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1. Lady Xhosa and Fazara

Everything inside the inner bed chamber of the Dawla princess Lady Xhosa was the mark of a young lady living in the life of luxury. Silk and satin cushions, privacy screens made from rare woods, bedsheets of refined cotton, many styles of clothing reflecting every blend of color available, Persian rugs, furniture, and much more.

The long curtains were drawn shut by a pair of pink hands, dimming the room from the midday sunshine.

"There we are. Everything is ready for your nap, my lady." Iulia, the white furred rat, led the royal fennec to her bed. Fazara, the leopardess, was sitting at a table, tidying a few books and papers that were leftover from Joseph's tutoring earlier in the day.

"Do you want me to read you a story before your nap?" The white rat asked. "I'm sure I could think of a fascinating tale to tell you."

"Hmm. No." The fennec mumbled as she laid down on her bed.

"No?" Iulia said with mild surprise.

"I'm too tired." She gave a prolonged yawn.

"I'd say so." The white rat agreed. "You gave Joseph a lot to deal with today when he was teaching you." The fennec giggled in response. "At least you didn't try running around butt naked again." Iulia held back a laugh as her tail swayed.

"That was forever ago." She frowned only to yawn.

"It wasn't that long ago."

"Iulia, you may leave now." Fazara stated as she stood up from the distant table.

"Yes ma'am." The female rat politely bowed. "Sweet dreams, Lady Xhosa." She smiled before leaving the princess's bed chamber. Once the door was shut the leopardess shed her robes, allowing them to pool at her feet. Standing at the bedside completely naked, her breasts were hanging above like ripened fruits. Looming over, she offered herself to Lady Xhosa. Their prominent roundness, like Iulia's, always fascinated the lithe vulpine. The ever curious princess reached up and touched the leopard's larger breasts. The supple mass yielded to her fingertips and palm. The firm pink bud of flesh in the center poked out unabashedly. The leopard fondly pet the fennec's head without a word.

"I believe you have done this to Iulia." Fazara teased.

"She tells me that bigger and older ladies have larger breasts."

"I believe that is true."

"But fennec's don't grow very tall." Her sandy furred tail swished with discontent.

"I'm sure that you have plenty of room to grow." Fazara kindly told her. "I was going to tell you some news, but you look very occupied right now." The feline smiled as she was lightly groped.

"What news?" The fennec princess rolled onto her side, and retracted her hands.

"About the land overrun by crusaders." Fazara hummed and tenderly massaged the fennec's smaller breast before trailing her hand down the vulpine's lithe body. "There was a messenger sending a plea for assistance. You see, the ruling Emir was ousted by an invasion. However, he has been gathering an army and fighting back."

"Isn't that where Joseph is from?"

"Yes." The leopardess nodded. "If the Emir takes back the land then maybe Joseph will want to return to his home." She suggested.

"But I want Joseph to stay..." She mumbled with a cute frown. "I like when he comes to visit us."

"Then I will make sure he stays."

"You will?" The fennec's large ears perked up in confusion.

"Of course." The leopardess crawled into bed with Lady Xhosa. The fennec snuggled up to the feline, resting her head onto a shoulder. Her eyes closed as she held onto Fazara. "I am pleased that you enjoy his tutoring. I was wary at first, but I am glad that he makes you happy."

"Mmm." The fennec mumbled without opening her eyes.

"Sleep well, my lady. You'll always have my protection." Fazara whispered. "Because I love you."

1. Giuseppe

"It's never good to see storm clouds without rain." Giuseppe didn't like the sight overhead. Grey storm clouds were passing through the area, filling the sky above. The sign meant that there was still potential danger in their midst. Rain was always a blessing, no doubt, for the land. However, a large quantity in a short sound of time meant hazardous flooding. Outside any town or city, the strongest laws were not imposed by any government or tribe, but by nature herself. Even powerful tribal confederations had to obey it. In a way, it was the only law that existed outside city walls.

