While the Wild Horde prepared for war and fought the Quilboars and Taurens, a car with several warriors and Tyr'Azar drove along the road to Predrimmar. They drove through forests, rocks and meadows. Finally, after a day of the road, a high arch with a metal lattice and walls appeared, surrounding the capital of the Wild Horde - Predrimmar.

There were cannons on the walls that were ready to fire at the command of the sentries. They looked down and saw a war machine with the Supreme Warlock. The chief sentry, who is a Tyrannosaurus, ordered to raise the bars and give passage. Three warriors went to three levers and pressed them. The grilles began to rise simultaneously, giving passage to the car.

- Welcome back, Tyr'Azar. - The sentry bowed. The car began to drive into the capital through the gate. The capital looked very beautiful from the inside: tall houses decorated with carvings, barracks and garages where soldiers live and equipment is located, royal palaces located in the middle of the capital and forming a circle; markets, forges and libraries. In total, about five hundred dinosaurs of each clan live in the capital, and each is engaged in his own business: forging weapons, trading and just walking. The warlock's gaze was fixed on the tall black tower to the left of the palaces. It is the tallest building in the capital and fortress of Tyr'Azar - Tower of Suffering.

The car drove to the tower and stopped. Tyr'Azar got off her and headed inside the tower, climbing the stairs to the top. The warriors followed him.

The warlock ordered the soldiers to guard the tower and not let anyone in, and he himself went inside the huge hall, where his laboratory and altar for rituals were located. The laboratory itself consisted of several tables with flasks and test tubes and equipment for alchemy. The walls were lined with cupboards with various books on alchemy and various ancient rituals.

- Vel'Zur, Pter'Gun, Ptir'Gar, come to me. Your Master is back. - Tyr'Azar called someone.

From the shadows beside the wardrobes emerged three figures in cloaks and hoods, hiding their faces. Their entire body was practically covered with green scales, as was Tyr'Azar's. They looked at the master with their red eyes and bowed to him.

- We are glad to have you back, Master. - said Velociraptor Vel'Zur.

- How's it going at the Wild Horde base? Has anything new happened? - asked Pteranodon Pter'Gun.

Tyr'Azar told them about the guests from the Flying Island, the Gladiator fights and the victory of the Wild Horde over the Quilboars and Taurens. Most of all the students were interested in the Heroes of Chima.

- Most of these guests were interested in two Lions, very much like our captive. - added Tyr'Azar.

- You're think one of them is her child? - asked Ptir'Gar.

- I'm sure of that. And also sure it's a boy. - answered the warlock. - We're using it to get the captive to tell us about the passage. Did you find out anything?

- Not at all, Master. No matter how much we tortured her, starved her, and used spells, trying to split her, she is silent and does not say anything. - answered Vel'Zur.

- Then I'll have to do it myself. - Tyr'Azar said menacingly. - Engage in potions and ritual to remove the dome.

The three students nodded and walked over to the tables with test tubes and different colored liquids. Tyr'Azar went to the next room, where there was a dungeon with one captive.

***

In the next room behind bars there is a mysterious captive, hiding in a blue headscarf. Sits cross-legged. In front of her is only a fortune-telling bowl filled with olive oil. Patterns with symbols are drawn on the hands. While casting the incantation, she was holding a small lighted blue candle in her hands. A drop of wax fell from the candle into the oil, and the fire began to show a picture. A Crocodile, a Wolf, a Raven, an Eagle, a Tiger, a Gorilla, a Rhino, a Ice and Brown Bear, a Mammoth and two Vultures, which were in containers of the Wild Horde war machines, heading to the base, appeared in the fire. Each image appeared quickly and was replaced by a new one, like frames of a cartoon. It seemed to her that they were prisoners. Further, the picture showed that among the peaceful tribes of Stegosaurs and Triceratops there are two lions. The captive smiled when she saw the red-headed Lion, but that was not for long.

