The Last King

[cheezeegriff]

Keshomaliki looked around Judas and saw Ayesha tending Ayele.

"Ayesha!"
he cried, then untangled himself from Judas' grasp to move towards her, only the log rolled underneath his little paws and dumped him into the water. He clawed his way back on and turned back towards the warrior, holding him, but watching the commotion at the back end of the log.

"STOP! Cease attacking me! If you eat me you will be full for a day, but you'll be hungry for the rest of your lives. If you let me live, I'll allow you and your other crocodile friends come to my lands any time you want. Well-fed jungle animals have far more meat then scrawny plains animals. It's your choice. Otherwise, you can expect some trouble from my followers, desert or not."

The smaller crocodile raised out of the water, eye bleeding, teeth marks and a trickle of blood running down its armoured neck. Though its face hadn't changed from last time Keshomaliki knew it was angered beyond belief.
The other crocodile seemed angered too. It launched its huge body out of the water and came crashing down on the log, splintering the dry timber, submerging some and sending Kesho's end shooting into the air.
He felt as if he'd been launched from a catapult.
"Aaaah!"
The water twisted and churned some thirty feet below him, the log, he could see, was shattered into pieces, then he spinned head over heels and saw the world upside down.
There was something spewing up from the horizon in the far distance, a white cloud, billowing from the ground as if it was born there. It wasn't solid like the clouds of the sky, but whispy, ghostly, like smoke.
"The smoke that thunders,"
he whispered, before the water wrapped him in its choking embrace.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The log broke beneath the panther and she fell into the water, but raised her head in time to see the prince splash down a few feet away.

"This gifft of yours bitess back,"
the injured crocodile said to her.

The larger one was coming around after destroying the log.
"So you insult us, then maeke uss a deal? Wwrong way arounnd, I think."

It opened its jaws wide and closed on Ubazazi, wider than she was tall, but before the jaws came crashing down it whispered to her,
"Don't say a wword. Your plan's appealling - swim to the log and its lions behind yyou... bother the corpse-gatherer's pet no more, and we shall spare you... for now."
It cocked its head, waiting for Ubazazi's agreement.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Umoja jumped onto the log besides Katakasha and nodded for Imani to do the same. His eyes scanned the water and the crocodiles, then drifted towards the log carrying the prince and his abductors.
Wait... was that a tiger amongst them?
An almighty white splash obscured them from view. Bits of timber and the bodies of large cats went flying in all directions.
"By the kings,"
Umoja cursed.
"Kata... guard us from the crocs. Everyone. Quickly! Look there in the water: the current is faster there."
He pointed to an area that was darker than the rest.
"Get us to that without getting eaten and we can catch up. I only hope this log is big enough for all of us."
He looked at the crocs that were closing in, but put his paws in the water on either side of the log and started paddling.
"Fight well, Katakasha. My limbs depend on you."

[Judas]

As with all disasters they are over before you knew what hit you, whether you'd remember it or not depends on the fact if you survive. Judas was of course thrown into the water as long splintered sending shards of wood flying in every direction, gripped by panic not for his own life but that of Kesho who was some were in the water.

The water was murky and all he could really do was paw around in blindness as he dived into the waters trying to search up the prince before the child drowned. He had seen were the prince landed or rather heard the yell and unmistakable splash.

Though the soldier was almost on the verge of giving up when he found something floating among some splintered wood. It was a ball of fur though not moving. Possibly the impact with the water had knocked the consciousness out of the prince or so Judas hoped but naturally it could be worse.

He picked up the prince by the scruff of his neck and began a quick swim to wards the shore and dry land. However Judas never got that far before something yanked the hold of one his back legs and with tremendous force pulled him down into the water, Instinctively the soldier dropped the child knowing that he would float.

Judas didn't know what had grabbed hold of leg, but just as soon it let go even though the waters were unusually dark; he didn't know it was his own blood mixing with the mud, and with the adrenaline pumping through his system the soldier didn't feel the pain he so obviously would've felt when you almost get your leg ripped off.

He managed to scramble himself to the surface noting that his left leg didn't respond to any attempts to move it, he'll find out what was wrong when he reached the shore, right now he had to save Kesho. Surfacing after an agonizing almost three minutes down in the water Judas found the prince and got him back to the shore.

The scruffy male limped onto the mud bank putting the unconscious prince on the ground, and gently prodded at him with a paw. "Kesho?!" he called voice holding both fatigue, pain, and panic. It was then he turned to look at what was wrong with left leg, and in that moment he wished he hadn't. The leg.. well weren't much of a leg anymore, at least not from the heel and down it looked like he had been through a meat processor.

Sure he still had some of the leg but the actual paw was missing and all but the muscles in some places were ripped from the bone. And Judas as natural even being a seasons soldier and having seen numerous wounds from crocodile attacks some even worse than this, eventually darkness took him and with a thud he crashed onto the mud bank.

[Kirsui]

"Fight well, Katakasha. My limbs depend on you."

The black lioness grinned, still holding the precious plant in her mouth. So it would be down to using her claws only, teeth would do no good unless she wanted to loose the herb she had taken to help the liard boy. She flexed her claws and streched her muscles, preparing for a battle that would be almost impossible to win.

Almost... That was enough for her.

And so, the grin widened on her muzzle, her purple eyes flashing out of excitement when the ripples on the water warned her of the first crocodile coming into surface. She felt no fear as she lashed at the crocodile's eyes with her claws, felt no fear when another almost captured her paw, and felt no fear when the ripples the reptiles caused dangerously shook the log they were on. The log remained standable, and the black lioness could only hope the others would hold on and not come on her way.

She enjoyed this, feeling her claws sink in to the softness of the crocodiles' eyes. Feeling no fear was the key to win this impossible fight, and Katakasha sure was goin to win. She moved fast around the log, preventing the crocodiles from approaching from all sides by making them half or completely blind. She felt the stronger current take hold of the log, but still she kept going around the log with that feral grin on her face.

There was no fear in her mind, only joy.