Seated on a small hillside, the royal patterned cheetah had a small encampment with his faithful entourage; Leila and Nahab the fennec dancers, as well as Sa'as the sand cat. Giuseppe and Sa'as were overlooking a small date orchard and creek to their left; but more importantly, watching a battle unfold on the dusty plain straight ahead. They were very close to the coast, where the sand ended and the grass began. The coastal regions west of Al Lishbunah were fertile and well populated by towns and agricultural areas alike. It was also where most of the struggle between the invading crusaders and the Emir's forces took place. The great disruption affected virtually everyone. Local rulers had to choose their allegiances carefully between those loyal to the Emir and his allies versus the crusaders and their Kakuyid allies. The ensuing power struggle threatened anyone trying to bide their time and wade it out. Many merchant families from across the sea had fled the coastal cities near Al Lishbunah after the joint crusader and Kakuyid invasion. The Acciaioli were one of the few who didn't depart for their homeland.

The bought of leaving never crossed Giuseppe's mind. He loved the deserts, oasis towns, coastal cities, and all of their inhabitants scattered throughout the harsh lands. His tail tip tapped the sand anxiously. Accustomed to bargaining and dealing in goods worth small fortunes, sitting on a hillside waiting for an outcome felt unnatural to the cheetah. Sitting close by, the sand cat, Sa'as, was equally anxious.

"Can you see what is happening?" Giuseppe asked.

"I cannot." The sand cat replied without any optimism. "There is too much dust in the air." The two small armies were fighting in what appeared to be a standstill. The ferocity of the battle kicked up enough dust to blotch out most of their view from afar.

"I guess all we can do is wait." The cheetah merchant frowned. Glancing to his left where the camels rested, Leila was napping with a pair of robes draped over her. Whenever they were near or in contested lands, they had to take turns keeping watch for any potential threats. During the troubling times, bandits and thieves as well as desperate desert tribes sought to make any gains from those unsuspecting.

"Oh?" Sa'as's voice caught the feline's attention. "It looks like some are retreating to the east."

"Retreating? Which side?"

"I can't tell... The stupid dust is wafting in that direction."

"Giuseppe! everyone! The wadi is flooding!" A cry erupted from the hillside. Descending from the top, Nahab the fennec's eyes were wide with fear. "Pack everything! It's coming!" Jumping into action, everyone scrambled to pack up their belongings. Leila awoke in the fray and quickly mounted. Water began trickling down the section of the hillside as they gathered everything onto the camels' backs. A quiet roar was quickly approaching from the distance as the trickling water turned into a stream, and then a river. They hastily ran to the date grove for shelter. The roar of the full wadi filled their ears. All four took a moment to catch their breath and count their blessings. Where they had once stood was now a frothing river of rapids, crashing and drowning anything in its wake.

"Is everyone ok?" Giuseppe was glad to find both fennecs and sand cat in the safety of the trees.

"We lost one camel." Nahab pointed across the rough waters where a lone dromedary was standing idly.

"That could've been much worse." Leila blew a sigh of relief.

"We should be thankful to be alive." The cheetah acknowledged as he looked ahead. The roar of the brown waters separated them from the clashing armies, drowning out the distant sounds of battle, which had become invisible from the date grove. The battle's outcome was now unknown for the time being.

"I'd pay half a fortune to settle this uncertainty." Giuseppe adjusted his turban as one of the remaining camels grumbled noisily.

1. Sahabah and Rebecca

"Awhhwaah." The sudden whining of an infant drew cooed of affection from Sahabah.

"Shhh. It's okay." Seated by a window, the rodent wet nurse had her hands full since morning. The top of her robe was pulled down, but he displayed little interest in her bare bosom. Holding the feline to her white furred breast, she rubbed his back to calm him down. The little cheetah infant in her arms was feisty, and proving to be quite a challenge. He had taken a brief nap with her, but another attempt at feeding him yielded no results. Despite being defenseless and innocent, the little feline still had demands. And he wasn't shy about speaking his mind.

"Let's look outside. Don't you like the view?" The rat offered as she peered out the window and into the enclosed garden behind the two story building. The weather was calm and sunny, but not strikingly hot. She could see a pair of feline toddlers running and stumbling their way across one of the pathways. Their eyes darted around with fascination at the hanging laundry and the various herbal plants alike. A patient serval was following them, keeping a watchful eye out for trouble. Closer to the window, A jackal nurse was tending to a smiling one year old fennec in her lap. Sahabah could see her mouth moving.

