“I’m not sure, honey tree. But if God is there, it must be good. If only you could go to see Rafiki, I think he knows more about it than anyone else in the Pride Lands. Tomorrow I’ll see if I can get you to him. It’s the least they can do--this whole mess was their fault.”
Lisani lay next to Isha and Habusu and tried to sleep. But sleep was denied her. There was grief for sure, but there was also uncertainty. The dawn would not come--the night seemed a dreary eternity. So she finally decided to act on her own.
After a while, when Isha and Habu were asleep, she went across the sleepy savanna toward Rafiki’s baobab.
The guard stopped her at the perimeter of his confinement. The hyena looked down at her with some amusement at first, then he recognized her. He reached out with a paw, and Lisani shrank back, but he gently rubbed her shoulder and cheek. “Hello, Miss Priss. I’m so sorry about your mother. You know, my mother died when I was your age.”
“She did?”
“Yeah. My name’s Krull. You remember me, don’t you?”
“Isha says you’re one of the good ones.”
“Well that’s nice to know. You shouldn’t be out here after dark. It’s not safe.”
“I need to see Rafiki. I need it real bad.”
“Does Isha know you’re out here?”
“No. Don’t tell her, please?”
“I won’t. But it’s dangerous out here late at night.”
“Do you need any help?” one of the other guards asked.
“Sure. I thought I was done for till you got here. Save me!”
“You made your point, sir. But you know she’s not allowed here.”
Krull straightened up to full height. “You idiot, don’t you know who this is?? It’s Beesa’s daughter!”
“Oh.” The other hyena, who didn’t look anywhere as kind, stared at her. “So it is. Sorry about your mom and all. But no one gets to see Rafiki--orders of the Roh’mach.”
Krull smiled kindly, even patronizingly. “Look here, you. You weren’t thinking of reporting this, were you? Cause if you were, I’d have to rip out your liver and stomp on it till you changed your mind. Nothing personal, mind you, but this girl’s mother is dead. If she wants to see Rafiki, she sees Rafiki. Do you have a problem with that??”
“No sir.”
Krull escorted her to the tree and watched as she scrambled in. Rafiki was asleep, and when Krull awakened him, he opened one eye and asked, “What the devil is going on??”
“Shhhh, I have a little stowaway to see you. It’s Miss Priss.”
“Oh, Lisani! I didn’t see you back there! Are you sick, honey tree?”
“No, it’s my mother.”
“What is her problem? Is she very sick?”
Lisani started to cry. “Oh Rafiki!”
“She’s dead,” Krull said, bowing his head. “Stove through on the hunt.”
“Oh my gods!” Rafiki stammered. He gasped, and his face dropped as tears began to flood his eyes. As his trembling hands raised to his cheeks, he seemed to be trying to sort it all out. “Stove through?? Oh child! Oh, Miss Priss!” He gasped again. His chin trembled and he half-whispered, “Oh no!”
Lisani began to wail inconsolably. “The elephant stepped on her!”
Rafiki broke into uncontrollable sobs, scooping her up gently in his arms and hugging her to his chest. As tears coursed down his face, he kissed her again and again, stroking her small body and softly moaning in his despair. Lisani, who could relate more to his cub-like grief, put her paws around his neck and snuggled her face tightly under his chin, her lion tears wetting his throat.
Krull’s ears drooped and his tail hung limply. As his face looked away, tears slid down his cheeks and he stalked quietly away from the entrance.
Lisani kissed Rafiki and muttered, “What is it like when people die? Aunt Isha said you knew about that stuff.”
“I’ve had a few experiences with the spirit world. I’ve met Mano and Minshasa, you know.” He took the locket around his neck and opened it, holding the small tuft of white fur in front of her nose. It smelled like lion but it also smelled like wild honey. “This came from Mano’s mane. It was his gift to me long ago when I was young.”
