Zalika Well-born [Swahili]
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Personality.....Gentle (Kind)
Unknown x Unknown
Raised and released into the wild by the Lake Manyara Rescue Station.
She was confiscated from a poacher camp, very malnourished and possibly only hours away from starving. The rescue team had to spend a lot of resources and effort to ensure that she did not die. She grew slower than others her age, but she turned out to be a fighter. She's intelligent and a fast learner, but weaker than her rescue mates.
At the age of one and a half she was released into the Lake Manyara Reserve, she was healthy and mature enough, but the rescue staff had concern if she would be able to beat the harsh conditions of the wild. She couldn't stay at the station, the danger of becoming habituated to humans was too high.
The first dry season was harsh, she was living off carrion, but was very often chased away by hyenas or leopards. She learned how to catch fish and hunted small critters, but the larger prey was a no-go. She could never kill a large herbivore on her own. But she did observe the herds very often. She knew their travellig patterns and started to discover and recognize their weak members.
At 3 years of age she came across a small pride, but she kept her distance. Better safe than sorry.
The pride was led by a young, strong lion. They had a few healthy cubs running around, everyone seemed to be well fed and cared for.
He seemed to be a righteous and mindful king.
She followed them closely, and of course they noticed her. She was chased away by the group of young huntresses a few times, but she always came back and kept an eye on the king. Was that out of caution or maybe interest? She was confused by herself.
One day she got caught by him. She was taking a sip at the shore of Lake Manyara, keeping an eye on a crocodile. The King was pouncing on her and pushed her aside, his claws extended and his teeth bared. Zalika was panicking, what was going on?
'WHO ARE YOU!?', he was shouting. Zalika, breathing heavy, noticed a ripple in the water at the corner of her eye, where none should be.
She tried to push him away, calling out in a broken voice from under him: 'Run, run! There's big scales in the water!'
He looked confused to the lake and also noticed the ripples. Zalika took the chance and threw a paw of sand in his face, crawled quickly out from under the confused male lion and wanted to run away. The King was still struggling to find his orientation again, and the crocodiles came closer every second.
She turned around, bit in his soft mane and yanked at him.
'Come on, I don't want you to end as food!', she muttered between her closed jaw. Just as he started to stumble after her, three big crocodiles rushed out of the water, roaring and ready to feast on fresh lion meat. The two lions were way quicker than these beasts and they quickly gave up and retreated back into the water. Waiting for the next clueless victim.
Zalika and the foreign lion savely retreated in the underbrush, and took a few breathes.
The male sat upright, ruffled his mane slightly and pushed his chest out. Huh, did he want to impress her?
'Again, but this time a little bit kinder: Who are you? And where are you from?', he asked.
'I am Zalika. Just a pride-less lioness. And yes, I am probably a little bit too curious. I am following you and your pride for a while now. I haven't seen any other lion in the region yet.'
'Hm, that's understandable. You were alone the entire time? You don't have a home?'
'No, I don't have one. I never had one. But I won't bother you anymore, I should probably leave.', she was a little bit nervous. Was he making sure nobody was missing her if he killed her? Or was this an circumscribed invitation to his pride?
She stood up and wanted to retreat.
'Can you hunt?', he asked. 'Amati, one of my best huntresses will give birth soon, and I'll need someone to take her place. At least temporary, until she weaned her cubs and feels ready to hunt again.'
Both lions paused for a few moments. Zalika would love to join him, but there was a problem.
'I've never hunted with others.', she confessed. 'I don't know how. I am not worthy to take the place of your best huntress.'
Her gaze wandered to the ground. She felt embarrassed.
'Nothing you can't learn. Take the spot in the team, learn from the others and when Amati comes back, we will talk again. Maybe you can stay. You won't be alone anymore.', his voice was soft. He lowered his head and they locked their gaze.
'My name is Sethos. I welcome you to my pride.'
Zalika was smiling, they both walked side by side to their den.
'But, you have to tell me... What did you call the crocodiles?', he asked on their way.
'Uh, do you mean the big scales? Isn't that what they are called?'
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The Queen"
The Queen"