"I bet she is whispering a song." The rat guessed. Both brown nipples on the jackal's small, but full, cream furred breasts were wet from a recent feeding. Sahabah smiled at the sweet and caring sight. At least everything inside the building and garden still felt the same, despite all of the tumultuous events that had happened. The little cheetah in her arms didn't appreciate the view, and wriggled in her grasp with vigor.

"Alright." She giggled and whispered. "You are in a fussy mood right now. Should I sing a song to you as well?" Unfortunately, the cheetah gave a short crying whine in response. Hearing footsteps approach, Sahabah turned her head. She was happy to see a familiar figure appear in the entryway.

"You're back." She blinked at the raccoon's sudden return. "How is the marketplace?"

"Not a lot of merchants or vendors, but I managed to find what we needed." Rebecca explained. The raccoon had been her mentor and best friend since she was brought to the midwife and wet nurse building. Without her, Sahabah couldn't imagine becoming a wet nurse.

"You get harassed everywhere you go." The older raccoon concluded. All of the midwives and wet nurses were told only to leave the building or walled garden outside if they were in groups of at least two or three. Safety in numbers was their best defense under the joint rule of the foreigners and desert tribe. People from all occupations had disappeared, even some of their own. Expecting mothers had to be turned away for some time due to all of the sudden demand for their services. A noticeable increase in miscarriages was the worst experience either of them had witnessed. Despite all of the recent troubles, they were able to keep up with most of the extra demand with the help of a few merchant families who weren't squeezed penniless by the invaders.

"I stay away from the funduq entirely now. There's too many armor wearing soldiers, lions, or panthers prowling the area. When you see trouble, you better turn around or find somewhere else to go." She scuffed a bare foot over the wooden floor and looked at her black claws on her toes. "I noticed that it was quiet when I came back. What happened with the jackal mother who was here earlier?"

"She had a miscarriage." The mouse's gaze fell to the bare floor. Rebecca solemnly nodded without a word. Sahabah knew that both of them wanted to say it was terrible to hear, but neither wanted to speak it. The past few months had become very stressful, to say the least. No one, rich or poor, was unaffected. Through the entryway and down the short hall they could hear someone enter the building noisily.

"I heard some news!" A female voice excitedly spoke. "I heard a soldier talking about an army approaching." Sahabah and Rebecca heard an infant start whining from the sudden outburst.

"An army?" Someone said.

"Whose army?" A third asked.

"We might be saved." Another interjected.

"Unless it's another army of those invaders." The voices spoke in earnest before Rebecca walked over and closed the door. Sahabah looked at her friend with a questioning look.

"We will hear what has to be said soon enough. I don't need to hear any false hopes, especially if they might wake or upset an infant." She blew a sigh. "Anyway, as I was saying, the marketplace is different when you have naked lions watching over you. It's just unsettling. I understand what it's like to be glared at by people who don't want to see you nurse in public," Rebecca rubbed her black and grey furred arms, "but it's odd having so many old city laws revoked in an instant." Shortly after Al Lishbunah was invaded, the new ruler had removed the old sumptuary laws that had been in effect for centuries. It was no longer a crime to be nude in public.

"Everyone has been balking about the Kakuyid lions strutting around the city streets with little more than a cloth tied around them. Before the invasion all of them would've been fined or evicted from the city. Now it's all legal." She huffed and folded her arms.

"How were the old city laws about wearing clothing created?" Sahabah asked. Her question made the older raccoon lady think for a moment.

"They were probably made for two reasons. First, to keep nomadic tribal people out of the city, because they were often at odds with each other. You know, warfare, control of trade routes, influence in the oasis towns, and the rest. Second, it's a status symbol. Only certain people can wear certain things. Why are you asking such a strange question like that now?" Rebecca wondered.

"I imagine Joseph saying something like that." She quietly admitted. The raccoon's ears wiggled as she turned around to face the shy mouse. Sahabah appeared worried.

"You still care a lot for him don't you?" She guessed. The white furred rat nodded.

