The next morning after Ewali and Nakita announced themselves as king and queen, the first thing Ewali had to do was pick a majordomo. From among the birds he saw, Jani was the best.
Jani is a sunbird with dark green colors covering his body. His tail feathers are dark brown, his feet and beak are black. His eyes are blue.
Jani proved himself to be an honest bird and never lied to his king. It was his duty as majordomo to check on the animals and if any problems came about he would report back to Ewali.
While traveling with the young king, Jani wouldn't babble or insult the animals. As soon as he perched himself on Ewali's shoulder, he'd just get to the point, which made Ewali admire him greatly.
But Jani wouldn't be his only majordomo.
One week after Jani was named majordomo of Kivuli, he met another sunbird named Hekaya and liked her right away.
Hekaya, including her wings, is a dark chocolate brown color. She has light brown feet and beak. She told Jani that she left her old home because of a fight with her family. When Jani heard this he introduced her to Ewali.
Because Ewali saw the connection that Jani and Hekaya already had, he was kind enough to make her his second majordomo.
A few months after Ewali and his pride were adjusting to this new life, everyone was keeping busy. With Nakita leading the hunting party, nobody had to worry about food. With one successful kill, there would be enough food to feed the pride for days.
Since Ewali was finding himself all the more capable of being king because of Jani and Hekaya, he focused on dealing with Ugas but wasn't quite sure how to let his feelings out without losing control.
During these months, Nakita announced she was pregnant. Ewali was ecstatic as was the pride. Ugas, however, didn't know what to say or think. "I just hope the cub or cubs don't take away my position as future king," he thought angrily.
The prince was spending so much time off the land when he should have been with his father learning how to be a king.
One day while he was wandering, he came across an unmoving form in the tall grass. Being the curious lion he was he went over to investigate. What he saw took his breath away. It was a cub, a male, with scratches and bruises all over his body.
"Wonder what happened to him?" Ugas thought as he sniffed the cub gently, looking for any signs of life.
With his head tilted sideways, Ugas placed an ear on the cub's side. The cub was breathing, but only just. His mouth was slightly open and his tongue was hanging out. Ugas sighed with relief. "Good, he's still alive," he said to himself.
He looked around wondering if he should bring the cub home or not. "Hmm… I don't think I should just leave him out here. I know dad'll be mad for wanting to take this cub in." He smirked. "He's already mad at me for taking Kilwa as my mate."
He shook his head, his mind clearly made up. "I don't care what he says! I'll take this cub home," he decided. He gently picked the cub up and began his trek home.
Hekaya was flying through the area and saw Ugas carrying something. "I better tell Ewali," she said quickly and flew off to find the king.
Ugas made it up the path of the mountain and entered the cave, tired from walking. He gently set the cub down on the bed of grass and layed down beside him panting. While he gathered his strength, taking in deep breaths, he looked at the cub and saw the scars on him. "This cub must've taken quite a beating," he thought.
He carefully picked the cub, placed him in his arms, and began cleaning his wounds. "Don't worry," he said in-between licks. "Kilwa and I will take care of you. You're safe now."
The cub moaned in pain and Ugas cleaned him more gentlier.
While flying, Hekaya saw Ewali talking with an elephant. She sighed with relief, "There he is!" She landed on the king's shoulder so out of breath she almost fell off.
The elephant saw the panting majordomo and knew she must've had something very important to say so he said good-bye and thanks to Ewali then left.
Ewali bowed his head respectfully to the elephant and turned to Hekaya. "Hekaya? What is it? You look as though you've been flying through the desert," he joked, but showing concern for his friend with his eyes.
Hekaya, after a few deep breaths spoke. "Sire, I've just seen your son Ugas. I didn't get a good look but I think he's carrying something back to the caves. It looked like a body. Again, I don't what of."
Ewali furrowed his brow. "I wonder what Ugas has done now?" he muttered. "Thank you Hekaya. You're free to go for the day."
