Under the Acacias cotpl-4 Read online

  The lionesses somberly bowed one by one. “Blessed Aiheu, hear our prayer!”

  The hyenas looked one at the other. “Great Mother, sustain us,” they said, nervously, bowing. Soon, the whole hunting party lay prostrate on the savanna.

  “Good hunting,” Uzuri said shakily. She started to walk off.

  “Interesting prayer,” Taka said with a harsh edge to his voice. “Did I detect a note of pessimism?”

  “You detected a prayer,” Uzuri said, pushing past him.

  Ber pushed up alongside her. She had been avoiding eye contact with the hyenas and it took a lot of work for him to get her attention.

  “Well, what do you want?”

  “It’s about that prayer.”

  “I’ve already been called down once about it.”

  “I’m not calling you down,” he said. “I can tell that you’re a good person, and I know Roh’kash will side with you. When the revolt comes, and I feel one will, spare my mate and pups. They are loyal to the old ways and do not want to be here. Remember us.”

  She stared at him and sniffed. “I will.”

  “I was the hunt master. Now I’m just a guard. Of all the lions, maybe you alone know how much I’ve lost.”

  She looked him right in the eyes. For the moment, her feelings for hyenas was tempered with compassion. “I know what you’ve lost, and I hope I’m not next. Pray to your god for me and I’ll pray to Aiheu for you.”

  Ber smiled. “God is God. She will hear both our prayers.”

  Uzuri went to initiate the first cooperative hunt. She looked at Beesa and sighed. “Well, let’s do this thing.” She felt even then that the hunt was doomed.

  CHAPTER: KICKING A DEAD HORSE

  The first cooperative hunt was a disaster. Now Taka did not ask her but TOLD her to give the hyenas another chance. To make it worse, Uzuri’s plea for Ber to lead the hyenas fell on deaf ears. Taka deferred to Shenzi in the matter, and she wanted Pipkah to remain in charge.

  Apparently the little creep was a better liar than he was a hunter.

  Uzuri had little choice but to accept Taka’s decision, but she was going to make it quite clear to Pipkah that THIS time he would wait for her signal to close in.

  Just as she was thinking of a diplomatic way to make her point, Pipkah swaggered up to her with a couple of large hyena guards. “Your advice got us into this mess, and it’s up to me to get us out. This time I plan the strategy, Toots.”

  Uzuri looked at him speechlessly.

  He continued. “Shenzi and Taka have the utmost of confidence in my abilities when I’m allowed to do what I do best.”

  “If that’s irritating me, you have succeeded beautifully....”

  “This is an outrage!”

  “....and NEVER call me Toots!”

  Uzuri was ready to explode. She looked over at her sister Sarafina, searching for the right words to vent her feelings. Frustrated and inarticulate, she struck the ground with a paw. “Look, Sis. You deal with this--PERSON--while I take a walk to clear my head.” She turned and started off.

  “You’d better take a mighty long walk,” Pipkah called after her.

  She whipped about and snarled. “I warn you, Pip Squeak--you don’t have enough friends to keep me from ripping your leg off and jamming it down your throat!”

  “Now Sis,” Sarafina purred soothingly. “Don’t threaten him like that.” She patted Pipkah on the head with a paw, none too gently. “He might lose his concentration in the hunt and have an unfortunate accident.” She winked in clear view of Pipkah and Uzuri winked back.

  Pipkah’s ears went back and his jaw trembled. “Holy Roh’kash, you can do without me or my plan! I always said it was a mistake to trust your kind! Didn’t I, boys?? Accident indeed!” He slinked away, looking over his shoulder uneasily. “The Roh’mach will hear about this!”

  CHAPTER: OUT OF BOUNDS

  Taka was a lion who inspired pity for a while, then contempt and finally anger. Uzuri had pitied him once. She had reached the stage of contempt during his difficult adolescence. Now she had reached the point of anger, a white hot anger that could swallow up the moon and the sun and make the rivers run red with blood. She was headed to the eastern meadow, ready to leave and never come back.

