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Ugas watched her tawny form fade into the grass, a smile on his face. Settling his bulk gently to the ground, he started to doze off for a nap when he heard a soft padding in the grass. “Addie, did you forget something?”
“I’m not Addie,” a sultry voice replied.
Ugas looked up. A smile of delight blossomed on his face. “Sarafina! My sweet Fini!”
Sarafina nuzzled him as he lay on the ground. Quickly he raised off the ground, closing his eyes in bliss as he rubbed down her full length. “Oh, girl, it’s good to see you!”
“I missed you, beloved,” she said.
“I missed you too.” He kissed one of her cheeks softly, then kissed the other cheek. A deep, quiet purr rose from inside her.
“You’re in your season,” he said gently. “It seems like the only time I ever see you around. Don’t you ever just want to share the view from Pride Kopje when the sun is setting and the stars come peeking out?”
“I wish I could, my darling. I love you so much, but I have too many ties to my Pride to just walk away from them.”
“So how’s my little girl?”
“I’m fine,” she said, kissing him again.
“I should have said OUR little girl.”
“Oh, Nala. She’s expecting cubs soon.”
“My Nala, a mother?” He smiled warmly. “Wonderful! I hope they look like you. Is Simba good to her?”
“Oh, as good as gold.”
“If he isn’t, you call me. I’ll teach him a little respect.”
“I believe you.” She laughed. “You sure taught ME a few things.”
He smiled and nuzzled her passionately. “Is that a hint? Are you back for another lesson?”
She laughed again with anticipation and nosed him playfully on the thigh. “Come with me. I thirst for knowledge.” Then she turned and darted into the reeds.
Ugas pursued her. “So you want to learn something?? See if you can handle this!”
From the depths of the reeds, Sarafina gasped in a breath and issued it in a moan.
“Oh, Fini! I love you so much! So much!”
“Ugas!” she stammered. “I love to have you next to me! I live for your touch!”
“Oh, Fini! My dear girl!”
“Oh gods, I love you, Ugas!”
“I love you too! Oh! Oh yes!” He gasped and roared loudly.
She answered his roar with a cry of passionate fulfillment.
Suddenly Ugas shrieked--this time it was a cry of pain.
“What’s wrong??”
“Oh gods, no!”
“Ugas, what’s wrong??”
“My chest!! I can’t breathe!!”
“Ugas! My darling! Ugas!!”
He came out of the reeds, his eyes wide, gasping. “My heart! I’m dying!! Fini, I’m dying!!” He staggered a few more steps, then fell to the ground and rolled on his side. “Tell Rafiki to send for the twins.”
“I’ll go get him right away!”
Ugas gasps, then begs her, “No! Fini, please don’t leave me! Don’t leave me here to die alone!”
She began to sob hysterically. “Ugas, don’t die! For God’s sake, please don’t die! Don’t leave me, Ugas!” Looking around, she screamed, “Help! Somebody help us! Adhama! Rafiki! Anybody!!”
A flock of ravens was startled out of an acacia tree. Flapping and squawking they formed a black cloud that whisked away on the wind. No one else could hear her.
He reached out with a trembling paw and placed it atop hers. He stared at her, but his eyes didn’t seem to focus. He drew in a hoarse breath and whispered something.
“I didn’t hear.”
He closed his eyes. “Uzuri? Uzuri??” A look of pain and desperation crossed his face. “Uzuri??”
Sarafina lowered her voice slightly. “Yes, Ugas?”
“Uzuri, beloved. I don’t feel so good.”
“I know.” Tears streamed down her face.
“Uzuri, forgive me. I’ve cheated on you, dearest.”
Sarafina’s breath caught. “Oh?”
He gasped, sweat matting his fur. “Forgive me, my angel. I’ve been unfaithful, but only because you were so far away. I wanted you here by my side--Gods, I was so lonely without you. I sought comfort in my solitude, but it was only you I loved. Only you, my dear wife.”
Tears brimmed in Sarafina’s eyes. She felt her heart crumble into pieces. “No one else?”
“Our sons will be king and consort. It’s the least I can do. I wish I could have been a better father.”
“That’s all right,” Sarafina said, stroking his pain filled face with a paw. “We all have regrets. That’s part of life.”
“Then you forgive me?” He became very agitated, and pain twisted his features into a mask of suffering. “Please, Uzuri! Say you forgive me!”
“Yes, my darling. But you’re going to get well again. Dear God, you must get well again!”
“Come,” he stammered. “I feel so tired. Let us rest in the shade under the acacias.”
The air rushed from his lungs in a sudden sigh and his paw slipped down.
Sarafina hung her head and began to sob, stroking his mane with her paw. He looked almost like Nala when she slept. Never again would his kind eyes look in hers. Never again would his gentle voice speak of love. The sun that had risen on her joy would set on her grief. And not hers alone, but Uzuri’s.
“What will I tell her? How could I tell her?” She had no idea what to say, or even who to tell. She couldn’t tell Uzuri that she had seen him die! Rafiki would have to tell her, and when he wouldn’t reveal his source, Uzuri would be suspicious.
With a trembling paw, Sarafina drew a circle around Ugas’ eye and touched him beneath the jaw. Then giving Ugas one last kiss, she turned and trudged away toward home. She could not roar, but had to keep her feelings locked away inside her. She wiped her tears and tried to freeze her face into a mask of deceptive calm. Her sister’s husband had died making love to her, and out of love for Uzuri she would suffer in silence.
CHAPTER: THE PANIC
CHAPTER: GRABBING AT THE WIND
CHAPTER: PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW
CHAPTER: A STRANGER WALKS
CHAPTER: WALKING THE BEAT
CHAPTER: JUST BETWEEN US
CHAPTER: THE TRUTH OUTS
CHAPTER: BAPTISM BY FIRE
“I’m not Addie,” a sultry voice replied.
Ugas looked up. A smile of delight blossomed on his face. “Sarafina! My sweet Fini!”
Sarafina nuzzled him as he lay on the ground. Quickly he raised off the ground, closing his eyes in bliss as he rubbed down her full length. “Oh, girl, it’s good to see you!”
“I missed you, beloved,” she said.
“I missed you too.” He kissed one of her cheeks softly, then kissed the other cheek. A deep, quiet purr rose from inside her.
“You’re in your season,” he said gently. “It seems like the only time I ever see you around. Don’t you ever just want to share the view from Pride Kopje when the sun is setting and the stars come peeking out?”
“I wish I could, my darling. I love you so much, but I have too many ties to my Pride to just walk away from them.”
“So how’s my little girl?”
“I’m fine,” she said, kissing him again.
“I should have said OUR little girl.”
“Oh, Nala. She’s expecting cubs soon.”
“My Nala, a mother?” He smiled warmly. “Wonderful! I hope they look like you. Is Simba good to her?”
“Oh, as good as gold.”
“If he isn’t, you call me. I’ll teach him a little respect.”
“I believe you.” She laughed. “You sure taught ME a few things.”
He smiled and nuzzled her passionately. “Is that a hint? Are you back for another lesson?”
She laughed again with anticipation and nosed him playfully on the thigh. “Come with me. I thirst for knowledge.” Then she turned and darted into the reeds.
Ugas pursued her. “So you want to learn something?? See if you can handle this!”
From the depths of the reeds, Sarafina gasped in a breath and issued it in a moan.
“Oh, Fini! I love you so much! So much!”
“Ugas!” she stammered. “I love to have you next to me! I live for your touch!”
“Oh, Fini! My dear girl!”
“Oh gods, I love you, Ugas!”
“I love you too! Oh! Oh yes!” He gasped and roared loudly.
She answered his roar with a cry of passionate fulfillment.
Suddenly Ugas shrieked--this time it was a cry of pain.
“What’s wrong??”
“Oh gods, no!”
“Ugas, what’s wrong??”
“My chest!! I can’t breathe!!”
“Ugas! My darling! Ugas!!”
He came out of the reeds, his eyes wide, gasping. “My heart! I’m dying!! Fini, I’m dying!!” He staggered a few more steps, then fell to the ground and rolled on his side. “Tell Rafiki to send for the twins.”
“I’ll go get him right away!”
Ugas gasps, then begs her, “No! Fini, please don’t leave me! Don’t leave me here to die alone!”
She began to sob hysterically. “Ugas, don’t die! For God’s sake, please don’t die! Don’t leave me, Ugas!” Looking around, she screamed, “Help! Somebody help us! Adhama! Rafiki! Anybody!!”
A flock of ravens was startled out of an acacia tree. Flapping and squawking they formed a black cloud that whisked away on the wind. No one else could hear her.
He reached out with a trembling paw and placed it atop hers. He stared at her, but his eyes didn’t seem to focus. He drew in a hoarse breath and whispered something.
“I didn’t hear.”
He closed his eyes. “Uzuri? Uzuri??” A look of pain and desperation crossed his face. “Uzuri??”
Sarafina lowered her voice slightly. “Yes, Ugas?”
“Uzuri, beloved. I don’t feel so good.”
“I know.” Tears streamed down her face.
“Uzuri, forgive me. I’ve cheated on you, dearest.”
Sarafina’s breath caught. “Oh?”
