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.
Asumini descended from the upper branches warily. “What’s going on? I thought I had a water buffalo trapped in here with me.”
He snorted glumly. “No, but from the feel of it, my rear will be as big as one before long.”
She laughed prettily and embraced him, kissing his cheek. “I’ll get some marhamu for the stings. Oh, smile, Metutu! How can you be so down on such a fine evening?”
"What's so fine about it??"
“Because I am carrying your child.”
Rafiki was silent for a moment. He swallowed, feeling a lump in his throat as he looked into the shining eyes of his young wife. His pain was forgotten in the magic of the moment. "Oh, Asumini! Are you sure?"
“Does it please you?”
“Oh gods!” He embraced her and rocked her gently from side to side. “Bless you! Maybe a little Asumini, or a little Rafiki....”
“What do you want most, my husband? A son or a daughter?”
“Yes!” He kissed her. “Son or daughter regardless, it shall be beloved, just like the mother!”
CHAPTER 37: PENDA
As the moons passed, Rafiki and Asumini’s love took on tangible form. Ahadi was pleased, and there was much rejoicing among the lionesses. Uzuri took a strong interest in how the mother and child were progressing. Asumini found the attention flattering, and only half jokingly said she was probably going to be the first mandrill to have a lioness for a midwife. On hearing this, Uzuri merely shrugged.
“I would not mind. In fact I insist. I want it done right, after all,” she said, grooming her forepaw and examining it intently.
“Oh, of course,” Rafiki said.
Indeed, when the time came round for the child to be born, Uzuri stood by Asumini as she endured the pains of labor, whispering terms of endearment and nuzzling her softly. Makedde stood by, ready to assist if need be.
Rafiki sat near him, drumming his fingers impatiently on an empty gourd and wondering just what was taking so long. A yell of pain brought him out of his trance, and forgetting where he was, he leapt up to go to his wife’s assistance. A solid THWAP resounded as he struck his head on an overhanging branch, and he fell back, wincing. “Gods! That hurt!”
Makedde grinned at him. “Are you having pains too? You’ll have to wait your turn.”
Rafiki glared at him, holding his head, but his reply was cut short by the appearance of Uzuri, her fur slightly tinged with crimson. Makedde and Rafiki both looked at her.
Uzuri came and nuzzled Rafiki. “Congratulations father. Aiehu has blessed you with a daughter.”
Rafiki froze, unable to speak.
Uzuri whispered in his ear. “That means you can go in and see her now.”
“Oh!” He hurried forward and went to his wife’s side. She lay quietly, a sheen of perspiration on her forehead, but her face was aglow with pride as she motioned to the wet bundle of fur she held close to her chest. “Look at her,” Asumini whispered, smiling. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
Rafiki nodded, stroking her cheek gently. “Just like her mother.” Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead gently and held her hand. “What shall we name her?”
“Penda. For you said whether the child is a boy or girl, it would be beloved. So ‘beloved’ she is.”
CHAPTER 38: THE FEVER
A new mother, Asumini devoted her time to tending to the child. Her care was absolute, and it left no time for gathering herbs, or seeking out rare plants. Consequently, Rafiki found himself pushed to the limit of his endurance to get her enough food and still provide for his practice. As a result he got very little sleep, but when anyone came to call, he never complained.
On the contrary, he took great pride in his family, and was at great pains to show everyone his beautiful daughter. On the rare occasions when he got a chance to relax, the family would pay a visit to Pride Rock to call on their friends. Inevitably, this resulted in nothing but fun for Penda, as she was doted on by everyone. Her favorite game was to try to catch the furry tuft at the end of Akase’s tail, which the stately lioness kept ever in motion, and just out of reach. In the meanwhile the adults indulged in good-natured verbal sparring, with the cue to begin a lament from Akase or Yolanda about the latest escapade in their children’s misadventures. Rafiki would clear his throat solemnly.