Makedde took the rock from Metutu. “Love is the gift of God. It inspires your friends to share your burden, when their love is genuine. So I admonish you to love others all the days that God gives you in this land.”
They made Metutu a clay totem and consecrated it according to the law. And they taught him the words of passage into the circle, “Daima pendana” which means, “Love one another.”
Makoko embraced him. “I’m so proud of you, brother. My love flows like the spring rains!”
Standing with the uninitiated outside the circle, Kinara watches as tears of joy run down his face.
CHAPTER 31: THE KING AND I
Metutu and Asumini were both helping Makedde, who was getting older, in his daily tasks. Metutu had become a well-liked member of the leonine community, and had virtually all but assumed his brother's duties as healer, leaving Makedde free to concentrate on the mystical arts.
Metutu slowly finished massaging the last of the paste into the cut on Avina's shoulder. "There now," he said, leaning back to study his work with a satisfied air, "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Avina flexed the foreleg gingerly, then smiled as she put her full weight on it. "Beautiful! How did you do it?"
"Easy, my dear! The pain is still there; you just cannot feel it right now. You must go home and rest."
"Ah," she flipped a forepaw at him. "I've hunted in worse shape before, and alone besides."
"I'm well aware of that, my dear. But just because you can do it doesn't mean you have to. That hoof almost tore the muscle away. If someone else had been there, you wouldn't have had to limp all the way back here yourself to get me." He strode forward, clearly distressed. "Please, Avina, go home and take it easy for a while. Humor a foolish old ape just this once."
"You are not foolish, Tootles." She grinned at him, knowing how much the nickname embarrassed him. Purring, she rubbed her cheek against his. "All right. If it will make you feel better."
He smiled at her. "Absolutely." He patted her unwounded shoulder gently and bade her good-bye. He knelt to pick up his bowl he used as a pestle and grimaced as his knees popped stiffly. A shadow fell over him, and he looked up to see Makedde standing beside him, frowning.
"Brother? What is wrong?"
Makedde shook his head in admonition. "Using crushed Bonewort like that is not exactly what I would have done, Metutu. You would have done better to give her something else."
"Really? And what would an old monkey like you know about medicine?"
Makedde grinned and grabbed Metutu's ears playfully, shaking his head. "You impudent whelp! I dare say you're going to be the best shaman the Pride Lands have ever seen."
"You really think so?" Metutu frowned and looked out over the savanna broodingly. "I don't know if I really quite fit in, here."
"What's the matter? Don't you like it here?"
"Of course! I'm not talking about that." Metutu waved his hand dismissingly. "I mean, I just don't know how everyone will like me taking your place; you've been here so long. Besides, the Council has to approve the appointment, anyway."
Makedde spat. "Who cares what the Council thinks! The King is going to make that decision. Don't believe everything the Council tells you, Metutu; Ahadi's word carries tremendous weight, however much they might not wish to admit it. And he's been watching you carefully, brother. Believe it."
"Very carefully?" Metutu moaned. "What if I make a mistake?"
Makedde looked solemn. "Well, in that case, he'll probably just eat you."
"What??" Metutu looked at him in alarm, until he saw Makedde struggling not to laugh. "You dirty...."
A harsh yell broke in from outside, jarring them both. "HELP!" Startled, they hurried over to an overhanging limb and looked down. Peering through the leaves, Metutu saw Yolanda sprinting hurriedly toward the baobab.
The two descended quickly and met her at the bottom. "Easy, my dear," Makedde said calmly. "What is it?"
"Please come quickly!" She panted rapidly. "Oh Gods, come quick! Akase is in trouble!"
"What's wrong?"
"She was complaining about her stomach hurting this morning when I left to go hunting. When I got back, I found her lying on the ground, moaning. She's bleeding, too."
"Did she cut herself?"
"No, it's from inside! I don't know what to do!" Yolanda's voice cracked and she bit her lip. “You must save her!”
Makedde and Metutu exchanged a look. Without a word, Metutu headed for the baobab. Seizing his staff, Makedde followed the lioness as she made off across the savanna. Metutu clambered up the trunk frenziedly and hurried over to the niche where the two stored their medicines. Quickly snatching up a few cure-alls and some painkiller, he descended the baobab.
A few minutes later, he caught up with Makedde. Yolanda had checked her pace, mindful of Makedde's advanced age, but the delay obviously gnawed at her. Metutu drew alongside of his brother, panting with the exertion. "I brought the cure-all and a little Alba as well, along with..."
Makedde glanced at the pharmacopoeia and nodded curtly. "No need, brother; I'm sure you brought the right things." His face was wan with concern. "What worries me is that we may not have the right medicine here at all."
"What's wrong with her?" Metutu asked, knowing already.
"It is what we feared. Her body is rejecting the cubs."
"Oh gods!" Metutu looked away for a moment. "Can we do anything?"
Makedde sighed. "I wish I knew. I only hope it is something else, but I doubt it. The signs are clear enough."
The three continued on in silence until they reached the foot of Pride Rock, where they were met by Ahadi. The two mandrills bowed before the massive lion. "I touch your mane," Makedde said reverently.
"I feel it." Ahadi blew out a great gust of air. "Aiheu bless you for coming, Makedde. It's a long journey, and I know you are not young anymore."
Makedde said, "My brother came with me. Together we can beat this thing, eh?" He reached out and patted Ahadi's shoulder.
The lion's eyes closed and he slumped visibly. Unwilling to trust his voice, he merely nodded.
Yolanda padded over to them quickly. "This way, Makedde." As they followed her away, Metutu glanced back over his shoulder at Ahadi, then immediately regretted it. He faced forward again, ashamed at the sight of the great king crying like a child.
Akase lay on the floor of the cave, trying to stifle a moan and failing. She shuddered as another wave of pain rippled through her abdomen, her midsection feeling as though it was being seized in the hands of a giant and being slowly twisted in two. "Oh God, please help me," she groaned. "Please." A warm tongue bathed the side of her face as if in answer. Blinking blearily, she opened an eye to see Yolanda standing over her. "How's it feeling, hon?"
Akase moaned again. "Not much better."
"Don't worry. Makedde and Metutu are here to see you."
Her eye opened wide. "Praise Aiheu! Bring them in!"
"I already did." Yolanda's worried visage was replaced by Makedde's worn and kindly one. "And how are you today, my dear?"
"Lousy."