Chapter 9
He'd spent much of his life as a rogue with just an elderly lioness who he called 'Mother' from the time of cubhood – after his blood mother had been brutally taken from him. Accepting the fact that his adopted mother was gone had been hard. Taking her body to belong to the grass had also been difficult, but he'd done because it was right. Wandering on his own for he knew how long he'd often thought he wouldn't live to see the next morning. But Akanni never entertained the idea of finding a pride and being accepted by its leaders!
That was in the past of only a few days, a recent event that had no place in his mind or his thoughts. He still wasn't sure how he came to stumble on the Western Plains, or stumble then fall and finally lose consciousness. Maybe it was the hunger and the lack of water that made him delirious, or something else. Maybe it was the pain he still felt at the loss of his dear adopted mother Shabihi. Or it was the great pain of fully realizing that he was the last member of his slain pride.
Then there was the thought of the one responsible for the decimation of their pride still living, the Prince himself. Akanni rarely heard the Prince's name spoken on anyone's lips. He couldn't recall a time when Shabihi spoke the name of the one who was supposed to rule after their then current King. Over time Akanni had reasoned to and with himself in his mind and sometimes in quiet tones that there was no need to speak the Prince's name for fear that it would bring up feelings of anger, hatred and create the possibility of vengeance.
As he grew Akanni entertained the idea. Vengeance and justice for his young friends, for his mother, for his adopted mother's sister… Shabihi, in all her wisdom, knew when the thought came to him and would say that vengeance would do no good. "It will lead you down a path you don't want to go. It is a dark and dangerous journey, one that leads only to destruction, pain and a never ending craving for more once your own supposed quest is complete."
Many times she said those words when she found him alone with a dark stare on his face, an even darker glint in his eyes. Akanni would only turn his head away. In those moments Shabihi would be quiet and then whisper on the still air or on an afternoon or early evening breeze, "Vengeance is Rahimu's, and only He will repay."
At the mention of the Lord something stirred in the young lion's soul and he would nod in acceptance, despite the pain he felt.
After Shabihi's death the luring idea for vengeance filled his mind, but her words of wisdom would come and ring loudly in his ears. Only then did he speak Rahimu's blessed name. The thoughts didn't stay after though he still had his moments and spoke the Lord's name to curb them.
Akanni's life had been far from easy.
As a cub he lived in fear. Growing up the fear turned to worry, not for himself but for Shabihi and he used that worry into serving her. He would hunt for them, find good waterholes for them to drink from and find shelters for them to sleep in. He never wanted for anything, never asked, but when Shabihi died he felt as though he had nothing. But he continued to provide for himself. Even when he wanted to give up and sometimes die he would speak his Lord's name. Only then would he find courage and strength to go on.
Before he fell onto the grass of the Western Plains, the name of Rahimu was on his mind, burned deeply into his soul and in his weakened mind he asked God to help him. His acceptance in to the Western Plains kingdom was like an answer to a prayer he hadn't even uttered. He still had no idea what to make of it, if he could. After waking in a chamber in the pride's den, talking with King Dhoruba and getting to know the King's children and the guardian's children Akanni was slowly starting to feel at home in the Western Plains. He wasn't sure what it was about the kingdom that had him drawn and he wasn't going to question it.
Upon completing his first official day in the realm, he spent the second day with Prince Jibade. He learned just about everything a common lion needed to know about the life of a royal lion and it flattered and surprised Akanni that the royal male would so willingly talk about it. It was as though the Prince was oblivious to the fact that, if he wanted to, Akanni could jump him, fight him and spill his blood. Of course, Akanni would never do that. The parents of Prince Jibade accepted him; their kingdom's shaman put medicine on his wounds and the guardians saved his life when they could have left him on the borders to die!
But the lions of the Western Plains were not hostile nor were they careless or cruel.
During the walk and the occasional stop to drink from a waterhole or rest, Prince Jibade spoke of the goodness of Rahimu and how he hoped to be as good a sovereign as his mother and father.
At that Akanni, with a low head, stared at the Prince and spoke humbly. "I'm sure you will, Your Highness. Your parents seem to have taught you well."
Jibade smiled and dipped his head, his light gray eyes shining in the sun. "Thank you, Akanni." He paused to breathe in the fresh air before continuing. "I hope you'll stay here. Whatever hardships you endured out there in the unknown, it can end here. In the Western Plains you will have a community, a pride, family, food, water. Here you will have a hope and the assurance of knowing that no matter what may happen, Rahimu is faithful to those who love Him, and calls out to those who do not know Him. He wants to give us a hope and a future. All we have to do is ask and trust in Him."
The light gold tan lion had no words; he just bowed his head silently. He then spent the following day with Princess Mpenzi. She was a lot like her brother, full of love, wisdom and possessed a steadfast faith in Rahimu.
The third day he remained at the pride's cave to rest and it was Johari who stayed with him. When afternoon came she told him he slept most of the day. He chuckled. "I was more tired than I realized." He started licking his paw. "But it was worth it. These lands are so beautiful. I'm starting to feel at home and I've only been here a few days."