"I wonder how he is doing."

"I'm sure he's fine, wherever he ended up."

"Do you think he escaped the Kakuyids and crusaders?" Sahabah asked. The raccoon thought for a moment before answering.

"I don't think Joseph would've left the city if he didn't have a chance of escaping them both." There was hope in her voice. "And I don't think he could've remained hidden here for long."

"You're right..." The rat nodded.

"The lioness he was with seemed very protective of him." She added.

"Oh. I think her name is Chiba." Sahabah recalled. "She took care of me when Joseph was away. She's very calm and doesn't show emotion, but she is a blessing to have."

"Then he should be in good hands." The raccoon concluded as the infant cheetah began whining again in Sahabah's arms.

"Shh. Hush."

"What's going on here? He's been in your arms since I left."

"I was trying to nurse him. He was fussy before taking a nap, but he still isn't cooperating with me."

"Here. Let me help." The raccoon warmly smiled and sat down beside Sahabah. Rebecca removed her upper garment, allowing it to pool around her lap. She was a seasoned motherly figure. A little pudgy, her heavier breasts were larger than the mouse's, but also distended somewhat from her weight and age. The infant was carefully handed over.

"Aww, are you hungry?" Rebecca cooed as she cradled the grouchy infant in her arms. "Sahabah hasn't dried up. Are you just a picky eager?" She teased. Bringing the little head to her chest, the raccoon brushed her stout nipple across his nose and lips. The mouth eagerly gaped up and latched onto what she offered. Within seconds the cheetah kit was calmly suckling at the older wet nurse's breast.

"He's eating now." Rebecca remarked with a satisfied grin.

"I have never seen a little one turn away from your chest." The quiet mouse remarked with a smile.

"Oh, I have had plenty of picky infants before." She reassured her friend. "Do you remember the entire story of how I became a wet nurse?" Rebecca inquired.

"Some parts." The mouse thought aloud as she pulled her robe back up. "It's a lot to remember; where you grew up and how you arrived here... I'm thankful that I had you to teach me everything."

"Ah, it will take some time for me to tell you again." She hummed and smiled at the suckling infant in her arms. "But since we're both sitting here, let's start from the beginning." The raccoon's masked gaze traveled up to the ceiling...

1. Bulus

A glimpse at the sky revealed that not a single cloud was within sight. Within the walls of the Emir's former palace, the green grass, exotic flowers, and towering trees created a garden resembling paradise. Seated in an ornately carved wooden chair, Bulus, the leader of the Kakuyids was spoiling himself. Proudly naked, the lion wore a mere cloth around his torso in traditional Kakuyid fashion. The cloth was dark blue with thin golden yellow vertical stripes; his favorite color pairing. Two bands were wrapped around his upper arms, just beneath his shoulders. However, he was otherwise starkly naked in plain daylight. Isolated from the rest of the city's day to day activities, Bulus watched a wrestling match with great pleasure. Two male lions with dark manes were equally matched in athleticism and skill. Muscles strained as both big cats scrambled to gain the upper hand on the other. Grunts and brief roars rose up as the pair tussled in the grass. Only the sound of dripping water occasionally interrupted the more garrulous sounds of the sparring match.

Bulus's well sized legs were spaced apart and damp with water, casting his golden fur a darker hue in the bright sun. A rat servant was bathing his legs while he watched the wrestling lions in detail. Normally in Sham, the Kakuyid homeland, wrestling kicked up plenty of dust and sand from the dry ground, obscuring viewers from time to time. However, the palace's green grasses created a much more pleasant experience. In a sudden swoop, one of the lions managed to swing around and pin his opponent. There was a brief moment of calm before both relaxed and sat up. A much older lion close by declared the winner.

"Splendid match." Bulus quietly spoke with approval. The two felines briefly grasped their arms as a sign of respect before leaving the grounds with the elder.

"Finished, sir." A voice spoke up as the smaller rodent rose up from between the male lion's spread legs. Bulus's golden eyes glanced over at the brown furred male rat whose naked groin was directly at eye level. The rodent's clothes were set aside as requested by Bulus. The lion personally enjoyed the forced nudity, especially when he wanted someone to bathe or dress him.