Rafiki put his arms around her and gave her a comforting pat. “When you die, your last breath goes back to Aiheu, and with it, your Ka. At first, you can look down and see your body of Ma’at lying there, and you can see and hear what other people do. That’s why it’s important for you to show respect and grief when someone dies, to let them know that they were important and that their death is a great loss. But you must also let them know that it’s OK to go on and be with Aiheu so they will not feel guilty for leaving you. That’s part of the reason why a body is corban for a moon, though there are other more practical ones that spring to mind.”
“Then what happens?”
“There will be a bright light, a beautiful light more wonderful than the sun breaking through the storm clouds when a few golden rays touch a spot and make it special. You feel as you go toward that light that you are walking--indeed, you will feel that it is at the end of a canyon. The walls of this canyon are covered with shiny, brightly colored stones. Then you get through the canyon, and things broaden out till you can’t see any more of the walls, and the floor is covered in misty clouds. And you see on either side of you friends that wait for you. Some of them are people you’ve known. Others are people that just want you to feel welcome. Akase and Ahadi were probably there to welcome her. Mufasa, too. They come close and they touch you, and you feel warm and comfortable, and you cannot feel afraid no matter how hard you try. Then you come close to the light, and it’s Mano and Minshasa, the white lions, who come to escort you into the source of the light itself.”
“Aiheu?”
“Yes, my child. The light is from Lord Aiheu. And when you look in his face, all your questions will be answered, and your heart will be filled with love and happiness. And he will let you drink from his great river of milk that sustains the blessed in their home among the stars.” Rafiki looked at her worriedly. “Does Isha know you’re out here?”
“No.”
“Then you must sneak right back the way you came. But first there’s something else I want you to know.”
“What’s that?”
“Old Rafiki loves you very much.”
A tear slipped down Lisani’s cheek. “I love you too.”
Rafiki looked out the entrance. “Krull, you make sure she gets home all right, and don’t you dare wake Isha up. She shouldn’t have to get in trouble tonight.”
“I’ll see to it myself.”
THE FIRST RED PRINT:
It was to be Mobuta’s first hunt with the lionesses. Having reached a suitable size and received the approval of the hunt mistress, the young lioness was in a state of high anticipation. Being invited to the gathering-up for the first time was a great thrill for Mobuta, but she was very nervous as well. She had her heart set on making her first kill. She had hoped to bring down some prey, no matter how small, when her mother was teaching her to hunt. But while she was an apt pupil, she never had the chance to put what she knew into actual practice and draw first blood. She had so wished to be able to gain one honor at a time, and so relax and enjoy herself. As it was, she was trembling in the joints.
“Listen, Sisters!” Ajenti said excitedly, crashing through the brush. “I’ve seen it!”
“It?” Sarafina asked.
“It! The greatest of great omens!
“What, what??” the Pride sisters asked.
“Don’t you know? Or are you unwilling to believe it? Many are the white zebras with black stripes, but there is a black zebra with white stripes on the eastern meadow!”
“The black zebra!” Sarafina said with awe. “No, it can’t be!”
“Such a thing was seen in my mother’s time, but only rarely,” Uzuri said. “Mobuta, you have brought us good luck. I say you should try for it. If you bring it in, your sons will be gr
eat kings and blessings will be on the land all the days of your life.”
“Oh my gods!”
“Should we let a new lioness do this?” Isha said.
“It shall be and it must be,” Uzuri said firmly. She took the new lioness aside. “Since we have chosen this means to earn your first blood, listen carefully. You cannot chase down the great zebra by yourself. We will divide into two groups. You approach straight on with all your stealth, and our group will divide in two. Half will circle around the right and half will circle around the left. When you get as close as you can to the zebras, roar as loud as you can and shout, “Come, sisters!” We will rush out and drive the great zebra toward you. And it should be easy enough for you to claim what’s coming to you. Understand?”
“Yes ma’am. I only hope I’m worthy of this great honor.”
With well-practiced speed, the main group broke into two halves and when Mobuta headed out, the leopard patrol headed left and the cheetah patrol headed right. But as soon as Mobuta was out of range, they circled back to the west and quickly reunited behind a grove of acacias. Isha began to snicker. “It should be easy enough for you to claim what’s coming to you.”
