Hey guys, it's back. Genuinely sorry for the almost 3 month wait, but I won't lie this chapter was super hard to write, and not just because of my job getting rid of most of my writing time during the summer... And yes, I know it's not very long in exchange for how long I've been gone, sorry... I didn't rewrite much or anything, but I've been stuck on how to write a few scenes in this chapter for weeks (clearly). And I'm still not sure if it turned out alright! I'm just resigning at considering this chapter serviceable so I can continue on. But if this chapter really isn't very good I'll go back to the drawing board if ya'll want.

But the last thing you want after a 3 month wait is long and boring retelling of all my woes whilst writing this chapter, so onto the review replies!

MysteryWriter175: Yep. Don't worry Kiara is just as offended lol. Really curious to see if everybody's full theories come to fruition. Thanks!

SnowyMarble: Thanks for the review! Interesting theories! We'll see if they play out how you think they will!

L0RD3N: Thanks, haha. Sometimes ending on a cliffhanger makes me want to write it even more, (if I'm not so busy as I have been.) So yeah, a little bit! :P

LeoGoldenheart: Thanks for the review, sorry it took so long...

jujp: I think there's a mention earlier in the story of Daniel saying he is rather short. And about that younger then 13 thing... eh he's a bit traumatized so that's my reasoning for him being a bit attention starved. And lion cub Daniel is... just a cub lol. Thanks for the review!

And to every single Guest reviewer, I love reading your reviews and theories, thanks you all! I can't really single them out individually, but I do read them and appreciate them. Oh yeah, and sorry for the cliffhanger last chapter.

I hope you guys had a great 4th of July (if you celebrate it), and if not I hope you had a great a few months at the very least. Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 15

"Two birds, one stone"

"Would you just stop walking for half a second and listen to me?!"

I sighed angrily and turned to stare at the faint apparition of Miri who had been chasing after me as I continued my trek slowly through the pridelands. This had been one of many times I had been stopped, not sure if what I'm doing is the right choice or not. "Why does it have to be like this all day-..." She continued as I groaned.

"Okay! I'm listening! You've bothered me enough to listen to you!.. Though I already know what you are going to say…" I yelled as I crossed my arms.

She stared at me with intensity as she came closer, "You don't know what you're getting yourself into, cub." She warned me as she stared up into my eyes sadly.

I shrugged lightly, "Then tell me so that I stand at least a small chance against them."

She shook her head wildly, "You need to go home Daniel! You cannot do this alone, they can't be reasoned with right now, and you surely can't fight them on your own!"

"I don't intend on fighting. I'm just going to make sure she holds up her end of the bargain, what happens to me is irrelevant." I said as I turned my head away and sat down for a small break.

I felt her brush up against my side faintly, and she rested her head on my shoulder, "There's many other ways my cub. You don't have to do things this way. The Nchi Kavu don't deserve you, you are not theirs to be given to." She said, I could hear what would've been tears if she wasn't already a spirit.

I shook my head and sighed "What am I supposed to do? Let my sister and friends… my pride, die?"

Miri's ears flattened a bit, "It's doubtful that they will hold up their end of the bargain, their queen is… not to be trusted."

I glared at her scrutinizingly, "And why do you know so much about them, Miri? Anything you haven't told me?"

She seemed stunned as her mouth sat open, and she shook her head, "I…" she walked around in front of me and laid down, her paws resting on my lap, "I'm from the Nchi Kavu, Daniel. I know their ways."

I nodded, not surprised by this revelation at all, "I mean you are a white lioness, I kind of figured."

She smiled and nodded, "Smart cub, so now you should take my advice on-"

"But you're still hiding something." I said simply to her, standing up and beginning to walk again as she sat stunned in the grass.

She bounded upwards and ran to catch up, "I don't have enough time to tell you everything Daniel, I have maybe a minute left before I must return." She told me.

I stared up at the sky, which was slowly beginning to light up with the sun, orange pink and red lining the horizon. The stars were dwindling away, "Alright, then let's go quickly. To start us off, what is a blessed heir?" I said, raising my brow as I looked at her.

"It won't make sense unless you know the whole story-" she began.

"Just tell me, please Miri." I pleaded.

She took a long sigh, "The Nchi Kavu have the ability to choose an heir to themselves. An heir inherits some of the power from their parents usually. Understand?"

