Chapter 28

The dark sandy brown lion trudged his way through the grass and passed some trees, panting heavily. Sweat glistened all over his body. He gritted his teeth, groaned, stopped to take a breath, and continued on.

He wished one of the others had gone with him. It would have been easier to carry the heavy load that lay on his back. Truth was the load wasn't all that heavy. It was dinner for the evening. It was a rather plump zebra.

And the lion had caught it successfully, without being detected.

He reached the area he'd called home for the past week. It was a pretty place. Trees all around, from left to right and front to back… It was absolutely serene and completely peaceful. There was even a large water stream just to the left that flowed with gentle soothing currents at times. He smiled at that then licked his mouth and swallowed. There was a slight stickiness… dryness in his throat. With another sticky swallow he continued his walk. He wasn't too far.

There, lying beside the large undergrowth, just near the cave he took as shelter, were the two lions he called his friends. One, he often called a brother, while the other was more like a second father. And somewhere, wherever and hopefully safe, was their other companion, a meerkat who happened to be a shaman.

The lion shook his head a little. Would anyone imagine three lions traveling with an herbivore, an animal who has dedicated his life to healing others? He chuckled softly at the whole thing. With three lions and a meerkat, we're no threat to anyone.

He had to stop. He also hung his head, exhausted and tired. He wanted to address his friends, but they would see him. He'd only been gone a few hours. It wasn't just that. The smell of his catch would reach their noses and water their mouths.

Water, the lion thought. I could some right about now.

Finally, one of the lions, an older one of about ten years of age, turned his majestic gray colored head. He smiled, got up, stretched, and came over.

"Kambiri, my boy, you caught dinner!" he said, eyes glowing, his mouth parting to show his teeth.

The black-maned lion smirked and shook his head. "Of course I did, where'd you think I went off to?"

The old lion laughed and walked toward Kambiri's back, eyeing the animal. "A good catch, I'll give you that."

Kambiri groaned. "Yeah, thanks, but do you think you can take him?" He shifted his weight. "He's rather heavy for a zebra."

"Sure, here," said the lion as he wrapped his jaws around the dead animal's neck. With the catch in his mouth firmly, he backed away. The black and white striped animal slid off Kambiri's back and onto the ground with a thump.

The young lion sighed in relief. "Thank you, Kipaji."

"Hey!" called a voice.

They raised their heads to see the other lion, about the same age as Kambiri, running toward them. It was Tayari.

"Is that dinner? Thank goodness, I'm starving."

Kambiri smirked. "Good to know. Well, you can help Kipaji with this."

Tayari stopped, considered it then gave a nod. "Okay. Where do you want me, Kip?"

The older lion glared at him. "That's Kipaji to you, boy!"

Kambiri rolled his eyes as the two argued. They never meant any harm by it. Tayari viewed Kipaji as a father too, though he would never say so to anyone. He turned to the left, eyeing the waterhole, walking to it. Lowering his head to drink, his left ear flickered as he caught the grunts and the sounds of his catch being dragged to the shelter. He took another long drink and walked to the shelter.

When he joined them he looked around. "Where's Dumaka?"

Tayari met his eyes. "I think he's gathering his fruit." He shook his brown mane then gave a smirk of his own. "You know how sensitive he is about us eating meat, even though he understands that we must eat meat in order to survive."

A voice behind Tayari spoke. "Just because you lions do what the balance tells you to do, and though it is in your nature, doesn't mean I have to like it."

Kambiri smiled at the approaching figure, the meerkat shaman. "Afternoon, Dumaka," he said, bowing his head.

The meerkat, with his arms full of the fruits, whatever kind they were, kindly dipped his own head back in greeting. "Afternoon, Kambiri. A successful hunt I see."

"Yes," Kambiri said, trying not to sound too proud.

Dumaka set his fruits down in the grass and walked up to the carcass, almost hesitantly, with slow steps. He knew that life was sacred, a gift from the Almighty One. He knew that the balance was unfair, but that sacrifice was an important part of the balance. His father had taught him that. Shamanism ran in Dumaka's family. His father was his teacher, his master, and one of the wisest meerkats Dumaka had ever known.