He gasped, sweat matting his fur. “Forgive me, my angel. I’ve been unfaithful, but only because you were so far away. I wanted you here by my side--Gods, I was so lonely without you. I sought comfort in my solitude, but it was only you I loved. Only you, my dear wife.”
Tears brimmed in Sarafina’s eyes. She felt her heart crumble into pieces. “No one else?”
“Our sons will be king and consort. It’s the least I can do. I wish I could have been a better father.”
“That’s all right,” Sarafina said, stroking his pain filled face with a paw. “We all have regrets. That’s part of life.”
“Then you forgive me?” He became very agitated, and pain twisted his features into a mask of suffering. “Please, Uzuri! Say you forgive me!”
“Yes, my darling. But you’re going to get well again. Dear God, you must get well again!”
“Come,” he stammered. “I feel so tired. Let us rest in the shade under the acacias.”
The air rushed from his lungs in a sudden sigh and his paw slipped down.
Sarafina hung her head and began to sob, stroking his mane with her paw. He looked almost like Nala when she slept. Never again would his kind eyes look in hers. Never again would his gentle voice speak of love. The sun that had risen on her joy would set on her grief. And not hers alone, but Uzuri’s.
“What will I tell her? How could I tell her?” She had no idea what to say, or even who to tell. She couldn’t tell Uzuri that she had seen him die! Rafiki would have to tell her, and when he wouldn’t reveal his source, Uzuri would be suspicious.
With a trembling paw, Sarafina drew a circle around Ugas’ eye and touched him beneath the jaw. Then giving Ugas one last kiss, she turned and trudged away toward home. She could not roar, but had to keep her feelings locked away inside her. She wiped her tears and tried to freeze her face into a mask of deceptive calm. Her sister’s husband had died making love to her, and out of love for Uzuri she would suffer in silence.
CHAPTER: THE PANIC
The next day Adhama was sunning herself with Agavi when she noticed vultures circling some distance away. “That’s odd. I don’t remember a kill to the west.”
“Maybe it’s the hyenas again. That brother of yours is probably napping again.”
“My brother the king, you mean,” Adhama chided gently. “Still,” she sighed, “you’re probably right. I’ll go have a little talk with him. But first, let’s check out that kill.”
They headed west to what would have been the gateway to the eastern meadow from Pride Rock. The number of birds seemed to indicate a rather large animal down, and Adhama felt her spirits perk up despite her irritation at Ugas; the pride might eat well tonight if it was fresh.
That was when Agavi saw the body. “It’s a lion!”
Adhama trembled. She sniffed the air, then froze for one awful moment like a statue of grief. “Oh my gods!!”
“It’s Ugas!!”
Adhama ran to her brother, scattering a flock of vultures, and began to paw and nuzzle him. “Ugas!! Brother!! Oh gods, he’s dead!!” She fell upon him, running a paw gently over where the birds had sadly abused his body. “Oh, you poor, sweet angel--walking the border! Oh gods, how tired it made him! He always said how tired he got, and I didn’t want him to take a nap!” She began to sob.
“Honey Tree, he lived a long life. He was happier at the end than I’ve seen him in years. Don’t blame yourself.”
“He wanted to see his sons and tell them he loved them.” She stroked his mane and wept. Her grief was deep, but the urge to roar for him and release her grief was suppressed by a more immediate concern. “Agavi, we have no male heir till the twins get here. We’ll have to hide him.”
“HIDE him? Hide HIM??”
“You get the pride sisters together. We have to do something. Maybe we can mark the territory--scratch a few trees--pee on a shrub--I don’t know!”
“They’ll know it’s not a male.”
“Well, maybe if we freshen up some old marks. We can’t just sit here--we’re in danger!”
And so began a time in the life of Ugas’ pride known as The Panic. At all times there were at least two lionesses awake that traveled together. If trouble came, they were not to fight but to head back to the others at a run using separate paths. Cubs were not to play by themselves under any conditions. And no matter what, Ugas’ name was not to be mentioned aloud except at certain times. In front of Zazu’s family (who were notorious gossips) they would talk of Ugas’ latest accomplishments. Reports would be given to Ugas’ dour-faced majordomo Ichabod that the King was busy patrolling and just drove off some hyenas. The crane would nod and take to the skies, gleefully squawking at the top of his lungs at the King’s latest exploits. And Atika, who had the deepest voice of the lionesses, would drop a register or two and do a decent imitation of Ugas’ evening call. “This land is mine! Mine by the will of Aiheu! I will protect my family and my own!”
She meant it too....
“Maybe it’s the hyenas again. That brother of yours is probably napping again.”
“My brother the king, you mean,” Adhama chided gently. “Still,” she sighed, “you’re probably right. I’ll go have a little talk with him. But first, let’s check out that kill.”
They headed west to what would have been the gateway to the eastern meadow from Pride Rock. The number of birds seemed to indicate a rather large animal down, and Adhama felt her spirits perk up despite her irritation at Ugas; the pride might eat well tonight if it was fresh.
That was when Agavi saw the body. “It’s a lion!”
Adhama trembled. She sniffed the air, then froze for one awful moment like a statue of grief. “Oh my gods!!”
“It’s Ugas!!”
Adhama ran to her brother, scattering a flock of vultures, and began to paw and nuzzle him. “Ugas!! Brother!! Oh gods, he’s dead!!” She fell upon him, running a paw gently over where the birds had sadly abused his body. “Oh, you poor, sweet angel--walking the border! Oh gods, how tired it made him! He always said how tired he got, and I didn’t want him to take a nap!” She began to sob.
“Honey Tree, he lived a long life. He was happier at the end than I’ve seen him in years. Don’t blame yourself.”
“He wanted to see his sons and tell them he loved them.” She stroked his mane and wept. Her grief was deep, but the urge to roar for him and release her grief was suppressed by a more immediate concern. “Agavi, we have no male heir till the twins get here. We’ll have to hide him.”
“HIDE him? Hide HIM??”
“You get the pride sisters together. We have to do something. Maybe we can mark the territory--scratch a few trees--pee on a shrub--I don’t know!”
“They’ll know it’s not a male.”
“Well, maybe if we freshen up some old marks. We can’t just sit here--we’re in danger!”
And so began a time in the life of Ugas’ pride known as The Panic. At all times there were at least two lionesses awake that traveled together. If trouble came, they were not to fight but to head back to the others at a run using separate paths. Cubs were not to play by themselves under any conditions. And no matter what, Ugas’ name was not to be mentioned aloud except at certain times. In front of Zazu’s family (who were notorious gossips) they would talk of Ugas’ latest accomplishments. Reports would be given to Ugas’ dour-faced majordomo Ichabod that the King was busy patrolling and just drove off some hyenas. The crane would nod and take to the skies, gleefully squawking at the top of his lungs at the King’s latest exploits. And Atika, who had the deepest voice of the lionesses, would drop a register or two and do a decent imitation of Ugas’ evening call. “This land is mine! Mine by the will of Aiheu! I will protect my family and my own!”
She meant it too....
CHAPTER: GRABBING AT THE WIND
Kombi did not know he was a prince. Indeed, he did not know his father’s name. And so to him The Big World was still a great mystery into which he would be thrust one day to eke out a living.
Like most lions his age, he was looking around for a lioness that would come with him to share his existence and comfort him in his loneliness. Vianga would not even speak to him, much less face the unknown by his side. But somewhere there must be another, and he was determined to find her.
Lately, Kombi had his eye on Wajanja, a lovely creature whose gentleness was a stark contrast to his own brashness. It was precisely this contrast that had kept them apart. Now the lioness cub that he had once held in contempt, and who had tattled on him often as a child became the object of his greatest desires.
There lay the problem. Some of the young lionesses were interested in him, but he could not return their affections. He was attracted to someone who did not even like him, much less love him.
Wajanja was the type that found deep meaning in everything and made remarks to her friends how Simba's love for Nala reminded her of Mano and Minshasa, casting them as romantic hero and heroine. Wajanja loved to roll in the flowers, but was sad to see their fragile beauty crushed. Her three hundred pound weight, rapier claws, and passion for hunting red meat on the hoof aside, she had a very gentle disposition when compared to Kombi.
He would follow her at a discrete distance, watching her while his brother felt like a lonely widower after so much attention for so long.
She noticed his attentions, and she made every effort to show she was spurning him, even going to the trouble to change paths once and take the long route to the watering hole. As if that were not enough, she would talk with her friends in his hearing and insult his “infantile attempts” to woo her.
Finally, one day, Kombi decided to force the issue. He ran a few steps ahead of her, blocked her path and blurted out, “Wajanja, we need to talk.”
“Wrong. You need to talk. Why don’t you find someone that wants to listen.”
“That’s very cold, Jannie.”
“My friends call me that. You can call me Wajanja. Now repeat after me--‘so long, Wajanja.’”
She tried to push past him, but he moved in front of her again. “You’ve never even given me a chance. I have the right to just one fair chance, don’t I?”
“No. Love is a privilege, not a right. So is conversation.”
“Well, just grant me the right this once and I won’t press the issue further, OK?”