Johari smiled. "The Western Plains have that affect, only because Rahimu has blessed it so much." She let out a heavy, but contented sigh. Her tail tapped softly on the ground as her eyes took in the scenery, the majesty and, yes, the beauty. "So much that we don't deserve it," the lioness said quietly. "But God is good."
Akanni felt a deep stirring in his heart. He had never heard the Lord's name spoken so much and so frequently. In his old pride it was forbidden. But here, there was freedom to worship, to praise, to be thankful to the Creator of everything and everyone. Peace reigned in these lands because peace reigned in the hearts of the lions of the kingdom. He wanted that peace and had to wonder if his life would be different with it.
He looked at Johari again, whose eyes were still on the lands before them. She continued watching over him, wanted to and was willing to endure harshness from her only brother to do so. Why? What was it about him – a rogue – that was causing her to act this way? He wanted to know then decided against it. Maybe she would tell him one day. This lioness had a kind, loving heart. Was that it? She was filled with love and gentleness.
After his friends had been cut down in their cubhood, and while he was growing up, Akanni wondered if he would ever meet a lioness near his age, if he would ever fall in love and have a family. Since the deaths of his friend and his mother life and the future seemed pointless to think about. The pointlessness grew when Shabihi passed away. The redmaned lion shook his head and averted his gaze from Johari. It was far too soon to be thinking about love and family. Besides, he was older than her.
"Are you okay, Akanni?" asked Johari.
He started a bit and met eyes with her again. She was beautiful, kind and whatever he saw in her, he wanted the same thing for himself. He wanted the peace and hope she had. "Yes, thank you." He added a smile with his words and when she returned it, he continued. "I do appreciate you watching over me, but… I think I'm going to be okay now." He looked at the bandaged leaves on his legs and turned his head to the one back leg that was also bandaged.
Johari's whisker's twitched. She put one paw on top of the other and weighed her words before speaking. Then she said, "Are you sure? I don't mind, Akanni. My parents and sister don't either."
The lion's right ear flickered while the left went back against his head. "But your brother does," he said quietly. "I can see it in his eyes. You're his younger sister. He feels he needs to protect you."
"I love Hadhari. He is my brother, but we're not cubs anymore. He really didn't need to protect me then, and he doesn't need to now. I'm a grown lioness and I can take care of myself. Besides, if you were going to hurt me, you'd have done it already."
"I never would, Johari," said Akanni, his red eyes snapping for a split second. "You've been nothing but kind to me since we met. How can I repay your kindness with evil? My mother taught me better than that." He meant Shabihi, of course, but he would tell Johari about her another time. For now he could only pause, let out a breath and look at her again. "I don't want to cause a rift between you and Hadhari. You and your siblings have something I will never understand."
Johari ran her tongue over her lips. A deep sense of compassion and empathy welled up in her for this lion that arrived here with nothing but his mane and the fur on his body. Any other wounds he had weren't physical, but in his soul. She wanted to help him, but she also didn't want to push him away by being too forceful with her need or want or desire to help him. She would have to be patient, and, unlike her brother, patience was something she and her sister got from their parents.
Again she carefully weighed her words and prayed for the right ones to come. "Akanni… I don't know what you endured out there away from a pride and territory, but you don't have to worry about loneliness here. We take care of each other, and it's by the grace and love of Rahimu that we're able to pick each other up when we stumble. We carry each other's burdens, we pray for each other." She felt her eyes harden. "Hadhari can speak against me staying in your chambers all he wants. I won't leave unless you want me to."
But that was it! He… Akanni closed his eyes, shook his head and met her eyes, searchingly. "Are you sure?" He had to know.
She nodded with a certainty he felt all the way to his soul. "Yes, I am."
Before he could give his full permission he raised his right forepaw in the air. "Johari, I swear on my life that I will not come against you. I'm not that kind of lion."
"I know, Akanni," the lioness said softly. "I know." She smiled at him, which he returned.
His heart lifted at the fact that she believed him. So she stayed that night, much to his relief. He had been able to sleep in the days following the death of Shabihi but those times were shrouded with painful memories and dreams of losing his friends and blood mother. Having Johari in what he now had come to call 'his chambers' in the pride's den was what he needed. With her nearby he slept in peace and though the memories came they didn't hit him with great force.
The next day, the shaman Ibada came and took the bandages off his legs.
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Looking at the new member of his pride was like looking at his reflection in the waterhole. Even a small glance Akanni's way – whether the lion knew he looked or not was unclear – and King Dhoruba could see himself.
Though the two looked nothing alike and he was older by at least several seasons, something about this young lion brought memories and thoughts of the past for the leader of the Western Plains. While they didn't hit him one by one, instead bit by bit, they were there lingering in his mind, slowly making their way deep inside.
He knew he made the right choice, accepting the homeless lion. Turning him away would have been a big mistake. He would have gone against everything his predecessor had taught him and such a thing would not sit well with him. Kesha would have been surprised if he had, not to mention their son and daughter. He was pleased that Akanni was settling in well, but he knew Jibade, Mpenzi, and the daughters of Bukua – mainly Johari – were to thank for that.
