him."
"And what would be, if we didn't came?" asked Rama with stern voice. "Would you attacked him all alone?"
"Sure thing." Snorted white lion. "Maybe I'm old, but not so old for not to stay stealth. And no one could stop me, if I attack from ambush. With advantage of surprise, I could beat anyone… as well any of you could take me down, if you manage to catch me taken aback."
"Still, I can't understand your irritation." Said Arista. "We were scared about you… You can't blame us for acting reasonably for your disappearance. If you gave us at least a sigh, you need no help…"
"All right, it doesn't matter anymore." Replied Dhalimu. "The trail is lost already – that rascal got away to desert. We could go home. By the way, who is leading hunts in Golden Cave?"
"Ghera." Replied Arista. "But I put Sukari in charge in general."
"So we should go back… now." Added wanderer with quieter voice.
They set off east, but still white lion was in the end of formation. He was walking and thinking and those thoughts weren't too optimistic. He didn't tell few things to his brother-in-law. The main problem he neglected, was that he found not just a single trail. He didn't see the other lion, but saw another line of pawprints in other valley and that feline had to met with rogue who camped in southern ravine. What Dhalimu had to establish was when Sukari happened to be out of Golden Cave. While lion had just circumstantial evidences - but strong ones! - that brownmaned rogue had met with mysterious trespasser from south. "I need to be sure before I take any action. And I must know if Zira is involved… Perhaps, I'm doing her serious harm, suspecting for that crime, but if I was right once about her… Well, I guess I could be forced to take some actions that Arista would never take."
\/\/\/
The rescue group spent a night in mountains then returned to Golden Cave at next day, just before midday. In cave they found just Sukari, while rest of lionesses went hunting. Rogue welcomed king and his companions on Acacia Alley.
"I hope to return you kingdom in exactly the same condition, sir." Said brownmaned with playful voice.
"I guess that Golden Massif is rather hard to broke." Laughed king back. "We are all back."
Zira came to rogue and licked his cheek, what Dhalimu greeted with narrowing his eyes. All the puzzle pieces were almost in place, but the result didn't make white lion satisfied anyway. He looked on Sukari with careful and inquiring stare. Brownmaned instantly read that something was wrong.
"It's good to see sir Dhalimu back." Said young lion. "I'm glad you found him unhurt. Mountains are dangerous place after all."
"You have no idea…" thought white lion. And aloud he said. "Indeed. But believe me, I'm not so easy to break."
"We will see." Smiled rogue in mind. Then whole group entered the cave.
\/\/\/
When lionesses returned, Sukari entered the king's chamber and found ruler just napping his usual afternoon nap. When old lion didn't move after quiet grunt of rogue, he came closer and nudged monarch's side. Doing that, Sukari's stare came to exposed throat of lion. Old feline was in fact helpless in his ignorance. Brownmaned had to fight with urging want to kill Arista there and then. "Not this time… to dangerous…" thought.
"Sir." Said rogue, seeing that king opened his eyes and in warrior's impulse was extending his claws, looking for enemy. "It's just me… we need to talk.
"Talk… talk…" murmured sleepy lion. "All right, what's wrong, boy?"
"Sir, according what I heard from Dhalimu's report, we should take some defensive actions in face of eventual rogue threat. I suggest to talk with lionesses about it. Should I call them?"
"Yes, good idea." Still barely aware king stood up and followed rogue.
After several minutes I Golden Cave main hall all pride gathered. Most of lionesses were resting after exhausting hunt, but in face of important pride issues none protested about disturbance in sleep. King took his place, against the entrance, while rest of lionesses stayed on their places, but it still formed - more of less – a circle in side of chamber. On right of king sat Sparthi, on left – Zira. Wivu and Sukari took places just next to exit. To their surprise, Dhalimu also sat there, as if he wanted to keep his eye on rogue constantly.
"Dhalimu." Started king. He was looking on his brother–in-law with careful stare. On ruler's neck hanged Kauli, looking as if he was asleep, but pride already know that it was just a sham – reptile was listening his monarch every time. "As Sukari suggested, we have to be careful indeed. You, as most experienced member of pride will be responsible for preparations to rid off rogue that might endanger our pride. What do you want us to do?"
"For now, not much." Replied white lion. "I guess that trespasser went back to his companions and now is gathering a assault party."