'Dormant.' He absentmindedly noted the flaccid sheath, wondering if that could be 'corrected' or not. He didn't mind having a tough opponent, whether it was a combatant or servant. It always gave him a challenge to tackle.

"Hmm..." The dissatisfied burly lion tapped his paw in thought as the rat patiently awaited his orders. "I said everywhere below the belt." He stated without lifting his gaze from the panting lions. "That includes here." He pointed with a single finger through the thick bushy curls of light brown fur on his groin. "And don't stop until I... finish." He emphasized the final word of his command. The rat didn't look pleased and gritted his teeth, but it didn't matter.

"Yes, sir." Returning to his seat between the big cat's legs, he had little choice in the matter. Power had changed hands, and its wielder had a voracious appetite to use it.

"Hmmmm." A deep rumbling hum vocalized as the servant obeyed. A nervous hand touched along the dominant lion's dangling flaccid shaft, stroking tenderly along the sensitive skin. The other cradled and rubbed the potent heavy orbs delicately. With a little encouragement the servant's skillful hands had a desired effect. The lion felt his length begin to grow from the stimulation. A half grin emerged on his face feeling himself rise up in the servant's hands, hardening until he was wielding a stout weapon of his own. He softly grunted at his entire length flexed in the rodent's grasp. The rat allowed it to gently spring up before resuming his erotic stroking.

"Sometimes city people need a gentle nudge... or a stern warning." His voice lowered as he traced a finger beneath fresh scar on the rat's arm. The rodent winced but made no move to disobey or stop, and that's exactly what Bulus wanted. Just as the Kakuyid closed his eyes a shadow appeared over him.

"Hmm. Hello." Bulus blinked and looked to his right where someone was standing directly beside him. A male lion officer had his hands on his hips. Just like Bulus, the Kakuyid wore very little compared to the urban populace of Al Lishbunah. One leather gantlet was tied to a single wrist and a small deep blue colored cape covered his shoulders. A colorful cloth of green was tied around his torso, but stopped shy of even attempting to cover his groin. An impressive tuft of thick pubic beige fur was visible, mimicking a smaller "mane" on his groin.

"I see that you're carrying your sword high." The lion rumbled out a chuckle at the sight of the younger male sporting an impressive erection of his own, prominently and freely.

"I can't help it after watching this." He looked at the rat servant "tending" to Bulus, and mindlessly ruffled his fingers through his own "little mane" causing his member to sway a little.

"I don't blame you." Bulus half grinned and briefly watched the rat's hands working up and down his proudly standing erection. "You can take him to the baths when I am through if you want, but I hope you stick around." He suggested and toyed with the top of the other lion's pulsating length. "I want to enjoy this sight."

"Unfortunately I didn't come here for another evening of pleasures." The subordinate lion told Bulus. "I had a request to deliver from the Frankish commander."

"You know I don't like to mix business and pleasure." Returning his hand to the chair, Bulus half frowned at the news, and blew a disgruntled sigh. He preferred to relax and focus on feeling the pleasurable hands massaging and tending to his most intimate areas.

"Sorry sir, but I was told to deliver it to you." He modestly apologized for his interruption.

"Alright, you can tell me." Bulus yielded.

"He's requesting another meeting about quartering soldiers. I believe he wants his own men stationed at every gate as well."

"Fine. Let's set up another meeting soon." Bulus agreed. "Tell him whenever he is ready."

"I will." The lion dutifully nodded.

"You can wait for me in the palace foyer. I won't keep you waiting long." He grunted as his length jerked in the rat's hands again.

"Yes sir. Will you bring this fine servant of yours other you?" The other lion inquired.

"Of course. He can help you with this." Bulus used a finger to gently bend the officer's erection before allowing it to spring up again. "If you don't take care of it yourself." Exchanges smiles one final time, the Kakuyid officer walked back to the nearest entryway into the palace. Bulus settled back and relaxed into the pleasure slowly building from the rodent's masterful hands.

"Being the lavish Lord of the East is wonderful." He sighed as his gaze traveled up to the bright blue skies above. 'Only the clouds can rule over me now.' He thought to himself.