Dhoruba hadn't spoken to Akanni since their talk his first full day in the kingdom. He wasn't sure what to say to the young male. How could he express to him that he, his King, had come to the Western Plains in the exact same way and that they were both discovered by the same lion? That fate, destiny or even history was repeating itself in so short a time, if three to four years was short at all? The very reality of it didn't seem real to Dhoruba. It seemed almost like a dream, but then so did his sudden arrival.
Even now as he walked through his lands, his whiskers twitching, his light gray eyes looking on the grass below, the waterholes ahead, the trees all around and the sky with scattered clouds above, he couldn't make sense of any of it.
No one told me life could be like this, he thought to himself as he ran his tongue absently over his mouth. But it was more than just the young male's inadvertently stirring up memories of the past.
Yes, it is more than that, isn't Dhoruba?
The brown lion shook his head, shut his eyes and growled quietly. "What? Am I supposed to know him?" he muttered to himself.
You think you don't? For a King you're pretty stupid! Of course you should know him! Look at him, really look at him!
But what was there to look at? Akanni seemed like an ordinary lion that lived a tough life and was in need of peace and contentment. If that was true, then the King and his new pride member had something in common. In fact, everything that Akanni was going through reminded Dhoruba of his own early days in the Western Plains. How King Amri took him under his tutelage of Rahimu, how Princess Kesha took it upon herself to look after him while he recovered from his wounds. These lands and some members of the royal family saved his life, maybe even his soul, and the same thing was happening to Akanni.
Dhoruba stopped and bowed his head. "Rahimu… Your ways are not ours because what your plan for each of us is something we ourselves cannot begin to comprehend. But if some are willing and allow you to lead us, we'll find your ways are blessings and not curses, no matter how much hurt we endure along the way."
Or the hurt you inflict on others and then run away like a sniveling coward? Huh, Dhoruba? What about that?
The lion shut his eyes against the dark voice. His legs shook, his heart pounded and he bit his tongue as he forced himself to think once more about Akanni and what he endured out in the world alone. It must have been the same as it was for him. Away from a pride a lone lion could easily die by getting kicked in the face or in the head while hunting prey, or fighting against a strong, malicious rogue, or even a coalition of them if a young rogue was foolish enough to come across one in the wrong way. Dhoruba knew how easy that was. He had done it a few times and narrowly escaped.
Then there was searching for a place to sleep at night without intruding on a shelter that was already taken. Every day out in the world was uncertain one and each time you woke to see the sun in the sky or rain falling from the sky to replenish the world around you was a given. Even surviving a hunt was a blessing in disguise.
Dhoruba looked around, swallowed, and resumed his walk. He wondered if Akanni was thankful to Rahimu for leading him to the Western Plains. He sure was. He was thankful everyday he woke to see his beloved mate sleeping beside him.
The thought of Kesha brought a smile to the King's lips. His Kesha, his love, his Queen… Without her, even now Dhoruba wasn't sure he could do any of things his late father-in-law had – being King, keeping the peace as best he could among the animals, and patrolling the lands now and again. He was glad he had Bukua and his mate for that. He was gladder to have Bukua and Ajia's children, or at least, their son and eldest daughter.
Dhoruba smirked as he remembered the occasional times Kesha took away from the hunting party to join him on his walks through the kingdom, how they would patrol together and look after their shared realm like proud parents. Then, of course, there was Jibade and Mpenzi, two precious gifts from Rahimu Himself. No matter how tired he was from patrolling or settling the animals' squabbles, Dhoruba made time for his children. They were important to him and from the day they were born he swore that he would not be like his father: absent, cold-hearted, distant, expecting far too much and sucking away the joy fatherhood could give.
Because of Amri, Dhoruba believed that being a father was also a blessing from Rahimu. But around his own father Dhoruba knew from hard experience that fatherhood, while a great blessing could also be abused, and Dhoruba himself was glad that he had someone like Amri to show him that doing right by one's children was always good.
Seeing a waterhole up ahead, Dhoruba walked toward it and lowered his head down to drink. When he licked his maw, water falling from his chin and whiskers, Dhoruba looked into the water and stared at his reflection. Peering harder he saw it change from him to – Eyes wide he gasped and stepped back, shaking his head, shutting his eyes and opening them again. His heart beat and he trembled.
"F-father…" he said in a sudden, frightened voice.
Hesitantly he moved up to the bank and looked again. This time he saw only his own face staring back at him. A relieved sigh came from him and he lay down with his paws atop the water. He put his head down on the grass, pondering. He wanted to know what he was going to do for Akanni, if anything. From what he'd seen in the last few days, Jibade and Mpenzi were doing his job for him by teaching the newcomer all about Rahimu and the Western Plains' history. Did they know anything about his past, where he came from?
Why should they know about Akanni when they really know nothing about you, Dhoruba? You really think you can keep it from them forever? You've lasted this long, but it will come. And when it does you better prepare to lose everything!
The King swallowed, felt a sharp pain in his heart and closed his eyes. "Rahimu," he said in a soft voice. "Please, help me…" He prayed that Akanni would learn all he could from the Prince and Princess. He prayed that Rahimu would use him as a profound influence on Akanni's new life in the Western Plains like the late King Amri had for him.
