Deviation Actions
Description
It was early morning, the sun barely peeking over the horizon, streaks of violet and bright magenta painting the sky. The pride was asleep, most huddled in the den snoring contently. But for single orange cub, the morning couldn’t come soon enough.
“Mom! Dad! Wake up! It morning.” He shrieked, voice wild and excited as he bounced around and atop both parents. King Ahadi groaned, rolling over attempting to return to slumber land.
“Taka,” he started with a groan. “Morning implies that the stars have gone to rest and as its still dark enough to see the stars, its not morning. So go back to bed.” With that, Ahadi rolled over onto his side and went back to sleep. Taka though seemed thoroughly disheartened.
“But you said we’d have to go early to see the whole kingdom,” he sobbed with big sad eyes. “You promised that we’d start my advisor training today you said.” At this point he began to tug and push at his father to get him up. But it was not his father who responded but his red mother, Uru.
“Now Taka, we may have said early but not this early. You can wait a few more hours before we head out. Just take example from your brothers, neither of them is being impatient about this trip.” But no sooner had these words left her mouth that a resounding thud was heard as a dark golden mound landed atop Ahadi. A teen lion whose mahogany colored mane was nearly formed around the neck sat on the great king’s back, one green eye gave his baby brother a wink, child like mischief playing over ever nook of his face.
“You were saying dear.” Ahadi stated giving his wife a glowering look. Uru attempted to look stern but could barely contain the grin beginning to come over her face.
“Com’ on mom, dad, this is a big day for Taka, as the first day of his advisor training, he should set the time for us to start.” Manufuu piped, sounding more cub like then the eldest of three brothers.
“Then why are you so excited,” a golden mound lying not to far off muttered. “You are neither partaking in training to become advisor nor king, why are you so energetic at this ungodly hour.”
Manufuu didn’t seem the least bit put off; he simply scrunched up his noise as if he had smelled something horrid. “Your right, being king sounds like no fun, that’s why I left the role to you oh great Mufasa.” He joked before taking up an air of mock prestige. “But as a son of the royal couple and prince of these lands, I have a obligation to train alongside my brothers so as I may assist them in the future. It is better to be prepared then to be taken off guard.”
“Yes yes, that’s all fine and dandy Manufaa.” Ahadi muttered. “Now could you be a good prince and kindly get off the king.”
It was no more then a hour later when the little family finally left the den. Ahadi insisted on stopping by a small puddle resting in Priderocke’s shadow, stated the cool water would perk him up. Conveniently, this was also where the pride had dragged yesterday’s carcass, the dry and starting to rot meat gave them all a nice bite to eat before heading out. Taka could barely get down a morsel, jabbering away about all the places he wanted to visit and animals he wanted to learn about. All the while Manufuu kept distracting his baby brother with silly faces and stories. Ahadi and Uru, now more awake began to catch the jubilant energy, chuckling even as the firmly told Manufuu to show proper manners while eating. Only Mufasa remained a grump, attempting to be as serious as possible to make up for his two brother’s lacking. So much conversing and horseplay took place that it was well into morning when they finally set out.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day, the grass a bit shorter though still vibrant in green contrasted against the blue sky. And what made it all the better was that the king and queen had set aside everything so they could have a single day for there sons. Uru was in the lead with Mufasa, catching up well fair of the land and settling disputes between the animals. In this time of plenty and peace, he could afford to learn the trade while still making mistakes. Ahadi was of course assigned the eldest and the youngest, Manufuu on his right with little Taka scampering to keep up on his left. Ahadi was about to start his lesson with Taka having already decided to give the fabled “circle of life” speech, when Manufuu interrupted.
“Hey lil’ bro, want to race me to the top of that hill. Beat me and I’ll let you ride on my back the whole day. But if I win, you have to agree to be my servant for the rest of the day.” Not to turn down a challenge, Taka’s eyes light up with mischief and he readied for the sprint.”
“Throw in a antelope leg and you’re on.” A single nod and the two where off, sprinting ahead of the group.
“ Make sure to stay in sight, the painted dogs have been acting up.” Ahadi shouted though he doubted his words where even heard.