Now, as he gazed upon this dead animal, he wondered how his father was doing.

"Dumaka, are you all right?" Kambiri asked.

The shaman broke out of his thoughts, looked at his friend, and nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"You want me to say the blessing?"

"No, I'll do it. I am a shaman, after all. It's one of my duties." He walked closer to the carcass, shoved any other thoughts away, spread his hands, and touched them to the zebra's nearly cold flesh. He closed his eyes and began. "Creator of all things… I ask you to bless the spirit of this animal who fell so that my friends may live. Bless the fruit that you allowed me to find so that I may live. Bless us on wherever you're sending us. And bless all of your creation, both large and small." He opened his eyes, took his hands off the zebra, and stepped back.

The lions took their shares. Dumaka returned to his fruits, sat down in the grass and started to eat.

The whole meal was eaten in silence. And during the silence, Kambiri took the time, while chewing on his meat, to gaze upon these animals he'd been traveling with for nearly a month. It was both surprising and difficult to think that it had been about a month in half since he left his home, the Northern Valley. He thought an awful lot about his family, his parents, his aunt and uncle, his younger cousins, and the new rulers whom he loved like a brother and sister. He even thought about the old king. And he wondered how the kingdom in itself was flourishing.

There were times when he wanted to return. There were times when he didn't, mainly for the sake of his friends. He continued to look upon them, his eyes on Kipaji, who ate his meat slowly.

Kambiri met the old lion one week after he left the Northern Valley. He'd been wandering, around midday, if he remembered correctly. He came across the lion at a waterhole. He'd approached cautiously, not knowing whether the lion drinking was friendly or not. He stood five feet from him, eyed him and then drank.

It was the lion who spoke first, much to Kambiri's surprise.

"Beautiful day," he said.

"Yes, it is," Kambiri replied.

With those few words, the two were quickly engaged in conversation, though Kambiri still remained on his guard. A habit, but an important habit he'd picked up from his father and uncle. It was a good thing to have.

In a couple of hours, Kipaji told his story and Kambiri told his. Within those few hours, a fast friendship had been formed. Kipaji had been born a rogue. His parents died when he was only five years old and he'd been on his own ever since. No siblings, no mate, no cubs of his own, just him. Kambiri felt sorry for him but also admired him for his strength, courage, and acceptance of living life alone, even if it was a choice. Kambiri wasn't sure if he could do it. His story was the opposite of the lion in front of him.

Kipaji was a mysterious lion. In some ways he was a gray ghost. He had gray fur, all four paws the same, a lighter gray of a muzzle and underbelly. His mane was dark brown gray. His eyes were blue, almost gray blue. Everything about the lion was gray.

Kambiri had hunted for him that day and Kipaji, to show his appreciation, offered his shelter. The next day they started traveling together, not caring where they went. Kambiri felt that since the lion had no one, he could help. And help he did.

They were a good team.

Next, Kambiri's eyes fell to Tayari, who ate his piece of the kill thoughtfully. His gaze fell. Tayari's past, or what Tayari told him and Kipaji was one Tayari refused to speak of. All the two lions knew was that he was from a pride, born of royal blood, and at the age of four was kicked out by his own father, the king. Kambiri knew there was more to it than that. There had to be. He wanted to know, but he also wanted to respect his friend's reasons, whatever they were.

He chose the latter, had from the start.

Then there was Dumaka, who surprisingly, had been born into the kingdom in which Tayari was. Dumaka was the son of the kingdom's shaman and Tayari's best friend from day one. The meerkat, who ate his fruit with much thankfulness to the Creator, was wise, gentle, and intelligent. Most of all he was sensitive. The way he looked at the world was with a sense many didn't understand, but the ones he was with here and now did understand.

Dumaka looked at the world through spiritual eyes. He told them that he was born to be a shaman. He'd often thought he would take over for his father as the kingdom's next shaman to the next king, Tayari's older brother. But it never happened. As it turns out, Dumaka, after hearing about Tayari's banishment, turned his back on what he and his father thought to be his destiny. He chose to join his best friend out in the unknown, away from the safety of the kingdom. They'd wandered for a long time.