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"You're making way too big a deal out of this," said Prince Jibade as he walked the southern side of the kingdom. He paused to stretch his legs, looked around and sniffed the air for strange, lingering scents of foreign animals, namely lions. Namely rogues who were willing to kill to steal another's land. There was nothing, but he wasn't about to let his guard down. As the future leader of the Western Plains, Jibade had known from the day he started growing his mane that it was his duty to protect the lands and the animals living in this place of hope, sanctuary and peace.
A part of the Prince wished he was alone or with one of the other guardians. He wished he was with Nasila. She was good company. He enjoyed her presence, her comforting silence and her words of encouragement when he foolishly thought out loud if he would fail. He even found himself wishing he was with his mother who was walking the northern side, seeing to the animals. He even wished he was out with his sister who was hunting. Anywhere was better than his present company.
His companion for the day shook its head. "I either think you're blind, naïve, or just plain stupid Jibade. Our guest has been here for a few days now and you're acting like he couldn't kill you or your father or me or mine. What's the matter with you? You're the Prince! You're supposed to be on alert for lions like him."
Jibade stopped and met eyes with the son of Bukua. A flash of anger showed on the royal lion's face. "Lions like him? You mean a lion that was found on our kingdom's borders unconscious? A lion that was battered, hurt, scarred on the outside and possibly on the inside...?"
The other male groaned and shook his head. "We don't know a thing about him," he snapped.
"You really think a lion like Akanni could fake being injured? Ibada came, looked him over and put medicine on Akanni's legs. The shaman of the Western Plains wouldn't be called by my father, the King, if our guest wasn't hurt." Jibade sucked in a deep sharp breath through his mouth and exhaled through his nose. His tail switched behind him in angry strokes and he resisted the urge to unsheathe his claws and stomp on Hadhari's forepaw or smack him in the face. He bit his tongue. Rahimu, help me keep control… Thankful that his friend didn't speak Jibade faced him again, his eyes peering deeply into the young guard's. "What's your real problem with Akanni?" he asked pointedly.
"You should know," Hadhari said in a low voice. "I don't trust him."
"How can you?" Jibade asked intently, probingly. "You've never even taken the time to trust him."
"And you have? You spent, what, a whole day with him?"
"That shouldn't surprise you, and yes I did. We talked. I told him about our kingdom's history, about my family's history."
"Don't you mean the history on your mother's side of the family? You know nothing of your father's."
Ears bent back, a paw rubbing the grassy ground, Jibade replied, "The only thing Mpenzi and I know is that Father was born in a pride with the kind of King that struck terror and fear into his pride's and family's hearts. Father didn't want to follow in his pawprints so he left." The Prince bowed his head for a moment and then looked at Hadhari out of the corner of his eye. He felt his eyes harden as he said, "If you think that's cowardice of a royal lion…"
"I never said that!"
"You don't have to. Anyway, this is not about my father or his past. This is about your foolish and uncalled for hatred of Akanni."
Bukua's son smirked and shook his head. "You're too trusting, Jibade."
"And you do not trust enough."
"I'm a guard, and the only ones I trust are my parents, you, Mpenzi, and my sisters."
"So that's it? You have no room to trust anyone else?"
Hadhari didn't answer and his silence was all the answer the Prince needed.
Jibade sighed deeply. "Is it because Johari has taken a liking to Akanni?"
Eyes suddenly ablaze, heart pounding, blood rushing through his body Hadhari faced his friend and bore his teeth. "She has no business being around this stranger!" he hissed.
"He's hardly a stranger," Jibade said in an even tone of voice.
"To you, maybe, but Johari… She's innocent, clean. She doesn't need to be tainted."
"I highly doubt Akanni would take advantage of a lioness like Johari. He doesn't seem the type."
"And how do you know that?"
Jibade met his eyes. "Do you trust me with Nasila?" he asked point blank.
Hadhari took a step backward. The question caught him off guard and it showed in his expression. His body shook a little. "That's… that's different. Of course I trust you with Nasila! You grew up together, we all did!"
"Yes, and have you noticed that you and I are the only males in the pride?"
"Not anymore. Now we have this Akanni character to contend with."
"But before he came it was just you and me. Did it ever occur to you that maybe Johari would want more from life? To fall in love with a lion and have cubs one day?"
"It's a bit early to –"
"Did it ever occur to you Hadhari? It's a simple yes or no question."
"I don't know, okay?"
The two didn't speak for a moment. They just stood together, staring at each other, each weighing the other's gaze, the questions and everything else. Then in a quiet almost distant voice, Jibade spoke again. "My parents met in the same manner that Johari and Akanni have. Did your father tell you that?"
"Why would he?"
A pained sigh came from the Prince's opened mouth. "What I'm saying is that things happen for a reason. People come into our lives, at first it seems, with no real reason. But with time, perseverance and patience, it makes sense. I'm sure my parents didn't know at that long ago time that they would be ruling these lands, that they would have me and Mpenzi. And I imagine when they talk of the past, when they look back on it and see how much they've grown, they have no regrets."