[mahewarac]

"Don't say a wword. Your plan's appealling - swim to the log and its lions behind yyou... bother the corpse-gatherer's pet no more, and we shall spare you... for now."

Ubazazi gasped as the crocodiles destroyed the log her companions where standing on. The cub was saved, but that was definitely temporary. She, for the first time in ages, had no idea what to do. If she let the prince get killed, the rest would resent her forever, but if she did not agree, she would be killed. Threats, offers, they didn't work. She had never dealed with crocodiles who didn't fear her before. She had to get them to do something crocs rarely did- look at the consequences later.

"Uhh... w-wait." She stammered. "I have a better plan. That prince, h-he's so small, he'd barley last the three of you an hour. Is he really worth turning the whole lands deadly against you? They out number you, you know, and all the prides around you would hate you to the bone to. Surely you've heard the tale of those hyenas, an already disliked species, that had worked in killing a king and his young son, who where later rejected and hunted by all the prides in and around it and forced to starve. Do you want to end up like them? I mean, you have to pass through other lands to get to mine, and if the animals in other lands hate you you will be killed. No, it's best to wait, you will still have my offer." She shut up and prayed they'd listen.

[Dakota]

One minute she was looking over her shoulder after spotting the others moving after them, then all she could hear was a loud cracking noise fill the air, and they were all sent flying. Ayesha dug her claws into Ayeles back, it was the only thing she could do so as not to have him seperated from her in the water infested with the crocodiles, she only hoped the soldier could find the Prince.

Pushing herself to the surface and taking a gulp of air, with Ele in tow she didn't stop, but paddled as fast as she could to the land. She could feel the water behind her surging onto her, she knew the crocs were wanting retaliation for some reason. At last she felt the ground beneath her paws and with a lunge hauled herself and her brother up onto dry ground. Lying there for a moment getting her breath back, she turned on her side and saw Judas lying there with the prince, but turned away to help Ayele.
Using her paw, she massaged his tummy and chest firmly until he a gave a small cough and started retching bringing up a small amount of water. Bending over the cub "Ayele, open your eyes, you're ok and out of the water..come on " Watching as she saw flickering at last, she knew he would be ok and moved over to where Kesho lay.

Dropping down to her tummy, she looked again at the soldier but he had his back to her, I'll deal with Kesho first, then see how Judas is
Prodding at him, waiting for him to respond, Ayesha leant forward and stroked the cubs cheek back and forth, she could see he was breathing on his own plenty, maybe he was just exhausted from all that had happened to his little body.

Pushing herself up she moved around to stand in front of the lion. About to make a quip that he was being lazy lying there resting, her eyes travelled down his scrawny body looking to see how he feared, when her glance fell on his back paws.
Gasping in fright, her eyes widened and she felt her stomach lurch in repsonse to what she saw. Turning quickly away she vomited into the bushes, emptying it's contents. Shaking her head to wipe away any tears that had fallen, she came back to his side.

One of his paws looked like it had been bitten off, leaving a mass of bone and flesh exposed, Ayesha knew she couldn't waste any time, she needed to stop the bleeding if they werent to loose him. She couldn't run off looking for any plants to use and leave them all exposed to that vermin out in the water still circling, she had to use something nearby.
Sitting down on her rump, she shook her tuft vigorously, then bought up a paw with claws extended.Starting to pull at her long white tuft, every stroke she made ,Ayesha winced slightly as she pulled out her fur. Carrying on till she was satisfied she had enough, she cupped it all in her paw, and then with it moulded into a basket shape she leant down over Judas and as gently as she could fitted it over what was left of his paw. Getting some more long strands Ayesha wound them around the other way, holding the covering over his wound.
Moving back up till she was beside him, she listened to his breathing, it seemed that the lion had passed out from the pain of his wounds and blood loss. All she could do now was wait for either the Black Panther or Umjoa to catch upto them. Leaning into him knowing that he couldn't see or hear her, she licked his cheek, and forehead cleaning him up a little, then Ayesha rubbed her cheek back and forth against his "PLease don't die, ..we need you here with us... I need you with me, we need each other... Judas you need to fight, just one more time."

(occ..ooh sorry for the long post, promise I wont make a habit of it

[Judas]

The worried words was getting processed by Judas' still rather dazed brain, he could hear it as if it was a long way of but slowly getting closer. "Ow.. heavens!" he mumbled rather strained as his for paws begun to grasp the wet soil. The only thought that crossed through his mind as he slowly regained consciousness, vision and last but not least hearing was what the bloody hell had happened?! Naturally he knew he had lost a leg, as that image had burned into his retina. Though what really woke him was the steady nuzzle against his cheek, he could recognize the voice telling him not to die, that it needed him, they both needed each other.

"Ayesha.." his words were spoke with strain, as the gaping wound of his missing foot was still throbbing with pain. "Is Kesho, alright?" the soldier asked, naturally he cared more for the prince than his own well-being at this moment, and that had cost him a limb. Not that he regretted what he had done, the sacrifice of a limb was a small price to pay if it saved the prince from death. "We gotta get moveing.." the male said after a moment of silence, and he used his forepaws to try and push himself off the ground, while supporting himself on his remaining back leg.

But naturally he tumbled over, being not fully balanced with the lack of a foot and the fact that he was still dizzy didn't help his coordination much. "This is gonna take some time to get used to.." he mumbled as he lay sprawled out on his side, he could now notice the make-shift bandage Ayesha had given him, and the scruffy male smiled gently at her.

"Thank you.." he whispered, as his gaze shifted the skies his smile faded somewhat now he was even more a cripple than before. Judas had broken one of his canine teeth once, leaving him incapable of catching any prey bigger than a small antelope, the scars across his body had yet to heal and he felt that they were draining possibly getting infected and now he had lost his back paw.

What does a warrior do in such a situation? Well he knew what the unspoken rules of his homeland said about the beaten warriors; They lay down to die quite simply. But that was not an option here, despite the fact that his ability to fight had been severely severed, some still depended on him and leaving them behind now was just selfish.