"You can give it to anyone though, not just a son or daughter?" I asked.

"Yes, that's how I gave it to you," she nodded, "Your ability to turn into a white lion is because of me making you my Nchi Kavu heir, you know that already. But that's not the only thing that being my heir has given you."

I hummed and chuckled a bit, "The suspense is killing me, can you tell me already Miri."

"An heir has a very tight connection with their ancestors and the kings of the past. That's why I can come to you so often." 9iShe said brushing up against my side, "And it's also the reason you can feel my touch from beyond."

"So why did you call me a 'blessed' heir? Is that… different?" I asked.

She seemed to think about how to answer for a moment, "There are other things I have not told you, but just… trust me okay? You cannot let them have you." I could see she was hiding something, but at that moment I felt slightly bad. She was just trying her hardest to protect me.

"It would help to know why they want me so drastically, Miri." I said with a curious face.

She sighed deeply, and averted her gaze, "Not as much as you might think... I love you Daniel, but..."

I sighed and nodded with a smile, "It's... okay Miri... I'm… just happy you made me your heir. I still miss you so much."

I stopped for a moment and she put her head to mine, "I know cub, and I'm right here."

She slowly began to fade away and her touch wavered, I giggled a bit, "Bad timing for those words."

She couldn't help but smile, before going back to her argument from before, "Please turn back Daniel… I… Just do it for me?"

I slowly shook my head, "I… I have to."

She nodded slowly, with a defeated look, "Be safe…" were her last words as she disappeared with a gust of wind as the stars vanished into the sky.

I looked backwards, pride rock was small from all the way out here. My journey so far had been exceptionally quiet, foreboding almost. It was as if I was being watched or followed, yet I couldn't see or hear anything which was doing so. The pridelands themselves had been so quiet that all I could hear was the wind.

I looked back forward as I began walking again, my leg hurt still from my wound, but not much to do about it now. I looked ahead at where I was going, I was getting close. The faint glow of a campfire and other lights flickering around an encampment in the rising sun. How did these lions get so advanced anyway? Are they working with humans somehow? It doesn't matter, everyone was almost free, I just had to get there.

"My prince!" I heard a voice call, "Prince Daniel!" Oh brother, I knew that voice.

I turned and sighed annoyingly at the newest guest to stop me, Zazu came flying down swiftly until he was right in front of me. I begrudgingly held my hand out for him to land on because he seemed rather exhausted. "Hello Zazu…"

"Do not…" he panted, "...'Hello Zazu' me young prince!" He said pointing an accusatory wing at my face, I recoiled backwards to avoid getting a face full of feathers. "Do you have any idea what sort of chaos you've caused!?"

I groaned, "Yeah I know they're looking for me, and probably super upset, but that doesn't change my mind. I'm going anyway."

Zazu seemed surprised at that, as he cleared his throat, "Now listen here young Daniel, you are to return at once to your mother and father, or else i'll-waghhh!" He yelled as I shook him off my arm and began walking towards my destination again.

He angrily landed on my shoulder and I sighed, "You can tell them you tried your hardest and it didn't work Zazu. But I am not going back without my sister."

He hummed, "Would you at the very least wait for the pridelanders to show up so that they may help you?"

I stopped and eyed him, "What do you mean?"

Zazu nodded, "The king and queen have put together a small hunting party that they intend on fighting back with. Now surely that should convince you to-"

"They're doing what?!" I yelled, "Zazu no, they can't. If they show up they'll get swarmed by hyenas and outlanders, if not the entire pride of the sands!" I took a few deep breaths, "You have to go back and convince them to stop! Combat isn't going to solve this!"

Zazu shook his head solemnly, "Afraid if I go back with no prince and also try to convince them to stop their advances… I may just become a snack.

I nodded, "Then I just have to be faster." I said as I began to run instead of walk.

As Zazu could barely stay on my shoulder he jumped off and called after me, "What are you trying to prove Daniel?!" He asked with a bit of annoyance.

I glanced at him, "Nothing!" I yelled back.

Shelyra walked past Kiara gesturing for her to follow, and she begrudgingly jumped off the cushioned seat to follow. She couldn't help admitting she was curious about this story, especially if it proved to her that this queen was crazy all along. At the very least, that's what she hoped for.

"Right over here," Shelyra gestured to a small part of the tent with cushions to lay on and a cozy look. Kiara stared at it, "Well? Are you going to find a spot? Or stand there like that?" Shelyra questioned.

