The Leonid Saga cotpl-5

by John H. Burkitt

  “Look, it is The Brothers,” she said.

  “That is easy to spot,” Ugas said with a chuckle.

  “No, there is a significance to The Brothers. They are your sons almost exactly. Togo and Kombi were twins, and they have been trying at times.”

  “Do they fight each other a lot?” Ugas said, worried.

  “No. They are--well--high spirited. In many ways they are like N’ga and Sufa.”

  “A little high spirits won’t do them any harm,” Ugas said, draping a paw across her chest and feeling her heart beat. “Just as long as they’re not at each other’s throats. I picked one out for Togo and another for Kombi. Amara is a little shy. She would be perfect for Togo. Togo is the shy one, isn’t he?”

  “Yes.” She thought a moment. “He got it from you.”

  “Me, shy?”

  “About some things. About things that mean a great deal to you.” She rolled over and pawed his cheek softly. “You’re my shy little cub, and I want to hold you next to me and protect you from anyone who would hurt you.”

  Ugas looked at her, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “Protect me then. Stay with me, Uzuri. Bring our sons. Please?”

  She gave him a slow, lingering kiss on the cheek. “Soon, Darling.”

  He rubbed his cheek with a paw.

  “You wiped off my kiss?”

  “It was an accident. Now you’ll have to replace it.”

  She kissed him again, and he nuzzled her and cuddled her cheek with his paw.

  “Tell me about N’ga and Sufa again.”

  “You know that story so well.”

  “I love to hear you tell it. And I like to watch your mouth form those round little vowels when you say ‘Sufa.’”

  “Sufa?” she asked.

  “Ooooh, there you go again!” He gave her a kiss. “Precious little mouth, so deadly on the hunt but so wonderful to kiss!”

  She could never refuse him. She rolled on her back and looked at The Brothers. Their sparkle brought memories flooding back of her cubhood when her mother taught her about her heritage.

  “When Ramallah was ruler of a great kingdom, his wife Chakula conceived twin sons. They were the brothers N’ga and Sufa of whom many stories are told. So bold were N’ga and Sufa that even within their mother’s body they would struggle, and she would eat herbs to dull the discomfort.”

  She shoved him with a paw. “Quit watching my vowels!”

  He grunted and shoved her back. “Your consonants are kind of cute too.”

  As soon as she could regain her composure, and he had stopped watching her mouth, she continued:

  “When time came for her to give birth, she called them N’ga and Sufa after the sun and moon, for they would chase each other as the sun chases the moon. Though they often fought each other, their hearts were good and they walked with Aiheu. Queen Chakula consulted the shamans about them, and was very happy and sad at once. For they all agreed N’ga and Sufa would live happy yet short lives. From that moment she was afraid to leave them with anyone but her sister Alba for she worried about them constantly.”

  Ugas looked at Uzuri. “I know how she felt.”

  Uzuri kissed him. “Don’t worry, Darling.” She looked back at the stars and continued. “Once when the Queen was aprowl, Alba took the cubs to her cave to sleep. And that night the earth shook, and the entrance of the cave was sealed. When Chakula returned, she found the rubble and tried to dig them out. But all her efforts and all her mother’s love was not enough to clear the entrance. So the other lionesses took turns digging, and the work went on as the moon rose and the sun rose. One, two, three days, then four days passed and still the cubs were beyond reach. All hope had gone, and Chakula was left alone to dig, but she was faithful and kept working into the fifth day that she might see their bodies one last time. She was sure this was the fulfillment of the prophesy.

  “On the fifth day, she opened a passage to the inside of the cave. And N’ga and Sufa emerged weak and unhurt. Chakula wept with joy, and gave thanks to Aiheu. But when she looked inside, her sister Alba lay dead. Alba, who was not in her milk, had opened the deep veins of her arm and nursed the cubs with her own blood so they might survive.

  “Alba’s body was dragged to the fields, but along the way where each drop of blood fell there grew a beautiful red flower which to this day is called Alba in her memory. There is a medicine made from this plant called ‘the blood of mercy,’ and it has great power to heal and instill gentleness.

