Sarafina and Isha come quickly. They took one look at her, and they were grim. “We need herbs. Your Majesty, Rafiki has always helped with these things. We really can’t do much without him.”
Rafiki was under house arrest and couldn’t find what he needed in time even if let out. That does not stop Taka from sending for him.
It took a long time for the mandrill to get to the cave. When Rafiki showed up, Taka bowed before him, closing his eyes tightly. “No matter how you feel about me, you must save the child. In whatever God's name you believe in, you must save the child! "I'll do anything, anything! You can go free. I'll make sure you never have to work hard again! Oh God, do you have a heart of stone??"
Rafiki asked, “How long has she been in pain?”
“About an hour.”
“An hour?” He buried his face in his hands. “Oh Lord, so little time, and so much I must do.”
“What do you need? I’ll send help with you. Take Sarafina—ride her back if you need to. But hurry! ”
But does not even get to leave the cave before Isha, bearing a small dead male, goes past.
"Put him down! " Taka said.
He looks at the tiny body. "Rafiki, do something! Anything! My son, my son!! "
Rafiki picked up the infant and hugged it. Tears came to his eyes. “So tiny. So beautiful. Such a waste.” Rafiki looks at Taka with some pity. "His spirit is already with the gods. It can not return."
Isha touched Taka with her tongue. "Bayete." She took the small dead cub with her.
Rafiki came to Taka and watched his soft, quiet sobs. “Is there anything I can do?”
"You are useless to me, " Taka says to Rafiki. "Go back to your tree.”
“I am not unmoved. There is no great love between us, but I feel your pain. Let me see if....”
“Get out! "
Sarafina, with genuine pity, told Taka, “You will have no more heirs. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, right. Now leave me. All of you! ”
He has a short period of grief where he goes out on the promontory under the stars. Calls to his father Ahadi. “I wish I could believe! ” Sobs, “If there is a God, please help me! ” Fabana creeps stealthily out onto the point and sits by him, resting her head on him. She does not say a word--she does not have to.
He roared. The lionesses took it up. There is no doubt what it meant.
Still weak in the knees, Taka headed down Pride Rock and crept slowly to Kako’s spot where he found her with her son.
“It seems the Gods have spoken, ” Taka said. “There will be no prince from my line.” His chin began to tremble.
Kako quietly padded over and bussed his cheek. “I’m so sorry. You poor dear—I mean, Your Majesty.”
“Kako, you came to me from the gods. Your goodness is one of the few things that can laugh at the curse that burns my blood.” He sighed, and with great effort said, “Mabatu is my Prince, and your future King.”
“You honor us, Bayete.”
He looked at Mabatu. “Hello, sport.”
“Hello, Your Majesty.”
“You are a prince now. You should call me by my name, or if you feel like it, you may call me...please call me.... Dad.?”
Mabatu came and sat next to him, burying his head in Taka’s mane. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too.” He kissed Baba. “You’re my last hope, son. Go to sleep a little early tonight ‘cause tomorrow, I’m waking you at sunrise. I have something I want to show you.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.”
SCENE: MAKING DO
With food supplies dropping low, Shenzi was looking for ways to make things go further. Among the hyenas, the punishment of eating last and taking what was left became more and more common. It seemed to the rank and file that the leaders of the clan were looking for excuses to reduce the number of mouths to feed, and they were right.
The most effective punishments would of course be banishment and death. Not that most hyenas were ready to turn on their compatriots at a whim. But Amarakh, the beloved former Roh’mach, had a daughter Takyla that many felt should have been the next ruler rather than Shenzi. This adolescent was the subject of constant harassment by Shenzi and her friends. Her ouster on a charge of treason could consolidate Shenzi’s hold on the clan and mean an extra bite or two for everyone at mealtime. Everything Takyla did or said was reported by some of Shenzi’s spies. Shenzi called them “Guardians of the Clan Spirit, ” but everyone knew a spy when they saw one.