Jibade paused and blinked his eyes. Emotion was beginning to strangle him. Talking about this, about his parents and the deep devotion and love they had for each other made him wish Nasila was here with him. What his parents had he hoped to one day have with her. He even wished it for Johari and Akanni, if something was happening between them.
He turned to Hadhari again who was still looking at him with impatience. You never were patient were you, my friend? "Akanni is here for a reason," he said, his voice strained. "For all I know he needs to be here. Rahimu has a plan for him. Our Lord God has a plan for all of us, and we have to figure out what it is."
"What makes you think Akanni needs to be here?"
A shudder worked its way through the royal lion's body as he shut his eyes. His friend still didn't understand. Hadhari just didn't have the mindset of faith that Jibade, his sister and Hadhari's sisters had, or their parents. He shook his mane. "I don't have the answers," he heard himself say. "I don't think anyone does, except Rahimu."
When he looked at Hadhari again he wanted so much to smack his friend hard in the face, He resisted the temptation and continued. "But I do know, for a fact, that Johari likes Akanni, and if I were her brother, I would trust her to do the right thing. I would trust her to be careful. I would tell Akanni that if he ever laid a paw of harm on her, I'd hunt him down and beat him to within an inch of his life. I would do that because I care for Johari, not because I'm out to prove myself as a good guardian." He walked up to Hadhari and stood with him shoulder to shoulder. He faced one way, Hadhari the other. The Prince and the guardian, two friends, almost like brothers, were completely different in looks, manners and attitudes.
Then Hadhari faced his counterpart, eyes glaring. "What makes you think I'm out to prove myself? I just want those I love protected and safe. Is that so wrong? Wouldn't you do the same for Mpenzi?"
"I love Mpenzi with everything I am. She is my sister and Lord knows I would do anything to protect her." Before Hadhari could speak, he added, "But I would also trust her. I would pray that she was smart enough to see danger and escape before any harm could come. I can't watch her all the time, just as you can't watch Nasila or Johari. We both have responsibilities to ourselves and the kingdom."
"So you're saying that if she was interested in Akanni you would look the other way?"
"No. I would trust both of them."
Hadhari scoffed, rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Then you really are naïve."
"Maybe I am. But I would rather be that than paranoid."
"You're saying I'm paranoid?"
"I'm saying, leave Akanni and Johari alone. Akanni has done nothing to earn your scorn." With that, Jibade walked away.
Hadhari watched. "As you wish… Your Highness…" But he had no intention of taking the Prince's advice.
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After resting, Dhoruba set off again going in no particular direction. He had no destination set in mind though he admitted to himself he was tired. But he had no idea why. He'd had no nightmares in the last few nights and he was grateful. But ever since waking this morning his mind didn't want to work, nor did his body. He just wanted some time to himself so he asked Kesha if she would see to the animals.
"I hate leaving you with this," he told her as they stood together on the stone. "It's my responsibility. What would your father say?"
But his beloved Queen smiled warmly, laid her head near his and spoke in a level tone of voice, almost a whisper. "He would say that every King needs a rest, and that no lion can run a kingdom by himself."
Under those words Dhoruba felt himself relax until another hard question came out of his mouth before his mind had a chance to process it. "What about your brother Taraji? Would he have said that? Does he go through the same thing in his lands?"
Kesha chuckled and it soothed her mate's anxiety. "I'm sure he does. Every King needs time to himself." She pulled away and faced him, looking deep into his eyes. He was tired. "Dhoruba, it's all right. Take today off. I can take care of the animals, and I'm sure one of the older lionesses would be happy to lead in my place."
He swallowed. "This isn't fair to you," he said wearily.
Kesha nuzzled him and licked his cheek. "We're a team, Dhoruba. Please rest, and leave the problems of the animals to me."
Continuing the discussion would do no good so he gave a nod of surrender. A day off was what he needed even though he spent much of it drinking from waterholes, resting and praying to Rahimu for the dark voice in his thoughts to leave him alone. He wasn't refreshed but he wasn't as tired as when he first woke up either. He wasn't sure what he was. Part of him wanted to see Ibada and ask for more herbs, but he remembered the shaman's warning about becoming dependant on them. But he wanted to be free of the nightmares. He wanted to understand and figure out why he was having them to begin with. He wasn't desperate, but he wasn't far from it either. In the last few days he wanted to talk to Kesha about stepping down – both of them – and letting Jibade take over. Each time the thought occurred to him he dismissed it.
No. It's too soon. Jibade needs more time. I need more time. It wouldn't be fair to my son if Kesha and I give him the throne now.
But Jibade was capable. Dhoruba knew that and he was sure Kesha did too. The day before they walked together and a few animals asked about the Prince. Dhoruba saw pride and honor in their eyes when they spoke Jibade's name. They knew that he would lead them well, protect them and work for their good. Of course they did. Their current Prince was the grandson of a still well-respected King, though said King was in the stars. But that King had left behind a strong legacy, one that remained in this kingdom and was now leading another kingdom in the south.
In his walk Dhoruba wondered about his brother-in-law King Taraji. He hoped all was well. Rahimu, he prayed silently, as you watch over us, please watch over Taraji, his family, his pride and his kingdom.