  Being hunt mistress was her sense of belonging, her identity. Uzuri was beautiful, but she always saw herself first as a good provider and a leader. That night by siding with Pipkah, Taka had stripped her of all she held dear. She felt naked and ashamed and very angry. If he did not appreciate her talents, she would find someone who did.

  Uzuri had no idea where she would go. Indeed, the world beyond the Pride Lands was unknown to her and fraught with danger. The intimate knowledge of her home that made her such a fearsome huntress would be gone. She would see only what was in front of her nose.

  As she calmed down, her reckless courage failed her and she felt very vulnerable and small. Could she leave her sister Sarafina and young Nala? Could she spurn Ajenti’s sage wisdom, Beesa’s compassion and Yolanda’s gentle advice? And then came the terrible thought of losing Rafiki’s matchless devotion.

  She realized she could never turn her back on those she loved. And the void her anger left behind filled with fear. Glancing about, she saw a large pair of eyes glowing in the moonlight.

  “Oh gods, no!”

  She backed back. It was a male lion! She turned and started to run.

  “No, wait!”

  “Leave me alone!” She ran madly toward her territory and safety.

  “Please, come back! I’m not going to hurt you!”

  “Leave me alone!”

  She ran blindly into some hedges and got tangled. It only stopped her forward progress for a moment, but that was long enough for him to catch up.

  “I’m too old for this,” he complained, wheezing. “Are you all right?”

  “I’ll protect myself!” she snarled defensively. “Let me go! I don’t want to cause trouble, but I’ll fight if I have to!”

  “I don’t want you to fight,” the lion said soothingly. “You came on my land and almost walked into me. Won’t you at least introduce yourself?”

  “Sorry,” she said stiffly. “I’m Uzuri. Glad to meet you. Can I go now?”

  “Sure you can,” he said gently. “Run away if you must, but don’t tell them I harmed you. At least tell them the truth, and be sure you get my name right.”

  “I don’t know your name.”

  “You never asked me. I’m Ugas.” He smiled bashfully.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not always this rude--uh--Ugas.” She relaxed. “Are you the King here or a rogue lion?”

  “I’m King here.” He drew near enough to reach out and touch her with a paw but he made no move to do so. His large, beautiful eyes swept over her face in a search for understanding. “Uzuri, you look depressed. Is everything quite all right?”

  “I’m fine. Just fine.”

  “Your words say you are fine, but I see something in the way you’re standing, the set of your ears, even the way you look at me. It’s as if your whole being is crying out for help.” He sat like a sphinx and began to idly groom his mane and said matter-of-factly, “You were thinking of running away.”

  “How did you....says who??”

  “Don’t be upset, my dear.” He smiled pleasantly. “You can confide in me. That’s the best part of meeting a stranger--you can say anything that comes to your mind. I’ve lived a long life--maybe I’ll have the answer you’re looking for.”

  “No, it’s nothing, thank you.” She licked her paw nervously but looked into Ugas’ eyes and his warm, fatherly smile. “Well, yes,” she said at last. It felt good to admit it. “Our King is dead and now his brother is ruling the Pride Lands. I’m sure he means well, but he’s....”

  “But you can’t stand him. Mufasa was a good friend. Scar is...how shall I put this...acting like himself.” He shrugged. “So are the rumors true? Are hyenas really living on Pride Rock?”

  “Yes! O
h gods, it’s awful!”

  “And terribly unfair to you, hunt mistress. I hear your first joint effort was a disaster.”

  “It sure was!” She gasped. “How did you know that??”

  “I have eyes and ears all over. Even Zazu.” He saw her expression of shock, but only nodded and began to examine his claws. “Don’t look so surprised. His mother lives here, and she’s a first- class gossip. And then Mufasa used to always do border patrol with me before ‘IT’ happened.”

  “You walked the line together?”

  “He’d nod at me, and I’d nod at him. He never said much, but when he did speak, it was always something worth hearing. And the first day he wasn’t there, I had this horrible emptiness inside.” He sighed. “I didn’t realize Simba was dead too, not for several days. Taka didn’t tell me anything, and Zazu hasn’t been back.”

  Uzuri hung her head. Tears began to run down her cheeks.

