CHAPTER 66:  AMOR VINCIT OMNIA

	Gur'bruk and Kambra gazed wearily upon the savanna before them as 
they padded over the ground with sore paws.  Searching the horizon 
eagerly, they spotted Antelope Kopje in the distance, and soon 
afterwards the Clan Acacia.  "Home!" Kambra muttered, her hackles 
standing up.  "Dearest Roh'kash, I never thought I'd see it again!"
	"Yes, old girl."
	"I wonder who's in our old place."
	"I wonder how Bath and Mer'bel are."
	Kambra briefly whined.  "So do I, but I'm scared.  Will they want 
to see us?  What if they're dead?  We don't really know anything!"
	"Don't be foolish, dear.  You're just nervous, but everything's 
going to be all right--God willing."
	They headed to the invisible line that marked the territory of the 
clan.  In the bushes there were subtle sounds around that they 
recognized as sentries calling to each other.
	"Maida elekhvor," Kambra said.
	One of the sentries stepped out.  It was Ber.  "That's an old 
password, but...."  He looked at them carefully.  "Are you spirits?"
	"What do you think?" Kambra asked.
	Ber scratched behind his ear awkwardly.  "Gur'bruk, how are you?  
Those things I said about your son--I mean--Gur'mekh paid for what he 
did, and I'm just trying to say that...."
	"That you've missed us?"  She pawed his face.  "We've missed you 
too.  You are glad to see us, aren't you?"
	Ber's tail began to wag so hard that his whole back end began to 
shake.  He nuzzled her warmly and cried, "Yes, yes!  Welcome home, old 
friends!  Oh gods, it's good to see you again!"
	"I take it we may pass?"
	"Of course.  I'll take full responsibility.  When you want in, 
remember that the new watchword is `elim galberet' cause some of the new 
guards may not know you.  We have a new Roh'mach, and he's much kinder 
than the last two.  He knows all about the makei, and I doubt he'll 
honor the ban."
	"Who's in charge now?" Gur'bruk asked.
	"Uhuru.  You knew him as Krull."
	"Krull?  Your grandson Krull?"
	Ber practically beamed.  "Yes sir, none other!"  
	"I hope you don't mind if we go say hello to the family."
	"By all means!  But don't be a stranger!"  Ber nuzzled them both 
lovingly.  "I'm so glad that we put the past behind us!"
	Gur'bruk said, "I know what it feels like to lose a son.  I'm so 
sorry, Ber!  I just want you to know that."
	Ber nodded.  "And I'm sorry about Gur'mekh.  He loved you a great 
deal."
	"We'll pay our respects to Lenti if she'll see us."
	He shook his head.  "Perhaps she's looking down on you now."
	"Oh!  I'm so sorry!"
	Ber looked down.  "And that's not all."  He pawed Kambra's face.  
"Prepare yourself, my dear.  Your sister is gone too."
	Kambra's eyes widened.  "My Shimbekh?"
	"I'm afraid so."
	Kambra's eyes misted up.  "We were so close...."  Tears spilled 
down her cheeks.  "My poor Shimbekh!  Oh gods!"
	When Kambra regained her composure, she signalled to Gur'bruk and 
the two of them headed deep into clan territory.
	They were in for more surprises as they went to find their family.
	Bath and Mer'bel were playing with their pups in the eastern 
march.  "Girls!" Kambra said, feeling her heart rise in her mouth.  
"It's time for your nap!"
	They looked around, stunned.  "Muti!  Maleh!"
	There was a tearful reunion, one made all the more special by the 
quick arrival of Gur'bruk and Kambra's parents.  Word spread fast among 
the hyenas.
	The whole family was together for the first time in years.  
En'geer and Tela were off hunting, but a quick look by Mer'bel turned up 
their pups.  It was becoming a rather large reuinion.
	The absence of Shimbekh and Gur'mekh was keenly felt, but they all 
felt that somewhere, somehow their hearts were with them.  Such peace 
came to them all as had not been felt in many moons.
	Bath and Mer'bel introduced them to their husbands, then to the 
