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“You’ll be a fine King. Now why don’t you get some sleep, husband? I’ll be here when you wake.”
“You’ll be here when I wake?” Simba looked into Nala’s deep hazel eyes. “You’re the first thing I’ll see when I open my eyes.” He nuzzled her passionately and touched her left shoulder with his paw. “I will be King tomorrow. Tonight I am a lion.”
SCENE: THE UNEASY TRUCE
SCENE: INVITATION TO THE DANCE
SCENE: MISSING
SCENE: FAR FROM HOME
SCENE: THAT ILLUSIVE SCENT
SCENE: MAKING DEMANDS
“You’ll be here when I wake?” Simba looked into Nala’s deep hazel eyes. “You’re the first thing I’ll see when I open my eyes.” He nuzzled her passionately and touched her left shoulder with his paw. “I will be King tomorrow. Tonight I am a lion.”
SCENE: THE UNEASY TRUCE
The air in the graveyard was quiet, filled only with the hiss and bubble of escaping methane as the hyenas, their once great numbers diminished in the terrible fight, straggled in slowly. Banzai limped off, muttering angrily, his haunches scored with claw marks, Ed following behind, still giggling maniacally at his discomfort. Exhausted, Shenzi made her way over to a quiet niche in the rock face and sat down. Skulk wandered over, his ears perking up as Shenzi grumbled under her breath.
"That sorry, no account, pandering IDIOT! Who does he think he is?! " She bared her teeth.
Skulk cringed, terrified. He had never seen her in such a rage. "Who? Krull?"
She uncoiled with the speed of a striking snake, cuffing him heavily across the jaw. Yelping, Skulk jerked away.
"Of course I mean Krull! Who do you THINK I'm talking about?" She clenched her jaw, the muscles flexing visibly. "I spent my entire LIFE waiting to become Roh'mach. And that imbecile of a king dares give it to a MALE?"
Skulk nodded energetically. "Of course. You should have been chosen as Roh'mach. You’re the only logical choice. You are far more cunning and powerful than Krull."
"My name is Uhuru, ” a voice said. The hyenas turned to see their new leader entering the graveyard. He walked over to Skulk, getting dangerously close. "You can just call me Roh'mach."
Unable to contain himself, Skulk shoved his muzzle into Uhuru's face. "You heathen traitor! " he screamed. "I ought to beat some respect into you! "
"Is that a challenge?"
"No, my dear Roh'mach. I would never dream of challenging you."
"So you're going to beat some respect into me?" Uhuru glared at him. "Either call me out now, or stow it."
Skulk's jaw dropped. So the lion stooge was daring him to fight! The former Krull was gone, and this was indeed Uhuru, a force to contend with, the Roh'mach. He drew back a step and spat angrily. "Gah! If I wanted to wet my jaws with a coward’s blood, I’d go hunting! "
Uhuru’s eyes narrowed. "I will choose not to take that as a challenge to my honor this time. But you have stirred up sedition, and you eat last until you learn how to behave."
Skulk looks to Shenzi. "Do I have to put up with this?"
"Apparently so. He's clearly the unchallenged ruler, or hasn't anyone told you half a challenge is less than nothing."
Skulk gritted his teeth. Without a word, he walked away stiffly, ignoring the occasional chuckles or snickers that sounded behind him.
Shenzi waited until the ruckus had died down, then rose quietly. Glancing around quickly, she made sure no one was watching. Seeing no spying eyes, she delved into the shadows. She passed under a hollowed out ribcage and made her way around the hissing geysers behind it to an isolated corner of the graveyard.
She smiled as she spotted Skulk sitting in front of an enormous skull, its surface yellowed with age. Pacing slowly up to him, she sat down. "C'mon, Skulk. No need to sulk." She tittered slightly.
His eyes glowed eerily in the greenish light that permeated the graveyard. "Why do you put up with him?" he asked, hurt. "Why didn't you help me?"
"I can't fight all your battles for you. If you want something, you must take it." She sighs in exasperation. "Why can't you be a little more like a female?" Getting up, she turned to leave, but looked back over her shoulder coyly. "On the other hand, I do get excited when you get your fur up." She paced by directly in front of him, swatting his nose with her tail playfully as she headed by.
Skulk sat transfixed for a moment, unable to move. Finally he leapt up and shook himself roughly. He paused for a moment, then padded off in the direction she had taken, his eyes fixed on her lithe body.
Skulk followed Shenzi to her private quarters that had once been Uzuri's corner. There in the privacy of a cleft in the rock, Skulk brushed past her in the dim light and fondled her cheek with his paw. Finding no resistance, he kissed her passionately. "Shenzi, I'm on fire."
"On fire?" She kisses him and rubs past him. "Just a little flame, or a real bonfire?"
"Oh gods, let me show you." His breath was ragged and rapid, and she could almost hear his heart beating in the quiet of the cleft. "Are you ready?"
"I am ready. Ready to be Roh'mach." She took a swipe at him with her paw. "I wanted you to know what you are NOT getting as long as that Uhuru is running the show. Oh, but power makes me sexy-very sexy. I'd take you to the corners of your wildest fantasies."
"You should not lead me on like that, " he said through clenched teeth. "Maybe I won't find you very sexy when YOU’RE ready."
"I doubt it." She rubbed her cheek against his and nibbled his ear gently. “You’re heart is pounding. You want to be next to me. You want me.”
"Stop it, Shenzi! " He crept into a corner and shuddered. "Don't lead me on like that-I can't stand it."
"No one is leading you on. It's very simple. When Uhuru is history, we will come here and make love till your heart stops."
"But how could we fight against the lion's Roh'mach? We won't have anyone to answer to the King."
"Who needs the King? He doesn't let us on his hunting grounds anyhow. Ever think of that? What use is a Roh'mach that pals around with lions anyhow?" She whispered, "When you know someone's weak spot, you can go in. That's how you kill a gazelle. You go for the weak spot. So how do you get the lions to cooperate?"
"Do they have a weak spot?"
"Not to kill them, just to secure their cooperation."
"Well-hmm-you know, they love their children as much as we do."
"Yeah? So?"
"So if we could get a cub...."
"They would kill you."
"Sure, if a direct assault, but the occasion calls for subtility. We could have them at our mercy."
"Is this another of your theatrics here, or do you have a suggestion??"
"You bet your sweet fangs I have a suggestion. Let me whisper it in your ear when I have made you mine. I will make you Roh’mach or die trying, but tonight is ours."
“I don’t take credit, ” Shenzi said. “Just remember, the faster Uhuru is out of here, the sooner we take the vows.”
"That sorry, no account, pandering IDIOT! Who does he think he is?! " She bared her teeth.
Skulk cringed, terrified. He had never seen her in such a rage. "Who? Krull?"
She uncoiled with the speed of a striking snake, cuffing him heavily across the jaw. Yelping, Skulk jerked away.
"Of course I mean Krull! Who do you THINK I'm talking about?" She clenched her jaw, the muscles flexing visibly. "I spent my entire LIFE waiting to become Roh'mach. And that imbecile of a king dares give it to a MALE?"
Skulk nodded energetically. "Of course. You should have been chosen as Roh'mach. You’re the only logical choice. You are far more cunning and powerful than Krull."
"My name is Uhuru, ” a voice said. The hyenas turned to see their new leader entering the graveyard. He walked over to Skulk, getting dangerously close. "You can just call me Roh'mach."
Unable to contain himself, Skulk shoved his muzzle into Uhuru's face. "You heathen traitor! " he screamed. "I ought to beat some respect into you! "
"Is that a challenge?"
"No, my dear Roh'mach. I would never dream of challenging you."
"So you're going to beat some respect into me?" Uhuru glared at him. "Either call me out now, or stow it."
Skulk's jaw dropped. So the lion stooge was daring him to fight! The former Krull was gone, and this was indeed Uhuru, a force to contend with, the Roh'mach. He drew back a step and spat angrily. "Gah! If I wanted to wet my jaws with a coward’s blood, I’d go hunting! "
Uhuru’s eyes narrowed. "I will choose not to take that as a challenge to my honor this time. But you have stirred up sedition, and you eat last until you learn how to behave."
Skulk looks to Shenzi. "Do I have to put up with this?"
"Apparently so. He's clearly the unchallenged ruler, or hasn't anyone told you half a challenge is less than nothing."
Skulk gritted his teeth. Without a word, he walked away stiffly, ignoring the occasional chuckles or snickers that sounded behind him.
Shenzi waited until the ruckus had died down, then rose quietly. Glancing around quickly, she made sure no one was watching. Seeing no spying eyes, she delved into the shadows. She passed under a hollowed out ribcage and made her way around the hissing geysers behind it to an isolated corner of the graveyard.
She smiled as she spotted Skulk sitting in front of an enormous skull, its surface yellowed with age. Pacing slowly up to him, she sat down. "C'mon, Skulk. No need to sulk." She tittered slightly.
His eyes glowed eerily in the greenish light that permeated the graveyard. "Why do you put up with him?" he asked, hurt. "Why didn't you help me?"
"I can't fight all your battles for you. If you want something, you must take it." She sighs in exasperation. "Why can't you be a little more like a female?" Getting up, she turned to leave, but looked back over her shoulder coyly. "On the other hand, I do get excited when you get your fur up." She paced by directly in front of him, swatting his nose with her tail playfully as she headed by.
Skulk sat transfixed for a moment, unable to move. Finally he leapt up and shook himself roughly. He paused for a moment, then padded off in the direction she had taken, his eyes fixed on her lithe body.
