The Spirit Quest cotpl-2

by John H. Burkitt

  Fabana shrieked and ran around in little circles. “Oh gods! Oh gods!”

  Hyenas looked at other hyenas. The rage swept from body to body like a grass fire. And as if by an unseen signal they all descended on Shaka and tore him apart.

  When she could restore order, there was very little left of Shaka. Amarakh looked at the remains and a fear sank into her like a dagger of ice. “Roh’kash will soon test our mettle,” she said. “The Lion King Ahadi will no doubt wish to avenge his brother’s death. Well, we shall meet fang with fang, and claw with claw.” She raised her head high. “Oh, Chosen Ones! Guard your children now!” Turning to her mate, she nuzzled his shoulder. “Set out double watch, my love. I’m expecting company.”

  Tension built as the time passed. Then finally about three hours had elapsed when one of the guards called out, “Lions approaching at post number eight!”

  Ahadi appeared at the rim of the depression. Beside him were Sarafina, Uzuri, Isha and Zazu.

  The four lions reached the boundary of the elephant graveyard. Waiting for them was a large war party with Amarakh. “Steady lads. Be ready to die for Roh’kash and Roh’mach!”

  The lions came in a tightly knit group, with fangs bared. Ahadi came right up to Amarakh. “Where is Shaka??”

  “What is left of him is removed to the place of the dead.” Amarakh struggled to show defiance. “He took the law into his own teeth and killed one of ours on our own land without a trial. We offered to hold an inquest, a fair trial by the law of our people. But he turned us down and killed a male whose wife is pregnant.”

  Ahadi’s eyes hardened into stone. “So you murdered him!”

  “We EXECUTED him. We couldn’t wait for him to kill others. He was too dangerous to place under arrest.”

  “There is no doubt he was dangerous after his wife was ripped alive by YOUR PEOPLE!” Ahadi unleashed a terrible roar. Uzuri and Isha joined him, igniting terror in the hyena guard. “We have seen the evidence.”

  “We had not, Sire. We could not be sure, and we could not wait to be sure.” She had Fabana brought forward. “Here is the dead male’s wife. If you would have revenge, let all the people see that you fight honorably with her one on one. Let them see that you have given her the FAIR chance to defend the honor of her family.”

  The quaking female stammered, “Mercy! Have mercy! I am with child!”

  Ahadi looked at her with some pity. “Now you know what it feels like to lose someone you love. The Roh’mach is courting death to toy with my sympathies like this, but she has won this round. You will not be harmed.”

  But Ahadi looked sternly at Amarakh. “Because your people have killed my brother, and because his wife was basely murdered, you are banned. No more shall you scavenge on the Pride Lands. Not until the last of the group that killed Avina is dead.”

  “But my Lord, we will all starve!”

  “Perhaps a few hungry nights will motivate you to enforce your own laws, Amarakh. Besides, this is not such a bad spot to scavenge. You never know when an elephant might want to die.”

  She held up her head and stared back. “You mock me because you are powerful, and I am but a hyena. But the gods know I must be fair to my people. Grief has blinded you, impaired your judgment and robbed you of your wisdom.”

  Ahadi and the lionesses left. Someone had to break the news to Sarabi and Elanna. Ahadi knew that Sarabi and Elanna belonged with him, and he knew he was the one that must speak the awful words. “Aiheu abamami,” he stammered. “Please God, give me strength.”

  Amarakh stood silently, watching them go. All the efforts of generations of hyenas before her had left with them, she realized. Gnashing her teeth in frustration, she paced away towards her waiting mate.

  “This calls for immediate action. This ban of Ahadi’s means death for us all if we don't find a way to placate him--fast.”

  “But how? You heard him. All the guilty ones must die before he’ll release the ban.”

  “That’s just it. Ahadi has no target for his anger. If we were to give him one...” she looked silently at him.

  “It’s a little late for that, don't you think?” he snorted contemptuously. “What are you going to do, smell their breath for lion leavings? He was a big buffoon-there was enough to go around for all.”

  “You overstep yourself,” Amarakh said dangerously.

  “Well, what do YOU suggest? Perhaps we should just ask them, eh?”