"So, there is more?" asked Zira.
"It'sss safer to expect the worst." Hissed python. "It'sssss very nice to be dissssappointed positively in the end."
Zira looked on her father. Dhalimu judged her surprised as looking honestly, but if he were a traitor, he would do anything to act like surprised. So instead of focusing on Sukari, he turned all his interest to his niece. "Speak freely." He thought. "Sooner or later I will find a lies in your words!"
"Yes, we have to assume that our guest is just a one member of coalition that is scouting and spying on us." Replied white lion, using words which ambiguity instantly touched Sukari. But wanderer was still looking in Zira's eves, completely ignoring uneasiness of brownmaned. Princess was sitting indifferently, or better to say: really moved by rogue threat. "I think it would take some time… at least three days for scout to get rest of forces here."
"Still…" threw Sukari in. "We should already take some securing actions. I suggest to move only in groups and drop any unnecessary recons, except of those made in significant force." Said rogue, hoping Dhalimu to reply on his game. He was right – wanderer reacted exactly as young lion expected.
"No way!" snorted white lion, turning to browmaned. "I will be scouting the southern border as I always do. Leaving that action just expose us for attack."
"I just think that…" started rogue.
"Do not think!" growled wanderer. "Leave it to ones handling that action better!"
"Dhalimu, cease that! You are rude!" interrupted king. "And Sukari is right – we should be extremely careful. I expect no lioness to leave Golden Cave or split from hunting team without permission or leader, is that right?"
"But sir, I must…"
"I won't cub-sit you, Dhalimu." Said king. "But still I hope in your reason. I will be patrolling with Sparthi. I hope you will take Sukari with you."
Both rogues – one old and one young – narrowed their eyes in expression of discontentment, what whole pride saw and in spite of serious atmosphere, some smiles showed among lionesses.
"All right, you could with Sparthi." Corrected monarch himself, also seeing that reaction.
"I work alone." Replied old lion with angry tone. But seeing stares of lionesses, he added. "However I will do whatever my king want me to do."
"Good." Smiled Arista. "Masa, you will lead hunting team as usual, but in northern territories. Meanwhile in next few days we will try to find more about those rogues. Any questions?"
Dhalimu wanted to ask about many things, but he decided it was pointless. He had to discovered rogue's secret at his own. "No, sir." He said.
Sukari stared in place, thinking heavily about his new situation. Perhaps he assured king about his loyalty, but he made the quest of killing pridemembers harder. However he had no choice – if he simply assassinated Dhalimu, it would induce very troubling questions about him. But after whole pride saw his anxiety, he had free paw. "If I only arrange the situation, when Dhalimu is alone and I have enough time to finish him!" thought brownfurred.
"So, my boy." Said king, who came to Sukari. "Tomorrow you will show me, how good are your rogue-skills. You will help me to track down them."
"I'll do my best, sir." Assured browmaned.
Seeing that Dhalimu was leaving the cave, Sukari excused king and followed white lion. He was silent, going after him, until they reached Acacia Alley. There brownmaned wanted to call wanderer, but before that Dhalimu stopped and without the warning, tuned back, pouncing on young lion.
"What do you want!?" growled, pinning him to the ground.
"Choke me and you will never know!" panted brownmaned. Dhalimu let his grip loosen a bit. "I see you like talk only in superior position. Old rogue habit?"
White lion loosened his grasp and took a look around he was ashamed by his impulse, fortunately no one saw it. "I must hold my temper." He thought. "I will find a proof against him and then finish the job!"
"So, what do you want?" snorted.
"Just to assure you, I'll do my job." Said rogue, standing up. "And to thank you, you didn't make me to accompany you. You know how to reward my loyalty to pride." Added with irony in his voice.
\/\/\/
"It sucks!" yelled Msikizi, when she and rest of hunting team were going in loose sand of desert. "I guess, king had a sunstroke, sending us here. Sukari was right, we are oppressed by his infallibility!"
"Shut up!" snorted Rama, although she was tired as well. "Even when we are hunting on Home Grasses, you complain!" Bun in heart she admitted that panic made about those mysterious rogues was hard to stand.