pups.  There was no way Gur'bruk and Kambra could remember all those 
names, but they both loved children so, and fit easily into the new role 
of grandparents.  They were mobbed by affectionate pups, some of whom 
had the gift.
	"I can see that prophesy is alive here," Kambra said with a happy 
sigh, kissing the small wiggling bodies that tugged at her ears and 
tail, rubbing against her side and crying "Grand-okash!"  Gur'bruk 
rolled on his back, batting at his assailants.  One pup sat on his 
stomach and peered straight down into his eyes.  "Gotcha!"
	Bath said, "They're going to love their grand-okash.  Muti, we'll 
have to find you a new place.  Dabrek is old and set in his ways, and he 
is fond of napping on your old scratching grounds."
	"We're not here to stay," she replied.  
	"But you MUST stay," Bath said, her ears folding back.  "Muti, 
it's OK for you to come back.  The Roh'mach understands."
	"We have things to do first.  We're going to Pride Rock, and I'm 
not sure how long we'll be gone.  But the moment we leave, we're coming 
back here."
	"Why are you going there?"
	"To keep an old promise."
	Just then, Uhuru came by.  Gur'bruk winced.  "We were just 
leaving," he said.  "We came to see the family."
	"Now look here, Gur'bruk.  Since when is having puppies a crime 
worthy of expulsion?"
	"We must be honest about this.  You know good and well Gur'mekh 
told us he was guilty.  We harbored him for a while because he was 
desperate to have an exorcism.  No matter what the Roh'mach said, only 
God has the right to condemn an immortal soul.  What we did, we had to 
do.  On this basis you may make your decision, and we will abide by it."
	Uhuru said, "I'm not telling you to trample the law underfoot, but 
I'm a little more open minded than poor Amarakh.  I've seen things in my 
life that have broadened my views.  The ban is ended, and tonight we 
will set aside time to grieve for Gur'mekh."
	"Thank you, Roh'mach.  How is Amarakh?"
	"Dead, Gur'bruk.  The dying has stopped, but during the two 
conflicts and the famine nearly a third of the people you knew died."
	Gur'bruk gasped.  "My gods!"
	Gur'bruk and Kambra headed on toward Pride Rock.  Halfway there, 
they were challenged by a hunting party of lionesses.
	"Ho there, we don't know you."
	"King Ahadi will understand our mission."
	"Ahadi?  He's been dead for some time.  His grandson Simba is king 
now."
	"Grandson?"  Gur'bruk looked at Kambra.  "Has it really been that 
long, old girl?"
	Kambra spoke up.  "Where is Yolanda?  She can explain this.  
	"Sorry, ma'am.  She's dead."  Ajenti drew closer and examined 
Kambra carefully.  It was a tense moment.  "So how did you know my 
mother?"
	"Your mother was very kind to us in our suffering.  We came here 
to thank her.  I'm so sorry."
	Ajenti relaxed.  "There's only one hyena that mother knew.  You 
wouldn't be Kambra, would you?"
	"Yes, I'm Kambra."  She looked at Ajenti carefully.  "I'll never 
forget your muti's face.  You have her eyes, and the bridge of your 
nose.  It was such a kind face, and she had such a large heart."
	"She must have told me about you a hundred times," Ajenti said 
with a purr.  "Now I see you face to face."
	"I promised your okash--your mother--that I would come back 
someday and visit her."  She nuzzled Ajenti.  "Yolanda, wherever you 
are, that's for you."
	Ajenti kissed her.  "And that's from my mother."
	Just then, investigating the odd meeting, Simba came up.  He 
looked at them closely, then shook all over.  "Hey, I know you!"  He 
smiled broadly.  "You're the two hyenas that saved my life!"
	"You're that little cub??" Gur'bruk said.
	"You're that big hyena??"
	They both burst out laughing.  "Come," Simba said, "let's have 
something to eat!  You'll be glad to know that grubs are NOT on the 
menu!"


