Amara fought down her disgust and fear, trying to hold Ambia’s attention while Adhama made a mad dash out to the border.
Adhama, who was no younger than her dead brother, panted at the exertion as she ran and ran and ran. Lionesses often chase down prey, but they will break off pursuit if they don’t quickly overtake their target. She had to run like a gazelle, long and hard.
From time to time she glanced over her shoulder. Good--there was no pursuing lion. Amara’s ploy had worked. And finally when it seemed her old heart would burst, she saw the stream that marked the boundary of the pride. A couple of springs through the cold water and she would be on Simba’s land.
Only at the margin of the water did she slow her pace, stepping from stone to stone but still getting her legs wet--she hated that. And gaining the opposite bank, she breathed in deeply and let the air rush out her mouth and nose. The first obstacle was overcome.
Still she was not entirely safe. As she entered the Pride Lands, she shouted, “Aiheu abamami” several times as she went, and before long two lionesses came out of the brush.
“Sarafina, Isha, help me!”
“Adhama?? What’s wrong??”
“I must see the King at once. It’s an emergency!”
Not long afterward, Togo and Kombi showed up for guard duty and training. Simba stared at them with somber intensity and they felt something awful was afoot.
“Whatever it was,” Kombi said, “we didn’t do it this time.”
“I’m not upset with you,” Simba said, giving his shoulder a sympathetic pat. “My dear son.”
The strange lioness fell before them. “My Lords! You are our only hope!”
Togo nosed her carefully. “You’re crying! What’s wrong?”
Simba shook his head. “This is your Aunt Adhama. You are indeed her only hope. Your father is dead.”
Togo and Kombi took in a collective gasp.
“Ugas never met you,” Adhama said, rising from the earth. “But he cared for your mother a great deal, and he tried to arrange a meeting with you before death took him. Now you must come back and rule in his stead. This is what you were born to do--it was your destiny.”
“If you insist,” Kombi said casually. “Mom told us already. You don’t have to cry. We accept. We’d be delighted. Honored too.”
“You don’t understand. It’s not that simple.”
Kombi sighed. “With us, it never is. What’s the catch?”
“Your family is being hurt by a rogue lion. Lionesses, cubs, people that your mother knew and cared for. People that your father loved very much. You must help us now. He is terrorizing us.”
“Is he big?” Kombi said apprehensively.
“We’ll do it,” Togo said quickly. “I don’t care how big he is. He can’t push you around like that.”
Adhama fawned on him, kissing him and nuzzling him as tears streamed down her face. “Oh thank God!”
“I’m so proud of you,” Simba said. “I’ve always thought of you as one of my sons, but never have I been more proud of you than I am this moment. Togo, my dear son, God be with you.”
“Hey, we’re in this together,” Kombi said, patting Togo’s shoulder with his paw. “That’s it, a joint effort--fifty fifty!” He readied himself for the kiss that never came.
Simba said, “One day I’ll hear great things about you two. You must be given your mantlement quickly. You’ll be leaving as soon as you’re blessed--there’s no time to lose.” He looked at Zazu who was sitting near the entrance. “Go bring Uzuri here, and tell her nothing about the reason.” He looked at the brothers. “You must say nothing of the emergency to her. Ugas asked you to come early, understand?”
“Why not tell her the truth?” Kombi asked.
“Picture this,” Simba said. “Your mother fighting a strange lion that weighs half again as much.”
“I’d never let her fight my battles for me!” Kombi said indignantly. “What do you think I am??”
“As old as she is, your mother can still outrun you. She’d fight him to the death out of love for you. Never underestimate the power of a mother’s love. It’s stronger than any spell in Rafiki’s baobab.”
“He’s right,” Togo said. “We have to be strong for her. Smile, Kombi. Like you really mean it, understand? We’re going to see Dad, and you’re happy.”
“Is this good?” Kombi asked. His smile was weak but acceptable.
Just then, Uzuri came in. She saw Adhama and her face fell at once. “It’s Ugas, isn’t it?” She tensed up. “How did it happen?”
“He’s fine,” Adhama said with a forced smile. “He just needs to see Togo and Kombi at once.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Alone,” Adhama said.
Uzuri glared at her suspiciously. “Alone? Without me? He’s my husband.”
“That’s what ‘alone’ means. Relax, hon. It’s one of those male things--he wants to see them before he steps down. Maybe he wants to choose which one will be King.”
“Oh.” She glanced at Togo, then at Kombi. “I guess that means it’s time.”
Simba nodded. “Yes. Now. I’m sorry I didn’t give you more warning, but I only just found out myself. You know how impulsive Ugas can be.”
Uzuri hurried to Togo and nuzzled him, then she nuzzled Kombi. “My little boys are lions now. There is so much I wanted to tell you. I will come to see you--I promise. Soon.”
Adhama said, “In a couple of days it should be OK. I’ll send for you.”
Uzuri began to cry. “I know I haven’t said it as much as I
should, but I’m so proud of you. Both of you. I hate to see you grow up, but I know you’re going to be King and Prince and you’re going to have a safe home of your own. I’m happy for you--so happy!” Her chin trembled and she sniffed back tears. “I’m stepping down as hunt mistress, and as soon as I’m sent for, I’ll join you and take my place at your father’s side.”
Togo and Kombi nuzzled her fervently. “Don’t cry, Mother! Please don’t cry!”
Simba put his paw on Kombi’s shoulder, then he touched Togo’s shoulder. “Unto the keeping of the gods I send my sons. Long life to you and success in your endeavors. Remember the Lord who formed you from the ground and breathed life into you. Go forth with my blessing.”
Uzuri said, “You will always be my sons, but you are no longer my cubs. Remember that by the standards you set, you shall be judged yourself. What you require of others, it shall be required of you, and what you forgive of others, it shall be forgiven you.” New tears welled up in her eyes. “Go forth with my blessing!”
CHAPTER: THIN ICE
They were anxious to prevent Ambia from hurting their family, but they knew better than to run. Ambia would be well rested, and they must be prepared to fight him. At a fast trot, they headed across their old home for the last time. Every landmark was associated with a dozen memories. They quickly glanced about, trying to remember as much as they could. And Togo also glanced over at Kombi. He had a horrible feeling that one of them might not survive, and he wanted to remember his brother. Oh if there was only time to sit and talk! He had wasted the morning napping in the grass when he could have said so many things that were suddenly so important!
The three lions paused a moment at the border. The stream had always kept them in before. Now it would keep them out. As Simba had taught them to do, they bowed their heads to the ground at the bank of the stream and thanked their parents for giving them life. Then they headed into the water. Togo deliberately splashed water on his face to hide his tears.
No sooner did they emerge on the opposite bank than they could smell the new male’s mark. “Well, now we’re in trouble,” Kombi said. “At least some things never change.”
“He’s the one in trouble,” Togo said, shaking water out of his mane. “It’s either him or me. I’m not running.”