[cheezeegriff]

"Alreaddy I hafve agreeed to your proppposal, tigresss,"
the crocodile said, his eyes swiveling around though his head didn't move,
"And it appears... against all odds, your ffriends have made it to shhore. You will be spared. But we expect favvourss... later.
"Nnow... perhaps one of the others will suffice us... for a time..."
With that the large crocodile sank beneath the water, and as if by a secret message passed along between the ripples, the smaller one did too, vanishing into the brown, muddy current.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"What in the father's names are they doing over there?"
Umoja said, looking around Katakasha's busy frame at the group gathering on the shore. He lowered his back legs into the water too, trying to drive them across the river, which was flowing faster than he could keep up a steady jog.
"Imani, get your paws in the water and paddle, for the love of all that's red and tender."
He could see blood on the shore, even at his distance. One of the kidnappers was badly injured.
And, it appeared, the crocodiles had noticed too.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Kesho looked up across the river, dazed, and saw not only the panther's head above the currents but two crocodiles moving in as well. First they started off behind the panther, but quickly overtook her.
"Uhh... Judas,"
he croaked. His throat was sore from dried blood and muddy river water, and he barely heard himself, so instead he resorted to tugging on the old warrior's tail.
It was then he noticed the foot, or rather, lack of it. At first he didn't quite believe what his eyes were seeing... then a guilt so heavy it felt like he had eaten a stone landed in his belly, and he felt pinned to the earth.
Judas' scars, his foot... all had been given up for him. Tears choked him for a moment, but then he saw the blood trickling down the muddy bank, into the water.
The yellow eyes of the crocodiles, gleaming hungrily.
The fear on the panther's black face.
"Judas?" he croaked again, but was startled when the panther cried out:

"No! They work for my master. Leave them!"

"Truly, llittle Usiku, only you are employed by the dark one. And the tiger got away. We wwill seek payment for the cub from one of these otther lionss..."

The panther's yellow eyes locked onto Kesho's.
"Get away from the water's edge!"
she screamed.
"Into the reeds. Now!"

"Judas,"
Kesho said again, tugging his tail.

[Kirsui]

Kata kept clawing the eyes of the crocodiles that were foolish enough to come to her reach. Only when Umoja told Imani to paddle the black lioness realized the crocs were loosing interest and were focusing on something else. Her eyes narrowed when she swatted one croc, missing as the huge reptile turned its noze to the direction of the shore they were trying to reach.

Kata's movements paused when no more crocodiles were on sight. Then her gaze turned to where said creatures were heading.

She cursed, or well, cursed as well as she could with the plant in her mouth. She saw the panther try to urge those on the shore to leave, and she saw Judas' injury bleeding into the water.

It was a fast decision, made without any reasoning. The black lioness suddenly crouched as low as she could, leaning as far back as possible, then gave one strong push with her hind legs. The leap was powerful and would carry her with ease over the distance still separating her from the shore.

But the solid ground wasn't what she was amining for, and it became clear when she begun to descend from the sky. The crocodile closest to the shore had opened its maw already, apparently not feeling an urge to rush its movements as its prey didn't seem able to escape.

Kata landed on the crocodile's head, shutting its maw with one mighty snap and splash before using her own movement energy to pounce to the dry land. She landed next to Judas and faced the river and the crocodiles, her still extented claws coated with the blood from those disgusting reptiles. She saw Ayesha, and with one fast movement she spat the plant out of her mouth.
"Put that to your brother's back!"

When she turned her attention back to the crocs.
"So which one of you fools wants to taste my pride friend's flesh?"
A deadly smirk rose to her muzzle.
"Or more so... Which one of you fools wants to die first?"
She challenged them, with no fear at all. She wasn't afraid to die, and that was why she was confident of winning a battle one simply couldn't win.

[mahewarac]

Ubazazi sped to shore, relieved. The cub was safe, for now. She would either have to wait for it to die or kill it. Hopefully the first one, killing was such nasty business, and blood stained her fur.

"And it appears... against all odds, your ffriends have made it to shhore. You will be spared. But we expect favvourss... later.

The way it spoke sent a shiver down her spine. She would never look at crocodiles the same way again. She sure as heck wasn't letting them into her jungle, the hippopotamuses would take care of that. She looked up to see one of the male lions, a splash of red where his leg should be. Feeling the antelope she had eaten come back up in her throat, she looked away.

What was she going to do now?

[Dakota]

" AYELE.... KESHO..MOVE...NOW...hurry up move up higher...RUN "

Ayesha turned and saw the crocs moving slowly towards where Judas lifeblood was trickling down the bank mixing into a nice little cocktail into the water. All she could see was a commotion behind the crocs and then to her amazement the black lioness seem to propel herself into the air and then struggle somehow and made it finally to the bank.

Ayesha hadn't given Kata much of anything when they were back at the tree, she was just there in the shadows, and where Umoja went she wasn't far behind, but now awe and thankfulness that she was there with them passed over her face. It seemed there wasn't a better fighter that she could ask for, that was now standing between them and the crocodiles. Watching as she spat something she carried from her mouth stating it was for Ayele.

Ayesha looked from the plant and back to Judas, for now the plant would have to wait, she could always come back for it when everything had settled down, it wasn't as if they could all run away. Moving over to Judas, she went around to his bad side and lowered herself down and then leaned firmly against him.

"Judas, I need you to try and stand, use your front paws and push up, when you have leverage and your stomach clears the ground, drape yourself over my back, we need to move and do it now."

Ayesha gave him a nudge " Judas come on try..please.. I'm not going anywhere without you, we've come this far damn it, and I'm not leaving you behind.. so put your stupid soldier pride away and move it...now, or do I have to get Kata to use her female paw and kick your butt.."

[genie]

Ayele waited to see where they were going, they were out of the water... that in itself was a relief.. well it wasn't that he was scared of water... but he did't want to drown in the stuff either... he looked around at what was happening and wondered what was going to happen to them all.

[Judas]

The blood loss was getting to him, but between his beginning headache and dizziness already surging through his mind he managed to register that things had gone from bad to worse. His leg was still throbbing, still bleeding tickling down into the water, naturally the soldier was too dazed to remember what he had learned about crocodiles and blood.

