And tears fell from the sky
For a moment not a sound could be heard. Then the silence was broken by the cry of the baboon lady, signaling the start of the fight. Simultaneously, the hyenas and the lion stormed forward.
From the circle of the bystanders, Askari every of the three opponents' movements. It had been a while since he had seen Ushindi in a fight. Usually, the rogue prince preferred to leave such matters to his followers, mostly Askari himself, and to observe the events from the outside. Askari had the suspicion that Ushindi enjoyed watching violence being committed at his command just as much as Askari enjoyed being the origin of that violence. That didn't bother him too much. Ushindi should revel in others getting their paws dirty at his command as much as he wanted, Askari would always be a willing tool for him, as long as it offered him the opportunity to satisfy his own dark desires. So, it was even stranger for him to watch his friend pounce on his enemies by himself.
Yelping and roaring the opponents clashed together. From two directions the hyenas' fangs rushed at him. Only by a hair's breadth the missed the lion's front legs, who managed to retreat just in time and launched a counter attack. With quick blows he drove one of them back but was forced to stop the attack, when the second hyena tried using the chance to flank him. Just barely he managed to dodge the teeth the beast was trying to sink into his rips.
It was nerve-racking. And it felt wrong. Every part of Askari's body begged for him to ignore his orders to keep out of the fight and throw himself into the fight. He hated being forced to just sit there and watch. More than once he caught himself being close to hoping, an attack of the hyenas would reach their target, so they could bring Ushindi down… allowing him to intervene. He couldn't remember extending them, but he felt his claws digging into the earth beneath him. But no… no, this was Ushindi's fight, his challenge, his idea. It would be wrong whishing he wouldn't be able to do this alone and without his help… would it?
Hissing, Ushindi pulled back his head. Pain shot through the right side of his head. One of the bitches had managed to get one of his ears but he couldn't waste any time or focus thinking about the wound. He had to use the chance of one of the hyenas so close in his reach. Before his opponent managed to withdraw Ushindi smashed his head underneath her chin, startling her. With his jaws wide open, he pounced at her.
His ears flicked when he saw Ushindi's fangs closing around the hyena's neck, thirsting for the sound of her neck breaking. His eyes shot to the other hyena. Ushindi had to act quickly before he lost the advantage of the situation. But the satisfying crack he was waiting for didn't come. Instead, just as the second hyena wanted to jump at the lion again, someone raised their voice.
"HALT!" Tekelea, who had been sitting close to Askari jumped up. The fighting creatures froze, one hyena ready to attack, the other on her back, her throat caught between Ushindi's teeth. Confused, Askari looked at the lioness, who made a few steps forward. "Can't you see what Ushindi is doing?", she asked loudly, making sure everyone could hear her.
The queen's eyes darted from Ushindi to Tekelea and back again. "What…?", she started, but the lioness went ahead of her.
"He's giving you a chance! One last chance without sacrificing any more lives. Your sister is doomed, Siyogwaya… except you surrender now and accept Ushindi as the victor and new king of these lands!"
"No!" The other hyena's protest was muffled by Ushindi's grip around her neck. "Don't let them… get away with this!"
The queen made a step forward, but then halted. It was obvious that she fought with herself.
"It is noble of her, trying to sacrifice herself!", Tekelea continued. "But is your pride truly worth your sister's life? And even if you keep fighting, do you think you would still stand a chance against Ushindi? What will become of your pups? Be smart! Give up, save your sister and don't let your children grow up as half-orphans!"
Frozen, Siyogwaya stood there. Then a shiver ran through her whole body and even before she dropped to the ground, Askari knew it was over.
"Please…" Compared to Tekelea, the queen's voice was close to a whimper. "Let her go… you won."
When he heard the words, Ushindi could feel all the strength leaving the hyena beneath him. This had not been part of the plan but the sight if Siyogwaya's cowering, even submissive form in front of him made him forget about it. He had wanted to see her dead but forcing her to surrender like this and before the eyes of her entire clan… this victory was a far sweeter one. The tension left his muscles he let Jaha slip from his grip.
"No, no…", the hyena weakly murmured as she sank to the ground. She made no attempt to continue the fight when the lion left her lying there and walked over towards Siyogwaya. From the corner of his eye, he saw the baboon heading over to her as well. Together they reached the queen.
"Siyogwaya, do you submit and offer your throne and title?", the shamans asked.
The answer sounded numb and far away. "Yes."
"Then, it is settled." With a dramatic gesture, the old monkey threw her arms into the air. "The queen resigns… Long live the king!"
"LONG LIVE THE KING!" With a roar, Moto stepped out of the crowd, even before Askari could react and so, with a little delay he also joined the call.
A drop fell from the sky, wetting the dusty ground on which her head rested. All her strength seemed to have left her. Then, there was another and another. The wet season had reached the land, that now was no longer her own. To herself, Siyo said a soundless prayer that the rain would cover the tears that she couldn't hold back anymore. She had failed… and the sky was crying with her.
AN: Its been years since the last time I've updated this story. But now, finally I've managed to find time and motivation to translate the first of the three chapters I've written since the last update. I'm not sure if I've said so befor, but writing a story in english and then translating it into your native language (like I initially did it with this story) is way easier than the other way around. I hope it didn't turn out too bad. Anyways... Hey, I'm not dead. And neather is this story. I still intend to finish it eventually, even tough I can't promis regular updates.