Kambiri heard himself chuckle a little at how he and Kipaji met the two.

He had been hunting and just as he was about to pounce on his targeted prey, another lion intercepted him. After a few words of 'that prey was mine!' the two lions found themselves in a full on fight. Kambiri bested the lion easily, though he had a claw mark on his left shoulder. He breathed his name into the lion's face, snarling, until a loud voice shot through the air.

Kambiri had been surprised to see a meerkat running to the lion under his paws. His eyes snapped and the small creature introduced himself and the lion Kambiri pinned. Carefully, though with great reluctance, Kambiri got off the lion and the meerkat examined the wounds.

Dumaka was the meerkat's name and on top of that he was a shaman. Tayari was the lion's name. After Dumaka applied some medicinal herbs he'd found on Tayari he came to Kambiri and did the same much to Tayari's shock and slight anger.

"You couldn't have known this lion was after the same prey as you, Tayari," the meerkat said.

"Let's hunt again," Kambiri suggested after Dumaka was finished. "And this time, let's do it together."

Reluctant, but seeing the lion in front of him wanting to make up for what had happened, Tayari agreed, and they managed to catch antelope. Kambiri had asked them if they would like to share this meal with some company. Dumaka was for it, but Tayari needed convincing. A quick explanation and the three animals, with the catch in tow, found the place where Kambiri had left his friend.

Everyone was introduced and the incident was explained. Kipaji was thankful that his companion wasn't hurt and that the problem had been resolved peacefully. The meal was shared between the three lions while Dumaka ate some fruit he'd seen nearby the shelter.

It was Kipaji who suggested that Dumaka and Tayari join him and Kambiri. Tayari was quick to object but his meerkat friend, who was apparently the more reasonable and calmer of the strange pair, spoke.

"There is safety in numbers, Tayari," he said then shrugged a shoulder. "We haven't come across any danger on our travels, but we have met some friends. You never know one of them may need help and they'll have no healer to help. I am a healer, you know this. I have a good feeling about them and about our joining them."

The young lion weighed his friend's words carefully in his mind and finally consented to the old lion's offer.

Where the two separate parties consisted of only two members in each, they were now one party – a party of four friends, three lions and a meerkat, going who knew where. It didn't matter to any of them. They had each other and could look out for each other, which they did often.

In the weeks to follow they'd become a family, a brotherhood.

Kambiri smiled at all three of them then resumed eating his dinner.

As the Creator as his witness he couldn't nor wouldn't ask for a better group of animals.

These animals he considered family.

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Radhiya rarely woke to see a sunrise. She hadn't seen what the kingdom looked like in the early hours of the morning, to see the majesty of the sun's appearance, in years. The last time had been too long ago. A time, for her, when life had dealt trying times, blows even she wasn't prepared for, questions she wanted answered but feared the answers.

It had been during the months of Sauda's coma and her recovery. That was well over five to six years ago. How old had she been back then… three, four years old? How time passed! Now here she was ten years old. Her daughter was only seven.

Radhiya bowed her head and closed her eyes, thinking. She loved Sauda. Sauda was part of her. She was her flesh and blood. Despite how she turned out, Radhiya still blamed herself for it often. She knew she shouldn't. She should get over it, but it was difficult and it always would be. She loved her daughter and hated her simultaneously. This wasn't the child she raised! She barely knew Sauda these days… no, not days and certainly not months.

It was more like years, ever since Sauda took that near fatal drink from the poisoned waterhole. It had started then, the change in her daughter, then in the days and months of her recovery from the near death coma. She'd tried so hard, they both did.

And Radhiya still blamed herself for not speaking to the late King Habari about the betrothal. There was so much she didn't say back then. And now, the lion she loved like a son had paid for her negligence dearly. He had lost the real love of his life, Nyari, and the cub they had together, the cub who was now a lioness, had grown up without her mother.

She shut her eyes tighter and forced back a strangled sob in her throat.

No matter how many times she or even Nadia convinced her, she was at fault. Nothing or no one could change how she felt. No one!

