The plants grew next to a watering hole at the base of the kopje. It was not a very safe location. Surely others came to drink besides the antelopes and zebras that fled before them. Ones not so likely to flee.
Fabana came with bated breath to the water, then looked around carefully, sniffing and listening to the best of her ability. After many moments passed, she called Shenzi to join her and she searched for the berries.
The fruits were dark green with light stripes. The bush they grew on was covered with thorns, and just the look--and smell--of it was enough to panic someone made of less stern stuff. But Shenzi was determined to change her life for the better and strike a blow at the evil creature that violated her.
“You must eat five--no more, no less.”
Shenzi forced down one. She nearly vomited. “Ooh, these are bitter!”
“You will forget the bitterness soon enough.”
Another went down, her face tightening with disgust. Then three more. Gasping, she wanted to wash them down with water, but Fabana cautioned her against it.
“We must do exactly as we are told. Now then, Missy, I will find you a stick.”
“Why?”
“Something to chew on. You’ll need it, honey tree. If you don’t want to bite clear through your tongue.”
“Oh??” Shenzi settled down to rest by the water. “Muti, I’m afraid.”
“I know. So am I.”
Fabana pulled over a large stick. Then she began to groom Shenzi who smiled to feel the closeness of her muti again.
“I used to be so certain about things,” Shenzi said. “My birth was the dawn of a new era. I was going to be the mate of Roh’khim. I used to know where I’d be a moon from now, a year from now, eight years.... Now it’s all upside down. And frankly, I don’t have a clue where I’m going to be five minutes from now.”
“Welcome to real life.”
Shenzi sighed. “Why was I born?”
“For the best possible reason. Jal and I loved each other, and we wanted pups. Before Melmokh came into our lives, that was our plan. You were conceived out of our love for each other. No one can take that away from you, Missy.”
She shuddered as the toxin began to work. “Tell me about my okhim again.”
“You would have loved him. He was looking so forward to being there to see you born. He was funny and sweet and as loyal to me as the sunrise is to the morning. The moon we spent together was the greatest of my life.”
“Only one moon?” she said, tight-lipped with the odd sensations in her stomach and abdomen.
“Yes, my sweet daughter.”
“I’m not a sweet daughter. I’m surprised you followed me to this hell hole after what I did to you.”
“Who said I followed you?” She smiled. “Ed needed someone to look after him.
“Oh!”
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh!!” Her eyes widened. “I’m having contractions!”
“Already?”
“Oh gods!!” She rolled over on her side and her back legs began to twitch. “Muti, I’m scared! Are you sure she said five?”
“Honey tree, that’s what she said!”
Shenzi panted heavily. The fur on her sides was moist with perspiration and she groaned. Fabana got the stick and put it between Shenzi’s jaws. Those powerful jaws could snap a small bone like a twig and grind the marrow from even the largest tibia. They notched the wood as she began to gnaw desperately.
“Honey, you have to push. Bear down.”
“But I...oh gods! Oh gods!! I’m being torn in half!!”
“Shenzi!” Fabana started to the water to see if it was cool.
“Muti! Don’t leave me!”
“I’m here, Honey!”
For several minutes, she experienced one contraction after another with no apparent effect. Then she began to bleed.
“It’s happening,” Fabana said.
“Is this what giving birth feels like?”
“No. This is unnatural. It’s not what Roh’kash intended.”
She shrieked a stifled cry, biting on the stick so hard it cracked. Fay nearly went crazy, kissing her daughter and stammering prayers to Roh’kash. Then when it seemed she could take no more, Shenzi’s water broke and moments later a single pup was expelled with a great deal of blood.
Shenzi rested a moment, then through sheer willpower she struggled to her feet and wobbled unsteadily to the water to wash off. Shenzi lingered in the water a moment, eyes closed as she relished the cool flow over her body. Reluctantly, she paced slowly out of the water and walked carefully towards the red stain on the sand, her eyes swimming as she took in the tiny form lying motionless on the ground. The pup had broken free from the afterbirth, small but well formed. Shenzi’s skin crawled as she saw it stir. “Muti!” she cried. “Look!”