Though the already frantic scene soon turned even more hectic, as a loud splash sounded behind him and apparently Kata had leap into the air landing hard on the mouth of one of crocodiles intent to grabbing him and pulling him back down into the murky depths of death.

Of course, Judas knew that crocodiles couldn't open their mouth if something was slamming it shut, their jaw muscles had a crushing bite but that was all. Now despite being dizzy and weighted down with fatigue, the words of Ayesha slammed him back to reality and thusly into action, or as much action as he could muster.

The liardess nudged him in the side commanding him to stand, of course he had tried before but that resulted in him falling back down, however with Ayesha's support he should be able to get on his feet, though he had no intentions to draping himself over her back. He was putting aside his pride but he at least wanted to retain what little dignity he had left.

"No need to kick anyone.." Judas uttered, his voice lined with strain through gritted teeth as he pushed himself up by his front paws, trying to find balance on three legs, with some uneasy strides just bit like a newborn gazelle taking it's first steps he soon enough got the hang of it and was actually moving forward, away from the water's edge and into the reeds. It went slow naturally, as his headache made keeping himself balanced pretty difficult. His leg or what was left of it, was still bleeding leaving a trail behind him, though it wasn't a massive bleeding but he had lost much blood already.

"Thank you.. for caring." the soldier said gently nudging the liardess walking beside him, his voice was soft yet still you could hear he was tired. The scruffy male smiled to Ayesha, she had tried her best to mend his wound the rest of the group had also protected him, but he was pretty sure if it wasn't for Ayesha he'd be dead now. "I would've done what I could to save the prince, and that would be all that matted."

Judas paused for a moment, yet kept walking, his gaze now at the ground before him, "I always thought if I died.. during this mission, no one would care. As then my duties would've been fulfilled." he added, glancing back at the female. "But you said you needed me. I don't understand what for, or why.." a light frown crossed his face, "But it was enough make me stay." the frown softened somewhat, as he fell to silence and began walking a bit faster.

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Imani jumped atop the log, not even making it bob in the water. She looked around, watching for crocodiles. Shivers tingled up and down her spine. She was scared... no, not scared.. more like terrified. She held her breath and watched the churning water.

"Imani, get your paws in the water and paddle, for the love of all that's red and tender."


Imani nodded and paddled quickly, watching for the bobbing head of a crocodile. She shivered again when she saw one swimming closer. She snarled and it backed of quickly. She could imagine how she looked: panicked and a little crazy with her hair all out of sorts and mucked up with underbrush. She could smell the blood now; it wasn't helping. Normally the smell of blood would have excited her very existence because she was hungry, but it was lionine blood, the blood of a fellow pridemember and it made her sick to her stomach.

The log lurched suddenly and Katakasha was soaring to the shore, protecting Judas. She smiled at how willingly Kata was risking her life for another. She suddenly felt a strange respect for the dark lioness. The log thudded and she realized they had hit the shore about thirty yards from the others. She waited for Umoja to get onto the shore with her and then raced with him over to the little group.

[cheezeegriff]

Umoja watched from the log, breath caught in his throat, as the crocodiles lined up in the water before Katakasha. They looked to her, then to each other, at the injured among them.
Good heavens... now she's fighting off crocodiles.

"Perhhaps... we are not sso hungry, after all,"
the smaller, injured one said. With one motion they all slid away from the riverbank, disappearing below the surface.

Umoja didn't waste any time. He got off the log as quickly as possible, jumping throught he shallows with a flash of panic, then picked up Keshomaliki in his mouth, where the others had left him by the riverbank.
The little cubs' eyes widened at the sight of him, but then closed in pain. The others - the kidnappers - were moving further into the reeds. He looked to Katakasha, guarding the shore, and put the prince down for a moment.
"Your highness,"
he said, softly,
"What happened?"

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Kesho's head was spinning, his stomach felt like it had been eaten out by tiny spiders. Blood was in his mouth, and he wasn't quite sure which way was up, so it came as a great surprise when someone said,

"Your highness, what happened?"

He looked up, as if seeing Umoja for the first time. It had been so long since someone had called him "highness" that he had forgotten it was his title. With a sob, he looked about, and said,
"The crocodiles... they-"

"Not the crocodiles, highness,"
Umoja said.
"What are you doing here?"

"Ayesha and Judas brought me here,"
he said, then looked about for them. Amongst the reeds and the water though, he didn't find them. Tears sprang into his eyes - remembering the sight of Judas' foot, the scars on his body and the blood on Ayele's back. Closing his eyes tightly to stop himself from howling, he looked up again and said,
"Are we going home now?"

"Yes, my prince, we're going home,"
Umoja said, his voice kind and soft. Keshomaliki closed his eyes as Umoja picked him up, then looked down to see the ground moving away, back up the riverbank, back the way they came.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

The panther pulled herself out of the water, puffing and panting, wet and miserable. She watched her feet more than anything, trying to keep her head low, trying to cough up the water she had breathed in and still deciding whether to throw up all the muddy water she had swallowed. She didn't notice that Katakasha was standing right in front of her until she almost ran into her.
"By the veil,"
she cursed, and leapt backwards as much as her tired body could manage. It wasn't very far though, and she studied the black lion's face.

[Dakota]

With Judas leaning into her, she watched silently as he finally managed to steady himself on his three remaining paws. stubborn fool, anyone would think I haven't carried anything heavy before or done a hard days work.. I'm not about to break

Holding her tongue as she could see how much pain the soldier was in, she patiently stood there until he had readied himself, then slowly supporting him they moved forward into the reeds, away from the bloody mud banks.

His quiet tones reached her ears and she blushed slightly at what he had to say.
"Everyone needs to be cared about Judas, for some reason it seems our fates have been thrown together, soo... I guess you're stuck with me for now,.. and don't think you dying will get you away from me that easily either, ... but I'm glad you fought to come back to us and to me."

