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Wimbo- Swahili for "song"
Born during the era of Mlinzi the Protector, died during the era of King Ganda.
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Queen of the Shaded Stones pride.
Wimbo, Vijana, Jani, and Hulisonga are all the daughters of Mlinzi. These lionesses are unique in that they all bear their father's snow-white coat. Most of the cubs born in the pride end up leaving for one reason or another, but these four lionesses decided to remain in the Shaded Stones pride. The four sisters grew up together and retained a very close bond into adulthood. These lionesses were given the title "Mlinzi's Princesses" by the other members of the pride, and it was nothing more than a silly nickname - except for Wimbo.
Shortly after becoming king, Ganda announced to the pride that he intended to take a queen. As time passed, Ganda began to show signs of interest in Wimbo, the oldest of "Mlinzi's Princesses." This did not go unnoticed by the astute members of the pride, and many lionesses would take the opportunity to whisper amongst themselves and spread rumors. When teased by her pridesisters, Wimbo adamantly denied being interested in Ganda, stating that he was too young, too inexperienced, too stoic, and other such things. Though not overtly concerned with lionesses' gossip, Ganda was no fool, and took note of her hesitation. He strove to prove himself to Wimbo and the other members of his pride by allowing time to pass and letting his success and capability speak for himself. After a long period of consideration, Ganda approached Wimbo and asked her to become his queen. Impressed by his proven leadership and having no reason to object, Wimbo accepted.
Love brought about a change in Ganda. He became more relaxed, smiled more (some even claimed to hear him chuckle once in a while!), and took more interest in the upbringing of his cubs. As the Shaded Stones pride was devoid of subordinate males, Ganda took patrolling duty himself, and would often return from a trip with a colorful wildflower gently clasped within the jaws that not hours earlier had torn the flesh of an ignorant rogue male or foolhardy challenger apart. Wimbo was tickled pink by this symbol of affection, and soon fashioned herself a mantle of sorts out of the brightly hued blossoms brought to her by her king.
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"As you travel through the vast savannah, you spot a dark shape on the horizon. You've been under the blazing sun for quite some time, and your aching paws could use some rest. You head towards the object in the hopes that it will provide you with a place to rest for a little while.
You are pleasantly surprised to find much more than you bargained for! A few miles out from your destination, you are met by a patrolling male lion. You tense up, preparing for a fight, but he calls out to you pleasantly and invites you to travel with him. The young lion escorts you to a towering baobab tree, its trunk thick and gnarled and its branches almost completely blotting out the sun. Many lionesses are sprawled out in the shade, grooming and chatting with each other, as their cubs chase each other in and out of the dappled light. A few of them are sorting through various bones, feathers, and other trinkets. The tantalizing aroma of fresh meat wafts out from behind a cluster of boulders as you pass by it.
Your guide leads you through the inquisitive pride members, right up to the base of the majestic tree. You need to mind your step the closer you get, as you almost trip over a jutting root more than once. Finally, you stand before a knot of entangled roots that form a throne-like projection a leap or two above your head. There, reclining above you, is King Ganda, head of the pride."
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