Burkitt John. Under the Acacias

   He smiled down at her. “Indeed. It’s so nice to know at least someone around here respects my authority.” He eyed her keenly. “You DO respect me, don’t you, Marrie?”
   “Well, yes, of course--Sire.”
   “Of course. It’s heartening to see respect from one so young.” He cocked his head oddly and smiled. “So young, and so pretty...”
   Amara felt her stomach knot with fear. “Not that pretty. I’m just young.” She purposefully coughed.
   “VERY pretty, he amended softly. “I’ve been watching you. You move like tall grass in a gentle wind. Everything about you is exciting, even the way you tell stories. I think you would be a good mother.”
   “Thank you,” she said tensely. She did not like the way the conversation was going.
   “Beautiful and gentle. Good qualities in a prospective queen, I’d say.”
   “Me? A queen?” She rose in fright.
   He nodded and moved to stand beside her, his heavy body brushing against hers. “And why not? It’s as simple as pledging to a King.” He looked directly into her fearful eyes. “I know I can be a little abrupt at times, but I have lived a hard life. The world makes me hard like flint. You could take off the rough edges. You’d like that, wouldn’t you? We could all get along like one happy family. Once in a while we could slip out and make love under the moon.”
   Amara was young, but not entirely na?ve. She understood his terms clearly. And while she could never love him, she could marry for love-- the love of Adhama, the other pride sisters and the helpless cubs that peeked at her from the cover of the tall grass. “So it comes to this,” she thought. “Aiheu, if I must do this thing for my friends, help me to tolerate him. Please?”
   “You are a rather handsome lion,” she said with resignation. “I’ve never been with a male before. Be patient with me.”
   “I can be patient,” he said with barely suppressed excitement. “Patient within reason. Be my Queen, Amara. Tonight, and for always.” His shaggy head nosed her flank.
   “Ambia--I--“
   “Yes, Amara?” He nosed her again. “You’re shy. I like that. Don’t worry--I won’t hurt you.” Passionately, he rubbed up her side and then put his paw on her shoulder.
   She tried to purr. Only a deep rumbling came out. Tears started down her cheeks. “Please God,” she silently prayed, “let this work. Show me a sign that he’ll honor his promise. Spare my family.”
   Trembling with passion, he said, “Before the gods, before the stars, before the assembled host I swear to give you my protection, my love, and my comfort forever.”
   He waited a moment for her answer. Instead she stared at him, frozen like a stone.
   He said, “Answer me, my love.” He nuzzled her face, then worked his way back until he reached the base of her tail. He reached out with an adventurous paw and fondled her intimately.
   “No!!” She screamed and jumped on top of a small boulder where she crouched, sobbing hysterically and cowering in fear. “I can’t! I tried, but I just can’t!”
   “Come down here!”
   “Leave me alone! Go away and leave me alone!”
   “You lead me on, then say no?? Do I look like a fool to you??” Ambia snarled, then sprang up on the rock beside her, cuffing her viscously. “Ungrateful WITCH! I’ve been out there in the hot sun of the desert and done without. I’ve paid my dues like any other lion. Now I’m going to get what’s coming to me! You will come when I call you. Sooner or later, you will grow to enjoy this, but you WILL be my queen, understand??”
   “What do you think you’re doing??” Adhama cried.
   Ambia spun to see Adhama and her hunting party behind him. “Whatever I wish,” he growled, jumping down to confront her. “What are YOU doing here?!”
   “Bringing you dinner as ordered, YOUR MAJESTY,” she said. Sh’aari padded forward and dropped the carcass of a small gazelle at his feet.
   He glance at it, then snorted. “About time!” Seizing the animal, he padded away towards the kopje, leaping up and moving forward.
   There was a cub resting in his favorite spot. He dropped the carcass and shouted, “What are YOU doing here??”
   “Oh gods!” Sh’aari cried. “Saieti, get DOWN from there!” The lioness padded forward, looking at the kopje above where her cub sat, crying pathetically.
   “Mama I’m SCARED!” The cub cowered away from Ambia, nearly slipping off the edge. “Help me, Momma! He’s MEAN!”
   “By gods I’ll SHOW you mean if you don't get OUT OF MY SPACE!” Ambia roared and swung a heavy paw down, scoring the stone with his claws as the cub fled, screaming hoarsely.
   “I’ve had a trying day, Sh’aari! Keep your brat out of my way if you know what’s good for you!”
   Sh’aari snarled deep within her chest as Saieti huddled against her, shuddering. “You touch her again, and I’ll.....”
   “And you’ll what??” Ambia arched his neck and sat up. “You want to tangle with me?? Huh?? Come here--I’ll go a couple of rounds with you? Want to take a poke at me, Sis?? HUH??”
   “You wouldn’t dare!”
   “Oh wouldn’t I??” He leaped down and cuffed Sh’aari viscously, sending her sprawling. “We’re going to lay down some rules here. Rule one: nobody better be laying where I want to nap!” He cut Saieti’s flank with a claws-out swipe and she huddled down, shrieking with pain.
   “Rule two: what I want, I get.” He pushed through the shocked lionesses to where Amara stood. He dipped his maned head and rubbed up her side, crossing behind her and repeating the action on her right. Amara closed her eyes, digging her claws into the earth as she felt the loathsome scrub of his body against her.
   “Rule three--Nobody better break rules one and two. Three little rules--do you think you can remember that??” Ambia settled back on the top of the kopje and closed his eyes. “When I wake up, I want to smell dinner. REAL dinner, not some lame tidbit fit for jackals!”
   Sh’aari whispered, “I have to find the King’s sons. I’ll go to Simba and ask about them.”
   “No,” Adhama said. “Stay here with your daughter. I’ll go.” Adhama nuzzled Saieti who was still sobbing uncontrollably. “Honey Tree, I’m going for help. Don’t tell anyone, OK? You’re going to be all right.”