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
“Very well. You are not my type. I want the quiet, sensitive type like Habu. If he wasn’t smitten with Lisani, I’d be all over him like green on leaves.” She sighed. “I’d leave the pride for him. I don’t think Miss Priss would. Love is wasted on the wrong people.”
“I know. Deep down inside I am really sensitive and--uh--quiet. But I have to put on a brave front for the others. See, I can even cry.” He tried to force tears to come, screwing up his face into all kinds of promising but unproductive expressions. He turned and bit his paw. Then he got tears all right, but ended up hopping around, holding his forepaw to his chest and licking it.
She laughed at him and said, "You never had a serious thought in your whole life!"
He looked at her, hurt. "Oh really? I’ve had lots of serious thoughts." Turned his back to her and sat down.
"You wanted to talk. Well, this is your chance. Name one," she said derisively. “Can you even name one?”
"Well, for one, I have to leave the Pride someday, and I have nightmares about it. I mean, I'll have Togo and all, but I’ll never see my mother again and I’ll never see you again, Jannie. No matter how you feel about me, I love you and I’ll miss you and hope you fall in love with someone who can love you back. Sometimes I was dumb enough to think I might get you to notice me, or even like me a little. I say dumb enough because love can make clever guys act so stupid. Well, I hope you got a good laugh out of it--at least one of us will."
"No, I wouldn’t laugh at you."
"Daria is crazy about me. If I would say hello to her, she would melt like dirt in a good rain. But I don't really care--you know--and it's sad that she wants what she can't have, and so do I. Maybe Daria and I are more alike than I realized. I mean, we both are grabbing at the wind, and we'll never catch it."
She looked at him intently. "You know, I believe that somewhere VERY DEEP DOWN INSIDE you really do have a thoughtful side."
"Thanks--I guess." He started away. “Don’t worry, I promised I wouldn’t bother you again, and I won’t.”
"Wait." She came, nuzzled his sad face and said, "I'm sorry I laughed at you. I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings. I’m not really a mean person."
“Aw, no problem.” He nuzzled her back. "Does this mean I can see you again?"
"Why not. Maybe tonight."
"I'd like that. Heck, I'd love that. I feel like I can talk to you. I could tell you things I wouldn’t share with another living soul. But Wajanja, if you laugh at me or you tell anyone else what I say, I’ll just die!"
“I’d never do that!” She looked into his sparkling eyes and smiled. “I’ve misjudged you, Kombi. You’re really very sweet.”
He smiled back. “Do you think so?”
“No, but I’ll still see you tonight.” She reached over and kissed his cheek.
He walked away, a blissful, innocent smile on his face. Togo met him behind the bushes. "So, did you pull the old 'grabbing at the wind' story on her?"
"Yep. Works every time!"
Togo nudged him and grinned. “The Love Doctor strikes again.”
He rubbed his cheek where she kissed it. “I wish you wouldn’t put it that way. I’m going to see if she’ll come with me. This is serious.” He looked off into the distance for a while, then rolled on his back in the grass. Togo joined him.
“So, Togo, have you narrowed down the field?”
“Who, me?” Togo had an embarrassed grin on his face.
“Who is she? Don’t hold out on me now.”
“You’d laugh at me.”
“No I wouldn’t.”
“Well, it’s Lisani.”
“Miss Priss??” Kombi giggled.
“There you go laughing at me!”
“I’m sorry,” Kombi said. “Really I am. But you and Lisani? You know she’s stuck on Habu.”
“So is Wajanja. But that doesn’t stop you from trying. I guess we’re grabbing at the wind.” Togo took his paw and ruffled Kombi’s mane. “Hey, I hope you catch it, you dog.”
“What the heck. Why don’t you hit on Lisani? I mean, maybe one of us will get lucky.”
“You don’t ‘hit on’ a girl like Lisani. And I don’t suggest trying it on Wajanja if you want her to marry you. ‘Get lucky’ indeed!”
Like most lions his age, he was looking around for a lioness that would come with him to share his existence and comfort him in his loneliness. Vianga would not even speak to him, much less face the unknown by his side. But somewhere there must be another, and he was determined to find her.
Lately, Kombi had his eye on Wajanja, a lovely creature whose gentleness was a stark contrast to his own brashness. It was precisely this contrast that had kept them apart. Now the lioness cub that he had once held in contempt, and who had tattled on him often as a child became the object of his greatest desires.
There lay the problem. Some of the young lionesses were interested in him, but he could not return their affections. He was attracted to someone who did not even like him, much less love him.
Wajanja was the type that found deep meaning in everything and made remarks to her friends how Simba's love for Nala reminded her of Mano and Minshasa, casting them as romantic hero and heroine. Wajanja loved to roll in the flowers, but was sad to see their fragile beauty crushed. Her three hundred pound weight, rapier claws, and passion for hunting red meat on the hoof aside, she had a very gentle disposition when compared to Kombi.
He would follow her at a discrete distance, watching her while his brother felt like a lonely widower after so much attention for so long.
She noticed his attentions, and she made every effort to show she was spurning him, even going to the trouble to change paths once and take the long route to the watering hole. As if that were not enough, she would talk with her friends in his hearing and insult his “infantile attempts” to woo her.
Finally, one day, Kombi decided to force the issue. He ran a few steps ahead of her, blocked her path and blurted out, “Wajanja, we need to talk.”
“Wrong. You need to talk. Why don’t you find someone that wants to listen.”
“That’s very cold, Jannie.”
“My friends call me that. You can call me Wajanja. Now repeat after me--‘so long, Wajanja.’”
She tried to push past him, but he moved in front of her again. “You’ve never even given me a chance. I have the right to just one fair chance, don’t I?”
“No. Love is a privilege, not a right. So is conversation.”
“Well, just grant me the right this once and I won’t press the issue further, OK?”
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
“Very well. You are not my type. I want the quiet, sensitive type like Habu. If he wasn’t smitten with Lisani, I’d be all over him like green on leaves.” She sighed. “I’d leave the pride for him. I don’t think Miss Priss would. Love is wasted on the wrong people.”
“I know. Deep down inside I am really sensitive and--uh--quiet. But I have to put on a brave front for the others. See, I can even cry.” He tried to force tears to come, screwing up his face into all kinds of promising but unproductive expressions. He turned and bit his paw. Then he got tears all right, but ended up hopping around, holding his forepaw to his chest and licking it.
She laughed at him and said, "You never had a serious thought in your whole life!"
He looked at her, hurt. "Oh really? I’ve had lots of serious thoughts." Turned his back to her and sat down.
"You wanted to talk. Well, this is your chance. Name one," she said derisively. “Can you even name one?”
"Well, for one, I have to leave the Pride someday, and I have nightmares about it. I mean, I'll have Togo and all, but I’ll never see my mother again and I’ll never see you again, Jannie. No matter how you feel about me, I love you and I’ll miss you and hope you fall in love with someone who can love you back. Sometimes I was dumb enough to think I might get you to notice me, or even like me a little. I say dumb enough because love can make clever guys act so stupid. Well, I hope you got a good laugh out of it--at least one of us will."
"No, I wouldn’t laugh at you."
"Daria is crazy about me. If I would say hello to her, she would melt like dirt in a good rain. But I don't really care--you know--and it's sad that she wants what she can't have, and so do I. Maybe Daria and I are more alike than I realized. I mean, we both are grabbing at the wind, and we'll never catch it."
She looked at him intently. "You know, I believe that somewhere VERY DEEP DOWN INSIDE you really do have a thoughtful side."
"Thanks--I guess." He started away. “Don’t worry, I promised I wouldn’t bother you again, and I won’t.”
"Wait." She came, nuzzled his sad face and said, "I'm sorry I laughed at you. I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings. I’m not really a mean person."
“Aw, no problem.” He nuzzled her back. "Does this mean I can see you again?"
"Why not. Maybe tonight."
"I'd like that. Heck, I'd love that. I feel like I can talk to you. I could tell you things I wouldn’t share with another living soul. But Wajanja, if you laugh at me or you tell anyone else what I say, I’ll just die!"
“I’d never do that!” She looked into his sparkling eyes and smiled. “I’ve misjudged you, Kombi. You’re really very sweet.”
He smiled back. “Do you think so?”
“No, but I’ll still see you tonight.” She reached over and kissed his cheek.
He walked away, a blissful, innocent smile on his face. Togo met him behind the bushes. "So, did you pull the old 'grabbing at the wind' story on her?"
"Yep. Works every time!"
Togo nudged him and grinned. “The Love Doctor strikes again.”
He rubbed his cheek where she kissed it. “I wish you wouldn’t put it that way. I’m going to see if she’ll come with me. This is serious.” He looked off into the distance for a while, then rolled on his back in the grass. Togo joined him.
“So, Togo, have you narrowed down the field?”
“Who, me?” Togo had an embarrassed grin on his face.
“Who is she? Don’t hold out on me now.”
“You’d laugh at me.”
“No I wouldn’t.”
“Well, it’s Lisani.”
“Miss Priss??” Kombi giggled.
“There you go laughing at me!”
“I’m sorry,” Kombi said. “Really I am. But you and Lisani? You know she’s stuck on Habu.”
“So is Wajanja. But that doesn’t stop you from trying. I guess we’re grabbing at the wind.” Togo took his paw and ruffled Kombi’s mane. “Hey, I hope you catch it, you dog.”