As the King strolled at his own leisurely pace behind his wife and middle child, carefully watching the two racing boys, he was struck with how fortunate he was. That his Manufuu had only come down with a bad stomach flu and after weeks of worry had managed to bounce back. Lucky that not long after, his Masilahi was found once more carrying cubs, giving them a second son in Mufasa. Even luckier when Taka joined his brothers some years later, giving Manufuu the playful brother he hadn’t gotten in the standoffish Mufasa. That his worries of jealously becoming harbored between the three were relieved when his eldest admitted to having no interest in carrying the throne, giving it to Mufasa so he could take up a more humble role within the pride. And best yet, had convinced Taka of how wonderful a position of advisor would be, never making him feel discouraged or left out.
In that moment of pure wonderful realization, he felt like the luckiest lion alive. He picked up his pace to catch up with Manufuu and Taka, the elder having likely allowed his brother to win as usual. He passed his serene wife, giving her a light nudge of affection before he bolted off, giving a false roar as he pretended to play the vicious rogue. Mufasa rolled his eyes at this but a small smile could be seen pulling at his lips under the annoyance. The queen directed her golden son away to continue lessons knowing the three would join them later.
He watched them from his dark vantage point, jealousy, anguish and calculation burning in his red eyes. He licked his lips, wanting to rush out now and rip that perfect family apart but knowing better. It would only get him banished and that wouldn’t do, not for what he wished to accomplish. The sleek form jumped down from his perch, stepping into the light to reveal golden fur and mane greatly unkept. It was Ahadi’s brother, the former king himself Nyeusi, but he looked a king no longer.
Once he was very proud of his looks: in fact, he was proud of many things in his life. Proud of his kingdom, of his queen and children, of family and pride, proud of there noble race. A perfect life he had and in a single day to was all ripped away.
It was many years ago when the dry season had a smoldering grip on the land. Ahadi had been spending many hours with his sons and wife, sometimes so intent on spending time with them then patrolling the borders often enough. Nyeusi had been understanding of this factor, for he himself loved to spend time with his family, so he took up his brothers slack by putting in more patrols along with his kingly duties. Sadly, this meant he missed a few milestones in his own family life, including the first day Zira was introduced to the kingdom. The day when everything went wrong.
He had jut returned from border patrol, heading for the den to get Ahadi to trade off so he could get a well-earned rest. But then a lioness, smeared with tears, came to him with the most horrible news. He still couldn’t accept the news till the bloody and mangled body of his beloved Shari was placed before him, his beautiful mate and queen gone. Though the pain was already too much, what added all the more salt to the wound was Shari was expecting their fourth child, they had found out only a few days prior and where likely to tell the pride on this day. As he grieved for her, he was thankful that Zira had been spared, though she was greatly shaken. He had wept long and hard over her corpse, barely aware of anything else but his despair. Till the identity of the killer was brought up then his sorrow turned to wrath.
The hyenas. Of course those lowly filthy dogs would dare come into his territory, kill his queen and unborn cub and traumatize his daughter. And all because they were against his edict and wanted to teach him a lesson when Shari wouldn’t bend. HOW DARE THEY!
Though one of the carrion beasts already lay dead that wouldn’t pay for the crime, no, only the entire clan’s blood would satisfy. He was already giving the orders to the pride to assemble for battle; they’d strike now when the pack least expected it. He’d see the ground painted with their blood by days end, so he swore.
But he was shocked when the pride did not do as commanded, stopped by a figure that held sway even more then him: the shaman Bushara. He claimed that this was not right, that the pack had attacked to begin with because of his arrogant edict. That from what the reports said, the hyena had tried to be reasonable and talk out the dispute before it became violent and through his mate’s doing. And that in seeking blood for blood he had proven how unqualified he was as king. He’d have step down, his line rejected from ruling and another put in his place. That other would be his eldest brother, Ahadi.
He had nearly flown at the shaman, the potency of his raw emotion making him forget reason. But almost sensing his intention, several of the pride moved forward and held him down, keeping him restrained even as his voice still rang out.