  “N’ga and Sufa grew in power and size until one day they were ready to take a mate. It was at this time a white lioness named Minshasa came into their kingdom, and N’ga and Sufa were both smitten with her great beauty and the powers she possessed.

  “Their father Ramallah spoke with them, having seen the lioness and spoken with her. ‘I have known this strange vision. Minshasa, cloud white, borne upon the breast of the savanna like a dream of love. Who that bears the mane shall look upon her visage and remain unsmitten? Minshasa, the voice of tender longings. Minshasa, beloved of the gods. Beware, my sons, her awful charms! She is not of this world, and it is better that you choose among the daughters of Mamaan.’”

  Ugas’ paw ran down her chest and ventured a bit too far down for casual grooming. “Beware, my sons, her awful charms!”

  She popped his paw with hers. “Do you want to hear this story or not?”

  “I’ll be good,” he said with an innocent smile.

  She gently fondled him. “You good? I’ll believe it when I see it.”

  “At least I’ll listen.”

  Uzuri smiled. “Their father Ramallah spoke with them, having seen the lioness and spoken with her....”

  “You already said that part.”

  “You got me so confused!”

  Ugas said, “It serves you right. You have the same effect on me.” He added, “Because they were both strong and determined....”

  Uzuri cleared her voice. “Because they were both strong and determined, the brothers fought for five days and nights without sleep or food. On the fifth day, they both collapsed in a deep sleep, and while they were unaware, Minshasa left to find Mano whom she married. And when N’ga and Sufa awoke, they felt sore and foolish and swore before Aiheu to end their days of fighting forever. To seal their pact they prayed to Aiheu that neither should outlive the other to succeed his brother, but that both should die on the same day....”

  Uzuri fell silent. She was looking at Ugas and tears began to run down her face.

  “Uzuri, are you all right?” Ugas looked into her pain-filled face and wiped the tears that streamed down her cheeks with his paw. “Honey tree, speak to me! Dear? It’s my age again, isn’t it?”

  “You are handsome to me,” she said. “I will never stop wanting you just because you’re older.”

  “But my path grows short, and you don’t want to grow old alone--I can understand that.” Ugas kissed her. “If I can come back from the stars and comfort you, I will be there for you whenever you need me. I swear it.”

  “You’re really very sweet,” Uzuri said. “That’s one of the things I love about you.” She looked away solemnly for a moment, but added, “With all the glories of heaven, would you really come to me?”

  “Of course I would--you are my heaven and my earth. But I’d be a lot better company if you’d come to me now. I’d spoil you rotten every day and whisper a thousand loving names in your ear and paint your world with a thousand loving dreams.” He looked into her eyes, a hint of sadness in his large face. “I wish this night could go on forever, but it won’t. Let’s make the most of what path lies before us. Uzuri, stay with me.”

  “Soon, my love. Soon.” She pillowed her head on his soft mane and closed her eyes.

  “What? No end to the story?”

  “Mmmmm,” she grunted, snuggling closer. “N’ga died fighting a pack of wild dogs. His brother had been napping, and when he found the body and grieved to death, thus fulfilling the vow.” She added, “Lov
e can make you do strange things. I never heard about N’ga or Sufa ever taking a mate or having cubs. Maybe N’ga was all he had.”

  In a moment, Ugas raised his head suddenly, dumping Uzuri to the ground with a thump. “We have to get one thing straight, my dear. I’ll be very disappointed if you don’t marry again.”

  “What??”

  “When I’m gone, I expect you to follow your heart. You’re very beautiful, and you’re also very young. I wouldn’t blame any lion for wanting you, and I wouldn’t be jealous, as long as he treated you well. But God help him if he mistreats you! You tell him I’ll be watching him very closely.”

  “I don’t want to think about that.”

  “Neither do I. I’m not greedy--I don’t want to live twice, for God has been good to me over this lifetime and I’m ready to see Aiheu face to face. But I don’t want you to be left alone, and I certainly don’t want you to die young. No, I want you to hunt your game and watch the sunrise. I want you to get as much out of life as I have. And I’d be grateful--truly grateful--to anyone who helps you do that. You must not grieve too much for me. Try to remember the good times we had--let them be happy memories.”