The gates of the hall opened, and the Tyrannosaurus appeared, hiding its face under a robe. She looked at the warlock in disgust, but she had to prepare for the meeting. He reached her bars. The captive got up from the floor, took off her headscarf and showed her image. The Lioness turned to the door of her dungeon. Despite the bruises under her eyes, she stood firm and behaved with dignity, like a true Queen. Tyr'Azar opened the grate door and went to the captive.

- I waited for you, Tyr'Azar. - said the Lioness dryly.

- I know. - The warlock smiled. - And you know what news I wanted to tell you. Those aliens from the Flying Island activated the Golden Bridge.

- Do you think they'll tell you? It is unlikely that you will get answers from them. - She said coldly, turning towards the window. - They won't do it.

- I feel sorry for you. - Tyr'Azar grinned. - How many years have you been sitting here? Sixteen or seventeen? As I can see, you haven't changed anything. You are still daring and stubborn! You should probably be cramped here.

- I'm not complaining if it weren't for your presence. - the Lioness threw her headscarf over her shoulder.

- Your impudence is boundless! - the warlock squeezed out through clenched teeth. - Although you deny your origin, you have foresight, heal wounds, resolve complex conflicts and read other's thoughts. Do you know what I and the Wild Horde are wish?

- I know perfectly well what you wish! - She said coldly. - You want to get Chima and destroy it.

- "Destroy"? No, this is too harsh. We only want to subdue her, to avenge exile with the Golden Phoenix. And return what is rightfully ours. We are the superior race that is destined to rule this Island. But Tyrdrex, with his nobility and love of peace, betrayed us and his brother.

- He didn't betray. Tyrdrex acts with his own mind, but you and Tyranors act with a other's minds. - said the Lioness. - Are you saying you care for the good of the Horde? No, you care about the good of "her."

- What are you hinting at? - the warlock wondered.

- You well noticed that I read other's thoughts and have foresight. - She smiled maliciously. - Tyranors is just a tool you need to achieve your goals. I know who is behind you, I know who convinced you to rule Chima. You were under the influen ...

- Shut up! - shouted Tyr'Azar.

He punched her with all his might in the womb. Captive fell to her knees, holding the point of impact. The pain slowly spread through my body. But she did not give in and slowly straightened up. Lioness adjusted the scarf and lowered her eyes.

- Leona, you are talkative today. But why were you silent? - Tyr'Azar asked growling at her.

- I didn't want you have destroyed yourself and the whole Realms because of your ambitions. - Leona answered in a cold tone.

She raised her eyes and again expressed everything that she had said before:

- You want me to give you the secret of activations of the Golden Bridge? Well, I shall not. You want me to use my powers in evil deeds? Well, it will never. You want me to surrender and betray all those whom I held dear? Well, I shall not. Not in a thousand years. Not if you rack me to within an inch of my life. I am Leona, Queen of the Lion tribe, the loyal wife of my husband, King Lagravis, and mother of the Hero of Chima. Wery soon my son will stop you and interfere with your dark acts.

The Tyrannosaurus growled angrily at her words, but after a second grinned.

- You really believe in stupid things like dreams and hopes.

- There's always hope, Tyr'Azar. - Leona answered calmly.

- Well, it is believed that it is here, with us. - He smiled maliciously and turned to the door.

But before leaving, the warlock turned to face her. He looked at the proud Lioness.

-Your so-called Heroes have already arrived in our hands. And soon your son will follow them. I want you to witness our victory.

Having said this, Tyr'Azar laughed and left the dungeon, closing it with a key. He knew that the Lioness was weak and would not be able to attack him, and if he could, then his strength would help him. He whispered a little incantation, and with two fingers drew a few symbols on the floor in front of the grate.

- A present for you from me. Enjoy memories of the past. - Tyr'Azar laughed and headed towards the exit from the hall. - You will break sooner or later.