"I'm surprised to see you up," said a male voice behind her.

Radhiya opened her eyes and felt her mouth break into a small smile. That voice belonged to the only male lion in the entire Eastern Valley – her son-in-law, the king himself. She turned to her left to see him sit beside her, his gentle crystal blue eyes shining in the coming sun's golden light.

She bowed her head in greeting. "Good morning, Nkosi."

He smiled. "Morning, Radhiya, you're up early."

She nodded. "I felt the urge today. It doesn't happen that often."

He stared out into the horizon. "Well, then can I say that I'm glad you're up this early?" He looked at her. "It's nice to have another to share these sunrises with."

Radhiya smiled at him. "It's my pleasure, son."

"Thank you… Mom…"

The two stared at the rising sun, captured by its beauty and the light it gave to the lands. Nkosi stretched out his neck and embraced the warmth. Radhiya just closed her eyes, savoring. With all the tragedy they had suffered over the years, the fears of the future and whatever else, for once, in this moment, they felt and found a true sense of peace. Like the Creator of all things hadn't abandoned them after all.

This sunrise and them being out to see it was proof. It had to be.

After a long, but comforting silence, Radhiya faced him. "Jahzara still asleep?" she asked.

Nkosi nodded. "Yes, and that's okay. She needs a break from walking with me. Maybe she and Safiya can do some hunting together."

"I'm sure she'd love that. They both would." She took a breath and released it, feeling a wave of love come over her. Jahzara was like the granddaughter she never had, as was Safiya. After everything she, Nadia, Nkosi and Sauda had been through, in some unexplainable, perhaps even miraculous way, they were prospering. Though Nyari had died three years earlier, everything she stood for was still living in her and Nkosi's daughter. "You would be proud of her, Nyari," she said softly, quietly. "Nadia and I are, as is Nkosi."

The king's ears flickered. He'd caught her words. "I am proud of her, Radhiya," he said gently. "I am very proud of her. No matter what the others say, she will be my successor, my heiress. She will lead the lands well. I am seeing to it."

She gasped silently, but shook it off. "I know you will," she offered.

They were silent for another long while. Then Nkosi took a breath and turned to her. "It's time I do the rounds, patrol."

Radhiya felt her heart beat a little faster than usual. She stretched her neck out and arched her back in her seated position. For some reason she felt a terrible sense of fear crash down on her. The question was, why?

"Do you want some company?" she asked.

He looked at her, surprised by such an offer. He wasn't entirely sure what to make of it, really. He smiled and shook his head. "No, but I thank you. Erevu won't be by for a few hours and… I could use the time alone. Besides," he drew closer, "you're a second mother to me, Radhiya. If something happened to you, I'd have a hard time forgiving myself. And I don't think Sauda would forgive me either. I don't want to put neither one of us through that if I can help it."

She nudged him. "I'm not offended, Nkosi, not in the least."

"Good, I'm glad." He rose to leave.

She watched and when he was heading to the small ramp, she quickly got up and followed him down. "If it makes you feel more at ease, I'll watch over Jahzara and Safiya."

He turned and smiled broadly. "She'll be with Safiya. They both will be safe, but if it makes you feel better, then sure, okay."

"Be safe, Nkosi…"

"I will, thank you, Radhiya." He dipped his head, then turned and walked away.

She watched him. The fear came over her again and she wasn't sure why. She shrugged it off, dismissing it as a simple case of mother-in-law anxiety. She rarely felt it for him in the last few years but for some unknown reason, this day it came upon her with such force that she was tempted to call him back, to ask him to stay home. But she couldn't do that.

It was his duty, not just as a lion, but as a king, to protect his pride and the lands he ruled from invaders. Invaders like rogue lions with malicious intent. Though there had never been any sightings of malicious rogues it didn't mean that they weren't out there, lurking around the borders of the Eastern Valley, just waiting for the perfect time to strike.

No, she wouldn't call him back. Nkosi would die to protect those he loved.

And that was something she feared more than anything.

