“Why didn’t you ask me?”
Kako sighed deeply. “Did he understand what he was doing?”
“I did have three cubs you know.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“You mean did he really love me? Yes. Do I really love him? Yes. Would we do it again? Yes, as the gods are my witness. I want to spend my life making him happy, tending his wounds, catching his prey, raising his cubs. Oh gods, what I wouldn’t give to have him here right now. My husband is gone, two of my cubs are dead, my third is lost, and now the lioness I thought was my best friend has turned against me.”
“No, Isha. That’s not so.” She leans on Isha and purrs, nuzzling her. “You’re like a very dear sister. I’m just having trouble thinking of you as a daughter.” She nuzzles her again. “I’ll try. Really I will. I just need a little time.”
Simba hurried up to where Isha and Kako sat. "I just spotted Sarafina's group heading in. They're the only ones who haven't reported in yet; maybe they'll have some good news."
The three fidgeted uncomfortably as they waited for Sarafina and her companions to ascend the path to the promontory. Breasting the top, Sarafina padded over tiredly. She knelt in front of Simba, her muscles trembling with fatigue. "Incosi aka Incosi, " she panted. "I touch your mane."
"I feel it, " he replied. "Rest a minute, Fini. The report can wait."
She shook her head rapidly. "No time, Sire. We found Habu." Sarafina stood, panting mutely as the others gaped in surprise. "Where is he?" Isha finally managed. She scanned the group rapidly. "Oh God, tell me he's not dead."
Nala looked at the miserable expression on her mother's face and turned cold. No, she thought. Oh, please, no.
Sarafina finally spoke. "He is alive, Isha." The lioness started to smile, but it faded quickly as Sarafina continued. "Aiheu forgive me for saying so, but it might be better for him if he had died. The hyenas have him."
Isha's eyes widened in horror as Simba stepped forward. "What?! " He looked at Yolanda, then Ajenti. They both nodded slowly.
"We were searching near the graveyard, and I picked up a faint scent trail of his. It led directly to the acacia thorns on the off-side-"
"I know that place, " he said, nodding. "How'd you get in?"
"Well, I crawled under, just partway, until I could see into the graveyard. I saw him clearly, Sire."
"What else did you see?"
Sarafina closed her eyes, thinking hard. "There was a large group of the hyenas around him in a kind of ring, like they were guarding him, or...."
"....or making sure he didn't escape, " Nala growled angrily. "I KNEW that lying cur was going to do something like this. Shenzi and Uhuru are not that different after all." She glanced over at Simba, expecting him to nod in agreement.
Instead, Simba sat silently, staring at the ground for a moment. Rising slowly, he paced over to the tip of the promontory and raised his head to look at the stars shining brightly overhead. His face crumpled suddenly, whiskers drooping. His jaw quivered as he looked up at the stars. "I thought I could trust him. He told Rafiki he believed in our God. Why doesn't Aiheu strike him dead??"
Simba's grief was deep and awful. For a minute or more he sat silently, his face pointed into the stars. Then he sighed. "Uhuru risked his life to help me. God help me, I'll have to give him the benefit of the doubt. If he proves false, then God help him! " Simba walked over to Isha and nuzzled her. "It's time we showed our hyena friends who is in charge here, " he said, his voice rumbling low in his throat. He looked up into the sky again, drew in a deep breath, and roared. He roared loud enough that everyone in the earth and in the skies above or the caves below could tell a lion was angry. He was joined by the others in the pride, and as the sound grew it took on an otherworldly quality that would strike fear into the heart of a stone.
"Come, Isha. Let's go get your son."
As they prepared to leave, Simba glanced up at the starry sky. He uttered a silent prayer to Aiheu, asking Him to watch over them in the upcoming fight.
Some distance away, a young hyena looked up to the sky, and prayed also, but for a less noble reason.
"Roh'kash, please bring the dawn soon! I hate guard duty! " Grumbling, Griz'nk paced slowly back and forth, fighting to stay awake. Somehow, it always seemed like he ended up with the night patrol. Bad enough that he got stuck with guard duty to begin with, but the night patrol? Skulk had it in for him, he decided. Ever since the hyena had pandered his way into Shenzi's good graces, he acted as though he was in charge of everything.