“What the heck. Why don’t you hit on Lisani? I mean, maybe one of us will get lucky.”
“You don’t ‘hit on’ a girl like Lisani. And I don’t suggest trying it on Wajanja if you want her to marry you. ‘Get lucky’ indeed!”
CHAPTER: PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW
Togo and Kombi were showing changes in their maturing bodies. They lost that long-legged look that once made them appear awkward. Their manes were filling out nicely, their chests were broadening, and one day out of the sheer will to make a grand noise, they both let out with a roar that would have made Ugas quite proud.
Uzuri would look at them appraisingly, and some of the time she was proud of the fine lions they were becoming. Other times she would mourn the loss of their cubhood and the approach of their commoner’s mantlement. She would eventually have to tell Simba that they were sons of a King and entitled to a royal mantlement hosted by their father. And doing so, she would also be saying her farewell to her old life and old home. Uzuri loved Ugas and longed to be by his side, but his words came back to haunt her. It would never be easy to leave old friends and old haunts and start again. But if Togo and Kombi could do it, she could too. When she was depressed, she would close her eyes and look inward at her dream--Ugas by her side as Togo and Kombi stood on Pride Kopje and surveyed their kingdom.
She had not discussed this with her sons yet. She could not risk either of them making an indiscreet remark. Uzuri had planned out what she would say and how--she did not want her departure to be spoiled by misunderstandings or hard feelings.
And so knowing nothing of their mother’s plans, Togo and Kombi spent much of their time fawning on Simba, trying to ply him with favors. Simba was utterly surprised when they stopped calling him “big guy” and started calling him “Sir.” Kombi brought him a hare Uzuri had caught for him to eat, and Togo even dragged part of a gazelle for him clear up Pride Rock so he could wake up to a surprise breakfast.
Privately, Nala asked Simba if there was a way to let them remain. “They’re trying so hard to please you. There’s is no hate in them--they will not turn on you the way your Uncle did.”
“That’s not the problem,” Simba replied. “I’d trust them with my life, if it came to that. They’re afraid of their destiny, Nala. I don’t blame them, for I know the ways of the ‘big world,’ and they have reason to fear it.” He sighed and glumly ate the haunch.
Later that same day, Togo and Kombi offered to help him with the border patrol. “You have no brother to help you,” Togo explained in what sounded like a prepared statement. “Without a Prince Consort, you have to go around doing everything for yourself and have so little time to spend with Nala.” Togo looked over at Kombi who subtly nodded approval and he continued; “We insist on taking the Western Plain.”
“But that’s very hot and dry,” Simba said. “And it can be very dangerous.”
“We don’t mind, Sir,” Kombi said, bowing with respect. “Danger is our life.”
“And what would you like in return?”
Kombi looked shocked and scandalized. “Sire, we’re just trying to be nice.” He looked casual, but his tail twitched nervously. “Since you asked, I wish we could go on being friends forever.”
Simba sighed deeply. “I know you do.” His heart was not into having them become rogue lions, bachelors on the open fields having to support themselves with marginal hunting skills, being driven from pride land to pride land by a succession of males. Despite their routine truancy, Simba had grown to love them, and he saw in them some of the basic goodness that was in their mother.
Uzuri would be the real problem. Next to Sarabi and Nala, Simba loved Uzuri the most, and he would steal glances of her private grief that weighed on him like an injury. And despite himself, Simba had grown extremely fond of Togo.
The brothers watched him carefully to see how he would react. Simba scratched his mane uneasily and said, “You want the Western Plain, eh?”
“Yes sir.”
“Fine. We’ll start there in the morning.” Simba rose and stretched.
Togo glanced at Kombi quickly, his eyes widening. “S-Sir?”
“You heard me.” Simba looked them up and down. “I’m glad to see you taking on some responsibility. However, a responsible lion also knows his limits, and I’m afraid you aren’t yet up to the challenge.”
Kombi looked indignant. “What do you mean?!”
“Your heart is in the right place, but you’re too soft to go out there.”
Togo sucked in his stomach self-consciously. “We can hack it, sir.”
Simba shook his head. “No.”
“We can take care of ourselves!” Kombi grated. “I’ll beat up any lion who dares challenge our border!”
“Really?” Simba looked at him. “Knock me down.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Knock me down.” Simba looked at him. “Or can’t you even handle that?”
Togo flicked his eyes to Kombi, who was staring balefully at the king. “Kombi, give it up.”
“Yeah?! Watch and learn, Togo!” Kombi gathered himself and leapt towards Simba, intending to tackle the other lion full force. Simba sidestepped neatly and wrapped his forepaws around Kombi, seizing him in mid-air and wrenching him around to bring him crashing to earth, Simba’s weight holding him fast. Kombi gasped for breath, humiliation in his eyes as he looked up at the sad face above him.
“Had this been a real fight, your mother would be mourning your death.” Simba nuzzled him gently. “I’m sorry, Kombi. You and Togo have one month left to you in which to do something.”
“What are we gonna do?” Kombi said in a small voice.
“I’ll not cast you out unprepared, son.” Simba laid a paw gently on his head. “We’ll patrol the Western plain tomorrow...together. Each morning, we’ll go out on patrol. Talk with your Mother; she knows a lot about the lay of the land. When we get back, I’ll show you how to fight.”
Uzuri would look at them appraisingly, and some of the time she was proud of the fine lions they were becoming. Other times she would mourn the loss of their cubhood and the approach of their commoner’s mantlement. She would eventually have to tell Simba that they were sons of a King and entitled to a royal mantlement hosted by their father. And doing so, she would also be saying her farewell to her old life and old home. Uzuri loved Ugas and longed to be by his side, but his words came back to haunt her. It would never be easy to leave old friends and old haunts and start again. But if Togo and Kombi could do it, she could too. When she was depressed, she would close her eyes and look inward at her dream--Ugas by her side as Togo and Kombi stood on Pride Kopje and surveyed their kingdom.
She had not discussed this with her sons yet. She could not risk either of them making an indiscreet remark. Uzuri had planned out what she would say and how--she did not want her departure to be spoiled by misunderstandings or hard feelings.
And so knowing nothing of their mother’s plans, Togo and Kombi spent much of their time fawning on Simba, trying to ply him with favors. Simba was utterly surprised when they stopped calling him “big guy” and started calling him “Sir.” Kombi brought him a hare Uzuri had caught for him to eat, and Togo even dragged part of a gazelle for him clear up Pride Rock so he could wake up to a surprise breakfast.
Privately, Nala asked Simba if there was a way to let them remain. “They’re trying so hard to please you. There’s is no hate in them--they will not turn on you the way your Uncle did.”
“That’s not the problem,” Simba replied. “I’d trust them with my life, if it came to that. They’re afraid of their destiny, Nala. I don’t blame them, for I know the ways of the ‘big world,’ and they have reason to fear it.” He sighed and glumly ate the haunch.
Later that same day, Togo and Kombi offered to help him with the border patrol. “You have no brother to help you,” Togo explained in what sounded like a prepared statement. “Without a Prince Consort, you have to go around doing everything for yourself and have so little time to spend with Nala.” Togo looked over at Kombi who subtly nodded approval and he continued; “We insist on taking the Western Plain.”
“But that’s very hot and dry,” Simba said. “And it can be very dangerous.”
“We don’t mind, Sir,” Kombi said, bowing with respect. “Danger is our life.”
“And what would you like in return?”
Kombi looked shocked and scandalized. “Sire, we’re just trying to be nice.” He looked casual, but his tail twitched nervously. “Since you asked, I wish we could go on being friends forever.”
Simba sighed deeply. “I know you do.” His heart was not into having them become rogue lions, bachelors on the open fields having to support themselves with marginal hunting skills, being driven from pride land to pride land by a succession of males. Despite their routine truancy, Simba had grown to love them, and he saw in them some of the basic goodness that was in their mother.
Uzuri would be the real problem. Next to Sarabi and Nala, Simba loved Uzuri the most, and he would steal glances of her private grief that weighed on him like an injury. And despite himself, Simba had grown extremely fond of Togo.
The brothers watched him carefully to see how he would react. Simba scratched his mane uneasily and said, “You want the Western Plain, eh?”
“Yes sir.”
“Fine. We’ll start there in the morning.” Simba rose and stretched.
Togo glanced at Kombi quickly, his eyes widening. “S-Sir?”
“You heard me.” Simba looked them up and down. “I’m glad to see you taking on some responsibility. However, a responsible lion also knows his limits, and I’m afraid you aren’t yet up to the challenge.”
Kombi looked indignant. “What do you mean?!”
“Your heart is in the right place, but you’re too soft to go out there.”
Togo sucked in his stomach self-consciously. “We can hack it, sir.”
Simba shook his head. “No.”
“We can take care of ourselves!” Kombi grated. “I’ll beat up any lion who dares challenge our border!”
“Really?” Simba looked at him. “Knock me down.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Knock me down.” Simba looked at him. “Or can’t you even handle that?”
Togo flicked his eyes to Kombi, who was staring balefully at the king. “Kombi, give it up.”