Hekaya bowed her head in respect. "Thank you sire," she said and flew off to find Jani.
Ewali watched her go and went home to see what Ugas brought. "I hope he hasn't done anything foolish," he thought.
Kilwa was now in the cave with Ugas, discussing on whether or not to keep the cub. "Well, you found him Ugas," she said. "I think it's only right that we do keep him. He probably doesn't have any family."
Ugas nodded his head. "I agree. He seems like a pretty good cub."
Kilwa smiled. "So, we agree then?" she asked, knowing what his answer would be.
Ugas nuzzled her, and then gently nuzzled the cub. "I'm sure that once he wakes up, he'll be able to tell us his name and where he's from."
Kilwa nodded in agreement.
Ugas looked up and saw his father standing at the entrance. "Ugas," Ewali began. "Come out here. We need to talk."
The young lion sighed, looked Kilwa, who nodded once and took over for Ugas, cleaning the cub.
Ugas padded out of the cave, walked up to the cliff, sat down, and turned to his father. "What is this time dad?" he asked with annoyance.
Ewali sat down next to Ugas looking at him square in the eye. "Don't use that tone with me. I'm still your father."
"Sorry," Ugas said looking at the ground.
Ewali stared out at the vast plains. "Do you and Kilwa plan on keeping this cub?"
"Hekaya told you didn't she?"
Ewali narrowed his eyes. "She's my majordomo Ugas. It's her job to tell me of all things that goes on in the land."
"Kilwa and I talked about it. Dad, its obvious. This cub as nobody, least I don't think he does. He must've been abandoned."
Ewali, while on the outside was proud of his son; on the inside he was angry. He sighed with a breath of frustration. "I really hope you know what you're doing. It's not easy being a young father and very young mate."
Ugas rolled his eyes. "Dad! I'm not a cub anymore. I can make my own decisions. Besides you and mom were young when you had me and my siblings."
"That was different. There's only a couple of months difference between your mother and me. Kilwa is older. She has more experience than you."
Ugas looked at the ground as a smile played at his lips. "Dad, should it matter? I love her. She loves me."
Ewali didn't say a word. He just stared into his son's eyes thinking. "Here he is not even a fully grown adolescent yet and already he's got a mate and a son." He sighed. "For your own sake," he said with seriousness in his voice. "And for that cub's sake… I hope you know what you're doing."
"Yes, father," Ugas, muttered
Ewali left, leaving Ugas on the cliff.
Ugas sighed, thinking. "Maybe with me and Kilwa taking care of the cub, I can live up to some maturity." He got up and went back into the cave.
Kilwa lifted her head when saw Ugas come in. "You okay?" she asked.
Ugas didn't say anything. He just walked up and lay down beside her. After a few moments of silence, he spoke. "How is he?" he asked indicating the cub, who was awake and oriented.
The cub yawned. "I can speak for myself," he replied sassily. "My name is Tau. Where am I?" he asked looking around.
Kilwa smiled at the cub and answered his question. "Hello Tau. My name is Kilwa and this," she said pointing her muzzle at Ugas, "is Ugas. You're in the Kivuli lands. Ugas is a prince and I'm his mate. Where are you from?"
Tau took a deep breath and began telling his story to the two strange lions.
That afternoon, Tau, became part of the pride and was now known as Ugas and Kilwa's son. His real mother was named Zahra and his father, Masiku. He also had a brother named Kifuli. The pride roared their acceptance of Tau.
Tau was a bit dazed and confused at what was happening but he smiled and nodded his head. He bowed to Ewali and Nakita and said, "Thank you for letting me stay here, your majesties. I'm deeply grateful."
Ewali and Nakita smiled.
Cheshi came up to Tau. "Tau, tomorrow, if it's okay with Ugas and Kilwa, would you like to see the Kivuli lands? I can take you around." He looked up at Kilwa and Ugas asking permission.