Hunting in northern territories of kingdom was the worst. North from the Golden Cave desert was… the real desert. No savannah-like grass, no mountains, no even rocky plains – just loose sand and short number of game living in such hard conditions. If Rama was in charge, she would guide team to Home Grasses on south. Rogues or not – there was easier terrain for hunting and even if that spotted some intruders, Rama thought they had to be crazy to attack team of eleven lionesses. "I guess that males think only they could fight." She snorted in mind. "Surely I could fight better than Dhalimu hunts!"
"What's wrong, girls?" asked Masa from lead of formation.
"Msikizi is cursing weather." Replied Rama. "As always."
Of course no one cared to explained the real argument, because Masa supported words of king in every situation, so talk about reasons of monarch's orders was useless. Lionesses just formed a wide horse-shoe formation in hope to hind any pray. Meanwhile males of Golden Pride were doing the same, but with more deadly game.
\/\/\/
Sukari guided Arista to place where some traces after Keme could be seen. That was his hope to catch attention of king and prince to have free paw to deal with Dhalimu. That was why he stopped when he spotted clear sign of rogue's presence. Remains of hunted and devoured addax were lying in ravine of south brink of Rumble Range.
"Should I call them?" asked Sukari.
"Hm… for what?" asked monarch.
"Uh, sir… if rogue was here, he rather wasn't there." Replied browmaned, pointing western part of range. "I think that sir Dhalimu wished to see that."
"Maybe. Tell them." agreed Arista.
Rogue roared aloud, so Sparthi and white lion easily heard them. Prince instantly stopped, while his uncle was still coming down from moderate peak down to ravine. Seeing that white lion was indifferent towards call, Sparthi asked.
"Uncle, they call us."
"Mhh…" agreed old lion, but didn't stopped.
"Won't we go there?"
"I won't." said Dhalimu. "And I wish that idiot got mute! We found new trails and if somehow that rogue is still in vicinity, he scared him away."
"Whatever." Snorted prince. "I'm going to father. Will you be all right for a moment?"
"Guess." Smiled white lion. "So go and tell Sukari to shut up, until he discovered the threat."
Meanwhile rogue and king were going in their direction. Brownmaned told king that second team could missed their call. They met Sparthi in half a way.
"What's wrong?" asked prince.
"Nothing, just food leftover." Said Sukari. "I guess that Dhalimu wants to see it."
"We found another track." Replied Sparthi. "Double, as that rogue met with someone. I guess our find is better."
Sukari forced his face to stay indifferent, while he was thinking quickly. So white lion discovered place where he was talking with him three days earlier. Covering those trails was his top priority, but he had to do it carefully.
"That's right." Said rogue. "Sir, I think we should take a look on those new trails, if prince says so."
"Well… so lead us there." Ordered Arista.
They got to ravine in quarter. Dhalimu was already after quick investigation that showed more details about mysterious second pawsprints. Sparthi took father and rogue to place in bottom of valley.
"Here." Said sandymaned. "One track belongs to rogue we saw earlier. But second… well, those pawprints are smaller and lighter, I guess lion that made them was rather moderate-built. It won't help us in identification…"
Sukari took a quick look on Dhalimu. Their stares met, as white lion was observing brownmaned since some time. "He knows!" yelled Sukari in mind and he understood that he had just two options – to quickly destroy the evidence or to kill white lion in spot.
"I suspect that the second rogue is still in area." Continued Sparthi. "That means we could catch him. With few more lioness to track, we would find him quickly… or to make an ambush, when he are back in camping place."
"Good idea." Said Dhalimu, standing on rock above him. "I sense that rascal will back here to cover his tracks."
"I don't allow you to engage him alone!" said king with decisive voice. "We will get more lionesses from home, then come here at night."
"Right, that's great idea!" called Sukari, seeing he still had some time to wipe his own prints.
"But if that lion comes here, while we are away?" asked Sparthi.
"That's easy." Said Sukari. "I will stay here and watch the spot. If he returns here, I will follow him. We will get him with reinforcements."
"Plan is good." Judged Dhalimu and rogue sighed with relief. "But I will stay here." Added and brownmaned barely repressed gasp of anger. "Just go to Golden Cave and bring Rama and few girls here."
"Sir, I could…" started desperate rogue.
"No, I think that Dhalimu will do it." Interrupted him Arista. Then king turned to brother-in-law. "I'm putting you here, because I trust in your reason and that you won't do anything stupid, as some youngster."
"You know me, my king." Replied wanderer with smile.
