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Description
Zira traveled countless days with her cubs in tow. Her king had been overthrown, and she had been banished from her home in the Pridelands. She had to find safety, and there was only one place that came to mind.
The Tree of Life.
It had been a long time since her last visit to this sacred place, but she knew she would find familiar, friendly faces.
Zira and her cubs climbed up the rocky outcrop that surrounded the territory, then made their way down into the basin, greeting the one of the Night Pride's guard.
"What business do you have here, lioness?"
"I have come to seek refuge," Zira answered, "My poor cubs and I were chased from our home in the Pridelands."
The Night Prider lowered his head, "I see. I heard about the recent usurping. It's lucky you and your cubs made it out alive,"
"If only our luck could have extended to our king," Zira lamented, "Please, let me speak to Janna."
The lion nodded and led Zira and her cubs inside The Tree, where Janna awaited them.
"Well, it's been a while since I've seen you," Janna greeted Zira and observed the three cubs. "I imagine you're not here for the same reason as last time," she mused.
"Janna, it is a pleasure to see you again. Unfortunately, I am not here under the best circumstances," Zira began, but Janna had already heard all she needed to hear.
"It pains me deeply to say this, Zira, but I'm afraid I cannot grant you refuge," Janna sighed. "I know what happened in The Pridelands, and you pose too much of a risk here."
Janna's tone was firm.
Zira's face dropped, her eyes wide. "B-but what about the cubs? " she stammered, "They're yours, after all."
Janna regarded her two cubs and the third, older one. "The cubs are, all three of them, welcome to stay here. I will look after them personally.
But you must find somewhere else,"
Her words were a slap in Zira's face. The tan lioness's blood boiled, and she felt her claws digging into the rich soil.
"Come, cubs," Zira turned to the exit and headed back outside, "We're leaving."
"But Mother–" the eldest cub protested, and then reconsidered his words before following close behind.

"Zira, please think about your cubs," Janna called, following Zira into the daylight,
"How DARE you?" Zira spat, whipping her head around to look at the queen. "DAMN you, Janna!"

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The Tree of Life

Description
Zira traveled countless days with her cubs in tow. Her king had been overthrown, and she had been banished from her home in the Pridelands. She had to find safety, and there was only one place that came to mind.
The Tree of Life.
It had been a long time since her last visit to this sacred place, but she knew she would find familiar, friendly faces.
Zira and her cubs climbed up the rocky outcrop that surrounded the territory, then made their way down into the basin, greeting the one of the Night Pride's guard.
"What business do you have here, lioness?"
"I have come to seek refuge," Zira answered, "My poor cubs and I were chased from our home in the Pridelands."
The Night Prider lowered his head, "I see. I heard about the recent usurping. It's lucky you and your cubs made it out alive,"
"If only our luck could have extended to our king," Zira lamented, "Please, let me speak to Janna."
The lion nodded and led Zira and her cubs inside The Tree, where Janna awaited them.
"Well, it's been a while since I've seen you," Janna greeted Zira and observed the three cubs. "I imagine you're not here for the same reason as last time," she mused.
"Janna, it is a pleasure to see you again. Unfortunately, I am not here under the best circumstances," Zira began, but Janna had already heard all she needed to hear.
"It pains me deeply to say this, Zira, but I'm afraid I cannot grant you refuge," Janna sighed. "I know what happened in The Pridelands, and you pose too much of a risk here."
Janna's tone was firm.
Zira's face dropped, her eyes wide. "B-but what about the cubs? " she stammered, "They're yours, after all."
Janna regarded her two cubs and the third, older one. "The cubs are, all three of them, welcome to stay here. I will look after them personally.
But you must find somewhere else,"
Her words were a slap in Zira's face. The tan lioness's blood boiled, and she felt her claws digging into the rich soil.
"Come, cubs," Zira turned to the exit and headed back outside, "We're leaving."
"But Mother–" the eldest cub protested, and then reconsidered his words before following close behind.

"Zira, please think about your cubs," Janna called, following Zira into the daylight,
"How DARE you?" Zira spat, whipping her head around to look at the queen. "DAMN you, Janna!"

Check out more of my HC!

The Tree of Life