"Gimme five minutes with him and I'll show him who's boss-" he broke off and stopped his pacing as his jaws opened in a bone-cracking yawn. Glancing around furtively to see if anyone was near, he paced over to a jutting column of stone and lay down.
“I'll just rest a minute, ” he thought. “A good guard can't keep alert unless he's well rested. Why, he would be derelict in his duty if he didn't stay fully awake.”
His eyes snapped open. Blinking rapidly, he stood up and shook himself. Looking around, he cringed as he saw a faint glow had formed in the east, illuminating the early morning mist which swirled about him gently. Seeing no one, he sighed gratefully; his nap had apparently gone unnoticed. Turning, he padded over to the entrance to the graveyard, intending to call for his relief, when he heard a faint sound behind him.
His head snapped around to stare into the swirling mist. Pricking his ears up, he strained to catch any sound at all. Suddenly, the hair rose on his neck as he caught a tenebrous rustling. His eyes darted frantically, trying to catch a glimpse of something, but grayish white blankness, broken only by the faint outline of rocks, was all he could see. He took a tentative step forward, intending to investigate, when he heard a loud SNAP! from somewhere to his right.
He froze, ears laid back in fear, waiting for something to appear, but total silence now reigned. Time slowed to a crawl as he held his ground, frantic for his relief to appear, but afraid to turn his back to the open air. The mist began to lighten as the sun rose, its warm rays beginning to burn away the moist air. Sighing with relief, he chuckled at himself.
"I'm glad Skulk didn't see me, " he chortled. "Shaking like a pup afraid of the dark." There was another sound, and he glanced around nervously.
A pair of glittering eyes floated towards him out of the mist, their pupils burning red as hellfire in the morning light. They were joined by another, then another...he wailed as he saw he was surrounded by them, the eyes closing rapidly to reveal the dim sihoulettes of lions, too many to count, their stocky bodies moving silently through the dewy grass.
The form nearest him resolved into a lioness which bared her teeth at him and snarled. "Greetings, friend, " she said. Her hindquarters bunched as she prepared to spring.
“Ga-ghu-gah-greetings, ” he stammered. “Hunting so late? You know, I once heard that hyenas are not part of your diet. Good thing you know. You never know what we’ve been eating. Nasty stuff, really. Dead for days sometimes, you know. Sometimes, you know, the heat makes the bodies swell, but beggers can’t be choosers.” He looked at the hard eyes staring at him. “Oh my God, I’m going to die! ” Griz'nik suddenly found his voice. "HELP! " he screamed, legs scrabbling in the dirt as he turned to run. An immense weight bore him to the ground, sending the air whuffing out of him as he impacted. He felt claws digging painfully into his shoulders and back as he struggled for air. A voice suddenly spoke in his ear.
"Shut up and sit still, or you'll be fodder for the buzzards, " Uzuri whispered savagely. Turning her head, she nodded to Simba. "Sire, I've got him. Bring the others in."
Simba nodded back and signaled with a low grunt which carried clearly through the fog. The lionesses streamed past him, eager to join battle with their foes. A sudden chorus of yelps and snarls resounded through the thinning mist as they overcame the hyenas just inside the graveyard. Abruptly an eerie howling arose as someone raised the alarm.
With surprise lost, Simba forewent silence and let loose with an earsplitting roar that shook Griz'nik's bones. The hyena cowered as the king loomed over him, his eyebrows beetled together in anger.
"Where is the cub Habusu?" Simba snarled. "Tell me and you will be shown mercy."
Griz'nik gaped senselessly. "Sire?" he sputtered. “All they told me is to watch for strangers. They don’t tell me why. Please let me go. If they find out I failed, they’ll kill me. I just want to run away. Give me a chance, please?”
"Let him go, " Simba said. Turning, he padded into the graveyard proper. The mist was burning off quickly as the sun began to make its prescence felt, but steam and vapors concealed the shadows as he made his way among the bones. A shape hove into view as Uhuru emerged from his cave, yawning.
"Sire! " he said, surprised. "What an honor." The Incosi cocked his head curiously as he looked at Simba's grim visage. "No news on your missing child, I'm afraid."
