IV. The Enemies of Our Enemies
When Shani heard it for the first time, she felt fear. But it went away just moment after. In fact she should be prepared for that and even welcome the idea with paws spread wide. She missed her family, she loved her family. But ones that hurt her Kisasian weren't her family anymore.
"Forgive me, I must." Said Kiasasian. "I can't live on, knowing that murderers of my father stay unpunished. I can forgive any harm… but not a treason!"
"I know, Ki." Said Shani, nestling to her mate. They laid in their cave, surrounded by nightly jungle. The perfect peace of that hour was disturbed only by scaring words of blackamned.
"But… I think I will die there." Added lion, a bit surprised, that she let him go so easily.
"No, you won't." smiled goldenfurred. "I won't let you… We will find the way to succeed."
"But Shani…" said Kisasian carefully. "You don't understand… I must go now. No time for plotting, preparing and waiting. I must do it quick. It's not only because of me, but I must secure home for my pride… Mom won't survive dry season in Golden Sands. They must go back."
"I know." Nodded Shani. "Your pride is mine from now on."
They spent a airy, delightful night, but even in moments of ecstasy, lioness kept in mind a shadow of future threat. She had to think instead of Kisasian and make his plan rational – safe enough to succeed. In spite that when falling asleep in his embrace she would exchange whole world for staying this way forever, she knew that to accomplish the mission she decided to start she needed some help of that 'outer world'.
When she woke up, at next sunny, yet wet morning, she decided to start her preparation. Lioness exited the cave, leaving sleeping mate in place, then she went to the river bank. In fact she had no guarantee if the creatures she hoped to find still were there, but she didn't mind to try. And she met them, in the same place she found them few weeks back.
Mbio and Siasa were pair of blue parrots, living in curve of Border River. He served Shani as a scout, while she and their nestlings were kept her as hostages. Perhaps it wasn't the best way to start a friendship, but Shani hoped to somehow mend that. Remembering how grateful and in fact surprised was Mbio, seeing his mate and children still alive, lioness hoped for some kind of fondness stayed in bird's heart.
"Hey, Mbio!" she called, standing under the tree. From nest appeared a bill of blue creature. "Do you remember me?"
"Yeah, sure, miss Shani." Replied bird.
"Some traumatic memories can't simply go away." Added female parrot, also sitting on the branch.
"It's good to see you, Siasa." Said Goldenfurred, feeling that with Mbio's mate she would have more problems.
"Now you are nice." Said female. "How few metres of altitude could improve someone's manners…"
"My dear, don't be rude." Said Mbio. "Miss Shani don't want to harm us… am I right?
"Of course, I don't." replied lioness. "I just… wanted to tell you a great news…"
"Yeah, your boyfriend recovered." Snorted Siasa. "We saw it. We also saw that you did just after you discovered it. My children started to ask me very mature questions."
"It was rude to peep at them." murmured Mbio.
"They were f---ing on the shore right next to us." Noticed Siasa. "In civilised kingdoms that would be classified as a harassment."
"Hey, sharp-eyed…" threw Shani in. "I was wondering if you could…"
"No." answered parrot politely.
"Darling, let her at least finish." Murmured Mbio.
"I need help." Said lioness straight. "I badly need your help. Assistance of someone aerial creature, whom I can trust."
"Get some new hostages." Advised female parrot. "I guess that's the way of gaining trust that you prefer."
"Mbio… help me." said Shani with almost crying voice.
Accompanied by curses of his mate, male parrot flew down to take a place on lioness's shoulder. Perhaps that was just a sign for Siasa, to show he was trusting feline, but helped Shani a lot. By touch – not forced, but voluntary physical contact – a bound was established. Goldenfurred felt that she was ready to ask for help, even serious requests. She didn't inquire from where came that surprising sympathy and fondness of parrot. But seeing it, she had to use it.
"See… she don't want to harm us." Said Mbio, looking up to his mate.