Kiara rolled her eyes and found a small cushion to settle on, "Alright get to talking," she started, "And the whole thing! Not some short version." Kiara demanded.

The queen scoffed, then cleared her throat, "So… let's say we start back when-"

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Lyra!" I woke up to the familiar feeling of four little paws jumping on my back. I woke up with a start and turned over, depositing my little sister onto the ground.

"Go away Sadaka, I'm sleepy…" I groaned as I felt the warm heat from the sun beat down on me. The wind gently ruffling my fur in the oasis grass.

She crawled around until she was in front of me then wormed her way under my head until I relented as she nuzzled against my neck. I couldn't help but giggle at her tiny nose. I pulled her in with my two front paws and licked her forehead. She smiled up at me, "But I want to be with you, Mama's been busy."

I nodded slowly with a displeased look. Mother never had time for any of us anymore, it was all about her. I sighed, forced a smile and ruffled my sister's hair tufts, "That's okay. I'm right here, and I can always make time for my little sister."

Sadaka giggled, and licked the tip of my nose, "You're the best Lyra!" Then she wiggled out of my grasp and looked at me playfully. "Bet you can't catch me!" She taunted, swishing her tail.

I quickly rolled up onto my feet, crouching down to prounce, "Oh? Wanna make that a bet?" She bolted Into the tall oasis reeds giggling all the way, and I chased after her gleefully.

It wasn't long that day, before our lives would be changed forever…

As the sun was beginning to set and me and my sister were relaxing by the water, a sudden chill came upon our spines as a horn was blown. It was a long, sorrowful one, and as with most Nchi Kavu, we knew it meant bad news.

Sayaka looked at Mr with worry, and I gave a small consoling smile, "Hey, let's go check it out Hmm? I'm sure it's nothing." She gave a small nod and I picked her up by the scruff, she was just small enough for me to do so.

I could see that we weren't the only ones to be confused and worried, and as we left the oasis and headed towards the palace, we joined into a much larger group of white lions. The palace was an elaborately sculpted den that was dug out of a large cliffside. It was home to many rooms and was the primary residence of the queen and her family.

We pushed through the crowd to see everyone forming a circle around who had blown the horn, a large white lion who was notably the head of our guard. A somber face adorning him. He cleared his throat and the gossiping crowd went silent, he looked as if he had seen terrible things, "As you've noticed I've called you all here for some unfortunate news… It is with a massively heavy heart I regret to inform you that the fourth hunting party of the Nchi Kavu has been… eliminated."

My breath seized in my throat and my blood ran ice cold, the crowd erupted into gasps and cries of horror from family members. Whatever the lion had been saying was immediately interrupted by me running up and tugging at his chest fur, Sadaka could barely keep up, he looked down in surprise, "M-My sister!" I stuttered, "My other sister, Zanui, she should've been training with the fourth hunting party, where is she?" I looked up into his eyes and he looked frozen as whatever was on his mind kept his senses at bay. "Where's my mother!?" I yelled questioningly.

Not much later I burst into the palace entrance and swung my head around, "Lyra?" My little sister said as she ran up behind me, panting for breath, "I'm scared…"

"Mother!?" I called out through the den. I passed one room into another, not caring what fell and left a mess in my wake until I'd finally found her, curled up in a heap on my older sister's old bed. My breath was shaky and I could barely find the words as i closed in on her, "Mother, is it true?"

Her crying halted as she must've realized we'd found her, and she didn't dare look us in the eye or even turn to meet us, "No," I started, shaking my head and backing away, "No you're lying! It's some sick joke!"

"She's gone, Shelyra." Were the only words muttered under her breath. My little sister broke out into tiny wailing cries of sadness. I stood there for what seemed like ages but she said nothing else.

I growled, "So that's it then?" Her ear flicked in my direction and she lowered her head more.

"This is all your fault…" I said, seething with anger as my paws scraped the dirt, "And along with her went the blessing, didn't it?"

I could tell that it struck a nerve as my mother grit her teeth, and I was blinded by rage, "You tried so hard to force her to be your one and only heir. Now look at what's happened! You didn't even try to train me along with her after she explicitly begged you time and time again!" I screamed at her, I had to stop and catch my breath as my tears started to fall. I took a slow shuddered breath, "You don't care about her, you never did. You only care about this stupid legacy!"

