Ch 21 Treaty

Treaty



Three tall, lanky wildebeests emerged into the clearing. Their skin was reminiscent of the ashy remnants of a dying fire, appearing gray and dull. Their human-like faces bore features from their wildebeest ancestry, creating an unusual juxtaposition with their elongated snouts. Adding to their peculiar appearance, each had a thick, long black mullet for a hairstyle, complemented by a small patch of hair down the center of their chests. Meeku noted that they had skillfully fashioned a wrap from savannah grass to cover their waists, much to his relief, as there were no more naked beasts in sight. Zarda sensed their discomfort as they found themselves isolated in the presence of the lion pride. They cautiously moved to a distant spot, keeping a watchful eye on the lions resting on their rocky perches. Aware of their need for seating, they began gathering stones to form makeshift chairs. Noticing their anxiety, Zarda stood up slowly, raising his hands to extend his pride's assistance.

"We'd be glad to assist you in collecting stones, if that's what you want. It can turn into a laborious job," Zarda said, trying to reassure them that they meant no harm.

The King was reluctant to accept Zarda's offer. He shook his head in refusal but expressed his gratitude, nonetheless. Meanwhile, his two assistants quickly organized their seating arrangements. All of a Sudden, the ground began to rumble and tremble. Meeku felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as he glared at Zarda, his eyes wide with alarm. They turned to face the source of the growing commotion. Emerging from the mist of the mountain were two colossal elephants, their massive feet pounding the earth with each powerful stride. The sheer weight of their footsteps was initially terrifying, even to a fearless warrior like Slash, who didn't dare to approach them. Zarda also maintained his distance, offering no assistance; they appeared quite capable of managing on their own. Instead, he focused intently on their enormous human-like feet.

At first, he thought it strange that he hadn't noticed it before, so he focused on the feet and calves of the wildebeests. They appeared unchanged, much like his own, while the elephants had feet that resembled those of humans. "Why are theirs different from ours?" he pondered. Still, it didn't really matter; both groups had tails that swayed behind them and two ivory tusks enhancing their hybrid features. As Zarda gazed in awe, he saw the elephants nearing him. Zarda and his companions clung tightly to their rocky perches as the ground shook under their weight, finally halting to the left of Zarda's group. The majestic king turned towards Zarda, greeting him with a warm smile. Zarda let out the breath he had been holding and returned the elephant lord's smile.

"Greetings! I am King Mosiya, and this is my trusted steward, Salim. We come from the Mawombie parade," he greeted warmly.

Zarda was taken aback by the unexpected friendliness of the large creature. Relieved, he returned the greeting with a smile, feeling more at ease.

"Hello, King Mosiya. I am Zarda, and with me are my esteemed warriors: Slash, Razor, Matiti, Mazunga, and my brother Meeku," he replied.

The elephant lord expressed his delight in meeting the young lion. "It is truly a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said. "May I be so bold as to assume that you are the king of the pride?" Mosiya inquired.

Zarda chuckled. "Well, you could put it that way. Right now, I'm in charge of my father's pride, the White mane Lions," he responded, choosing not to correct the noble, rightful king.

Mosiya inquired with curiosity, "May I ask who your father is?"

Zarda took a moment before responding. "His name was once King Ezekiel. He was the bravest King I ever knew," Zarda said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

The elephant understood precisely what he meant. From his response, he could tell that his father had become nothing more than a memory.

"Might I say, young one, your father is surely looking down at you with pride. Hold your head high, honor your father's legacy, and continue to move forward with confidence. One day, you will make a wonderful king; I truly believe that. And may I add, you are the most majestic lion I have ever seen, and I've encountered many in my time," said King Mosiya with gentle words of encouragement.

He looked away, leaving Zarda with his comforting words, and turned to confront the wildebeests in the distance. In that moment, a realization struck him like a light bulb going off; King Mosiya recognized his dear friend, King Morbius, along with his entourage.

"Greetings, my dear friend King Morbius! How have you been, you lanky old beast?" the elephant King called out from across the field.

Morbius rose from his seat, shaking his head with a smile as he walked over to his friend. Zarda felt a sense of relief now that the king's discussion had come to an end, but he remained silent, still reflecting on the conversation about his father. He gathered his thoughts, knowing that the subject was likely to arise frequently throughout the day, especially with the introduction of new Kings. Lost in his own thoughts, Zarda failed to notice the arrival of three water buffaloes, four zebras, and four gazelles making their way over to join King Morbius. He assumed that, apart from King Mosiya, none of the prey animals would feel comfortable sitting among the predator tribes. Zarda recalled his master's directive that no blood was to be shed on this sacred ground. He felt grateful that he had eaten earlier; otherwise, the circumstances could have turned dire for everyone involved.