Now Leona was left alone and did not understand the meaning of the warlock's words. She dropped to her knees abruptly and could no longer hold back her tears. The Lioness once learned from her father-in-law that it is better for the enemy to see your blood than your tears. For all the years of her captivity, she did not show her weakness, did not shed tears in front of everyone, in front of the enemies she behaved like steel. Persistent and unflappable. And she did not bow to anyone. And when she was alone, she had the opportunity to release her feelings. She covered her mouth with her hand so that no one could hear the sounds of her suffering. The symbols drawn by the warlock immediately activated and lit up, but Leona did not notice this. The poor thing Lioness began to cry softly, and crystal tears flowed down her cheeks from her blue eyes. All she could do was be alone with herself. The Lioness sobbed. She did not notice that the symbols make her feel despondent, provoking painful memories and finally breaking the Lioness. Pain in her soul overwhelmed her, and memories spun in her head.

- It's a boy! Well done, Your Majesty.

The Lioness was lying on the bed and breathing heavily. She has just given birth to her first child. Leona smiled when she heard the cry of her cub, closed her eyes and enjoyed this wonderful, happy moment in life. The baby calmed down when he was washed and swaddled.

- Congratulations, my Queen. You have a healthy baby boy. - said one of the midwifes and carefully placed the cub in the mother's arms.

Leona's joy knew no bounds. Tears flowed from her eyes. She gently pressed her lion cub to him and kissed him on the top of the head.

- Laval... We finally met, my baby. - whispered Leona. - You are my handsome little prince.

Leona suddenly turned around at the sound of the door opening. Her husband, King Lagravis, came to her. He was beside himself with happiness when he saw his beloved wife with a parcel in her arms. Leona remembered how her husband worried and rejoiced during her pregnancy. Lagravis, seeing her tired face, realized that the birth was very complications for her. He walked over to the bed and kissed her wife.

- Lagra... Honey, look at our son. - Leona said tenderly.

- He's perfect. - Lagravis smiled, looking at his son, and ran his hand over his cheek. - The pride of our tribe.

The little lion cub looked at the lion with curiosity and smiled at him. His parents continued to admire him, enjoying his adorable.

- Would you like to hold him? - suggested Leona. Lagravis nodded and took him carefully in his arms. Leona watched with affection as the father gently rocked his son.

- Hello there, my little warrior. You have given a hard time to your mother when you came out of her. - Lagravis said with a smile and turned to his wife. - Have you come up with a name for the cub?

- I flipped through the books so much they ripped. I thought over it for many days. His name will be Laval. - answered the Queen.

- Laval? - the King of Lions was surprised. - I've never heard that name.

- It means "light that illuminates the darkness."

- Lion Laval... I love it. - Lagravis agreed and turned to his son. - Welcome to the world, Laval.

Lagravis kissed his child's forehead. He sat down on the edge of the bed and approached his beloved.

- Now we are a family, my Darling. - Lagravis kissed her.

All these memories were spinning in Leona's head. She saw them from the side of the viewer and felt pain. She wanted to go up to them and look again at the cub, whom she had not seen for seventeen years, but the picture suddenly began to change.

- Please, Lagra, stopping. What has changed so?

- You. You have changed, - the lion with a small beard answered calmly. - I've changed too, because of you. Yours was the only face I saw in the that day.

- Lagravis, I ...

- Let me finish. - He said in a calm tone. - During the war, I was abandoned and seriously wounded. It seemed to me that I was dying. But when I opened my eyes a little, I was on your lap and listened to your song. Your amazing, bright voice, like the music of the wind. I want to hear it again. I want to look into your pretty blue eyes. I don't know how you healed me, but you brought me back to life. You're my other half. You're my first and only love, and I don't care what my father says. I want to be with you always.

With these words, Prince Lagravis hugged Leona to him. The young lioness did not expect such frank confessions of her beloved. With the help of her gift, she learned that she would find her happiness with him. But she didn't want him to suffer because of her.

- Lagra, if you know, how I give to go back to that day. - Leona clung to him, reciprocating. - It's so pain.

- You see? The same pain as mine. Proof you feel the same way.

- Perhaps, but it's too late. - the Lioness came out of his embrace. - I don't want to stand between you and your father.

- No, let me decide that. Allow me hope. - asked Lagravis.

Leona lowered her head, but she looked into his eyes and asked:

- Then you can promise me one thing?

- Anything. - Replied the Lion prince, banging his fist on the chest. - I, like a Lion, will keep my word.