Fabana gasped in horror as the pup’s head lifted waveringly, seeking them out with blind eyes. “I’ll get you,” it silently but clearly mouthed. “I’ll kill you!”
It trembled, crumpled over, and collapsed lifelessly into the dust.
Though afraid to touch it after this supernatural curse, Fabana dug a hole and pushed it and the afterbirth into it, covering it too deeply for most scavengers to dig up. After all, they did not want to attract any danger while they had to remain there.
For the next night and day, Shenzi drifted in and out of consciousness as the toxin circulated through her body. Sometimes she would have chills, and her okash would snuggle next to her, patting her with a paw and speaking words of encouragement and love.
Finally by the fourth day Shenzi could walk slowly but properly, and Fabana insisted that they must leave Redrock Kopje to find the others.
Shenzi was horribly weak and wobbly. Vultures, seeing her unsteady gait, begin to circle. But Fabana glared at the birds from time to time and they kept a safe distance.
Fay insisted that Skulk must know nothing of the abortion, so she kept Shenzi walking for long periods of time, resting only when necessary. “You are weak, but you must seem strong.” And little by little over the two day trip, Shenzi got her strength back.
When they rejoined the others by Elephant Kopje, Shenzi gracefully hid her remaining weakness.
“You must have had bad hunting,” Skulk said.
“No,” Shenzi quickly replied. “We fasted.”
Skulk glanced at Fabana. “Both of you?”
“Just her,” Fabana said.
“I did it for you,” Shenzi told Skulk, rubbing down his side. “In a few days there will be a full moon. They say pledging under a full moon means love will last forever.”
“At last? After all this time?” He nuzzled her passionately. “You promise?”
“I promise.”
Skulk pawed her gently. “I love you Shenzi.”
She smiled. Surely he would not be as skilled in pleasuring as was the Makei. But his love filled a hole deep inside of her, something the Makei never would or could try to address. “I love you too. You’ll never just know how much.”
CHAPTER 69: AMOR VINCIT OMNIA
Gur’bruk and Kambra gazed wearily upon the savanna before them as they padded over the ground with sore paws. Searching the horizon eagerly, they spotted Antelope Kopje in the distance, and soon afterwards the Clan Acacia. “Home!” Kambra muttered, her hackles standing up. “Dearest Roh’kash, I never thought I’d see it again!”
“Yes, old girl.”
“I wonder who’s in our old place.”
“I wonder how Bath and Mer’bel are.”
Kambra briefly whined. “So do I, but I’m scared. Will they want to see us? What if they’re dead? We don’t really know anything!”
“Don’t be foolish, dear. You’re just nervous, but everything’s going to be all right--God willing.”
They headed to the invisible line that marked the territory of the clan. In the bushes there were subtle sounds around that they recognized as sentries calling to each other.
“Maida elekhvor,”
Kambra said.
One of the sentries stepped out. It was Ber. “That’s an old password, but....” He looked at them carefully. “Are you spirits?”
“What do you think?” Kambra asked.
Ber scratched behind his ear awkwardly. “Gur’bruk, how are you? Those things I said about your son--I mean--Gur’mekh paid for what he did, and I’m just trying to say that....”
“That you’ve missed us?” She pawed his face. “We’ve missed you too. You are glad to see us, aren’t you?”
Ber’s tail began to wag so hard that his whole back end began to shake. He nuzzled her warmly and cried, “Yes, yes! Welcome home, old friends! Oh gods, it’s good to see you again!”
“I take it we may pass?”
“Of course. I’ll take full responsibility. When you want in, remember that the new watchword is ‘elim galberet’ cause some of the new guards may not know you. We have a new Roh’mach, and he’s much kinder than the last two. He knows all about the makei, and I doubt he’ll honor the ban.”
“Who’s in charge now?” Gur’bruk asked.
“Uhuru. You knew him as Krull.”
“Krull? Your grandson Krull?”
Ber practically beamed. “Yes sir, none other!”