CHAPTER: THE MISSION

   Amara fought down her disgust and fear, trying to hold Ambia’s attention while Adhama made a mad dash out to the border.
   Adhama, who was no younger than her dead brother, panted at the exertion as she ran and ran and ran. Lionesses often chase down prey, but they will break off pursuit if they don’t quickly overtake their target. She had to run like a gazelle, long and hard.
   From time to time she glanced over her shoulder. Good--there was no pursuing lion. Amara’s ploy had worked. And finally when it seemed her old heart would burst, she saw the stream that marked the boundary of the pride. A couple of springs through the cold water and she would be on Simba’s land.
   Only at the margin of the water did she slow her pace, stepping from stone to stone but still getting her legs wet--she hated that. And gaining the opposite bank, she breathed in deeply and let the air rush out her mouth and nose. The first obstacle was overcome.
   Still she was not entirely safe. As she entered the Pride Lands, she shouted, “Aiheu abamami” several times as she went, and before long two lionesses came out of the brush.
   “Sarafina, Isha, help me!”
   “Adhama?? What’s wrong??”
   “I must see the King at once. It’s an emergency!”
   Not long afterward, Togo and Kombi showed up for guard duty and training. Simba stared at them with somber intensity and they felt something awful was afoot.
   “Whatever it was,” Kombi said, “we didn’t do it this time.”
   “I’m not upset with you,” Simba said, giving his shoulder a sympathetic pat. “My dear son.”
   The strange lioness fell before them. “My Lords! You are our only hope!”
   Togo nosed her carefully. “You’re crying! What’s wrong?”
   Simba shook his head. “This is your Aunt Adhama. You are indeed her only hope. Your father is dead.”
   Togo and Kombi took in a collective gasp.
   “Ugas never met you,” Adhama said, rising from the earth. “But he cared for your mother a great deal, and he tried to arrange a meeting with you before death took him. Now you must come back and rule in his stead. This is what you were born to do--it was your destiny.”
   “If you insist,” Kombi said casually. “Mom told us already. You don’t have to cry. We accept. We’d be delighted. Honored too.”
   “You don’t understand. It’s not that simple.”
   Kombi sighed. “With us, it never is. What’s the catch?”
   “Your family is being hurt by a rogue lion. Lionesses, cubs, people that your mother knew and cared for. People that your father loved very much. You must help us now. He is terrorizing us.”
   “Is he big?” Kombi said apprehensively.
   “We’ll do it,” Togo said quickly. “I don’t care how big he is. He can’t push you around like that.”
   Adhama fawned on him, kissing him and nuzzling him as tears streamed down her face. “Oh thank God!”
   “I’m so proud of you,” Simba said. “I’ve always thought of you as one of my sons, but never have I been more proud of you than I am this moment. Togo, my dear son, God be with you.”
   “Hey, we’re in this together,” Kombi said, patting Togo’s shoulder with his paw. “That’s it, a joint effort--fifty fifty!” He readied himself for the kiss that never came.
   Simba said, “One day I’ll hear great things about you two. You must be given your mantlement quickly. You’ll be leaving as soon as you’re blessed--there’s no time to lose.” He looked at Zazu who was sitting near the entrance. “Go bring Uzuri here, and tell her nothing about the reason.” He looked at the brothers. “You must say nothing of the emergency to her. Ugas asked you to come early, understand?”
   “Why not tell her the truth?” Kombi asked.
   “Picture this,” Simba said. “Your mother fighting a strange lion that weighs half again as much.”
   “I’d never let her fight my battles for me!” Kombi said indignantly. “What do you think I am??”
   “As old as she is, your mother can still outrun you. She’d fight him to the death out of love for you. Never underestimate the power of a mother’s love. It’s stronger than any spell in Rafiki’s baobab.”
   “He’s right,” Togo said. “We have to be strong for her. Smile, Kombi. Like you really mean it, understand? We’re going to see Dad, and you’re happy.”
   “Is this good?” Kombi asked. His smile was weak but acceptable.
   Just then, Uzuri came in. She saw Adhama and her face fell at once. “It’s Ugas, isn’t it?” She tensed up. “How did it happen?”
   “He’s fine,” Adhama said with a forced smile. “He just needs to see Togo and Kombi at once.”
   “Then let’s go.”
   “Alone,” Adhama said.
   Uzuri glared at her suspiciously. “Alone? Without me? He’s my husband.”
   “That’s what ‘alone’ means. Relax, hon. It’s one of those male things--he wants to see them before he steps down. Maybe he wants to choose which one will be King.”
   “Oh.” She glanced at Togo, then at Kombi. “I guess that means it’s time.”
   Simba nodded. “Yes. Now. I’m sorry I didn’t give you more warning, but I only just found out myself. You know how impulsive Ugas can be.”
   Uzuri hurried to Togo and nuzzled him, then she nuzzled Kombi. “My little boys are lions now. There is so much I wanted to tell you. I will come to see you--I promise. Soon.”
   Adhama said, “In a couple of days it should be OK. I’ll send for you.”
   Uzuri began to cry. “I know I haven’t said it as much as I
   should, but I’m so proud of you. Both of you. I hate to see you grow up, but I know you’re going to be King and Prince and you’re going to have a safe home of your own. I’m happy for you--so happy!” Her chin trembled and she sniffed back tears. “I’m stepping down as hunt mistress, and as soon as I’m sent for, I’ll join you and take my place at your father’s side.”
   Togo and Kombi nuzzled her fervently. “Don’t cry, Mother! Please don’t cry!”
   Simba put his paw on Kombi’s shoulder, then he touched Togo’s shoulder. “Unto the keeping of the gods I send my sons. Long life to you and success in your endeavors. Remember the Lord who formed you from the ground and breathed life into you. Go forth with my blessing.”
   Uzuri said, “You will always be my sons, but you are no longer my cubs. Remember that by the standards you set, you shall be judged yourself. What you require of others, it shall be required of you, and what you forgive of others, it shall be forgiven you.” New tears welled up in her eyes. “Go forth with my blessing!”