- Promise me that you'll be patient with me. - She asked.

- I promise. - answered Lagravis, approaching her. - Because I love you. And I swear I'll wait for you as long as it takes.

The Lion ran his hand over her cheek. Lagravis and Leona looked at each other, and then kissed passionately ...

On that day, Leona fell in love with the one for whom she did everything. The Lioness managed to convince Lagravis to be prudent when he wanted to escape with her. Lavertus initially did not trust Leona, but later became friends with her.

Leona, who looks at all this from the outside, understood that something was wrong here. As if she is looking at different fragments of her past, interrupting at the right moments, and then a new picture appears. The Lioness felt how these memories torment her and make her break. This was followed by her next fragment from the past.

It began to rain down the night in Lion City, but everyone slept peacefully, including the Royal Family. Lagravis and Leona slept in an embrace on the bed. Next to them was a crib with a newborn lion cub. But the sound of a thunderstorm woke the baby up. Lagravis, hearing the squeak of his son, gently got out of bed, went to the cradle and took his son in his arms to calm him down. Leona felt that her husband was not around and heard that their son was crying. She turned around and saw Lagravis shakes him.

- Lagravis, what happened? - Leona asked worriedly.

- Don't worry. Laval is awake. - Her husband answered quietly. - The thunderstorm frightened him.

He sat down next to her. Baby Laval continued to cry, but his father reassured him.

- Don't cry, son, don't cry. - Lagravis whispered to him. - Look, your mother is here and I'm here. We're always with you.

https://youtu.be/nt3Ggo1CE3g

Leona stroked Laval's head and softly sang a song:

May it be an evening star

Shines down upon you

May it be when darkness falls

Your heart will be true

You walk a lonely road

Oh! How far you are from home

Mornie utulie

Believe and you will find your way

Mornie alantie

A promise lives within you now

May it be the shadows call

Will fly away

May it be you journey on

To light the day

When the night is overcome

You may rise to find the sun

Mornie utulie

Believe and you will find your way

Mornie alantie

A promise lives within you now

A promise lives within you now

Little Laval quietly fell asleep in his father's arms to his mother's song. The couple looked at each other and kissed tenderly on the lips. Then they put their son in his crib and fell asleep.

Leona truly believed that her son was in gentle, caring and strong hands. She is glad that her beloved began to devote himself to running the tribe and raising their son. The Lioness believed that Laval would become a real Lion-warrior. Although it is hard for her to endure, far from her family and friends. But she resigned herself to the fact that she was dead to everyone. If Leona tries to escape, then the Wild Horde will become even more evil and lay out all the anger on her family.

The memory ended, and Leona turned to look at the bars of the dungeon. The symbols disappeared completely and disappeared into thin air. She realized that these memories were supposed to break her completely, because it's not for nothing that this place is called the Tower of Suffering. The Lioness hoped in her son and believed in him, like a in Tyrdrex. He and his friends were the only ones who treated her with respect and reverence. They even wanted to offer her to run away and return to home, but Leona refused then, because she did not want to once again experience the torture of the warlock, and even less punishment for the prince and his friends. She sat down on the floor again and took a break from the memories, trying not to show her weakness.

***

In an adjoining room, Tyr'Azar and his students worked on potions for the Wild Horde and a ritual to remove the dome. The chief warlock and Vel'Zur watched and read different books in order to learn at least something, while Ptir'Gar and Pter'Gun made potions that exploded or impart strength.

- Are you sure she's going to break, Master? - Vel'Zur asked.

- I hope so. She is a very persistent Lioness, and numerous tortures have proven this. She will be silent until her last breath, but having got her son, we can finally break her. The memories incantation I cast in the symbols should tire her out and lower her morale. - Tyr'Azar said.

- That's good news, Master. - Vel'Zur smiled and continued to study the books, looking for the necessary ritual.

***

Several Wild Horde vehicles were driving towards Predrimmar. One of them was from Tyrexor's squad, wounded in the battles, and the rest rode from the fortresses of the Quilboars and Taurens, taking prisoners to the warlock for his rituals.