"Death is waiting in the shadows..."
These words remembered Ramoth in the morning, when she discovered dead body of her mentor, Chise. The previous shaman of River Panthers was old, so her death wasnt a surprise, but it still hurt. Ramoth mourned her passing, and when she finally closed her eyes that evening, she was awoken by shrieks of terorr and pain. There was no moon in the sky, but stars were enough to show her fighting lion males. At first she tought it was some invader, because she recognized big fluffy mane of her king. Lion championships was at its peak at that moment, so some combat searching idiot probably strayed here. It was not like this. She was able to catch a glimps of male fur. It vas Machozi! There was another body, of a lioness.
"Machozi?!" she called to fighting male. Something about brutality of her king atacks warned her from trying to talk to him.
"Ramoth! Help! He is out of his mind!" desperation and pain laced voice of teardrop male.
It has come sooner then she was thinking. She needed help from ancestors, from her mother, from generations of lionesses she was descendant. With their gentle guidence she was able to cast a spell of sleep. The king suddenly started to loose balance, and in the end he fell down. Machozi folowed after. She checked them quickly.
The sound of fighting called in whole pride. To their uneasy question she ansvered:
"Our king... Someone fed him human liver. He wasnt in his right mind. He attacked Rosetta, and she is dead now. Machozi tryed to protect her. I hope he will make it."
Words about death waiting in the shadows from Chise started to look like a prophecy. Ramoth was full of dred as she tryed her best to keep Machozi alive. When the sun finally risen that morning, she saw a glimps of hope for him.
And then Panthera awoke.
The king of River Panthers was confused. What happened? Why is he here, in den of the shaman? Ramoth has little patience with him. She has lost her mother the previous day, pride lost a kind and caring lioness and she spent hours doing her best to save Machozi. Ramoth was tired and biter and hurting...
"Who was it? Where did you get human liver?"
"What? What do you mean?" asked Panthera.
"You were out of your mind! That thing made you in a killer!"
"Oh, so it worked! Now I will be able to protect everyone!" said Panthera with cheer in his voice.
Ramoth understanded now. She shook her head.
"It doesnt work that way. In that state you are unable to say friend from foe. You killed Rosetta in your amok. And Machozi almost died protecting her..."
"No... That isnt true..." shock and disbelief. Ramoth stepped a bit to side, so Panthera could see Machozi. King climbed to his feet and rushed to Machozi side. Deep wounds on teardrop male sides and head were no longer bleeding, but fur was still soaked in scent of blood. Heavy smell of herb mixtures created a cloud around him. Panthera started shaking.
"Who was it? Who gave that thing to you? Without a proper warning and explanation?" asked Ramoth softly.
"It was that
traveler. She told me that it will help me to protect my pride! I... I... I didnt mean anything like this! I didnt want to... I didnt want to!!!" The last sentence turned into pained, frustrated roar.
"What is done is done. Next time we will be not so welcomming to strangers," said shaman firmly.
"How... How can I look my pride in the eyes?" Deep sorrow and shame laced kings voice. Ramoth rubbed her shoulder against his side and gave him a pat with her tail.
"They know. And understand. All of them know that you will protect them with your life. This was a horrifying accident. No, no accident. That lioness was here to spread evil. And we... no, me. I was too blind, too trusting. I should never allowed her to rest among us. I should insist on chasing her away. This is my mistake, Panthera. My mother, Chise, will never let this happen."
Panthera shook his head:
"If you insist like this, then we both are to blame." He sighed and continued: "I must go now. I cant hide here forever. Thank you for your words, and for your care." He bowed his head and left the cave. Ramoth folowed him with her gaze and then sat down. She was so tired...
"He want last long now..." said a soft voice. Ramoth almost jumped out of her skin.
"Aislin!"
Indeed, leopon spirit sat down in deepest shadow of her den. His golden eyes were full of regret and sadness as he looked on Ramoth. "With such heavy burden on his soul and mind he want last long. I gave a small blessing to a young male growing up in commoner cave."
With those words Aislin disapeard and Ramoth broke down crying.
