New Beginnings

Chapter thirty four

After Maumivu had been gruesomely executed by Muuaji, Mkali, Nia, Haraka and Siri, they disposed of the body and walked back to Pride Rock with Kovu, Kiara and the others. Vitani, Nala and Simba didn't bother going to Rafiki's tree since Vitani's queasiness had vanished the moment she witnessed what had been done to Maumivu by Kovu's lionesses.

Now at Pride Rock, Kovu paced the platform clearly agitated while Simba, Nala, Vitani and Marisa, Diana and Burnt Eboney stayed on the side. Kiara stood on the side and next to her stood Muuaji and the other four.
"My lord since Kisasi is hiding away North of the land of Ustawi, are we going there also?" Muuaji asked after several minutes of silence had passed.

"No we are not going there. Our next targets are  Wazimu, Kichaa and Hifadhi. We're going to Kurusha, since that's where they live," Kovu replied.
"Wazimu, Kichaa and Hifadhi? Who are they?" Kiara asked coming over to her mate.

"Wazimu, Kichaa and Hifadhi are the ones who kidnapped me after I left the outlands. Kurusha is a forested area just a few miles East of the outlands. The home of the evil leopards that assisted Kisasi in his plans. They kidnapped me and I was rescued by Freya and Hekima."

"And who are Freya and Hekima?" Simba asked.
"Freya and Hekima are two leopard friends of mine, they live in Ustawi. The sacred place where a leap of leopards has resided for generations," Kovu replied.
"If they're friends of yours, why would Kisasi go there?" Kiara inquired.

"On the north side of Ustawi, is a lethal bank of Komodo dragons. Kisasi, being the coward he is prefers to have others protect him rather than protecting himself," Kovu replied.
"And since Komodo dragons are so deadly, no animal dares to trespass onto their territory. It makes perfect sense why he'll go there," Muuaji said.

"So how will you get to him if he stays with Komodo dragons?" Vitani asked.
"First I need to eliminate Wazimu, Kichaa and Hifadhi. Once I conquer their land, I'll have all the resources I need to go for Kisasi," Kovu said smiling.

"What resources are you talking about?" Simba inquired.
"Not all leopards who live in Kurusha is evil, I eliminate those three leaders and then I'll convince them to pledge their loyalty to me," Kovu replied.
"When do we leave for Kurusha my lord?" Nia questioned.
"It's quite far away from the Pride Lands, it should take two days for the most to get there. We leave at dawn," Kovu said. 

"Who'll stay in the Pride Lands and watch over everything?" Kiara asked.
"Mom, Dad, Vitani and Kion," Kovu replied.
"And what about my parents?"
"They're coming too. I'd like them to meet the ones I'm going to eliminate. That way they could see what hell I've been through in the past three years,"

"What about me?" Marisa asked.
"You can come, you can stay, the choice is up to you," Kovu said yawning.
"Well I haven't left the Pride Lands to go anywhere for a while, I guess I'll come," she said.

"Alright. Haraka, Siri, go home and tell  Umakini, Kimya, Ajabu and Timamu  to come to the Pride Lands and they'll stay here and keep watch out for any one of my enemies. No-one in the Pride Lands can recognise my adversaries, so it'd be better to have someone here who would," Kovu instructed.
"Who are they?" Diana asked.
"My followers," Kovu said.

"Yes my lord," Haraka and Siri said in unison.
Then they turned and bounded off the platform and went to carry out their orders.
"Muuaji and Mkali in Chakula Plains there are some Black Plum trees. Retrieve a couple of them, Freya and Hekima likes them, we can bring some to them as a present," Kovu requested. 

"How many to bring my lord?" Mkali inquired.
"About a dozen or so," Kovu replied.
"As you wish my lord," Muuaji said bowing. Then she and Mkali  left to retrieve the fruits.
"My lord, is there anything I can do? I'm feeling useless," Nia said quietly.

"Yes Nia, Kusudi has  hurt you very badly today, go and rest up,"
"But I feel fine, there's no need to rest? If you'll give me something to do, that will make much better use of my time, it'll be good,"
"Nia there isn't anything to do, go and rest. Don't be stubborn," Kovu said as he went to stand on the peak of Pride Rock.

"Yes my lord,"
Feeling disappointed, Nia turned and walked into the den to rest, even though she'd rather do something productive. Nevertheless, she was respectful of Kovu's order.
Kiara saw how dejected Nia looked and walked into the den and sat down next to her.
Upon seeing Kiara, Nia rose immediately and bowed to her.
"Your majesty, can I help you?" the lioness asked meekly.

"I saw how sad you looked when Kovu told you to go and rest, I know the feeling. When someone wants you to do something that is for your well-being but you don't want to," Kiara said smiling.
"Oh well I suppose so," Nia said, still bowing.
"Raise your head Nia, you don't have to have your head bent when you speak to me," Kiara said in an amused voice.

"Your husband instills discipline in us when training, it is vital that I bow, as to show my respect," Nia replied.
"Raise your head Nia, I prefer people to look at me when I speak to them. Raise your head," Kiara insisted.
"Very well your majesty," Nia said as she slowly raised her head and looked at Kiara's smiling face.

"That's better. I'm going for a walk, would you like to join me?"
"Oh well, my lord has told me to stay and rest. I wouldn't want to disobey his orders," Nia said.
"Well I'm his equal. I'm the Queen, and I order you to join me for a walk," Kiara said standing up and walking to the den's entrance.
"Oh well, what's the worst that can happen? She did order me," Nia said to herself as she rose off the ground and followed Kiara out of the den.