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The Plains- Chapter 2: Trespassers

"Cubs, come with me. The others will deal with the trespassers. For now, we need to keep you safe, just in case." Kazri said, eager to get the cubs back to the den.

"I should be helping them." Alkosh said, almost ready to chase after his father and the others.

Kazri quickly ran over and bit into the scruff of his neck, carrying him away with the other cubs, racing back to the den with two other lionesses to protect the cubs if needed.

The pride's feeding place was a little ways from the den so it took a little while to get back. Alkosh couldn't help but feel it was part of his responsibility to care of matters such as this one. But there he was, helpless and in the care of three adult lionesses. It was not leader-like to be forced away like that.

Vazari and the others ran, making their way to the hunting grounds. The area in which Vazari's pride resided in was quite large, stretching up seven square kilometers. The hunting grounds were towards the outskirts of the territory for prey have left from the close proximity to the lions.

As the five approached which seemed to be ten lions; four on one side of the kill and six on the other side, it seemed as though no violent confict has taken place yet, this calmed down Vazari greatly.

The six lions from the opposing territory backed up and cowed now that they were outnumbered. The lions from Vazari's side formed a half circle around them, threatening them with their quick formation.

Vazari took a step forward, being the only male, he was easy to distinguish from all the others. He observed them and did not underestimate. "Why are you here?" Vazari stood tall, his authority striking a little fear into the trespassers.

Neither of the six lions said anything, instead they held their ground, one keeping a close eye on Vazari.

Vazari took another step closer. "Last chance. Why are you here?"

"You think you can threaten us." One of the opposing lionesses finally said, seeming to be the leader of them.

"I haven't threatened you, but I will have to if I am not given an answer." He stretched his neck and bared his fangs, raising his voice with the next statement. "Why... are you here." He used emphasis on the why, his angry and undaunted expression causing one of the trespassers to step back.

"Jakk'al is not going to appreciate this interference." The leader of the bunch took a step forward causing the lionesses surrounding them to growl and roar.

"Interference? By crossing our borders and attempting to confiscate our food, you have broken the truce and pact our prides have made. You are interfering with us and now that you are within my jurisdiction, it is my responsibility to perform justice on those found guilty." Vazari spoke in a high, authority-like tone, not flinching to the lioness' step towards him.

"That would be a bad move, Vazari. Jakk'al would not stand for it and you would be putting your own pride in danger. Is it worth it, Vazari? Our Pride outnumbers yours and the neighboring prides won't interfere since they honor the truce..." She was immediately cut off by Vazari's roar.

"Don't you tell me about honor! You broke that by entering our territory. You think you can threaten me with numbers? My bloodline has lead this pride for generations and I plan to let that continue..." Vazari was then cut off her, but he let her speak.

"If that is what you plan, darling, you better let us go and give us this kill." She grinned, feeling sure of herself.

"Vazari, let them go. They didn't harm anyone and it isn't worth the conflict." Yazmine said to her love, thinking about the best of her pride.

Vazari exhaled deeply and looked back down the group, the cowardly one lying down as if terrified of what might happen.

"My Yazmine has convinced me. Leave now, if you come back... I can't say what will happen." Vazari growled and they all started running back to their own territory.

"I am not sure about this. I think they are going to come back. We just showed them how easy we are." Rasha said, thinking that letting them go was the wrong move.

"I know Jakk'al. He's not a push over and does not take threats lightly. He has the second largest pride here. If they were to continue causing problems, we can always request Ranyon's pride's assistance. They are the strongest and have the biggest numbers." Vazari reassured the others, though he knew that just by standing up to those four hunters that Jakk'al will have a problem with it.

"Reesa, Leki, Fall, Mhasha, Landra. Can you bring the kill back to the den. It'll be safer for everyone and the cubs to eat there." Yazmine asked the hunters.

"Of course. You can all go ahead. We'll be fine. Thank-you again for coming to our aide." Reesa thanked them and the hunters began to work on getting their kill back to the den.

Back at the den, Kazri had all the cubs nestled up in the corner, telling them stories of Khyva and the history of their pride to try to keep their minds off the current situation. It worked effectively but Alkosh always had the thought in the back of his head of how he wasn't able to help or do anything.

