Given the choice, he would have targeted the younger one. After all, there were clear benefits to choosing a young female and she – of the two – was the better warrior. A strong woman to bear strong cubs. Unfortunately, however, the young one was out of his reach. She did not live alone as the older one did. He had followed her home once and found her in the company of her mother, her uncle – who was a huge lion and clearly her teacher – as well as a number of siblings. She, too, had a doting brother who stuck by her side and kept her out of mischief as if she were still a cub.
He craved her but he could not have her.
So he went for the second best choice. The older one was a good warrior and a survivor. She was large, well-built, but lacking any true fighting talent. She was a brawler, plain and simple. She also lived alone and avoided all company except for her recently acquired sparring partner who came to visit every few days. It would be easy, he thought, to steal into her den and see his plans through.
Too easy.
And so he waited with an unusual patience for the young female to come, spar and then leave again. On that particular evening, however, the pair took up conversation after their sparring match. The victor today was the younger one. He thought her name was Mawasii. She had lost one match – her first – but had taken control by the second and third. The older female’s fire seemed to burn out far quicker and he watched her sputter in disbelief, a smile curling his maw.
“Maybe next time I can bring my brother?”
The older female tensed, seeming nervous. So, she didn’t trust males, did she? A wise cat indeed.
“Nissa?”
She had a fine name, too. Short and simple, with a hissing sound. It was the name of a snake. Crafty and dangerous if provoked.
He was looking forward to provoking her.
“I…I’m not sure. I’d rather no one else knew I was here.” Again, she looked around, somewhat nervous, and Hala realised that this was becoming a habit of hers. Did she know he was here? Suspect? Or was she simply being paranoid, unknowing if someone lurked or not? His smile deepened and it was not pleasant.
“That’s fine. I can understand that. But, if you ever change your mind, let me know and I’ll bring him. He’s not really a warrior type but despite that, we get on quite well. He likes to think that he can talk me out of troublesome antics.” She laughed and Nissa’s tail thumped against the ground – an indication of being amused.
“I’m thinking about doing some travelling.” Mawasii continued, having grown used to Nissa’s lack of words. “Just me and probably my brother, too. If you were up for it, I’d love you to come, too.”
“Don’t pity me.” Nissa replied, seeming putout. “I’ve been alone for a long time. It’s fine.”
“It’s not pity.” Mawasii insisted. “I just…you’re my friend and if I’m being honest, outside of my family, I don’t have a proper friend.”
The dark cat frowned, shaking her head a little. She didn’t respond, but her lack of words seemed to brighten Mawasii’s spirit. The younger female hopped up onto her paws and, with a languid stretch, began to back away. “I’ll come and see you in a few days time, yes?”
“I’ll be here.” She replied, settling herself more comfortably on the flattened grass.
“Goodbye.”
He waited until the moon was a shining slither in the sky. Heart thudding, he circled around to where her den lay hidden amongst a twist of roots and leaves. It was a smallish den and he wondered whether there’d even be room for two. Which meant catching her before she reached it. And, as he settled himself to wait for her to return, he dwelled on past pains. Pains that still haunted him and drove him.
His brother, dishonourable and disgusting, duelling him with the aid of others instead of one on one as was proper. That filthy niece of his, tracking him and intervening. Warning her father of his coming. Then the others hidden in the grass, moving in to help. Well, he’d make his brother regret it. He’d find some loyal subjects to. Lions who would adore and worship him just as his brother had those who adored him.
Hala would have a son or a daughter who could help him fight his battles and together they would hunt down and take out the dark blemish that shadowed his life.
And then…
And then…
The sound of paws approached and Hala slunk back in the shadows, readying himself for the pounce. The wounds inflicted on him by his brother’s claws were healing nicely, though his front leg would always bare a weakness that infuriated him. A light limp would always mar his step. Would always be a weakness.
A dark shape broke away from the distant trees.
The older one. Nissa.
She moved carefully towards her den, ever vigilant, pausing to cast a look about her. The moonlight caught in her eyes and turned them to opals. The pounding of his heart filled his ears and it took all his patience to wait…wait…wait until she drew close enough. He had no doubt that she would put up a fight but knew that it was nothing he couldn’t deal with.
She drew closer and, with a snarl, Hala erupted from the grass. She flinched away, terror and hatred and anger flashing in her moon-captured eyes. He felt her roll backwards, pinned against the ground, her heaving chest proof enough of her panic.
He leaned close, breathed in the earthy scent of her fur, and chuckled deep in the back of his throat. “I’ve been watching you for a long time, Nissa. Waiting. Biding time.” He smiled at the fear portrayed in her face as he spoke her name. “You thought there was safety in solitude. I’m going to prove you wrong on that account.”
Her growl was like an approaching storm, but she was pinioned, unable to hook her claws into his flesh.
“I have a job for you to do.”
And he was right. She did put up a fight.
But as always; she lost.
/fin.