With a snarl, Simba bounded up to him nose to nose and bared his teeth. "What in God’s name do you think you're doing with our cub? Did you think we wouldn’t find out??"
Uhuru shook as he stared at the massive fangs that were only inches away from his face. "S-Sire? I don't understand-"
Isha padded up to join them. "Liar! Where is my child? What have you done with him??" She scanned the area frantically. "Habu? Habu, it’s Mom! Oh gods, answer me! " Her voice echoed, mocking her. She turned back to Uhuru, her ears laid flat in anger. "What have you done with him?"
Overhead, on a jutting lip of rock, Shenzi sat quietly, her sides heaving with barely suppressed laughter. “Oh MY, ” she thought, “This is too good! Uhuru looks like a whipped pup! ” She bit her lip to keep from giggling her head off. After a few minutes, she regained some semblance of control and returned her attention to the scene below.
Uhuru huddled in the alcove where Simba and Isha had backed him. "Sire, please! I don't understand! It’s not my fault! I helped you once, risked my life for you! "
Simba started to speak, but Isha cut him off. "It’s obvious you don’t understand, " she hissed. "Let me spell it out clearly. If my son is not brought before me immediately, I'll rip you and leave the meat for the jackals."
Uhuru bared his teeth at her, growling. "Fine, then. Rip me. Aiheu will avenge my innocent blood."
Isha raised a forepaw, but a voice stopped her. "Now, now, my dear; such conduct is not very ladylike." Rafiki tapped her extended claws with his staff. "Put those away before you hurt somebody."
"That WAS the idea, " she snapped back. "He won't even admit his guilt, Rafiki. Can you believe it?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Is it possible that he has no guilt?" The mandrill turned to Uhuru. "Peace, my friend. The truth will out."
Uhuru said, “Forgive me Sire, but if the child was here, I'd at least show him to you. That way, I'd have a tangible threat; I can't hurt something I don't have."
Sarafina stepped forward. "Oh, really, " she grated. "Then what was that lion cub doing in the north esacarpment of the graveyard last night? Don't deny it; I saw him myself, ringed about by at least a dozen guards."
Uhuru was aghast. "Oh gods! " He trailed off for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. Abruptly his whole form slumped, and he looked at the ground for a long moment. "Sire, I was not ready to be Roh’mach. You chose me out of gratitude, but that cannot make me a great leader." Lifting his gaze, he looked up to the ledge where Shenzi sat in the shadows. "I know how it may have happened. But should any harm befall the child of Isha while he is in my care, I will take full responsibility. I offer my life in exchange."
“I want to believe you, ” Simba said. “I really do.”
“What do you have that I want? Why would I kidnap one of your children? I’m already Roh’mach. I might understand a jealous rival trying to undermine me." He glared at Shenzi. “By the gods, I’ll help you tear them apart when I catch them.”
Simba nuzzled Uhuru. “Forgive me.” Then he glared up at Shenzi. “Are you responsible for this?"
"And what if I am, cubby? What are you going to do about it?" Her voice was full of contempt. "Touch me and your little babykins is going to be tonight's dinner."
Isha took a sharp breath as Simba strode forward angrily.
"What do you want?"
Shenzi laughed. "Are you that dense? I want that pathetic excuse for a Roh'mach replaced. We need someone more qualified."
"That someone wouldn't happen to be you, would it?" Simba rumbled.
Her eyes widened in mock surprise. "Why, dearie, I thought you'd never ask. I'd be delighted to volunteer."
"I'm sure you would, " he shot back. Simba roared loudly enough to shake the bones on the ground. "I will not be dictated to by anyone, especially you. You helped Scar kill my father, and by God I either get Habusu back or I’ll rip you."
“So she helped kill Mufasa too?” Uhuru confronted Shenzi. “Let’s end this here and now. I call on the gods to witness our Shih’kal. I challenge you to the death.”
Deathly silence fell as Shenzi stared at Uhuru, openmouthed. "What? You can't do this! "
Azuba stepped forward. "But he has, " she said coldly. "Accept the challenge, or forefit your claim as Roh'mach.”