  Amarakh sat quietly, a smile tickling the corners of her mouth. “No, WE will not ask them. But Shimbekh will.”

  “The seer?”

  “Is there another Shimbekh?” She cuffed him lightly. “Of course, the seer. She is the most gifted in many generations. She will sort out the truth if anyone can.” Amarakh gazed off into the distance, where Pride Rock could be seen shimmering in the heat.

  “And when we have found the guilty one, we will have justice. The leader will be brought alive to the Lion King for judgment.” She rose and stalked off.

  In the great open courtyard at the entrance to the graveyard, the entire clan stood assembled, waiting nervously. All were lined up. One by one, they were asked one question: “Did you lead the attack?” As each was cleared, their cheeks were marked with a bloody pawprint from the leavings of Shaka.

  At the far end of the line, one hyena looked on as the number of suspects began to narrow down. He could not pass the test, and he did not want to die helplessly as Jalkort did. Gur’mekh sneaked away temporarily, and with all the courage he could muster bit himself--hard--on the inside of the thigh. He gritted his teeth and tried to blink back tears. Taking his paw to the blood, he marked his cheek and then with agonizing effort put dust on the wound to stop the flow of blood a little. It would not do to be hemorrhaging if the deception was to work.

  Trying to hide his limp, Gur’mekh tried to blend in to the other hyenas. He realized to his horror that he had marked the wrong cheek, but it was too late. He must try and go unnoticed.

  “Hey Gur’mekh, you’re leg is bleeding! How did you do that??”

  “Hsssh, Korg! Not so loud!”

  Korg shook his head sympathetically. “You should have that looked at.”

  “I will later.”

  “But it’s serious.” He bent his head to examine the wound closer.

  “I’m serious. Drop this conversation!”

  Korg sniffed of his cheek, a gesture that prompted Gur’mekh to slap him with a paw. “STOP!”

  Heads turned. Now Gur’mekh was the subject of scrutiny by dozens of hyenas. He began to tremble.

  “It’s yours! It’s your blood!” Korg shouted, “Roh’mach, it was him!”

  Gur’mekh panicked. He tried to run, but his leg was cramping. He was quickly overtaken and stopped by bared teeth on all sides. Pushing through the crowd was Shimbekh. He tried not to look in her eyes.

  Shimbekh finally secured a straight-on stare into his eyes. “Did you lead the attack?”

  Gur’mekh squirmed. “She was dying anyhow! In the name of the gods, there is no way she could have lived!” He fought frantically with teeth and paws, but was grabbed roughly by the throat and choked into submission.

  Amarakh glared down at him. “You’ve been a thorn in my side long enough. This time you went too far, and you will pay for it.”

  CHAPTER 35: JUSTICE

  Ringed about with a huge escort, Gur’mekh was carried to Pride Rock. Amarakh had sent messengers ahead to the Rock, and it was not long before the hyenas spotted tawny forms moving through the grass just ahead. Six lionesses took up station in an encircling ring around the hyannic delegation, falling in formation without a word. The hyenas began to mutter amongst themselves and wonder if Gur’mekh was truly the only one to be punished today.

  They were met at the base of Pride Rock by two more lionesses, who flanked the prisoner on either side as they ascended the slope. Gur’mekh tried to hold himself steady as they reached the top of the path, but when he turned to see Ahadi sitting silently in th
e mouth of the cave waiting for him, he began to whimper. Next to Ahadi stood Rafiki, who observed the proceedings with no small interest.

  “What is going on?” He looked at Ahadi curiously, but the Lion King sat immobile, as if carved of stone. The mandrill felt a touch behind him and turned to see Yolanda, her normally soft features now hard edged with anger. She bent and whispered softly in his ear. The mandrill began to tremble as he heard the details of first Avina’s, and then Shaka’s death. Looking at the shaking hyena before him, he realized what was happening and moaned softly.

  “This is Gur’mekh. He called for Avina’s life,” Amarakh said. “His paws are stained red with her blood. We bring him to your justice.”

  The hyena was terrified, looking into the face of Ahadi. He’d seen what happened to his companion, and without control he urinated on the cave floor. “Roh’kash, help me! Help me!”

  Rafiki watched in horror.