CHAPTER: THIN ICE

   They were anxious to prevent Ambia from hurting their family, but they knew better than to run. Ambia would be well rested, and they must be prepared to fight him. At a fast trot, they headed across their old home for the last time. Every landmark was associated with a dozen memories. They quickly glanced about, trying to remember as much as they could. And Togo also glanced over at Kombi. He had a horrible feeling that one of them might not survive, and he wanted to remember his brother. Oh if there was only time to sit and talk! He had wasted the morning napping in the grass when he could have said so many things that were suddenly so important!
   The three lions paused a moment at the border. The stream had always kept them in before. Now it would keep them out. As Simba had taught them to do, they bowed their heads to the ground at the bank of the stream and thanked their parents for giving them life. Then they headed into the water. Togo deliberately splashed water on his face to hide his tears.
   No sooner did they emerge on the opposite bank than they could smell the new male’s mark. “Well, now we’re in trouble,” Kombi said. “At least some things never change.”
   “He’s the one in trouble,” Togo said, shaking water out of his mane. “It’s either him or me. I’m not running.”
   “Yeah. Me neither.”
   Adhama briefly bowed before them. “Welcome home, my King. I touch your mane.”
   Togo glanced at Kombi and nodded at him.
   “I feel it,” Kombi said. Then he nuzzled his brother and whispered, “You’re OK, kid.”
   There was an unearthly quiet over the land. No birds sang, no crickets chirped. Even the wind did not blow. Adhama expected to be met by some of the pride sisters. But there were no sentries, no messengers, no hunting parties. It seemed like the calm before the storm. Could it be that Ambia had forced one of the lionesses to reveal her plan? Were they walking into a trap?
   They got to the Pride Kopje. Ambia was nowhere to be seen, but there were several lionesses around with pained expressions.
   “Does he know?” Adhama asked. “Is he watching us?”
   “He’s behind the rock--with Amara.”
   Adhama’s jaw trembled. “Not my little girl! If he hurts her, I’ll kill him!”
   Togo and Kombi crept quietly around the rock. They saw a large lion looking very smug. Lying on the ground with a paw over her face in shame was Amara.
   Ambia got up and sauntered over to her. “Admit it, I’m fun to be with. Someday you’ll come to appreciate me.” Trembling, he nosed her slender thigh. “Try to relax this time. It will be good for you too.”
   “Stop!” Togo cried.
   “Says who??”
   “The true king!” Kombi cried.
   “The what??”
   Togo and Kombi took advantage of his momentary surprise. They snarled and mounted a viscous frontal attack. Amara cowered back as Ambia flailed back at them with swipes of his bared claws and snaps of his powerful jaws. One well-placed blow and he could even up the match.
   Suddenly, Ambia felt a hot pain rake down his back leg. He turned around for one fateful moment to look into the burning eyes of Amara. “Was it good for you too?” she hissed.
   Before he could look back at Togo and Kombi, they grabbed him by the throat and forced him to the ground. Wide-eyed he stared up, pushing with his paws but unable to dislodge himself. As Togo’s grip threatened to crush his windpipe and choke the life out of him, Kombi came about to face the desperate opponent.
   “Spare me!” he cried, gagging. “Spare me! I’ll go away and never come back!”
   “Kiss her feet,” Togo said.
   “What??”
   “I said kiss her feet! Now DO IT!”
   Trembling, Ambia crawled across the ground on his stomach toward Amara, kissing her forepaws, then rolling on his back. “Tell them to spare me! Please, for God’s sake!”
   The lioness looked at Togo and Kombi. “He defiled me. Do with him what you will.”
   Kombi came to him, raising his claws as if to rip him.
   “Please, for God’s sake!” Ambia cried. “I surrender!”
   Kombi smirked at him. “My mother always said to put personal feelings aside and have mercy on the helpless.”
   “Oh thank God!”
   “But you’re not dealing with my mother.” He raked Ambia’s face with his claws out. Ambia screamed hysterically, blood staining his cheek a bright crimson.
   “Now you know how it feels. Get out!”
   Ambia squirmed before Togo and Kombi. “I’m going! Thank you!”
   Togo roared with his full voice, “You heard him--DO IT NOW!!”
   The intruder bolted wild-eyed across the savanna and into the shelter of the rushes. It was safe to assume he was gone for good. The lion that terrorized lionesses and their cubs was a coward.
   Then in the quiet left after the storm, lionesses and cubs came from the bushes and tall grass as if they were popping out of the ground. “Look everyone, it’s Ugas’ sons!”
   Lionesses came from all sides and rubbed against them. Cubs stared at them, noting the uncanny resemblance Kombi had to Ugas.
   “Is it safe now, Mommy?”
   “Yes, honey tree.”
   Togo nuzzled some of the small cubs. He turned on his back and began to play with them, the way he had played with Tanabi and Misha long ago, bouncing them on his legs.
   Adhama saw that and began to cry. “Look, Kombi! Look at your brother! Ugas lives on in you!”
   Kombi nuzzled her and pawed her cheek. “Auntie Adhama, I miss my mother, but it’s good to be home.” He went to Togo and whispered, “Hey, let's not mess this one up."
   As everyone watched in gratitude and relief, Kombi climbed to the top of the kopje where Ambia had so recently held sway. But to Kombi it only meant one thing--it was where his father had ruled. It was the closest he would ever come to meeting Ugas in the world of Ma’at. Feeling his father’s blood surging in his veins, he lifted up his muzzle and roared--loudly. The lionesses answered him. He felt shivers go down his spine. As the echoes died away across the savanna, a distant reply caught his ears. His blood rushed as he recognized the voice of Simba answering him from the Pride Lands, acknowledging Kombi’s sovereignty and proclaiming his own. He heard Simba’s lionesses declare their allegiance as well, tears stinging his eyes as he recognized the voice of his mother. He bowed his head to the ground. “Thank you, God. It’s good to be alive.”