Getting rid of a lion would have been much more effective even than offing a hyena. But it would be highly unlikely to garner a strong complaint, much less any hard evidence. The lionesses stuck together on almost everything with a singleness that was impenetrable by the Guardians of the Clan Spirit. That left the male cubs.
One male cub in particular posed a grave threat. For since Mabatu had become Prince, Taka had regained some of his youthful bravado. He began to look ahead more than a day or two at a time, taking charge and making difficult decisions he’d usually left to someone else. It was becoming progressively harder to control Taka, and Shenzi was worried that Mabatu would take heart and become a strong leader when Taka died.
And die he would. Makhpil had clearly forseen that Taka would die young and violently. It was a vague prophesy, but one that filled Shenzi with the urgency of the moment. There was not much time to play the waiting game.
To denounce Mabatu as a youth would almost certainly backfire. Taka worshipped the cub and would almost certainly fly in the face of the gods themselves to protect him. The thought, however slim, that Taka would rather give up his life than take another frightened Shenzi. For their last hold over him would be gone.
To kill Mabatu was one possible solution. But Taka would not rest until the truth was out. He would take no one’s word for what had happened. Even if someone volunteered to carry out the job, admit guilt, and die to achieve greatness in Roh’kash’s clan, Taka would never believe they acted alone. They would have to be more subtle.
Weeks passed into months. During that time, they did not manage to get rid of Takyla either, but they always had a couple of familiar faces missing at each meal from the strict discipline.
Mabatu grew closer to Taka with each passing day. With Makhpil’s prophesy in the back of their minds, the hyenas began to worry that a weak leader would be replaced by the stronger one if they waited too long. So when Mabatu was a year and a half old, and a few bits of ruff began to form around his neck, the leaders of the clan had a private meeting and decided at that point that Mabatu must go.
But how to do it? Certainly, Shimbekh must be involved. Fed information from Makhpil, she still made several correct predictions to Taka, enough to cover all the lies Shenzi wanted to sneak in.
Relying on the old hyena proverb that a half truth is like a half carcass—it can be pulled twice as far—they decided on a lie that would soften the blow, but still strike home.
Timid and unsteady, Shimbekh stood before Taka to deliver the news that may bring instant death. “My Lord, evil tidings.”
“Oh?” He involuntarily put his paw before his mouth. “Surely not! ”
“I don’t know how to say this, my lord. But there is an evil spirit in this place. One too strong for our powers to drive off. Unless Mabatu driven off early, the day after his mantlement he will go mad and kill his mother, then you.”
“What??” Taka ran abruptly to within a few inches of her face. “If you’re lying to me, I’ll rip you apart! ”
Regardless of her safety, she wept and kissed his cheek. “You love him, don’t you.”
“Yes, I love him.”
“Then....” She struggled for words. “Send him away now while his heart is pure. You know what it is like to suffer from the inside. There is nowhere to hide.” Her voice began to trail off. “No one knows what torment there is in the wounds we bear inside. We try to smile when our heart is breaking.”
Mabatu was told two
days in advance that he would get a commoner’s mantlement so he could do his leave taking and make the appropriate spiritual preparations. But he was not told why. Taka was clearly upset, and despite the obvious temptation, Mabatu showed him no hatred or resentment. Taka also clearly loved him.
Mabatu and Kako were both in a bit of a panic. Baba was not ready yet—he had minimal hunting skills and he was still not what most lions consider mature. Kako makes an impassioned plea for a little more time—that not waiting a moon or two would be just condemning him to death--but is turned down by Taka. “He will learn. It’s Nature’s way. Besides, I will pray for him every night.”
SCENE: ONE LAST REQUEST
It was the night before Mabatu’s mantlement, a time most young lions would be spending with their mother, trying to say enough kind things to last a lifetime. But Mabatu was unprepared, and every moment had to count. That’s why Isha stayed home from the hunt to spend time with Mabatu, talking about hunting, fighting, and other skills.