Before he knew it he heard a voice speak to him.
"Dhoruba… I didn't expect to see you here."
He started, snapped his head upward then he stopped and stared. There was Kesha, her medium almost dark tanned colored fur darkening in the afternoon sun. For a moment he looked up at the sky. Yes, it was afternoon. The sky was already starting to turn. Very beautiful, he thought as he looked on his mate again. She was beautiful. Oh, Rahimu was she beautiful. I don't deserve her, Lord. He walked toward her and when they stood face to face they both smiled and Dhoruba nuzzled her tenderly. He licked her cheek, purring with gracious because she was near him again. She was his pillar of strength, the love of his life and his other half. She was his everything, whether she knew it or not.
"I'm so glad to see you," he murmured.
"And I you," Kesha responded. They pulled apart and Kesha heard herself ask, "How are you? Feeling any better?"
He shrugged. "I'm not too sure. How do I look?"
She took a moment to study him. If he got any sleep it showed. "You look a little bit better."
"I'll take what I can get. Come on, let's go home. I imagine the hunting party is back with the catch."
They walked together, side by side in silence. Then Dhoruba asked, "How was it?"
"A few squabbles here and there. Two zebra herds are fighting over territory again, but I managed to settle that without too much trouble. Hopefully the leaders won't butt heads, but knowing zebra they can't make such a promise."
Dhoruba nodded and felt a stab of guilt. I should have been with her. "I… see," he said slowly. "What else?"
As Kesha prepared to say more she noticed another tired look on her mate's face. She leaned her head toward his. The feel of his soft mane against her face was what she needed after a long day.
"Mind if I tell you tomorrow? I'd rather not bore you with the details now."
He couldn't keep the smile from his face. He had done the same for her more than once, and when he did she never pressed him. She knew what it was like. She wasn't the Queen of a kingdom who only hunted. No. She was more than that. She had been trained to deal with the problems of the animals. He had too. But their fathers were completely different. His father was cruel, cold and ruled his realm with a hard rock paw. Kesha's father ruled honorably and wisely. King Amri had a heart and ruled the Western Plains with a paw of love and mercy.
When they arrived at the caves the roar of their son pierced the air. A tremble of pride surged through Dhoruba's bones. His son was strong, mature, and he followed the ways of Rahimu as taught to him and his sister by his parents.
As Dhoruba and Kesha approached the kill – from what they could see it was gazelle, enough to last a day or two – Dhoruba looked at his son and sent him a proud smile. The pride, including their still newest member Akanni, who was standing beside Johari, gathered. Dhoruba couldn't help but notice that the light gold tanned lion was standing near the lioness as though he was protecting her. Or maybe it was Johari protecting Akanni. Either way it didn't matter. The two seemed content in each other's company and Dhoruba learned that Bukua and Ajia had no problems.
He smiled at his pride and he and Kesha bowed their heads to pray. The pride did the same and when the prayer was over the King and Queen tore off their strips. The Prince and Princess were quick to follow, then the guardian family, and the rest of the pride. Everyone was surprised when Dhoruba and Kesha soon left, going into the den. Glances and looks were exchanged, soft murmurs of confusion spoken but no one questioned. Some had seen the tired gaze of the King.
Everyone split into their respective evening groups.
Jibade's, of course consisted of his sister, Hadhari his sisters, and Akanni. Upon seeing the other male Hadhari scoffed and once again removed himself. But before he could go further away, Jibade got to his paws and stepped on his friend's tail.
"You're going to have to get used to him, Hadhari," said the Prince, his eyes glaring. "Whether you like it or not, Akanni is here to stay."
Hadhari glared back and, behind the royal lion, saw his sister and the new guy sharing a piece of the kill: hers. His eyes burned and the fur on his back bristled. He turned back to Jibade. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but you're a fool." Without waiting for a response, he picked up his meat and walked away, his tail swishing angrily behind him.
Jibade closed his eyes, said a silent prayer and returned to the group.
"He's gone again," said Nasila in a quiet voice only he could hear.
He looked at her and it was all she needed. She sighed and pawed her meat. Jibade gently nudged her and licked her cheek, purring with reassurance.
"It may take him some time," said another voice beside the Prince.
He turned to see his sister staring at him. She had spoken her words quietly like Nasila. Jibade could only nod, but he wasn't sure if he agreed. Maybe Mpenzi had a point. Maybe all Hadhari needed was time to adjust. His ears flickered as he offered his sister a smile and sank his teeth into his part of the kill. He was hungry and he wasn't going to let his heavily stubborn friend ruin their meal now or in the future. He raised his eyes to Johari and Akanni who seemed oblivious to Hadhari's departure. Just as well, Jibade thought. Rahimu, don't harden his heart… please!
But the younger sister of Hadhari did notice his absence. As much as she wanted to get up and try to talk some sense into him she knew he had to come to the realization that Akanni wasn't bad on his own, if he ever did. She met eyes with Akanni and offered him a kind smile.
