"That's all I ask of you," Lailah told the Queen. "Come back if you have more questions to work through." Or for religious advice...but that the Shaman didn't voice aloud. She was reasonably certain that Kimondo was not one of the most devout in the pride. Well, few could compare with someone like Nyeusi, who was a bit extreme even for Lailah's own tastes. But she hoped that Kimondo would remember that despite the vast difference in their ages, they were meant to work together as Monarch and Shaman.

But she had faith in the Queen. She had chosen well.