They ambled through the dark shadows of trees. There, everything was still in its natural state. There were plants believed to have lived over five centuries or more. Although, plants like that can also be found in Greenwoods but not as much as it is where they are. There were no marks or signs on trees and no footpaths anywhere. However, the difference it has was not so much as to raise argument about if whether animals ever worked or walked there, but was enough to wonder, for it was so unusual for a place said to be inhabited.
Coming to an open place, though not without vegetation, but scanty and unhealthy. They saw a black bird, a raven perhaps the same one zebra chased away. It flew up to a tall grey leafless tree. The tree was few distance away, on the same direction they were heading to.
“Is that the bird?” The secretary asked the zebra.
“Maybe”
“What is it up to now?”
The gorilla was not aware of what happened between them and the bird that they were talking about it. He doesn’t think anything has happened without his notice, for he hadn’t left the group or seen the bird before. He demanded they make him understand. The giraffe derived so much pleasure in narrating the story, that was more like mockery. Spicing it up to sound sweet in the ear. Before he could bring the story to conclusion, frightening creature, mostly hyenas emerged from all corners of the bush and surrounded them. The giraffe would have ran out of their midst if not seized on one leg by Bara.
“If we stick together, they will find it difficult to attack”
They tried communicating with the hyenas but their language was not same. Their gestures were understood but with much effort. Communicating with them couldn’t stop them from looking hostile and determined.
“Very ugly things” Bara said.
“That ugly bird caused this” zebra said.
“No, you did. The bird was relishing her breakfast before you threw stones at it” giraffe opposed.
“Did you not see it defecated right on my forehead? Did I chase her away for no reason?”
“That act wasn’t intentional. It might not know that we were there”
“Same thing with me. I threw those stones unintentionally”
“Enough of this argument” the king snapped indignantly. “We are facing danger here. How’s that discussion going to get us out of here?” He quieted the crowd and made them to listen. “All this happenings appeared in my dream when I was sleeping. From what the chimp discovered in the hill. I pray it ends the way the dream was. As for these ones here, they will lead us somewhere. A place we really need to see”
“Your highness, in your dream, did we find your son and took him back to Greenwood in peace?” A voice asked. The gorilla did not answer immediately, he thought a while before coming up with a response.
“Let’s face the reality and not the dream”
The king and his subjects humbly followed the hyenas to wherever they were asked to go. Whichever animal that sees them on the way joined the movement chanting happily along. With the notion that they have made the biggest catch in their history. Gradually the weather began to change. Clouds seized and shaded. The temperature became mild. When they got to the rocky mountain believed to be their king’s dwelling, they filled the compound waiting for their king to be informed. There were caves in the rocks but in front of the one they all face which they anticipated that their king would emerge through, was higher and it has a stair- like pattern for climbing. That construction was done by nature. Smaller stones on bigger ones. All with leveled tops. And something like a rostrum right in front of the cave.
“That’s the animal I told you I saw on the tree where I was resting” the giraffe said, pointing at a Jaguar. Immediately a leopard came to examine them, he became confused. “I think it is this particular one. Are they same?” Now referring to the leopard.
Again, the cheetah ran down the stairs from the king’s cave to meet his members that were down. That animal got the giraffe confused the more.
“Spotted animals are numerous here. I don’t even know the one i saw but surely not this one. He looks thinner and his face like something that’s been crying since birth”
It was the parrot he whispers to. The parrot was on the back of one of the buffaloes. He turned with a full look of dislike but the giraffe did not notice it was for him.
“You noticed it right? Most animals here looks alike. Their king lives in a cave like the chief priest. They couldn’t even build one gazebo or a cabin for him. Well, will they build that for their king when it’s obvious they too sleep in trees? Lazy things. All that comes to their mind is to kill. Nothing else. Anyway, their king wouldn’t need another shelter when it lives in such a strongly designed cave. Inside of it must be splendid. I sure believe it will be deep, accommodating and also fascinating……”
“Why not go to the front, meet one of them and tell them all these. They will be pleased. Maybe that will help make things easier for us rather than hiding behind me making a hail of noise. I want to think. And you must remain quiet. You are not the only one seeing all of these. But we keep our mouths shut. You must not say all you see”
The giraffe was quietened, in seconds he captured every actions in the environment with his quick glances. Shortly after the tiger appeared on the platform above to welcome the occasion. He look big. His voice was deep and frightening. As soon as the giraffe saw the tiger up there he poked the zebra.
“Your reflection. You have a resemblance here too. Just Shape and color differs” the giraffe said. Turning the other direction his eyes caught up with the secretary’s who was seriously starring at him with a warning look. They gazed steadily at each other for some seconds.
“Please allow me talk. This may be my last chance”
“Then I will make it faster for you. One more word from you we will use you to appease them. They see me as a talkative but I think I am dumb compared to you ”
Giraffe’s distractions made the parrot loose some points from what the tiger was saying up there. His words weren’t difficult to understand. It was clear to everyone unlike the hyenas. They understood what they were regarded as. They were seen as a catch from hunting instead of strangers in search of something. The second part of his speech was directed to the group that discovered them. The most annoying scene there is watching the hyenas celebrate with terrible laughter.