Glancing further away in the palace grounds he could see a trio of lionesses seated and sprawled out under the shade of a large tree. The eldest was topless, much to Bulus's liking. The wooden beads of her necklace occasionally clacked together while a Tulunid panther tenderly rubbed her shoulders. Females didn't accentuate or proudly display their feminine regions like the eager males. In Kakuyid tradition, lionesses wore half robes tied around their waists that mimicked dresses in the plainest sense. Lengthy loose fitted robes similar to what a male wore were also common, especially for urban areas. Tying a single cloth around their torso like a male was uncommon, but wearing a cloth around the chest was common, especially for large chested or elder lionesses. Otherwise, Kakuyids normally wore little if anything in the company of others in the deserts.

The younger lionesses were elaborately dressed, fancying the recent treasures of silken clothes and dazzling jewels fit for any sultan. The sight amused Bulus as he thought about other things. The situation in the west came to mind, but the pleasure in his manhood was increasingly harder to ignore.

The coastal cities and towns along the coast to the west were smaller than Al Lishbunah, but lavishly rich in their own right. Rather than leave them entirely to the crusaders, Naran was there with a good amount of Kakuyid warriors.

"My half-brother isn't strict or ambitious like me. He's laid back, and let's himself enjoy anything at any moment." The lion's hard length bounced with imminent release as he chuckled aloud. "I'm sure my half-brother is having a fun time in the west. I can only imagine what he is up to." He said before tensing his entire body. His claws dug into the chair and the grass. "Yessss! Ahh!" He roared as he finished.

1. Anita (Aka) and Joseph

The sun was brightly shining above, but it wasn't unbearably hot. A coastal breeze stirred into the seaside section of the city. Roaming clouds posed no threat of rain, only occasional shade. Joseph quietly stepped out of the entryway leading into one of the many palace buildings. Before him was a sprawl of natural greenery and color. The gardens of the royal palace were an incredible sight to see, no matter how many times Joseph walked through them. The fresh air and calm beauty was a perfect change from the busier and noisy palace kitchen beyond the closed door behind him. With sauntering strides Joseph followed one row of bushes to the edge of the garden where a stone wall overlooked the sea.

'Wow.' The human looked out over the low walls. Beneath the fortification was a mix of rock and grass cliffs that quickly descended to the water. Sea rocks made the naturally calm waters choppy and agitated. Nearby, guard towers secured the space from anyone daring enough to scale the perilous ground. Joseph enjoyed the view for a moment longer before resuming his walk. Like the little waves below, he had a destination in mind.

The sound of a strings being plucked quietly echoed through the area and into his ears. The musical notes guided him to the person he sought out. In a nearby section of the enclosed garden he found Aka, the former wet nurse to Lady Xhosa who was now part of the ruler's harem, a particular favorite of the royal fennec. She was seated upon a simple stool like artistic portrait, completely naked as a border collie bathed her. Her skin was pale, a milky white all over. The curves and contours of her body were grander in some places than others. The older woman's modest breasts hung lower, sagging from age. Small nipples were surrounded by larger rings of light pink skin from years of breastfeeding. Despite the modest motherly appearance, there were many stories she could tell, each more interesting than the last. Her age was only physical, but her mind was far reaching in experience.

The border collie bathing her was youthful in every sense. Her black and white furred body was gracefully slim, and well groomed. Slender limbs and a taught tummy made her appear acrobatic and agile. Light pink nipples poked free atop the white fur on her small breasts, unblemished from the sun by living a guarded life within the royal palace. With a wet cloth in hand, the collie was washing the older woman's back and shoulders. Behind them both was a privacy screen that served to block out any unwanted attention from afar, as well as provide some shade to the fair skinned woman.

A few steps away, the source of the peaceful music was found. A tigress dressed in impeccable robes was playing a harp for Anita's enjoyment. The scene spoke of a luxurious decadence that Joseph had only managed to briefly taste once in his life. Wrinkles appeared as she flashed a smile of white teeth.

"Hello Joseph. Have you come to listen to more of my stories?" She hummed happily as he approached.