  “You poor dear thing,” Ugas purred, reaching up with a paw and wiping her face.

  She looked into his gentle eyes and saw genuine compassion. “You really liked Mufasa, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. And the child, too, for I have no son of my own. I used to think Mufasa was so lucky.” A tear slid down his cheek. “You’re a parent. Surely you understand.”

  “I understand, but I’m not a parent.”

  “You’re not??” He looked surprised. “As beautiful as you are?”

  She looked down, embarrassed. “You flatter me.”

  “Oh no, my dear. You are beautiful. And when you cry, the beauty goes all the way through.” He lifted her chin with a paw and looked into her sad eyes. “I bet a smile would have the same effect.”

  “I don’t have any smiles left.”

  Ugas kissed away the new tears. “You pierce my heart with a thorn, child. Taka is so full of hate--I’ve seen it when he walks the border. He glares at me and shouts, ‘This land is mine! You want it, but you’ll never have it!’” He nuzzled her. “There is no hate in me, Uzuri. Come with me and I’ll see if I can find a few smiles left. Meet the others--they could be your pride sisters.” He watched for her reaction, but when she said nothing, he added, “I’m offering you freedom, my dear. Freedom and friendship.”

  “You’re very kind, but not now. I have family there.”

  “Bring them with you. Don’t go back to Taka--it’s not safe while he’s there.”

  “Thank you, but it’s my home. There’s more at stake than family and friends. You understand, don’t you?”

  “Yes. Do what you feel you must.”

  She sighed. “Well, it’s time for me to make my report. You’re such a kind lion, Aiheu would listen to your prayers. Say a prayer for me.”

  Ugas nodded. “I will. Take care of yourself, dear.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “Call me Ugas,” he said, rising and touching her cheek with his nose, then kissing her lightly. “Come back to me.”

  “When?”

  “Any time you want to see me. Any time at all. That goes for your friends as well.”

  She felt of his cheek with a paw. “Yes, I might just do that.”

  CHAPTER: FAMILY TIES

  Ugas hummed to himself as he trotted through the grass. His mind wandered back to Uzuri and the short time they shared, and he smiled despite himself. “Lovely Uzuri,” he thought dreamily, “what was Aiheu thinking when he fashioned you? Was he singing his favorite song? Was he in a good mood?”

  Ugas had known many lionesses over the course of his life, but there was something about this one. The way she looked at him made him want to frisk about like a cub. He closed his eyes and summoned up the image of her face again. "Uzuri," he whispered.

  He tried to imagine what her smile was like, but her pervasive sadness was too strong. “I will make you smile,” he thought. “I’ll devote my life to it. The magic of your smile would cheat death itself, and I’d be young again!”

  "Daydreaming again, you old goat?!"

  Ugas started and opened his eyes to see the lioness glaring at him through the scrub bushes that lined the path he had been following. "Adhama, what are you doing here?"

  "Making sure you do your sentry duty this time." She emerged from the cover and stood face to face with him. "I found hyena tracks not twenty lengths from our kopje last night, Ugas! What have you been doing out here, napping??"

  He drew himself up to his full height, his neck arching in indignation. "You know full well I was patrolling! If it wasn’t for me, Sis, this pride wouldn’t even exist!"

  "Oh, THAT'S for certain!" Not intimidated in the least, she paced forward, forcing him back a step. "I know all about your 'efforts!' They've produced a rather large pride, in case you haven't noticed. A pride which needs to be fed, protected, cared for, and LOOKED AFTER! Why can't you be more like your brother was? Now THERE was a responsible lion."

  Ugas groaned. "Not again, please!"

  "Kazi was out here from well before sunup to well after sundown, patrolling the land and defending us against our enemies."

  "And he died of exhaustion. Is that what you want me to do?"

  “At least he died with honor. I'm glad he didn’t live to see you like this!" Her jaw trembled as she wheeled about and stalked off a short distance, her head lowered.

  Ugas stood still a moment, then slowly padded over to her and nuzzled her cheek. "Addie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snipe at you."

  She raised her head and blinked back tears. "Yeah, right."

