Chapter 5: Mohatu's Departure
Mohatu's head shot up, startled by what he had just heard. "What?" he exclaimed in surprise, turning to look at his brother. Mtundu couldn't be serious about considering Mohatu to go to the Wastelands. Especially not alone. That would be suicide, and wouldn't help the problem it all. Mohatu's interjection would probably hinder the problem more than it would help it.
Ucheshi looked surprised as well. His ears were perked up and was watching the situation intently. Apparently, he couldn't believe Mtundu's statement either. Mohatu and Mtundu joked around quite a bit. Maybe--hopefully--this was the case.
But Mtundu's expression didn't change to a joking grin. Rather, it grew very solemn. Mtundu had never looked at his brother with such an expression before. Swallowing hard, Mohatu stared at his brother. Mtundu was serious.
"Why such a surprised reaction, brother?" asked Mtundu. "Weren't expecting that, were you?"
Mohatu and Ucheshi just stared. Kito crossed his arms, arched a brow, and looked on with indifference. Mtundu continued. "Since no one else has come up with a better idea, we might as well give yours a shot."
While Mohatu gaped with a deer-caught-in-the-headlights look, Ucheshi jumped to his feet. "You can't be serious, Sire!" he exclaimed.
Mtundu struck Ucheshi down with a cold glare. "Would you care to take his place?" he asked firmly.
Ucheshi lowered himself a bit, respectfully. He had no desire to take Mohatu's place, despite his objection to Mtundu's opinion. Sadly, he cast a helpless look over at Mohatu as if to say, sorry pal, I tried. You're on your own.' Head down, Ucheshi slunk away, trying to avoid getting himself involved.
Now standing alone, Mohatu slowly got to his feet and took a few nervous steps toward his brother, who kept his gaze just as intent as it had been with Ucheshi's comment. His teal eyes searched for some--any at all--sympathy that may be hiding in his brother's eyes. "Please tell me you're only joking," he pleaded quietly.
Giving a sorrowful sigh, Mtundu slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry, Mohatu," he replied, "but desperate times call for desperate measures. If we don't try to solve the problem now, it will only get worse."
That wasn't the response Mohatu wanted. He wanted his brother to withdraw his plan, and ask Mohatu if he knew anyone else who could do the job. But Mtundu was still firm with his decision. "Your suggestion isn't desperate, it's insane!" exclaimed Mohatu.
A sudden rage flared in Mtundu's eyes, and Mohatu's eyes grew wide in fear and drew back a bit. Mtundu let out an angry roar. Mohatu curled his tail between his legs. He had never seen Mtundu so angry. Especially not with him. This was the kind of anger that Onevu used to display before he would hit Mohatu when he was a cub. Frightened by the sudden recall of the awful memories, Mohatu cowered below his brother in a cub-like fashion. "You dare to question my authority?" roared Mtundu. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
Mohatu trembled in fear. His cruel, impassive brother from the past was shining through his once affable brother. And as this hell brother shone through, Mohatu went from being King Mohatu to the frightened trembling cub he used to be. Shame filled his heart. He was back to where he started.
No, no. He would not go back to that. His unrelenting fear is what kept him on the fringes of the pride as a cub. He wouldn't let it happen again. Even if his brother was king, so was Mohatu. Mtundu had never established who was the more superior of the two, so he had no right to talk to him in such a fashion. Lifting himself from the ground, Mohatu fluffed out his mane to make himself look and feel bigger. His eyes burned into Mtundu's with defiance. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do," he snarled, "I'm talking to my equal, my brother who rules along side me and wields just as much power as I do."
Mtundu was clearly taken aback by Mohatu's insurrection, but there was no way he would let his younger brother get the better of him. His eyes glazed over as his anger level sky-rocketed.
Kito, who had been watching the whole tangle for the past few minutes, finally decided to interfere. His small and slender frame would prevent him from being much of a referee, but he was quite smooth with words. His calm, rationable voice and reasoning had saved his skin and the skins of others many a time in the past. Perhaps it would even work on such great figures as kings. He only feared that Mtundu's anger had carried him beyond compromise.