Skulk followed Shenzi to her private quarters that had once been Uzuri's corner. There in the privacy of a cleft in the rock, Skulk brushed past her in the dim light and fondled her cheek with his paw. Finding no resistance, he kissed her passionately. "Shenzi, I'm on fire."
"On fire?" She kisses him and rubs past him. "Just a little flame, or a real bonfire?"
"Oh gods, let me show you." His breath was ragged and rapid, and she could almost hear his heart beating in the quiet of the cleft. "Are you ready?"
"I am ready. Ready to be Roh'mach." She took a swipe at him with her paw. "I wanted you to know what you are NOT getting as long as that Uhuru is running the show. Oh, but power makes me sexy-very sexy. I'd take you to the corners of your wildest fantasies."
"You should not lead me on like that, " he said through clenched teeth. "Maybe I won't find you very sexy when YOU’RE ready."
"I doubt it." She rubbed her cheek against his and nibbled his ear gently. “You’re heart is pounding. You want to be next to me. You want me.”
"Stop it, Shenzi! " He crept into a corner and shuddered. "Don't lead me on like that-I can't stand it."
"No one is leading you on. It's very simple. When Uhuru is history, we will come here and make love till your heart stops."
"But how could we fight against the lion's Roh'mach? We won't have anyone to answer to the King."
"Who needs the King? He doesn't let us on his hunting grounds anyhow. Ever think of that? What use is a Roh'mach that pals around with lions anyhow?" She whispered, "When you know someone's weak spot, you can go in. That's how you kill a gazelle. You go for the weak spot. So how do you get the lions to cooperate?"
"Do they have a weak spot?"
"Not to kill them, just to secure their cooperation."
"Well-hmm-you know, they love their children as much as we do."
"Yeah? So?"
"So if we could get a cub...."
"They would kill you."
"Sure, if a direct assault, but the occasion calls for subtility. We could have them at our mercy."
"Is this another of your theatrics here, or do you have a suggestion??"
"You bet your sweet fangs I have a suggestion. Let me whisper it in your ear when I have made you mine. I will make you Roh’mach or die trying, but tonight is ours."
“I don’t take credit, ” Shenzi said. “Just remember, the faster Uhuru is out of here, the sooner we take the vows.”
SCENE: INVITATION TO THE DANCE
The morning sun felt warm against Isha's fur as she sprawled in the cool grass. Always an early riser, she took joy in the thought that the other lionesses would be stuck sunning themselves on the hard rocks; between the drought and last night's fire, there was precious little grass left to lie on at the moment.
Rolling over, she saw her small son Habusu sitting up, peering intently at something out of her line of vision. Leaning over, she nuzzled him. "What are you doing, Habu?"
He glanced over his shoulder at her. "Look, mama, there's Togo and Kombi. Can I go play with them, pleeease?" He looked at her mournfully. Isha couldn't help but laugh.
"All right, you little scamp! Go ahead, but stay close to Uzuri; I don't want you all wandering off, now."
He smiled broadly. "I’ll be good! " He scampered over to the others.
He was unexpectedly flattened by Togo. "Hey, Habu! Wanna play Mud Tag?" Togo asked.
Habusu got up shakily. "Uhh, yeah, I guess."
Kombi smiled menacingly. "Good, then ... you're IT! " With a brutal shove, he sent the poor cub sliding down the slope to land in a mud puddle. Dragging himself out of the brackish water, Habusu's eyes brimmed over with tears as he listened to the two laughing. Unable to bear it any longer, he turned and fled.
His progress was tracked sharply by two sets of dark eyes. Shenzi and Losara stood behind a stand of dry grass, with Losara's pup Bashak lying next to her. Looking at her friend impatiently, Losara shook her head.
"Shenzi, what are we doing here? What if we get caught?"
"Hsshh! Here he comes." Shenzi bared her teeth in a huge grin. "Perfect." She glanced down at the bored pup next to her, and her grin widened. "Bashak, are you having fun?"
"No ma'am." Fidgeting, he nuzzled his mother. "Mama, I'm bored, " the pup said crossly. Losara looked at him, and smiled gently.
"Why don't you go play with the cub? We won't be long."
"Okay." He trudged off. There was no cub in sight, but he did spot a locust on the grass. He patted at it with his paw and it jumped. He followed it, and it jumped again. He sprang up locust-like, laughing.
A blur of tawny lightning tore through a gap in the bushes and slammed into him, knocking him over. Rolling to a stop, he caught his breath.
"Cripes! Why don't you look where you're goin! " Bashak stared at the sodden mass before him. "What happened to you?"
Habusu looked at him miserably. "Uh, nothing." He blinked, confused. "What are you, anyway?"
"I'm a hyena, silly. My name's Bashak." He peered at Habusu worriedly. "Uh, what about you?"
Habusu's chest swelled proudly. "I'm Habusu. I'm a lion! "
Bashak looked at him, eyes wide. "Wow! I've never seen a lion up close before! " But he looked at him again. "They look much bigger from a distance."
"That's cause I'm not full grown."
"How big will you be when you're full grown?"
"See that bush?" Habusu smiled. "Bigger than that."
"No kidding! " He thought a moment. "Then you'll be as big as me! " Grinning, Bashak leaped on Habusu, and the two rolled in the dust, shrieking with glee. Habusu twisted lithely, bringing his greater weight to bear on the hyena pup, pinning him to the ground.
The sound of footsteps padded up to the bush. Losara poked her head in, pushing aside twigs with her nose. "Okay, Bashak, time to go..." she broke off, staring, her eyes narrowing at the sight of her child pinned under the paws of a lion cub. Shenzi's head joined her. "Well, well, well, what have we here?"
Habusu shrank away, frightened by the looming females. "Look mama, " Bashak said excitedly. "This is my friend, Habusu. He's a lion! Only he's not full grown yet."
"I see that." Losara swallowed heavily. Dredging up a smile that felt too big for her face, she looked at the youngsters pleasantly. "Time to go home, now."
Bashak's face fell. "Aww, man, " he whined. "Do we have to?"
"Yes, if you want to eat anything for lunch." She cocked her head, as if thinking. "If your friend's hungry, why don't you invite him? When you get done eating lunch, you can show him around the elephant graveyard."
"Really?! " Bashak turned excitedly. "Hey, Habusu, wanna?"
The lion cub returned his friend's grin. "Yeah! That'd be cool! "
Shenzi grinned. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go get some lunch! "
Rolling over, she saw her small son Habusu sitting up, peering intently at something out of her line of vision. Leaning over, she nuzzled him. "What are you doing, Habu?"
He glanced over his shoulder at her. "Look, mama, there's Togo and Kombi. Can I go play with them, pleeease?" He looked at her mournfully. Isha couldn't help but laugh.
"All right, you little scamp! Go ahead, but stay close to Uzuri; I don't want you all wandering off, now."
He smiled broadly. "I’ll be good! " He scampered over to the others.
He was unexpectedly flattened by Togo. "Hey, Habu! Wanna play Mud Tag?" Togo asked.
Habusu got up shakily. "Uhh, yeah, I guess."
Kombi smiled menacingly. "Good, then ... you're IT! " With a brutal shove, he sent the poor cub sliding down the slope to land in a mud puddle. Dragging himself out of the brackish water, Habusu's eyes brimmed over with tears as he listened to the two laughing. Unable to bear it any longer, he turned and fled.
His progress was tracked sharply by two sets of dark eyes. Shenzi and Losara stood behind a stand of dry grass, with Losara's pup Bashak lying next to her. Looking at her friend impatiently, Losara shook her head.
"Shenzi, what are we doing here? What if we get caught?"
"Hsshh! Here he comes." Shenzi bared her teeth in a huge grin. "Perfect." She glanced down at the bored pup next to her, and her grin widened. "Bashak, are you having fun?"
"No ma'am." Fidgeting, he nuzzled his mother. "Mama, I'm bored, " the pup said crossly. Losara looked at him, and smiled gently.
"Why don't you go play with the cub? We won't be long."
"Okay." He trudged off. There was no cub in sight, but he did spot a locust on the grass. He patted at it with his paw and it jumped. He followed it, and it jumped again. He sprang up locust-like, laughing.
A blur of tawny lightning tore through a gap in the bushes and slammed into him, knocking him over. Rolling to a stop, he caught his breath.
"Cripes! Why don't you look where you're goin! " Bashak stared at the sodden mass before him. "What happened to you?"
Habusu looked at him miserably. "Uh, nothing." He blinked, confused. "What are you, anyway?"
"I'm a hyena, silly. My name's Bashak." He peered at Habusu worriedly. "Uh, what about you?"
Habusu's chest swelled proudly. "I'm Habusu. I'm a lion! "
Bashak looked at him, eyes wide. "Wow! I've never seen a lion up close before! " But he looked at him again. "They look much bigger from a distance."
"That's cause I'm not full grown."
"How big will you be when you're full grown?"
"See that bush?" Habusu smiled. "Bigger than that."
"No kidding! " He thought a moment. "Then you'll be as big as me! " Grinning, Bashak leaped on Habusu, and the two rolled in the dust, shrieking with glee. Habusu twisted lithely, bringing his greater weight to bear on the hyena pup, pinning him to the ground.
The sound of footsteps padded up to the bush. Losara poked her head in, pushing aside twigs with her nose. "Okay, Bashak, time to go..." she broke off, staring, her eyes narrowing at the sight of her child pinned under the paws of a lion cub. Shenzi's head joined her. "Well, well, well, what have we here?"