Sadaka pulled my tail, and I halted for a moment to look at her tiny little face puffed up with tears, "Lyra, stop yelling please… Lyra…" She whined.

I shook my head as I got a moment of clarity, nuzzling my remaining sister. I glared back at the unmoving form of my mother, then I scoffed and guided my sister out of the room, "I could've been there… I should've." I said just loud enough for her to hear.

"You should've been there."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Kiara shifted and seemed slightly bored, "Is this some sort of a sob story?" She asked disinterested.

Shelyra chuckled a bit, "It won't be when it's finished being told." She said with a shrug, Kiara sighed and listened intently once again, and the queen cleared her throat.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"After that mother had practically disowned us, mostly out of I guess… grief. But partially she must've realized we knew she didn't care for us anymore. I had to find food for Sedaka, I had to care for her and tell her everything would be fine while putting a fake smile on my face… I… I wish I could've done so much more…"

Not even a few days later did I awaken in the middle of the night in a rather panicked way. Bad dreams had interrupted my sleep, but more so than that they felt real. I stretched a bit and laid my head back down before noticing I couldn't feel my little sister curled against me any longer. Grumbling to myself and rising from my spot I figured she must've gotten thirsty, or begun sleep-walking as she had before.

I exited the main entrance of the palace, and instantly something felt off. The darkness of the night was being cut like a sharp knife by the distinct sight of torches. Briefly forgetting my sister for a moment I went to sate my curiosity, climbing over a short hill I was met with the sight of our temple lit up. We used this temple for holidays, or other times to commute with spirits, I had wondered if I forgot one.

Dozens of lions and lionesses sat witness for what was transporting. I moved closer so that I could see, and I began to hear cheering from the crowd. I squinted my eyes as I strained to see who was standing at the peak of our temple, as my mother walked out and I briefly rolled my eyes. She had an ecstatic expression on her face as she addressed the crowd with joy, "My people, those of our great kingdom. I present to you once again, my daughter who has been blessed by the gods!"

My mind raced, had Sadaki been given a new gift by the old kings? But just stared up and a midsized figure walked out, one that I recognized all too well, Zanui, standing right there next to my mother. I dropped all thoughts and feelings in that moment as I rushed downwards and tripped over things to climb the temple steps, until I came face to face with my sister, "Zanui! Oh my God you're… You're okay!" I said nuzzling her. I backed away to see her response, but her face was off… she was… not all there.

"Zanui? W-What's wrong?" I said, my ears flattening on my head.

Tears began to form on Zanui's face as my mother spoke up, "Ah, you've joined us just in time dear!"

I looked over questioningly, "Huh?"

"For the ceremony of course! Wouldn't you like to join us?" She asked more friendly than usual.

Zanui suddenly whispered in my ear, "Don't trust her, look behind me."

I dared gaze past her for a brief moment, and on the stone pedestal sat my little sister Sadaka. She had been… well the closest I could describe it was gutted like a fish. Her lifeless eyes stared straight into the night as I could see the fresh blood drip down the altar. I gulped hard, and felt tears rush my eyes. My limbs felt weak, and I felt the urge to throw up.. I bounded over and took her tiny head in my paws, "Sadaka? N-No… Sadaka please no,don't leave me here, no no no…." I begged over and over."

I turned with hatred to my mother mainly, "What have you done…?" my older sister held back tears.

"Getting my heir back. You've come just in time Shelyra, that little blessing you hold needs to return to your sister here." She said in complete seriousness. Even Zanui looked at her in horror.

I stomped my paw in disbelief, "That's what you care about? A stupid blessing!?" I seethed with pure hatred, "And how exactly do you expect me to return the blessing? You think you can give it over if I just… die or something? Sacrifice me like you did to my little sister!?"

After I gained no reply and my mother couldn't answer me, I began crying even more as my paws trembled, "Oh my gods, you would sacrifice both your daughters for this..?"

"She was too weak, Lyra. She didn't have the strength yet. She gave her life for the betterment of our pride!" My mother argued.

That's when I growled with pure anger and hatred, "As long as you rule it, our pride will never get better."

She growled and brandished her claws, "Are you challenging me?"

I nodded confidently, "Yeah, I am. For my little sister, I swear on both our lives I'm gonna end you. No amount of suffering in this world can relieve you of what you've done tonight, Kutisha." I said using her name with a confident sneer.