An increasing number of animals started to make their entrance. The first to arrive were two splendid cheetahs, confidently strutting in with their heads held high. They wore crowns and loincloths made from leaves and Goji berries. Selecting a spot a short distance from Zarda's pride, they settled onto the lush green grass and engaged in animated conversations, clearly content to enjoy their own company. Following the cheetahs were two remarkably tall giraffes. Unusual for their species, they lacked the typical long necks but still stood impressively tall at nearly seven to eight feet, reminiscent of towering baseball players. Their slender faces and lean bodies, along with human-like limbs instead of hooves, set them apart. They adorned their feet with bright red fabric, and as they walked, their long tails swayed elegantly behind them. Zarda couldn't help but notice the giraffes' delicate, elongated hands, which gave them an aura of humility and gentleness, making them surprisingly enchanting to watch.

They gracefully glided over to join Trustee Salim, who was in charge of the Mawombie parade. After exchanging pleasantries, they settled comfortably against a large boulder.  Zarda felt awestruck by the remarkable transformations each animal kingdom had undergone. He and his lions were fascinated by the sights around them. Their gaze remained fixed on the entrance of the mountain trail, as the rumbling earth signaled the arrival of new inhabitants. Soon, two hefty rhinos and a pair of plump hippos made their entrance, surveying the area filled with the various animal kingdoms already present. Both groups quickly found an ideal spot next to the Wildebeest tribe to settle in.

Shortly after, Zarda noticed three small, restless meerkats in the distance. They resembled little humans standing around four feet tall, with distinctive features, though their heads and tails were quite adorable. Their limbs looked human-like, but their fingertips and toes were black. Their skin had a natural beige tone that suited them well. Zarda found them utterly charming, reminiscent of delightful children. They soon settled down beside the gazelles on the opposite side of the field, joining their small group of neighbors. Everyone sat anticipating the voice of the creator. They mainly kept to whispered conversations among their tribes. When Elohim finally emerged, it was surprisingly less intimidating than before, exuding a calm yet authoritative tone.

Before long, the atmosphere shifted as two formidable crocodiles made their entrance. Dressed in regal golden attire from head to tail, they carried themselves with an imposing pride, exuding an eerie aura. Trailing closely behind them were three long-legged African bullfrogs and two broad-shouldered whale sharks, all capturing everyone's attention. The lively chatter among the animals faded, replaced by hushed whispers shared in secrecy. A palpable tension filled the air as the crocodiles surveyed the kingdom, searching for the ideal place to establish their presence.

Their expressions were as unpleasant as their haughty demeanor, yet their physiques resembled those of ancient pharaoh God's. Adorned in extravagant garments, they wore skirts made of golden, scale-like patterns. Similarly, they fashioned necklaces from the same golden scales, accentuating their thick, muscular necks. Zarda offered a silent prayer; the crocodiles kept their distance as he observed them roaming the open field. Fortunately, they occupied a secluded spot on the eastern side of the group, with two large gaps separating them from the others.

A cheerful group of bullfrogs, only four feet tall like the meerkats, hopped over to join them. They made for a comfortable and friendly alliance between the two tribes. Zarda watched them laugh and engage in their lighthearted conversations. Suddenly, his attention was drawn away as the whale sharks entered, settling down alone on the opposite side of the circle from the crocodiles. These enormous creatures were imposing, yet the king wore a huge smile that suggested he might not be as fearsome as his intimidating appearance implied. Zarda had little knowledge of them, having never encountered a whale shark before. He had tended to view each kingdom as a potential threat, until they proved otherwise.

A bit preoccupied by the enchanting water kingdom, Zarda failed to notice the two pairs of winged angelic beings that had just arrived. The first group was made up of Pharaoh Eagle Owls, boasting eerie red eyes that seemed to penetrate the soul. They descended gracefully to the ground, scanning the surrounding creatures with keen curiosity. Their heads turned on their necks as they took in the unusual gathering. With bodies resembling Greek deities—strong and sculpted—they possessed human-like arms and hands devoid of feathers. Their wings extended from their backs and could be folded neatly behind them when not in flight. Adorned in whimsical white feathered shorts that covered their groins, their hips appeared notably puffy and large. Meeku and Zarda exchanged amused glances, trying to suppress their laughter and avoid direct eye contact. Zarda was particularly surprised to see that they lacked birdlike talons on their feet, contrary to what he had imagined. "What a strange transformation," Zarda mused. The regal owls found a spot suitable to their liking and settled in comfortably.