Habusu shrank away, frightened by the looming females. "Look mama, " Bashak said excitedly. "This is my friend, Habusu. He's a lion! Only he's not full grown yet."
"I see that." Losara swallowed heavily. Dredging up a smile that felt too big for her face, she looked at the youngsters pleasantly. "Time to go home, now."
Bashak's face fell. "Aww, man, " he whined. "Do we have to?"
"Yes, if you want to eat anything for lunch." She cocked her head, as if thinking. "If your friend's hungry, why don't you invite him? When you get done eating lunch, you can show him around the elephant graveyard."
"Really?! " Bashak turned excitedly. "Hey, Habusu, wanna?"
The lion cub returned his friend's grin. "Yeah! That'd be cool! "
Shenzi grinned. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go get some lunch! "
SCENE: MISSING
Nala yawned luxuriously in the morning light. Blinking her eyes rapidly, she stood up, extending her forelegs in front of her, shifted her weight to the rear and stretched. She closed her eyes in ecstasy as she felt the muscles in her back and legs tingle as they loosened.
Straightening up, she steped over to where Simba lay. Smiling to herself, she bent down and licked his nose. "Wake up, hon."
He twitched his nose reflexively, but otherwise didn't react. Her smile widening, Nala leaned over and nuzzled his face. Pursing her lips, she sent a gentle puff of air into his ear. He twitched spasmodically, flipping a paw up to brush her away. "Cut it out, Pumbaa, " he chuckled sleepily.
"Pumbaa, indeed! " Nala sent her tongue sweeping in a broad stroke across his face. She watched with amusement as his eyes shot open in surprise, relaxing as they focused on her.
"Beloved, " he whispered, and pawed her softly. "What time is it?"
"It's tree-tall."
He let out with a tremendous yawn. "Tree-tall, huh? Gods, I must have been tired to sleep this late."
She laughed prettily. "Oh, I'm sorry, " she said in mock contriteness. "Perhaps I shouldn't have kept you up so late."
He grinned at her, but before he could reply, Isha bounded in the entrance, her eyes widened to the whites.
"Forgive my intrusion, Incosi, but I can't find my son! Please help me! " Isha was nearly incoherent. "I let him go play with Uzuri's cubs' but they don't know where he went and he won't answer my calls! "
"Calm down, Isha." Nala padded over. "Where did you see him last?"
"I was lying in the grassy spot over by the north face. He went off to play with Togo and Kombi. I told him to stay near Uzuri but he didn't listen." She struck the ground with her paw. "I should never have let him go! "
Uzuri trotted in, her cubs scampering along behind her to huddle at her feet. "I can't find him, Isha. I don't know where he went, but I found out why." She turned to glare at the two cubs, who shrank back miserably. "It seems Togo and Kombi were playing a little...rough." She patted Isha other lioness comfortingly. "Don't worry, hon, he's probably just sulking somewhere."
"That's just it; he always comes when I call him, no matter what mood he's in. He's such a good boy..." Wailing, she buried her head against Uzuri's shoulder, her cries muffled against the fur.
Simba looked at Nala worriedly. "Oh, boy. I'm gonna go ask Rafiki if he can help. Maybe he'll know where to look. In the meanwhile, get some search parties organized."
She nodded, and led the other lionesses outside. Simba trotted hurriedly down the slope of the Rock to the ground below. Breaking into a run, he sprinted toward a nearby acacia, his feet kicking up small plumes of ash that settled slowly back to the charred ground. Nearing the tree, he shouted, “Rafiki! ”
Reaching the base, he peered up through the denuded branches to see the mandrill blinking sleepily. "Rafiki? Are you awake?"
"Indeed I am. And not from your bellowing, my friend; I don't think I got a wink of sleep all night." He eyed the branches of the tree reproachfully. "Too many spines; I don't know how civilized folk can stand to live in these." Casting his gaze down at Simba, Rafiki frowned. "What is all the commotion about?"
“Habusu is lost. Can you do anything to help us? We have to find him quickly, before something else does."
Rafiki shuddered at the thought. Wild Dogs come through from time to time. "Aiheu forbid. I will try." Gathering his staff, he clambered gingerly down to the ground. "Lead on, my friend. I'll hurry as fast as I'm able."
Simba thought for a split second, then crouched down. "Wait, I'll carry you; we'll make better time that way."
“I would not insult your dignity like that, ” Rafiki said, clearly nervous.
Simba snorted in amusement. "You didn't seem so concerned with my dignity that night you whacked me on the head, old friend."
The mandrill shuffled his feet, embarrassed. "That was different." Looking at the stretch of ground between himself and Pride Rock, he sighed resignedly. "Bend down.” He meandered over to the lion and hesitantly climbed onto Simba's broad shoulders. He clutched a lock of mane tightly in one fist as the King stood up.
"Ouch! " Simba hissed. "Easy."
Rafiki loosed his grip, but only lightly. He felt the weight underneath him shift powerfully as the lion broke into a lope. The mandrill watched breathlessly as the wind whipped through his hair. It was the fastest he’d ever travelled, and unable to help himself, he whooped aloud.
Simba said, "I knew you'd like it."
Rafiki laughed at him unsteadily. "Like it? I'm scared to death! "
Khemoki, Incosi of the Zebra'ha, shook his head violently, trying to rid himself of the bothersome flies.
Then he saw something that made him forget the flies. Simba headed toward him at a dead run, an old mandrill on his back making the most horrible screeching noise. “Oh my Lord! ” Khemoki cleared out of the way just in time.
He headed to find his mare who was having a good roll in the dust, oblivious to the whole episode.
“I say, Whinnyfred. I just saw the most extraordinary thing! Simba being ridden by that Rafiki chap! ”
“What?”
“I tell you, Whinny old girl, this neighborhood is going down. Down, I say, and I wouldn’t be surprised what mischief that old ape will work next. Not our sort, you know.”
“Oh Khemoki, you haven’t been hitting the Throckberries, have you?”
“Throckberries? Don’t be ridiculous. Bosh, I tell you. Besides, it’s too early in the day. Whinny, there’s something not quite right here. I think that ape is taking over.”
“Him?”
“And why not? He dabbles in the uncivilized arts, you know. I think we have a situation developing, and by jove I plan to keep a close eye on it. We don’t want to end up on the losing side.”
Unaware of the commotion behind him, Rafiki glanced down to see the ground blurring by in a mix of greens and browns. Suddenly nauseous, he closed his eyes, feeling the enormous muscles underneath him rippling in regular rhythm. Abruptly, their pace changed, and he opened his eyes to see a shallow trench approaching fast. Simba gathered his muscles under himself and leapt. Rafiki watched in horror as the world rotated lazily in front of him, sky and earth exchanging places as he sailed over Simba's head to come to rest nose to nose with the lion, a lock of mane still clutched tightly in either hand.
Simba jerked wildly. "Rafiki, what are you doing?! I can't see! "
The mandrill looked into the amber eyes inches away from his own and moaned. “Mumsie was right, ” he thought. “I should have stayed at home with my brothers instead of becoming a shaman.”
Simba flicked his head gracefully, sending the poor mandrill flying back over his head to plunk down solidly onto his back again. Rafiki seized hold even tighter, despite Simba's protests, and held on for dear life, muttering a prayer of thanks as he saw the foot of Pride Rock before them. Without slowing, Simba trotted up the slope to the promontory, finally stopping and allowing his passenger to dismount.
Rafiki slid off his back and stumbled forward on his weakened legs. "Thank you, Simba. You honor me greatly."
Simba shrugged. "Maybe we can do it again sometime.” He looked in the cave. “Isha?"
The lioness trotted out of the cave, looking hopeful, but her face fell when she saw no sign of her cub.
"Isha, my poor dear, " Rafiki said, hugging her neck. "Do not fret. We will find your child."
Rafiki took his staff and scrying bowl, then sat cross-legged on the ground. The gourd on his staff was full of water, and he pulled the stopper, pouring its contents into the bowl.
“Isha, do you have anything that he might have touched or played with in the past day or so? An old bone, perhaps?"
"No, he doesn't play with toys very much; he likes to pounce and wrestle more than anything else."
Rafiki frowned. "Hmm. That will make it more difficult; I don't think I'll be able to find him without something."
Isha said, “How about some dead grass? I made him a soft place to sleep."
He paused, stroking the flowing white hair which grew from his chin. "Yes. Yes indeed."
She brought a small mouthful of dry grass, but he only took a few strands. She watched closely as he dropped the grass into the bowl, where it floated about in a small circle. Isha and Simba peered over his shoulder with interest as Rafiki made a short prayer asking the gods for guidance and protection. Bending over the bowl, Rafiki stirred it slightly with a finger, studying intently the patterns the ripples made as they bounced off the grass in the bowl and rebounded to the sides. Abruptly, he hunched over, mouth agape. “Makpelah the Circle. He lives.”
Simba sighed with relief as Isha sank to the ground. "Aiheu be praised, " she whispered. "Where is he?"
Rafiki scratched his head. "I don't know; the signs are so confused and mixed up. All my knowledge tells me that he's alive, yet... I see a skull also. Very strange."
Isha's eyes widened in horror. "Oh, no."
"The child Habusu lives yet, I tell you. The rest I don't know." He looked at the bowl, pondering. "Let me try again."
He bent over the bowl, stirring the water gently. He leaned over it, his wizened face only inches from the water's surface. “This is interesting....”
"Hey, your Majesty! " called a shrill voice. Startled, Rafiki jumped, sending the bowl and its contents flying. Simba looked down to see Shenzi at the foot of Pride Rock. "I would most HUMBLY request an audience with you."