CHAPTER: TO THE VICTOR GOES THE SPOILS

   Togo felt a thrill as he watched his brother atop the kopje, the breeze blowing his mane back from his forehead. It was hard to believe the rambunctious brother he had grown up with had grown into the stern faced lion making his way down the rocks. Togo sighed deeply at the wonder of it all.
   He was about to join his brother when he felt a gentle touch at one shoulder. Glancing around, he saw a lioness beside him, a smile on her face as she gazed at his hazel eyes. “Your Majesty,” she said, bowing her head in a curtsy.
   Togo chuckled. “Oh, hello. I’m sorry, but I’m not--”
   “Oh no you don’t!” Another lioness trotted rapidly over. “I saw him first, you hussy!”
   “WHAT?!” The first lioness flattened her ears and growled. “Don’t even THINK about trying that stunt, dear. He’s big, he’s beautiful, and he’s all MINE!” She looked back at the shocked Togo. “I’m sorry,” she giggled, her voice returning to normal. “Forgive her, Sire. Now where were we?”
   “Nowhere, really,” Togo stammered. “You see, I’m not the--”
   “See?!” The second lioness shouldered her way in roughly. “His Majesty has taste AND class...qualities you obviously lack, hon. Now get lost.”
   “Ladies, PLEASE!!” Togo thundered. They fell silent, staring at him in adoration. “Please don’t argue like this.”
   “And sooo assertive,” the first crooned. “What a monarch! Please, Sire, choose me! I shall rule by your side with loyalty. We’ll bear our children in happiness and joy. Our love will shake the earth!”
   “But I’m NOT the king!” Togo finally said. “My brother is.”
   The lionesses fell silent and peered over at Kombi, who was already beginning to attract a crowd of his own, then looked at each other.
   “He’s YOURS,” they chorused, and sped off towards Kombi. “Sire! Your queen is here! Our love will shake the earth!”
   Kombi groomed his mane and looked at his nails. "Check it out, Togo! They're fighting over me!”
   "Which do YOU want?"
   He looked at both of them. "Decisions, decisions! Oh, it’s not easy being King."
   Togo smiled quietly and sat down, wondering if Kombi would survive the realization of his dreams. He lay down, resting his maned head on his forepaws, watching the tips of the grass sway and move in the gentle breeze that caressed the land. The sound of feminine voices drifted back to him and he sighed deeply.
   A slight touch at his shoulder startled him and he turned his head to see a young lioness standing close by, the quiet one he had noticed earlier, the one who had been cowering under Ambia’s abuse and had then suddenly slashed at him, giving the brothers the crucial instant they needed to make their move. She smiled nervously at him. "Are you still undecided? Do I have a chance?"
   "The line for queen is right over there. It looks like you'll have some stiff competition."
   "I don’t want to be queen. I'm standing in THIS line."
   "Really?"
   Her smile quivered and vanished, and she looked away quickly. "You find me unattractive?"
   "Oh no, it's not that."
   "Is it Ambia? Has his touch made me unworthy? Togo, I have to know."
   "It's just--I've been number two all my life. Nobody's ever preferred me before--for anything. This is so strange."
   "I find that hard to believe. You’re so much handsomer than your brother." She smiled shyly. “My name is Amara.”
   Togo smiled. "Hey, you're all right. My name's Togo."
   "Yes, I know. That's a pretty name." Tears came to her eyes.
   “What’s wrong? Why are you so sad?”
   “I was saving myself for you.” Her jaw trembled. “Ambia forced himself on me.”
   “Oh gods!”
   “I either came to him, or he would have killed little Saieti.” She looked away. “What will I do if the cubs are his? I mean, we weren’t together long, but it could happen.” She reached over and nuzzled him. “Could you still want me? Could you want the cubs?”
   “You poor thing,” Togo said, wiping her eyes with his paw. “What a thing to say!” He nuzzled her in return. "Amara, I want you. I’ve wanted you ever since I saw you beautiful, frightened eyes full of tears. I wanted to kiss those tears away and make you happy.” He half whispered. "You will be their mother, and that is all that matters to me. That and the chance they might be mine.” He smiled and put his paw on her left shoulder. She purred softly and rubbed him down his whole length, then nuzzled him passionately.
   "Hey Togo!" Kombi shouted. "Help me make up my mind!" He was surrounded by five amorous lionesses, clearly in his element.
   "Have a race or something," Togo said. "Can't you see I'm busy now?"
