AN:Thanks for your all visits. I'm sorry that I updated so late, but I was flooded with work at the college :( I will update on Monday for sure, and then at next Friday. I promise :)
Thanks to ShikaTemaForever for faving my story :)

Today something about the lions' politics and hunting morality. You will be surprised while reading that :)

Chapter 25 'Offensive'

When you have got an elephant by the hind leg, and he is trying to run away, it's best to let him run.

Abraham Lincoln.

The time of a wet season came. But there was no wet; even a single drop of water didn't come from the sky. There were no rain clouds, only small, transparent cirrus. Every day brought a new disappointment and the lionesses' anxiety grew. Plants, affected by the heat, started graying and fading. The dry soil crumbled and the wind carried the clouds of dust that made it hard to breathe. Acacias started losing their leaves; the remaining ones were covered with a thick layer of a brownish substance.

At first, the king scoffed the lionesses' anxiety, optimistically waiting for a rain. But after two weeks it seemed almost obvious that there will be no wet season.

A group of lionesses waited before the royal cave, talking loudly and commenting king's deeds. They weren't only Imani's friends. There were also a few lionesses from the vassal prides, and even Ghafi's followers.

'The situation is already terrifying. And nobody tries to change it.' Nzuri said loudly.

'The waterholes are overcrowded. All animals panicked. They arrived to waterholes and drink as much as they can! As if they were damn camels!' somebody shouted.

'Yes, they are wasting water. We can't afford on that. The negligence can already have disastrous effects.' Imani explained.

'I heard that the king is using the water to groom his mane properly.' Somebody added. It was Uru, who tried to start turmoil. She succeeded.

'No! It can't be like that! I thought that Ghafi is a smarty, but she also behaves like blind.'

'First we lost the war, and now we'll be killed by a drought!'

'Yeah!'

'Stop it!' the king yelled. He came out from his cave where he conferred with Ghafi. The chancellor shadowed him. 'I know how difficult the situation is. But I am sure that stirring up the panic will bring no good. During that few days…'

'Weeks!' somebody shouted.

'…I and my chancellor invented a plan that will save us. I'd like to say that I'm disappointed by you all. We survived a few droughts. Have I ever failed you? Do I really deserve such treating?' Mohatu huffed furiously. His pride calmed down.

'Ah, it isn't their fault, my majesty. I can see a few instigators.' Ghafi said, looking maliciously at Imani.

Uru frowned, growling quietly. It was a kind of satisfaction for her that the pregnant chancellor looked now like two hippos. She was really fat now.

'I decided that small herbivores, like gazelles and antelopes, will come to the waterhole as first. Then buffalos, giraffes and elephants, as they can survive longer without water. At the end, hyenas and lions will be allowed to drink. I will personally keep an eye on that. Everybody that will break those laws will be severely punished.' Mohatu said gravely.

'Sir, we should enact laws that will protect not only pregnant herbivores, but also calves. It's obvious it will make animals feel safe and stay in the Pridelands.' Imani said

'I'm not sure if we have to force ourselves to such serious restrictions.' Mohatu answered.

'Majesty…' Ghafi purred with a sweet voice and whispered something into the king's ear.

'Imani, as the drought drives rogues to our borders, you will patrol them for a whole day with your son Elimu.' Mohatu announced.

'Sir, I can't. I have to look after my wounded daughter.' Imani exclaimed desperately.

'You might leave her with your friends.' Ghafi said cruelly.

'I hate Ghafi.' Kribi said

'Yeah, she could die. I don't know how – maybe struck by a lightening, or just die from her own venom that would eat up her guts.' Mpira growled. It wasn't often to see her in such anger.

'Okay, girls, we're going on a hunt. We have to hunt a bit more to share with Imani and her family.' Uru yelled.

Uru, I'm just after the menstruation.' Mpira said. 'Could you perform a purification ritual?'

'What for? It's just a stupid superstition made up by our imperious males. Don't think about it.' Uru remarked firmly.

'Okay.' The lioness nodded hesitantly. After some time she approached to Makali.

'Makali, could we talk face to face.' Mpira whispered to the princess. They move away for a moment. 'I know that it's disloyal to Uru, but could you make that purification ritual.'

'You've heard Uru…' Makali said hesitantly.

'I know, I know… But I'll feel better. Please, do it for me.' Mpira begged. Makali sighted.

'Okay. So… Aiheu, our Lord, liberate that lioness from the bondage of blood and death; purify her body from unclean liquids that stay in her… Is it fine?' Makali asked.

'Yes, of course. Thanks, Makali!' Mpira yelled happily and ran back to friends.

The plains were peaceful. Dried, golden blades of grass swayed on gentle breeze… A wildebeest bolted out of a bush, chased by Makali, Maridadi and Uru. Makali was first; she managed to overrun the wildebeest and attack from the front, stopping the animal.

Suddenly, the herbivore squealed sharply.

'NO KILL MEE!' It screamed. Makali stopped before the pounce, hardly believing her ears, frozen in overwhelming terror. The wildebeest used that time to pass near her, but Makali and Mpira was there to end the hunt. After 50 meters they managed to knock down and throttle the prey.