Simba walked to the edge of the promontory. "I am occupied just now. Send the Roh’mach to see me later. I will talk with him."
Simba turned his back, intent on rejoining the others, when Shenzi called after him. “Ah, such a warm and caring king you are, to abandon one of your own out in the wilderness."
He jerked his head around. "What??"
"Our new Roh'mach speaks of cooperation and understanding, " she sneered. "And yet when we offer our services, you spurn us! "
His eyes bored into hers. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "What services?"
"Why, our help in finding your lost cub."
Simba's jaw dropped in disbelief.
Nala rushed up beside him, eyes burning with rage. "Who told you?? How did you know that??"
Shenzi tittered. "Oh, I keep my ear to the ground, dearie. Word travels fast when the King's disturbed."
“A little too fast, ” Nala retorted.
"I didn't come here to be insulted, Your Majesty." Shenzi looked at Nala balefully. "We offered our help, and you responded with thinly veiled accusations." She sighed, pained. "I just hope the dear doesn't suffer to much when the wild dogs find him. They DO love to tear their prey to pieces while it's still alive."
"Enough, ” Simba grated. "All right, Shenzi. In the spirit of cooperation, we would gratefully accept any help you offer."
"Of course, in the spirit of cooperation, " she said, frowning. "I would HATE to think of what would happen to the poor dear if we WEREN’T on good terms with each other, wouldn't you?"
Simba stood silently as he digested her words. To think that the life of their cub depended on the goodwill of that creature standing below... Simba closed his eyes as a shudder traveled slowly down his spine. Then he met her gaze directly.
"Yes, " he said deliberately. "It would be a great tragedy...for both of us."
Shenzi looked awfully smug in the face of his open threat. The life of the cub hung in the balance, and unlike Simba, she had nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
Straightening up, she steped over to where Simba lay. Smiling to herself, she bent down and licked his nose. "Wake up, hon."
He twitched his nose reflexively, but otherwise didn't react. Her smile widening, Nala leaned over and nuzzled his face. Pursing her lips, she sent a gentle puff of air into his ear. He twitched spasmodically, flipping a paw up to brush her away. "Cut it out, Pumbaa, " he chuckled sleepily.
"Pumbaa, indeed! " Nala sent her tongue sweeping in a broad stroke across his face. She watched with amusement as his eyes shot open in surprise, relaxing as they focused on her.
"Beloved, " he whispered, and pawed her softly. "What time is it?"
"It's tree-tall."
He let out with a tremendous yawn. "Tree-tall, huh? Gods, I must have been tired to sleep this late."
She laughed prettily. "Oh, I'm sorry, " she said in mock contriteness. "Perhaps I shouldn't have kept you up so late."
He grinned at her, but before he could reply, Isha bounded in the entrance, her eyes widened to the whites.
"Forgive my intrusion, Incosi, but I can't find my son! Please help me! " Isha was nearly incoherent. "I let him go play with Uzuri's cubs' but they don't know where he went and he won't answer my calls! "
"Calm down, Isha." Nala padded over. "Where did you see him last?"
"I was lying in the grassy spot over by the north face. He went off to play with Togo and Kombi. I told him to stay near Uzuri but he didn't listen." She struck the ground with her paw. "I should never have let him go! "
Uzuri trotted in, her cubs scampering along behind her to huddle at her feet. "I can't find him, Isha. I don't know where he went, but I found out why." She turned to glare at the two cubs, who shrank back miserably. "It seems Togo and Kombi were playing a little...rough." She patted Isha other lioness comfortingly. "Don't worry, hon, he's probably just sulking somewhere."
"That's just it; he always comes when I call him, no matter what mood he's in. He's such a good boy..." Wailing, she buried her head against Uzuri's shoulder, her cries muffled against the fur.
Simba looked at Nala worriedly. "Oh, boy. I'm gonna go ask Rafiki if he can help. Maybe he'll know where to look. In the meanwhile, get some search parties organized."
She nodded, and led the other lionesses outside. Simba trotted hurriedly down the slope of the Rock to the ground below. Breaking into a run, he sprinted toward a nearby acacia, his feet kicking up small plumes of ash that settled slowly back to the charred ground. Nearing the tree, he shouted, “Rafiki! ”
Reaching the base, he peered up through the denuded branches to see the mandrill blinking sleepily. "Rafiki? Are you awake?"
"Indeed I am. And not from your bellowing, my friend; I don't think I got a wink of sleep all night." He eyed the branches of the tree reproachfully. "Too many spines; I don't know how civilized folk can stand to live in these." Casting his gaze down at Simba, Rafiki frowned. "What is all the commotion about?"
“Habusu is lost. Can you do anything to help us? We have to find him quickly, before something else does."
Rafiki shuddered at the thought. Wild Dogs come through from time to time. "Aiheu forbid. I will try." Gathering his staff, he clambered gingerly down to the ground. "Lead on, my friend. I'll hurry as fast as I'm able."
Simba thought for a split second, then crouched down. "Wait, I'll carry you; we'll make better time that way."
“I would not insult your dignity like that, ” Rafiki said, clearly nervous.
Simba snorted in amusement. "You didn't seem so concerned with my dignity that night you whacked me on the head, old friend."
The mandrill shuffled his feet, embarrassed. "That was different." Looking at the stretch of ground between himself and Pride Rock, he sighed resignedly. "Bend down.” He meandered over to the lion and hesitantly climbed onto Simba's broad shoulders. He clutched a lock of mane tightly in one fist as the King stood up.
"Ouch! " Simba hissed. "Easy."
Rafiki loosed his grip, but only lightly. He felt the weight underneath him shift powerfully as the lion broke into a lope. The mandrill watched breathlessly as the wind whipped through his hair. It was the fastest he’d ever travelled, and unable to help himself, he whooped aloud.
Simba said, "I knew you'd like it."
Rafiki laughed at him unsteadily. "Like it? I'm scared to death! "
Khemoki, Incosi of the Zebra'ha, shook his head violently, trying to rid himself of the bothersome flies.
Then he saw something that made him forget the flies. Simba headed toward him at a dead run, an old mandrill on his back making the most horrible screeching noise. “Oh my Lord! ” Khemoki cleared out of the way just in time.
He headed to find his mare who was having a good roll in the dust, oblivious to the whole episode.
“I say, Whinnyfred. I just saw the most extraordinary thing! Simba being ridden by that Rafiki chap! ”
“What?”
“I tell you, Whinny old girl, this neighborhood is going down. Down, I say, and I wouldn’t be surprised what mischief that old ape will work next. Not our sort, you know.”
“Oh Khemoki, you haven’t been hitting the Throckberries, have you?”
“Throckberries? Don’t be ridiculous. Bosh, I tell you. Besides, it’s too early in the day. Whinny, there’s something not quite right here. I think that ape is taking over.”
“Him?”
“And why not? He dabbles in the uncivilized arts, you know. I think we have a situation developing, and by jove I plan to keep a close eye on it. We don’t want to end up on the losing side.”
Unaware of the commotion behind him, Rafiki glanced down to see the ground blurring by in a mix of greens and browns. Suddenly nauseous, he closed his eyes, feeling the enormous muscles underneath him rippling in regular rhythm. Abruptly, their pace changed, and he opened his eyes to see a shallow trench approaching fast. Simba gathered his muscles under himself and leapt. Rafiki watched in horror as the world rotated lazily in front of him, sky and earth exchanging places as he sailed over Simba's head to come to rest nose to nose with the lion, a lock of mane still clutched tightly in either hand.
Simba jerked wildly. "Rafiki, what are you doing?! I can't see! "
The mandrill looked into the amber eyes inches away from his own and moaned. “Mumsie was right, ” he thought. “I should have stayed at home with my brothers instead of becoming a shaman.”
Simba flicked his head gracefully, sending the poor mandrill flying back over his head to plunk down solidly onto his back again. Rafiki seized hold even tighter, despite Simba's protests, and held on for dear life, muttering a prayer of thanks as he saw the foot of Pride Rock before them. Without slowing, Simba trotted up the slope to the promontory, finally stopping and allowing his passenger to dismount.
Rafiki slid off his back and stumbled forward on his weakened legs. "Thank you, Simba. You honor me greatly."
Simba shrugged. "Maybe we can do it again sometime.” He looked in the cave. “Isha?"
The lioness trotted out of the cave, looking hopeful, but her face fell when she saw no sign of her cub.
"Isha, my poor dear, " Rafiki said, hugging her neck. "Do not fret. We will find your child."
Rafiki took his staff and scrying bowl, then sat cross-legged on the ground. The gourd on his staff was full of water, and he pulled the stopper, pouring its contents into the bowl.
“Isha, do you have anything that he might have touched or played with in the past day or so? An old bone, perhaps?"
"No, he doesn't play with toys very much; he likes to pounce and wrestle more than anything else."
Rafiki frowned. "Hmm. That will make it more difficult; I don't think I'll be able to find him without something."
Isha said, “How about some dead grass? I made him a soft place to sleep."
He paused, stroking the flowing white hair which grew from his chin. "Yes. Yes indeed."
She brought a small mouthful of dry grass, but he only took a few strands. She watched closely as he dropped the grass into the bowl, where it floated about in a small circle. Isha and Simba peered over his shoulder with interest as Rafiki made a short prayer asking the gods for guidance and protection. Bending over the bowl, Rafiki stirred it slightly with a finger, studying intently the patterns the ripples made as they bounced off the grass in the bowl and rebounded to the sides. Abruptly, he hunched over, mouth agape. “Makpelah the Circle. He lives.”
