Hello people! I'm back with a new chapter! Sorry for the delay guys and girls I had a rough time with this one. I really appreciate the long time support of the Ligerion Emperor and the new found support of Sun Rei Lioness. I really appreciate your lovely and encouraging comments. Here! This chapter is dedicated to you both! Read and Review!
The next morning, it seemed like the whole pride was overexcited. As the Royal Protocol commanded, Sebek, being Simba's new protégé, stuck to the King like his shadow all day. So would be the next week until Sebek would be allowed to walk freely around the clan. Sarabi had successfully recovered from her illness and this was a celebrating day because she would appear to the clan for the first time in three days. Sebek saw all around of Pride Rock. All but the very top of it, which was granted access to only the King and his Heir.
Simba taught him to respect all forms of life like his own father had taught him. " The circle of life…" Those words of Simba kept running in Sebek's head. When the sun was fairly high in the sky, Sarabi made her apparition. She looked as fresh as a young female.
This is all because of you Sebek, Sarabi said lowering her gaze onto the young lion bowing to her. You have my eternal gratitude.
It's been an honour for me to help you Your Highness, Sebek humbly answered.
What can I do to thank you?
Silence fell as the gazes travelled from Sebek's reclined shape to Sarabi's waiting expression.
Please let me know whenever you are not well. I shall see to it.
How humble of you, young one. I will.
There was an angry stomping and a sound of shaken leaves. Rafiki had left furiously.
Seeing your healer's reaction, Sebek began, I guess I will retract myself.
He's only a little picky, don't worry about him, Simba said.
Your Majesty, I really don't want to spread trouble within your circle of friend.
You are in this circle now. The whole clan is my circle of friend. Wether Rafiki likes it or not, you are a good healer, Simba responded.
Can I at least set this with him?
Yes. Tomorrow. We have business to attend to for now.
All the lionesses but the Royal Family members left to mind their own business. Nala, Simba, Kiara, Kovu, Vitani, Jeyau, Nephi and Sebek now remained.
We have a courtesy visit to attend to today, stated Nala
The Gazelles of the East have invited us. Supposedly they have a gift for the Royal Family, finished Simba.
What does it have to do with me? Sebek asked politely
You are here to accompany Vitani and as my protégé and one of my escorts as Jeyau and Nephi.
I'm honoured Sire.
When do we leave? Kiara asked.
In a few moments when my Mother joins us, said Nala.
A lioness about Sarabi's age approached the gathered family. She was beautiful neat beige, almost white, with tender sky blue eyes. She was there; it was said, to replace Sarabi as the representant of the Parent Highnesses. Her name was Sarafina. The group left in a hierarchic order, Jeyau opening the procession and Vitani and Sebek closing it. Nephi escorted Sarafina.The walk was to take a fair amount of time. Vitani wanted to know more about Sebek. She was constantly asking him questions.
Did you leave a mate behind? Where you were before?
I didn't. I had given my life to my King. I had an endless loyalty to him and he really was a friend.
I understand your pain, said Vitani, I was loyal to my mother as well before she died and I realised that she was on the wrong track. She was blinded by hate…
This is a sad story, Sebek said looking deeply into Vitani's yellow eyes.
You look better when you are not submissive.
I apologize if my attitude displeases you Miss.
No, it's not that it displeases me. But you have a beautiful strong body… naturally built for dominance. So when you keep your head up straight and your tail high it gives you kind of a… charm.
Your praises are very touching, Sebek said involuntarily raising his head higher.
Vitani was naturally led to lowering her head as he lifted his. She found comfort in his now strong presence.
I would have never thought I'd see you with your head low. You are a strong lioness.
Sometimes, even the strongest needs protection and dominance, Vitani said, breaking eye contact.
Sebek looked at the lioness beside him. She was beautiful. She seemed so small and so defenceless. Sebek was overwhelmed by the need to be her protector, her defence against the world. Then he felt torn between the endless loyalties he already felt toward Simba. How could he remain loyal to Simba and protect Vitani?His thoughts were brutally interrupted by a rough smell in the air. All the others seemed to have noticed. Jeyau nervously smelt the bitter smell in the air. Simba's fur straightened on his back. Nala flattened her ears and growled.
