Tayari - he had it coming

Tayari – son to Alala, Shahaab; brother to Taonga "Tanglemane"; mate to Zahra; father to Tayari

Affiliation: Open Plains (birth), Shadowlands (marriage)

Born: 159 AD

Died:

Born as the second son, a whole decade after his brother Taonga, Tayari has always felt that nobody takes him seriously. It was fun being mom's little boy when he was little, but at some point it became annoying.

Whenever Tayari talked about his plans for the future, his parents looked at him as though he was adorable. When he attended training sessions for future border guards, he clearly was given more allowance than others. The commander wouldn't task him with anything important, even after Tayari has developed some skills. Worse yet, other members of the pride adopted a similar attitude, and appeared to believe they had to keep an eye on their little prince, so he wouldn't hurt himself on his quest to become productive. This was seriously annoying.

Still, Tayari was not this much of an idiot to search for independence and acknowledgement in the Freelands. He was a quite average lion, by no means a match for experienced rogues. He liked the safety and stability of a pride. He just wished there was something he could do to contribute to this wonderful community.

Since he prayed, his wish was granted – princess Raziya of the neighboring Riverlands was scheduled to marry the crown prince of the Spiritlands. Tayari figured he could come along with the princess's entourage. The empress just might be willing to make political ties with the Open Plains and obtain a quality husband for one of her sisters. If Tayari married a princess of the Spiritlands, his home kingdom would benefit greatly. He'd get to live in a pride and cherish his royal status while simultaneously gaining the independence he so longed for. It was perfect.

The young lion’s parents are initially reluctant to let him go, but he manages to convince them he’s old enough to make his own choices. Thus, princess Raziya’s entourage leaves, he joins in, full of hope.

In Spiritlands, the empress is surprised to be offered an extra royal offspring, but does not send Tayari home. After some considerations she introduces the prince to her youngest sister Olubayo, the overseer of a province called Shadowlands. She, in turn, introduces Tayari to her friend Zahra, commander of the so called Cursed Guard. As they explain, a part of Shadowlands has been adapted into Cursed Lands, the place where the criminals from all over the Spiritlands are sent to - the empire's alternative to regular exile. The two lionesses ask Tayari if he’d be interested in joining the Cursed Guard. He very much is. To become a noble, brave guard, protecting the empire from the bad guys, this was exactly the job he’s always dreamed of. Moreover, if he proves himself, princess Olubayo might decide he's a good candidate for a husband. That would be something!

Tayari comes to regret his decision soon enough. Shadowlands are almost completely barren. There is virtually no game – local lions catch fish in underground rivers. In fact, they spend most of their time underground. The rightful citizens of the empire live in just as harsh conditions as the criminals do. On top of that, they are give off such a strange aura that gives Tayari the creeps. Just what exactly did he get himself into?

Just as he had hoped, nobody gives a damn about his royal status. He is at the very bottom of the Cursed Guard hierarchy, unable to keep up with the rest. These officers are Shadowlanders or partial Shadowlanders, used to eating fish and living in darkness. Also, they seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to detecting danger. Not to mention they climb rocks with little to no effort. Tayari cannot keep up with them to save his life.

Much to the lion's irritation, princess Olubayo seems to enjoy watching him struggle. She looks down on him, teases him, and any sort of help she offers is delivered with a great deal of patronizing undertone. Tayari comes to believe she had no intention of marrying him ever and merely wanted to amuse herself at his expense.

Commander Zahra is a different story. The dark red lioness actually listens to what Tayari has to say. She is sympathetic about his situation. She admires his dedication and encourages him to keep on doing his best. Those who work hard are always rewarded, she says. Even if Tayari feels inadequate now, he will become a great asset to the Cursed Guard in the future. Since he struggles so much, he will be able to understand the convicts and help them see the errors of their ways. Her words cheer the young lion up. He decides not to give up. To wipe the confident smirk off Olubayo's face. And to see Zahra smile.

The beginnings are hard, but it gets bearable. Like all officers, Tayari spends 3 weeks on duty, and 1 week off – he uses this time to go to the Capital and remind himself what fresh grass looks like. Fish don’t satisfy his hunger, but Zahra brings him goat from the mountains, for which he is grateful. All in all, he misses his home and family, but ambitions make him stay. He won't go back to being a momma's boy. He has the motivation to become a proper lion.

