Queen Aaliyah entered the room, tapping her staff across the ground. "Honestly, your brother is acting completely childish over something so small."

Dayo narrowed his eyes, just about ready to lash out. "It is not small and this has nothing to with you, witch." He dragged his brother out of the room and headed toward his brother's hall.

Kovu slowly awakened halfway to his room. He gazed up at his brother who dragged him through his hallway. He pulled himself out of Dayo's grip. He stumbled around to face his brother. "You dare get in my way?"

"Honestly, brother, you may be heir to the throne, but even you are not above attacking the king.” Dayo folded his arms behind his back.

"That is why you stepped in? How were you able to use your grace?"

"I just felt it flowing through me when I saw you in danger." Dayo crossed his arms over his chest. "More importantly what do we do now?"

"I will leave."

"Now, hold on... you cannot just run away." Dayo extended his arms out to Kovu. "You are the heir to the throne."

"I was a fool, actually believing everyone was happy." Kovu balled up his fists ready to strike something. "I have to do something."

"And what can you accomplish by leaving?" Dayo placed his hands on his brother's shoulders. "Stay here and think this through."

Kovu knocked Dayo's arms aside. "I will not stay here and be the court’s joke. I will see my kingdom in full and find a way to save it. I will not allow my people to suffer. I will become a king they will all be proud of."

"Exploration?" Dayo shut his right eye, falling into deep thought. "Then let us make it an official trip. You can learn all you want while keeping your title."

"I do not want to be escorted around by father's men," Kovu told him. "They'll just try to hide the truth from me and keep me confine in the Noble Districts of the towns and that is not where the truth of this country lies."

"Then allow me to make the arrangements," Dayo said. "I just need a week to-"

"A day," Kovu interrupted. "I will stay a day, but if you have not finished your plans by then I am leaving alone. I cannot stand to stay in this castle with a man who would so easily make a fool of me."

"I am not happy with him either nor that Witch he calls his wife," Dayo responded. "But you will not solve anything if you rush off like a mad bull."

"Three days and that will be all." Kovu turned his back on his brother. He looked back at him. "And if you do not wish to be stuck with the witch trying to sneak into your bed I suggest you come as well." He headed toward his room to rest from the day's events.

*

A few days later, Prince Kovu and Dayo exited from their castle. Soldiers lined up across either side of the walkway that lead to the castle gates. Both princes dressed in their royal attire as they headed toward the gate.

"Listen, father has agreed to let us travel freely of his influences and with his blessing as long we follow his conditions," Dayo spoke.

"I am not interested in following his rules."

"Just listen. Father has provided us with horses, treasure, travel equipment and food. He even offered us slaves and soldiers which I of course denied, but should we run short on treasure during our journey we can have wealth sent to us or borrow from a noble clan that will be reimburse by the government.

"Father asks in exchange for all this that we come back home in one year's time," Dayo explained. They made it to their horses, each taking a hold of their reigns. "We also have to check in with the Chieftains of where ever we visit. The final condition is that we cannot use our status as princes to influence anyone into doing anything. It has to be with our own powers as citizens of this country."

"I already planned on it.” Kovu pulled himself up onto his horse with his brother doing the same.

“One more thing, mother would want you to wear this.” Dayo held out a golden angel sword necklace.

“There is no need for that.”

“Come now, this was mother’s last gift to us.” Dayo pointed to the sliver hammer pendent around his own neck. An amuse smile appeared on his lips. “They are for protection which is what we need right about now.”

Kovu sighed. He took the necklace and placed it around his neck. “I suppose.”

Dayo lowered his gaze to where his weapons were set. To his surprise there was a purple shield with two crescent holes in it along with a brilliant sliver spear decorated with gold at the top and bottom, three Redemption crystals and a purple ribbon tied to it. He looked around in his confusion. He looked toward the soldiers. "Where is my sword?"

"I had them remove it." Kovu saw his brother stare at him, not understanding what he had been thinking with this move. "When General Abdul told me we would be allowed to have our weapons I told him to give you those."

"Why?"

"We are going on a dangerous journey," Kovu said. "The spear is your best weapon. I do not need you wasting time trying to keep up with my sword. We’re off." The prince then guided his horse to turn toward the opening gates and headed out.

“I do not need people believing I am compensating.” A guff of annoyance spilled out of the younger prince's throat. He headed after his brother, annoyed he had no time to counter his brother's argument.