I approached his tree, to see him sitting beneath it in one of his typical meditation poses. I knew better than to rouse him from it, so I stood back, staring at him. He didn't bat an eyelid for a long time. But I knew that he knew I was there. He was a great one for patience was old Rafiki. If something troubled you, he could help, but you had to prepared to wait. For a long time.

Suddenly, without moving his body an inch, his lips spoke, "King Simba. You have come here for assistance, have you not?"

"I… have, Rafiki. You have served our pride for many moons, and we are always grateful for it, but something you said recently has me worried, and not just for my own safety, but the existence of the pride." The words were true, though I wouldn't admit as such to any other inhabitant of the Pridelands, and that included Nala.

"Ah yes…" he said quietly.

It was important not to disturb him too quickly, and to treat him with great respect. Whilst he would still help and be perfectly kind if you were impatient or rude, he had some kind of overwhelming power over you that made you regret it, and resolve to try a different tack next time.

"You are wondering what I said about you and Nala having the situation under control? You doubt that statement?"

"Er, no. That wasn't why I ca…"

"But that is the most important thing, do you not see. Have belief in your self and good things will happen, King Simba."

"Yes, I accept that, but…"

"Nothing else matters," he said suddenly, jumping up and climbing into his tree. Not being particularly well endowed with climbing capabilities I was unable to follow him, so remained below looking upwards.

"I needed to ask you something else," I said, more loudly, "Do you know what has happened in these lands recently?"

His head popped down through some of the branches, and he held it close to mine. "Yes, I know something has gone wrong. I feel it through the winds. There is darkness upon the crest of them. But it is not to be feared. Do as I say and you will lead the Pridelands to the light."

"But…"

"Have faith," he said, and disappeared into his branches.

Feeling rather aggrieved at his help, I set off for the Eastern border, not really concentrating. Sure, keeping faith was all well and good if I knew what was happening. But how could I keep faith when I was forever worried about a mutiny just round the corner? I never knew what was coming next, it wasn't that easy.

"It's never easy!" said a voice from in front of me. I stopped abruptly and looked up, startled. With relief I realised that comment was not directed at me. I'd reached the Eastern border and over the line were two lionesses facing away from me. They hadn't realised I was there yet. I kept quiet and stalked into some nearby long grass whilst they continued their monotonous chatter. By laying low, I hoped to find out something I may not have done had I distracted them.

From what I could tell, these two were young and inexperienced lionesses. It seemed they were put on border patrol because they were not capable of anything better. I doubted very much whether they had been involved in the events of the other night – somehow I couldn't see any King, least of all Jimbala, from what I'd heard, who would set these two out on a difficult or dangerous mission. They were still young and had a life ahead of them, and in some ways I pitied that they would grow up under a cruel King like Jimbala.

I took to listening to their inane chatter, hoping to find some information among the other rubbish. When I had almost given up hope after they had ploughed on for some time, suddenly the name was mentioned – 'Usiku'. I flattened my ears towards them and listened intently.

"They say that she was there, that Chunta spoke to her as she carried out Jimbala's orders!"

"I heard so too. Apparently their King had set her to protect the cubs! I'd heard he was stupid, but that's just plain crazy!"

They laughed together. I restrained myself from feeling angry, telling myself they were merely misguided, and that they knew no better. They got back to their talking.

"Mind, we wouldn't have had much luck without all that help."

"Yeah, she pulled through for a change – perhaps that sort are good for something after all!"

"There's something I'd never thought I'd hear!"

Time wore on, and I noticed that the sun had gone well past its highest, when I was due to meet Timon and Pumbaa, but I couldn't leave now. Any time soon, they could reveal something important.

My patience was rewarded when another, older lioness appeared out of the grasses and approached them from their side. She sniffed the air inquisitively. I suddenly realised I was lying upwind from them! If she smelled my scent, she'd know there was a male nearby! I frantically shifted myself away from where I was sitting, and headed round to a place where I couldn't see too well, due to an intruding rock, but I knew I was safe from being smelled out. I could also hear what they were saying perfectly well.

"Don't you smell anything odd, girls?"

A silence seemed to indicate, that, no, they did not smell anything odd.

"Oh, hmm. Just me then… Here to relieve you from border duty?"

"Oh, right."

"Been out here for three days? Missed out on all the hot gossip?"

"Well, we've heard rumours…"

"Oh-ho, you've got some things to be told!"

"Won't you tell us?"

"Well, why not?! It seems that a dear cub of the Pridelanders was unfortunately taken - ill, shall we say? They aren't happy as I understand it. Oh no, a little bird tells me there is a little trouble brewing under over there! And partly in thanks to our dear ally!"

My blood was boiling, I was furious that they could discuss my lands like this, when we'd been so gracious to them in the past, admitting them to some extra land in order they would not starve in the rainy season. They loathed us and me, that I could cope with , but to laugh at the death of an innocent cub made me furious, and I became ever more angry as it became apparent that there was more than a little help coming from inside my own land to carry out their plans. It didn't take a genius to work out who it was.

At that moment, a small bird flew down to my shoulder. I didn't realise it had much to do with me, until I noticed that it was giving crazed signals by butting its head. I wondered if Zazu had anything to do with him, and I whispered, "Did Zazu send you?"

"Yes," the bird replied, "he sends word that Timon and Pumbaa have been spotted. They are on their way to the acacias now."

I nodded, and said, "Thank you… what's your name?"

"Qazi" he told me. And he flew off, regally, though not drawing attention toward himself.