Simba sighed with relief as Isha sank to the ground. "Aiheu be praised, " she whispered. "Where is he?"
Rafiki scratched his head. "I don't know; the signs are so confused and mixed up. All my knowledge tells me that he's alive, yet... I see a skull also. Very strange."
Isha's eyes widened in horror. "Oh, no."
"The child Habusu lives yet, I tell you. The rest I don't know." He looked at the bowl, pondering. "Let me try again."
He bent over the bowl, stirring the water gently. He leaned over it, his wizened face only inches from the water's surface. “This is interesting....”
"Hey, your Majesty! " called a shrill voice. Startled, Rafiki jumped, sending the bowl and its contents flying. Simba looked down to see Shenzi at the foot of Pride Rock. "I would most HUMBLY request an audience with you."
Simba walked to the edge of the promontory. "I am occupied just now. Send the Roh’mach to see me later. I will talk with him."
Simba turned his back, intent on rejoining the others, when Shenzi called after him. “Ah, such a warm and caring king you are, to abandon one of your own out in the wilderness."
He jerked his head around. "What??"
"Our new Roh'mach speaks of cooperation and understanding, " she sneered. "And yet when we offer our services, you spurn us! "
His eyes bored into hers. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "What services?"
"Why, our help in finding your lost cub."
Simba's jaw dropped in disbelief.
Nala rushed up beside him, eyes burning with rage. "Who told you?? How did you know that??"
Shenzi tittered. "Oh, I keep my ear to the ground, dearie. Word travels fast when the King's disturbed."
“A little too fast, ” Nala retorted.
"I didn't come here to be insulted, Your Majesty." Shenzi looked at Nala balefully. "We offered our help, and you responded with thinly veiled accusations." She sighed, pained. "I just hope the dear doesn't suffer to much when the wild dogs find him. They DO love to tear their prey to pieces while it's still alive."
"Enough, ” Simba grated. "All right, Shenzi. In the spirit of cooperation, we would gratefully accept any help you offer."
"Of course, in the spirit of cooperation, " she said, frowning. "I would HATE to think of what would happen to the poor dear if we WEREN’T on good terms with each other, wouldn't you?"
Simba stood silently as he digested her words. To think that the life of their cub depended on the goodwill of that creature standing below... Simba closed his eyes as a shudder traveled slowly down his spine. Then he met her gaze directly.
"Yes, " he said deliberately. "It would be a great tragedy...for both of us."
Shenzi looked awfully smug in the face of his open threat. The life of the cub hung in the balance, and unlike Simba, she had nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
SCENE: FAR FROM HOME
Losara lay with her head upon her paws, watching Habusu and Bashak chase each other back and forth among the bones and rocks in the graveyard. The two were apparently blessed with an inexhaustible supply of energy, and Losara had already had to discourage them from the fun game of trying to see who could hang from her tail by their teeth the longest. Chuckling despite herself, she dodged as Bashak shot past at a dead run, yelling, "Nyah nyah, you can't catch me! "
Habusu followed hot on his heels, but balked when he saw the hyena pup vanish into the dark recesses of an enormous skull. Peering warily into the interior, he saw nothing but darkness. He thought for a moment, then leaped upwards.
Giggles resounded from inside the bleached elephant skull as Habusu clambered his way up the front of it, grinning. He made his way slowly along the chipped tusk, feet splayed and claws extended slightly to keep his balance. Nestling up to the face of the skull, he leaned his head towards it and pressed an ear up to the surface. "Come out, come out, wherever you are! "
More giggles came forth from the interior. "No way! You have to come in and get me! "
His grin widened. 'Gotcha, ' he thought. He peered upwards, gauging the distance. Crouching down, he leapt, his claws flicking out to latch onto the rim of an eye socket. With great effort, he hauled himself up. He had his forelegs braced and was preparing to pull himself in when a face loomed in front of him. Bashak grinned toothily, and yelled "BOO! "
Startled, Habusu lost his grip and slid down the face of the skull to land in a heap of bone splinters. "Ow! "
Bashak stopped laughing and peered down worriedly. "Hey, Habu, you okay?"
The cub sat up and shook his head, examining a bloody scratch on his leg. "Yeah, I'm okay."
Losara appeared from behind the back of the skull, an annoyed look on her face. "What in the world are you two doing now?" She saw Habusu shaking his injured leg and trotted over. "What did you do?"
"I slipped and fell, that's all. It's just a scratch, see?" He showed her the injured limb proudly. "It doesn't hurt."
She frowned down at him sternly. "You be careful, now."
"Yes ma'am." Habusu breathed a silent sigh of relief as Losara returned to where she had been lying. He had been terribly afraid that she would make him go home. Home...
He grimaced as he thought about his mother. He had gone off without telling her where he was going again. His bottom tingled with remembered pain as he thought about what had happened thattime. Hearing a rustling noise, he looked over to see Bashak emerging from the mouth of the skull.
The hyena pup glanced at him, abashed. "Sorry; I didn't mean to scare you like that, man."
"You didn't scare me! " Habusu said indignantly. "I just, uh, lost my balance."
Bashak laughed at him. "With feet like that, I'm not surprised! "
"Oh yeah? Well you don't have the best looking feet yourself." Suddenly, his eyes widened as he stared at Bashak's furry paws.
The pup looked down. "What? What is it?"
Habusu stared in horror at the shadow the pup cast straight down. It was almost highsun.
"Oh, man, Mom's gonna KILL me, " he groaned. "I gotta get home."
Bashak's face drooped. "Really?"
"Yeah. I'll see you later, okay?"
Habusu turned to leave, but bumped into the strong arm of a large male hyena blocking the path. "And just where do you think you’re going?" Skulk scowled down at the annoying little furball before him. Shenzi crept up beside him, grinning malevolently.
Habusu cringed. "Uh, I was just heading home, sir. My mother's gonna be awful mad if I don't get home soon." He moved to circle around Skulk, but a paw slapped him brutally away. He went sliding across the dirt to crash into Bashak, sending both of them tumbling. Rasing a paw to his face in shock, Habusu started to cry.
"SHUT UP! I'm tired of listening to your whiny little voice." Skulk glared at him, fangs bared as he turned to Kh'tel, one of his attending guards. "Mount watch on this little furball. Don't let him out of your sight. If he tries to run, stop him, but don't kill him...yet. If Shenzi's right, he may yet be of some use to us."
The guard nodded energetically. "Boy, Shenzi's really smart, eh, Skulk?" He giggled insanely. "I bet she tells you ALL of her secrets, doesn't she?"
Skulk merely stood silently and stared at him until his laughter died away to nervous silence. "I'll send some others to help you guard him. For now, keep an eye on him." He leaned towards the other hyena until their noses were only inches apart. "I will hold you personally responsible for anything that happens to him. Do you understand?"
Kh'tel swallowed audibly. "Y-Yes, sir."
Nodding, he looked back at Habusu and Bashak, who were both bawling at the top of their lungs. "Losara, " he growled, "make yourself useful and get those two brats to SHUT UP! " Skulk looked at Shenzi. "Everything's working according to plan."
Losara glared after them as she trotted over to the children. "Shh, " she whispered, holding them to her with a paw. Habusu buried his face against her chest and continued to cry hoarsely. "I w-want my MOTHER! "
"I know, hon. Shh, it'll be all right." She licked away his tears. "You're just going to spend the night with your auntie Losara, that's all."
Bashak looked up at her, sniffling. "Mama, Skulk's not gonna hurt Habu, is he?"
Losara kissed him gently on the forehead. "No, Bashak. He won't hurt your friend." She raised her head to stare after the departed hyena, her jaw firmly clenched. "Not as long as I’m alive."
Habusu followed hot on his heels, but balked when he saw the hyena pup vanish into the dark recesses of an enormous skull. Peering warily into the interior, he saw nothing but darkness. He thought for a moment, then leaped upwards.
Giggles resounded from inside the bleached elephant skull as Habusu clambered his way up the front of it, grinning. He made his way slowly along the chipped tusk, feet splayed and claws extended slightly to keep his balance. Nestling up to the face of the skull, he leaned his head towards it and pressed an ear up to the surface. "Come out, come out, wherever you are! "
More giggles came forth from the interior. "No way! You have to come in and get me! "
His grin widened. 'Gotcha, ' he thought. He peered upwards, gauging the distance. Crouching down, he leapt, his claws flicking out to latch onto the rim of an eye socket. With great effort, he hauled himself up. He had his forelegs braced and was preparing to pull himself in when a face loomed in front of him. Bashak grinned toothily, and yelled "BOO! "
Startled, Habusu lost his grip and slid down the face of the skull to land in a heap of bone splinters. "Ow! "
Bashak stopped laughing and peered down worriedly. "Hey, Habu, you okay?"
The cub sat up and shook his head, examining a bloody scratch on his leg. "Yeah, I'm okay."
Losara appeared from behind the back of the skull, an annoyed look on her face. "What in the world are you two doing now?" She saw Habusu shaking his injured leg and trotted over. "What did you do?"
"I slipped and fell, that's all. It's just a scratch, see?" He showed her the injured limb proudly. "It doesn't hurt."
She frowned down at him sternly. "You be careful, now."
"Yes ma'am." Habusu breathed a silent sigh of relief as Losara returned to where she had been lying. He had been terribly afraid that she would make him go home. Home...