But soon he was silenced when he realized the pride supported Bushara’s idea, eyes that looked down at him with pity all turning to look at Ahadi with tentative hope. He had looked at his brother then, begging him not to do this and to avenge his mate a family. THEIR family.
But the yellow prince gave him long sad look, shook his head lightly and walked out with Uru at his side, to claim his kingdom. Thus began his brother’s reign, his son Mufasa becoming heir apparent and his Kuuma rejected from ever becoming queen. Nyeusi was allowed stay so long as he accepted his brother as king and no longer sought out vengeance. He accepted but stayed for his girls, they were the final piece of his beloved Shari. Despite that, he spent most of his time out on the borders, using his bitterness and grief to fuel him in the fight against rogues. It helped some but out alone at the borders with little to no interactions with others, he stewed in his emotions and thoughts, never able to come to complete grips with it. Thousands of what ifs could he have done something more went through his head, it became his obsession of how things could have been, what he could still do. But then, as he was passing by a tree, he overheard some gossip from some birds that woke him up.
They talked of his brother, Ahadi, and how he and his family ruled far better then the arrogant Nyeusi ever did. How he regulated hunting within the pride during the harsh season so prey could get a reprieve. How he was more open and fair towards rogues that entered his land, thus winning a betrothed for Mufasa in a lovely lioness named Sarabi. And furthermore, how he had been so generous as to allow the majority of the hyenas to return into lands, only excluding those who had taken part in killing Shari. And just like that, everything made sense, it all seemed so obvious.
It was not the hyena he had to blame though they played a part, it was Ahadi that was the cause of his misery. Had his brother not been destined for the role till Nyeusi’s birth? Had he not acted a bit stern or bitter towards his brother at times because of it? And was he not the elder with three strong, suitable sons while Nyeusi had only daughters?
And when he considered all the events before and after it only aligned his brother further as the culprit. Ahadi had insisted on spending that day with his wife, his sons scuttling around Priderock in play. All while he was distracted at the border and his wife and daughter left defenseless to face hyena horde alone.
Clearly Ahadi had convinced the stupid beasts to do this for him, putting Nyuesi in bad light so he could take over. Then he’d pay them back by allowing them a place back in his land. Oh he may look and act like the perfect ruler, the more preferable line to inherit but now that Nyeusi knew, he’d not let his brother get away with it. Vengeance would still be his.
But he knew better then to confront him face to face, he was too favored, even should the tan male win, he’d simply get chased off by the pride. Plus he had three sons to back him up, two of which had some muscle on them. No the only way to go about this was to make Ahadi look bad in the eyes of the kingdom, a nice bit of irony.
But how?
The people and pride adored Ahadi, even if he did something wrong, his sons were nearly of age to inherit it. Uru or Masi whatever she was called was too loyal to her husband and an equally good queen to boot. Manufaa and Mufasa were too old to sway, almost adults themselves. But what of Taka.
Aw yes, the young impressionable son that was currently being trained for the advisor role, a significantly lesser role compared to king. A perfect little puppet to be used for his plans especially with him and Zira having a close friendship. Oh it be too easy to convince his brother to allow his daughter and Ahadi’s youngest son to be betrothed. Then he could take his sweet leisure of slowing tainting the young mind, making him look more unqualified for the role. Meanwhile he’d train Kuuma up to be the ideal queen, more qualified then any of his brother’s children. He’d simply have to start with getting her to stop dating that ridiculous Manufuu, it wouldn’t do to have Ahadi’s line to continue on trough a union of their children.
For indeed, he planned to turn Taka against his family, to take the throne for himself and become the worst king in the history of the pridelands. Then, when Nyeusi and his daughters killed him off, Zira as the queen would step aside for her elder sister to take over. Zira would simply have to be careful not to conceive while married to that beast and then Ahadi’s line would be no more. His line, a line dating back to the ancient first king would continue on without hindrance. As was rightly so.
He’d see to this future, using every last breath in his body towards the pursuit of that goal. His daughter would one day stand a top Priderock as queen. He’d see to it regardless of consequence.
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