   Togo nuzzled her, and she lay her head against his mane and walked away, leaning on him.
   Without seeing him, Kombi was rubbing the lionesses and giggling. "Where did he go, anyway? You'd think he wasn't interested in girls!"

CHAPTER: SAD TIDINGS

   A couple of days after Togo and Kombi’s mantlement, Uzuri began to watch the eastern border, hoping for news of her sons. “Come on, Ugas. Why the secrecy??”
   All of the lionesses had been strictly charged to escort Adhama to Uzuri’s spot the moment she appeared. It seemed likely that she would be the messenger.
   Rumors had circulated about the goings-on. Uzuri was none too free with her information, and while most of the lionesses knew that Togo and Kombi were going to see Ugas, not one of them fully understood the situation.
   “He had no sons,” Ajenti said.
   “I think he wants someone from our pride,” Isha told her. “I have my own personal reasons for believing that. Good reasons.”
   “Not as good as mine,” Ajenti said with a sly wink. “What do you think, Sarafina?”
   Fini sighed. She had been moody for the past few weeks, and this business with Togo and Kombi only renewed her melancholia.
   At that moment, Habusu came among them, very excited. “I saw them!”
   “Who??”
   “Togo and Kombi!”
   “Good news??”
   “The best! Where’s Uzuri??”
   The hunt mistress had retired to her cave, trying to get a little rest. Then she would go back out to the eastern border and wait again. The strain was telling on her. It was also taking a toll on her hunting--two days hunting yielded only a small duiker and a thompson’s gazelle. Very slim pickings for a pride of full grown lions and their cubs.
   Habusu practically bounced up. "Guess what, Uzuri! I just saw Togo and Kombi!"
   "You did? Where??"
   "Right next to the Pride Lands! They took over the eastern kingdom when Ugas died. How about that! Now you can sneak down and see them whenever you want."
   "Yes," she said, her heart almost stopping. “I see.”
   "I knew you'd be thrilled."
   "Yes, of course." Uzuri's jaw began to tremble, and tears filled her eyes. “Thanks.” She looked away before he could see her cry.
   Ugas’ voice came back to her across the void. “I’m old, and when I’m dead, all the tears in the world won’t bring me back.” For a few moments she was paralyzed with grief and guilt. But as soon as soon as she could move, she hurried across the savanna for Rafiki’s baobab. It was the only place she could safely express her feelings.
   Rafiki was scrying the future. Without even looking up, he said, "Come in, Uzuri. I've been expecting you."
   She looked at the bowl of water. "Just how much do you know?"
   "I knew you would come by."
   "And how about Ugas. Is he?"
   "Yes, he is." Rafiki fondled her cheek and wiped a couple of half-dried tears from her eyes. "So you found out today, did you?"
   "Habusu told me." Trying to keep her composure, she sat stiffly, her jaw held so tightly that her chin could not tremble. "I want you to help me. Ugas, my husband, must be mourned.”
   “Of course.”
   “I want you to come with me. My heart is heavy, and I have no one I can tell. I need someone, Rafiki, as once you needed me."
   “What an honor,” he said, giving her paw a squeeze. “Uzuri, Ugas was my good friend. He spoke often of you. He would ask me about Togo and Kombi. Too bad he never met them--his own sons."
   "It was too bad."
   Rafiki wanted her to release her pent-up grief. It tortured him to see her like that. "Where do you want to hold the ceremony?"
   "Our special place. The bank of the stream that runs along the border of our kingdoms. There is a patch of reeds there. We would meet there at times."
   "I know."
   "He told you? Did you know him that well?"
   "Very well. I’ll keep your secret, but you must keep mine. I have a little something for you."
   He reached in a gourd and pulled out a lock of golden fur. "I brought this back for my shrine." He watched as she sniffed of it and took in the old fragrance.
   She stroked the lock of his mane. Her eyes welled up with tears and she bent to face the ground. "Ugas! My beloved Ugas!"
   Rafiki put his arms around her neck and held her to his heart. "Uzuri, how it breaks my heart to see your grief. I know what it’s like to lose a mate. I will pray for you day and night."
   "You're a good friend. I knew you would understand."
   Rafiki gave her a little squeeze and patted her shoulder. "You were always a queen to me. You always will be."
   Uzuri sniffed and dried her tears with a paw. "Until high moon." She took her grief and locked it away inside, then walked out of the baobab with what dignity she could summon.