"And that's why I have doubts." Replied monarch. "But anyway, be careful, Dhalimu. We will be back soon."
"Sir, I might stay here…" murmured panicked Sukari.
"Come, boy." Said king with airy voice. "Dhalimu will handle it."
"Be sure I will." Said white lion with poisonous voice, looking into rogue's eyes. "I won't anyone to cover those tracks…"
"Come on, Sukari." Sparthi nudged brownmaned in side. "Let's go. Uncle will manage."
Rogue stayed in place for several seconds more, looking in old wanderer's eyes. Because Dhalimu was gazing at him too, lions were measuring with stares and old lion smiled, sensing his triumph. He needed just few moments to compare new Sukari's pawprints with those found earlier to have a decisive proof. So when king would return with lionesses.
"Good luck, sir." Said finally brownfurred. "I hope you will find the intruder.
"Thanks." Replied wandered and quieter added. "Perhaps I already did!"
Sukari set off after king and prince. They were going up the ravine, as Sparthi suggested to make shortcut in mountains, to save some time. Rogue was walking on the end, still looking round, as if he was expecting of attack of Dhalimu anytime. "Keme!" thought panicked lion. "I would use some help! What would you do in my place?"
He inhaled deeper, to calm down his breathing and wondered what would older rogue say. He imagined yellowmaned, walking just next to him and smiling with his usual calmness. Then tried to guess what his protector would advise him.
"Why are you so scared?" asked imagines Keme. "This is check indeed, but you checked Dhalimu. To get mate you have to do just one thing."
"Kill him now." Replied rogue in minds. "But how? How I could do it, before king and lionesses are back in gorge? How not let them suspect me?"
"You are lever boy, Sukari." Said unreal Keme. "I just don't believe you have no idea. Simply use any pretext to get there back and finish what you have started. Just…" imagined lion's muzzle narrowed in expression of anxiety. "Be careful. He is a powerful warrior."
"He will have to fight my brain." Replied Sukari. "That what I learned from you – to use every opportunity. Thank you, Keme. I will be all right!"
"What's wrong?" asked Sparthi, looking back on Sukari. "Did you say something?"
"Shhh!" gasped rogue in sudden bolt of inspirations. "Pretend nothing happened!" Before prince asked about more, Sukari caught up him and king, then added with quieter voice. "Don't you feel… watched?"
"What!?" gasped Arista, but Sparthi's hiss make him quieter. "You saw that rogue?"
"It's just an impression…" replied Sukari. "But I learned to trust my impressions. That rogue is here!" whispered with ironical honesty. "Just… let me make sure…"
"What you mean?" asked Sparthi.
"You will go further… slowly, in roundabout way." Explained Sukari. "Meanwhile I will stay here in some hiding, and see who is that. I will catch you soon."
"It's rather risky plan." Noticed king. "Dusk is near."
"I have excellent eyes. In darkness I have an advantage." Assured them. "Just do what I'm saying and we will have a chance to know about him better."
"As you wish…" murmured Arista. "Just be careful."
"Be sure I will." Smiled rogue. "So go… I will try to catch you."
He stopped when they were passing a narrow place in gorge. Sukari waited about minute to make sure that king and his son really went farther, then turned back and set off to run. He had no too much time to deal with his quest, without looking suspicious. But Keme was right – what seemed to be a sure doom, could turn out to be total victory.
\/\/\/
Dhalimu was waiting just next to wall of ravine he got his sureness about Sukari – pawprints matched perfectly and last piece of puzzle came to it's place. Or nearly last. "I just need to see Zira." Thought old lion. "And make sure she is or isn't involved. When I will pin that rascal down in front of her and then look into her eyes, I will know." Smiled with wild smile.
Those thoughts made his mind wander. Also the rogue was old lion after all and his senses weren't as sharp as used to be. He ignored few quiet noises of falling gravel, taking those as result of wind. He suspected that Sukari would return to cover tracks. But he expected brownmaned to wait as he was asleep to do his job as spies do – in secret and darkness. He simply didn't considered about the easiest possibility – about sheer strike.
Ravine had its mouth directed due west, so setting sun was partially blinding Dhalimu. Delicate wind from desert blew into valley, whistling and muffling noise of Sukari's steps. First sound of rolled boulders he took as natural. When he took first suspicions, it was too late.
