*Chapter 3: Iris the Python/Saved by the King*

The morning sun rises up and the animals are up and about. Ajani opened his eyes to see the bright sun on his left. He shields his eyes with his hand and let out a yawn. He was about to climb down the tree until a sound is heard from above the canopy. It was female. Ajani looked up and saw some coils. His blood ran cold.

"Good morning, young cub." A female voice spoke. "Don't be frightened. I'm not going to harm you."

"Are...are you Iris? I'm sorry for trespassing your tree. I'm only here to stay the night. I'm leaving now." Ajani said, climbing down the tree. "I'm not here for any trouble, okay? You weren't here last night..."

"There's no trouble. I was out on a late hunt. But what'sss a human like you doing all the way out here?" Ajani's feet touched the rocks, and he looked up to see the python's head coming down. She is brownish red with dark brown spots and yellow eyes. She flicks her tongue. "Are you losssst, little cub? Where'sss your pack?"

"I'm looking for my way back to my old village." Ajani spoke.

"I see. Wherever your home is, it is way off. We never ssssee any humans in the Pride Lands." Iris said moving down to the boy's level.

"Pride Lands?"

"But let me get to know you first, little cub. Sssince you know my name, may I know yours?" Iris asked while her tail came down from behind.

"Ajani."

"That's a nice name. It'sss a pleasure to meet you." Iris's tail plays with Ajani's dreadlocks before it rests around his shoulders. Ajani had a feeling something was off. He doesn't know this snake. She's the African Rock Python. One of the biggest in Savannah. "Don't you want to ressst a while longer, Ajani?" After she asked that, her eyes changed to colorful spirals. They are rings of purple, green, and violet. Ajani couldn't help but to stare at the beautiful colors as his eyes matched hers. "I'll keep you sssafe, Ajani. Don't you worry about a thing. You will feel so peaceful. Forget your fears. Forget your worries." Iris hissed soothingly. Her tail wrapped around Ajani's waist to pin his arms gently. "Ssssubmit to my hypnotic power. Feel my coils comfort you." Ajani felt his eyelids getting heavy as the coils are getting thicker around his body. Growing up in the village, he learned that snakes are made for hugs. Some are friendly, some are deadly. He isn't sure about this hug. It felt like embraces of hugs when Iris is coiling him up.

"Iris...what're you...wrapping me up like this?" Ajani asked.

"Aww, don't you like my beautiful coilssss? Your body is tense." Iris asked as she gently squeezes Ajani with her thick coils. Ajani groaned a bit as he continued to stare at her colorful spirals. "Relax, little cub. You're safe with me. You are welcome to ssstay with me. For as long as you want."

"Sounds...nice." Ajani said. Iris smiled as she moves above him.

"You can stay with me...forever." With that, she opened her mouth wide, bringing Ajani close. The boy was deep in the hypnotic trance, he was unaware he was in danger. He didn't have the care in the world. But just as Iris was ready to slide Ajani down her throat, the sound of a roar is heard. Iris hissed loudly at the animal as it smacked her face. There is a lion with a red mane growling and roaring at Iris. Soon the two clashed as the python released her grip on Ajani. Soon enough, Ajani fell on the ground not too far below him. However, before Ajani was about to go into a deep sleep thanks to Iris's hypnosis, he saw that the lion bit into one of the snake's coils while the two menacingly fought one another. After hearing loud hisses and menacing roars, Ajani soon closed his eyes seeing nothing but black in front of him.

Sounds of sniffing are heard. Ajani groaned and opened his eyes. It was a blur at first until it becomes clear. Right in front of him is a face of the lion! Ajani let out a yell of alarm.

"At ease, cub." The lion spoke in a deep powerful voice. "You were asleep for a long time. The sun was up for hours."

"What...what happened? Where am I now?" Ajani asked as he looked around. He and the lion are by the waterhole. "Ugh, my head. I still feel tired..."

"The power of Iris's hypnosis is wearing off. Lucky, I have found you before you become her meal of the day." The lion told him.

"But pythons can't eat humans." Ajani said as he walked over to the waterhole to drink some water. "Can they?"

"I wouldn't know. Iris is harmless, but I made sure she learns her place. Humans are off limits." The lion said. "She won't do a foolish thing to you ever again." Ajani gulped down the water and looked up at the lion.

"Well, thanks for saving my life."

"Now we are even." The lion said with a smile. Ajani raised his eyebrow.

"Even? How?"

"You saved my queen. Sarabi. You saved her from those hyenas, did you not?"

"Oh! That was your queen? Whoa... How could I just let those savages harm her while she was holding a cub? Since you said she's your queen, then that means...you're the king."

"Indeed I am. I am Mufasa. King of the Pride Lands." The lion introduced. Ajani made a bow.

"Ajani, your majesty. Thank you again for saving me."

"Now I must ask you. What are you doing here in the Pride Lands? Did you live in a village somewhere out there?" Mufasa asked. Ajani frowned a bit. He told the king the story of how he lost his old village, and he isn't happy of living in the village he lived with his foster family. Mufasa frowned at the story. How could a rogue lion do such a thing? Now he must wonder who did it. "I'm afraid there is no sight of your old village out there. I am sorry, Ajani. But I do have a suggestion."

"What is that?"

"You could stay with me at Pride Rock for as long as you wish. You saved my queen, I saved you. It's the least I could do." Mufasa said. Ajani was surprised by the offer. Ajani could join the pride. "What do you say, Ajani? Will you be part of my pride?" Mufasa asked.

"Your majesty...I don't know what to say, but...yes!" Ajani said. "But will the other animals be okay if-"

"Don't worry about that. You won't be the only one who will be welcomed in my kingdom after all." Mufasa said by turning away to lead Ajani away from the waterhole. Ajani was wondering what he meant. But the questions will be saved until they reached Pride Rock. "And there is no need to be formal. We are among friends now, Ajani."

"Whatever you say, Mufasa. Now I am looking forward to see your pride." Mufasa chuckled as they walked together.