Ugas nodded to Cheshi. "Cheshi, that's real nice of you," He bent down to Tau. "Is that alright with you Tau?" he asked.
Tau looked from his adopted father, to Cheshi, then back to Ugas again. "Y-yeah. I guess," he said a bit embarrassed.
Cheshi was really excited. "Great!" he said then bounded to Ewali.
Ewali nuzzled the cub. "That was very decent of you Cheshi," he said, overhearing what Cheshi had done.
That night the pride feasted.
As the sun was setting, the stars getting ready to shine in the sky, Ewali and Nakita sat on the cliff side by side.
Ewali sighed with some sadness and frustration mixed in.
Nakita saw this and turned to her distraught mate. "Ewali? What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.
Ewali looked at the ground, his eyes concentrating on nothing. "I'm just not sure that Ugas should be a father to that cub. He's not ready. He still acts like a cub. He runs off all time, even more than when we were in the Starlight. I told myself that he'd grow out of it but he's not. I'm just worried that's all."
Nakita nodded her head. She knew that Ewali was right. That there was no way Ugas would grow up even if he was showing signs of it on the outside. Just because he had a family did that mean he would change just like that?
"No!" Nakita thought, shaking her head. She stared up at her mate then said, "Ewali, if you're worried about Ugas, then…" she paused.
Ewali looked at her curiously. "What? Nakita, what is it?" he asked with some interest, although he didn't mean to show it with brightened eyes, just a cocked eyebrow.
Nakita inhaled the cool air and exhaled slowly so she wouldn't stumble over her words. "Well, when these cubs are born… whether male or female, let's make him or her the heir or heiress instead of Ugas."
Ewali stared at Nakita with wide eyes. "She feels the same way I do?" he thought. He smirked. "I didn't think you'd agree with me on the spot with this dear," he said smiling sheepishly.
Nakita rolled her eyes in a playful manner. "What makes you think I'd disagree with you, dear," she said sarcastically with her eyes narrowed.
Ewali laughed. "You know what I mean. It's just, we've never actually agreed on something this important. Sure we've had differences about other things, but we've always managed to share our feelings and eventually agree. But we've never agreed at the same time, together on an issue like this."
Nakita nuzzled him and rested her head on his mane. "I know. But I think this agreement means something. Not just for us but to Ugas Kivuli's future. No matter who the firstborn is…"
"You're right. No matter what, there has to be an heir. Boy or girl. We cannot have an unfit heir and that's exactly what Ugas is. Now I love Ugas, but there's no way he can take over. And there is no way I can ask Cheshi. I see him as a nephew, not as a son."
Nakita didn't respond. Then, "I know how you feel about Ugas. Does he even go with you when you patrol?"
Ewali shook his head. "No he doesn't. When we announced our leadership, he stood right next to me and said, 'I'm the prince and future king'. Well if he's to be the next ruler, why doesn't he show it! It's like the words meant nothing to him!" He looked at Nakita with anger flaring in his eyes.
Nakita gently set her paw on his. "Ewali, be patient. It won't be long until our cubs are born, then we'll decide." She looked up at him smiling.
Ewali sighed with a sense of happiness and licked the top of her head. "I know. Maybe this time, we'll get lucky," he said with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
As the stars made their appearance in the sky, Ewali and Nakita rested their heads on each other's shoulders, staring up at the sky.
Ewali stared up wondering. "I sure pray that our first cubs are at peace."
"I'm sure they are," Nakita said with reassurance.
Ewali, removed his head from her shoulder stared at her in a trance. He saw how her eyes shined in the moon's silver and blue light and how her fur matched the moon's color. "The light makes your eyes and fur shine," he thought. "I really love you."
Nakita looked into Ewali's eyes and saw nothing but peace and love. "The moon's light makes your eyes dance and your gaze full of hope," she thought. "I love you more than words can say."
The two mates nuzzled each other not even speaking their thoughts out loud because they knew there was no need for that. Their thoughts were the same, just as they were. They were one.