She laughed a bit before lunging straight at me, I was still a cub, this would've been a very unfair fight but I managed to swipe at the back of her paws and across the eye a few times, making her considerably weaker. My sister was still in shock for most of the fight, until one moment when mother had me pinned, and Zanui tackled her off of me. Not long after, ripping her throat out quite gruesomely without a single hint of hesitation.

My sister dropped her, and didn't face me as she spoke, a long amount of silence passed as we both breathed heavily, the weight of everything that had happened crashing down on us. I whimpered finally, "Zanui…"

She shook her head before we could exchange words, "The pride is yours, Lyra…" She said with a sigh, she turned her head with tears streaming down her face, "I cant stay here… I just…" she looked over at our sister's body, before breaking down again.

I ran up to her and cried as well, nuzzling her. "I'm so sorry… this is all so awful…" I said in disbelief.

After a long while of embrace, and the confused crowd getting louder as they wondered what had happened, my sister pulled back to smile at me, "I dont care about all this anymore. The blessing, the pride… I have to find a new purpose so… I'm leaving… I hope you understand."

I just slowly nodded, "I'll be so… lonely," I sniffled as we held a long extended nuzzle and wiped each other's tears. I stuttered out, "But… I-I'll do my best sis… for Sadaka."

"For Sadaka. You've got this." She agreed before bounding down the back side of the temple and disappearing in the distance. I've never seen my sister since.

"Do you think that's it over there?" Nala asked gesturing towards a hill with tents and torches, "Seems more like a human camp to me…" She looked at Simba wearily. The entire pride hidden in the tall yellow grass of the savannah.

Mkali popped her head out, "Never seen a human 'round here. So unless someone's teaching the zebra how to make fire, then it seems to be it."

Simba bumped heads with Nala, "I agree. We haven't spotted him yet, so he might already be captured. As long as everyone remembers the plans, we're getting our son back."

The small group of pridelanders stalked their way through the bushy grasslands, with their bodies inching their way slightly above the ground, and their breathing silent. It took them a short amount of time to recognize how many guards they had on the perimeter, and a slightly longer time to memorize their patrolling patterns. This all led to a very impatient Nala, who at this point was gritting her teeth and scraping the dirt with each movement.

Simba noticed this, but had no mind to spare on her right now, let alone the ability to speak at that moment. The evening sun was now beginning it's descent, and they stayed as still as statues in their positions. The pridelanders were unsure of what to do, waiting for their king to initiate orders. But the king himself did not know what to do either. Should he initiate the plan now, and possibly save his son who might already be captured? Or should he wait for his son to appear first before making an action. He did wonder what would've taken him so long, if he had still been traveling. And what if the deal was already made and he was gone?

Suddenly a commotion started, and a bunch of guards began speaking and yelling to each other. Yet Simba did not see anything, even as a loud horn was blown, a sound that he had only been told about by his ancestors… Simba and the rest of the pridelanders inched closer in anticipation while the guards were distracted, until he was close enough to see the queen for himself, as she stood just within the entrance. He felt an intense hatred for the lioness he hadn't met, and never wished to meet unless she was under his claws. And oh would she be, if he could manage it. Simba thought of it eagerly to himself.

Shelyra ended the story at a nearby desk, that seemed to be where she held her jewelry and other things to make herself more regal. Kiara hadn't moved much for the story, as her mind tried to connect the dots. She finally shook her head and turned to look at her, "I… that was an awful story… but I still don't understand."

Shelyra huffed as she finished putting in a different set of earrings rather carefully with her paws. "You know, young princess, you remind me a lot of myself back then."

Kiara growled and stood on her feet, "I feel like you're just stalling at this point. I get it, your life sucked, and I guess it's rather interesting that your people resurrected somebody. But why should I care?"

"Your brother is the blessed heir." She said simply without giving her so much as a glance.

Kiara stopped in her tracks as she collected herself, "W-What..?" Shelyra smirked and Kiara shook her head in confusion, "Why… Why him?"

"You see this is why you remind me so much of myself." Shelyra said as she stood up and slowly walked towards her, "Daniel, he is the blessed heir."

Kiara's eyes widened and she felt her heart race, "Is that… the one from your story, just now? But… how? And what even is a blessed heir?"

