Painted Flowers

Chapter 36 - Bright Meadows

Duna trailed off as he gaped in astonishment at his niece. It was clearthat he never really expected to see Layali again, let alone accompanied by dogs from the Pack of Falling Ash. Alongside the mambo was a small group of other Meadow dogs, equally as amazed by the return of their former mamoyo.

"Layali?" Mahiri gasped, wagging her tail.

"You've come home..." Imani gasped.

Her old friends. The dogs she played with as a pup, who admired her for her higher status yet always invited her to join in their games. Immediately Layali was reminded of how neither of them bothered to defend her at the trial, and how Imani was hostile when she discovered her living among the Ash dogs, so she was surprised to see them welcoming the sight of her. Perhaps they thought she had succeeded in her avenging quest if she dared to show her face again.

Next to Layali, her allies fanned out to stand by her side. They were outnumbered, but by only one dog. Ash and Meadow faced off, filling the air with uncomfortable tension.

"Princess Layali. You look...well," Duna remarked stoically, his brown eyes fixated critically and only on her.

"I must say, there was doubt we'd ever see you again." That was Tau, Imani's father; a bulky dog a bit younger than Duna with a remarkably thick growth of fur around his neck resembling a lion's mane. He also had the audacity to don a flower crown on his head, one freshly weaved with small yellow canola flowers. Even Duna didn't wear a crown, finding them dainty and useless. Who did this dog think he was?

Layali found herself snarling as anger at her situation bubbled up inside her. "Do not call me princess. You banished me, remember that?"

Duna showed his teeth in quick response. "All too well, dear niece."

"Take it easy," Tau said gently towards the two of them. "It's a miracle Layali is alive and well. I don't know about you, but I'm anxious to hear of her journey." He turned to Layali. "Tell me, did you ever-"

"Miracle?" Duna interjected. "As if we need another cursed dog among us! How much more must we suffer at the paws of our sinful ancestors?"

Layali's fur bristled. "Why are you standing in the place of a royal?" she demanded from Tau harshly, changing the subject. "Who gave you that crown? Where is my mother?"

"I'm Duna's mate," Tau responded calmly yet defensively.

"You're Imani's father, correct? Why do you like my uncle now?" Layali surprised herself by the return of her authoritative demeanor. She was so angry at these dogs, and couldn't help her attitude. How exactly is Uncle supposed to repopulate the dying pack with another male? That was her immediate thought, brought on by her fury, but she regretted it instantly and was glad she didn't say it aloud. It was...great that Duna finally had a mate of his own. Just swell.

Tau chuckled uncomfortably. "Um, well..."

"Just can't wait to be king, huh?" Layali spat.

Frowning, Tau said nothing more, shrinking back a bit. The Ash dogs next to her witnessed the family quarrel awkwardly, shifting uneasily but not intervening. She hadn't even introduced them yet, she realized with a start.

Then Imani stepped forward. It occurred to Layali that she, being related to Tau from his previous marriage, was to be the new princess. She even wore a bright orange flower behind one ear to confirm it. "Layali has been living among the Pack of Falling Ash," she reminded the two kings, then turned a glare back at her former packmate. "In that case, did you ever achieve your quest? Did you find the murderer?"