“Yeah?! Watch and learn, Togo!” Kombi gathered himself and leapt towards Simba, intending to tackle the other lion full force. Simba sidestepped neatly and wrapped his forepaws around Kombi, seizing him in mid-air and wrenching him around to bring him crashing to earth, Simba’s weight holding him fast. Kombi gasped for breath, humiliation in his eyes as he looked up at the sad face above him.
“Had this been a real fight, your mother would be mourning your death.” Simba nuzzled him gently. “I’m sorry, Kombi. You and Togo have one month left to you in which to do something.”
“What are we gonna do?” Kombi said in a small voice.
“I’ll not cast you out unprepared, son.” Simba laid a paw gently on his head. “We’ll patrol the Western plain tomorrow...together. Each morning, we’ll go out on patrol. Talk with your Mother; she knows a lot about the lay of the land. When we get back, I’ll show you how to fight.”
CHAPTER: A STRANGER WALKS
For the longest time, Ugas’ pride managed to hold together the fragile deception that kept their sovereignty intact. The lionesses doubled border patrols after reports from several revealed a rogue male had been observing the pride carefully.
Then one evening when Adhama said in her deepest voice, “This land is mine!” a distinctly male voice answered her from the bushes.
“Nice try! Now all you need is a mane!”
The worst had happened. Through long observation, the stranger had learned the patterns of the watch, and he easily slipped through where there were no sentries.
“The king will make you pay for this!”
“Are you the king?” He laughed. “What’s the problem, Sis? Am I that ugly?”
The lion stepped out into the moonlight. Indeed, he was anything but ugly, but she did not like his attitude one bit.
“He will be back soon,” she said. “Then you’ll pay!”
“Fine.” The stranger sat down and began to groom a forepaw. “I’ll wait for him right here.”
For several minutes that felt like several hours, Adhama stared at him icily. There was no sign of nervousness in his manner. He knew that he had won.
She bowed her head. “What good is it pretending. He’s dead.”
“Good. That saves me the trouble of killing him. In the meantime, I’m hungry. What do you have?”
“A little bit of wildebeest. Not much.”
“Not much?” He uttered a short, ugly laugh. “It’s an acquired taste, lady. When you’ve eaten ‘not much’ as long as I have, you never turn it down.” He frowned at her. “Well, do I have to draw you a diagram??”
Adhama’s heart sank. She rose and led him to the larder, watching in despair as their rations for the next two days disappeared in a matter of minutes.
“Is there any more?”
“No. There is no more.”
“Too bad.” He burped. “I was still hungry.” Licking off his paws, he said, “I’m Ambia. King Ambia now. You’re really lucky, you know. I almost went east, but instead I headed west, and here I am.”
“Well hooray and hallelujah.”
He looked at her with half closed eyes and scowled. “You must be the one that peed on the shrubs. The urine was very sour.”
Then one evening when Adhama said in her deepest voice, “This land is mine!” a distinctly male voice answered her from the bushes.
“Nice try! Now all you need is a mane!”
The worst had happened. Through long observation, the stranger had learned the patterns of the watch, and he easily slipped through where there were no sentries.
“The king will make you pay for this!”
“Are you the king?” He laughed. “What’s the problem, Sis? Am I that ugly?”
The lion stepped out into the moonlight. Indeed, he was anything but ugly, but she did not like his attitude one bit.
“He will be back soon,” she said. “Then you’ll pay!”
“Fine.” The stranger sat down and began to groom a forepaw. “I’ll wait for him right here.”
For several minutes that felt like several hours, Adhama stared at him icily. There was no sign of nervousness in his manner. He knew that he had won.
She bowed her head. “What good is it pretending. He’s dead.”
“Good. That saves me the trouble of killing him. In the meantime, I’m hungry. What do you have?”
“A little bit of wildebeest. Not much.”
“Not much?” He uttered a short, ugly laugh. “It’s an acquired taste, lady. When you’ve eaten ‘not much’ as long as I have, you never turn it down.” He frowned at her. “Well, do I have to draw you a diagram??”
Adhama’s heart sank. She rose and led him to the larder, watching in despair as their rations for the next two days disappeared in a matter of minutes.
“Is there any more?”
“No. There is no more.”
“Too bad.” He burped. “I was still hungry.” Licking off his paws, he said, “I’m Ambia. King Ambia now. You’re really lucky, you know. I almost went east, but instead I headed west, and here I am.”
“Well hooray and hallelujah.”
He looked at her with half closed eyes and scowled. “You must be the one that peed on the shrubs. The urine was very sour.”
CHAPTER: WALKING THE BEAT
As the days passed, Togo and Kombi began to feel the weight of a lion’s responsibility settling on their shoulders. It was a remarkably heavy burden.
Well before sunrise, Simba would rouse them and head off into the early morning mists, each day choosing a particular section of border or area to patrol. At night, as the sun set, they would return to Pride Rock, where Simba would instruct them in various modes of attack and defense. Only after finishing their lessons, far after the sky had turned dark and the stars had emerged, were they allowed to rest and eat their dinner.
Once Kombi protested this. “With all due respect, if I could eat first, I could concentrate better.
Simba simply looked at him. “This is no game, son. If you lose your meal in a fight, you go hungry. Concentrate on that.”
There were no further complaints after that.
The demands of patrolling and sparring practice were shaping the young lions. Their low, swinging bellies had given way to firm muscle. The young lionesses began to notice, and Kombi would strut about with a conceited swagger, showing off the merchandise. Togo was a bit more shy, and he shuddered when Visima rubbed along his body and ran a curious paw down his thigh.
Simba and the brothers began to range farther afield, even patrolling the dry and empty Western plains together.
Early one morning, the three had gone out to examine the border between the Pride Lands and hyena territory. Simba expected no real threat from Uhuru’s clan, and after greeting the hyenas who were doing their own guard duty, the morning passed slowly. Kombi ranged ahead slightly, practicing his rudimentary hunting skills as he followed the trail of an impala who had passed by recently. Togo and Simba followed at a distance, padding slowly across the ground in the gradually increasing heat.
“Sire?”
“Mmm-hmm?”
“Why do we patrol the hyena’s lands when they’re friendly? Isn’t it a waste of time?”
“Well, for one thing, it helps to keep an eye on things. If things turned ugly, we wouldn’t know about it until it was too late.”
Togo looked surprised. “You mean they might try and take over again?”
Simba grinned. “No, I doubt that would happen while Uhuru’s in charge. No, if they had problems, or needed help, though, we’d never find out by sitting at home lying in the sun. Besides, patrolling does more than establish your borders. Sometimes Uhuru meets me out here in the morning, and we talk together. He’s too busy to come to Pride Rock..and, well, I can’t go see him, either. He tells me what’s going on with the hyenas, we ask after each other’s families...”
“Wow,” Togo said. “All that just by walking the border?” He looked out across the savanna. “But doesn’t Zazu tell you about things like that?”
“Yes...but hearing about something, and seeing it for yourself are two different things. Besides, I can’t just sit at home. It means a lot to the other animals to see the King out and about, doing his duty. It’s a way to let them know he truly cares about them. My father did the same, as did his father before him.” Simba breathed deeply as he gazed about the plains of his home. “This land is mine. I was born here, I fought for it, and I will die here. I love it, and I will protect it along with my family and friends.”
Togo looked at the king with admiration, but his smile faded quickly. “It's a shame that we finally became friends too late.”
Simba stopped and glanced at him. “Too late? Why do you say that?”
“You know.” Togo sighed. “We only have two more weeks left. Then we have to leave your Pride Lands for good. I was born here, but I’ll never see it again. I’ll die out there somewhere far from home and I’ll never see you or Mom again!”
Simba nuzzled him on the shoulder. “Listen to me, Togo. In the next realm there is only one kingdom, and it belongs to Aiheu for his children. We will share that Kingdom forever, so friendships never really die unless you let them.” The king wrapped a huge forepaw around the young lion and hugged him close. “Enjoy this time while it lasts. Someday, you’ll be a King yourself. You must be strong enough to let Aiheu’s will be done.”
“What is it like to be king? Neat, huh?”
"It's like I told my son Tanabi--being King is not all fun. You think this is a long walk? Just wait till you’re walking your own borders in the driving rain with only Kombi to help you. You get lots of respect, and that’s nice. But you also work hard, and you have to make some unpopular decisions--even decisions that are unpopular with your own self, like your mantlement. I love you, Togo. I’m going to miss you terribly, and if there was some way to keep you here, I would."
"You mean that?"
"With all my heart. I’ll miss that scamp of a brother of yours too. I can truly say it won't be the same here without you."
Well before sunrise, Simba would rouse them and head off into the early morning mists, each day choosing a particular section of border or area to patrol. At night, as the sun set, they would return to Pride Rock, where Simba would instruct them in various modes of attack and defense. Only after finishing their lessons, far after the sky had turned dark and the stars had emerged, were they allowed to rest and eat their dinner.
Once Kombi protested this. “With all due respect, if I could eat first, I could concentrate better.
Simba simply looked at him. “This is no game, son. If you lose your meal in a fight, you go hungry. Concentrate on that.”
There were no further complaints after that.
