The challenge

When they arrived, the smell of blood hung over the area like an aura of death. The corpses of the fallen still lay where they had died. Flies had already gathered around them and high above, a group of feral vultures had started drawing their circle.

Even from afar, Siyo could spot the lion standing on a small monolith at the edge of what had once been the lair of the guard responsible for this part of their borders.

"So, what's the plan?", Jaha, a step behind her asked. "We could split up to surround them and attack from both sides. Or we…"

"Talk to them as I already said I'd do", Siyo cut her off. "Fupa reported, that none of them is seriously injured and they had enough time to get their breath back, so we wouldn't meet them exhausted. We have suffered enough casualties today, so I'll at least give it one last try to settle this affair without further bloodshed… or at least, keep it to a minimum." Without allowing further discussion, the queen continued her way towards the lion on his outlook.

"And here they are." Ushindi loosened his gaze from the approaching hyenas and turned to his companions. "Stay calm and only attack if I say so." He waited until Askari and Moto confirmed his order with a nod, then his attention focused on the hyenas again. By now they were close enough to speak to him and stopped. One of them, a big female stepped forward and focused her eyes on him.

"Ushindi!", Siyogwaya shouted. "You asked to speak to me. Here I am! So, speak! I'm eager to hear how you want to justify what you have done here."

"What we have done here, your highness, simply was a necessary step on the path you have forced us to go", the lion responded. "You left us with no other choice than to demonstrate our strength. We are not some prey you can hunt and slaughter at will!"

Angrily, the hyena snorted. "We never did or even attempted anything like that. We don't know what caused the misunderstanding that led to the attack on your friend and if it was revenge you were looking for, the lives you had already taken should have been more than enough!"

"And that, is where you're wrong!" With a growl Ushindi jumped down from the rock.

The hyenas behind Siyo moved forward, to protectively flank their queen, but she held them back with a quick snarl, while Ushindi did the same with his own companions, who had jumped up.

"I'm quite sure not everyone who participated in the attack got what he deserved. And even if, there is still one more to be punished." Slowly, he circled her and spoke louder, so everyone would hear him. "I'll admit it right away, I was neither kind nor polite when I came to you, but tell me, how weak does a queen have to be to answer mere insults with murder? And worse, not even prove the guts to do the deed herself!"

"As I have assured you multiple times, I did not order the attack on your friend!", Siyo growled back.

"And yet you fail to present another one who's guilty. Tell me, who else commands your hyenas, because I always thought it would be the matriarch, the strongest and fiercest of the clan. A specimen demanding respect and obedience. But if I was wrong in assuming that hyena was you, feel free to correct me." Having completed his circle, he nodded at Jaha and then the next hyena that stood the closest to her. "Is it her, by any chance. Or that one?"

"I did not come here to listen to your insults, rogue!", she snapped at him.

"And I didn't summon you to give you nothing but empty words! So, listen! One of my friends a member of my pride was mauled by your hyenas! It was either your coward command or your insufficiency as a leader that made this happen! Either way you are guilty and unfit to rule. A threat to everyone in and close to your kingdom. And as such I cannot allow you to keep your power. You saw what we are capable of to reach our goal. So, I'll leave you with two options. Hide behind your people and wait until we get through them… or accept my challenge and fight me for the right to sit on your throne!"

For a moment, it felt as if the whole world had gone silent. Struck by the lion's words, Siyo stood there motionless, staring into his piercing eyes. A thousand thoughts rushed through her mind as she tried to study his expression. There was no fear or uncertainty to be seen, not even a hint. Worse. With every moment that passed by, he gained further confidence, a fact she was very aware of. Additionally, she could feel her own followers' gaze on her back. She had to react quick, if she didn't want to display weakness in front of the lion… or her clan. It was hard to say what would be worse. Then, two words sounded through the silence: "I accept! Under the condition, that I may choose one of my hyenas to accompany me in the fight. To even the odds."

"Granted", Ushindi replied. "But only if that hyena volunteers. Wouldn't want it to look like you would force someone to die for y…"

"I'll fight with her!" Jaha was by her side even before the other hyenas had the chance to show any hesitation as the lion had apparently hoped.

Hiding her relief about her sister's quick response, Siyo raised her head as high and proud as she could. "Then so be it! Come to us at tomorrow's first light. We'll face each other in front of our throne, as this land's tradition demands it. But for now, leave this place, so that we can take care of our dead."

For a few seconds, it appeared, as if Ushindi would defy her, but then he nodded. "Very well. We'll be there at sunrise." Slowly, he took a few steps backwards. "Come on, guys. We're leaving. For now." With that, he gave her a last look, turned around and marched off.

Siyo watched, as the other lions left their posts and followed him. And while she examined one of them after the other, her gaze stopped at one specimen. A young male with a fiery red mane. Suddenly, their eyes met. Only for a moment, they held eye contact, then the lion lifted a lip to bare one of his fangs, growled and hurried after his companions.

When she returned to her den, Guma was already worriedly awaiting her. Due to the peacefully sleeping cubs snuggling against his chest he didn't get up, but she could see his eyes checking her for any wounds. Most of his tension seemed to leave his body, when he couldn't find any, but he seemed to suspect, that she was anything but well. She trotted over to him and rubbed her head against his. His touch brought her some relief of the sickening feeling that was brooding in her stomach.

"How did it go?" He asked, as she lay down next to him and leaned against his shoulder.

"No one died. The lions left. We buried our dead." Lowering her head towards the cubs she sighed. Nuru seemed to have heard the sound and tiredly opened one of her eyes. With her nose, she nuzzled the little one softly to bring her back to sleep. "But they will return", she said, as soon as the cub's head sunk against her father's chest again. She continued to tell him about Ushindi's challenge and how and under which conditions she had accepted. Silently, he listened. "I'm the worst mother imaginable and a horrible mate for doing this", she continued, after he remained silent. "But if it's the only way to stop the bloodshed, I'm willing to accept that. It's… What he said… I simply… couldn't reject after that…"

"I'm sure you did what you had to", he finally said. "What you thought was the best for all of us. For the clan and our family."

"Thank you." Grateful for his attempt to comfort her, she rested her head on one of his front legs, right next to her cubs. "I just hope it was the right thing to do…"

AN: I was really struggling with this chapter. I wasn't entirely sure how I wanted to set things up and still don't know if I took the right path but I really wanted to get over with this part of the story and finish the "second act" of tRoU so I could finally head over to the third and most likely final part.

Anyway, here we are... The challenge has been spoken! Only question is, who will rise from it?