He grimaced as he thought about his mother. He had gone off without telling her where he was going again. His bottom tingled with remembered pain as he thought about what had happened thattime. Hearing a rustling noise, he looked over to see Bashak emerging from the mouth of the skull.
The hyena pup glanced at him, abashed. "Sorry; I didn't mean to scare you like that, man."
"You didn't scare me! " Habusu said indignantly. "I just, uh, lost my balance."
Bashak laughed at him. "With feet like that, I'm not surprised! "
"Oh yeah? Well you don't have the best looking feet yourself." Suddenly, his eyes widened as he stared at Bashak's furry paws.
The pup looked down. "What? What is it?"
Habusu stared in horror at the shadow the pup cast straight down. It was almost highsun.
"Oh, man, Mom's gonna KILL me, " he groaned. "I gotta get home."
Bashak's face drooped. "Really?"
"Yeah. I'll see you later, okay?"
Habusu turned to leave, but bumped into the strong arm of a large male hyena blocking the path. "And just where do you think you’re going?" Skulk scowled down at the annoying little furball before him. Shenzi crept up beside him, grinning malevolently.
Habusu cringed. "Uh, I was just heading home, sir. My mother's gonna be awful mad if I don't get home soon." He moved to circle around Skulk, but a paw slapped him brutally away. He went sliding across the dirt to crash into Bashak, sending both of them tumbling. Rasing a paw to his face in shock, Habusu started to cry.
"SHUT UP! I'm tired of listening to your whiny little voice." Skulk glared at him, fangs bared as he turned to Kh'tel, one of his attending guards. "Mount watch on this little furball. Don't let him out of your sight. If he tries to run, stop him, but don't kill him...yet. If Shenzi's right, he may yet be of some use to us."
The guard nodded energetically. "Boy, Shenzi's really smart, eh, Skulk?" He giggled insanely. "I bet she tells you ALL of her secrets, doesn't she?"
Skulk merely stood silently and stared at him until his laughter died away to nervous silence. "I'll send some others to help you guard him. For now, keep an eye on him." He leaned towards the other hyena until their noses were only inches apart. "I will hold you personally responsible for anything that happens to him. Do you understand?"
Kh'tel swallowed audibly. "Y-Yes, sir."
Nodding, he looked back at Habusu and Bashak, who were both bawling at the top of their lungs. "Losara, " he growled, "make yourself useful and get those two brats to SHUT UP! " Skulk looked at Shenzi. "Everything's working according to plan."
SHENZI:He thinks he runs the clan, but he can’t run an errand
He has the looks, but doesn’t have a clue,
And even worse than that, we’ve nabbed a lion brat,
Uhuru never even knew!
SKULK:I think I see your point, his nature’s far too trusting
A ‘kick me’ sign is plastered on his back,
He doesn’t seem the sort we need to hold the fort,
It’s time we gave our friend the sack.
BOTH:He’s wishy-washy, golly-goshy, just a lion’s puppet,
An elevated, overrated fool;
The kind of lame excuse without a single use,
That simply isn’t fit to rule!
KH’TEL:What’s a puppet?
SKULK:It’s someone with wood for brains.
KH’TEL:This is treason!
SKULK:You bet your whiskers! Now where have I heard that line before?
SHENZI:It was a brilliant plan, forgive me if I chuckle,
But I enjoy a laugh at his expense;
If they want Junior back, Uhuru’s gonna pack,
It’s really making perfect sense!
SKULK:I want to see his face, the moment that you tell him,
I bet’cha that his eyes are gonna cross!
Uhuru’s gonna find, he’s really in a bind,
We’re gonna show him who’s the boss!
Wheeling about, Shenzi and Skulk stalked away.
ALL 3:He’s wishy-washy, golly-goshy, just a lion’s puppet,
An elevated, overrated fool;
The kind of lame excuse without a single use,
That simply isn’t fit to rule!
Losara glared after them as she trotted over to the children. "Shh, " she whispered, holding them to her with a paw. Habusu buried his face against her chest and continued to cry hoarsely. "I w-want my MOTHER! "
"I know, hon. Shh, it'll be all right." She licked away his tears. "You're just going to spend the night with your auntie Losara, that's all."
Bashak looked up at her, sniffling. "Mama, Skulk's not gonna hurt Habu, is he?"
Losara kissed him gently on the forehead. "No, Bashak. He won't hurt your friend." She raised her head to stare after the departed hyena, her jaw firmly clenched. "Not as long as I’m alive."
SCENE: THAT ILLUSIVE SCENT
Sarafina paused to catch her breath, the lionesses behind her flopping to the ground gratefully. They had been searching for Habusu for hours, and it was now high-sun, when the fire shone fiercely down upon their overheated bodies, sapping them of their strength.
"Fini, " called a voice faintly. Turning, Sarafina glanced behind her. "Yes?"
Yolanda paused, panting heavily. "I don't think we're going to find him here, Sarafina. We're too close to THEM." She motioned to her right. The elephant graveyard lay just beyond, shimmering in the rising heat waves.
"I don't think the little tike would wander in there, anyway. Besides, they can search this area much better than we; their more familiar with the territory."
"I don't have any intention of letting them find Habu, no matter what that mealy-mouthed brute promised. If they did find him, what're the chances of them bringing him back?" She snorted in derision. "No, we'll keep our own counsel when it comes to trusting hyenas."
Yolanda nodded tiredly. "You're right, it's just..." she trailed off, growling with frustration, lashing the ground with her tail angrily. "We've looked for hours. Where is he?! "
Zazu fluttered overhead. “No word here, ladies. I’ve asked the vultures. They are ruthlessly honest, you know, and they say they have not--well, they saw nothing.”
Ajenti groaned as she rose from her resting place. "Well, we'll not find out by sitting on our rumps."
Sarafina nodded in agreement. She rose and moved out ahead of the other two again. Forming a triange, they covered the ground slowly, eyes scanning the area ahead while their heads swept back and forth, searching for any trace of scent.
The sun began its slow inexorable slide westward. The hours passed slowly, their task made increasingly difficult by the shadows which stretched out before them, concealing small niches and crevices from their sight. They finally reached the outskirts of the graveyard as twilight was falling. The hyena guard posted at the perimeter hailed them roughly. "'Lo, there! Who comes?"
"Lionesses from Pride Rock, sir." Sarafina hated having to address the bedraggled creature in front of her as such, but she dared not risk offending them now. "Have you any news of the missing cub?"
He grinned uneasily. "No, dear lady, I'm afraid not. But have no fear, should we find him, you'll be the first to know."
Yolanda's eyebrows drew together in sudden wariness. This guard was far too polite. Moving forward, she interrupted Sarafina's reply. "Thank you, sir. We appreciate the help." Butting Sarafina gently with her shoulder, she motioned them away into the shadowy dark until they were out of earshot.
"What're you doing?" Sarafina raised an eyebrow.
"That hyena stinks of helpfulness. I don't trust him. Let's look around a bit, shall we?" She moved off, paralleling the edge of the graveyard proper.
Sarafina moved up alongside, Ajenti trailing. "Heh, " she chuckled softly. "And you were the one who wanted to let them look-" She stopped so abruptly that Ajenti plowed into the back of her.
"Ouch! " Ajenti rubbed her bruised nose with a forepaw. "What the-"
"Shh! " Sarafina bent, sniffing. Her eyes gleamed in the dim light as her head rose. "I've got his scent! "
Yolanda jerked her head around. "What?"
Without replying, Sarafina headed off toward the graveyard at a fast trot, her nose bent to the ground, almost touching. Ajenti and Yolanda exchanged a look, then hurried to catch up. They followed Sarafina up a rise, stopping when they reached a row of prickly acacia thorns.
Sarafina flattened out onto the ground. Creeping forward, she rolled onto her side, squirming her way under one of the bushes while the others watched, astonished. She had perhaps half her body buried in the dense growth when she stopped. Her voice came drifting back faintly. "What in Aiehu's name..."
Ajenti crept near her. "What is it?"
Sarafina's voice came back, edged with rage. "Oh, they're very helpful. It seems they've managed to find Habusu already; they've just neglected to tell anyone. There's an elephant skull about ten lengths downslope from me. He's sitting in front of it."
A growl rumbled in Yolanda's chest. "Let's go get him! "
"No, that won't work. There's a group of hyenas surrounding him. Too many to fight. At least a war party, maybe more."
Yolanda's eyes grew wide. "All that to guard one cub? What in Aiehu's name is going on?"
Sarafina slowly wormed her way back out from under the bushes. Standing, she shook herself roughly, scattering the dirt ground into her pelt. "I don't know, but we'd better go and tell Simba."
Ajenti shook her head rapidly. "We can't leave him! "
"We'll do him no good if we get ourselves killed. Let's go. I want to be back at the Rock before high moon."
"Fini, " called a voice faintly. Turning, Sarafina glanced behind her. "Yes?"
Yolanda paused, panting heavily. "I don't think we're going to find him here, Sarafina. We're too close to THEM." She motioned to her right. The elephant graveyard lay just beyond, shimmering in the rising heat waves.
"I don't think the little tike would wander in there, anyway. Besides, they can search this area much better than we; their more familiar with the territory."
"I don't have any intention of letting them find Habu, no matter what that mealy-mouthed brute promised. If they did find him, what're the chances of them bringing him back?" She snorted in derision. "No, we'll keep our own counsel when it comes to trusting hyenas."