For short second Shani took a look down, to the river. She saw her reflection there – distant and a bit dimmed by moving surface of water. But the general silhouettes seemed very odd to her. She looked as a queen of Pridelands. View of the bird on her shoulder reminded her uncle Scar with Zazu, waiting for orders (in times where king still tolerated Zazu's cheekiness). She involuntary smiled. In fact she was on the way to become the queen of Pridelands… Of course that had limited importance for her, as she never treated power as the prize itself… But making Kisasian the king seemed something completely different. Proper and just. Kisasian was hurt not only by Pridelanders, but also by his father, who didn't grant him succession. But then – as the reclaimer of Scar's glory, he would be natural lion to rule after he sever justice to traitors ("That's my family…" yelled lioness in mind, a bit scared by her thoughts.). And goldenfurred was glad to became a monarchess by his side, only because it would happened by his side. But her reverie was disturbed by continuing argument between parrots.
"…I said: no way. You won't…" Siani stopped, took a deep breath and asked. "And by the way: What the hell she wants from you?"
"You see?" murmured Mbio with tone of triumph. "You even don't know, but you criticise anyway."
"And you don't know, but you agreed anyway."
"Miss Shani?" asked blue bird.
"Oh, yes." Lioness shook her head and focused on the main problem. "Do you know what happened on Priderock month back?"
"I guess more that you." Snorted Siasa. "It was Mbio, who informed you about all this mess with desert lions and they retreat."
"Yeah, I know." Nodded goldenfurred. "I think you are up to date with basic events… But I suspect you don't fully comprehend what was going on there."
"Oh, just one lion king killing his predecessor and taking his throne. Not my species, not my land. Who cares."
"Siasa!" yelled parrot. "Behave!"
"The king who died was my uncle." Said Shani coldly. "The ruler who stepped on is my brother. I care!"
"Yes, yes…" Siasa nodded her bill and flew down, sitting on the other shoulder of goldenfurred. She was still in bad mood, but also interest took her in. She was rally curious about how that drama would end. "But if your brother is in charge, why you are here with this outcast, instead of hanging on Priderock as a princess?"
"Do you know who Kisasian is?" she asked.
"Oh…" smiled Siasi. It was rather audible in her tone, than visible on her bill, but Shani sensed she understood. "So you want to support your boy now?"
"Miss Shani… who is right here?" asked Mbio with confused voice. "That means… I know you are, but why?"
"Simba killed my love's father." Said lioness. "He was persuaded by Nala and my mother it was right… but in fact he caused a real tragedy. An alliance with hyenas was hard and not fully working… but exterminating half of the clan instead of telling 'we should reconsider our relationship' I find as a rather radical solution…" She turned her tone to more emotional, as fresh memories kicked in her mind. "They wanted to kill Golden Pride… or at least cripple it, that would never endanger rule of my brother again. They killed Adia in progress. I can't forgive them that." Announced Shani, almost ashamed by so obvious lie. Looking back she was so grateful to Ni that he gave her a second chance. "Then they put whole pride in danger. I'm going to fight back… that is about justice, you know? I don't care to be queen…"
"But you will be…" noticed Siasa.
"Shhh… don't interrupt her!" snorted Mbio.
"Yes, I will." Said Shani. "And be sure that I'm going to repay all debts. Punish those who harmed me or my love and reward those who stood for us."
"They will pay!" called Mbio in frantic agree.
"You will make him your major-domo and will host our family in your cave." Said Siasa forcefully.
"That's not a barter." Snorted lioness.
"That's the justice!" added male parrot.
"No, that's fine reward." Said female bird.
"Deal!" nodded Shani.
"We will return!" called Mbio.
"Deal!" agreed Siani. She looked on her mate. "Dear, stop this show and listen to princess!"
"Yes, yes…" nodded parrot, obviously weighted down by authority of two females. "What is needed, my lady?"
"We must find some allies." Replied Shani. "It won't be so hard as you think… Just I suppose there are many creatures on this Earth who want my bro bad. Bring them all to me!"
Telling details took her just few minutes more. She had not too much data, but hoped that Mbio was a smart bird. She was right – in case of blue parrot good heart didn't collide with perceptiveness. She sent him on mission, hoping that results would surprise even her.