'Good work, Maridadi, you're getting better every time.' Uru praised her friend. Then she addressed her sister. 'Holly dolly, Makali, what's wrong with you? It almost ran away! I huff like an asthmatic elephant because you haven't stopped it!'

Makali looked at Uru with a fearful expression.

'Have you heard it…' she uttered.

'What?'

'It… talked to me!' Uru yelled. 'Oh god, maybe I'm losing my mind.' She thought.

'Yeah, I heard it. They are the little devils and sometimes they learn a word or two to surprise us. You should know that. Okay, don't stare at me like that, help me with dragging it to our headquarter.'

'Yes…'

The drought prolonged, and with that the anxiety grew in the pride. Mohatu had to execute the laws with a great rigor. His popularity fell and lots of the lionesses and hyenas whispered the bad words about him. He felt the weight of his bundle and understood that after the lost war he could even lose his throne. He looked at everybody with distrust, especially at other males in the pride.

'Aiheu, My God, why do you punish me so severely? What did I do to upset you? Do you think about that promise I gave to Ghafi? I should be loyal to Hatia, but Ghafi might give me a male heir…' Mohatu thought anxiously. He decided to ask the new Pridelands' shaman, Rafiki, for spiritual advice. He asked Babu for it many times. When he arrived to the Great Baobab, he encountered a group of the lionesses from different prides, listening to the young mandrill. He gave his speech from highness of the tree and looked quiet majestic.

'…. everything. Everything. The drought, the lost war, arrogance of our government, the bad decisions... It's all fault of a sin. The sin that bespattered the monarchy, the saint laws of the Pridelands. We have to disclose what kind of the sin our king committed! There are many mysteries in our Pride – the death of Hatia, surprisingly fast career of chancellor Ghafi, the tradition negligence!' Rafiki yelled. Mohatu listened to it with growing fury. He understood that somebody it trying to embitter his own fellows against him… But who?

Next day king Mohatu walked through his kingdom, controlling the order at the waterholes and solving quarrels between animals. Uru and Makali shadowed him, learning how to rule. The younger princess didn't want to come, but her sister used the old argument – they have to know how to rule after overthrowing Ghafi.

Most of those quarrels were trivial. The animals tried to get to sneak into the queue and when somebody caught them, they started huffing and roaring; pretending that they are indignant by such offends. They day was hot and Uru dreamed of a few sips of a fresh, cold water. But she had to wait for the lions' turn. Even worse was the fact that the water was already disgustingly muddy and warm. She also wasn't allowed to swim anymore, so again she considered shaving herself. But she wasn't that despaired.

The king had other problems. He eventually found the way to improve the appreciation to his kingship. He appeared a lot with his daughters, showing that the dynasty is strong and interested with problems of its subjects. But it wasn't all. He had another idea…

'Oh, I see the cheetahs came to the waterhole out of order.' He said pointing the golden, spotted animals. The sisters were surprised.

'We asked them and they said that Ghafi permitted them.' Makali said.

'The chancellor didn't tell me anything.' Mohatu answered indifferently. 'Never mind, just drive them out and we will go to the north.'

Uru didn't pay attention to the king's words, but Makali did. While the younger sister was hunting, the older one went through the kingdom, asking different species about special permissions of the chancellor. With the help of the majordomo, who translated the simple snorts and howls of the herbivores and the strange languages of the smaller carnivores, she quickly understood the whole system. Ghafi rewarded animals with access to waterhole for favors. For example cheetahs and leopards didn't hunt on terrains where Ghafi's team hunted and disturbed Uru's team; herds' leaders informed her where they will drive their herds. The birds scouted for the chancellor, which gave her an unfair advantage over the prey.

'Great!' Uru said when she heard that. 'For the first time we have something on Ghafi!'

The action speeded up. Imani found the animals that were discriminated at the waterholes and organized protests. Maridadi spent a nice weekend with her mother, listening to the newest gossips. Obviously Kumt'ii said her also about Ghafi's dealings, obviously praising the chancellor as the smartest hunter on the world. So they had confirmation of their assumptions.

The king was absolutely shocked when he saw all so many animals gathered at the Priderock. It was almost like during royal ceremonies, but now the crowd was furious. Ghafi roared at them, inefficiently trying to hush the turmoil.

The animals went silent when the king appeared.

'What is it?' He roared. 'How you dare to behave like that? Especially in front of a female!'

Imani explained the allegations. There was also a heartbreaking story - two calves didn't want to show where their herd is coming so they were chased away from water by Ghafi's followers and almost died of the dehydration.

'Do you understand that it's very serious allegations? I can ensure you that I will do everything to clarify what had happened. But now, be calm; go to your places and have some rest.'

The crowd slowly dispersed. Mohatu observed it from the top of Priderock. Then he descended to his cave with a smug smile. Ghafi was already there, lying on her back on an elevation with her head sagging and closed eyes. The king approached to her and stroked her forehead. He knew that it helped her with the migraines.

'It's all those two. You have to do something about that!' she uttered

'You know that it's a bit your fault?'

'So what?' Ghafi snarled 'I'm your lover! You have to care for me!'

