Chapter 14
When Nyimba returned to the main rock, her Southlander friends swarmed her.
"Is it true," Zahur asked, "That the lions went out to fight hyenas?"
"Did you see the hyenas?" Almasi questioned. "The King outlawed them when I was a cub, so I've never seen them."
"I smelled them and heard them, and that's about all," Nyimba explained. Her stomach began hurting whenever she thought of the hyenas. Just imagining the beasts ripping Asani apart made her shiver.
"They are ugly animals," Alile said, "Tan with black spots, and demonic eyes. Their teeth are sharp like ours, but very dirty. Also, their jaws are strong enough to break an elephant's bone."
Kefentse, who was sitting next to Nyimba, kept silent. He truly knew the horrors of the hyenas. He knew first-hand how powerful their jaws felt, and how much they thirsted for blood.
Asumini, Hasina, Sauda, and Almasi and Zahur's mother, Nuru, approached the young lionesses. "What is all this talk about hyenas?" Zahur asked.
"The King and young lions went off to attack some hyenas," Almasi explained. Nyimba held back a flinch.
The older lionesses kept silent, until Nuru spoke, "Our King is strong, and we have raised strong young lions. They can handle some hyenas."
"Is there any way we can help?" Zahur asked.
"Perhaps we can send out a hunting party to get some food for when they return," Asumini suggested.
Sauda nodded. "I'll send out Zahur, Almasi, and Nuru as the leader of a hunting party," she ordered. "I wish to stay to see my husband return in one piece, also Nyimba to watch over the cub. Alile will stay too so she can wait for her brother."
"What can Hasina and I do?" Asumini asked,
"Go get Alba and Amani, just in case," the black queen said.
Asumini nodded and walked off with Hasina. The hunting group left after them, and Nyimba took Kefentse higher up to stare at the horizon. Sauda followed them, and sat down next to Nyimba.
"My King and Prince are strong, but I have a sense that something is wrong," she sighed. "I worry that these hyena attacks are not coincidental. I believe the hyenas are meaning to wage war against us."
Nyimba looked at the sun, which was beginning to set. Kefentse was curled up at her paws, dead asleep after his long day. "I don't know what I'll do if Asani gets injured," she admitted. "He's been my best friend since we came here."
"He really cares for you," Sauda purred. "I'm getting older, and I want to see my son take a queen before I die. I want to see them grow strong together, and rule like our ancestors. Unfortunately, it seems that he has fallen for you, and only the Great Kings know when your pride will leave. Personally, I'd choose you for him, if you were a Southlander."
Nyimba realized at that moment that she was not a Southlander. They had lived with the pride so long that everybody blended in. Her pride members were allowed in the hunting parties, patrolled the borders, and even the cranky elders sunbathed together. She even had a home with Asani and Kefentse. In fact, Asani was almost like her mate and Kefentse her cub.
He is not just my friend, he is much more than that, she realized. Her stomach felt butterflies at the thought of him, but also the nagging fear that he wouldn't return.
"I don't want to leave," Nyimba claimed. "This is my home now, and I will join in on protecting it if the time comes necessary."
Sauda nodded, and then rose to her paws. "I see them returning," she whispered and ran down the rock. Nyimba left Kefentse where he was sleeping and ran down to join the Queen. She didn't want the cub to see if his brother was hurt, or worse.
She looked out at the distance where the lions were returning. Shani and Kondo were in the front, and Kiume was close behind. Sauda snarled loudly, and Nyimba squinted her eyes to see that the black lion was carrying Asani on his back. She gasped when she saw he was covered in blood.
No, no, no, NO! This isn't happening, she cried out silently. The lions walked up the main rock and brought Asani to the injury den. Nyimba followed them anxiously.
Alba and Amani examined the red prince. His already red fur was darker with blood, and a chunk of his ear was missing. Nyimba sighed with relief when she saw him breathing.
Sauda ran over to him and covered his face with furious licks. "Oh my son, my foolish son, why would you go out alone? So foolish...," she cried.
Asani groaned and coughed up some blood. "They…swarm," he choked and coughed again before passing out.
Nyimba stood at the entrance to the den, and felt tears running down her cheek at this sight. The lion she loved could be dying, and she never told him how she felt. She loved Asani with all her heart; her love for Badrani had finally been replaced, and she was ready to move on. If Asani died, she knew it would be the end of her sanity. She didn't care if he was brutally scarred, or paralyzed, or anything of the sort. As long as he stayed alive, her mind could finally find peace.
Wooooooow long wait much? I've had this typed for awhile, but school and Skyrim control my life xD
~Skyy