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??”
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 c
oming 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?”
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 naïve. 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 an
d 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.
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