His greatest hope was to drive off hyenas, for he expected to live on carrion if he was to live at all. So he had to know their weaknesses, and how many of them could be safely dispersed. There was little hope he would blossom into a great hunter. Isha above all should know this for her skills as a huntress were second only to Uzuri. And because she had always loved Mabatu, she was desperate to do her best.
“We must look at holds, ” she said. “Here on the arm, you can restrict movement.” She mouthed his upper arm gently above the elbow. “Here on the flank you can rip. But the throat hold is one of prime importance....” She put her arm over his back. “You strike them here and push with your weight.” Isha leaned on him. “It’s important to let your weight do the work. Then you go for the throat and cut off his wind.” She gently opened her mouth and caressed Mabatu’s strong throat.
A moment later, she let go and looked up. “Your heart is pounding. Are you all right?”
He stared at her. His nostrils quivered as the warm tides of his breath came and went. “Isha....”
“I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. It is I who have offended you.”
“Nonsense, ” she said, nuzzling him.
He nuzzled her back passionately, nibbling her ear. He looked at her expression of surprise. “Don’t hate me. You don’t know how long I’ve waited to do that. How very long.”
“We need to get back to hunting, ” she stammered, watching his trembling chin. “We don’t have much time.”
“We don’t have much time, ” he replied. “I must hunt now. I may not have a chance, but I’ve stalked for a long time. Now I must break my cover and rush to you.”
“Even though I’m old enough to be your mother? I’m flattered. Really I am. But when you’re older, you’ll find someone more your own age. Then you’ll look back on this and laugh.”
“You know I’ll never get much older. I’m being sacrificed to help the others. You know it.”
She is distraught. “I wish you wouldn’t say that.”
“But you don’t deny it.”
“How can I?”
“I love you, Isha. I’ve always loved you. Remember, I said when I grew up, I’d marry you. You laughed then, but if you laugh now, I’ll die. While life holds my soul and body together, I will love you. Even in death I will love you.”
“In death?” She nuzzled him. “Don’t think of death. You are alive.”
“How can I be alive? I’ve never lived. If I could only be close to you, just for tonight, I would have LIVED, Isha.”
She looked into his eyes, then pawed him. He playfully batted at her. She moved around him, looking for an opening. “If you hunt big game, prepare to exert yourself.”
She pounced, locking her arms around his throat and wrestling him with great skill. Laughing and panting, she nearly shoved him to the ground. He flailed at her with his arms, but struck her so gently it would not have awakened a cub. She pushed him over.
Mabatu got up to have another go at it. He tried to use his weight to push her over, but she outweighed him, and easily stepped aside. She put her arm over his shoulder and began to lean in on him. His legs began to buckle under the strain. Then when it seemed she would pin him, she stood still. He put his head under her arm and pushed her over into the grass and looked down at her. “Gotcha! ”
She looked deep into his eyes. Her jaw quivered. “Now that you’ve caught me, ” she purred, “do what you will.”
“Oh gods! ” He began to nuzzle her passionately, nibbling her ears and pawing her cheek gently. “Isha, beloved! ”
ISHA: Night is here; in its perfumed shadows
Let us hold the moment till its gone,
Winding through the gentle, fleeting passage,
That separates the sunset from the dawn.
MABATU: Past has fled, future is uncertain
What remains is what I share with you
Feel my heart, it’s yours in sweet surrender
Till the moonlight dies upon the morning dew.
BOTH: This is the moment of our warm embrace
To tell you I love you and look in your face
To treasure each moment till dawn gilds the skies
And fathom the mystery of love in your eyes
In the silver moonlight, she whispered, “Come, my lover, where the night shall hide us away.” He kissed her and rose to his feet. Isha followed, resting her head on his woefully thin mane and leaving it there as she walked alongside him into the shadows.
SCENE: FAR AND AWAY
For a while, Kako had the hope that her son could one day be King of Pride Rock.
