dark river prideSend your lion off on a treasure hunt! Where does their journey take them, and how do they discover something new and grand?
Who sent them, why are they going? What are they hoping to find?S1[638/500]two points "i just wish i could be proud of her,"
amaya's stomach twisted as her father's voice repeated over and over again in her head.
"how can my oldest daughter be queen when she can't even act like a full grown lioness?"
the thing that stung the most was that her father didn't speak directly to her, but to her pride mates. her mouth was dry and her throat felt tight as she ran farther and farther through the territory. she was determined to prove herself to him.
"you'll be proud of me dad," she roared with hurt as she ran. "i promise, i promise!"
soon, amaya began to slow down, panting hard from running so fast and for so long. she wasn't in the dark river pride's territory anymore, she was sure of it. it didn't smell like anyone else's territory, so she must have not been trespassing. the dark furred lioness came upon a small pool of water, and she bent her head down, lapping up the cool water eagerly.
after she had quenched her thirst, she rested near the water, her legs stretched out in front of her. her chest burned, almost as if a fire was roaring inside of her lungs. amaya couldn't tell if the burn was from her hurt feelings, or from running so hard for such a long time. maybe it was both.
once amaya was back on her paws, the sun was starting to set, and it cast a warm orange glow over the land.
how am i going to make him proud? amaya pondered to herself.
she took a deep sigh, and looked down at her paws. sadness rushed over her like a strong wave. why wasn't she good enough? she tried so hard for him, but was it ever enough?
her sadness turned into sudden onset anger, and amaya reared up, letting out a ferocious roar. the lioness struck a large tree with all her might, her claws digging deep into the bark. a loud snap yanked amaya out of her fit of rage and she jumped back in surprise. the tree she had hit had cracked at the base, and it was slowly falling over. she watched in amazement as the large tree leaned and rested onto the ground.
the lioness was filled with a new sense of strength and courage. this is what she would do to show her father that she was worthy. amaya would make him proud by bringing him this tree.
the dark lioness gripped one of the branches in her jaw and began to pull, trying to fully separate it from the trunk. her jaw ached, and she gave up with that method. amaya hopped over and began to claw at the truck, finally separating it. she looked down at it proudly, and gripped a large branch coming off of the tree.
slowly, she began to pull the tree.
as she made her way, her back and jaw ached. she had to re-position her grip multiple times, as some of the branches snapped from the power of her jaw.
by the time the moon was at its highest point in the sky, amaya had reached territory she was familiar with. she couldn't stop now, she had come so far. she began to pull faster, her heart pounding hard.
when amaya had pulled the whole tree into the middle of camp, she collapsed beside it, too exhausted to move anymore. her father rushed to her side, silenced from shock at his daughter's bold action.
"does this make you proud, dad?" amaya mumbled weakly.
"you make me more than proud everyday my dear," her father said, his eyes soft. "i'm so sorry for being harsh. you're more than fit to be queen."
he touched his nose to her's, and curled up beside his exhausted daughter.