“She’ll be blessed for the rest of her life,” Uzuri said with a sly wink. “Not only her, but whatever she finds out there.”
It was the same on every first hunt, as the Pride Sisters headed into the west to find food and left poor Mobuta to her eventual humiliation.
Before long, they heard a loud roar. “Come, sisters!”
Isha snickered. “What do you know, she’s found something!”
Uzuri looked over at Ajenti. “Damn! Now she’s spoiled the hunt! Everything in sectors will be running for its life! Why didn’t you see them, scout??”
Ajenti was aghast. “There isn’t a even a moon tonight! Who do you think I am? Minshasa??”
“Well, what’s done is done. Let’s get Mobuta before she squalls her head off and runs off all the game.”
“Come, sisters!”
Uzuri flinched. “We won’t have meat tonight. Some joke.”
They headed a hundred lengths into the east. And before long they met with an astounding sight. Mobuta beamed at them, her sides heaving as she stood prowdly over a dead zebra. “You were great! Boy, they were running everywhere when just like you said, the great zebra came charging right at me! But you know, I can’t tell the difference, I’d have thought he was just a regular zebra. Are you sure it’s the great zebra?”
“Uh, honey tree, there’s something I think we need to tell you,” Isha said.
“Yes,” Uzuri interrupted, stepping in front of Isha quickly. “Beyond a doubt, it’s the Great Zebra. And because this is your first blood, that makes you a lioness and a member of our hunting clan. Since your mother was not here tonight, I’d be honored if you’d let me mark your cheek.”
“The honor is all mine,” said the beaming lioness.
Uzuri rubbed her paw in the fresh blood on the throat and touched Mobuta’s cheek gently. When she pulled away her paw, it left a recognizable, if dripping, pawprint in blood. “All hail the lioness! Aiheu bless the lioness! Mobuta the Pride Sister!”
The pride sisters all came and nuzzled her and sniffed of the blood on her cheek. Mobuta was in tears. “Oh gods, I’m the happiest creature alive!”
“This print is the first step of your path as a lioness,” Uzuri said. “Welcome, Pride Sister.”
The lionesses all quickly muttered, “Aiheu abamami! Aiheu provides!” and they started quickly on the still-warm body.
HABUSU AND THE GIFT:
Isha’s side rose and fell slowly with the tides of her breath as she napped fitfully in the oppressive heat. Sighing with resignation, she gave up and rolled upright, licking a forepaw absently as she began to groom herself. She mentally cursed the drought which gripped the land in its dry and thirsty clutches and again wondered if the mumbling overheard from the hyena seers were true; that Taka had lowered a curse on the land and the rain was gone for good.
Motion at the cave mouth caught her eye, and she glanced over to see her son trot in, tired and dusty. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hey, kiddo.” Isha reached out with a paw and swept him to her, nuzzling his side.
He wriggled uncomfortably. “OW!”
Isha flinched and looked him over. There was an ugly scratch on his flank. “What happened to you? Have you been fighting?”
“No, but I sure wanted to. Kombi knocked me over when we were playing. He and Togo always push me around.”
Isha rolled her eyes and sighed. “Those two! At least it’s not too bad, Honey Tree.”
“Yeah, but Mom, Lisani was there!”
Isha’s mouth made a soundless “Ohhh.”
A rough growl escaped the cub and he scuffed the floor angrily. “I wish I was bigger and meaner. I’d show them!”
Isha slapped her tail idly at an annoying fly. “And what would you show them?”
“I’d give them a pawful of claws across the nose, that’s what I’d do!”
“Habu, you would not.” Lisani’s warm voice drifted into his ear as she snuggled up from behind him. “You’re too sweet to be mean like they are.”
Habu’s ears flattened and he writhed in embarrassment. “Sometimes I want to be mean, though. When people deserve it. If I was strong and powerful like Simba, I wouldn’t take that stuff off ‘em.”
Isha blinked. “Another lion once thought as you did, son.”
“Huh?”
“He thought that if he was strong and powerful, it would solve all his problems. He found out how to become the strongest and most powerful lion. And you know something? His name was Habusu. I named you after him.”
