Home Sweet Home
Four months have passed, since the meeting of the Kings at Mount Sabyinyo. All the animals appeared to be adjusting into their new lives. Zarda had permanently relocated his pride to the Southern edge of the Jungle. The sun was warmer in that location, allowing Zarda to have a view of his friend's Kingdom at any time. Both monarchs regularly traveled to meet each other. Zarda fulfilled his promise to Purk that his clan would receive the protection of the prides, while Purk guaranteed safe passage for Zarda and his lions. Another unexpected blessing for Zarda was being able to reunite with the old queen, Torlia. Their visits were filled with love and excitement. He met again with old friends and even had the opportunity to introduce his mother, Queen Saharrah, to Torlia and her family. Zarda was happy that they could finally communicate with each other in the same language, without needing a translator.
Zarda met Queen Hazel for the first time, and it was lovely to see Purk so happy. The latest update was that Queen Hazel was one month pregnant, with a healthy piglet on the way. Upon Zarda's return from the creator, he requested multiple meetings over the following weeks. One of the subjects discussed was the need for new positions for each individual. The pride had decided that it would be most beneficial for them to have extra time to practice, develop, and learn the new ways before moving forward. Everything felt unfamiliar to them, except for their traditional practices; only a few truly understood their skills. Zarda proposed revisiting task assignments and skill placements four months from then. The only issue was Zarda himself - he had not yet been crowned as their official King. Before he could make significant decisions for the tribe, he needed to go through a coronation ceremony. Despite his constant suggestions, his mother remained the reigning Queen.
Even though he appeared to be the leader of the pride, there were still protocols he had to follow. Maintaining order was crucial for a successful pride, or anything else for that matter. Saharrah's heart swelled with anticipation as she had been waiting for this moment for a long time. She was exhausted and eager to pass on the leadership to her son. Saharrah eagerly anticipated a simpler way of life. In the morning, the queen summoned a pride assembly. The lions convened at the foot of the waterfall, their usual spot for significant conversations.
"Thank you everyone for coming together. There is a lot to talk about. Zarda is slated to be the next King, but before that can happen, we must hold a coronation ceremony for him. That's why I've gathered you all here to assist in setting up a stage and feast. I intend to invite our allies to celebrate with us. This event is significant not only for our kingdom but for all animal kingdoms. We have a unique opportunity, so let's utilize our knowledge of modern practices and put them into action."
I am seeking assistance from those who have cooking experience to create a menu consisting of a main dish and dessert.
"For those with carpentry skills, I am seeking your help to build a stage or platform. We aim to complete this project by the end of the month, if not sooner. I understand this may delay the meeting that Zarda had requested, but I believe this task must be accomplished before moving forward with any leadership roles. If you are willing to help, please come forward and sign up with me."
"Additionally, I require those with cleaning and serving skills to assist. Training will start tomorrow and continue for a week. I will also send invitations to each kingdom right away. Any questions? If not, you may go," declared Queen Saharrah.
Clank, bang, pound, drag.
The sound of heavy labor filled the air as the week entered its third day, marked by unceasing toil. Lioness Anola and Shilo, a cub who had survived the Black mane attack and had now grown into a lioness, volunteered to organize and cook meals. They were joined by young lioness Totoum, who had also survived the attack alongside Zandian. Despite being more interested in cooking than hunting, Zandian was becoming quite skilled in the kitchen, showing clear signs of improvement in his culinary abilities. Every day, the four lions gathered the necessary food items for the upcoming event. After finding what they needed, they brought them back to the storage unit located inside their recently constructed cooking shed and pantry. Thanks to Meeku and his crew.
The queen was delighted to see the operation progressing swiftly. She decided to send the invites to the guests earlier than planned, thinking they shouldn't be delayed. With everything moving steadily, she saw no reason why the guests shouldn't be informed early. However, there were still details to be reviewed and double-checked. Next on her agenda was to inspect the stage. Zarda happened to come across his mother as she was on her way to inspect the progress of the platform. Meeku and his team of lions were diligently working on it, and the structure was taking shape beautifully.