She managed to return to Kisasian when he was just waking up.
"Lay low, my dear." She said, seeing him awake. "I haven't hunted anything yet, but I will take care of that."
"I'm ready to help you." Said a bit surprised lion. "As team of two we will be much more effective and faster."
"In that case we have lots of time, my love." She smiled and licked his cheek passionately.
\/\/\/
"Oh, bite me down! What a view!" murmured Horen, looking from his hideout.
"Yeah." Nodded Amini, lying in bushes just next to him. "It's good we haven't entered that land. It was crowded…"
"And still it is." Said redmaned rogue. "I guess that coalition is going to stay here."
"I might go and hear more." Proposed blackmaned youngster.
"No way!" snorted Horen. "Twins were on recon and almost got caught."
"I think I could keep myself quiet longer than them." noticed younger lion.
Two felines were lying in the bushes covering western slopes of Green Hills. From that perspective, they witnesses a scene of strange parting. A pride that was staying as guests of king Simba was heading home. It was sad farewell, the same as the visit was. But Highlanders were persuaded to stay few weeks longer in case if enemies showed up. In case of murderers of the prince showed up.
The Mountain Pride had to carry a grim news to king Elimu. His son and appointed heir was dead, apparently killed by treacherous Golden Ones, on the night of their shameful retreat. So Jiwe, who took the leadership after a loss of prince, had to return to mountains and tell his monarch that he had just one son then and to prince Mfoko that he is the heir from then on.
And so they went away, but some additional jaws stayed on Priderock. It was old Ni's pack. Horen didn't know the details and full story stayed enigma to him, but he found out – thanks to recons and rumours – that the desert coalition was hit hard, by loss of its leader. Mourning mate and enraged son of Ni wished to stay with Simba and with nearest opportunity payback Golden Ones their harm. Windy Rogues sough for peaceful land to stay, not a battlefield of family vendetta, so they stopped on borders of the kingdom, watching events from safe distance.
"We should go." Decided Horen. "Tomorrow many things will be settled." He was wrong – many things turned out to be settled before they reached their hideout.
"Sirs!" called a voice from the sky. Horen and Amini turned their stares up. "Sirs… may I speak with you?"
"Sure, no problem." Said redmaned.
"But sir… I mean talk, without being eaten after it."
"Oh, you're so smart bird… I like you." Smiled older rogue.
"Was it statement about my character or my taste?" asked blue parrot, sitting on a branch of bush before them.
"All right, tell quickly what you are up to." Said Horen, in the same time giving with tail a signal to Amini. They have to silenced that bird for good, if he had anything to do with rulers of Pridelands."
"I'm looking for some specified lion." Said parrot. "Maybe you know Bovu's son?" Sneaking Amini froze in place. Horen noticed that, but thanks to his smart habit of getting all information, he just replied.
"Perhaps… but what do you want from him?"
"I must tell mister Shimo something very important about his father." Said bird.
"Shimo…" murmured a bit confused rogue. He looked behind parrot, to see Amini almost invisible in his camouflage, ready to pounce. But he saw also surprised muzzle of friend. "I could forward him a message."
"Sorry, to his ears only." Said blue flyer, clearly losing his self-assurance.
"So I can't help you." Replied redmaned. "You know… I hope that your message isn't so important."
"Mister Bovu is dead." Said Mbio.
"WHAT!?" called Amini and rushed ahead on messenger.
In quick charge he pinned bird to the ground, showing lots of skill, because he didn't squashed him instantly. Then he grabbed his victim into single paw, lifted to his muzzle and asked with voice mixing anger and pain.
"But… how?"
"Sir…" said scared parrot. "Please, be reasonable. You won't get a full message, killing me now." Amini let his grip looser… a bit. His prisoner sighed. "Sir, my name is Mbio and I'm looking for son of Bovu, called Shimo. Are you Shimo?"
"My name is Amini." Said lion with shivering voice. "I once had brother called Shimo, but he is dead since many years."