What is it? Kiara asked her father.
Cheetahs, Simba whispered.
No… Sebek said.
Something wrong? Vitani questioned.
I crossed cheetahs as I made my way across the desert. They sang and then tried to eat me alive.
In the desert? Eating you alive? Vitani's eyes widened. You should tell Simba!
I'll go.
Sebek ran up to Simba to tell him what he had lived in the desert. Simba found strange that cheetahs remained together in such a harsh surrounding. Especially that they had tried to eat a living strong male lion.
They never come inside the Savannah at this time of the year, stated Sarafina.
True, confessed Nephi.
Listen! Simba commanded.
The soft signing had started. The song drew awful memories back to Sebek. They had to either run or prepare for battle.
Sire, we must get away, we are largely outnumbered! Sebek shouted his King.
How can you know?
The song. It used to be sung by only one female. They were about seven when they caught me. Now about three female are singing the song. Following the logic of their approach, they must be about 20! We are only 9!
Impossible! Cheetahs never gather in groups of more then 5 to 8, exclaimed Jeyau.
Please your Highness we must go, pleaded Sebek.
Sebek's right, said Kovu. The number they are cannot erase the fact that cheetahs are deadly creatures when they are hungry. Whatever drew them together and so close to Pride Rock caused them enough trouble for them to consider attacking a small group of Lions.
Right, follow me, said Nephi.
Unfortunately, they had spent too much time discussing and hungry cheetahs had already arisen in front of them. Jeyau and Nephi covered Sarafina and the other females but Vitani. Vitani advanced with Kovu, Simba and Sebek towards the herd of cheetahs. The growling lions ferociously clawed the earth beneath their paws. The signing stopped when the three cheetahs saw Sebek. They licked their lips with delight at the thought of sinking their claws and fangs into the firm flesh of the lion. Then the eldest of the cheetahs roared and they all plunged forward. On Simba's signal, the three males and Vitani charged with tremendous velocity into the herd of cheetahs. They hit the herd with incredible strength.
Sebek hadn't fought for a long time now but it was nothing new to him. He knew where to hit, how to bite and slash. His teeth tore off shreds of cheetah flesh and blood ran across his victim's body and face. The fierce golden-bronze lion chased the cheetahs away. When he turned around to see how the others were going, he saw that two cheetahs had cornered Simba against a rock.Without hesitation, Sebek ran to help his King. All his anger from the past months in the desert and all his power overwhelmed him and he jumped on both cheetahs, throwing them a good few meters away from the King, onto a tree trunk where the breaking of their spine was herd. He was now breathing fast and facing the cheetahs menacingly, placing himself directly between Simba and the enemies. All fangs out, he roared and scared the females away from his group. The anger within him faded slowly has his claws retracted instinctively.
He turned calmly to face his group. Vitani was slightly afraid just as the others. Sebek didn't understand their attitude. Hadn't he saved them? Hadn't he proved to be loyal to his King? He adopted a more normal stance as he glanced incredulously at his friends. Simba took a step towards him and seemed relieved that Sebek bowed to him. Vitani stepped forward to meet Sebek who raised his head.
You scared me, she simply said.
You scared us all actually, Nala added.
I apologize if I scared you your Highness.
It's fine, assured Kiara, but when you were done with the cheetahs, we almost thought you were going to jump on us.
You're a strong one kid, Nephi said. You just seemed ready for more.
Yes. Like you were going to bite their head off, laughed Jeyau.
Your Majesty, Sebek said addressing Simba, my purpose was your protection. Please know that I would never turn against you.
Poor Sebek... Why do I have to make him go through such a heart-tearing situation... Well because we all go through this and he is no exception. Well in the next chapter you will see what the gazelles had to give to the King of Kings... remember they are animals please. Now read and review for the next chapter of Royal Protocol doesn't Always Stand!
KeiraMcJulian