"Just know that Khyva is always watching over us and as long as you believe in it and him, you will have his blessing." Kazri, smiled down the cubs, finishing her story.

"What about the others from Jakk'al's pride? Do they believe in Khyva?" One of the cubs asked. Kazri was very unsure how to answer this.

"Maybe they do. I am not certain and I cannot answer that very accurately. If they do believe in Khyva and do seek is blessing..." She didn't know how to continue.

"By breaking a truce created by all prides of Khyva's pride, they are now frowned down upon for doing something like that. Khyva would never break any truce or pact, especially for selfish and ridiculous reasons. If they believe in Khyva, they obviously don't care much about his blessing." Fanesti, one of the lionesses who went with Kazri said, saving Kazri for she would have something just to assure the cubs.

"But Khyva cares for all lions, whether they are good or bad." Kaisha stood up, questioning Fanesti for her quick and harsh words.

"Once you have grown up, cubs. You will understand the stories and our reasons much better. It's hard to go into too much detail while you are all so young. Just keep your heads and remember Khyva." Kazri said, nudging Kaisha to sit down again.

"Hey. Looks like they returned." Sara, the lioness guarding the den entry said aloud, informing all the others.

When hearing that, cubs quickly scrambled over to the entry by Sara, Kazri quickly following them. They all looked over the dusk colored plains, Vazari and the other lionesses behind him, the hunters behind them even further with the kill. Kazri sighed of relief, thankful that everyone was fine and thanking Khyva under her breath.

"Good job you three. You kept the cubs safe and that is what matters most." Vazari smiled to the three lionesses who stayed behind. "We dealt with the trespassers and sent them back to their pride. Hopefully they won't cause anymore problems, but remember: The cubs are of upmost importance, keep them safe above all else if something were to happen."

"Of course, Vazari. These cubs are my life." Kazri dipped her head to her leader, Vazari smiled and raised his paw to touch her shoulder.

"Tonight we eat and put this behind us. You hungry cubs?" Yazmine approached the cubs and gave her son a long lick on the face, embarrassing him in front of his friends. He blushed and shook his head angrily while the other shouted, "Yes!" in response to her.

As the sun began to set, the pride feasted upon their kill, starting with the cubs, the lionesses and lastly Vazari who always believed that the leader of the pride should be the last eat for his pride always come first. Immediately after having his share, Vazari walked out a bit on his own, sitting down in the tall grass and watching the very last bit of the sun set on the horizon, stars beginning to appear in the sky as it darkened.

"Oh Khyva. Watch over my pride... my mate, and my son. Leave us with your blessing. Allow us to remain a peaceful pride. I knew Jakk'al was going to do this eventually, he once told me. How am I going to tell the others? I have kept this secret from them for so long and now... I feel lost, like I have hit the end. Yazmine... oh my Yazmine, she would never forgive me and my son, what would he think of me. I know what Jakk'al is doing, he is testing me. He sent them here purposely to see what I would do. And I let them go, I showed him that I just submitted to him. But I had no choice. If I took matters into my own paws and resisted..." Vazari stopped and was a little started after hearing a twig snap behind, quickly turning to see it is his son, Alkosh.

"You snuck up on me pretty good there son, I see your stalking is improving." Vazari said, hoping Alkosh didn't hear anything.

"What are you doing out here, dad? I saw you leave after you ate." Alkosh walked up, nuzzling into his father's mane.

"I was asking Khyva for his blessing. I make it a habit and you should too." He put a paw on his son's side, pulling him closer to his mane.

"Kazri was telling me stories again about Khyva while you were out, dealing with the trespassers." Alkosh closed his eyes, purring softly as he took much comfort in being close to his father. "What did she tell you, son?" He asked, looking down his son.

"She told me a new one. About how Khyva always took consideration of the cubs first and did whatever it took to keep them safe... though it wasn't protection from the lions, it was about protecting them from hyenas and other sneaky predators out there that preyed on cubs. Every night, Khyva stayed out while the others slept, patrolling the borders and leaving no opening for anyone to enter. That one reminded me a lot of you..." Alkosh looked up to his father, Vazari forming a large smile after his son said that.