  “Well, I’m glad you told me that. Fact is, there’s a rogue lion to the north. He’s handsome, young, and Isha tells me he’s quite an accomplished lover.”

  “Hey, wait for my body to cool off, for God’s sake!”

  Uzuri laughed and kissed his cheek. “I’m glad you’re not the jealous type.” She rolled over, draped her paws over his chest and rubbed his soft mane. Drawing near to his face with hers, she whispered, “Beloved.”

  He reached up with a paw and gently rubbed her cheek. “I love you, Uzuri. Oh gods, girl, I wish I could see your face every morning. You could make my days begin!”

  THE ANOINTMENT

  Brother Sun comes to greet the morning;

  N’gonyama, oh, incosi, oh!

  Brother Moon better heed his warning;

  N’gonyama, oh, incosi, oh!

  Wake up, wake up, you sleeping beauties!

  N’gonyama, oh, incosi, oh!

  Time to see to your daily duties!

  N’gonyama, oh, incosi, oh!

  -- Traditional Lioness Chant

  The time for Tanabi’s presentation was drawing close, and feverish preparations were being made. Everything had to run smoothly and well, for this would be the first formal presentation since Simba was held up. The land had returned from a long sleep to wakeful fertility and prosperity, and this ceremony would be an acknowledgment of the King’s gratefulness to God and of his duty to his subjects.

  Zazu excitedly went about the Kingdom spreading the happy news--Aiheu’s light would be seen anointing the brow of the new prince! Lisani wondered about the goings on, and asked Isha to tell her about the presentation and what was so special about it.

  “This is one time I defer to Rafiki, my dear. He presented Simba, and before him Makedde presented Mufasa. I think Busara did it before him, but that was a long time ago.”

  Lisani was a curious cub, and she went to find the old mandrill who was busy making preparations.

  “Rafiki?”

  “Miss Priss??” Rafiki came and embraced her. “It’s so good to see you, my dear! So much work for this old monkey, and so little time! I need a break, and you are it.”

  Lisani purred and rubbed against Rafiki. “Now I feel guilty. You don’t know what I came to ask you.”

  “Something more to do??” Rafiki sighed. “What did I forget this time?”

  “Nothing, I hope. I just wanted to know a little more about the presentation. I heard that it didn’t used to be done this way. Wasn’t Ahadi the first?”

  “No. Zari was the first. And he was presented by a dear old friend named Busara. Busara was my mentor and he used to....” Rafiki cuffed himself in the cheek. “Now listen to me, starting in the middle of a tale! Those are the three things that begin to fail when you get to be my age. Your concentration, your memory, and...the third thing!”

  Lisani laughed and touched his cheek with her tongue. “You crazy monkey! I’m sorry. You’re busy and I’ll come back later.”

  “Oh no, Lissie! Talking about it isn’t my problem. Maybe it will help me to go over it again. Busara made it all look so easy.”

  “What about Busara? Who was he?”

  “Who was Busara??” He laughed. “I didn’t think there was a cub in this pride that hadn’t heard of him! When Queen Asumini was alive and her husband King Hatamu ruled the Pride Lands, Asumini went on a hunt and was badly injured near the village where I grew up. Busara was a young shaman in those days, and you must understand that he was old for a mandrill when I was very young to see how long ago that was. Busara won Asumini’s trust and treated her wound. Then he went and got a pair of lionesses to help him haul the queen back to Pride Rock. She was VERY grateful indeed, and Busara was very relieved.

  “He got home, told a couple of folks what he was doing because he was gone all day and his friends were worried for him.

  “Then the very next night our friend the leopardess decided to kill herself a young mandrill girl.”

  She was scandalized. “I thought that was against the Peace of Asumini!”

  “Whoa, you’re getting ahead of me. Who’s telling this story, anyhow?” Rafiki smiled and kissed Lisani. “The very next day the blood is seen and her toy is seen where the leopard dragged her off into the bush. A raving, grief stricken mother pointed at Busara and said, ‘See how they show their gratitude?? A curse on you, Busara! May you rot in hell!’

