It was time to leave. Already she had longed for feel of the mud between her padded toes. It seemed like yesterday that her pride was forced from their homelands from the fire raging across the land. While days had turned to weeks, to months and even a year or two (who really kept count?), Radi knew her heart was not in the mountains. She missed the humidity, the air up here was a little thinner. Other lions had already made the decision to leave, so she felt too it was time for her to start her third pilgrimage.

She said goodbye to her father, who, stoic as always, nodded and wished her well. Radi wanted him to come with her, but she knew he would stay in case mother decided to ever show. She frowned. She hadn’t seen her mother since the days of the fire. She hoped for the best, but deep in her heart she knew that it was likely a dream she was hanging on to.

For days, Radi travelled down the mountain, through the plains. She thought of sightseeing around, because what better way to enjoy a pilgrimage without having /a little/ fun along the way. She would deviate from the path she set for her, only to find herself back on it.

What path was the question? Where was she heading? She didn’t know. She thought to her younger days, reminiscing the stories her father once had spoken to her. He said there was a land full of life, with a large rock formation at its center that held dens of the royalty. Talahm never said the name of the pride, so Radi always thought it just a story. After all, a large rock formation housing lions? That seemed preposterous!

Still, she decided it was no harm to check. The problem was, where to look?

Night was quickly approaching and Radi found herself in more unknown territory. She could not tell by the scent around if they were hostile or not, but at least the land did not reek of blood. That surely would have been a good indicator…right?

With a heavy sigh, Radi journeyed on, ears perking at the sound of laughter.

“I tell you, Kgwedi, you should have seen her!” the large lion stated with a chuckle.

“I’m sad that I missed it.” The lioness stated. “Next time though,” Kgwedi told the male with a smile. The scent of another caught the attention of both guards.

Nteo raised his maw to the sky, as if tasting the air. His red eyes scanned the area until they settled on the form of another dark lioness, but this one had white markings that seemed to glow against the darkening night.

“Who goes there?” Nteo called out. He wasn’t a guard anymore, but he grew up in the role to know regardless of rank, you still protected your pride. This lioness of unknown origin could be quite a threat!

Kgwedi’s eyes narrowed as the male spoke. Rogues had not been allowed to join the pride for a while, so finding one on the border was always an interesting interaction.

Radi looked around, seemingly frozen to the spot. “Uhm…” She started, ears beginning to flatten as she willed herself to take a step back. She could not move. Curses. “I mean no harm, I promise.” She started. “My name is Radi’Kilima. I am from the Jini-msemi?” She offered, hoping that maybe if the others had heard of her pride, and how friendly they are would show she meant no harm.

Nteo narrowed his eyes, nearing the female as the galaxy like lioness stood behind. He looked around her. She didn’t smell of other lions, so was she traveling alone? He backed off his tone, before listening to what she had to say. Slowly, the narrowed eyes opened. She definitely was not a threat. “Jini-msemi? The swamps?” He knew that name. They were not in the swamps anymore though. “I thought a fire…”

“Had destroyed the lands?” She sighed. “It did. The pride moved shortly after and well…” She drifted. It wasn’t like a plague hit her lands or anything. They just… Radi shook her head. It was something she definitely did not want to think about! “I’m truly sorry to impose on your lands.” She stated.

Nteo shook his head. “They are not my lands persay,” Sure he was part of the pride, but he definitely wasn’t the owner of them. “This is the Mwezi’johari.”

Radi tilted her head at the name. “Moon?” She knew some translation, but not much. She should’ve listened to her father’s teachings more.

“Aye. Moon.” Nteo chuckled. “And I am called Nteo’leru, but folks around these parts just call me Nteo” or Ler, if you were Ochieng, his mate. “Are you looking for something. You do seem rather lost.”

At this time, Kgwedi took a step up to the Nteo. The lioness was not a threat, she did not need to stay back at this time. She nodded in agreement with the other that spoke. They would help a lion in need if the situation called for it.

“Heh, lost? Just wandering….really.” She sighed. Who knew where she was going. The large rock pride probably didn’t exist anymore. “My father spoke of a pride when I was growing up. One with large rock formation in the center. Houses royalty? Something like that. He is probably talking crazy talk. That’s my dad for you.” She laughed at the memory. Talahm would always go on some sort of tangent or crazy story, Radi just usually toned him out most of the time.

“Pride…rock formation. Pride Rock?” Nteo offer. “That sounds an awful lot like the Pridelands!” While he had never left the pride, he had met many on the borders that spoke about life outside the Mwezi’Johari. Pridelanders were intriguing creatures. Always leaving the pride, but always finding a way back. “I think your father knew what he was talking about. I have met many from the Pridelands while they were traveling.” Nteo was proud of this fact.

“Really?!” Now Radi was excited. “Do you know where it might be?”

Nteo thought for a moment, glancing at Kgwedi. She may have some information to add, but the shrug she gave the male hindered that thought.

“If my memory serves me right…” A thoughtful look spread across his face. “It’s about a two day journey at a mild speed? You should reach the borders by then.” He offered. He wasn’t quite sure of the exact route to take, but the words other’s spoke to him he remembered clearly.

Radi nodded, a smile on her maw. “Great! Then I should get going. I’ve already wasted time earlier in the day…”

“Well, just think if you hadn’t, you’d never have gotten the directions now, would you?” Nteo laughed, sitting. “It was a pleasure meeting you Miss. Kilima. If you are ever around the area, stop in and say hi.” He laughed.

The lioness nodded. “Sure thing!” and bounded off. In the distance, she heard the fluffy lion shout ‘Be Careful!’ She did not know what adventures awaited her, but she was sure to find out.

Nteo turned towards Kgwedi. “She seemed nice.” The lioness nodded in return, watching the fleeting for of Radi. Her dark pelt melted in with the darkness, but her flashy white stockings seemed to glow.

“Look at me, getting in the middle of your patrol.” Nteo stated. He glanced at the sky, “I sure do miss this sometimes though,” he murmured, earning a playful hit from Kgwedi.

“If you miss it, then you would not be with Ochieng anymore.” She chuckled. “Just remember that. Besides, you can always come visit me again.” Kgwedi enjoyed Nteo’s company. They had been on patrol together for a bit now; the two were like family.

Nteo nodded. “I guess I should let you get going then! Don’t get into too much trouble,” the large lion chuckled.

“You know I try not to,” With the exception of meeting Radi tonight, she did not expect the night to get any more entertaining. “Go home to O. Remember, I expect to be the first to know if she is expecting.” Kgwedi winked. If it wasn’t dark (and Nteo had light pelt,) one might be able to see a light pink creep across his cheeks.

“Alright, alright. See you later Kgwedi,” Nteo said with a wave, leaving the female alone to finish her patrol.

(word count 1414)