The demands of patrolling and sparring practice were shaping the young lions. Their low, swinging bellies had given way to firm muscle. The young lionesses began to notice, and Kombi would strut about with a conceited swagger, showing off the merchandise. Togo was a bit more shy, and he shuddered when Visima rubbed along his body and ran a curious paw down his thigh.
Simba and the brothers began to range farther afield, even patrolling the dry and empty Western plains together.
Early one morning, the three had gone out to examine the border between the Pride Lands and hyena territory. Simba expected no real threat from Uhuru’s clan, and after greeting the hyenas who were doing their own guard duty, the morning passed slowly. Kombi ranged ahead slightly, practicing his rudimentary hunting skills as he followed the trail of an impala who had passed by recently. Togo and Simba followed at a distance, padding slowly across the ground in the gradually increasing heat.
“Sire?”
“Mmm-hmm?”
“Why do we patrol the hyena’s lands when they’re friendly? Isn’t it a waste of time?”
“Well, for one thing, it helps to keep an eye on things. If things turned ugly, we wouldn’t know about it until it was too late.”
Togo looked surprised. “You mean they might try and take over again?”
Simba grinned. “No, I doubt that would happen while Uhuru’s in charge. No, if they had problems, or needed help, though, we’d never find out by sitting at home lying in the sun. Besides, patrolling does more than establish your borders. Sometimes Uhuru meets me out here in the morning, and we talk together. He’s too busy to come to Pride Rock..and, well, I can’t go see him, either. He tells me what’s going on with the hyenas, we ask after each other’s families...”
“Wow,” Togo said. “All that just by walking the border?” He looked out across the savanna. “But doesn’t Zazu tell you about things like that?”
“Yes...but hearing about something, and seeing it for yourself are two different things. Besides, I can’t just sit at home. It means a lot to the other animals to see the King out and about, doing his duty. It’s a way to let them know he truly cares about them. My father did the same, as did his father before him.” Simba breathed deeply as he gazed about the plains of his home. “This land is mine. I was born here, I fought for it, and I will die here. I love it, and I will protect it along with my family and friends.”
Togo looked at the king with admiration, but his smile faded quickly. “It's a shame that we finally became friends too late.”
Simba stopped and glanced at him. “Too late? Why do you say that?”
“You know.” Togo sighed. “We only have two more weeks left. Then we have to leave your Pride Lands for good. I was born here, but I’ll never see it again. I’ll die out there somewhere far from home and I’ll never see you or Mom again!”
Simba nuzzled him on the shoulder. “Listen to me, Togo. In the next realm there is only one kingdom, and it belongs to Aiheu for his children. We will share that Kingdom forever, so friendships never really die unless you let them.” The king wrapped a huge forepaw around the young lion and hugged him close. “Enjoy this time while it lasts. Someday, you’ll be a King yourself. You must be strong enough to let Aiheu’s will be done.”
“What is it like to be king? Neat, huh?”
"It's like I told my son Tanabi--being King is not all fun. You think this is a long walk? Just wait till you’re walking your own borders in the driving rain with only Kombi to help you. You get lots of respect, and that’s nice. But you also work hard, and you have to make some unpopular decisions--even decisions that are unpopular with your own self, like your mantlement. I love you, Togo. I’m going to miss you terribly, and if there was some way to keep you here, I would."
"You mean that?"
"With all my heart. I’ll miss that scamp of a brother of yours too. I can truly say it won't be the same here without you."
CHAPTER: JUST BETWEEN US
Togo and Kombi had never been on a hunt before. Increasingly aware of the perils that prideless lions faced, they went to their mother and pleaded for a few lessons. Uzuri agreed, for she wanted to spend some time with her sons in their old home. She knew the land intimately. Like all lionesses, she thought that the land was alive. Its breath stirred in the wind, and she could almost feel its pulse beneath her feet. Pride Rock was the heart of the land, and it had a permanent place in her own heart. Could she learn to love Pride Kopje? Yes, if Ugas was there. But she would always feel regret for what she had left behind.
Uzuri was initially delighted by their request. She had no daughters of her own, and now that the opportunity presented itself, she jumped at the chance to pass on some of her knowledge to her offspring. She began instructing them in some basic skills, and looked forward to sharing some of her secret tricks and tips to help ensure a successful kill. She was a patient teacher as well as a huntress beyond compare, but as time wore on it became readily apparent that none of her natural ability was in them. They had the facile charm of their father Ugas, and they looked like a couple of likely fighters if territory must be defended. But they were no hunters.
Late that afternoon, she stood in the tall grass at the foot of Pride Rock, bending her head now and then as she imitated a grazing gazelle. Several yards away, Togo and Kombi were flattened in the depths of the grass, breathing rapidly as they practiced a pincers maneuver for the umpteenth time. They had been going at it since before high-sun, and the heat was oppressive in the lush vegetation.
Togo eased his head up gingerly, his russet mane matted with perspiration as he peered through the grass. Sweat ran into one eye, stinging, and he winced. Blinking furiously, he saw his mother about six body lengths away, her back to him. A grin split his features and he sank down again. Motioning to Kombi, he eased off sideways, intending to line up on an oblique angle while Kombi executed the main attack.
Kombi nodded and crept forward slowly, placing his paws carefully. His forelegs quivered with exhaustion and nerves, the result of the last five failed attempts to successfully get within striking distance. His tail lashed, and he stepped forward again.
“Movement!” Uzuri shouted. “Movement is the key to hunting. A lion has to have discipline, else instinct takes over, and control is lost.” Her voice hardened. “Togo is five lengths behind me. Kombi, you are to my left at the same distance. What do you intend to do, drive your prey by thrashing at the grass like humans?”
Kombi stood up and shouted, “Damn! What did I do wrong NOW?”
“Watch your mouth, child.”
“I’m not a child, mother!”
“You are until your mantlement, which is only a week away, in case you’ve forgotten!” Uzuri snapped. “You are too noisy; you thrashed your tail and gave away your position easily. Togo, you were silent enough...but you moved against the grain of the grass when you began the flanking maneuver; I saw the trail cutting through the grass as soon as you moved.”
Togo sat up miserably. “I’m sorry.”
“And have you forgotten about the wind?! I was downwind of you the whole time; I smelled you coming. You can conduct an upwind attack ONLY if you have superior speed or numbers to cut off fleeing prey...and neither of you is fast enough.” Uzuri stopped, claws extending in frustration.
“Mom? I’m sorry.” Kombi hung his head. “I didn’t mean to smart off like that.” He blinked pathetically at her, eyes bright with pain at her obvious disappointment. Kombi cursed himself for being so clumsy. His mother was the best hunter he had ever known, and here he was, embarrassing her.
The shame came across clearly, and Uzuri felt anguished as she saw the cub buried inside the huge frame, hungering for her approval, desperate to prove himself the son of a great huntress. Her eyes burned, and she looked away. “It’s all right. Sit here and rest. We’ll try again in a moment.”
Togo began to cry. “We’ll never learn this! We’re going to starve!”
“No, you’ll have lionesses to help you.”
“Oh?”
“What I’m about to tell you must be just between us. Togo, Kombi, you are not going to be wanderers. One of you will be a King, and the other will be a Prince Consort.”
“Sure,” Kombi said. “When we find us a Pride of our own.”
“I’ve made an arrangement already. But you must tell no one, understand?”
“Yeah,” Togo said, tears starting down his cheeks. “Mom, you’re the greatest!” He nuzzled her and kissed her. Kombi fell to the ground and rolled over on his back, pawing at the sky.
“Blessed Aiheu,” he muttered. “Thank you, Aiheu! You’ve saved us! Mighty God, King of all Kingdoms, thank you!”
For several moments, all the brothers could do was nuzzle and kiss their mother as her warm tears of joy ran freely down her cheeks. In her heart, she knew she could find happiness with her husband and sons by her side. They would be a family the way Simba, Nala and Tanabi were.
She looked again at the beautiful vista of the Pride Lands. She had been born here, raised to maturity, learned her craft on these plains. It had been her pride and pleasure to serve three generations of kings as the hunt mistress, her skills respected and unmatched by any lion for miles around. She would be laying that down and passing the leadership to another younger set of shoulders. Misha was a quick student, and one day she would be Queen. The question was not whom to pick but how to break the news to her. It was a heavy responsibility for one so young, but she was the same age Uzuri was when Kiva had anointed both her cheeks with the blood of her prey and kissed her.
At first Kiva was relieved to lose the burden, but Kiva was alone. Her brothers had left after a commoner’s mantlement, and she had no mate or cubs of her own. Shortly after losing her position, she began her decline into depression, bad health, and eventually death. Uzuri had always thought she had died of grief. But that would not happen to her, she determined. Not to Uzuri....
Uzuri was initially delighted by their request. She had no daughters of her own, and now that the opportunity presented itself, she jumped at the chance to pass on some of her knowledge to her offspring. She began instructing them in some basic skills, and looked forward to sharing some of her secret tricks and tips to help ensure a successful kill. She was a patient teacher as well as a huntress beyond compare, but as time wore on it became readily apparent that none of her natural ability was in them. They had the facile charm of their father Ugas, and they looked like a couple of likely fighters if territory must be defended. But they were no hunters.