Pausing Ayesha looked around "Damn where are Ele and Kesho, I told them to move ahead of us quick.. Judas stop...slowly now, sit down and rest while I go back and see."
Waiting until she was sure he had balanced himself, Ayesha turned and ran back over the short distance they had just covered.
"ELE..KESHO... I told you to run quickly.. WHERE ARE YOU.."
Her paws slid on the mud as she tried to stop herself, but to no avail, and she ended up tummy first at the paws of the black lioness who was now with the panther.
Raising her head, she saw Kesho being carried by Umoja, but away from the direction her and Judas had been heading. " NO.. KESHO."

Looking wildly around, her eyes scanned the area
" Where's Ayele, he was with Kesho.. What have you all done with him."
Finally getting to her paws, she moved down to the waters edge, looking left and right, getting ready to charge into the water, she screamed his name out once more " Ayele".

[Judas]

Judas could see her blush, but just smiled a grin at her words, especially the part about how even death wouldn't steal him from her. Though his smile soon faded as Ayesha pointed out that Kesho and Ayele was nowhere to be seen. He didn't sit but he naturally stopped just looking at the liardess who was now trudging back to wards the river bank.

As he heard her frantic yells the soldier jogged after her, as he arrived back at the bank he frowned seeing Ayesha almost running out into the water screaming the name of her little brother, but soon enough his attention drifted to Umoja who could seen carrying Kesho, away from where they were heading.

Casting a worried glance at Ayesha but then he made up his mind and sprinted to wards Umoja as fast as his remaining legs could carry him. The scruffy male soon enough caught up with the older lion, he positioned himself straight across the path, effectively blocking the older ones way.

"Umoja.." the male said, trying to catch his breath, "Give me the prince!" he added motioning to wards the cub, naturally Umoja would have no trouble knocking Judas out of way as he was after all in a terrible condition. "Please Umoja.." those last words was a plead, but he didn't move, he still stood firm blocking the path of the older lion.

[Kirsui]

Katakasha watched with slight dissapointment how the crocodiles retreated. Her body relaxed and she swiped the blood out of her claws calmly to the ground before retracting them. She listened what happened behind her, not really caring what the others did as she watched the water with half closed eyes and that bored expression of hers.

Once the panther appeared in front of her and cursed out of surprise, a slight smirk came to her muzzle. The smaller feline was clearly exhausted. Over all she was a miserable sight, not worth of wasting time.
"I'm not interested of taking your life now, little panther."
She turned her head, watching Umoja who was now carrying the young prince up the river. She snorted and shook her head.
"I assume it wouldn't work well for you to have the prince taken back home, would it...?"
She glanced at the panther from her eyecorner, the faint smirk still on its place.
"Luckily for you, it won't work well for me either... All this work to just get here and Umoja thinks he can just walk away with the prince?"

She looked at the plant Ayesha had left to the ground. She sighed and shook her head, turning to look at the panther with a serious expression.
"Take that plant to the liard boy, and make sure his foolish siter does put it to the boy's wounds. Another sick cub isn't what we need right now..."
'And speaking of sick cubs...' Kata thought as a growl escaped her muzzle.

She paid no further attention to the panther as she trotted after Umoja. She didn't pay attention to Ayesha calling for her brother eiter, nor to the fact Judas had just blocked Umoja's path even though he was basically half dead from the blood loss. And she had to give Judas credit for that.

Kata didn't side with Umoja though once she had reached him. Instead, she stepped in front of the lion carrying the prince, settling beside Judas and cutting Umoja's path. She didn't look at the pleading Judas, her eyes were completely focused on the so called temporary leader.

"I didn't consider you a fool, Umoja..."
Her tone was without any possible respect it might have held earlier when she had spoken to him.
"Not until now. First you drag us here after the prince and the others... We risk our lives crossing this river, and then you simply decide to take him back?"
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Too bad for you, it doesn't work like that. I don't do trips like this for nothing, and after all the hard work of getting here and then just going back to the start point is nothing... And I certainly am not going to let you return to the den with the prince."

She snorted with a slightly disgusted look on her face.
"You know what, Umoja... I begin to think you might not want the prince to survive at all... Because taking him back is a death sentence, and you know it. Following these 'kidnappers' and the panther might not be safe either, because truth is we have no idea what we'll come across with next... But at least there's still hope!"
She paused, her torn ear twiching twice before it stilled to its normal position. Slowly she extented her claws and dug them to the soft soil. It was clear she would not let him pass.
"So which way is it gonna be...?"

[genie]

Ayele had been trying to follow Umoja when he had slipped into the water into a patch of weeds and banged his head there on a stone hidden in the weeds. He now floated in the water, dangerously close to being sweeped away by the current and most likely drowning, only on paw was caught up in weeds holding him firm. His eyes were closed and a small stream of blood was flowing into the water barely noticeable before being absorbed by the water, for all appearances he might be dead already, he showed no sign of movement because he was unconscious.

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Imani followed after Umoja. "So you're the little prince." she said softly, smiling sweetly at the cub. He looked very sick. He was quite thin and haggard looking and she could see in his eyes he wasn't feeling well at all. 'The poor thing.....' she thought. He didn't even look like he had much of a chance for survival. She turned away and frowned so as the prince wouldn't see her.

"You know what, Umoja... I begin to think you might not want the prince to survive at all... Because taking him back is a death sentence, and you know it. Following these 'kidnappers' and the panther might not be safe either, because truth is we have no idea what we'll come across with next... But at least there's still hope!"
"So which way is it gonna be...?"

Imani looked over at Umoja, who had a bit of a guilty look on his face. She cocked an eyebrow. "You don't want him to survive...?" she asked quietly and then looked over at the little prince. How could anyone not want him to survive? He seemed like such a good little thing, and she couldn't imagine wanting anything to happen to him. She looked into Umoja's eyes. "I agree with Katakasha. We should follow these would be kidnappers. Lead the way, Kata." she said, not thinking to wait even for Umoja to yay or nay the dark lioness's proposal. She shrugged. She was the 'queen' anyway....

[Dakota]

Ayesha stood there poised to jump into the water, crocodiles or not. From the corner of her eye she could see everyone including Judas just bypass her so they could get to Umoja, anger seized her..how dare they not help search for Ele.