A new set of flying companions floated down beside them. They were three Plain Tiger Butterflies. Resembling closer to feminine attributes, than their other brawny Kings counterparts. No less, their leader was a King. They seemed to glide as they walked over to sit with the Owls who were perched next to the whale sharks. The butterflies' arms were thin and lean like that of young men. The appearance was soft and smooth like suede. The wings, on their backs, were protruding from each shoulder blade, and remained open when not in flight, unlike the owls. Their wings shimmered and shined as glass when the sun hit them just right. The atmosphere had calmed when everyone realized the crocodiles meant no harm. Unfortunately, the atmosphere shifted once again, filled with a sense of panic and anxiety as the next kingdom approached.

A new group of flying companions gently descended beside them—three Plain Tiger Butterflies. They exhibited a more delicate, feminine grace compared to their robust King counterparts, though their leader was indeed a King. Gliding effortlessly, they approached the Owls perched beside the whale sharks. The butterflies' arms were slender and youthful, exuding a soft and smooth texture reminiscent of suede. Their wings, extending from each shoulder blade, remained open at rest, unlike the owls. When illuminated by the sun, their wings shimmered like glass. A sense of calm had settled over the group once everyone realized the crocodiles posed no threat. Unfortunately, the atmosphere shifted once more, filled with a wave of anxiety, as the next kingdom made its entrance.

Out of the blue, four baboons burst into the field and quickly found seats close to the hippopotamuses, clearly seeking a secure refuge. These baboons were as short as meerkats and bullfrogs, and their jumpy nature was unmistakable. Zarda noticed them incessantly glancing over their shoulders, as if expecting an attack. With their brightly colored faces, they could easily bring a smile to anyone's face at first sight; they were truly a hilarious sight. Their hair was styled in an odd fashion, reminiscent of circus clowns. Just as Zarda was taking this in, two enormous figures entered, making an immediate impact on all who beheld them. The imposing gorilla king's gaze met Zarda's right away, his expression unreadable and serious. Zarda felt a lump in his throat; he had never experienced fear in the presence of an animal until now. The hefty, stoic creatures approached to sit near their anxious baboon cousins, the Gorilla King keeping his eyes fixed on Zarda the entire time, which made him increasingly uneasy. To avoid appearing as though he were staring, Zarda quickly averted his gaze and pretended to study the gathering, carefully avoiding eye contact with the formidable Gorilla King.

His heart pounded uncontrollably, quickly shifting its rhythm to the irritating laughter that echoed in the meeting place. Zarda's heart raced even faster as his anger swelled. His fists clenched tightly, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. All he could hear was the blood rushing in his ears. He saw three hideous creatures entering the circle, and memories of his past flooded his mind. Acting on instinct, Zarda leapt to his feet and charged toward them. Meeku was taken aback by his brother's sudden outburst and tried to pursue him, but he couldn't keep up; Zarda's adrenaline was surging. Just then, a thunderous voice resonated from above, silencing all the animals and intimidating them into submission. Zarda halted in his tracks, his gaze fixating fiercely on the bloodthirsty foes before him.

"STOP RIGHT THERE, ZARDA! DO NOT SEEK REVENGE ON THE HYENAS. They are the descendants of those who harmed your family. The Black mane tribe is on their way—would you also wish to harm them for your father's death? I believe NOT. CONTROL YOURSELF AND SIT DOWN. If you don't, I will end your life right here." The creator warned.

Zarda closed his eyes and released his breath, turning he walked back to his seat. His body was coming down from the adrenaline surge. His limbs were shaking, and his head was pounding. Everyone watched in horror, especially the hyenas, who had no idea what was going on. They awkwardly made uncontrolled cackles that sent chills up Zarda's spine once again. The hyenas swiftly moved to take a place beside the arrogant crocodiles, who responded with hissing at their proximity. "The creator was right," Zarda reflected. He needed to learn to manage his emotions. He had already experienced sadness and now anger stemming from the same incident. That moment was behind him; he was living in the present. He understood that he couldn't let it dictate his feelings. The silence hung heavy in anticipation of the next kingdom's arrival.