Late that afternoon, she stood in the tall grass at the foot of Pride Rock, bending her head now and then as she imitated a grazing gazelle. Several yards away, Togo and Kombi were flattened in the depths of the grass, breathing rapidly as they practiced a pincers maneuver for the umpteenth time. They had been going at it since before high-sun, and the heat was oppressive in the lush vegetation.
Togo eased his head up gingerly, his russet mane matted with perspiration as he peered through the grass. Sweat ran into one eye, stinging, and he winced. Blinking furiously, he saw his mother about six body lengths away, her back to him. A grin split his features and he sank down again. Motioning to Kombi, he eased off sideways, intending to line up on an oblique angle while Kombi executed the main attack.
Kombi nodded and crept forward slowly, placing his paws carefully. His forelegs quivered with exhaustion and nerves, the result of the last five failed attempts to successfully get within striking distance. His tail lashed, and he stepped forward again.
“Movement!” Uzuri shouted. “Movement is the key to hunting. A lion has to have discipline, else instinct takes over, and control is lost.” Her voice hardened. “Togo is five lengths behind me. Kombi, you are to my left at the same distance. What do you intend to do, drive your prey by thrashing at the grass like humans?”
Kombi stood up and shouted, “Damn! What did I do wrong NOW?”
“Watch your mouth, child.”
“I’m not a child, mother!”
“You are until your mantlement, which is only a week away, in case you’ve forgotten!” Uzuri snapped. “You are too noisy; you thrashed your tail and gave away your position easily. Togo, you were silent enough...but you moved against the grain of the grass when you began the flanking maneuver; I saw the trail cutting through the grass as soon as you moved.”
Togo sat up miserably. “I’m sorry.”
“And have you forgotten about the wind?! I was downwind of you the whole time; I smelled you coming. You can conduct an upwind attack ONLY if you have superior speed or numbers to cut off fleeing prey...and neither of you is fast enough.” Uzuri stopped, claws extending in frustration.
“Mom? I’m sorry.” Kombi hung his head. “I didn’t mean to smart off like that.” He blinked pathetically at her, eyes bright with pain at her obvious disappointment. Kombi cursed himself for being so clumsy. His mother was the best hunter he had ever known, and here he was, embarrassing her.
The shame came across clearly, and Uzuri felt anguished as she saw the cub buried inside the huge frame, hungering for her approval, desperate to prove himself the son of a great huntress. Her eyes burned, and she looked away. “It’s all right. Sit here and rest. We’ll try again in a moment.”
Togo began to cry. “We’ll never learn this! We’re going to starve!”
“No, you’ll have lionesses to help you.”
“Oh?”
“What I’m about to tell you must be just between us. Togo, Kombi, you are not going to be wanderers. One of you will be a King, and the other will be a Prince Consort.”
“Sure,” Kombi said. “When we find us a Pride of our own.”
“I’ve made an arrangement already. But you must tell no one, understand?”
“Yeah,” Togo said, tears starting down his cheeks. “Mom, you’re the greatest!” He nuzzled her and kissed her. Kombi fell to the ground and rolled over on his back, pawing at the sky.
“Blessed Aiheu,” he muttered. “Thank you, Aiheu! You’ve saved us! Mighty God, King of all Kingdoms, thank you!”
For several moments, all the brothers could do was nuzzle and kiss their mother as her warm tears of joy ran freely down her cheeks. In her heart, she knew she could find happiness with her husband and sons by her side. They would be a family the way Simba, Nala and Tanabi were.
She looked again at the beautiful vista of the Pride Lands. She had been born here, raised to maturity, learned her craft on these plains. It had been her pride and pleasure to serve three generations of kings as the hunt mistress, her skills respected and unmatched by any lion for miles around. She would be laying that down and passing the leadership to another younger set of shoulders. Misha was a quick student, and one day she would be Queen. The question was not whom to pick but how to break the news to her. It was a heavy responsibility for one so young, but she was the same age Uzuri was when Kiva had anointed both her cheeks with the blood of her prey and kissed her.
At first Kiva was relieved to lose the burden, but Kiva was alone. Her brothers had left after a commoner’s mantlement, and she had no mate or cubs of her own. Shortly after losing her position, she began her decline into depression, bad health, and eventually death. Uzuri had always thought she had died of grief. But that would not happen to her, she determined. Not to Uzuri....
CHAPTER: THE TRUTH OUTS
Togo and Kombi were flush with optimism. They believed that they would not be leaving the Pride Lands, and that some way, somehow, Tanabi did not want to rule the Pride on his father’s death. That one day they would stand on the promontory of Pride Rock and proclaim the new kingship.
They had promised their mother to keep strictest silence about the arrangement, but they went to a few of the attractive young lionesses and spread the wonderful news that two of them would marry the most eligible bachelors in the land. Each of them promised to keep it to themselves, but gossip started to circulate.
“Why doesn’t Tanabi want to be King?” Isha asked. “Is there something wrong with him? Has he lost his nerve?”
“Not our Tanabi,” Ajenti said. “He’s plenty brave enough. Maybe he has a weakness--one that he’d rather talk about. The poor boy!”
Barata drew close and whispered, “Fact is, I think he has weak eyes.”
“No!” Ajenti said, taking in a gasp. “The poor boy! How bad is it?”
“I’m not sure,” Barata said. “He bumped right into his mother the other day.”
“I thought that was an accident,” Isha said.
“It was. He didn’t deliberately do it. But Nala said, ‘What’s wrong with your eyes, son?’”
Ajenti bowed her head. “The poor boy!”
“Hi,” Tanabi said, nodding at the lionesses.
Ajenti came right up into his face. “It’s me, Ajenti.”
“Uh, yeah. I know.”
“Taking it easy, dear?”
“Well, I guess so. I had a little unexpected free time today. I thought I’d go to the water hole and just kick back.”
“You’re so brave,” she said, giving him a big kiss. “You’re so much like your father.”
“Thanks.” Tanabi shrugged, then walked away.
“The poor boy!” Ajenti said, a tear running down her cheek. “I wonder if he’ll go completely blind?”
It wasn’t long before Habusu came to see Simba. He fell before him and said, “Haven’t I loved you as much as Togo and Kombi?”
“Yes, son.”
“And longer? When they were still playing pranks on you, wasn’t I good to you?”
“I know who my friends are,” Simba said cautiously, but with a warm nuzzle. “What would you have of me?”
“Can’t you fix it for me too? The way you did for them? I don’t want to be King any more than Tanabi did. I just want to live here in peace. Please don’t send me away into the big world!”
Simba nuzzled him again. “I did not ‘fix’ anything for anyone. They will receive their mantlement on time. My boy, don’t cry. Rely on Aiheu, and keep to the path of righteousness, and you will find a home of your own. That is the duty and the privilege of a male lion.” Simba nodded gravely. “I’ll be right back. There are a couple of people I need to see.”
Simba encountered Togo and Kombi near the watering hole. They started to nuzzle their King and benefactor, but not when they saw the look on his face. “Boys, we need to talk.”
Uzuri was asked to join the group by Zazu. “I’d hurry if I were you. He’s really upset.”
“Oh gods,” she said. “What have they done this time??”
They had promised their mother to keep strictest silence about the arrangement, but they went to a few of the attractive young lionesses and spread the wonderful news that two of them would marry the most eligible bachelors in the land. Each of them promised to keep it to themselves, but gossip started to circulate.
“Why doesn’t Tanabi want to be King?” Isha asked. “Is there something wrong with him? Has he lost his nerve?”
“Not our Tanabi,” Ajenti said. “He’s plenty brave enough. Maybe he has a weakness--one that he’d rather talk about. The poor boy!”
Barata drew close and whispered, “Fact is, I think he has weak eyes.”
“No!” Ajenti said, taking in a gasp. “The poor boy! How bad is it?”
“I’m not sure,” Barata said. “He bumped right into his mother the other day.”
“I thought that was an accident,” Isha said.
“It was. He didn’t deliberately do it. But Nala said, ‘What’s wrong with your eyes, son?’”
Ajenti bowed her head. “The poor boy!”
“Hi,” Tanabi said, nodding at the lionesses.
Ajenti came right up into his face. “It’s me, Ajenti.”
“Uh, yeah. I know.”
“Taking it easy, dear?”
“Well, I guess so. I had a little unexpected free time today. I thought I’d go to the water hole and just kick back.”
“You’re so brave,” she said, giving him a big kiss. “You’re so much like your father.”
“Thanks.” Tanabi shrugged, then walked away.
“The poor boy!” Ajenti said, a tear running down her cheek. “I wonder if he’ll go completely blind?”
It wasn’t long before Habusu came to see Simba. He fell before him and said, “Haven’t I loved you as much as Togo and Kombi?”
“Yes, son.”
“And longer? When they were still playing pranks on you, wasn’t I good to you?”
“I know who my friends are,” Simba said cautiously, but with a warm nuzzle. “What would you have of me?”
“Can’t you fix it for me too? The way you did for them? I don’t want to be King any more than Tanabi did. I just want to live here in peace. Please don’t send me away into the big world!”