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Kambiri walked out of the shelter, feeling the warmth of the day hit his face. He embraced it while stretching and arching his back. He let out a huge yawn and his front claws came out of his paws as he did so. He shook his mane and opened his eyes, blinking a few times, concentrated on nothing but the beauty that surrounded him, and smiled.

How he and his friends ended up here he would never know. He wasn't sure where they were, but if he had to guess – and did so a few times – they were on the borders of a kingdom. What kingdom he didn't know nor did he even try to ask. He wasn't sure he wanted to know. His whiskers twitched and he sniffed the air. A sweet smell, a peaceful smell…

"Considering something, Kam?" said a voice to his right.

His eyes moved while his head remained ahead, in front, direct. He knew that voice and in a lot of ways it reminded him of his father. He smiled again. "Morning, Kipaji."

The old lion eyed him, smiled, and dipped his head in greeting. "Have a good rest?"

"It was a pleasant one."

"Good."

They stared ahead, silent for a while. Then Kipaji's left ear flickered and he turned his head to the young lion beside him. "You're taking the morning hunt?"

"I was considering it. Tayari can catch dinner tonight. Whether he likes it or not," he added.

"Kambiri, I may be getting old, but I can hunt."

Kambiri looked at him. "Yes, I know you can, but your age is nothing to fool around with or take lightly. Anything can happen." He faced the front again. "Especially on a hunt," he muttered.

"I heard that," Kipaji said with a smile.

"You're standing right next to me, of course you heard it."

The old lion laughed. "See, Kam, I'm in good condition."

He rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay, you and Tayari can hunt tonight together."

Kipaji smiled. "That's all I ask. Don't treat me like an infidel."

"I'm sorry." It was meaningful.

"That's better." He looked up at the sky. Then back to him, harder, almost as if he was peering. He was.

Kambiri noticed. "What is it?"

"Be careful today. You may not know it yet, but something is going happen. I don't know what, but it will. Be on your guard, Kam."

"I always am. I was a guardian, remember?" He looked at his friend with a sly smile.

"My mind isn't failing, Kambiri, and yes, I remember. Now go on, get out of here and hunt some breakfast."

He started to walk away, then stopped and turned back. "What do you think is going to happen?" he asked.

Kipaji thought for a moment then lowered his head. "I honestly don't know. I just… feel it, which is why I tell you to be on your guard."

He smiled and nodded his head, then dipped it. He met Kipaji's blue gray eyes. "I'll be careful. I always am." Then he turned and walked away.

The gray lion bowed his head, shut his eyes. "O, Creator of all, please keep him safe, and whatever this feeling I have in my heart, please don't let it come upon him. He's so good. He'd never do anyone any wrong."

But Kipaji had the feeling that whatever was going to happen today would affect his life, Kambiri's, and the lives of their friends, and perhaps, so many others.

He shivered inside and out.

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Nkosi wandered to the northern side of the kingdom. He sniffed the air, stopped for a moment to stretch, and continued. So far he'd patrolled the western and southern sides of the Eastern Valley. So far he hadn't spotted or seen anything unusual.

The sun was high in the sky now, the warmth still holding him in its peaceful and soothing embrace. He wished he could just lie down in the grass for a few minutes and soak up the warmth, as much of it as he could. He wanted to lie on his back, paws in the air. He wanted to close his eyes in the pleasure of the warmth. He closed his eyes now just thinking about it. Both the want and the urge to stop and lie in the grass, in the warmth, it was so strong, so tempting, that he almost did.

A sudden jolt shook his body, wracking his mind. What was he thinking? He couldn't rest in the sun, not now anyway. He had a job to do! It was the whole reason he'd woken up early. So he could get it done and be home at the caves to wait for Erevu, unless his advisor was already there when he got back.

Either way, he wanted to patrol and be done with it. He didn't find it annoying, just irritating. Not the job itself, but having no one else, no other lions, to help. How he often wished that the guardianship of the Eastern Valley could be brought back! That it could rise from the dead! Problem was there were no other lions in the entire kingdom except for Adawa.