CHAPTER: ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE

   Rafiki knew Ugas well. Too well to think that there would be no problems caused by his death. Habusu had unknowingly unleashed a thunderbolt into dry grass, and the news would spread like a brush fire.
   Isha quietly poked her head inside the baobab. “Rafiki, do you have a moment?”
   “Yes, dear.” He looked into her large, sad face. “I bet I know what you’re here for.”
   “You’re very perceptive,” she said. “Did Ugas tell you about us?”
   “That he did. He always called you ‘blossom.’”
   “There is a story behind that name,” she said. Rafiki had a strong suspicion that he was going to hear it, and he settled back while the anguished details came pouring out, punctuated by fits of sobbing. He was genuinely interested, but prayed that she would hurry up and leave before someone else came by.
   “And we used to meet at our special place by the river,” she continued. “There was a patch of jasmine there. He would tell me that I was the prettiest blossom of them all. The name stuck.”
   “You will pray for him tonight, I trust?”
   “More than that,” she said. “He deserves so much more. But I can’t tell the other sisters. I mean, none of them knew I was seeing another lion. They would look down on me.”
   “I understand.”
   “At midnight, I was hoping that you and I could meet at our special place by the flowers. You understand, don’t you? I mean, I can’t let that poor, dear lion go to the stars without someone who understands what he meant to me hearing a few good words.”
   Rafiki put his arms around her neck and gave her a hug. “You poor, dear lady. We’ll see what we can work out.”
   Just then, Ajenti stuck her head in. “Oh, you’re with someone else. I just have this thorn in my paw.”
   “My shoulder was stiff,” Isha said. “It feels much better now. Come on in.”
   Limping as well as she could, Ajenti waited until Isha was out of hearing range.
   “Oh Rafiki!” she said, bursting into tears. “Isn’t it awful about Ugas! Surely he told you about me?”
   “Yes, my dear. He was Misha’s father. He used to call you ‘Squirrel.’”
   “Indeed. There’s a story behind that name. The first time we were together, there was this squirrel in the acacia tree, and....”
   Just as Rafiki was settling down to hear another story of love’s labors lost, Sarafina pushed her head in.
   “Oh, you’re with someone. I can come back later.”
   “No, it’s fine,” Ajenti said. “He just pulled a thorn from my paw.”
   “You’re lucky,” Sarafina said. “I have this pulled muscle in my shoulder.”
   Ajenti started to leave. “If you want to check on me at mid-moon, you know where I’ll be. Please see if you can be there.”
   Rafiki sighed. He knew exactly where she would be at mid-moon. She would have a bigger thorn in her heart than in her paw when the truth came out.
   Sarafina watched until she left. And when all was quiet, she fell before Rafiki. “Oh gods, you have to help me!” she stammered, tears running down her cheeks. “I’ve kept this thing bottled up inside me and If I don’t get it out, I’ll just die!”
   “You just found out about Ugas? I didn’t think it wise to tell you, knowing that you and he were close.”
   “I knew all along!” She covered her face with a paw and sobbed. “Why didn’t you tell me he was Uzuri’s husband! Why did you let me make such a fool of myself! This is all my fault!”
   “My dear, don’t be so hard on yourself! Nothing is your fault.”
   “But it is, don’t you see??” She looked him piercingly in the eyes. “It’s all my fault!” She added in a weak whisper, “We were making love at the time!”
   “Oh my gods!”
   “And when he was dying, he thought I was Uzuri. He said, ‘Forgive me, for I’ve been unfaithful to you. It’s only you I loved!’”
   Rafiki bowed his head and tears streamed down his cheeks. “Tell me he didn’t say that!”
   “He did,” she said, her heart crumbling. “Oh gods, I feel like such a wretch! My own sister’s husband! And I killed him!”
   “You did not kill him! Age killed him. Old age, Fini! At least he died with someone who cared by his side.”
   He reached down and kissed her cheek, lovingly stroking her face and ears. “Don’t believe his little confession. He wanted Uzuri to feel good, but I knew that lion. He spoke highly of you, and used to brag that your daughter had your lovely eyes. He loved you, Fini.”
   “He said that?”
   “Yes, I swear.” He stroked her gently. “You and your sister Uzuri are both beautiful and sweet and intelligent, and so wonderful. He was lonely because Uzuri would not stay with him. Maybe he saw in you the things he loved in her.”
   She looked at him perceptively through her tears. “I know how you feel about her. That’s the nicest thing you could have said to me.”
   “I meant it, Honey Tree. Every word.”
   She reached up with a paw and stroked his face. “I can hardly bear to look at her, knowing what she’s going through. Can you meet me at mid-moon by our special place? Maybe Aiheu will be merciful to me and help me find inner peace. My life has not been worth living for weeks now.”
   “How could I refuse you, old girl?” He patted her shoulder. “I may be a few minutes late, but I’ll be there.”