A mighty lion with shaggy mane ambled out of the cave. He was almost the size of the tiger. He roared to keep the place calm and he got what he wanted. It was terrifying however.
“So this is what they call a lion?” They asked amazed for they are seeing him for the first time.
“I thought it will be as mighty as the elephant or more. Well, it looks frightening, especially with that dirty hair on its back” the parrot said.
“Your hunters did not catch us. We told them to bring us to their king because we want to see you” the gorilla grunted.
“For what?” sounding mean. They thought on how to put the words that it won’t be misunderstood.
“We come in peace”
Hearing that we come in peace, he laughed loudly. His subjects joined him making those from Greenwoods look stupid.
“That sounds funny saying you come in peace. What do you think you can do if you had come for reasons otherwise? If I may ask, who are you? What’s your name?”
“I am, the king of Greenwoods. I learnt you have my son and some of my subjects in your custody” Trying to hide his fears.
“So what?”
“I come to take them back”
“Is this how stupid you are? Is this how you rule them? How could you have thought that I will release to you my special meal and let you go with it in peace? By the way, have you ever heard that living creatures come here and returns? Didn’t you ask questions before coming? Are you not mistaking Skull-land to another place? No.. no, you are not. You are at the right place. I appreciate your coming. You have done well. Bunch of fools. Look at them, even the one with a coconut tree-neck. That one will surely leave his sense on the ground, trampling on it………”
As he was still talking, heavy wind started blowing. Polluting the atmosphere with dust and leaves. Animals started finding a place for refuge. The gorilla and his members wished for a cave at that moment. That will help them not only to stay safe from the rain but also to check if that’s where the rest of the captives are kept.
“To the cave?” A puma shouted to the king.
“No, let them enjoy the rain. They need refreshment” He sounded as though he read their mind and had figured out what they wanted. The puma went to meet him and whispered,
“What if they run?”
“Then you replace them on my table” The lion did not need to explain more about what he meant.
Now they realized that they have reached the Skull-land they hear and talk about. They have started seeing what it means which is not just about eating flesh. They were disappointed for they thought they will be given a place to stay while the rain pours down but instead they were made to absorb the water on their body. Now so many thoughts fight their way into their minds. Since it’s this complicated, will they be allowed to go after everything? Whether with the prince or without him. That did not bother the king like it does to the others. He was determined to face whatever consequences as long as he sees his son.
The rain did not take long but it was cold. Subsequently, they were led to a cave and were locked up. They expected to see other captives there so as to commence their search but unfortunately it was empty. Only filled with dried grasses. There must be another cave somewhere.
The gorilla realized the lion’s orders always go against his desire. First, he wished to be in a cave while the rain falls but they were compelled to stay outside. Secondly, he wished for the cave where his son and the rest of Greenwoods citizens are, but they were taken instead to an empty one. Who knows their fate? What more will they face thereafter? Everyone had something to busy his mind with. It is either about what to do to succeed in their mission or, how they will escape from the wicked ones and so on.
They needed something to keep warm. The cave wasn’t warm enough and there was no solution on mind. As time elapse, Bara came up with a good idea of lighting the grasses. They gathered it and lighted it by forcefully igniting two sharp stones. It burnt gradually because the rain split on some. They were relieved of the cold but we’re very carefully not to fall asleep.
Suddenly the saw a hare pass in haste and immediately after it came a Cheetah with a marvelous Sprint. They were startled at its swift ability. Not up to ten seconds the cheetah passed the rabbit, holding it on its neck. That hare was a citizen of Greenwoods.
“This place is hell” a voice from the cave said.
“Now you know?”
“I guess that’s one of the prisoners trying to escape”
“So this is where all those that got missing in Greenwoods ends up?”
“They are brutal. But we must show them” Said the squirrels who was known for his great herbs. The rest looked at him expecting to hear what he meant by showing them.
“Do not fear, I have an idea. Nothing will happen to any of us. We will all go the way we came”
they drew closer. He whispered it. It wasn’t enough to some but gave hope. Relieving them a bit. Hoping the idea works. Shortly after a puma and a leopard came to check on them. They pulled the wooden door aside and went inside only to see red flames and sparkles. They were scared not just being amazed. They have heard stories of how fire contributed to the lost and destruction of many animals. But they haven’t seen or felt it. So they wanted to hear more about it. The chimp was the story teller. He exaggerated the effect of fire and after which he dared them to confirmed it with their paws knowing that they won’t. They went to report to their king of what they saw.
“They are capable of setting the whole Skull-land on fire” they said and expected to hear him decide.
“I know it that they must have something they rely on. They can’t come here empty handed” He called for them. Looking worried.
“What and what can you possibly do?” The lion asked glaring at Bara. Bara took advantage of his looks. Knowing that he’s bothered. He found courage.
“Countless. The fire is the least among them which is capable of terminating your entire community”
“Explain one more” the lion demanded.
The squirrel stepped out quickly to take the challenge.
“We are capable of poisoning your rivers, ponds, Brooks, and more. Whoever tastes from it shall die”
“Does that suppose to be a threat?”
“Even with all we have we still come in peace. We are not here for any reason other than taking our citizens in your custody home. That’s all. Allow us search for them and take them along”
The lion was weak, confused and more. He did not know what to do or say.
“I will see you later. Take them back” the lion king said.