CHAPTER 5 – Radical measures
-I'm going to kill him for that! – Sarafina growled, looking at how her daughter groaned when she checked that the bruise on her face from Scar's slap hasn't yet healed.
-Oh mom, you've been saying that for days now… - Nala whined with distaste, laying her paw back at the ground beside the older lioness, as she was observing her with concern.
-What, are you scorning me for not taking any actions to fulfill my promise? Well then I assure you…
-No, no! – Nala interrupted her. – I just don't want you to worry about it more than I do. It really isn't worth it.
Her mother stood up and gave her a serious look.
-Not worth it? Do you want to tell me that you're just going to forget about that anything ever happened? And maybe even let Zira continue to humiliate you in front of the supposed king?
The young lioness just sat and hung her head helplessly. Even if she wanted to do something, Zira was Scar's favorite and there was no way she could make both her and the king treat her better. Or any other lioness along with that. They were just too stubborn. Sarafina knew that all the long-lasting helplessness had been a great burden both to her daughter and to the whole pride, but this time she decided that the days of inactivity had come to an end. This time she would find a way to make the situation in the pride better, even if it had to kill her… or someone else.
-Listen. I've been thinking about this for a long time now. Scar has made being a member of this pride unbearable throughout the years, and I'm thinking we should do something. Screw the hyenas, screw Zira and all the other flatterers, loyal to their beloved dictator. I think we should overthrow him. I think he has shown us enough disrespect already. He is the worst ruler this land has ever seen, as he always was, and he needs to disappear!
As she spoke, Sarafina was unaware to be raising her voice with every word. That caught the attention of the surrounding lionesses, who were drawn out of their midday rest and looked at her curiously. But she had her back turned at them, so she did not notice. Until she heard Sarabi's voice, that is.
-Sarafina…
Her best friend spoke to her silently, yet in a surprisingly rough tone. When she turned around to face her, she saw concern in her reddish eyes.
-Yes? What is it, Sarabi? You look troubled…
-Because I am! – the lioness tried to speak silently, in order to get rid of the pride's attention. – Are you out of your mind to speak of overthrowing Scar?
Sarafina felt kind of disappointed that her friend did not agree with her thoughts.
-What? Aren't you concerned about the way he treats us? We are like slaves on our own land!
-Oh you should know very well that I do care for this pride, and you should also be aware that what you are talking about is crazy! What do you want us to do? Kill Scar?
Both Sarabi and Nala gazed at Sarafina, awaiting her to answer. She felt pressured, but lowered her head and answered with a gloomy whisper.
-Wouldn't that be an answer to all our problems?
Sarabi snorted and swung her head, frowning.
-No! That is wrong! Scar might be selfish to the limit, but he did nothing that would make him guilty of death!
-I think otherwise… - Sarafina growled.
-Then you're wrong! Tell me, what is a pride without a king? And what about the hyenas? Have you thought about that? Do you want to start a war?
The angry lioness' thoughts mixed in her head. She was starting to once again feel depressingly helpless, a feeling she never ceased to hate.
-Uh, no… but I just can't stand this anymore! There has to be a way to change our fate! We spend our days slaving away in the sun, the hyenas take most of our food and Scar doesn't do anything but… be a total, lazy, self-serving, bossy bastard all the time!
Sarabi just looked at her with compassion, and then she nuzzled her and surrounded with a paw.
-Be strong, Sarafina. I know how the way he treated Nala made you feel. But we have to be patient in order to endure the time of drought. Then everything will be better, you'll see…
The lioness calmed down. She let go of Sarabi and smiled at her delicately. The huntress' leader, happy with the consensus, left to continue her rest among the shade. But when Sarafina turned around and looked at Nala, her face was serious again.
-Sarabi always was the delicate type… And what about you? Do you also consider my way of thinking as radical and wrong? Do you also rather wait for Scar to make us starve or get eaten by those damned mutts?
Her daughter bit her lip and looked around to see if no one was watching them.
-No mom… I think you're right – she whispered.
-That's my girl… - Sarafina grinned and hugged her. – Now, let's get some rest. I have to think this over yet.
AN: When lions have a problem with someone, they kill him. Just as Scar did with his brother. But will he now himself be dethroned? Will Sarafina find the measures to achieve her vengeance? Will Nala turn out to be as ruthless as her mother? And what of the other lionesses? Keep reading and find out…