I wouldn't trust him with such a position any more than I could –

He stopped the thought cold, even if it was true. He didn't trust Adawa. Not with a guardian position and certainly not with a successor position. The very notion of the dark gray lion having either made him sick, angry. It made him wish that Adawa's mother had birthed another son, a good son – a son that he, the king, could trust. Not just with a guardian position, but perhaps, with the trust of successor, with his daughter…

Nkosi's ears fell. It didn't happen. And Adawa's mother had only birthed one cub. Nkosi was at a terrible loss. Why did things have to go the way they did? Was this the Creator punishing him for being with Nyari, for loving her when he should have been making things work Sauda? He bowed his head. Clearly, he would never understand it. Perhaps there was no understanding it at all. That it was what it was.

He continued his walk along the northern side, looking around, his eyes and gaze alert. He walked over to a bush then stopped, right forepaw in midair. He looked around, his head darting, his eyes narrowed and sharp. His ears rose. He thought he heard something. What was it? There were no animals around that he could see. So far, at least on this side, everything was quiet, still, for which he was thankful. He dismissed the sound, whatever it was, as nothing, and did what he had to do.

He walked again and saw a waterhole nearby. He licked his mouth. It was dry, hard, even. He came to the waterhole and drank.

It wasn't the poisoned one. Anybody who saw the grass grave in front of the hole, the grave of Kali's mother, knew to stay away. It served as a warning to everyone. Nkosi's parents had taken him there when he was a cub, while Sauda was still in her coma, leaving Nyari with no one else to play with. Later Nyari's mother had done the same, taken her there. And Sauda's mother took her.

It was quick to become a generational thing. He and Nyari took Jahzara. Zohali took her son, Adawa. Tisha and Safiya's mother took them. It was a generational thing that would go on for a very long time. And if it prevented another death then it was necessary, worth it.

His ears perked up and his head shot up. Water dripped from his chin and whiskers. His eyes narrowed and he looked around him. There was the sound again. And this time he had heard it clearly. He walked around the waterhole, his steps careful, slow, but determined. Whatever the sound was he had to seek it out. If it was a rogue then he would fight. If it was anything else like a small animal of the kingdom he wouldn't be too bothered. But if it was a…

Snap!

He turned his body around, legs spread out, tail lashing. "Who goes there?" he snarled. His eyes darted to any bushes nearby.

The leaves didn't rustle. Nothing moved. What the heck was this?

He didn't relax. His ears weren't playing tricks on him.

"Show who you are!" he growled. "Whoever you are, this land is mine do you hear? It's mine!" It was the common call of all kings. His father had taught it to him just for this very reason. Any rogues bent on taking over a kingdom had to know that this kingdom was taken. He waited.

No other sounds. No rustling of leaves in the bushes nearby or afar. Still, he tensed. Still, he growled, this time softly, in warning.

"This kingdom is taken! Do you hear?" he called out. Then he paused to listen. No more sounds. He lowered his head a bit, turned and walked further.

A chill fell over him and he shivered. Whatever he'd heard he had a feeling that it hadn't gone, not even at his two calls. Would he have to do it a third time? He continued patrolling the northern side for another ten minutes until the feeling had run its last course with him. His eyes snapped and he whirled around, only to stop and stare. There was no one, again. What was wrong with him? True he was only seven years old but that didn't mean his eyesight was failing. Or was his mind falling? But that was impossible, right?

"This land is yours?" said a voice.

The figure was male, probably a lion for all he knew. The figure was undercover of shade.

His throat constricted but he swallowed the large lump that near prevented him from speaking. "It is!" he said loudly, in the voice of a lion with authority. The authority of a king, the same authority his late father had taught him. He rarely had to use it and now he had to.

"Show who you are to me!" he snarled.

The figure chuckled and Nkosi could swear he'd heard that chuckle somewhere before.

"As you wish," the figure said.

Nkosi watched but before he could ask anything else, the figure in front of him, with what looked to be all four claws out, suddenly leaped at him.

Soon, roars of a fight filled the Valley. And for the first time in years, blood would be spilled.

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Author's Note: Dumaka 'Helping hands', Tayari 'Always prepared', Kipaji 'Ability'