"Is this a good time? You're being bathed." He pointed out.

"Of course this is a good time." The older woman waved for him to stay. "I'm just glad someone wants to listen to what I have to tell." She cheerfully spoke with a bright smile.

"Did you always bath openly like this?"

"Goodness no!" She stated before laughing. "Where I grew up, nudity was sinful even while bathing."

'How is that even possible?' Joseph wondered.

"It was only a decade or so ago when I didn't care much about it. I guess age has something to do with it." Anita explained. "Oh, please sit down somewhere. You don't need to stand for me while I'm seated." She urged him. Obliged to stay, Joseph sat down on the low stone retaining wall where dozens of flowers grew. Joseph couldn't help himself from taking in the sight. Using water from a pond steps away, the collie raised a small ornate clay jar above the woman's head before carefully pouring the water down the nape of her neck. Some spilled over her front, leaving tiny rivulets and droplets on her white skin.

"How has Lady Xhosa been doing? What have you been teaching her recently?" She talked as if she wasn't taking a bath in front of him.

"I have been teaching her Lady Xhosa about the government here, and judges. I am learning as much as she is." He frankly told her with a grin.

"She never showed much interest in anything relating to the law." Anita mused.

"I don't think many are, but Lady Xhosa has some interest if you can explain it all like a story."

"She has?" There was mild surprise on the older woman's face. I think you have been a good influence on her." She mentioned.

The canine gently lifted Anita's arm and washed from the human's arm down to her side with a wet cloth. Her soft supple skin moved nimbly from the canine's hand. Anita softly grinned as she was tended to. The older human woman didn't have to move in the slightest while she was bathed. Everything was taken care of for her pampered palace lifestyle as a member of the ruler's harem. Of course the obvious trade off was that she had to give herself over to him whenever he desired; but that left many days to her own desires.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked.

"I think you are helping Lady Xhosa grow up." Anita told him. "She hasn't had a teacher like you before, and she has never cared in the slightest about learning. Fazara simply wants to keep her safe, and anything else is secondary to her interests."

"Fazara is very protective towards Lady Xhosa." Joseph clearly remembered the gleam in the leopard's eyes when they first met.

"Yes, and but as long as Lady Xhosa is happy, her father won't make any changes." She concluded. "I think I am done with my bath." Anita told the border collie washing her back.

"Yes ma'am."

"Thank you." Anita stood up, water dripping noisily into the little puddles below. The tigress immediately stopped playing the harp and retrieved the woman's clothes.

"You're clothes." She offered the pristinely folded garments. The older lady's blue eyes glanced at the fine clothes. However, the woman had other plans.

"Claudia." Anita directed the tigress. "Please find my other clothes for me. I want to be naked for a moment. Thank you."

"Yes ma'am." She bowed and quickly departed. The border collie was equally quick to retrieve a towel and begin drying Anita. Arms, legs, front, back; there was no place too intimate for her.

"That's enough. I'll let the air dry my hair." Anita felt over her side and waved a hand. The canine obliged and started to dry her own arms. The naked mature woman walked over to Joseph and sat down beside him on the retaining wall. Anita crossed a leg as if it retained a little modesty as her foot nearly touched him.

"Hmm. What story to tell... What story should I tell?" Anita pondered the thought. "When I was a little girl playing in the fields; when I was abducted and brought to this land; when I was taught by an elder lioness; or something else."

"You have lived an amazing life, and I don't think you have told me most of those stories." Joseph knew that the older woman had a background marked by tragedy, bravery, and acceptance. She wasn't fierce like his wife Chiba, but she was equally resilient.

"True. True. It would take a lot of time to tell you everything about my life." Anita admitted. "Although." She paused to think. "I want to say something else." Her decision had Joseph's attention. "Do you think you could've escaped that desert jail if it had been the size of a palace?" She asked.

"I don't know. What do you mean?" The question caught him off guard.

"They say this palace can become a prison if you desire anything that cannot be brought within its walls." She mentioned.

"But you can come and go as you please."

"Only if I am allowed to." She pointed out.

"Is there anything that you desire outside these walls, Anita?" Joseph asked.