Simba nuzzled him again. “I did not ‘fix’ anything for anyone. They will receive their mantlement on time. My boy, don’t cry. Rely on Aiheu, and keep to the path of righteousness, and you will find a home of your own. That is the duty and the privilege of a male lion.” Simba nodded gravely. “I’ll be right back. There are a couple of people I need to see.”
Simba encountered Togo and Kombi near the watering hole. They started to nuzzle their King and benefactor, but not when they saw the look on his face. “Boys, we need to talk.”
Uzuri was asked to join the group by Zazu. “I’d hurry if I were you. He’s really upset.”
“Oh gods,” she said. “What have they done this time??”
CHAPTER: BAPTISM BY FIRE
“ADHAMA!!!” Ambia shouted. The cry sent a flock of birds into a panicked flight. “Adhama, get up here!”
The lionesses looked uncertainly at one another. “What are we going to do??” young Amara cried. “Why won’t he just leave us alone??”
Adhama padded up behind her and nuzzled her. “Easy, sister. I’ll handle it.” Adhama closed her eyes briefly, sighed, then slowly made her way up the rough slope of the kopje, muttering a prayer as she went.
The last few weeks had become a living hell for the lionesses as they struggled to cope with Ambia’s fickle moods and whims. And most of that ill will was directed to Adhama whose leadership qualities and proud bearing made her a threat. He looked for every chance to humiliate and intimidate her, especially in front of the others.
She heaved a small sigh as she reached the top of the kopje where he lay, waiting. “Yes, Ambia?”
“You will address me as SIRE!” he snarled.
“Oh, yes, I forgot. You’re supposed to be some sort of King.”
Fury blazed in his eyes. With a low grunt, he cuffed her nearly senseless with one massive blow. Adhama shook, tears streaming down her face as blood welled from a cut lip. “I’m hungry,” he growled. “You’d do well to find me something fresher than your dry wit.”
Adhama ran her tongue out and licked the blood from her lips, feeling the sting. Her eyes narrowed. “So you can outfight a lioness,” she said, frightened but indignant. “I knew there was SOME reason you called yourself King. What would you do when another male comes around? Will you hit HIM like that?”
With an inarticulate roar of rage he surged forward, sending her scrabbling off the kopje in an effort to keep from falling. “GET OUT! Find me some dinner before I hit you with my claws out!!”
Trembling, Adhama’s turned away from him and headed down the rock to gather her hunting party. She detailed two of the older lionesses to stay behind and baby-sit the cubs.
“No,” Ambia said.
Adhama blinked and looked up to face him. “What?”
“Take those old cronies with you.” He jerked his head at Amara. “Leave her here to watch the cubs.”
Amara’s eyes widened in fear, and she looked pleadingly at her pride sisters. The two older lionesses returned the look helplessly. And Adhama felt sorry for the pretty young female. She was just coming into her first season, and there was no doubt what Ambia had in store for her. But to refuse him would be to risk terrible consequences. Adhama moved to her side and nuzzled her ear. “It’ll be okay, hon.”
“Addie, please take me with you!” she whispered hoarsely. “Oh gods, I don't want to stay here with him! I beg you!”
“Easy, hon. He’ll leave you alone. Just pretend you’re sick. We’ll pray for you.”
Amara trembled for a moment, then nodded, swallowing convulsively. “O-Okay.”
Ambia shouted again. “Adhama, I meant TODAY, not next week!”
“All right!” she snapped. Adhama turned and looked at Sh’aari again. “Aiheu abamami.”
Amara nodded jerkily, unable to speak, them moved away to where the cubs lay frozen with fear. “Come on, kids. Want to hear a story?”
The cubs huddled against her, trembling. “Marrie, don’t let him hurt us!” one of them whispered.
“Don’t worry, honey tree. I’ll protect you with my life.”
“I wish Daddy would come home.”
“He’s with God now.”
“If we asked Him, would he send Daddy home?”
“I wish He would, sweetheart.”
Adhama watched her for a moment, then reluctantly turned and led the others away. Padding slowly across the worn ground, she paused as they began to enter the tall grass and looked back. Amara looked after them with the desperate look of a gazelle in a death grip. Ambia was perched atop the kopje again, eyes glinting in the reddish glow of the sunset, a warped smile on his face as he watched them go. His gaze met hers, and his smile widened into a grin.
Cursing silently to herself, Adhama slipped into the deepening shadows of twilight, praying fervently they would find something soon-- soon enough to spare Amara.
Ambia lay silently, watching as the grass rippled in a purposeful wave as the huntresses moved through it, heading away to the west. He began grooming a forepaw idly, listening to the low drone of Amara’s voice as she spun a tale of N’ga and Sufa to the cubs. Her voice quavered, and she was having trouble remembering it straight. Absently, he began running a forepaw through his mane, smoothing the fur and untangling the burrs from it as he continued to watch the grassy field across from them. Finally satisfied, he yawned hugely, then rose. Shaking himself, he turned and leapt to the ground, pacing slowly over to where Amara lay with the children.
The lioness heard the pad of feet near her, she blinked and looked up to see Ambia standing next to her. “Sire?”
The lionesses looked uncertainly at one another. “What are we going to do??” young Amara cried. “Why won’t he just leave us alone??”
Adhama padded up behind her and nuzzled her. “Easy, sister. I’ll handle it.” Adhama closed her eyes briefly, sighed, then slowly made her way up the rough slope of the kopje, muttering a prayer as she went.
The last few weeks had become a living hell for the lionesses as they struggled to cope with Ambia’s fickle moods and whims. And most of that ill will was directed to Adhama whose leadership qualities and proud bearing made her a threat. He looked for every chance to humiliate and intimidate her, especially in front of the others.
She heaved a small sigh as she reached the top of the kopje where he lay, waiting. “Yes, Ambia?”
“You will address me as SIRE!” he snarled.
“Oh, yes, I forgot. You’re supposed to be some sort of King.”
Fury blazed in his eyes. With a low grunt, he cuffed her nearly senseless with one massive blow. Adhama shook, tears streaming down her face as blood welled from a cut lip. “I’m hungry,” he growled. “You’d do well to find me something fresher than your dry wit.”
Adhama ran her tongue out and licked the blood from her lips, feeling the sting. Her eyes narrowed. “So you can outfight a lioness,” she said, frightened but indignant. “I knew there was SOME reason you called yourself King. What would you do when another male comes around? Will you hit HIM like that?”
With an inarticulate roar of rage he surged forward, sending her scrabbling off the kopje in an effort to keep from falling. “GET OUT! Find me some dinner before I hit you with my claws out!!”
Trembling, Adhama’s turned away from him and headed down the rock to gather her hunting party. She detailed two of the older lionesses to stay behind and baby-sit the cubs.
“No,” Ambia said.
Adhama blinked and looked up to face him. “What?”
“Take those old cronies with you.” He jerked his head at Amara. “Leave her here to watch the cubs.”
Amara’s eyes widened in fear, and she looked pleadingly at her pride sisters. The two older lionesses returned the look helplessly. And Adhama felt sorry for the pretty young female. She was just coming into her first season, and there was no doubt what Ambia had in store for her. But to refuse him would be to risk terrible consequences. Adhama moved to her side and nuzzled her ear. “It’ll be okay, hon.”
“Addie, please take me with you!” she whispered hoarsely. “Oh gods, I don't want to stay here with him! I beg you!”
“Easy, hon. He’ll leave you alone. Just pretend you’re sick. We’ll pray for you.”
Amara trembled for a moment, then nodded, swallowing convulsively. “O-Okay.”
Ambia shouted again. “Adhama, I meant TODAY, not next week!”
“All right!” she snapped. Adhama turned and looked at Sh’aari again. “Aiheu abamami.”
Amara nodded jerkily, unable to speak, them moved away to where the cubs lay frozen with fear. “Come on, kids. Want to hear a story?”
The cubs huddled against her, trembling. “Marrie, don’t let him hurt us!” one of them whispered.
“Don’t worry, honey tree. I’ll protect you with my life.”
“I wish Daddy would come home.”
“He’s with God now.”
“If we asked Him, would he send Daddy home?”
“I wish He would, sweetheart.”
Adhama watched her for a moment, then reluctantly turned and led the others away. Padding slowly across the worn ground, she paused as they began to enter the tall grass and looked back. Amara looked after them with the desperate look of a gazelle in a death grip. Ambia was perched atop the kopje again, eyes glinting in the reddish glow of the sunset, a warped smile on his face as he watched them go. His gaze met hers, and his smile widened into a grin.
Cursing silently to herself, Adhama slipped into the deepening shadows of twilight, praying fervently they would find something soon-- soon enough to spare Amara.
Ambia lay silently, watching as the grass rippled in a purposeful wave as the huntresses moved through it, heading away to the west. He began grooming a forepaw idly, listening to the low drone of Amara’s voice as she spun a tale of N’ga and Sufa to the cubs. Her voice quavered, and she was having trouble remembering it straight. Absently, he began running a forepaw through his mane, smoothing the fur and untangling the burrs from it as he continued to watch the grassy field across from them. Finally satisfied, he yawned hugely, then rose. Shaking himself, he turned and leapt to the ground, pacing slowly over to where Amara lay with the children.
The lioness heard the pad of feet near her, she blinked and looked up to see Ambia standing next to her. “Sire?”