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!’