CHAPTER: ASHES TO ASHES, DUST TO DUST

   Rafiki was relieved when Uzuri came a little early. Uzuri was never deceptive, though she was hard to interpret at times. She did not advertise her feelings through chatter and social conventions, but she always managed to show the ones she loved her warmth and compassion.
   But now she was able to toss reserve aside and bare her soul. She knew that his spirit would be watching from the stars, and she could not afford to show a calm face to him.
   “Oh, Ugas! Oh gods, my husband, my lover, my heart! He’s dead!”
   Tears began to stream down her face. She wanted to roar, but dared not. Instead, she nestled in the sanctuary of Rafiki’s arms and sobbed.
   “That wonderful lion! That kind and gentle soul! What little time we spent together made me more noble, more grand just for having loved him! And let me tell you, Rafiki, more important than his breath on my cheek was being there with him.”
   He kissed her and stroked her gently. “Yes, my dear.”
   “He was caring, with a voice as warm as a good nuzzle, and a nuzzle as warm as the sun. Sometimes we would just lie side by side, and I would smell the honest fragrance of his mane against my cheek. He always made me feel special and beautiful. The last time we made love, he said--” She began to convulse with choking sobs.
   “What did he say?”
   “He looked at me sadly and said ‘Love me as if it was for the last time.’”
   Rafiki put his arms around her neck, kissing her around the face. “My poor girl! My poor little girl! It will get better with time. You will never be the same, but you will learn to live with the loss, as I have.”
   Uzuri kissed him. “I was right. You do understand.”
   He rocked ever so slightly back and forth with her head pillowed against his chest, whispering, “There, my love. I’ll always be here for you, and not just tonight. You know it, don’t you?”
   Tears streamed down his cheeks as he felt her soft breath on his arm and felt the trembling in her large, powerful body rendered almost helpless by crippling grief.
   At that intimate moment of grief, Barata showed up. Rafiki sighed.
   “What is she doing here?” Uzuri asked, drying her eyes quickly.
   “Uzuri, dearest, try not to be too upset.”
   Uzuri hurried over to Barata and confronted her furiously. “You are here because of him, aren’t you??”
   “He had an affair with you too? I didn’t know! I swear I didn’t
   know!”
   “Affair?? He was my husband!”
   Barata was taken aback. “You never told me!” Barata rolled over on the ground. “I swear, Uzuri, I would never have cheated on you. It was only once, and it was many moons ago. Oh gods, I love you! You’re my pride sister! I’m sorry!”
   Uzuri looked at her misery and knew that she was suffering a double grief. The hunt mistress nuzzled her. “Get up, friend. I should have gone to be with him. I left him alone, and I can understand how this might happen.” She tilted her head puzzled. As discretely as she could, she said, “Still, I always thought you never had an interest in--you know.”
   “Just because I never got pregnant didn’t mean I never....” She glanced over at Rafiki. “You know.”
   Ajenti poked her head through the bushes. She saw the other two lionesses and gasped. "Oh my gods!"
   Isha pushed past her. She looked appraisingly at the other lionesses. And shook her head. "I knew I wasn't the only one, but I underestimated the old boy."
   “Watch what you say about my husband!” Uzuri shouted.
   “Your husband??” Isha said.
   “Your husband??” Ajenti echoed.
   Rafiki motioned for quiet and tried to begin the ceremony. "Death has struck down our friend Ugas. Let us remember him as a brave lion, a good lion, whose heart was full of love...."
   "Yeah, you can say that again!" Ajenti said bitterly.
   Isha nodded. “He was Bango's father. And I must admit he was a good lion--quite good.”
   "Yes," Sarafina said quietly. "He was good, wasn't he?"
   “Sarafina? You too?”
   Isha came to her. “You and Ugas??”
   “Why not??” Sarafina said. “We were a matched set. I couldn’t imagine you’d like him. I like a comfortable routine, but you would have gone crazy. The same old thing every time.”
   “Never the same thing twice!” Isha said, scandalized. “Are we talking about the same Ugas?”
   “And his sense of humor,” Sarafina added. “He always told the funniest jokes. Most of them don’t bear repeating in public.”
   “Jokes??” Uzuri was outraged. “That somber, powerful and tragic lion of destiny??”
   Barata said, “It seems he sized us up like prey. He chose a different approach with each of us. Sisters, we were had!”
   “It was worth it,” Sarafina said.
   “I learned a few things,” Isha said. That was saying a lot.
   Rafiki sighed. It would be a long night.