He has since given up on wooing Olubayo. The lioness is okay once you earn her respect, but by no means a candidate for a mate. The one Tayari feels genuine connection with is Zahra. A commander of the Cursed Guard is not quite the same as royalty, but high ranking enough for the second prince of a small kingdom. Besides, Tayari’s family want him to be happy, so he shall chose a mate based on this criterion.

But then Zahra reveals to him a terrible secret. Two, in fact.

Firstly, she is, in fact, the twin sister of Olubayo, a daughter of the emperor.

Secondly, the dark red coat of hers is the result of applying red dust to her fur. Beneath this cover there is nothing but blackness.

Which is why her relationship with the ruling family is strictly confidential.

Tayari is so shocked he is completely out of words. He has always thought that black lions were a legend. That leopards could be black, but not lions. If a black leopard crossed your path, it was a bad omen. A black lion was a sign of a tragedy approaching. This was how the Great Spirit communicated his will – white lions prophesized prosperity, black lions disasters.

But this black lioness was supposed to be a daughter of the white-born emperor. Could it be that this whole empire is doomed? That the ruling family has angered the Great Spirit somehow?

Tayari’s first impulse is to run away. He turns tail and runs all the way to the Capital, whereupon he faints.

Upon waking he tries to convince himself it all had been a nightmare. Zahra is not really black. They did not have this conversation.  

But then, he somehow woke up in the Capital. In the company of the former emperor Theluji.

The old lion is very well aware of the confession Zahra had made to Tayari. He calmly tells the young lion of the night he first met his twin daughters. Yes, Zahra is indeed his child. Yes, he was terrified when he first saw her. Yes, he did assume that she was a sign of the Great Spirit's disappointment with him – since he took advantage of the Shadowlanders to expand his empire – and had since done his best to be a model ruler. Yes, he was afraid of losing his privileged position because of Zahra. Yes, he did find it hard to love this daughter like he did her sisters.

NONETHELESS, he insisted that Zahra was just as normal as any other lioness. She had a brain, a heart, and all organs typical of lion. Only that they were wrapped in a coat of black.

The old emperor made it clear he would protect Zahra from prejudiced masses. As her father, he owed her at least this much. If Tayari wishes to harm the black lioness, or expose her secret, he will be executed. And his dynasty wiped from the surface of Earth, if it’s the last thing Theluji does. However, the old lion hopes that Tayari would see past Zahra’s color and accept her the way she is. If she chose to reveal her secret to him, surely he must be somebody special.

Tayari is conflicted. He understands no good could come out of him revealing the truth to the general population. The empire could fall apart. Besides, the old emperor seems to have taken the measures necessary to appease the Great Spirit. Zahra has served her purpose in reminding the old lion of his obligations as a ruler. It was a good thing. Right?

This was what she was. A tool of the Great Spirit. A reminder of truth. The message was for Theluji himself. And he accepted the "scolding". He could have killed Zahra, but he acknowledged that she was innocent. And refused to punish her for his wrongs.

Tayari respects the old emperor for his decision. And begins to think that maybe the Great Spirit wanted to tell him something as well. But what could it be?

After much consideration, the lion decides he lacks the brains to figure this out. Thus he returns to the Cursed Lands and reassumes his duties. He apologizes to Zahra for running off, but cannot help being awkward around her afterwards. She is sad, but understanding. And willing to give him the space and time he needs, which he appreciates.

Zahra confesses that there was a plan. She was not supposed to tell Tayari about her blackness until after she's given birth of his child. Olubayo had hoped a white child could be born out of their union, which would prove that Zahra was not cursed. But Zahra had come to like Tayari, and could bring herself to use him. And she felt she was right in telling him the truth. He did return. This was the first step.       

Tayari understands why the sisters came up with such a scheme. He also understands why Olubayo is looking down on him. Who could blame her for wanting her sister to be happy? Tayari could not.  

In the end, is he really that much different from the twins? He had chosen to leave his home because he was tired of being treated like a child. He wanted to be seen for who he was, not for what he was. To be Tayari, not Royal Baby. Just like Zahra wanted to be Zahra and not a black lioness.

This was the Great Spirit’s message to him – our parents give us our physical form. Our souls we shape ourselves.

To watch over the convicts has become Tayari's mission, something he intended to devote his life to. Alongside Zahra. True love cannot be ignored forever.       

The two marry in a quiet ceremony at the Shadowlands’ border. They are later blessed with a normally colored son.