  Ahadi came over to him, just a whisker’s length away. Quietly, without malice, he purred, “I do not want to kill your immortal Ka. Aiheu will decide. I give you a chance to admit your guilt.”

  “Have mercy! Oh gods!” Gur’mekh fell on his back, soiling his fur in the urine as he began to paw at Ahadi. “I don’t want to die!”

  “That is not an option at this point.” Ahadi nodded gravely. “You will have an opportunity to be right with your God. Now tell me Gur’mekh, they didn’t torture it out of you, did they? Are you guilty as they say?”

  Gur’mekh licked his dry lips and swallowed hard. “Forgive the others,” he stammered. “I talked them into it. All my fault. The Roh’mach didn’t know. All my fault. And I’m sorry. So sorry!”

  “It’s good that you’re sorry. Your friends are glad as well, for I will not punish them. Now don’t you feel better telling the truth?”

  “I thi-think so. Yes.”

  “Now then, I want you to think really carefully. I can make it swift and nearly painless. But the gods may not think you have suffered enough. Or I can punish you now, and you will die forgiven.”

  Hyena teachings on eternal damnation were very strong but very vague. He had killed a lioness, true. But she was dying anyhow, and even a shaman could have done little for her--or so he thought. He tried to figure out if his soul was really in danger. On the other side, Ahadi’s claws and fangs were all too clear. “I don’t know,” the hyena gasped. “I don’t know!”

  “But you must know, Gur’mekh. When you do something, be it good or bad, there are consequences. I would not want to face God after an easy death. I would take my punishment now, but it is your decision.”

  The hyena began to gasp for air, his heart pounding. “Well then, I want to be sure. Hurt me bad. Hurt me very bad.”

  Ahadi looked around. “Take the cubs outside. Far away. Wife, you may want to leave as well.” Ahadi glanced at Rafiki, but he could neither move nor answer.

  Several moments passed by as the young and squeamish filed outside. Soon there were only a few adult lions, two mandrills, and all of the hyenas, none of whom budged.

  “You ripped her alive,” Ahadi said gravely. “If you would find peace, I will have to return in kind.” He looked upward. “Oh gods, look down on your child. Witness his suffering and accept his atonement.”

  “If you do this, do you promise you’ll forgive me? Promise?”

  “I promise, son. While you can, go as far as you can. Your friends will have to drag you the rest of the way.”

  He winced at the sound of that but stammered, “I understand.” Gur’mekh shut his eyes tightly and whimpered. “Mother Roh’kash!!!”

  Ahadi spread his claws and with a quick, precise swipe laid the hyena open. His protracted shriek was deafening in the confines of the cave. Hyenas winced. Gasping, he lay shuddering for a while, his inner secrets showing through the five parallel wounds. After the initial shock, he looked down at the damage and looked around at the others and their expressions of horror. He tried to struggle to his feet, but the pain from every movement was mind numbing. “Somebody help me!” he hoarsely cried. “I can’t get up!”

  The hyenas could not stir. They were planted like trees. Ahadi looked down with the gentleness of a lioness moving her cubs and took the back of the hyena’s neck, lifting him upright. “Can you walk?”

  “I’ll try,” he gasped. With all the courage he could muster, he took a few hesitant steps, his abdomen exposing bits of bleeding entrails. As he stumbled forward, blood streamed down his hind legs and left crimson tracks. “Roh’kash, great mother,” he gasped. “My spirit longs to nurse at your side. Forgive me. Brother Sun, Sister Moon, do not shine on my transgressions. Shine only on my good deeds. Let my debt be paid. Oh gods, I’m hurt!” The crowd parted in horror as the ripped hyena began his torturous journey into the arms of death.

  “Did that make you feel any better?” Amarakh asked indiscreetly. “Maybe you want to save us the trouble of dragging him off. I’ve never tried Hyena myself, but you might have a taste for it.”

  “Watch your tongue!” Ahadi said.

  “Don’t fight,” Gur’mekh said. “I’m getting what I deserve. Let it end here.”

  Without another word, the Roh’mach turned and led her hyenas from the cave to form a grisly honor guard, guiding his faltering steps, giving him support, and even pushing him forward as he crawled up the promontory. Rafiki felt tears stream down his face. He had to avert his eyes.