Turning away in disgust, she ran in the other direction where the reeds had come down off the muddy bank and were growing in the water. Ploughing into them, she used her chest and shoulders to seperate the weeds so she could push through. "Ayele, answer me"
Not hearing anything, she took a breath of air and dove under the water. Even though it was murky, and slime coated the bottom, she could still still shapes and where she was going. Breaking the surface she came up for air, and was about to go back under again, when she saw a glimpse of white tail tuft further along in some thicker reeds. Using her paws she kicked out and grabbed hold of the plants, pulling her in closer, its all she could use to lever herself out of the water as the ground was too slippery to get traction.

Finally she reached the cub, he was lying still with one of his paws caught holding him tight so the current couldn't take him any further, blood was trickling down his face from a cut on his head. Seeing the blood Ayesha heart started to thud faster, looking wildly over her shoulder to see if any crocs had smelt the scent, she turned and pulled him towards her.

Holding him with her teeth, she pushed her way through the reeds, flinching a little as they dug into her paws and sides, but on she went till she was at the bank. Extending her claws, she dug in tight and pulled herself and Ele up .Breathing hard, she leant down and started to shake his floppy body "Ele, come on.. wake up.. ". Next she bought her paw up and started hitting him on his back, and was welcomed with a small cough and his body started shaking violently.

Ayesha looked around, they were still by themselves, and all was silent. Holding the cub in her arms, she gently rocked him to and fro while licking the faint trail of blood from his fur, trying to clean as well warm his little body. Finally she was rewarded when his eyelids opened and green irises stared up at her, not holding back any longer all Ayesha could do, was let her tears fall, splashing onto his dark fur, while hugging him tighter.
"I thought I had lost you Ele, you are everything to me".

Letting her tears dry, Ayesha stood and lifted Ele in her muzzle and moved up out of the reeds and lay down on the grass, pulling the cub in close to her, and just watched the commotion that was carrying on further away from her, she wasn't in a hurry to join any of them, in fact the way she felt right now if they all kept walking she wouldn't be in any hurry to catch up to them.

[genie]

Ayele just laid there in his sisters warm hold looking up at her as she spoke, he really didn't know what to say and really... he was hurting too... for some reason his back was hurting more now and his head was hurting... he wished they hadn't gone on this adventure. He took a deep breath, wow that hurt too and his eyes watered and so he just layed there, his head on his sisters fur, happy just to rest there.

[mahewarac]

Ubazazi stood in shock of all the commotion around her. The lion who lost his leg, the lioness fighting off the crocodiles, and a couple of near deaths. Did she really want to rule a land this chaotic? It almost seemed hardly worth the trouble. Following slowly behind the leaving lions and other cats, she wasn't sure if she should just stay quiet for a while or try to talk to them. Blame yourself, she thought. Yes, blame yourself.

"Oh, my Gods!" she cried, "Thank goodness the young prince is safe! I-This is all my fault! Oh, how can I EVER receive your forgiveness? I can't! I don't want it! Oh, how horrible of me!"

It was a little dramatic, but hopefully it would do the trick.

[cheezeegriff]

"Umoja.. Give me the prince! Please Umoja.."

Umoja looked at the pathetic remains of the former warrior, cocking his head with sympathy.
"You've paid dearly for your treason, Judas. What am I going to do with you now? I could banish you, but I'm not sure you'd survive... and I don't want you to die."
Umoja waited a moment, watching Judas' eyes, then moved to step around him.
Only he was blocked by Katakasha.

"...Because taking him back is a death sentence, and you know it. Following these 'kidnappers' and the panther might not be safe either, because truth is we have no idea what we'll come across with next... But at least there's still hope! So which way is it gonna be...?"

Umoja paused, frowning. He opened his mouth, but then Imani approached.

"I agree with Katakasha. We should follow these would be kidnappers. Lead the way, Kata."

That time his jaw really did drop open, but he quickly closed it and growled.
"You should watch your place, Imani. I told you to be careful to preserve my honour, and you've just shown how careless you are.
"Katakasha... I took you into my home, I cleaned your wounds, I talked the king into accepting you as a pridemember and you think I'm capable of such wickedness? You gaze through the smoke of your own soul, I think, and it taints your vision of mine."
He held his head up, drawing Keshomaliki between his paws. The little king looked up at him with his big, black eyes, and Umoja's own heart nearly fell out the bottom of his chest. Nevertheless he held his head high, and tears didn't stain his eyes.
"I am a servant of the royal family. I obey his highness' wishes. You want to gallavant off with these traitors? Go ahead: I'll miss you, but spare a moment ofthought first and consider my words: he doesn't have the plague. He's ill, and has been ill for some time - whatever he has, we don't know whether it will kill him or not. A few days ago, a mad panther arrived and and told us all her master - a master she will not even name - can save him from certain death. And you side with this panther?"
He looked over his shoulder at the black feline, who paused under his gaze, shrinking back, guilty.
"I say she's taking advantage of our desperation, our weakness, in the death of so many of our loved ones. Katakasha... the king wasn't without enemies. What lengths would they go to to harm his son?"

"But we're more than half way there!"
the panther said, her silky voice roughened to a squeal by the muddy waters.
"Even now, the Smoke that Thunders billows on the Eastern horizon. Would you drag him all the way home and forego all chance of a cure? If my master wanted him dead I could have thrown him to the crocodiles!"

"There are worse fates than death, panther. To some, death isn't punishment enough."
He locked eyes with Katakasha.
"Listen to your head, Katakasha, and if the voice of reason isn't loud enough, listen to your heart. His Highness has already stated his desire to go home. Isn't that so, highness?"
Keshomaliki nodded his head, his eyes blank, mouth parted in innocent bafflement. Umoja lowered his head, cradling the little form.
"Judas needs rest, Ayele is injured... what more pain and misery will pushing on bring us?
"So, Katakasha, I ask you: what will it be?"