Immediately following the outburst, two magnificent leopards strolled into view, walking side by side with a pack of African wild dogs trailing behind them. There were four of each species in total. The leopards boasted striking coats adorned with spots that transitioned in color like an ombre effect.  Their muscular bodies were clothed in grassy tunics. their bright emerald green eyes were truly mesmerizing to all onlookers. As the leopard king scanned the gathering, he noticed an empty space between the cheetahs and the owls. Eager to secure the spot before the wild dogs could claim it, he quickly made his way there. Meanwhile, the wild dogs, a bit uncertain, eventually found their own spot. They trotted over to the other side of the cheetahs and made themselves comfortable on the soft earth. These intriguing creatures had coats adorned with a mix of spots in various shades of brown, complemented by large, bat-like ears and small snouts. In contrast to the robust leopards, their figures were quite slender and lanky. They constantly yapped at one another in their distinctive language, which irritated anyone nearby.

Zarda suspected that the king and his men were harshly critiquing every tribe in attendance. From the beginning, there was something about the pack that made Zarda uneasy. Perhaps his mistrust stemmed from past experiences, causing him to unfairly judge all canine breeds. Meanwhile, the wild dogs lounged on the vibrant green grass, some sitting cross-legged while others lay on their sides, relaxed and carefree. A few animals chose to enjoy the cool grass like the wild dogs, while others followed Zarda's example and his pride, fashioning makeshift seats for themselves.

Not anticipating any further kingdoms to arrive, Zarda was pleasantly surprised as he witnessed another flying clan enter the circle. It was the Tawny Eagle flock, a symbol of royalty in the avian world. As the apex predators and influential leaders among birds, Zarda couldn't help but gawk as the king soared over toward the giraffes and scruffy hyenas. The eagles were imposing, robust creatures, their heads encased in white feathers that resembled helmets. Their striking golden eyes exuded an air of authority and demanded respect, reminiscent of massive football players dominating the field. Clad in brown feathers and adorned with tiny twigs, they wore short tunics. They knelt with elegance, balancing their strong hands on their muscular thighs. It was indeed a breathtaking sight. All eyes were upon them in hushed silence as everyone settled in, eagerly anticipating the creator's voice to return.

Numerous small discussions took place about who else might attend. There were countless animal kingdoms, but not all had experienced the transformation—at least that was what Zarda had gathered from the Master. Regardless, it was the hottest topic of conversation at the moment. There was only one other kingdom occupying Zarda's thoughts, and they had yet to arrive. As the minutes passed, the animals, including his own pride, began to show signs of impatience. Suddenly, Zarda spotted a familiar face in the distance, and his heart surged with joy. He stood up, causing everyone to jump in alarm, worried that another attack was imminent. However, the Gorilla King rose majestically and glared down at Zarda. The lion prince quickly sat back down and shouted across the field instead.

"Hey Purk, over here! It's me, Zarda, and look who's with me—it's Meeku!" he shouted.

The warthog king recognized the familiar voice and felt a surge of joy at seeing his childhood friend alive and thriving. It brought closure and peace to his restless heart. Both of them had made it through. Without hesitation, Purk dashed toward Zarda. The lion stood tall, ready to welcome Purk with open arms. As they collided, they both wept tears of joy on each other's shoulders, reveling in their long-awaited reunion. How could it be? They were finally together again. Purk had always been a significant part of Zarda's life, bound together as brothers. They pulled back slightly, still holding onto each other in a tender embrace, leaving their tears unwiped as they took a moment to marvel at each other's changes.

"How did you make it, apart from the creator? My mother and I prayed for you every day. We held onto the hope that you were alive. She'll be overjoyed to hear this wonderful news. And here you are, standing right in front of me. I can hardly believe it," the warthog exclaimed in disbelief.

Meeku rushed in from the side without any notice and embraced his brother and friend. They were astonished by how far they had all progressed since their carefree childhood days.

"Wow, Purk! You look fantastic, my friend. I barely recognized you," Zarda remarked.

He took a second look at his face and body. The changes he had undergone were striking. His skin was dark and his muscles well-defined. His face, while familiar, showed signs of maturity since the last time he had seen it. He had hands and feet, unlike some of his companions who still possessed hooves. Zarda found this strange; it was as if they hadn't fully completed their transformation for some unknown reason.

"You too, Prince— or should I say King Zarda? Greetings to you as well, Meeku. Ajuno a kee, my little brother. So much time has gone by, my friends, and there's so much for us to share," the warthog said.

Purk's followers stood quietly behind him, awaiting further directions. He gestured for his clan to occupy the space next to Zarda, positioning them between themselves and the African wild dogs. With everyone gathered, the meeting was prepared to begin.