Yolanda nodded tiredly. "You're right, it's just..." she trailed off, growling with frustration, lashing the ground with her tail angrily. "We've looked for hours. Where is he?! "
Zazu fluttered overhead. “No word here, ladies. I’ve asked the vultures. They are ruthlessly honest, you know, and they say they have not--well, they saw nothing.”
Ajenti groaned as she rose from her resting place. "Well, we'll not find out by sitting on our rumps."
Sarafina nodded in agreement. She rose and moved out ahead of the other two again. Forming a triange, they covered the ground slowly, eyes scanning the area ahead while their heads swept back and forth, searching for any trace of scent.
The sun began its slow inexorable slide westward. The hours passed slowly, their task made increasingly difficult by the shadows which stretched out before them, concealing small niches and crevices from their sight. They finally reached the outskirts of the graveyard as twilight was falling. The hyena guard posted at the perimeter hailed them roughly. "'Lo, there! Who comes?"
"Lionesses from Pride Rock, sir." Sarafina hated having to address the bedraggled creature in front of her as such, but she dared not risk offending them now. "Have you any news of the missing cub?"
He grinned uneasily. "No, dear lady, I'm afraid not. But have no fear, should we find him, you'll be the first to know."
Yolanda's eyebrows drew together in sudden wariness. This guard was far too polite. Moving forward, she interrupted Sarafina's reply. "Thank you, sir. We appreciate the help." Butting Sarafina gently with her shoulder, she motioned them away into the shadowy dark until they were out of earshot.
"What're you doing?" Sarafina raised an eyebrow.
"That hyena stinks of helpfulness. I don't trust him. Let's look around a bit, shall we?" She moved off, paralleling the edge of the graveyard proper.
Sarafina moved up alongside, Ajenti trailing. "Heh, " she chuckled softly. "And you were the one who wanted to let them look-" She stopped so abruptly that Ajenti plowed into the back of her.
"Ouch! " Ajenti rubbed her bruised nose with a forepaw. "What the-"
"Shh! " Sarafina bent, sniffing. Her eyes gleamed in the dim light as her head rose. "I've got his scent! "
Yolanda jerked her head around. "What?"
Without replying, Sarafina headed off toward the graveyard at a fast trot, her nose bent to the ground, almost touching. Ajenti and Yolanda exchanged a look, then hurried to catch up. They followed Sarafina up a rise, stopping when they reached a row of prickly acacia thorns.
Sarafina flattened out onto the ground. Creeping forward, she rolled onto her side, squirming her way under one of the bushes while the others watched, astonished. She had perhaps half her body buried in the dense growth when she stopped. Her voice came drifting back faintly. "What in Aiehu's name..."
Ajenti crept near her. "What is it?"
Sarafina's voice came back, edged with rage. "Oh, they're very helpful. It seems they've managed to find Habusu already; they've just neglected to tell anyone. There's an elephant skull about ten lengths downslope from me. He's sitting in front of it."
A growl rumbled in Yolanda's chest. "Let's go get him! "
"No, that won't work. There's a group of hyenas surrounding him. Too many to fight. At least a war party, maybe more."
Yolanda's eyes grew wide. "All that to guard one cub? What in Aiehu's name is going on?"
Sarafina slowly wormed her way back out from under the bushes. Standing, she shook herself roughly, scattering the dirt ground into her pelt. "I don't know, but we'd better go and tell Simba."
Ajenti shook her head rapidly. "We can't leave him! "
"We'll do him no good if we get ourselves killed. Let's go. I want to be back at the Rock before high moon."
SCENE: MAKING DEMANDS
The cool night breeze ruffled the fur of the lioness sitting at the point of Pride Rock. Isha sat quietly, staring unseeing at the beautiful panorama before her, all her thoughts turned inward.
Feeling a touch at her shoulder, she glanced over to see Kako sitting next to her.
"Anything?"
Kako shook her head. "I'm sorry, Isha. Nobody's seen or smelled any sign of him."
Isha nodded and returned to staring out across the dark surface of the ground which lay far below them. A series of small frustrated desires pulled at her heart. It was time for Habu's bath. She ached to hold him, to feel his warm presence near her. She agonized over the thoughts that he may be afraid, that he may be lonely, wounded or hungry. That he may be cold. That he might be calling her name. That he may be begging some enemy for mercy. That he might even be dead, or even worse dying in great pain. Her jaw trembled slightly and a single tear rolled glistening down her cheek, matting the fur. Another followed behind it, dropping free to splash against the cold stone under her feet. "Oh God, Kako, he can't die, he just can't. He's the only cub I have left. I can't lose him! "
“Isha, we have to talk.”
“I don’t know if I can right now.”
“Isha, for God’s sake, I have to know. You made it with my son, didn’t you. That’s his son out there, isn’t it.”
“Yes and yes, ” Isha snapped.
“He was only a cub. You took advantage of him.”
“He begged me, ” Isha said, turning to stare straight into her eyes. “Begged me, Kako. He was on fire.”
“How can you sit there and say that?”
“He’s always wanted me. Taka sent him out there to starve. Baba knew it too.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “Poor little Baba. He didn’t want to die, but the one thing he regretted not doing was being alone with me. He wanted me as no lion ever wanted me, and I gave him what he desired.”
“Out of pity?”
“Pity? No, not just pity.” She reached up with her paw and stroked Kako’s cheek. “I love him. I thought I would yield out of pity, and it started that way. But your son was a lion, not a cub. When we made love....” Isha’s eyes filled with tears. “The things he said to me. How I long to hear them again. I’d give anything if he’d come back to me.” She sighed. “His son is out there. Your grandson. You neglected him. He doesn’t even know who you are. It may be too late to ever tell Habu you love him.”
“I know, and I grieve for him and for you. But oh gods, did it have to be such a tawdry affair?”
“He’s my husband, ” Isha said firmly. “I’ve remained faithful to him. I will till the day I die.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why didn’t you ask me?”
Kako sighed deeply. “Did he understand what he was doing?”
“I did have three cubs you know.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“You mean did he really love me? Yes. Do I really love him? Yes. Would we do it again? Yes, as the gods are my witness. I want to spend my life making him happy, tending his wounds, catching his prey, raising his cubs. Oh gods, what I wouldn’t give to have him here right now. My husband is gone, two of my cubs are dead, my third is lost, and now the lioness I thought was my best friend has turned against me.”
“No, Isha. That’s not so.” She leans on Isha and purrs, nuzzling her. “You’re like a very dear sister. I’m just having trouble thinking of you as a daughter.” She nuzzles her again. “I’ll try. Really I will. I just need a little time.”
Simba hurried up to where Isha and Kako sat. "I just spotted Sarafina's group heading in. They're the only ones who haven't reported in yet; maybe they'll have some good news."
The three fidgeted uncomfortably as they waited for Sarafina and her companions to ascend the path to the promontory. Breasting the top, Sarafina padded over tiredly. She knelt in front of Simba, her muscles trembling with fatigue. "Incosi aka Incosi, " she panted. "I touch your mane."
"I feel it, " he replied. "Rest a minute, Fini. The report can wait."
She shook her head rapidly. "No time, Sire. We found Habu." Sarafina stood, panting mutely as the others gaped in surprise. "Where is he?" Isha finally managed. She scanned the group rapidly. "Oh God, tell me he's not dead."
Nala looked at the miserable expression on her mother's face and turned cold. No, she thought. Oh, please, no.
Sarafina finally spoke. "He is alive, Isha." The lioness started to smile, but it faded quickly as Sarafina continued. "Aiheu forgive me for saying so, but it might be better for him if he had died. The hyenas have him."
Isha's eyes widened in horror as Simba stepped forward. "What?! " He looked at Yolanda, then Ajenti. They both nodded slowly.
"We were searching near the graveyard, and I picked up a faint scent trail of his. It led directly to the acacia thorns on the off-side-"
"I know that place, " he said, nodding. "How'd you get in?"
"Well, I crawled under, just partway, until I could see into the graveyard. I saw him clearly, Sire."
"What else did you see?"
Sarafina closed her eyes, thinking hard. "There was a large group of the hyenas around him in a kind of ring, like they were guarding him, or...."
"....or making sure he didn't escape, " Nala growled angrily. "I KNEW that lying cur was going to do something like this. Shenzi and Uhuru are not that different after all." She glanced over at Simba, expecting him to nod in agreement.
Instead, Simba sat silently, staring at the ground for a moment. Rising slowly, he paced over to the tip of the promontory and raised his head to look at the stars shining brightly overhead. His face crumpled suddenly, whiskers drooping. His jaw quivered as he looked up at the stars. "I thought I could trust him. He told Rafiki he believed in our God. Why doesn't Aiheu strike him dead??"
Simba's grief was deep and awful. For a minute or more he sat silently, his face pointed into the stars. Then he sighed. "Uhuru risked his life to help me. God help me, I'll have to give him the benefit of the doubt. If he proves false, then God help him! " Simba walked over to Isha and nuzzled her. "It's time we showed our hyena friends who is in charge here, " he said, his voice rumbling low in his throat. He looked up into the sky again, drew in a deep breath, and roared. He roared loud enough that everyone in the earth and in the skies above or the caves below could tell a lion was angry. He was joined by the others in the pride, and as the sound grew it took on an otherworldly quality that would strike fear into the heart of a stone.
"Come, Isha. Let's go get your son."
As they prepared to leave, Simba glanced up at the starry sky. He uttered a silent prayer to Aiheu, asking Him to watch over them in the upcoming fight.
Some distance away, a young hyena looked up to the sky, and prayed also, but for a less noble reason.