"Have you made a decision, Mother, on who you will invite to the ceremony?" he inquired.
Before she could answer him, he asked another question. Zarda said, "It's impossible to invite all the animals in the kingdom."
At his comment, she lifted the corners of her mouth into a grin. "Of course I can. I am still the queen, after all. You are my son, and I intend to invite the Kings and Queens, as well as two of their chosen guests from each kingdom," she responded.
Zarda examined his hands, feeling a sense of relief as he realized his initial fear was unfounded. He had mistakenly assumed that the invitations were extended to all residents of each Kingdom, leading him to worry about overcrowding at the event. However, he soon realized that his concerns were unwarranted. As he reflected further on the matter, a new issue arose - he needed to ask her a crucial question.
"Are you intending to invite the hyena pack and Black mane pride, our enemies?" inquired her son.
Queen Saharrah was taken aback, realizing she hadn't fully considered the consequences. The idea of having those repulsive creatures in their new home horrified her. The news of King Ezekiel's death had already caused enough distress. Queen Lilith's hateful words also crossed her mind, and she suspected that Lilith might have been delighted by the news. After waiting for so long, Queen Lilith's wishes were finally granted. Saharrah's eyes filled with tears as she shook her head and replied.
"Absolutely NOT!"
Zarda suggested, "Let me help you with the guest list." He went on to elaborate, "Not inviting them could make us a target, but on the other hand, inviting them might provoke Queen Lilith's anger."
Queen Saharrah gazed into her son's eyes, noticing they had transformed from green to a stunning gold, similar to his father's. Looking into them, she could almost see King Ezekiel instead of her son. A ghostly sensation washed over her, prompting her to quickly look away to prevent further tears.
"Son, I trust your judgment. What decision do you recommend we make?" She inquired.
Zarda pondered the consequences of each choice. It shouldn't have been such a difficult decision, he thought. Ultimately, listening to his inner wisdom, he concluded that it was optimal to send them.
"I believe it is necessary to send out the invitations. We can rely on Elohim to shield us from Lilith," he stated with humility.
The queen was displeased with the response and could no longer maintain eye contact.
"Where was He when she cursed your Father, when he died, when we fought and lost many of my cubs and pride members? Where was HE then?" She hissed in response.
Zarda empathized with Saharrah's pain and spoke cautiously, aware of how his words could upset his mother. Saharrah had been carrying a heavy burden for a long time, and Zarda didn't want to contribute to it.
"Mother, things have changed. Who's to say that wasn't already his appointed time to leave this world. Even if she hadn't spoken those words, he still would have passed away," he responded.
She shook her head in disagreement, tired of constantly being told that times had changed, and she needed to adapt. Tears rolled down her cheeks as her son spoke, his words not providing the comfort she craved. The painful truth can be hard to hear.
Zarda asked, "Do you trust me?" She remained still for a moment before his mother nodded in agreement.
"I trust you completely, Zarda. I will send out their invitations as you wish," she responded with all her heart.
Saharrah took a moment to collect herself, inhaling deeply before continuing to speak. "I hope they stay away, so they become the target instead of us," she said optimistically.
"If she dares to attack us again with her words, I will personally sever her wicked head," Zarda declared.
The queen found her son's remark funny, and she chuckled. After a moment, she stopped and gave him a confused expression.
"Wait, you're not even carrying a sword. How do you intend to decapitate her without one?" She inquired. Zarda grinned mischievously in response.
"Firstly, I mentioned 'If,' and secondly, I do possess a sword. Warrior slash crafted one specially for me. He mentioned it was a gift," he responded.
She glanced at his slender hips but found no sight of a sword. Instead, the queen's attention was caught by the exquisite staff in her son's hand.
"I must be going blind. Then, where is it?" She asked.
"Right now, it's in a secure location, so there's no need to worry," he answered. Their discussion was interrupted by Zarda's loud stomach growling, bringing back memories of his days as a young cub resting against his mother's side."