  “Rafiki!”

  “I didn’t make this up. I only reported it.” Rafiki nodded gravely. “Let’s just say some people were very upset. And from that moment Busara and his family were in great danger. Adults would threaten him and shun him, and some children threw rocks at him and his family.

  “Grieving and feeling a little betrayed, Busara headed back to the Pride Lands. He humbled himself before the King and Queen. ‘Why, my lords, why have you cast me down before my people? Did I not unselfishly heal the wound on your shoulder, my queen? Even after you cut my hand?’

  "’What is this you are saying?’ Asumini said. ’I am your friend. How have I cast you down before your people?’

  "Busara said, ’Long have we hidden our village from the Pride. One day I helped the Queen and the very next night one of our children was killed. Tell me that it was a leopard and not one of your people!’ Busara fell to the ground and kissed Asumini's paw. ‘I do not regret that I saved your life. Even if you had killed half my village, I could not have let you die. But tell me it was not a lion that killed her!’

  “‘I swear it was no lion,’ Asumini said. ‘I swear by Aiheu.’

  “Busara wept. ‘I believe you, my lady. Only my people will not believe it. Let me bring my family to live here in safety.’

  “King Hatamu stirred. ‘My lands are as yours, and safely shall you walk through them with your family. But for those who hold you to scorn, I will let you present my son Zari. Do this so all who breathe may see my love for you.’

  “And so it was that on the day of the presentation, Busara held up the son of the king for all to see, and a shaft of light touched him, and in the light was a voice which spoke to Busara. Weeping, he held the cub to his heart and kissed him. ‘My Lord and my God!’ Busara cried.’

  “Deeply moved, Hatamu said before all the assemblage, ‘Since Mano, there has not walked the earth one so good of heart and true of path as my friend Busara. And my friend he is, for I swear by my mane that between our peoples there should be peace forever.’ And all of the mandrills who were there were humbled and ashamed for the way they treated Busara. That was the beginning of the Peace of Asumini.

  “When Zari was placed back by his mother’s side, Asumini asked him, ‘What did the Lord say to you?’

  “Busara said, ‘He told me I must protect the Prince, even as Aiheu has taught me.’

  “Busara had nothing in the rough pouch
he wore over his shoulder except some herbs to treat Asumini’s sore shoulder. But when he reached inside, he found a fruit which he split. Taking his thumb, he took some of the living oil of chrism and anointed the forehead of the cub. ‘May your works be fertile and prosperous as the fruit which sprouts new life.’ He took dust from the ground and sprinkled it on the oil. ‘May your body be strong and enduring as the dust from which you came.’ He took a rattle from the pouch which, since it came from Aiheu would be passed down as a relic, and shook it. ‘May your spirit be mighty as the thunderstorm, yet kindly as the rain.’

  “Finally, he took herbs from his pouch.

  “’What do those represent?’ Asumini asked.

  “’These represent my love for you,’ he said, placing them on her healing shoulder and rubbing them in gently. ‘I should not have listened to my people. I should never have asked you if it was a lion that killed the child. Forgive me.’

  “Asumini took her paw and drew Busara to her side. She nuzzled him and kissed him and pawed his cheek. ‘I cannot forgive you until you anger me, foolish monkey’

  “Busara said, ‘I have seen the Lord, my lady. Everything I once believed has been turned aside. I am empty as a gourd in the dry season. Fill me with the knowledge of this Aiheu, that I may keep the Lord in my heart all my days.’

  “And Asumini smiled. ‘Blessed are you, Busara! The peace you seek within is a far greater gift than any peace from without. You have chosen the best part of the kill, and I will feed you till your hunger is satisfied.’ And to this day there has been a mandrill from my village to do the presentation.”

  Lisani looked at Rafiki intently. “Will you see Aiheu when it happens?”

  “Probably. I did when I presented Simba. But my dear, I see Aiheu in many places. I see him in the way you smile at me. There is so much wonder in the world, that if you lived a thousand lifetimes you could not witness it all. And in all of it, you can find God.”