Avalanche came from cliff without warning. White lion was hit by first stones, then jumped aside to avoid more of rocks. But eroded limestone was fragile and loose, so induced burst was massive. As wanderer rushed away from place of main fall, he was hit by shower of thick gravel. Coughing and spitting, he raised his paws to shield from bigger stones. He closed his eyes, tearing after meeting with cloud of dust. Suddenly he felt a wave of nauseating pain from his left hind paw. A bone cracked aloud and then lion understood he lost before he started his battle.
"Are you all right?" sounded Sukari's question, when avalanche stopped. Dhalimu didn't want to reply, but he moaned due to pain. "That's good." Added rogue. "We will have some fun!"
"You… traitor!" gasped Dhalimu, wiping his eyes from tears and dust. Then he tried to stand up but that action was much too hard. His rear-left paw was literally squashed. Weaker lion would faint due to pain. Thanks to his toughness, Dhalimu felt it all.
"I'm somehow disappointed with you." Replied Sukari, coming down to gorge and stopping in front of immobilised wanderer. "You know so much about rogues life… so much about me... and you still calls me a traitor? I never sworn to those illusions of values you did."
"You are a member of pride…" gasped Dhalimu, repeating try to stand up. "You should be loyal to it!"
"Really?" smiled rogue. "I think you should be the last person to judge about that. For you I have never entered the pride."
"Zira… You are doing it, to became a king thanks to Zira…" murmured white lion. He managed to stand up and even stay in that way. But he know he was still helpless. He was on the edge of fainting and broken leg made any try of fight bound to fail.
"Indeed." Nodded Sukari.
"You know, you are killing her uncle?" asked white lion. "If you love her, it should make some problem for you. Or Zira is so corrupted, that she accepted you actions and…" he stopped, hearing laughter of rogue. "What?" asked with weak voice.
"Zira?" giggled Sukari. "She has no idea what's I'm up to! She is perfectly loyal to her father and brother… but when I remove them she will be loyal to pride still. That she will know the pride needs a king. I will be that king!"
"What!?" gasped Dhalimu. "I thought she made you…"
"Again, your hatred blinded you." Smiled rogue. "I simply can't get it, why you are so biased against your sweet niece…" White lion tried to hit enemy, but Sukari just jumped back, outside his range. "You want to finish it already? It's good, I'm in hurry myself."
"Why have you betrayed us?" asked Dhalimu.
"As I said…" rogue jumped closer, pushed white lion and overturned him, then steeped back, avoiding retaliation. "I never betrayed, because I never sworn to you… it the same as you told me." Smiled. "You said you wanted to kill king for your sister to have home and good life. It was just a coincidence, you didn't have to do it… But I had to make some dirty job to let Keme feast on this pray."
"Brother?" Asked Dhalimu, mixing curiosity and anger.
"Older brother, father… in fact only family I have. I guess you spotted him recently."
"Yeah." Snorted Dhalimu. "He looked as son of a…" Another hit of Sukari sent him again to the ground.
"Be careful. You really don't want me to vent all my imaginations about your death." Replied brownmaned.
"You fool!" yelled Dhalimu, rolling on the ground. Because of last blow he based on broken paw and that pain almost knocked him out. "You would be Zira's mate anyway… And even bring that your Keme without killing anybody."
"It's also personal matter." Smiled Sukari, circling his victim. "Keme was hurt once. He had a mate… and son in pride east of here. But when king of pride discovered that his lioness had a cub without his permission… I guess he wanted to mate with her himself… he killed her, cub and almost killed Keme. Since that time he is looking for vengeance. He failed to repaid that king, who is deal already. But… well… everyone who are strong, are guilty of weak ones hurt. I think that Keme wished to start his vengeance with king, but in stead of Arista…"
"So… it's all about Keme?" gasped Dhalimu.
"Not. It also about me." Replied Sukari. "You know… I'm sure you know, what I want… I want finally live… as someone. Not thanks on other's mercy, but for myself. I'm sick of all those preaches: Be loyal to your king! Serve your pride. How the heck lions pack could be named pride if it's tool of most disgusting humiliation that creature could endure – to be subjected constant terror of elevated word and serve as errand kitty for guy who gives no heck about you. Just as your king, have I right?" Asked Sukari, looking in Dhalimu's eyes, slowly getting dimmed with pain. Old lion was struck by aching recollection.