But things had turned against them, and so with none of the pomp and celebration associated with a royal presentation, a very private ceremony took place in the quiet of the east meadow. There, surrounded by a profusion of flowers, Kako reenacted the sorrow of most lionesses who have sons. It was supposed to be positive, a launching out on a great adventure. As such, Kako was strong, and smiled warmly. “Where has my little cub gone? All I see is this lion.”
“I’ll always be your son, ” Baba replied, and nuzzled her.
“Remember me, ” she said. “When you are a great king, do not forget that I gave you milk.”
“When you are gone to be with your fathers, pray for me.” The words almost stuck in his throat. He knew he would not see her again until they had both gone to be with Aiheu.
“I will pray for you, ” she said, her tail going limp. “Oh gods, my son, my little son! ”
“Don’t cry, mother.” He kissed away her tears. “You must be strong for me. I will carry this moment with me for the rest of my life.”
“I’m sorry.” She sniffed and smiled. “Besides, we will meet again among the stars, and nothing will separate us.” She put her paw on his cheek. “May the Lord Aiheu smile upon you. May the grass be soft beneath you. May the great kings enfold you. May you find love and safety wherever you go.”
“I’ll be safe, ” he said. “The gods are with me.”
Isha came. She looked at the small male and tears started rolling down her cheeks. It did not go unnoticed by Kako.
Mabatu went to her, kissed away her tears, and whispered, “I’ll come back for you. If Aiheu lets me live, I’ll make a place for us. Will you wait for me?”
“I will. I swear.”
“I will always love you. If I die, look in the stars. I will be watching over you.”
Mabatu nuzzled Kako. He wanted to remember the feel of her fur, the smell, the sound of her breath. He looked in her eyes. “Mother.”
“My son.” She kissed him one last time.
Without another word, he turned and walked north. He did not look back, for it would have been wrong to do so. He went to the edge of the trees, then through the shaded trail of the bongo to the hidden meadow where many lions go to die. There was a quiet skull staring sightlessly from the meadow grass, all that was left of old Maloki. He did not stop to rega
rd it, but he did look at the far side of the meadow. That was the border of the Pride Lands. He regarded it with a little nostalgia. He’d never left the Pride Lands before and now he stood at the edge of The Big World. He took in a deep, cleansing breath and let it out slowly. Then he walked into the trees and let their shade close over him like a curtain.
SCENE: FACING UP
Shimbekh watched Mabatu’s mantlement from the shadows. It was a thorn in her heart. “Because of me, he will die. I cannot see it, but he is so unprepared, so young.”
She walked back toward Pride Rock to take shelter from the sun and to talk with Makpil. Along the way, she tried to think of one thing that made her different from a murderess. Is it enough that she had been ordered to lie, even if it was the Roh’mach herself that so ordered?
Makhpil was waiting for her. How wonderful it must be to see things before they happen! With great sadness and envy, Shimbekh asked Makhpil what the future held.
“I see you standing by the river gorge, ” Makhpil said. She kissed Shimbekh. “You will experience joy.”
Joy was something Shimbekh knew little about, especially in recent days. But somehow she knew that Makhpil spoke the truth. It was like a small echo of her once great powers.
Shimbekh hurried out of the cave. Usually the lionesses were never directly addressed by hyenas. That’s why Uzuri was shocked when the Shimbekh spoke to her. Shimbekh told Uzuri that sticking by Pride Rock was not her idea, nor was it the idea of the Gods. It was Shenzi’s desire, as are most things done nowadays. The same is true of Mabatu. He must be found and brought home before death could take him.
Uzuri was indignant and a little mistrustful. “This talk could get you killed, unless it is some kind of trick.”
“Yeah, a trick.” Seer laughs bitterly. “Your blood would turn to dust if you knew half the tricks that had been pulled on you. My powers are gone. Because I lied, the truth has fled from me, and there is only one future I can see--my own.” Shimbekh stalked off quietly.
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