“Oh?” Habusu settled into a sphinx, with Lisani sprawling comfortably against him. “What did he do? Did it work?”
Isha smiled and shook her head. “Not exactly...
“Long ago, a lion named Habusu lived with his wife among the grasses of the savanna. They were a happy couple, but seldom got to spend time together; Habusu was ever on his guard to defend his mate and territory from intruders.
“One day he was confronted by three brothers who approached him, roaring challenges. Habusu fought bravely, but was overcome; they sent him running in fear, jeering and shouting epithets at his back as he ran.”
Habu frowned. “What’s an epithet?”
Isha grinned. “It’s those naughty words Togo and Kombi use.”
“Ohh! You mean like--”
“Ah-AH! Not in my cave, please.” Isha cleared her throat and continued. “Habusu had to flee as the three brothers took everything he had; his lands, his food, even his mate. In tears he wandered away into the wilderness, railing bitterly against his fate. “Would that I could avenge myself upon those who torment me!
“Suddenly a black lioness emerged from the grass nearby. Such a thing is rarely seen, and he took it as an omen.
“‘What is wrong, traveler?’
“‘My mate, my home, all is lost! I would give anything to regain them, anything!’
“‘Did you say anything? If you would really be avenged, go to the holy lake of Mara, and drink your fill; for then you shall be like the Nisei themselves; immortal and invulnerable.’
“Habusu was dubious. ‘It is forbidden; the lake is for the spirits themselves, and not for a simple lion.’
“‘Did you not hear the cries of your mate as she was wrested from you? No simple lion could save her, yet one blessed with the milk could cleanse the land; indeed, Aiheu Himself would smile upon your quest!’
“Now these were lies, for the black lioness was one of the grand Makei, the race of those separated from God. The lake was indeed forbidden to mortals, and for good reason. Yet Habusu set out for the lake of Mara confident that God had answered his prayers.
“He encountered many obstacles on his way, for Aiheu knew the temptations of Mara and accordingly set wards to bar the beings of Ma’at from his precious spring of life. Yet Habusu was
pure of heart, and had set out on his journey out of love for his mate, and so won over the guardians that stood between him and his goal.”
“So then what happened?” asked Lisani.
“Well, Habusu eventually got to the lake forest itself, but his exertions had exhausted him, and he fell asleep in the cool glade. He was awakened the next morning by the sound of Koko the Gorilla making his rounds, for Koko is Aiheu’s most trusted guardian; he keeps all mortals from the lake itself. Bracing himself, Habusu made a dash for the shore.
“Koko thumped his chest angrily and blocked his way. ‘Go back, lion!’
“‘I seek only to drink from the lake my friend. I mean no harm.’
“‘You will drink from it indeed, but only when you have joined the kings of the past in their eternal rest.’
“Habusu growled deep in his chest. ‘Are you threatening me?’
“‘By Aiheu’s grace, I do not threaten, but tell you as a friend. Go hence from here, and find happiness, for you shall slake your thirst with woe should you drink here.’
“Habusu snarled angrily at Koko, for he only saw him as an obstacle to his goal. He fiercely he drove off the gorilla and knelt to drink. As he bent his whiskers to the milk of Mara, Koko called to him in vain, ‘You shall learn to regret what you have done!’
“’Then if it is my regret, it is no concern of yours.’ He drank anyway, and went home rejoicing. In a stream he saw his reflection. HE was a white lion like Mano; his fur white as the snow on the mountains, and his eyes as blue as the vault of Heaven above. Indeed on his way home the very enemies he had faced as obstacles ran from him or fell to the ground and kissed his feet.
“At last Habusu returned to his homelands. And he found the three brothers and terrified them, charging in among them and striking fiercely, for he feared no fang nor claw; immortal, like Mano, he suffered no wound from the creatures of Ma’at. At last, his enemies were set fleeing, and he stood proudly before his mate. ‘Look, love, look what I have done!’
“A terrible fear and sadness filled her. ‘Oh gods,’ she moaned, ‘what have you done to yourself, my husband?’
The Leonid Saga cotpl-5 Page 9
