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 Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 2:23 pm
The pair of lions finally caught up to the herd as the heat of midday sank fully upon the swamp, meaning everything would be at rest until the heat subsided enough for life to sustain itself. The good news was that the herd would be among those resting. The bad news was that Unzu and Rujul were on the wrong side of a open stretch of water, shallow enough for the Oryx to ford, but deep enough that it made swimming necessary for the stouter bodies of lions. Both lions were accustomed to swimming by now, as they'd both spent much of the wet season in the swamps formed by rains flowing from the north into the basin.
Still, the distance was much further than usual, and crocodiles or venomous snakes might be lurking, waiting to snatch an unsuspecting lion. They had two choices. Swim, or circle around to a narrower body of water and cross it, then walk back down to where the herd was. Circling around was the wiser and less immediately helpful route, while swimming across was the riskier but better reward.
"Why doesn't one of us swim across, while the other circles around to catch the herd as they flee from the other?" Unzu suggested, laying on the bank beside Rujul as they conversed about the situation together. The wind was folding the surface of the swamp, making the clear water shudder and ripple, as the midday sun shone down on the lush greenery. It was hot, but there was the promise of later rain to cool everything down.
Rujul lay and contemplated his suggestion. "It is a good plan," she said at length. "But which one of us would swim? It's dangerous."
"Me," Unzu grinned cockily. "I can handle it. As long as you get to the other side in time and catch him before he can escape again," he winked. Rujul didn't find him charming at all. Nope. That attitude was just awful. So why did she find herself smiling back?
"I think you are either brave or stupid, Unzu. But I will let you do as you please," she purred, getting to her feet and heading off. "Make me proud," she winked, and Unzu was quickly on his feet as well, facing the water.
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 5:09 pm
Make her proud. He'd do that all right. Wasn't that the entire point? Oh, yeah, and to get some food for Akinyi. Unzu felt guilty as he started to wade into the water. He would do this for her any day, but he knew that he was just doing this for the sake of mojo. Not that mojo minded. The water was up to his ankles, then up to his shoulder, slipping up his neck and wetting his mane, and finally he could no longer feel the bottom with the pads of his feet, paddling across the body of water towards his food. If he kept low and swam into that thicket of grasses, they wouldn't even notice him before he'd gotten into the right position to scare them off towards Rujul.
To his horror, a crocodile was basking nearby, and he watched as it slipped off the nearby bank, sinking under the water without a sound. Its heavy jaw and large head would snap Unzu in half given half the chance. Unzu didn't intend to give the crocodile ANY chance. He paddled faster, awkward and out of his element, splashed by the wind, tugged by underwater currents, but luckily the water was clear, so he could see whatever was coming at him. He winced as he felt something brush past his flank, but didn't stop to think about it.
Meanwhile, Rujul was making her way north along the banks of the swamp, splashing through tributaries, leaping across gaps, heading up until drier land narrowed the swamp down into a chokehold where only a narrow portion of water flowed over more permanent rock, and crossed it, dipping in her paws. The trek wasn't terribly long, but nor was it easy, and she crept through the tall grasses into a stand of trees, watching the herd from afar. It was hot work in the midday sun, and she was happy to rest for the time being, staying alert in case Unzu made a move.
Unzu was lucky. He pulled himself out of the water into tall grasses at the edge of the swamp, positioning himself behing the resting herd. Any moment he would spring and send them careening off towards Rujul. The injured one was not wandering far from the group now. It was resting, laying down in the soft grasses and tending to its leg. During the stampede it had exacerbated the wound, which infection was getting into. The Oryx wasn't yet on its last legs, but it was nearing the point.
It had chosen the wrong time to rest.
Still dripping from his journey across the swamp, Unzu stood and headed at a quick trot towards the herd, not even bothering to keep himself particularly hidden, heading right for the injured one. He let out a roar and darted at them, and the Oryx, now confused about the lions' number, ran off in the opposite direction. The injured one struggled to its feet, but a moment too late. Unzu cut it off from the rest of the herd along with two healthy individuals.
Rujul saw the time to strike was now, and as the smaller group broke off, she broke from the trees, letting out a roar as well, ears laid flat along her skull as she darted and feinted, scaring them towards the water they'd just swam across.
The crocodile was waiting, and as the first Oryx plunged in up to its knees, it snatched it, grabbing it by the throat and dragging it down under the water. The injured Oryx and its remaining companion backpedaled. Then they turned to face the lions, snorting and stamping, waving their horns. Unzu focused his attack on the weaker side of their defense, the injured one, and Rujul opened up an escape route for the healthy one. It bolted.
The injured Oryx backed slowly into the swamp water, eyes rolling in fright, but then it paused, standing its ground. It tossed its head and prepared to meet them, cornered and desperate, lashing out with its hooves. It nearly got Rujul. It missed Unzu.
Unzu didn't miss. He grabbed the animal by the neck, as Rujul leapt onto its back. They held it until it sank to its knees, then sagged onto its side.
At last, it was over.
They'd succeeded.
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