Hungry and feeling like it was time to start hunting, Zarda bid farewell to his mother and set off to gather his most skilled warriors. He called upon Lion Warrior Slash, Warrior Razor, Lioness Raya, Keeku, Shinga, Omma, and Matimba to join him. He hurried off to assemble his hunting companions. Zarda embraced the new style wholeheartedly. In the past, they had to rely on brute force to catch their prey, but now hunting had become simpler. Zarda utilized his staff and occasionally his new sword during the hunt. In typical hunting fashion, the male lions always remained at the back while the lionesses took the lead. The males would handle any loose ends that needed attending to. The lioness Raya, typically the spotter, now shared the position with Keeku. They utilized handmade binoculars crafted from melted sand and welded onto tree bark handles to spot impala on the plains from farther away. One challenge they faced was maintaining their cover, as they could no longer crouch in the grass. The lions had to adapt and learn how to camouflage themselves with shrubbery suits.
A few lionesses had crafted intricate patterns of woven grass and sticks to match their surroundings, aiding in their ability to blend in and go unnoticed. Raya and Keeku carefully scouted the terrain for a suitable herd to hunt. When they located one, they signaled to the others, who were concealed in their suits, ready to swiftly take down the animals with their spears. Over time, they grew accustomed to this new method of hunting. The pride made kills more efficiently than ever before on all fours. Hunting became easier, with hunts bringing home two or three kills instead of just one or none. Hours ago, Zarda had called for the hunt, which turned out to be successful. The lion pack was able to make a kill, snagging an okapi and two spring bucks. This meat would provide enough sustenance for the pack to eat for a week. The hunters brought the food back to the cooks to prepare.
That evening, after the pride had finished dinner, Queen Saharrah summoned her son Zarda to sit with her alone. It was time to review the guest list. Exhausted, he made his way over to her and collapsed down beside her. She wrinkled her nose as the smell of hot sun and sweat drifted into her nostrils from him. He laughed, knowing she had requested his presence.
"You stink!" She spoke.
Zarda laughed harder. "It's your fault. If it were my decision, I would have washed up before starting this. You contacted me! You knew what you were getting into," Zarda replied smugly.
She rolled her eyes and moved on to her question. Saharrah requested, 'Please provide me with the names of the Kings so that I can write a formal letter to each kingdom.'"
"Do we really have to do this now? I'm tired, and I stink from just finishing a hunt." He asked.
His mother's eyes narrowed in a menacing stare. He had forgotten that expression, but it didn't take him long to recall its meaning.
"Fine." He replied.
Zarda carefully recited the names of the Kings he had memorized at the gathering. With a deep breath, he started with his best friend, Purk, and continued down the list of kings until he reached the final name: King Jarvius. He believed he had remembered all the names. The invitations were now complete and ready to be sent out. Zarda understood that his mother had struggled to write the last two invites, but he was confident she would appreciate it in the end. He admired her strength and courage in inviting her enemies to the event. Zarda stood up swiftly, preparing himself to depart once more.
Zarda indicated, "I will determine which warrior to entrust with sending these off."
His search was unnecessary. The queen already knew who to send. She responded, 'Send slash, he is the best warrior. And also choose two young lions in training to accompany him.'"
Zarda quickly thought of a few individuals who could benefit from the training, those who were in need of development to become excellent warriors. He was confident that they were the perfect candidates for Slash's company. Zarda asked for Slash's help on a crucial mission from the queen. Their job was to hand-deliver special invitations to different kingdoms, with two young lions by their side. Zarda picked the lions for their strength and potential, seeing them as a great match for Slash's expertise in navigation. With no time to waste, they had to start their journey right away. Slash wasted no time. He quickly called for the two young lions and gathered enough food, supplies, and weapons to ensure their safety on the journey. The queen accompanied them to the center of the camp, where she walked over to her warrior, Slash, and embraced him warmly, grasping his muscular arms. She kissed his forehead before sending all three on their way. Saharrah ordered, "Warriors, travel safely and return to me in one piece."