Togo looked surprised. “You mean they might try and take over again?”
Simba grinned. “No, I doubt that would happen while Uhuru’s in charge. No, if they had problems, or needed help, though, we’d never find out by sitting at home lying in the sun. Besides, patrolling does more than establish your borders. Sometimes Uhuru meets me out here in the morning, and we talk together. He’s too busy to come to Pride Rock..and, well, I can’t go see him, either. He tells me what’s going on with the hyenas, we ask after each other’s families...”
“Wow,” Togo said. “All that just by walking the border?” He looked out across the savanna. “But doesn’t Zazu tell you about things like that?”
“Yes...but hearing about something, and seeing it for yourself are two different things. Besides, I can’t just sit at home. It means a lot to the other animals to see the King out and about, doing his duty. It’s a way to let them know he truly cares about them. My father did the same, as did his father before him.” Simba breathed deeply as he gazed about the plains of his home. “This land is mine. I was born here, I fought for it, and I will die here. I love it, and I will protect it along with my family and friends.”
Togo looked at the king with admiration, but his smile faded quickly. “It's a shame that we finally became friends too late.”
Simba stopped and glanced at him. “Too late? Why do you say that?”
“You know.” Togo sighed. “We only have two more weeks left. Then we have to leave your Pride Lands for good. I was born here, but I’ll never see it again. I’ll die out there somewhere far from home and I’ll never see you or Mom again!”
Simba nuzzled him on the shoulder. “Listen to me, Togo. In the next realm there is only one kingdom, and it belongs to Aiheu for his children. We will share that Kingdom forever, so friendships never really die unless you let them.” The king wrapped a huge forepaw around the young lion and hugged him close. “Enjoy this time while it lasts. Someday, you’ll be a King yourself. You must be strong enough to let Aiheu’s will be done.”
“What is it like to be king? Neat, huh?”
"It's like I told my son Tanabi--being King is not all fun. You think this is a long walk? Just wait till you’re walking your own borders in the driving rain with only Kombi to help you. You get lots of respect, and that’s nice. But you also work hard, and you have to make some unpopular decisions--even decisions that are unpopular with your own self, like your mantlement. I love you, Togo. I’m going to miss you terribly, and if there was some way to keep you here, I would."
"You mean that?"
"With all my heart. I’ll miss that scamp of a brother of yours too. I can truly say it won't be the same here without you."
CHAPTER: JUST BETWEEN US
Togo and Kombi had never been on a hunt before. Increasingly aware of the perils that prideless lions faced, they went to their mother and pleaded for a few lessons. Uzuri agreed, for she wanted to spend some time with her sons in their old home. She knew the land intimately. Like all lionesses, she thought that the land was alive. Its breath stirred in the wind, and she could almost feel its pulse beneath her feet. Pride Rock was the heart of the land, and it had a permanent place in her own heart. Could she learn to love Pride Kopje? Yes, if Ugas was there. But she would always feel regret for what she had left behind.
Uzuri was initially delighted by their request. She had no daughters of her own, and now that the opportunity presented itself, she jumped at the chance to pass on some of her knowledge to her offspring. She began instructing them in some basic skills, and looked forward to sharing some of her secret tricks and tips to help ensure a successful kill. She was a patient teacher as well as a huntress beyond compare, but as time wore on it became readily apparent that none of her natural ability was in them. They had the facile charm of their father Ugas, and they looked like a couple of likely fighters if territory must be defended. But they were no hunters.
Late that afternoon, she stood in the tall grass at the foot of Pride Rock, bending her head now and then as she imitated a grazing gazelle. Several yards away, Togo and Kombi were flattened in the depths of the grass, breathing rapidly as they practiced a pincers maneuver for the umpteenth time. They had been going at it since before high-sun, and the heat was oppressive in the lush vegetation.
Togo eased his head up gingerly, his russet mane matted with perspiration as he peered through the grass. Sweat ran into one eye, stinging, and he winced. Blinking furiously, he saw his mother about six body lengths away, her back to him. A grin split his features and he sank down again. Motioning to Kombi, he eased off sideways, intending to line up on an oblique angle while Kombi executed the main attack.
Kombi nodded and crept forward slowly, placing his paws carefully. His forelegs quivered with exhaustion and nerves, the result of the last five failed attempts to successfully get within striking distance. His tail lashed, and he stepped forward again.
“Movement!” Uzuri shouted. “Movement is the key to hunting. A lion has to have discipline, else instinct takes over, and control is lost.” Her voice hardened. “Togo is five lengths behind me. Kombi, you are to my left at the same distance. What do you intend to do, drive your prey by thrashing at the grass like humans?”
Kombi stood up and shouted, “Damn! What did I do wrong NOW?”
“Watch your mouth, child.”
“I’m not a child, mother!”
“You are until your mantlement, which is only a week away, in case you’ve forgotten!” Uzuri snapped. “You are too noisy; you thrashed your tail and gave away your position easily. Togo, you were silent enough...but you moved against the grain of the grass when you began the flanking maneuver; I saw the trail cutting through the grass as soon as you moved.”
Togo sat up miserably. “I’m sorry.”
“And have you forgotten about the wind?! I was downwind of you the whole time; I smelled you coming. You can conduct an upwind attack ONLY if you have superior speed or numbers to cut off fleeing prey...and neither of you is fast enough.” Uzuri stopped, claws extending in frustration.
“Mom? I’m sorry.” Kombi hung his head. “I didn’t mean to smart off like that.” He blinked pathetically at her, eyes bright with pain at her obvious disappointment. Kombi cursed himself for being so clumsy. His mother was the best hunter he had ever known, and here he was, embarrassing her.
The shame came across clearly, and Uzuri felt anguished as she saw the cub buried inside the huge frame, hungering for her approval, desperate to prove himself the son of a great huntress. Her eyes burned, and she looked away. “It’s all right. Sit here and rest. We’ll try again in a moment.”
Togo began to cry. “We’ll never learn this! We’re going to starve!”
“No, you’ll have lionesses to help you.”
“Oh?”
“What I’m about to tell you must be just between us. Togo, Kombi, you are not going to be wanderers. One of you will be a King, and the other will be a Prince Consort.”
“Sure,” Kombi said. “When we find us a Pride of our own.”
“I’ve made an arrangement already. But you must tell no one, understand?”
“Yeah,” Togo said, tears starting down his cheeks. “Mom, you’re the greatest!” He nuzzled her and kissed her. Kombi fell to the ground and rolled over on his back, pawing at the sky.
“Blessed Aiheu,” he muttered. “Thank you, Aiheu! You’ve saved us! Mighty God, King of all Kingdoms, thank you!”
For several moments, all the brothers could do was nuzzle and kiss their mother as her warm tears of joy ran freely down her cheeks. In her heart, she knew she could find happiness with her husband and sons by her side. They would be a family the way Simba, Nala and Tanabi were.