Chapter 63

The crowd's roar died down, and all that remained was the cold echo of the arena. Juma and Sahiri stood across from Zinjo and Aurelia. Ayasu stood between her boys. Her motherly gaze ensured silence from the siblings. Their tails swished between their legs, and their ears flattened against their fuzzy heads.

She shook her head, "Aurelia and Sahiri, please stand next to me," the phrase was not a request. Sahiri and Aurelia stood next to the elder lioness. Like Zinjo, her scent struck the senses in all the right ways.

"You two are shameless," Ayasu's tone bit into the minds of her sons. Sahiri and Aurelia winced, "Not only did you two fight over something trivial. You dragged your mates into the middle of it," Aurelia knew then and there, the guilt trip was a power all mothers possessed.

"We are...," Juma started to say.

"Did I give you permission to speak, Juma?" Ayasu's voice dropped into a low and sinister growl. Juma snapped to attention in a second, and arms sat rigid at his sides.

Aurelia watched Zinjo, whose hands clutched his muzzle to avoid trouble with the angered lioness. She giggled to herself because it was rare to see him off balance and at a disadvantage. Ayasu sighed, "Say your peace, Zinjo."

Zinjo looked to his brother and then back to Ayasu, "I wish to know why the broken plains are off-limits. They weren't under fathers leadership."

"I think your brother has asked a fair question, Juma. Please answer him with your words and not your weapon this time," The words of Ayasu provoked admiration on Aurelia's end.

"I exiled Kuende and Nyo there. They swore to destroy anyone who dared to step into their territory," Juma spoke in a sheepish tone, and not once did he raise his head.

"Why would you exile Kuende?" Zinjo asked in a shocked tone. "I know he can be a bit much to handle, but he has always looked out for our people."

Ayasu fielded the question, "Word around the campfire was Kuende was in league with Kivuli. I know Juma held a meeting to address the serious accusations, but I was in communion with nature during the discussion."

"Badru brought the matter to my attention. He has always worked hard and represented our people well. He claimed he followed Kuende and Nyo into the broken plains where they met with Kivuli..." Juma trailed off to his mother and brother with their hands on their faces while they shook their heads, "What?"

"Badru tracked Nyo and Kuende?" Zinjo did not sound convinced, "Badru has trouble sneaking up on a killdeer bird when it screams. Kuende is skilled enough to know if someone follows him."

Ayasu nodded in agreement, "I am sorry, my son, but it appears as though Badru's brains are greater than his ability to hunt."

Juma made an angry face at the ground, "Then we have to lift the exile and bring them home. Why would Badru lie?"

The conversation sparked an idea in Aurelia's head, and she spoke, "What if Kivuli promised Badru something in exchange for getting a powerful warrior off the board?"

"My newest daughter presents a sound theory, but what would his motive be?" She smiled at Aurelia and touched her face affectionately, "I don't expect you to answer that. Juma and Zinjo know him better."

"Didn't Badru and Kuende fight for the hand of Majda? As I recall, Kuende humiliated Badru during the fight," Juma said in a normal voice, "Father told me as much."

"Hmmm," Zinjo nodded, "Yes, and Badru blamed Kuende for Majda's death when Nyo was born."

Ayasu's eyes filled with pain, and her voice cracked as she spoke, "Nyo discovered the power to transform inside the womb. It is rare for a mother to survive such an incident. Majda held Nyo for but a few precious seconds before she died."

"I am not fit to lead my people. My error has cost us, skilled hunters..." Juma started to get down on himself.

"No, brother. I see people fed, safe, and happy. You are attempting to start trade with the world. No leader is perfect, Juma, not even on the other side of the world," Zinjo strode over to his brother and embraced him. "I say we divide and conquer and show our people we are stronger together."

Ayasu smiled at her boys and walked over to embrace them, "You two are powerful when you work together. It was always so when you were children. I thank the stars and moon you both found solid mates who can bear your stupidity from time to time."

"Sahiri and I will find Badru. Since Zinjo and Aurelia plan to travel` the broken plains, I task them with finding Kuende and Nyo," Juma held out his hand to the silent Sahiri.

Ayasu put up her hands and shouted, "No, Sahiri and Aurelia will search in the broken plains. They will grow to be sisters and will make our pride stronger. I will accompany them."

Sahiri bowed to the elder and said, "We will grow wise in your presence."

Ayasu smiled at Sahiri, "Let us hope we all grow wiser on this journey."

"No," Zinjo growled, "Aurelia and I started this journey...,"

"It is inevitable you two will have to spend time apart. I think you two need a few days of separation to grow as a couple. Was your father always around me?" Ayasu shot the mother-teacher look at Zinjo, who hung his head and sighed.

"No, Pride Mother," He replied sullenly.

Juma grinned with satisfaction. Ayasu glared at the younger lion, "As for you, Juma, I suggest you think about what Sahiri means to you. She does much to protect your position, and you do not acknowledge any of it. Your father recognized my efforts and was unashamed to tell others."

Juma clasped his hands behind his back childishly and swung his body back and forth, "I will do as you ask, Pride Mother."

Ayasu nodded and grinned, "Good," She pulled Aurelia and Sahiri close, "Come, my daughters, we have preparations to make."

***

Sahiri remained silent through the preparations. Aurelia attempted to make conversation several times to no avail. Ayasu stepped in, "Sahiri, what ails you? Aurelia extends the hand of friendship, and you bat it away like bad meat."

Sahiri pressed a hand against the stone and sighed, "Forgive me, Pride Mother, I grew up with a heavy distrust of the outside world. I will say Aurelia carries herself like a true lioness. I envy her skill with her blade."

"I was scared of you when we first met," Aurelia admitted, "You looked so strong, and Juma's faith in you has no rival. I wanted to support Zinjo as best I could."

A group of young lions with short puffy manes came with their supplies. They bowed to Ayasu and left the room without a word. "Come, my daughters, the broken plains await," Ayasu pointed to horizon and grinned.