"There there. It will turn out. I mean, you said you started having visions after the rhino gored you, right? So you can't hunt any more...but there is still that. From the gossip I have heard around the pride, it was thanks to you that they were able to move everyone out of the stampede. Right?"

"I suppose so. I mean. I just...feel so helpless. It is not like I can control them. The visions. And the times in between I just sit around. Or eat, or sleep. Or watch the cubs. that is something too I guess. But..."

"But it is not hunting. I understand. You just...well, you had all these plans, yeah? And now you have to change them. You can't be a huntress. But then, maybe you weren't meant to be one. You could do other things. I am sure your pride needs nannies, right?"

"Well yes. but everyone can do that. And seeing the cubs running around and then growing up and going off to hunt on their first time..."

"I see, I see. Poor thing. But really, this is most likely a gift in disguise. Just because you can't tell yet..."

"But I don't want it! I wanted to be normal. Like all my sisters and the other girls my age! And find a nice male...settle down...give him fresh meat, and cubs.."

"You can still do those things! Even if you can't hunt the meat, you can learn other skills and trade for it. Right? They won't let you starve. And any male would be glad to have someone with your talent. The visions. You can get used to them, and learn to control them, right? And you're so beautiful--"

"I was. WAS. Now, look. Three legs. One stump. I can't even walk right."

"Haaa, Sparro. Listen to me. You're fine. You're still lovely. And you still have value. I know I'm just a rogue, and you don't even know me...but trust me. I've seen much, much worse. You're still alive. Many who've faced down a rhino couldn't say that. Literally. The gods may have taken your grace, your leg...but they gave you a chance to be so much more. You can learn to move about again easily. You made it all the way out here, didn't you? And as long as you stay strong and practice, and don't give up...one day you'll be walking, maybe running even, again. And that'd be even more beautiful I think. A lioness who overcame her challenges and survived. Not one who never had to work to be anything but 'normal'. Now I know you probably don't want to hear it. But there, I said it."

"..."

"...I really mean it, you know. I wish I could make you see that things aren't that bad."

"...Thank you, Libra. I think...I think I do feel a little better. Things aren't good but...I'll be okay now."

"Well...well that's good. I'm really glad to hear it. Can I walk you back to your pride?"

"I'll be fine, but-"

"Please? I know you're feeling better. I can see it on your face. But I want to be sure that nothing comes after you. You made it this far out here, I know. But still."

"...I know what you're thinking. I wasn't going to do it anyways. I don't think so at least."

"...I know, Sparro. I know. Let's go."

The pair of lionesses stood, one shorter than the other, and unsteady. In the background, a deep river, swollen with floodwaters surged. It lapped at the banks that kept it hemmed in, spraying the ridge where the pair had sat before with mist. The dark lioness wobbled as she took a step--her missing hind leg making her step uneven. She looked back once, for a long moment at the raging rapids.

Then, without a word, but with her step hitching, she hurried to catch up with the blue lioness. Together they wove down the slowly sloping ridge back towards the pridelands. In the back of her mind, Sparro wondered if she really would have done it. And how one lion's words could have brightened what had been the pit of total darkness she'd been lurking in.

They reached the borders of the pride, where they met up with a third lion...a friend of Sparro's. She'd been frantic when her friend had turned up missing, and feared the worst. Apparently the dark lioness hadn't been hiding her sorrows as well as she'd thought. After thanking Libra again, the trio parted, this time with Sparro in her friend's company. They talked a long time, well into the night once they arrived back at the dens, and eventually Sparro fell into a restful slumber, dreaming of events yet to come. It was the first time she hadn't cried herself to sleep in weeks.

Back across the grassy flatlands that edged the Pridelands, Libra walked on into the night. She passed by the river, and then turned north. From her eyes fell small, sparkling tears for the wounded lioness. It was so unfair, this world. To take so much from one so young and with so much before them. At least she'd been able to talk her into not giving up. She might yet have a good life. She hoped that was the case. And she decided then that she'd come back again soon to check on her new friend.

Eventually she too settled down, snuggling into the long grass of the rogue lands. She wondered to herself what she'd do if the same had happened to her. Alone in the rogue lands, surely she'd die of starvation, or be picked off by a larger beast. Maybe it was time to start thinking of settling down. but where? no place called to her. Only one male had ever charmed her heart...she missed him dearly...but he too was a wanderer. A sigh rushed out of her, and she closed her eyes to the rising sun. At least Sparro'd had a family and home to support her.