"Well son, that is one of the more simpler stories of Khyva to remind pride leaders of their many duties. You... and even the others are my priority. There is nothing I wouldn't do to keep you away from harm." Vazari flinched after saying that, his mind flipping back to his earlier discussion with the stars. He then stood up and walked a few feet from Alkosh, his head dipped down.

"Father?" Alkosh frowned in concern, approaching his father carefully.

"Alkosh, it is getting a little late now. This is the time of night where I should go and patrol the borders. Your mother is probably waiting for you." Vazari didn't face his son while saying that, feeling complete shame for himself.

"Let me come with you. You always go alone..." Alkosh took another step forward.

"No son. Go back to the den. Soon, when you are a little older, I promise." Vazari stood and turned back to give his son a nuzzle before walking away and towards the borders and hunting grounds.

"Oh... All right." Alkosh lowered his head and walked back over towards the den where his mother and Sara sat at the entry.

Before returning, he sat down in the grass, looking up to the stars and observing the different patterns. He sat there for a while, his find full of questions but no answers to them. He also thought of his father and how depressed he looked before he left him. Yazmine saw Alkosh sitting in the grass outside the den and approached, taking a seat beside him and looking up into the stars.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Yazmine said, smiling lightly towards the sky. Alkosh remained silent and kept looking.

"Everyone who passed from this world... being lions, zebras, even the smallest meerkat. They all leave this world and enter the stars. Each star you see up there is someone who was once part of this world. Each day when I look up into the stars, I am reminded of my mother who I loved so much. You never got a chance to meet her before see passed but she would have adored you, Alkosh. You are so smart and so responsible. It is difficult to find that in a cub. I guess that means you father and I have done something right." Yazmine leaned down and kissed the top of his head.

"Mother, why is dad depressed?" Alkosh turned his gaze to his mother and the question took her by surprise.

"Your father... he is just stressed from today. He cares about his pride so much that the smallest things can worry him. Don't worry about it too much, hun. I know your father... he has a heart of gold. You just got to give him time. Why don't we go back to the den. It is getting cold, and you need your rest." Yazmine stood up and smiled to her son, letting him lead the way back.

Six lions made their way to their pride, all exhausted from their run. the leader of them growled and kicked rocks out of the way as they arrived. The other five stopped and laid down in the grass while the leader kept making her way back to the den which was an area of four small trees sheltering a small area. The den belonged to the leader of the pride and his mate.

"Jakk'al" The female approached and stopped before her mate who was lying down in the sunset, the area darkening around them.

"Sandra. Tell me, how did it go?" Jakk'al looked towards his mate, lying down and not overly excited.

"We encountered five hunters who made their kill. We confronted them and one them fled the area quickly, we them outnumbered but didn't attack as were your orders." Sandra explianed to her mate.

"Good. What happened next?" Jakk'al stood and stretched out, letting her continue.

"Not too long later after exchanging verbal threats with each other, the fleeing hunter came back with Vazari and reinforcements. Then, they surrounded us, Vazari taking the first step towards me. He was clearly trying to intimidate us and it worked on Asha. She cowered and was clearly terrified." She stopped as Jakk'al opened his maw.

"Asha showed weakness to Vazari. That is not acceptable. Go on." Jakk'al shook his head, frustrated.

"Vazari then began to attempt justice on us for breaking the truce, stepping closer and trying even harder to intimidate us. I stood up to him and it worked. He backed down after Yazmine convinced him to let us go but threatened us as we left. Vazari is trying to create an image that he is strong but failed miserably." She finished.

"Vazari is a fool. He couldn't even show strength to six hunters. He is afraid of us and he knows exactly why he should be. I have him exactly where I want him. His pride doesn't even know his little secret. This is going to be fun." Jakk'al laughed and walked out amongst the other lions.

"What is our next step?" Sandra followed him, the other lions gathering around with them, Jakk'al at the head. He turned and faced his large pride of twenty-seven lions. He stood tall with a strong and muscular body, easily beating Vazari in size and strength. His mane was large and in a darker shade of yellow-brown. He spoke up loud, the sun setting behind him.

"We are going to force him to make the first move."