  "I'm serious. I just-"

  "Ugas, I know you loved him."

  He took his paw and gently wiped away her tears. “I’m trying, Addie, but I’m just not my brother. He was always better at fighting, better at tracking, but I had the personality. Well my charm won’t work on rogue lions and wild dogs. I’m having to be someone I’m not, trying to support a double burden on old shoulders, rising early and resting late, patrolling this whole land by myself. No son to help me, and now no brother.”

  “There are many lions who never had a brother. Do they complain? No--they are glad just to have a home and a family.”

  “But they are young, Addie. They still have their health.” He looked down. “I’m near the end of my path, old girl. I should be able to pass some of the load to another. Instead I have to spend my final days tired and afraid. Always tired and afraid. I have aches where I didn’t think I had bones, and every time I think about making that long trek, my heart skips a beat.”

  Adhama took a shaky breath. "Are you just giving up, then? What are you saying to me, brother?”

  Ugas looked at her intently. “I’m not giving up. Tonight I met someone that may help us. If I can work my will, she’ll be my wife and mother of my son. A son, Addie!”

  “Mother of your son?” She looked at him skeptically. “Kazi fathered nothing but daughters, and so have you. It looks like you’d stop trying.”

  “I CAN’T stop trying. Don’t you know what happens to old lions who have no son?” He looked pleadingly into her eyes, then turned and trudged away, his head and tail hung low. “There are lots of rogues out there who would swap their whiskers for this place,” he muttered. “I won’t let them drive me off. I’d rather die here in one brave gesture than starve slowly. I love my daughters, but if only Aiheu would give me a son! Merciful God, help me!”

  CHAPTER: A FREE LUNCH

  Uzuri crept back to the Pride Lands with a knot in her stomach. Ugas’ offer began to sound ever better as the ominous shadow of Pride Rock began to loom over her. “Aiheu abamami,” she muttered, taking the trail up the stone to where Taka was waiting.

  Before she even walked into the cave, Taka said, “So you have a problem with Pipkah, I hear?”

  “He’s a royal pain, Scar.”

  “Need I remind you who’s really royal??”

  “Sorry--Your Majesty.”

  “Well then.” Taka pulled himself up straight and tried to sound commanding. “Let’s work things out. If you don’t want
to hunt with Pipkah and his group, you don’t have to.”

  “Thank you VERY MUCH, Sire.”

  “Just make sure you get enough food for all, because they get first choice.”

  “What??”

  “They are willing to hunt for their share, but you seem to think it’s unwise.”

  “But Sire...surely you don’t expect us to...we’ll starve!”

  “Not when you’re motivated by hunger to learn some courtesy.”

  “But I....”

  “No buts, Uzuri. Pipkah tells me Fini threatened his life, and you went along with it.”

  “We spoke in anger. You didn’t see what they did!”

  “I didn’t have to. Everyone’s talking about it. Now there are a lot of hungry eyes looking to you for food. Go scrounge up something like a good girl.”

  Uzuri was stunned. She numbly nodded her head, turned and left. For a third time, she remembered the kind words Ugas spoke to her: “There is no hate in me.” Never had he seemed so kind as by contrast with Taka.

  Uzuri went about shouting “Baraza!” which is to say, “meeting!” It was like any strategy meeting might have begun before the hunt, but it had a very important purpose.

  By ones and twos the lionesses arrived. Soon they were all together, except for Elanna whose absence was both expected and painful.

  “Aiheu abamami,” Uzuri muttered as she nuzzled each of the lionesses from Yolanda, the oldest, down to the newest huntresses. It was an order dictated by tradition. But there was a tenseness in the air, so strong it could be prodded with a paw like water.

  “Taka has laid a burden on us,” she spoke slowly. “Now we must hunt for ourselves and for the hyenas. It seems they are afraid for their safety.”

  “Damn straight!” Isha said. “And well they should be!”

  Ajenti, who was usually more democratic, said, “It’s time to cut King Droopy-Drawers down to size.”

  “The hyenas are on his side,” Uzuri said. “We must solve a major problem tonight. Our cubs must eat, and so must we.”