Kito gently touched Mtundu's leg. "Easy, Sire, easy," he warned. "Don't do anything you'll regret."
Mtundu kept his eyes on Mohatu. "I doubt that I would regret knocking Mohatu's fool head off," he growled.
Kito frowned. "Yes, you would," he replied, trying to keep his voice calm. "Listen Boss, I know tensions are high"--Mtundu and Mohatu growled at eachother--"but this won't help." Mtundu and Mohatu's faces softened just a bit, but they stayed fixed on eachother. "Besides, Mohatu was right."
That final comment caused both kings' faces to drop, and they looked down at Kito questioningly, just as Kito hoped they would. This would pull the two out of their enraged trance, and they would be able to listen to reasoning.
"I was?" Mohatu asked.
Kito smiled and nodded. "Of course. You are both king, and both wield the same amount of power and influence on this kingdom." He looked off into the distance with a concerned visage. "I can't imagine what would happen to the kingdom if you two finished eachother off like you were about to."
Mohatu and Mtundu looked at eachother for a moment. Mohatu raised his eyebrows at his brother. He was ready to compromise if Mtundu was. Despite his earlier irritance toward Mtundu's arrogant attitude, he didn't want any conflict, and he was sure that Mtundu didn't either. Mtundu seemed to read Mohatu's mind as he sighed and sat down. "I suppose you're right, Kito," he said, "there's so sense in us fighting at a time like this. We need to find a solution."
Kito gave an understanding nod, and smiled inwardly. His smooth tongue had saved the day again.
Mohatu nodded as well. Mtundu continued. "Mohatu, I like your idea, I really do," continued Mtundu, "and I don't want you to take my decision as a personal blow. You were the one to come up with the idea, and you're probably the only one who could handle it in the proper fashion." Mohatu met his brother's eyes. Mtundu gave Mohatu a smile. "Besides, this is our kingdom. Yours and mine. And this way, we can keep everything under control."
Mohatu leaned in, interested. "How so?"
"Simple," Mtundu responded, "you go to the Wastelands, carry out your plan and fix the problem while I stay here and keep the kingdom under control. Kito will be our messenger. He will check up on you every so often to record your progress and report it back to me." Kito's head perked up at the mention of his name, and nodded dutifully. Mtundu's eyes fell to the ground. "But then, I know I can't force you. It's ultimately your decision."
At that moment, Mohatu felt a huge burden fall onto him. He now realized that the fate of the kingdom depended on him. If he didn't go, no one else would probably volunteer to take his place. And the problem certainly wouldn't go away on its own. He took a deep breath, realizing what he had to do. "I'll go."
Mohatu took a deep breath as he stood inside the den. Tonight's the night, he thought to himself, trying to calm himself. He wasn't looking foreward to this at all. Journeying to the Wastelands was almost suicide. There were probably enough lionesses to tear him apart in seconds, despite his great bulk and size. Credibility in his own kingdom would be void in another, and the pride would have no reason not to kill him. Mohatu felt a flurry of second thoughts creeping into his mind, telling him to turn back. He clenched his eyes shut, trying to fight the thoughts away. No, he commanded himself, you will not back down now. You are king. Do it for your kingdom.
He quickly padded out of the den before his doubts could bombard him a second time.
"There he is!"
A hushed whisper brought Mohatu out of his thoughts, as he looked at what lay before him. He gaped in surprise as he saw the whole pride assembled outside the den. He hadn't expected any kind of going-away tribute such as this. He always compared himself to Mtundu, and saw himself simply as the meaker, more soft-spoken of the two who tried not to get involved in political affairs. He had fostered few doubts that his subjects felt the same way, but this gathering was proof enough to make his earlier suspicions void.
He smiled gratefully, unsure of what to say. The pride smiled back, and parted to form an isle for their king, where at the end, stood Mtundu, Mzungu, Ucheshi, and Tuli. Overcome by the tremendous amount of loyalty being displayed, Mohatu slowly began to walk down the isle as the pride looked on with admiring smiles. Mohatu even noticed a few cubs, watching from the shelter of their mother's forelegs, gaping at him as if he were a god.