As if reading her thoughts or the look in her eyes, the red maned lion leaned forward, putting a paw on hers. "It would take more than Hadhari's… distrust of me to get me to leave," he whispered.
"I wouldn't want you to," she replied.
He nodded. "The only way I would leave is if King Dhoruba kicked me out."
Johari shook her head. "He's not going to. He has no reason."
Akanni stared at her, his gaze slightly hard but deeply intent. "And I'm not going to give him one."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
That night when Dhoruba closed his eyes to sleep he hoped for a peaceful one. And he was able to… for a time. He wasn't sure how long but it didn't matter. What peaceful sleep he did get was important.
Then it happened unexpectedly, unwontedly. A sharp tremor gripped his body, followed by a shiver and a sudden need to breathe, to gasp. He felt his back legs twitch, heard himself utter a small but hard moan.
Then he forced himself to wake up and open his eyes. He did, but he was not in his chambers. He raised his head and looked to the side. Kesha wasn't there. Alarmed, he got to his paws, blinking his eyes frantically, thinking that at any minute she would appear. But she didn't. He turned his body completely around, hoping to see the sleeping forms of his son and daughter. They weren't there either. And he wasn't in his chambers; he was in an open space. A space filled with grass and trees here and there, even a large stream of water. Strange, he thought.
He started walking and looked up at the sky. Dark clouds covered it and lightning made its presence known. Dhoruba shivered at the sight and his ears fell against his head as the sound of thunder rumbled, exploded and echoed.
He looked around. What was he doing here? But he knew the answer to the question. He was dreaming. Rahimu, he prayed desperately. Wake me up. Please!
Dhoruba shut his eyes for a moment then opened them again. Nothing changed. He was still in the same place, still dreaming. But why, he wondered. Why am I dreaming now? I thought I was doing okay. They weren't coming as bad as before. Rahimu… where are you? His legs shook but still he continued walking. Where he was going he had no idea but he couldn't just lie in the spot he'd woken up in. He sniffed the air and pulled his head back in disgust. He wanted to throw up. The atmosphere was desolate and the air… smelled like blood. He swallowed and grimaced.
A sudden wind came up, hitting him with its coldness. It stung at his face. "Hello!" he called out. "Is anyone here?" He waited, but no reply came. He tried two more times but the results were the same. There was no answer. Thunder rolled, lightning shrouded the entire area in its frightening but brilliant silver glow. Where it struck, Dhoruba didn't know, nor did he want to. He was surprised it wasn't raining. The grass under his paws was green with a hint of brown to it. It wasn't dead and the rain would see to its replenishment when it came.
He wondered what this place – wherever he was – looked in the daytime, with clear blue skies and the sun shining. He tried to picture it but couldn't. The winds increased and he shivered hard, teeth chattering. He was amazed he could see anything in this great darkness, but he was glad he could.
His whiskers twitched and a loud sound filled his ears. He shrugged it off, dismissing it as thunder. Then the sound came again, clearer this time, which was amazing given the wind and how it had increased. He stopped, his ears flickered. He tried to focus. There it was again, but it wasn't thunder. It was… A… roar…? Someone's here! He tried to decipher it. It was a roar he'd rarely heard in the last several years. Hardly anyone in the Western Plains gave off a roar to let others know that someone was in trouble or that it was an emergency. Emergencies in his and Kesha's kingdom were rare.
But here, wherever here was…
The roar came again, louder and more intense this time. It sounded… angry, almost violent. So he followed it, paying no mind to the lightning that continued to fill up the sky and the lands below. Thunder and the roar blended in together, such a hard terrifying medley he couldn't tell what was what. He started running, the sounds of the roar getting closer and closer. When it came again Dhoruba recognized it. It was deep, strong, the kind of roar he himself had uttered a few times. But his lead guardian had done so too. Maybe his late father-in-law, though he couldn't recall Amri ever roaring like this. Not even Taraji roared in such a manner.
Dhoruba gritted his teeth. His own father had, one too many times. But he did it to strike fear into his family and the pride. His father never cared about anyone, had no idea who he hurt. Or he did and he just didn't care. Yeah, that was it.
The storm was getting worse with each passing moment but Dhoruba pressed on harder until, without warning, he stopped in tracks. The sight ahead of him, at least several feet away, made him cringe, made his eyes widen in pure horror, made him remember things he rarely thought about, things he kept to himself. But this… even in a dream it would be a miracle if he kept it to himself.
A lioness was on the ground, on her back, her forepaws trying to push away whatever or whoever was on top of her. Dhoruba was rooted where he stood. He wanted to move, to help, but any attempt on his part was futile. He was stuck and he had no idea why. He tried moving, looked at the lioness and on the thing that had her pinned. He couldn't see what it was but it was strong, that much he could see. Whatever held the lioness down was shrouded by a cloud of darkness, but it had a strong figure. Almost like a…
Dhoruba heard himself growl. There was only one thing he knew strong enough to pin down a lioness – a lion. "Hey!" he shouted, trying with all his might to move from his spot. "Get off her! Leave her alone!"
But the lioness and the figure could not hear him. He grunted, growled and roared out. Neither acknowledged him. It was as if he was a ghost.