CHAPTER: THE QUEEN MOTHER

   The next morning, Uzuri called the Pride Sisters together one last time. She had before her a dead hedgehog. Dipping her paw in the blood, she touched Misha on both cheeks, leaving red prints. Then she kissed the startled lioness.
   “I give you the most precious possession I have,” she said, tears streaming down her face. The pride sisters all took in a deep gasp. “I gave a lot of thought to what I would say when I left you. In the end there is nothing I can say, and so I leave you with silence. But I can never forget the time we spent together on the trail. Farewell, my sisters, and Godspeed.”
   Her chin trembling, she sniffed back her tears and headed outward.
   “You can’t do this!” Sarafina said. “Sis, I love you! Can you just turn your back on me?”
   “No more than I could turn my back on my sons. They need me, hon.”
   “Then let me walk with you to the border.”
   Uzuri leaned against her shoulder as she walked. As was her custom, she said little, but she glanced over at Sarafina and kissed away her tears.
   “I thought we were together till the end,” Fini said.
   “I will visit you,” Uzuri replied. “You have not seen the last of me.”
   “It won’t be the same without Ugas.” It was the first time she’d mentioned his name since the truth came out, and she tensed up.
   “I won’t spoil your memories of him,” Uzuri said. “I’m glad you found happiness. Maybe you will again.”
   “And how about you, Uzuri? Will you find happiness again, now that you have done this thing?”
   “I won’t stop looking if you won’t.”
   Before they reached the border, Rafiki confronted her with Makaka at his side. Makaka sprang to her and hugged her around the neck.
   “Shame on you,” Rafiki said. “Trying to leave your best friend behind.”
   “But I must,” she said.
   “I won’t let you. I’m going with you. So is Makaka.”
   “I thought you said you were tied to this place?”
   “I was. But only because of you.” He looked out toward his old baobab and back toward Pride Rock. “We had some times here, old girl. That we did.”
   Uzuri smiled sweetly. “I feel much better now. Thanks.”
   They headed east, an odd procession of two lionesses and two mandrills. But at the creek, Sarafina sadly nuzzled Uzuri, then kissed Rafiki and Makaka. “I am bound to Nala, as you are to your sons. But my heart is always with you.”
   With sadness for what they left behind, they headed out into the water. But as the opposite bank drew nearer, their sense of adventure began to shove grief aside. If only Ugas had been there to meet her, joy would have flooded her soul like noontime sunlight. But in a way she felt closer to him, and it was some comfort in her loss.
   No sooner had she crossed the creek than Adhama spotted her and fell to the ground. “My lady.”
   “Rise up,” Uzuri said with a self-conscious laugh. “I was never much at being a queen. So how are my boys doing?”
   “See for yourself!”
   Uzuri found no need to call out ‘Aiheu abamami’ as she went along. Indeed, as the Queen Mother she was a member of Kombi’s pride and free to come and go as she pleased.
   Togo and Kombi were out on border patrol when she arrived at Pride Kopje. But she was soon surrounded by a swarm of excited cubs who pawed her and chanted, “Zuri, Zuri!”
   She rolled on her back and patted her chest with a paw. They covered her, kissing her face and pawing her affectionately.
   As she held them close with a paw and kissed them, Princess Amara came out with a squeal of delight. “Hi, Mom! It’s all right if I call you ‘Mom’ isn’t it?”
   “Sure it is, Marrie.”
   Amara pushed through the cubs to nuzzle her. “I’m so glad you came. I do my best to make Togo happy.”
   “I’m sure you do,” Uzuri said with a knowing smile.
   Rafiki smiled. He was fond of Amara and was glad to know she loved Togo and knew his love in return.
   “He misses you terribly,” Amara added. “Now that you’re here, he’ll be so happy. And you and I will be great friends. There are so many things that I want to ask you, Mom. We knew sooner or later you were coming here to live. I’m just glad it’s sooner, before the cubs were born. Uzuri, I so much want you to be my midwife.”