Finally making his way to the end of the isle, he met his closest subjects, wearing the same admiring smiles as the rest of the pride. Mohatu finally found his voice, and said, "Why are you all gathered here?"
Mtundu winked at Mohatu. "It's not everyday they get to see one of their kings set of on an expedition to ensure their safety," he replied. "Besides, we all wanted to wish you good luck."
Mohatu fought back the tears that threatened to flow freely from his eyes. Tuli approached him first and nuzzled his mane. "Good luck, Mohatu," she said softly. Mohatu smiled and nuzzled her back. Tuli pulled away, gave him one last smile and turned around and walked off to join the rest of her pride sisters. Next came Ucheshi, who was baring his usual side-ways grin. "Don't try an nuzzle me, or I'll have to clout you," he said jokingly. Mohatu laughed a bit, but couldn't find his voice to speak. Ucheshi nudged Mohatu. "Break a leg, Sire." With that, he walked past Mohatu to join the others.
Mohatu's smile grew as Mzungu jumped forward and nuzzled him fiercely. "You better come back," she whispered, "in one piece, too."
"I will," promised Mohatu. "But if worse comes to worst, you have my permission to blame Mtundu." Mohatu cast a grin in Mtundu's direction. Mzungu finally pulled back and looked deep into Mohatu's eyes. "I love you."
Forcing the tears away, Mohatu replied. "I love you, too."
Mzungu gave him a quick tongue touch to the cheek and left. Mohatu turned to Mtundu. They stood in silence for a moment, both not sure of what to say. Mtundu caught Mohatu off-guard as he caught him in a strong embrace. "Good luck, Mohatu," he said, "and a safe journey."
"Thanks," replied Mohatu. They ceased of their embrace and smiled at eachother. Mohatu looked off into the horizon, where the sun was sinking below the land-line. "It is time," he said, half to himself. Without another word, Mohatu made his way down the stone and broke into a sprint toward his destination in the yonder valley.
Mohatu's head shot up, startled by what he had just heard. "What?" he exclaimed in surprise, turning to look at his brother. Mtundu couldn't be serious about considering Mohatu to go to the Wastelands. Especially not alone. That would be suicide, and wouldn't help the problem it all. Mohatu's interjection would probably hinder the problem more than it would help it.
Ucheshi looked surprised as well. His ears were perked up and was watching the situation intently. Apparently, he couldn't believe Mtundu's statement either. Mohatu and Mtundu joked around quite a bit. Maybe--hopefully--this was the case.
But Mtundu's expression didn't change to a joking grin. Rather, it grew very solemn. Mtundu had never looked at his brother with such an expression before. Swallowing hard, Mohatu stared at his brother. Mtundu was serious.
"Why such a surprised reaction, brother?" asked Mtundu. "Weren't expecting that, were you?"
Mohatu and Ucheshi just stared. Kito crossed his arms, arched a brow, and looked on with indifference. Mtundu continued. "Since no one else has come up with a better idea, we might as well give yours a shot."
While Mohatu gaped with a deer-caught-in-the-headlights look, Ucheshi jumped to his feet. "You can't be serious, Sire!" he exclaimed.
Mtundu struck Ucheshi down with a cold glare. "Would you care to take his place?" he asked firmly.
Ucheshi lowered himself a bit, respectfully. He had no desire to take Mohatu's place, despite his objection to Mtundu's opinion. Sadly, he cast a helpless look over at Mohatu as if to say, sorry pal, I tried. You're on your own.' Head down, Ucheshi slunk away, trying to avoid getting himself involved.
Now standing alone, Mohatu slowly got to his feet and took a few nervous steps toward his brother, who kept his gaze just as intent as it had been with Ucheshi's comment. His teal eyes searched for some--any at all--sympathy that may be hiding in his brother's eyes. "Please tell me you're only joking," he pleaded quietly.
Giving a sorrowful sigh, Mtundu slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry, Mohatu," he replied, "but desperate times call for desperate measures. If we don't try to solve the problem now, it will only get worse."