"Rahimu!" he called out. "If you're there, help me make sense of this!" He roared again, felt the deep painful pounding of his heart and heard the thunder all around him. His ears felt deafened. Flashes of lightning covered the sky, illuminating the lands. He wished it would strike him. Maybe it would wake him up and get him out of this nightmare because that's what this was – a full-fledged nightmare, one he wished would end.
"Please sire, don't do this!"
Dhoruba's ears pricked up at that. It was the lioness. Sire… Does she mean the King or a Prince? He shook his head, chiding and telling himself that it didn't matter. This lioness was being hurt and there was nothing he could do about it. He thought he heard the figure speak, but maybe it was his imagination. He hoped it was. He hoped all of this was happening in his mind, but a part of him knew that it wasn't.
He was dreaming all of this. The smell of blood was part of the nightmares that had frequented his sleep for far too long. Now he wanted out. He felt himself becoming desperate. He cried out to the heavens again, "Lord Rahimu! Are you there? If you can do anything get me out of here!" Tears stung at his eyes. He felt his soul ache. His heart became pained. Then he heard a small voice that made him look ahead once more, this time to the side.
"Momma…?"
It was a cub, male, if Dhoruba saw correctly. He too was rooted to the spot. He was shaking. His eyes were on his mother and tears fell down his cheeks.
Then the lioness spoke again, to her cub. "Run my son, run!" she yelled in fear.
Any other words she wanted to speak were choked out of her by, from what Dhoruba could see, the figure's paw on her throat. He growled again but still he couldn't move. Rage burned within him. His blood boiled and his head pounded with pain. He gasped and growled, shaking it. Images filled his mind of other lionesses dying, of their cubs watching before being killed themselves. He heard echoes in his ears, the calls of fear, worry and utter despair. He wanted to collapse under the weight.
Dhoruba heard the cub yell for his mother again and watched in defeat as the figure moved for her throat. Then, in an unexpected turn of events, another lioness ran up and grabbed the cub. His mother spoke the lioness's name but Dhoruba didn't catch it. He watched as the cub was taken away from the gruesome sight. He stared at the young male, blinked, shut his eyes, shook his head and looked again. The cub looked familiar… didn't he? He had red hazel eyes and a red tuft of a future mane on his forehead. He looked almost like… No! It was impossible… wasn't it? It had to be. There was no resemblance… was there?
His ears flickered, thunder roared and he faced the figure again. It was a lion, of that Dhoruba was sure, and from what he was able to see the lion's muzzle was covered in blood, his teeth stained crimson. Dhoruba shuddered. He wanted throw up. He wanted to break free and attack the figure. But this was a dream. He couldn't do a thing.
The figure spoke in pleasurable fury. "Yes! Run… but you'll be next!"
The words sent a hard cold chill throughout Dhoruba's body. He couldn't get rid of it. He felt himself shake and tremble. His rage at seeing all of this only grew as a sharp painful rain began to fall from the darkened skies. His body ached. Each rain drop stabbed him. The thunder grew worse and there seemed to be no end to the lightning. It was all around now. In front of Dhoruba, behind, to the right, to the left, and with each new strike the lands were shrouded in its beautiful but terrifying glow.
Rain pounded on his head, stinging his back, his paws and his muzzle, soaking him. With his front claws he scratched the grass and dirt underneath his paws with as much force as he could. He raised his head up to the skies one more time and screamed at the top of his lungs. "Rahimu… Lord! Why do you forsake?"
He roared out again, as hard and as loud as he could. Not that anyone could hear him, but he had to do something.
"It's not Rahimu who forsakes," he heard a voice say.
He looked to the side, his jaw dropping in fear. The figure… but how…?
"But he does judge the right and the wicked. And he will judge you one day too for your sins."
"Wh-what sins?"
"Oh I think you know. Get ready to meet him!" Then the figure launched himself at Dhoruba.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
He snapped his eyes open, his head shot up. He was panting and his heart was pounding so hard he was afraid someone could hear it, that it would come out of his chest at any moment. But nothing of the sort happened. His eyes wide, his breathing hard he looked around. He was in a cave. He was home. The nightmare finally ended. He set his eyes to the back. Were they… Yes! Jibade and Mpenzi were in their respective corners, sleeping peacefully. He hadn't woken them, thank Rahimu.
Then he slowly turned, looking to the side. Kesha was there too, still sleeping. He was glad he hadn't disturbed her. She'd had a rough day as it was. He studied her, thankful for her presence. This nightmare had been the worst one yet. He wanted to wake her up and tell her, but he didn't have it in him to do so.
He felt his heart beat and his breathing slow. He felt himself return to reality. He was home with his family. He laid his head down on his paws, fearful to close his eyes so he lay awake. He knew he would have to see Ibada, but even to the shaman he wasn't sure how to voice this, if he could at all. He wasn't sure he could tell Kesha.
Kesha… His eyes fell on her again. He wanted to hear her voice, see her eyes. He swallowed and moved his head close to hers. "I love you," he said quietly.
As he tried to close his eyes he heard her speak.
"I love you too."
With that he was able to surrender himself to a comforting and restful sleep.