"I was told that mister Shimo was seen alive and in quite good condition just two months ago and…"
"Hey, boss!" sounded a voice from behind. "With who you are talking? Interesting local…"
"…or talkative game?" another voice, so similar to first one, finished the sentence. Two lions of twin looks appeared to Mbio.
Bird smiled, seeing all four lions. Perhaps still he had to make sure he wouldn't be eaten. But if he managed to enlist that coalition into cause of his princess, that would change all the situation. And felines seemed to be confused and interested in details. Mbio took a deeper breath and started carefully.
"Sirs, listen to me. Not far from here there is a lioness who wants to meet you. She would tell you more about sir Bovu and what happened on Priderock recently.
\/\/\/
Shimo was fighting desperately, but he was outnumbered. Additionally his enemies knew the art of combat and lion felt his fall was just a matter of time. He kicked the unknown foe in last attempt to free himself.
"F--k!" yelled a voice in darkness. The struggle was taking place at moonless night in deep bushes of Mighty Jungle. "Amini, get him down! That's your brother, or not?"
"I'm trying!" replied the second voice. Shimo was confused and not only thanks to crushing blow delivered to his forehead just moment earlier. "Shimo! Stop it! We are friends!"
Lion knew that voice, but it couldn't be. It was impossible, it couldn't be… "Amini?" panted choking feline.
"That's me, brother, that's me! Just calm down."
"I… I…" yelled lion, still in steel grip of two other persecutors.
"Daki, Laki, let him loose, now!" called voce from darkness.
Shimo was released and fell down to the grass, breathing heavily. For longer while he was immobile and senseless, but then he noticed that four silhouettes were standing over him, looking down with curiosity. Also he sensed a touch, but it was a gentle touch of friendly paw. A paw of lion who Shimo considered as dead.
"Stars… you almost choked him!" yelled feline called Amini. It was possible it was the same…
"Sorry, Amini." Replied one of chokers. "He was rather unwilling to talk…"
"…and we had to persuade him a chat." Finished another lion.
"Shimo, are you all right?"
"How…" '...It's possible' wanted to ask rogue. But he had not strength to do that.
"Just lay down… Twin will bring water in some bowl."
"Is that you?" whispered captured lion. "It can't be… I thought that father and you are…"
"Brother… I have a tragic news for you." Said Amini.
\/\/\/
It was just three days later. Rainy season reached it's peak, flooding earth with masses of water and making up for few years of the drought. The Mighty Jungle was soaking with endless rain, making their cave the only comfortable place in sight. They were all there – seven lions and one parrot. It looked almost as a mirror image of normal pride, where a single male was ruling over females. There a single lionesses commanded six lions. Of course, she was in everything obedient to her beloved Kisasian. But in case of planning, she was the queen. After all they were going to abolish her brother. She was first to be responsible for that mess and she knew the most.
"I can't believe it!" snorted redmaned rogue. "Simply it can't be! I'm sitting in some craphole and considering participation in coup d'etat."
"You aren't considering." Reminded him Amini. "You gave your agree already."
"That was taken by deception." He snorted in reply.
Well, that wasn't true in fact. Lion actually gave his agree, after listening to all the details. Horen considered himself as a rational lion and he would never expected to involve in such irrational business. But Amini… he did it for Amini. His protégé lost his father. Maybe it happened after five years of parting and hearing that his old cat was in fact alive for that time, but it was fact. Blackmaned heard that Bovu had been alive all this time and died just several weeks before his son discovered that. And all those details…
Horen failed to understood, but he felt that helping his friend was right. Not very smart, but in the tide of enthusiasm he actually promised his assistance. As the last one, after twins, but he did.
"All right, so you all know the truth." Said Shani with shivering voice. "Do you have any comments on that?"
"Plenty." Said Shimo with bone-chilling voice. "His father killed mine!"
"Shimo… take it easy…" started Amini.
"But that's true!" yelled rogue. "That bastard killed him!"
Hearing that Kisasian stood up and bared his fangs. Amini stood up as well, ready to stop incoming brawl. But it wasn't necessary. Scar's son repressed his emotions and looked on Shimo with much calmer stare. He said quietly.