"Hmm." The older human thought with a pleasant hum. "I don't think so, or at least not anymore, but there is something more important to ask... Is there anything you desire outside of these walls?" The older woman turned the question onto him. Joseph looked out to the sea with a questioning look on his face. Deep in thought, he didn't utter a word to the harem woman. Anita suddenly smiled warmly.

"I know something that you don't." She teased with a cheerful voice.

"And what might that be?" Joseph wondered if she was merely playing with him.

"It will be a surprise, but just in case it doesn't happen, I won't say." She tapped him with her bare foot. Just then the tigress returned with a different set of clothes in her arms.

"Here are the other set of clothes you wanted, Anita." The tigress returned with another set of folded clothes in her arms.

"Ah, those are perfect, Claudia. Thank you. I believe I have finished drying off while I talked with Joseph." Anita smiled and stood up. She held up one arm as the tigress unfurled the pristine robe and began to dress the older woman. Joseph watched as her naked skin became clothed.

"His majesty, Nasir seeks your company in private." Claudia notified Anita once she was dressed.

"Oh. Go tell him that I will arrive as soon as I can." She quickly told the tigress who immediately departed. "I'm afraid I won't have any time to tell you a story today." She told Joseph with visible dismay. "I'm sorry. Maybe another day?" She offered.

"Of course. I understand." He nodded.

"I will be busy for the rest of the day, but you know where to find me tomorrow." She grinned. "Bye." The woman simply stated as she walked away through the garden.

"Wait." Joseph rose from his seat and turned the corner. "What about the thing you had said earlier?" She was already several steps ahead of him however. Anita looked over her shoulder and waved without missing a step. The border collie who had bathed Anita was already dressed as well, and left with the jar and cloth in hand. Both quickly vanished, leaving the human alone in the section of the garden. Joseph gazed back at the visible section of the sea from where he stood. A sense of curiosity and discomfort coursed through him. What did it all mean?

1. Chiba and Nasiba.

The salt scented breeze from the sea wafted through the open window of an upper story apartment building. A small rounded ear flickered at the gentle wind.

"Little Nasiba..." Chiba's heart swelled with pride whenever she spoke her daughter's name. Wriggling in her lap and arms, a little lion cub was squirming about, happily burbling out innocent cries. She enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her daughter.

"My, my, you are a handful." The lioness whispered at her daughter's active behavior. Little hands grasped at the mother's slim tummy as the youthful blue eyes stared at the creamy colored fur.

"Are you hungry again?" Chiba guessed and brought the little one's face her her breast. However, the little lion cub wasn't interested and squirmed in her arms. "Okay, okay." She lowered the infant back into her lap. "Good. Give my chest a rest." She cupped one breast. Having been virtually flat chested her entire adult life, the new mother lioness wasn't used to having rounded breasts. It was odd feeling the two small protruding masses whenever she moved. The sensation of fullness, and nursing was also a new adjustment, although, the feline quietly liked it all the same. It was a radical change considering the past few years.

Becoming a mother was never on her mind since she was forcefully wedded to Bulus's son. In fact she detested the idea of having a child by him. Lingering in a jail cell in Fez, marriage and love seemed like an unreachable fantasy. Yet here she was, with her child in her lap. Glancing back at the doorway, the lioness wondered how long Joseph would be gone for the day. Tutoring the ruling Dawla family's daughter could take a few hours or up to entire day. His work was decided on the basis of a whim, but at least it paid very well.

"Your dad likes to take his time wherever he goes." Chiba grinned. "But I know I can trust his every step, because he loves me."

"Ahhawwah!" The little lioness openly smiled and waved her tiny arms.

"He loves you too." She grinned. "And we love him." Chiba rubbed the infant's belly. Nasiba began "attacking" her mother's hand, attempting to gnaw a finger. "Although he desires the strangest things." She stared out the window to the sea. Her grin didn't fade as she watched the calm blue waters. Change had been the only constant in her adult life. Moving from one place to another was always expected ever since childhood. She was going to enjoy the peaceful quiet as long as she could. The lioness wondered if the sea was going to call out to her husband again, like it had back in the land of Fez...