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~~~

The kings had done nothing wrong, it was just something that happens. Droughts are a part of nature, bound to occur at some point during any monarch’s reign. But it was the first drought that Russom and Ndoto had experienced as leaders, and it was a dreadfully bad one. It was so bad that some of their herds had already fled the land—not only that, but the Zamani kingdom was surrounded by wild Halali Lands on all sides, giving the kings no allies to turn to for help.

They could have remained, there was always the hope that the drought would end before the territory became completely unlivable. But the cubs were already going hungry, and Russom and Ndoto were not willing to wait and see if they would starve. They gathered up their closest confidants (their mjuzi, their majordomo, and the lioness named Iliso who had been their mentor) to ask their opinion. Though all three were hesitant, none could deny that the safest thing for everyone was to leave the Zamani Lands. It was a frightening prospect, and there was no guarantee that they would be able to become a true monarchy again, wherever they ended up—they might end up being nothing more than a humble pride in another animal’s kingdom. But that didn’t matter to Russom, and he made the announcement immediately after consulting with the trio.

It took time to organize the move: there were many non-lion subjects who chose to go with them and many who did not, and there were several lions who had to be convinced. But, after a few weeks, the kings and their subjects were ready to make their exodus. Everyone was gathering together, ready to begin the trek to new, unknown lands.

Everyone but Iliso, who had gone to her beloved spot at the northern border, which looked out upon the desert....

Description
Previous

~~~

The kings had done nothing wrong, it was just something that happens. Droughts are a part of nature, bound to occur at some point during any monarch’s reign. But it was the first drought that Russom and Ndoto had experienced as leaders, and it was a dreadfully bad one. It was so bad that some of their herds had already fled the land—not only that, but the Zamani kingdom was surrounded by wild Halali Lands on all sides, giving the kings no allies to turn to for help.

They could have remained, there was always the hope that the drought would end before the territory became completely unlivable. But the cubs were already going hungry, and Russom and Ndoto were not willing to wait and see if they would starve. They gathered up their closest confidants (their mjuzi, their majordomo, and the lioness named Iliso who had been their mentor) to ask their opinion. Though all three were hesitant, none could deny that the safest thing for everyone was to leave the Zamani Lands. It was a frightening prospect, and there was no guarantee that they would be able to become a true monarchy again, wherever they ended up—they might end up being nothing more than a humble pride in another animal’s kingdom. But that didn’t matter to Russom, and he made the announcement immediately after consulting with the trio.

It took time to organize the move: there were many non-lion subjects who chose to go with them and many who did not, and there were several lions who had to be convinced. But, after a few weeks, the kings and their subjects were ready to make their exodus. Everyone was gathering together, ready to begin the trek to new, unknown lands.

Everyone but Iliso, who had gone to her beloved spot at the northern border, which looked out upon the desert....