"I thought you understood it already. That wasn't my father's fault. Bovu was set up and convinced to attack my father. You can't blame him. Blame the ones who plotted it!"
"That's right." Said Shani. "If in this came is anyone responsible for Bovu's death, I am. I knew about Nala's plan and I did nothing to stop the fight. Bovu…" She looked on Shimo and Amini, then continued carefully. "He was a noble lion. But he was tricked and used by my pride. He was told lies about my uncle and they incited him to stand for bad cause. Even today I can't forget about that error."
"All right, all right… I'm cool." Said Shimo. In fact he wasn't. All in his head was mixing and bubbling, from burning memories of Nala ("She used me… She sent dad to die!") to distant recalls of Simba ("I owe him much… That day by the river and crocodiles… But it was long time ago. Is that possible, he cause so much harm since then?"). But he had to restrain himself. Amini put a paw on his shoulder. "But I can't believe in this. You said so many things about dad… is that true that he wanted to…"
"Yes." Nodded Kisasian. "And you must accept also another thing. We are the family, joined by akinity with your father. Your brother and sister… are my siblings too."
"Mom wouldn't believe in it." Said Amini. "I hardly believe."
"But listen…" interrupted him Scar's son. "My mother, didn't matter how it happened, loves your siblings. My father loved them the same… He even appointed Kovu to be his successor. I hope it means something for you…"
"We must help them, Shimo." Said Amini decisively. "It is so hard to me… We know Simba, we lived with him for some time… He seemed to be so innocent…"
"There are no innocent ones." Threw Shani in. "Just ones about whom you don't know too much."
"Still…" murmured blackmaned rogue. Then he looked back on Kisasian. "But… why we can't just go to Golden Sands now?"
"There is no time to lose." Replied Scar's son. "We need to secure a haven for them as soon as possible."
"That doesn't sound good." Noticed Horen. "Full pride on Priderock and most likely that coalition around…"
"It just requires some plan." Replied him Shani. "First of all, we want to use the trick and Mbio will help us." Bird nodded his bill proudly. "We will lure part of local forces outside the keep, before we storm. Besides… we still have… some… friends there."
"No s--t!" snorted Horen. "You meant that Mega and Sakia? If they were too scared to act then, what would make them help us now?"
"Things changed a bit." Noticed Shani. "Ni's pack killed Uzuri, that's one. Two – there are no hyenas in sight, so they have no common enemy with my brother." Hearing that, Shimo involuntary smiled. He enjoyed the awareness of so many deaths among creatures that his father taught him to hate. He even fund some gratitude towards blasted Ahadi's descendants who – in spite being quarrelled – together decimated his foes. " Third… you have me."
"You will slaughter them all, my princess?" murmured redmaned mockingly.
"No, but I assume that my brother would have so scruples with killing his sister.
"But his sister won't have any scruples with killing him?" asked lion coldly. "I don't like this… I don't like you." He pointed his paw on Shani. "You are beautiful, not stupid and you believe in that you say. I can understand your vengeance… but killing your sibling is crossing the line I would never, ever cross. If you are able to kill your blood, how we could be sure you won't get rid of us then?"
"Simba is not my brother!" said goldenfurred with hissing voice.
"My love…" whispered Kisasian. "You don't have to do this…"
"But I want!" replied lioness. "Shimo, listen to me." she turned to rouge. "You father was very wrong, telling you about Ahadi's line." Lion narrowed his face in confusion. "Maybe my grandfather was cursed… but I guess not all of his descendant are. My father inherited that evil curse… and that guilt runs in my veins. But my uncle, Scar, was pure… He inherited all the goodness of my grandmother. And that that blessing came down to Kisasian and Nuka… brothers of your siblings. I have nothing against your vengeance, but swear it is against my father's line!"
"I think you missed some very obvious consequence of that…" threw Amini in, looking on Shani with amazement.
"I want to remind you that Scar killed my father." Said Shimo with freezing tone.
"Punish the paw, not just a blind claw." Replied goldenfurred.
"You are all seriously f--ked up!" whispered Horen, looking on three lions. "That is sick."