"Roh'kash, please bring the dawn soon! I hate guard duty! " Grumbling, Griz'nk paced slowly back and forth, fighting to stay awake. Somehow, it always seemed like he ended up with the night patrol. Bad enough that he got stuck with guard duty to begin with, but the night patrol? Skulk had it in for him, he decided. Ever since the hyena had pandered his way into Shenzi's good graces, he acted as though he was in charge of everything.
"Gimme five minutes with him and I'll show him who's boss-" he broke off and stopped his pacing as his jaws opened in a bone-cracking yawn. Glancing around furtively to see if anyone was near, he paced over to a jutting column of stone and lay down.
“I'll just rest a minute, ” he thought. “A good guard can't keep alert unless he's well rested. Why, he would be derelict in his duty if he didn't stay fully awake.”
His eyes snapped open. Blinking rapidly, he stood up and shook himself. Looking around, he cringed as he saw a faint glow had formed in the east, illuminating the early morning mist which swirled about him gently. Seeing no one, he sighed gratefully; his nap had apparently gone unnoticed. Turning, he padded over to the entrance to the graveyard, intending to call for his relief, when he heard a faint sound behind him.
His head snapped around to stare into the swirling mist. Pricking his ears up, he strained to catch any sound at all. Suddenly, the hair rose on his neck as he caught a tenebrous rustling. His eyes darted frantically, trying to catch a glimpse of something, but grayish white blankness, broken only by the faint outline of rocks, was all he could see. He took a tentative step forward, intending to investigate, when he heard a loud SNAP! from somewhere to his right.
He froze, ears laid back in fear, waiting for something to appear, but total silence now reigned. Time slowed to a crawl as he held his ground, frantic for his relief to appear, but afraid to turn his back to the open air. The mist began to lighten as the sun rose, its warm rays beginning to burn away the moist air. Sighing with relief, he chuckled at himself.
Feeling a touch at her shoulder, she glanced over to see Kako sitting next to her.
"Anything?"
Kako shook her head. "I'm sorry, Isha. Nobody's seen or smelled any sign of him."
Isha nodded and returned to staring out across the dark surface of the ground which lay far below them. A series of small frustrated desires pulled at her heart. It was time for Habu's bath. She ached to hold him, to feel his warm presence near her. She agonized over the thoughts that he may be afraid, that he may be lonely, wounded or hungry. That he may be cold. That he might be calling her name. That he may be begging some enemy for mercy. That he might even be dead, or even worse dying in great pain. Her jaw trembled slightly and a single tear rolled glistening down her cheek, matting the fur. Another followed behind it, dropping free to splash against the cold stone under her feet. "Oh God, Kako, he can't die, he just can't. He's the only cub I have left. I can't lose him! "
“Isha, we have to talk.”
“I don’t know if I can right now.”
“Isha, for God’s sake, I have to know. You made it with my son, didn’t you. That’s his son out there, isn’t it.”
“Yes and yes, ” Isha snapped.
“He was only a cub. You took advantage of him.”
“He begged me, ” Isha said, turning to stare straight into her eyes. “Begged me, Kako. He was on fire.”
“How can you sit there and say that?”
“He’s always wanted me. Taka sent him out there to starve. Baba knew it too.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “Poor little Baba. He didn’t want to die, but the one thing he regretted not doing was being alone with me. He wanted me as no lion ever wanted me, and I gave him what he desired.”
“Out of pity?”
“Pity? No, not just pity.” She reached up with her paw and stroked Kako’s cheek. “I love him. I thought I would yield out of pity, and it started that way. But your son was a lion, not a cub. When we made love....” Isha’s eyes filled with tears. “The things he said to me. How I long to hear them again. I’d give anything if he’d come back to me.” She sighed. “His son is out there. Your grandson. You neglected him. He doesn’t even know who you are. It may be too late to ever tell Habu you love him.”
“I know, and I grieve for him and for you. But oh gods, did it have to be such a tawdry affair?”
“He’s my husband, ” Isha said firmly. “I’ve remained faithful to him. I will till the day I die.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why didn’t you ask me?”
Kako sighed deeply. “Did he understand what he was doing?”
“I did have three cubs you know.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“You mean did he really love me? Yes. Do I really love him? Yes. Would we do it again? Yes, as the gods are my witness. I want to spend my life making him happy, tending his wounds, catching his prey, raising his cubs. Oh gods, what I wouldn’t give to have him here right now. My husband is gone, two of my cubs are dead, my third is lost, and now the lioness I thought was my best friend has turned against me.”
“No, Isha. That’s not so.” She leans on Isha and purrs, nuzzling her. “You’re like a very dear sister. I’m just having trouble thinking of you as a daughter.” She nuzzles her again. “I’ll try. Really I will. I just need a little time.”
Simba hurried up to where Isha and Kako sat. "I just spotted Sarafina's group heading in. They're the only ones who haven't reported in yet; maybe they'll have some good news."
The three fidgeted uncomfortably as they waited for Sarafina and her companions to ascend the path to the promontory. Breasting the top, Sarafina padded over tiredly. She knelt in front of Simba, her muscles trembling with fatigue. "Incosi aka Incosi, " she panted. "I touch your mane."
"I feel it, " he replied. "Rest a minute, Fini. The report can wait."
She shook her head rapidly. "No time, Sire. We found Habu." Sarafina stood, panting mutely as the others gaped in surprise. "Where is he?" Isha finally managed. She scanned the group rapidly. "Oh God, tell me he's not dead."
Nala looked at the miserable expression on her mother's face and turned cold. No, she thought. Oh, please, no.
Sarafina finally spoke. "He is alive, Isha." The lioness started to smile, but it faded quickly as Sarafina continued. "Aiheu forgive me for saying so, but it might be better for him if he had died. The hyenas have him."
Isha's eyes widened in horror as Simba stepped forward. "What?! " He looked at Yolanda, then Ajenti. They both nodded slowly.
"We were searching near the graveyard, and I picked up a faint scent trail of his. It led directly to the acacia thorns on the off-side-"
"I know that place, " he said, nodding. "How'd you get in?"
"Well, I crawled under, just partway, until I could see into the graveyard. I saw him clearly, Sire."
"What else did you see?"
Sarafina closed her eyes, thinking hard. "There was a large group of the hyenas around him in a kind of ring, like they were guarding him, or...."
"....or making sure he didn't escape, " Nala growled angrily. "I KNEW that lying cur was going to do something like this. Shenzi and Uhuru are not that different after all." She glanced over at Simba, expecting him to nod in agreement.
Instead, Simba sat silently, staring at the ground for a moment. Rising slowly, he paced over to the tip of the promontory and raised his head to look at the stars shining brightly overhead. His face crumpled suddenly, whiskers drooping. His jaw quivered as he looked up at the stars. "I thought I could trust him. He told Rafiki he believed in our God. Why doesn't Aiheu strike him dead??"
Simba's grief was deep and awful. For a minute or more he sat silently, his face pointed into the stars. Then he sighed. "Uhuru risked his life to help me. God help me, I'll have to give him the benefit of the doubt. If he proves false, then God help him! " Simba walked over to Isha and nuzzled her. "It's time we showed our hyena friends who is in charge here, " he said, his voice rumbling low in his throat. He looked up into the sky again, drew in a deep breath, and roared. He roared loud enough that everyone in the earth and in the skies above or the caves below could tell a lion was angry. He was joined by the others in the pride, and as the sound grew it took on an otherworldly quality that would strike fear into the heart of a stone.
"Come, Isha. Let's go get your son."
As they prepared to leave, Simba glanced up at the starry sky. He uttered a silent prayer to Aiheu, asking Him to watch over them in the upcoming fight.
Some distance away, a young hyena looked up to the sky, and prayed also, but for a less noble reason.
"Roh'kash, please bring the dawn soon! I hate guard duty! " Grumbling, Griz'nk paced slowly back and forth, fighting to stay awake. Somehow, it always seemed like he ended up with the night patrol. Bad enough that he got stuck with guard duty to begin with, but the night patrol? Skulk had it in for him, he decided. Ever since the hyena had pandered his way into Shenzi's good graces, he acted as though he was in charge of everything.
"Gimme five minutes with him and I'll show him who's boss-" he broke off and stopped his pacing as his jaws opened in a bone-cracking yawn. Glancing around furtively to see if anyone was near, he paced over to a jutting column of stone and lay down.
“I'll just rest a minute, ” he thought. “A good guard can't keep alert unless he's well rested. Why, he would be derelict in his duty if he didn't stay fully awake.”
His eyes snapped open. Blinking rapidly, he stood up and shook himself. Looking around, he cringed as he saw a faint glow had formed in the east, illuminating the early morning mist which swirled about him gently. Seeing no one, he sighed gratefully; his nap had apparently gone unnoticed. Turning, he padded over to the entrance to the graveyard, intending to call for his relief, when he heard a faint sound behind him.
His head snapped around to stare into the swirling mist. Pricking his ears up, he strained to catch any sound at all. Suddenly, the hair rose on his neck as he caught a tenebrous rustling. His eyes darted frantically, trying to catch a glimpse of something, but grayish white blankness, broken only by the faint outline of rocks, was all he could see. He took a tentative step forward, intending to investigate, when he heard a loud SNAP! from somewhere to his right.
He froze, ears laid back in fear, waiting for something to appear, but total silence now reigned. Time slowed to a crawl as he held his ground, frantic for his relief to appear, but afraid to turn his back to the open air. The mist began to lighten as the sun rose, its warm rays beginning to burn away the moist air. Sighing with relief, he chuckled at himself.