"Well that's an entire story in itself. But basically, it was stolen. And we are going to take it back." She said with a smile.

"And how are you going to…" The thought lingered for just a moment in Kiara's head before her eyes widened and she panicked, "You're going to do the same thing…"

A devilish smile spread across the white lionesses muzzle, "Two birds, one stone." She said with a short laugh, "I can see it in your face Kiara, the hatred I felt for my mother that day. It's the exact same."

Kiara growled, it almost seemed as if this was a pleasurable thing to the queen. That she finally felt like she was the one in power, and it made Kiara sick to her stomach. Kiara wasted no time and crouched before lunging at the white lioness, who absentmindedly held up a paw and caught the cub. Kiara savagely tried to scratch and bite with all she could at the paw which was holding her, "You're a monster!" She screamed, "You're going to resurrect your little sister by sacrificing my little brother..!?"

Shelyra's eyes widened in surprise, and she raised a paw to her face in apprehension. Yet slowly, she returned to a frown before inspecting her nails on her other paw, paying no mind to the tiny cub, "And there it is, that classic pridelander arrogance." She finally rested her eyes on the cub who was beginning to swing and scratch slower by the second due to exhaustion and the growing realization of futility. "Assuming you know everything, and calling me a monster for continuing my pride's legacy and reclaiming what was stolen from us. When it was your great grandfather who did the same thing to us so long ago. The one you turned a friendly trade relationship into a war that killed many with so much bloodshed, taking my father away from me, and causing my sick-minded mother to obsess over my older sister." She chuckled angrily, "And you call me a monster?"

Kiara's ears flattened as she didn't know about most of that, "I…" She began in disbelief, "But me and my little brother know nothing of that! That was so long ago, you're just ranting about the past!"

Shelyra dropped the cub unceremoniously, inching her head down to Kiara with her teeth barred, "Which is why you should try your best to stay out of it. Princess." She growled.

Kiara recoiled downwards as the queen stood up, "You brought me into it in the first place," Kiara mumbled to herself as the lioness turned her back."Why are you telling me all of this?" she asked quietly.

Shelyra stopped for a moment, "So that when your little brother comes to our doorstep, either willingly or otherwise, and you get to go home…" She turned and grinned, "At least you won't be confused when you eventually come back for revenge, as all pridelanders do."

Kiara huffed angrily, "I'll come back a lot sooner than that."

Shelyra was at the entrance to her tent as she nodded, "And that isn't a surprise either. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." She said with a smirk.

Kiara glared dangerously, "Like mother like daughter."

Shelyra scoffed and growled an order to the two guards standing outside her tent, "Put the cub back in her cage."

Kiara didn't resist or cower, she met the guards at the tent entrance and swiped one of their paws away from her. Shelyra allowed it, and watched as the cub angrily began back towards her cage, "You know, my little brother is super friendly. You could've asked and he would've had no problems with helping you out…"

"Quiet!" One of the guards barked at her as Shelyra held up her paw, the guard quietly resigned himself.

Kiara turned with her tears, and the hatred made the queen's heart skip a beat, yet she didn't know why. "My brother already sacrificed himself for me, so I know he would've done anything to help someone out. He's been like that since I met him. Always been a bit… unstable, because he thought he had nothing to live for. So he might've even begged you to kill him a few days ago…" Kiara said, clenching her eyes tight as she turned her sadness into pure rage, "But he killed those demons before, and then he found a reason to live, and he's still putting others before himself."

Kiara sighed and turned around as Shelyra listened in intrigue, "He's killed demons before, another shouldn't be an issue." The words were said with such a cold uncaring heart that the queen actually felt a heaviness in herself. As she had short remembrances of her own past.

Shelyra paused for a moment, before waving her paw allowing the guards to take the cub back to be locked up. She released a breath that for some reason made her feel as if she was choking. She took one last glance at the princess before shaking her head and walking into camp, the sun was just beginning to set and a wave of uncertainty fell upon her.

Suddenly, a loud horn was blown from the camp entrance, and guards began whispering amongst themselves. Shelyra walked forward to be met with the entrance, the anticipation looming. The guards were about to get in formation, yet another paw raise halted their advance. Over the hill, a white lion cub slowly walked, he held his head high with a glare. As the grey-maned cub approached the queen he stopped short by a few feet. "I'm here," he began, "For my family."