"Could it be?" asked Shimo looking on Amini. When his blackmaned brother added in agree, he added. "Let it be, my princess." He said, lowering his ears. "You are my leader, cursed princess…"
"Call me, whatever you wish, Shimo." She replied. "I don't care, as long you will treat Kisasian as your king."
"I don't bow to kings." Said the rogue. "And my father never did. But I will recognise Kisasian as the rightful Pridelands heir and Golden King, you wish that. I just want all who betrayed my father dead."
"You will see them dead." Nodded Shani.
"Guys…" yelled Horen, looking on Daki and Laki. "It's high time to leave…"
"Stop, my friends." Said Shani instantly. "I don't expect you understand… just assist us… and if not us, assist Amini."
"Amini, how could stand this farce?" growled Horen. "Your new family it the bunch of freaks… no offence, you seem to be a black sheep of this herd…"
"No offence taken." Replied blackmaned rogue. "Horen if you feel that's not your business, I won't take any offence also if you leave."
"Kid, I'm trying to explain you that isn't your business as well!" yelled redmaned.
"Family goes first." Said Amimi. "That is my business."
"Boss." Started Daki. "If Amini is in…"
"..we should be too." Finished Laki. "I just… don't understand it too, but as long he needs us…" lion ran off smart answer, but his brother helped him, as always.
"…he needs us." Concluded first brother. "Period."
"All right, my lady.. all right sirs." Interrupted them Mbio. "Maybe we could go already to technical issues. As only aerial creature here I was asked by princess Shani to oversee the recon operations and I might confirm all assumptions made before. There are six additional lions on Priderock, two males and four females – they all decided to stay in order to avenge Ni. But if we follow the great plan of lady Shani, by spreading rumour that Golden Ones are back, we might be able to split their forces into two engage-able parties with which we would deal separately…" Seeing a bit confused stares of lions, he explained. "I mean: you will deal with them, but I used that metaphor to underline my involvement and full support for the Cause… So… let's deal with technical issues. As our distraction would lure part of enemies out of Priderock, we… you will strike there and…"
Horen was watching the scene, feeling that his sanity was endangered more than ever. While Mbio kept showing Shani's plan, redmaned stood up and came to Kisasian. Scar's son was listening to the bluefeathered, but when rogue stood behind him, he turned back.
"Listen pal… listen my prince." Started Horen. "In spite of all pretences, you seem to be the most reasonable creature here… Just correct me, if I'm wrong… But we are going to depose the king… who is the murderer of your father and brother of you mate. Bovu's boys are avenging death of guy who killed their dad, but also want to secure future of their siblings… who are your siblings as well. Shimo likes you, but he swore to kill all descendants of Ahadi, what includes Shani and you too. Recently he changed his mind, because your mother, raped by Bovu, would wish that and your father turned about to be generous for Bovu's cubs. Daki and Laki support you with everything, but if you ask them how much they understand, they would try to change the topic. I'm doing it for Amini, who decided he wants to kill Simba, who was our friend for few months, but then he moved to other duties, including killing his uncle and your father. Also we want to payback Nala, who Shimo once wanted as a girlfriend, but he judged it as a bad idea, after knowing she framed his father. In addition Shani want to avenge death of late Adia, because thanks to that you are available. Piece a meat, it is all logical and inner consistent… if you give it a second thought. But tell me one thing…" He bended down to ear of Kisasian and pointed with his paw back. "WHY THE HELL WE PUT THE BIRD IN CHARGE?!"
'Have you ever seen the fire on the savannah? I saw it few times in my life and now – from heights of the Firmament – I observe it often. I know how it is born. Just a little spark could start a hell. But fire will end soon after, if it hasn't fuel to grow. That is the principle of all disasters – it is easy to stop, if there is nothing to feed it.
War, hatred and chaos are just forms of the same fire. You could easily extinguish a spark, but if it light the dried savannah, there is no use to stop it. That fire will continued, killing and scorching, until it is put out by the stream of blood.
I witnessed many fires. I knew that one caused by harm done to Shani and Kisasian would be a powerful one.'