“I hope you don’t mind if we go say hello to the family.”
“By all means! But don’t be a stranger!” Ber nuzzled them both lovingly. “I’m so glad that we put the past behind us!”
Gur’bruk said, “I know what it feels like to lose a son. I’m so sorry, Ber! I just want you to know that.”
Ber nodded. “And I’m sorry about Gur’mekh. He loved you a great deal.”
“We’ll pay our respects to Lenti if she’ll see us.”
He shook his head. “Perhaps she’s looking down on you now.”
“Oh! I’m so sorry!”
Ber looked down. “And that’s not all.” He pawed Kambra’s face. “Prepare yourself, my dear. Your sister is gone too.”
Kambra’s eyes widened. “My Shimbekh?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Kambra’s eyes misted up. “We were so close....” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “My poor Shimbekh! Oh gods!”
When Kambra regained her composure, she signaled to Gur’bruk and the two of them headed deep into clan territory.
They were in for more surprises as they went to find their family.
Bath and Mer’bel were playing with their pups in the eastern march. “Girls!” Kambra said, feeling her heart rise in her mouth. “It’s time for your nap!”
They looked around, stunned. “Muti! Maleh!”
There was a tearful reunion, one made all the more special by the quick arrival of Gur’bruk and Kambra’s parents. Word spread fast among the hyenas.
The whole family was together for the first time in years. En’geer and Tela were off hunting, but a quick look by Mer’bel turned up their pups. It was becoming a rather large reunion.
The absence of Shimbekh and Gur’mekh was keenly felt, but they all felt that somewhere, somehow their hearts were with them. Such peace came to them all as had not been felt in many moons.
Bath and Mer’bel introduced them to their husbands, then to the pups. There was no way Gur’bruk and Kambra could remember all those names, but they both loved children so, and fit easily into the new role of grandparents. They were mobbed by affectionate pups, some of whom had the gift.
“I can see that prophesy is alive here,” Kambra said with a happy sigh, kissing the small wiggling bodies that tugged at her ears and tail, rubbing against her side and crying “Grand-okash!” Gur’bruk rolled on his back, batting at his assailants. One pup sat on his stomach and peered straight down into his eyes. “Gotcha!”
Bath said, “They’re going to love their grand-okash. Muti, we’ll have to find you a new place. Dabrek is old and set in his ways, and he is fond of napping on your old scratching grounds.”
“We’re not here to stay,” she replied.
“But you MUST stay,” Bath said, her ears folding back. “Muti, it’s OK for you to come back. The Roh’mach understands.”
“We have things to do first. We’re going to Pride Rock, and I’m not sure how long we’ll be gone. But the moment we leave, we’re coming back here.”
“Why are you going there?”
“To keep an old promise.”
Just then, Uhuru came by. Gur’bruk winced. “We were just leaving,” he said. “We came to see the family.”
“Now look here, Gur’bruk. Since when is having puppies a crime worthy of expulsion?”
“We must be honest about this. You know good and well Gur’mekh told us he was guilty. We harbored him for a while because he was desperate to have an exorcism. No matter what the Roh’mach said, only God has the right to condemn an immortal soul. What we did, we had to do. On this basis you may make your decision, and we will abide by it.”
Uhuru said, “I’m not telling you to trample the law underfoot, but I’m a little more open minded than poor Amarakh. I’ve seen things in my life that have broadened my views. The ban is ended, and tonight we will set aside time to grieve for Gur’mekh.”
“Thank you, Roh’mach. How is Amarakh?”
“Dead, Gur’bruk. The dying has stopped, but during the two conflicts and the famine nearly a third of the people you knew died.”
Gur’bruk gasped. “My gods!”
Gur’bruk and Kambra headed on toward Pride Rock. Halfway there, they were challenged by a hunting party of lionesses.
“Ho there, we don’t know you.”
“King Ahadi will understand our mission.”
“Ahadi? He’s been dead for some time. His grandson Simba is king now.”
“Grandson?” Gur’bruk looked at Kambra. “Has it really been that long, old girl?”