That wasn't the response Mohatu wanted. He wanted his brother to withdraw his plan, and ask Mohatu if he knew anyone else who could do the job. But Mtundu was still firm with his decision. "Your suggestion isn't desperate, it's insane!" exclaimed Mohatu.
A sudden rage flared in Mtundu's eyes, and Mohatu's eyes grew wide in fear and drew back a bit. Mtundu let out an angry roar. Mohatu curled his tail between his legs. He had never seen Mtundu so angry. Especially not with him. This was the kind of anger that Onevu used to display before he would hit Mohatu when he was a cub. Frightened by the sudden recall of the awful memories, Mohatu cowered below his brother in a cub-like fashion. "You dare to question my authority?" roared Mtundu. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
Mohatu trembled in fear. His cruel, impassive brother from the past was shining through his once affable brother. And as this hell brother shone through, Mohatu went from being King Mohatu to the frightened trembling cub he used to be. Shame filled his heart. He was back to where he started.
No, no. He would not go back to that. His unrelenting fear is what kept him on the fringes of the pride as a cub. He wouldn't let it happen again. Even if his brother was king, so was Mohatu. Mtundu had never established who was the more superior of the two, so he had no right to talk to him in such a fashion. Lifting himself from the ground, Mohatu fluffed out his mane to make himself look and feel bigger. His eyes burned into Mtundu's with defiance. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do," he snarled, "I'm talking to my equal, my brother who rules along side me and wields just as much power as I do."
Mtundu was clearly taken aback by Mohatu's insurrection, but there was no way he would let his younger brother get the better of him. His eyes glazed over as his anger level sky-rocketed.
Kito, who had been watching the whole tangle for the past few minutes, finally decided to interfere. His small and slender frame would prevent him from being much of a referee, but he was quite smooth with words. His calm, rationable voice and reasoning had saved his skin and the skins of others many a time in the past. Perhaps it would even work on such great figures as kings. He only feared that Mtundu's anger had carried him beyond compromise.
Kito gently touched Mtundu's leg. "Easy, Sire, easy," he warned. "Don't do anything you'll regret."
Mtundu kept his eyes on Mohatu. "I doubt that I would regret knocking Mohatu's fool head off," he growled.
Kito frowned. "Yes, you would," he replied, trying to keep his voice calm. "Listen Boss, I know tensions are high"--Mtundu and Mohatu growled at eachother--"but this won't help." Mtundu and Mohatu's faces softened just a bit, but they stayed fixed on eachother. "Besides, Mohatu was right."
That final comment caused both kings' faces to drop, and they looked down at Kito questioningly, just as Kito hoped they would. This would pull the two out of their enraged trance, and they would be able to listen to reasoning.
"I was?" Mohatu asked.
Kito smiled and nodded. "Of course. You are both king, and both wield the same amount of power and influence on this kingdom." He looked off into the distance with a concerned visage. "I can't imagine what would happen to the kingdom if you two finished eachother off like you were about to."
Mohatu and Mtundu looked at eachother for a moment. Mohatu raised his eyebrows at his brother. He was ready to compromise if Mtundu was. Despite his earlier irritance toward Mtundu's arrogant attitude, he didn't want any conflict, and he was sure that Mtundu didn't either. Mtundu seemed to read Mohatu's mind as he sighed and sat down. "I suppose you're right, Kito," he said, "there's so sense in us fighting at a time like this. We need to find a solution."
Kito gave an understanding nod, and smiled inwardly. His smooth tongue had saved the day again.
Mohatu nodded as well. Mtundu continued. "Mohatu, I like your idea, I really do," continued Mtundu, "and I don't want you to take my decision as a personal blow. You were the one to come up with the idea, and you're probably the only one who could handle it in the proper fashion." Mohatu met his brother's eyes. Mtundu gave Mohatu a smile. "Besides, this is our kingdom. Yours and mine. And this way, we can keep everything under control."
Mohatu leaned in, interested. "How so?"