  Gur’mekh had finally crawled to the end of the promontory. Glancing over the edge, he was still terrified of the fall. Afraid someone would push him off, he said, “Don’t touch me! I can’t stand heights!” Then he looked up. “Help me, Mother Roh’kash! Kill me please!” He began to wretch up some bloody scraps, wincing with the effort but helpless to stop. His piteous moans were broken by fits of gagging.

  Ahadi came out to the end of the promontory. The other hyenas stood back. The hyena’s eyes rolled up to look into the bright sun. From it emerged Ahadi’s large, sad face.

  “Do you release me, friend? Have I paid the price?”

  Ahadi reached down and whispered, “You have paid in full. I forgive you. Relax, son--I’ll be gentle and quick.”

  The lion took the hyena’s throat in his mouth and pressed down. As the teeth pricked his neck, a paw came up to grasp at Ahadi’s mane, but he fell limp and waited for death to release him from his broken body.

  In a few moments his eyes closed and a look of peaceful oblivion came to his face. Ahadi dropped Gur’mekh off the end of the promontory where he fell several seconds into the waiting meadow grass.

  Ahadi glared at Amarakh however, and told her curtly, “You are not forgiven. You killed my brother out of revenge, not out of the justice you claim. He had no desire to kill again, but you let the crowd run free rather than stop them. Then you brought death here and paraded it before our cubs. You insulted me in my own house, and you expect mercy? Be glad we have justice, or I would send you hurdling down after him. By the gods, I am tempted! Now get out, all of you!”

  “We will take the body and leave, Sire.”

  “No, Amarakh. Leave the body. I want you out quickly--now GO!” He roared loudly and terribly, and the hyenas beat a hasty retreat. Rafiki stared at the Roh’mach, looking for a sign of grief. But if there was grief, it was well hidden behind fear and indignation.

  Ahadi’s head bent low. The light wind stirred his mane, but otherwise he sat still as a stone at the end of the promontory. Several moments passed without a sign, without a response. Then when Rafiki felt he must say something or burst, he approached the lion. Ahadi looked up.

  The young mandrill looked into Ahadi’s face, deep into his eyes. The depth of sadness clung to him like wet grass.

  “Go ahead, my son. Call me a tyrant. I won’t be angry.”

  Rafiki continued to look searchingly into Ahadi’s large eyes. “You’re grieving for him, aren’t you?”

  “Killing him did not bring back Avina or my brother. I did what I had to do, but I am left
with a great emptiness inside.”

  “I know that path. It does not have to be walked alone.” Rafiki put his arms around Ahadi’s soft mane and held him.

  CHAPTER 36: ONE OF THOSE DAYS

  Rafiki gazed up at the expanse of blue above him, wondering what he had done to anger the gods. Nothing had gone right that day. Climbing down the bole of the tree that morning, he got a sharp splinter in his palm. He managed to extract half when it broke off under the skin. The spot burned, despite the medicinal balm he had rubbed into it, and it would likely become infected. Grumbling, Rafiki had made his way to the water hole with a handful of gourds, intending to fill them for later use. He had filled perhaps half of them and had paused to soothe his aching palm in the cool water, when movement caught his eye. The gourd he had just filled tipped over, dragging the others with it. He flailed at them, but too late. The gourds had been tied together, and the weight of the full ones dragged the rest down into the depths. Despairing of diving in after them, he looked for replacements, but there were none. There would be frequent trips for water ahead.

  As the evening stalked in, he gave up and headed home. As he climbed up the trunk, he glared at the rough spot where he had acquired the splinter and avoided it. Reaching the lower branches, he sighed gratefully and made his way over to his favorite spot. As he sat, he felt a terrible stinging. Yelping in pain, he leapt up and flailed wildly at his backside. An echoing sting bolted up his arm, and his palm opened. A yellow and black hornet buzzed about his head angrily before streaking away to find a safer perch.

  Rafiki’s eyes watered as he eyed his puffing palm, then examined his wounded backside. Great. Now BOTH hands hurt, as well as his seat. There was no way to sit or lay that was not painful except on his stomach. And he was almost afraid to try it. Finally, cursing inaudibly, he flopped onto his belly, crossed his arms, and laid his head upon them.