Kambra spoke up. “Where is Yolanda? She can explain this.
"Sorry, ma’am. She’s dead." Ajenti drew closer and examined Kambra carefully. It was a tense moment. “So how did you know my mother?”
"Your mother was very kind to us in our suffering. We came here to thank her. I’m so sorry."
Ajenti relaxed. “There’s only one hyena that mother knew. You wouldn’t be Kambra, would you?”
“Yes, I’m Kambra.” She looked at Ajenti carefully. “I’ll never forget your muti’s face. You have her eyes, and the bridge of your nose. It was such a kind face, and she had such a large heart.”
“She must have told me about you a hundred times,” Ajenti said with a purr. “Now I see you face to face.”
“I promised your okash--your mother--that I would come back someday and visit her.” She nuzzled Ajenti. “Yolanda, wherever you are, that’s for you.”
Ajenti kissed her. “And that’s from my mother.”
Just then, investigating the odd meeting, Simba came up. He looked at them closely, then shook all over. "Hey, I know you!" He smiled broadly. “You’re the two hyenas that saved my life!”
“You’re that little cub??” Gur’bruk said.
“You’re that big hyena??”
They both burst out laughing. "Come,” Simba said, “let's have something to eat! You’ll be glad to know that grubs are NOT on the menu!”
CHAPTER 70: THE HUNTER HOME FROM THE HILL
“I believe that our sun is rising, not setting. That there are great things ahead for our race, and that those who have looked down upon us for centuries will come to respect us as children of Roh’kash.”
-- GUR’MEKH
Skulk’s love for Shenzi was genuine, and it was not long before she had “the light in her eyes” once again, the impending promise of new life preparing to come forth. The birth of the pups was greeted by joyous exultation by the new clan, eager as they were to perpetuate their line. Ed was not particularly impressed with the new children, engrossed as he was in studying the cloud formations overhead, but Banzai’s chest swelled with pride as he looked at his little nephews and nieces. “Nice job, Sis.”
Shenzi smiled t
iredly as her children gathered to her to take their first meal. “Thanks.”
Skulk worked overtime to try and fulfill his promise to Fabana. Under the circumstances, he provided for Shenzi and his pups rather well, but they went hungry more often than not. There was little enough food to go around for they had no territory of their own. Even when they did kill, it was sometimes taken from them by the lords of the land.
The brave thing to do might have been to not have pups. But the husbands and wives had few basic comforts and even fewer pleasures. So soon a few more couples had pups.
The scarcity of food began to take its toll, visible in the lean forms and gaunt faces of the clan. The suffering was most readily apparent in the oldest. Fabana could not eat while depriving the children, so Fay was slowly starving herself to death.
Tired all the time, Fay curled up one day at mid-sun in the scant shade of a dying acacia. Soon she was asleep, her body too drained to sustain a prolonged effort in the heat.
Jalkort came and nudged her. She awoke with a start. “Jal?? Is this it? Am I dead??”
“No, Fay. I’ve come to plead with you. You must go back to Pride Rock. Do this for me. Do it for the lions who still love you. Do it for Makhpil who needs someone warm and strong to give her companionship.”
“But I can’t run out on my children!”
“Would I ask you to run out??” Jal looked at her crossly. “You think what you’re doing is noble. But who appreciates it? If you were back at Pride Rock, you would eat well and they would eat better. Look, honey bunch, you deserve a little happiness. I can’t please you anymore, but you can find release from your misery if you’ll only take it. Besides, you’re spoiling heaven for me. I want you with me, but not by you dying young from hunger! Be happy for me. Be happy for you. Be selfish for a change. Gur’bruk and Kambra are there. And remember, you were never banned to begin with. You’re free to go home whenever you please. Uhuru is doing a fine job, and there is plenty of food. What’s more, you will find self respect, and love. Go home.”
Fabana opened her heart to the possibility of home and old friends. Tears began to flow like falling rain, and the burden on her heart melted away. “Oh gods, I’ll do it!”
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