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

The panther looked from Katakasha, Judas and Imani, back to Umoja. They were actually listening to him! She waited for half a second after he finished speaking but by then, the silence had drawn out too long.
"No,"
she said, silky voice low, flexing her claws.
"No! You can't go back now. You're so close! I'm so close... my master's will must be done and YOU will not oppose him!"
With that she leapt, aiming to gather the prince, but the old noble turned and shielded the little cub with his body. His claws came around and took the panther in the side, though by that stage she had already sunk her claws into the flesh of his back. Holding on for dear life, she swung around and bit for his neck, feeling his body roll away beneath her, turning what would have been a quick snatch-and-grab into the beginnings of a long battle.
Meanwhile, Keshomaliki was unprotected, sitting at Katakasha's feet.

[Kirsui]

"Listen to your head, Katakasha, and if the voice of reason isn't loud enough, listen to your heart. His Highness has already stated his desire to go home. -- So, Katakasha, I ask you: what will it be?"

She had no time to reply as the panther attacked Umoja, and the prince was left unprotected at her feet. The black lioness looked down at the prince with her half closed eyes, her face void of all emotion.
"Prince..." she said, ignoring the fighting felines for now.
"There is no home where you wish to return... There is no pride to lead, no family to go to... There is nothing, nothing at all. Sooner or later you will have to abandon those lands, and for your sake I would hope it to be sooner."

A flicker of mixed emotions could be seen in her eyes. Sympathy, quilt, anger... and strongest of them all was deep sorrow that no one had seen on the black lioness before.
"Is that were you wish to return, highness?"
Her voice was so quiet that one had to stand close to her to hear.
"Is becoming an empty shell of what you really are what you truly wish...?"
The emotions were there, but only for such a brief moment that if one wasn't looking directly at her, one couldn't see them at all.

Katakasha lifted her gaze from the prince, and momentarily her eyes were upon Umoja and the panther. Then suddenly she sucked in as much air as she could and lifted her muzzle, releasing a powerful roar with a clear message: "STOP!"

[Judas]

The thing that surprised Judas the most in all of this was the fact that Umoja didn't want to see him dead. After all he had done, after that betrayal Umoja still didn't even consider to banish him, of course Judas was used to wander alone but in his state he wouldn't last for long out there. The soldier stepped back, darting his gaze between the warring factions; Umoja, Katakasha and the panther.

As the panther charged for Umoja the prince remained unprotected in front of him, the black lioness and the princess Imani as he heard her name was. "Katakasha is right, Kesho.." the male leaned down to wards the cub, "There is nothing left here, I know when it's time to leave a land; Because I left my own for reasons like this. Disease and plague.."

In reality he was banished, but that banishment came with his leave and the fact that his words was throwing his father's pride into turmoil. He had been a prince himself, destined to rule a pride in a land ravaged by death, his father didn't want to listen to reason when he proposed that they'd all leave, the old male didn't want to abandon the lands he fought so hard against nature to keep, and for his words of blasphemy Judas was exiled so that he wouldn't poison the minds of the pride members, or so his father had seen it.

"Come, lets finish this.." Judas said, nudging the little cub gently forward, contemplating of picking up the child and continue along the way. "Once we've found a cure, we'll find a new home, which will be better than this." the soldier tried to encourage the child, Judas paid no attention to fighting Umoja and the panther the only thing the soldier thought about was getting this all done with.

So they could being the search for a new home. His gaze traveled over to Ayesha who stood in the distance with Ayele in her paws, and also to the tiger who had voiced her concern rather dramatically and that made the soldier suspicious something told him that the tigress wasn't sincere.

The soldier began walking to wards Ayesha, whether Kesho would follow him or not was up to the prince himself, if the little one would listen to reason then he'd do the good thing and follow.

[mahewarac]

Ubazazi, though shocked, was a little bit happy with the panther killing that lion. Though it was a shame for him to die, it would convince the others that the things she said about her where untrue.

"I hope you see now," She started. "That that panther is nothing but pure trouble. I saw it from the start, when she told those lies about me. A bloodthirsty, deceptive criminal she is."

"There is no home where you wish to return... There is no pride to lead, no family to go to... There is nothing, nothing at all. Sooner or later you will have to abandon those lands, and for your sake I would hope it to be sooner."

Though she didn't completely understand what the lioness meant by that, she knew it then and there; It was time fer her to take over! The child would leave, and the lions would be without a leader, and she would step up, ready to unite the jungle and the plains together in a great empire! Except the whole disease thing. But, her jungle shamans could probably quickly find a cure. If not, it would always serve well as to bring down other lands. All she would need to do is send one of the sick folk and BAM it would be at her feet. Life is good when you can look positively.

"Yes child," She concluded, walking up and patting the cub on the head. "Sometimes..... sometimes things just aren't right. Prides grow, prides die, it's the way of the world. Oval of life, or whatever they say."

[cheezeegriff]

Keshomaliki struggled to get away when the panther and Umoja started fighting. He looked back in horror as roars and growls filled the air, but then the black lioness - whose feet he had tumbled against - started speaking.

"...There is no home where you wish to return... There is no pride to lead, no family to go to... There is nothing, nothing at all. Sooner or later you will have to abandon those lands, and for your sake I would hope it to be sooner.
Is that were you wish to return, highness? Is becoming an empty shell of what you really are what you truly wish...?"

Keshomaliki wasn't sure what she meant about the empty shell business - did she mean he would continue to throw up blood? The thought made him dig his paws between Katakasha's toes... but he didn't want to go home, and be alone. He wanted his parents back, yes, and the Great Tree and its dens were where they brought him up, but if nobody else was going...

""Come, lets finish this.. Once we've found a cure, we'll find a new home, which will be better than this."Judas said, nudging him.

Kesho looked at the skinny lion's foot, and the guilt welled up inside of him again. If he went home now, Judas would have lost his foot for nothing.
Looking over his shoulder, he saw Ayesha, nursing her little brother, Ayele.
He was injured too.
So he looked up again at Katakasha, taking a deep breath, swalling his tears and homesickness, and said,
"I'll go where Judas and Ayesha go."
There, it was out. He looked up the river, back towards home, back the way they had come.
"But we can go home some day, can't we?"