'I have a better idea. We will make a nice circus from the investigations, prolonging it to the eternity, engaging their whole energy. I'm sure that such a strong lioness will withstand that. At the end you will only have to apologize for your wrong deeds.'

'What for?' Ghafi didn't understand.

'Let's call it your sacrifice to the monarchy. Thanks to you I will be cleaned for any allegations and the kingship will be safe again.' He explained.

'But what about me? I carry your child! You can't just give me to them as a snack!'

'Remember… Your reward will be… Wonderful.' Mohatu smiled and tried to caress the chancellor's muscular twig.

'I have a terrible migraine.' She uttered. 'Those yells would make even a stone had a nice headache.'

Mohatu snorted. He was pretty sure that all those "migraines" were her excuse to restrain him.

Along the walls of the Great Gorge, out of the Hyenas' Gorge, in fissures and small caves, many hyenas lived. Most of them were very low ranked, and weren't allowed to settle near the matriarch's palace. This family lived in a small cave formed by an overhanging rock, quite high over the bottom of the gorge. Down there the hunting parties passed, going to the savannah, laughing loudly. Others greeted them with yells and yelps. But the family had other interests.

'She's coming!' A young male shouted. His father came out of the cave with his daughter. They waited for the priestess Sajjana, who arrived after a few minutes. Her helper, this time Banagi, followed her.

'Greetings, my friends!' she said cheerfully, a bit winded from the climbing.

'Majesty, it's such an honor for us...' The male uttered. 'May I lead you to my mate?'

'Yes.'

The male and Sajjana barely fit in such a small cave. Especially that there was also a female. She clutched two small cubs that were born only a day before.

'I'm so happy to see you, majesty.' The female said. She stood up to bow to the priestess.

'Greetings. That's your new cubs, right? What are the names?'

'Sarum and Sarasa, majesty.'

'Good and nice. Beautiful names.' Sajjana smiled. 'The Divine Matriarch, our noble protector, look after Sarum and Sarasa.' She said and swept cubs with a wild angelica, the plant that drives off bad ghosts. One of the small hyenas sneezed.

'They are so sweet. I wish you luck.' Sajjana nodded.

'Wait, Majesty. We have something to give for the sanctuary…' The male brought a big piece of a delicate, fresh zebra meat. He probably hid it from the aristocrats' tax-collectors. Sajjana sighed.

'Leave it for your cubs and wife. They need lots of energy. I will make a sacrifice for you.' She said and left the place. She descended to the bottom of the gorge.

'Please, don't tell anybody what you've seen.' She said to Banagi, slowly returning to the Graveyard.

'Of course, Miss Saj.' The young hyena answered, a bit offended that she could think so. 'I'm Hillary's son, right? It's just sad that they have to steal to give us the best meal.'

'Not to us, Banagi, but to the Divine Matriarch.' Sajjana remarked seriously. They came out of the gorge and directed to the savannah.

'Hello, Miss Sajjana.' Makali shouted after them. Two hyenas looked at her, a bit surprised.

'Could I talk with you for a while?' the princess asked.

'Yes, of course, princess. Could we just walk in the Elephant Graveyard direction? I'm a bit in hurry.' Sajjana answered softly. 'How can I help you?'

'Well, I… I heard a few of your sermons… and I thought that you might understand me.'

'Nice to hear that anybody still listen to them.' The priestess remarked with some irony.

'I was very interested to hear that you're so concerned about the good treatment of the prey and obeying the hunting laws. It's very similar to me, I think.' Makali looked a bit embarrassed, but she tried to direct the talk well.

'I'm happy to hear that.' Sajjana smiled gently. It emboldened the princess.

'A few days ago I had a strange incident. The wildebeest that I hunted for said a few words to me…'

'Really? I didn't know that they can do so.' The priestess looked surprised.

'The philosophy says that we, the intelligent carnivores, can hunt on herbivores because they were created by the God to that purpose, they don't have any higher intelligence or even souls. But I thought – what if it isn't true? It would be a murder, right?'

'It seems so…' Sajjana said pensively.

'But we have to eat something. We are created to eat the meat.' Banagi remarked.

'I know. That's why it so difficult for me.'

The priestess sighed.

'I have to say that I've never attended hunts in my life. I have a very weak sight.' Sajjana smiled. 'I would never kill other animal, it's hideous for me, but I have the comfort that somebody will do it for me.'

'I think it's a kind of wrong way. Are we supposed to shame for ourselves, because we have to eat to live?' Banagi asked.

'Of course not, erm…'

'Banagi, son of Hillary Yena.'

'Oh, really? I'm a friend of your father.' Makali grinned. 'I just thought what we can do to… be better. I assumed that we could enact a law abolishing hunting on the meercats and warthogs, as they are probably the most intelligent omnivore animals, having their own culture and language. And abolish hunting on the calves and hurt ones. What do you think about it?'

'It's a good idea.'

'Will you support me with that in front of the king?' He… isn't delighted with an idea.'

'I would be honored.' Sajjana nodded seriously.

AN: The wild angelica was used to drive off the ghosts and bad magic in the medival Poland, Lithuania and Russia.

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