"Simple," Mtundu responded, "you go to the Wastelands, carry out your plan and fix the problem while I stay here and keep the kingdom under control. Kito will be our messenger. He will check up on you every so often to record your progress and report it back to me." Kito's head perked up at the mention of his name, and nodded dutifully. Mtundu's eyes fell to the ground. "But then, I know I can't force you. It's ultimately your decision."
At that moment, Mohatu felt a huge burden fall onto him. He now realized that the fate of the kingdom depended on him. If he didn't go, no one else would probably volunteer to take his place. And the problem certainly wouldn't go away on its own. He took a deep breath, realizing what he had to do. "I'll go."
Mohatu took a deep breath as he stood inside the den. Tonight's the night, he thought to himself, trying to calm himself. He wasn't looking foreward to this at all. Journeying to the Wastelands was almost suicide. There were probably enough lionesses to tear him apart in seconds, despite his great bulk and size. Credibility in his own kingdom would be void in another, and the pride would have no reason not to kill him. Mohatu felt a flurry of second thoughts creeping into his mind, telling him to turn back. He clenched his eyes shut, trying to fight the thoughts away. No, he commanded himself, you will not back down now. You are king. Do it for your kingdom.
He quickly padded out of the den before his doubts could bombard him a second time.
"There he is!"
A hushed whisper brought Mohatu out of his thoughts, as he looked at what lay before him. He gaped in surprise as he saw the whole pride assembled outside the den. He hadn't expected any kind of going-away tribute such as this. He always compared himself to Mtundu, and saw himself simply as the meaker, more soft-spoken of the two who tried not to get involved in political affairs. He had fostered few doubts that his subjects felt the same way, but this gathering was proof enough to make his earlier suspicions void.
He smiled gratefully, unsure of what to say. The pride smiled back, and parted to form an isle for their king, where at the end, stood Mtundu, Mzungu, Ucheshi, and Tuli. Overcome by the tremendous amount of loyalty being displayed, Mohatu slowly began to walk down the isle as the pride looked on with admiring smiles. Mohatu even noticed a few cubs, watching from the shelter of their mother's forelegs, gaping at him as if he were a god.
Finally making his way to the end of the isle, he met his closest subjects, wearing the same admiring smiles as the rest of the pride. Mohatu finally found his voice, and said, "Why are you all gathered here?"
Mtundu winked at Mohatu. "It's not everyday they get to see one of their kings set of on an expedition to ensure their safety," he replied. "Besides, we all wanted to wish you good luck."
Mohatu fought back the tears that threatened to flow freely from his eyes. Tuli approached him first and nuzzled his mane. "Good luck, Mohatu," she said softly. Mohatu smiled and nuzzled her back. Tuli pulled away, gave him one last smile and turned around and walked off to join the rest of her pride sisters. Next came Ucheshi, who was baring his usual side-ways grin. "Don't try an nuzzle me, or I'll have to clout you," he said jokingly. Mohatu laughed a bit, but couldn't find his voice to speak. Ucheshi nudged Mohatu. "Break a leg, Sire." With that, he walked past Mohatu to join the others.
Mohatu's smile grew as Mzungu jumped forward and nuzzled him fiercely. "You better come back," she whispered, "in one piece, too."
"I will," promised Mohatu. "But if worse comes to worst, you have my permission to blame Mtundu." Mohatu cast a grin in Mtundu's direction. Mzungu finally pulled back and looked deep into Mohatu's eyes. "I love you."
Forcing the tears away, Mohatu replied. "I love you, too."
Mzungu gave him a quick tongue touch to the cheek and left. Mohatu turned to Mtundu. They stood in silence for a moment, both not sure of what to say. Mtundu caught Mohatu off-guard as he caught him in a strong embrace. "Good luck, Mohatu," he said, "and a safe journey."
"Thanks," replied Mohatu. They ceased of their embrace and smiled at eachother. Mohatu looked off into the horizon, where the sun was sinking below the land-line. "It is time," he said, half to himself. Without another word, Mohatu made his way down the stone and broke into a sprint toward his destination in the yonder valley.