CHAPTER 68:  THE HUNTER HOME FROM THE HILL

	"I believe that our sun is rising, not setting.  That there are 
great things ahead for our race, and that those who have looked down 
upon us for centuries will come to respect us as children of Roh'kash."

                                        --  GUR'MEKH

	Skulk's love for Shenzi was genuine, and it was not long before 
she had "the light in her eyes" once again, the impending promise of new 
life preparing to come forth.  The birth of the pups was greeted by 
joyous exultation by the new clan, eager as they were to perpetuate 
their line.  Ed was not particularly impressed with the new children, 
engrossed as he was in studying the cloud formations overhead, but 
Banzai's chest swelled with pride as he looked at his little nephews and 
nieces.  "Nice job, Sis."
	Shenzi smiled tiredly as her children gathered to her to take 
their first meal.  "Thanks."
	Skulk worked overtime to try and fulfill his promise to Fabana.  
Under the circumstances, he provided for Shenzi and his pups rather 
well, but they went hungry more often than not.  There was little enough 
food to go around for they had no territory of their own.  Even when 
they did kill, it was sometimes taken from them by the lords of the 
land.
	The brave thing to do might have been to not have pups.  But the 
husbands and wives had few basic comforts and even fewer pleasures.  So 
soon a few more couples had pups.
	The scarcity of food began to take its toll, visible in the lean 
forms and gaunt faces of the clan.  The suffering was most readily 
apparent in the oldest.  Fabana could not eat while depriving the 
children, so Fay was slowly starving herself to death.
	Tired all the time, Fay curled up one day at mid-sun in the scant 
shade of a dying acacia.  Soon she was asleep, her body too drained to 
sustain a prolonged effort in the heat.
	Jalkort came and nudged her.  She awoke with a start.  "Jal??  Is 
this it?  Am I dead??"
	"No, Fay.  I've come to plead with you.  You must go back to Pride 
Rock.  Do this for me.  Do it for the lions who still love you.  Do it 
for Makhpil who needs someone warm and strong to give her 
companionship."
	"But I can't run out on my children!"
	"Would I ask you to run out??"  Jal looked at her crossly.  "You 
think what you're doing is noble.  But who appreciates it?  If you were 
back at Pride Rock, you would eat well and they would eat better.  Look, 
honey bunch, you deserve a little happiness.  I can't please you 
anymore, but you can find release from your misery if you'll only take 
it.  Besides, you're spoiling heaven for me.  I want you with me, but 
not by you dying young from hunger!  Be happy for me.  Be happy for you.  
Be selfish for a change.  Gur'bruk and Kambra are there.  And remember, 
you were never banned to begin with.  You're free to go home whenever 
you please.  Uhuru is doing a fine job, and there is plenty of food.  
What's more, you will find self respect, and love.  Go home."
	Fabana opened her heart to the possibility of home and old 
friends.   Tears began to flow like falling rain, and the burden on her 
heart melted away.  "Oh gods, I'll do it!"
	She awoke with a start.  Went and kissed her daughter Shenzi.  
"Don't you look beautiful today, my daughter!"
	"Say what??"
	"No, really you do.  Sometimes you need to be told."
	"Well, uh, thanks.  You seem to be in a good mood today.  What 
happened?"
	"I discovered something about myself.  Something that really makes 
me feel better.  You see, it is not my fault that your father died.  
It's not my fault that the false Roh'kash deceived us.  It's not my 
fault that Taka died, and it's not my fault that you are selfish."
	"Huh??"
	"Maybe with a father to give you some guidance, someone who knew 
more about the ways of our people, you would have turned out 
differently.  That's not your fault, mine, or Jalkort's.  Things 
sometimes happen like that.  But I'm leaving you now.  You'll be fine 
without me, I'm sure.  I need a little more happiness before I die.  
I've found a fresh trail, and I'm going to follow it before the scent 
gets cold."
	"But muti, you just can't!"
	"Do me one favor, Missy: don't tell anyone that I didn't love you.  
I'll always love you, even when you don't deserve it.  So good bye, Hon, 
and Roh'kash be with you.  I will pray for you."
	Shenzi's jaw dropped.  "Is that it??"
	"No, say good bye to Ed for me."
	"Muti, I...."
	"Yes?"
	"Well, I...."
	"I know.  You love me.  Don't think I don't appreciate it.  But 
that does not change things."
	"So are you just going to run out on us?  Just like that?  How can 
you do this to me??"
	Fabana thought a moment.  "How can I do this to YOU??  Hah!  
That's rich, Missy!"  And with that, Fay turned and trotted off into the 
bush.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | reddit | newsvine | furl | google | yahoo | technorati