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"STOP!"
The panther heard the words, but it was hard to stop for anything with a male lion trying to tear you to shreds. Besides, with the all-consuming anger she felt she couldn't have stopped if she wanted to, and wouldn't stop until the old lion's eyes were as bloody as she had left his nose.

[Dakota]

Ayesha sat there nursing Ele, again she looked back over to where the rest were gathered around Umoja and kesho, it looked like some serious talk was happening. Turning away her eyes fell on the small branch that the black lioness had bought all the way with her, it was something so totally unexpected, Ayesha wondered if they all had misjudged her.

Pushing herself up, she slowly moved, standing over the green leaves. A smile graced her face as she realised kata had carried the Mikkonen plant all this way for Ele, her mother had used it as part of her healing practise on those that had been hurt in their pride.

Carrying it back to Ele, she ripped off one of the leaves with her muzzle and started chewing down on it, making it into a paste. Leaning over his back she spat it out on his wounds and rubbed it into his skin gently. "Just lie still Ele, and let it start to help you."
About to lie back down, Ayesha heard a powerful roar and the word 'STOP' carried over to her. Swinging around she saw Umoja and the black panther fighting, while the others were leaning down to Kesho.

Not waiting any longer Ayesha rushed over and threw herself against the black panther knocking her to the ground. Standing over her, she bared her teeth growling low.

"Thats enough.. Kata told you to stop, so stop for heavens sake. We are all meant to be working together to save the prince, not kill each other, don't you think enough damage has been done to some of us, and now you're trying to make my...make Umoja blind.. ENOUGH."

Moving back off the panther, Ayesha just turned and walked away till she was about to pass the black lioness. Stopping in front of her, she met her eyes."Thankyou Kata for bringing that healing plant for Ayele, it was very kind of you."
Raising a paw as if to move on Ayesha bought it swiftly up and caught Kata around the neck. With her eyes flashing she lowered her voice "But, if you ever leave a mark anywhere again on my brother, it will be you who pays the price."

Pulling her paw away and retracting her claws, she moved away. Again stopping as she reached Judas, she turned and looked at Kesho, letting a welcoming smile appear. " you coming along little one, or would you like to help Umoja, I think he needs to know he hasn't been foresaken, because he really does care for you, just like he did for your mother and father."

Letting a small sigh go, she turned to the soldier "You going to swallow your pride again and let me look at your paw, Kata bought a healing plant with her that I think will help with the pain and the rawness."
Moving on beside him, Ayesha discretely made sure she was close enough that if he faltered she could be there to catch him.

[Judas]

As the prince said he would go were Ayesha and him went a smile appeared on the soldiers face, but that smile was soon caught short at Ayesha raced to wards the fighting Umoja and the panther, and subsequently pushed the black feline off the older lion.

The threat of the liardess might be enough to awaken the panther sanity, and perhaps she'd realize that they would follow her to her so called master. Seeing her step off the panther the soldier's gaze returned to the prince, "I can still carry you, if you'd like. Your highness?" the scruffy male said through a faint smile, naturally Kesho didn't weight that much so the little one wouldn't ware him down in any fashion.

Judas looked up as Ayesha now addressed him, and a faint grin appeared on his face, mostly to subdue a chuckle as he thought her words amusing. Though it wasn't as much his pride that had made him lose his leg as it was shear stupidity, and in all due respect it had been shear dumb luck that he hadn't died in that crocodile attack. "I doubt that plant would make my leg re-grow.." he said still keeping the grin, well in a situation like this you have to look at it on the bright side as sitting down feeling sorry for yourself gets you nowhere, "but, I'd be grateful if it would ease the throbbing pains, it's getting annoying."

Judas added as his gaze followed Ayesha as she walked around him and came up beside him, it wasn't pride that kept him from not asking for help. In fact it was that he didn't want to be a burden to the rest of the group by slowing them down so even if it hurt like no tomorrow he bit his teeth together and sat through it, though that wearied him down considerably.

[Dakota]

Walking slowly beside the soldier, Ayesha didn't know what to say to him, one minute she was so angry at him for not stopping to help her look for Ayele and she was ready to push him back into the river ,crocodile or not, and then here she was wanting to help ease his pain and look after him. Grinning slightly to herself maybe I just need a good meal and a bath she then turned realising Judas was speaking to her.
"I doubt that plant would make my leg re-grow, but I'd be grateful if it would ease the throbbing pains, it's getting annoying."

Ayesha eyes narrowed at his remark " Don't mock me Judas, about wanting to help you, or you might find another leg goes missing in the middle of the night... and yes the plant will help take away some of your pain, but so will rest and not trying to push yourself hard. It won't help you, the prince or anyone else if you suddenly faint and keel over.. besides as I told you I will quite happily carry you if anything happens."

Grinning back at him with a touch of a smirk " and we all know how much you would like that to happen..don't we ?"

Arriving back to where Ayele still lay, Ayesha cast an eye over her brother, it looked like the paste was doing its job, even in that short time, he appeared more relaxed and pain wasn't flitting over his little face.
Bringing her face back up to Judas she met his look "It's your turn now, so just lay down and I can get on with the job."
To Ayesha there didn't seem to be anything around that she wanted to use to rewrap his ravaged foot with, so again she just pulled at her white tuft, till she had enough to cover his paw with. Lying down to his side she gently pulled the old covering away, slowly bit by bit, the soldier had had enough pain and she didn't want to cause him any more. Concentrating on her task, she chewed on her bottom lip, till his paw was again being circled by fresh air and sun. Just holding back a gasp when she realised how much damage had been done, she looked over at him lying there so silent, turning back away she pulled a handful of leaves off and started chewing quickly... at last she was ready, leaning down she spat the paste out, then used another leaf to spread it over the raw skin and blunted bone. When she was satisfied not an area was left uncovered, she pulled on the false sock and bound it as well.

Not a word had been said between them, but Ayesha just stared at him brave and yet so much to learn about him. Bringing up her paw, she rested it on his cheek, "rest now Judas till the others arrive, I think you have earned it.. I'll just be here waiting."