Shenzi looked around at the other hyenas. The challenge had been witnessed, and she faced only two paths. "Very well. I accept the challenge." She spat at Uhuru's feet. "Fool. You would have lost your title. Now you lose your life."
"Really?" His eyes bored into hers intently. "We shall see."
SCENE: TO THE DEATH
Shenzi began circling Uhuru slowly, sizing him up. The male was not as well built as Skulk, but his quickness and agility were well known. One of the reasons Taka had chosen him to guard Rafiki was his ability to quickly think his way out of any situations that might have arisen; Shenzi faced an opponent who matched her own intelligence, and that made him doubly dangerous.
Uhuru sat quietly, keeping a wary eye on the bigger female. He was trying not to show it, but deep down he was terribly frightened of this hyena; she had already shown in the past what she was capable of. Fighting to remember all his mother had taught him about combat, he kept his head low to the ground, trying to give her the smallest target possible.
She suddenly floated toward him, jaws agape as a snarl ripped the air. Twisting desperately, he flung himself out of the way, sending her crashing to the ground. Befor he could react, however, she was up and away, out of reach.
"Oooh, quick little one, aren't we?" She leered at him, panting. "How long can you keep dodging before my teeth find your throa-" Her sentence ended in a shriek as he darted forward. She copied his move, spinning out of harm's way, coming to rest with her legs braced for action.
Uhuru returned her smile. "You'll find I'm full of surprises." He charged again, his jaws closing on her shoulder, tearing away a chunk of flesh and hair. Gnashing her teeth in pain, Shenzi drove forward with her hind legs, using her greater weight to bear him to the ground. He writhed like a snake under her, wriggling away from her snapping jaws and escaping her grasp to stand before her again.
He began circling her now, his face grim in the dim light. She staggered in a circle, feeling the blood running down her foreleg, her shoulder ablaze.
Skulk cursed inwardly as he saw her face. She had gone in overconfident, sure that her superior size would intimidate Uhuru, but it had backfired, and she was now paying the price; the fear on her face indicated that it would only be a matter of time before she went down under his onslaught. The rules of Shi'khal were strict, however; there was nothing Skulk could do to interfere. Glancing over, he saw the lions watching the fight, utterly absorbed in the combat taking place before them. His eyes fell upon Isha, and a grin spread across his angular face.
There might just be a way to solve this problem after all, he thought. He glanced around furtively, and seeing everyone's attention fixed on the fight, he melted into the shadows and disappeared, heading off towards the elephant graveyard as fast as his legs would carry him.
Though his departure had been flawless, his arrivial did not go unnoticed. Scrambling down from atop the skull where he had been sitting, Bashak sped across the open area where the clan held its meetings to where Losara sat. "Mama, " he said breathlessly, "he's comin'! "
She nodded, a disgusted look on her face. "I expected as much. You remember what to do?"
He nodded eagerly. "Uh-huh."
"All right, then let's get moving." The pup shot away towards the far end of the graveyard as fast as his legs would carry him. Losara turned and trotted over to the entrance, where she sat down, waiting.
Skulk's form slowly emerged from the dark. "Greetings, Losara."
She nodded. "Skulk? Why are you not with Shenzi?"
"Things are not proceeding as planned. I'm here to rectify the situation." Brushing past her, he headed towards the skull which sat in the distance. "Our great and glorious Roh'mach challenged Shenzi to the Shi'Khal, which she immediately has proceeded to lose." He looked at her sidewise. "I plan to give the lions a little incentive to solve our problem. Uhuru pledged his life with the cub's. Let's hold him to that promise."
She trotted past him, cutting him off. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to plant his little carcass right in front of our glorious Roh'mach. Then I can sit back and watch the fun begin." His eyes narrowed as he saw her cut in front of him again. "You'd be well advised not to get in my way again, wench, " he said, his lip curling back to reveal his fangs.
"Idiot! You don't have to worry about that anymore." She sneered at him. "Your foolish choice of guards has already been his undoing." Her face pinched in sorrow. "Gods, can't you hear it?"
He stared at her, puzzled, and cocked an ear. Faintly, he heard a distant wailing coming from the northern escarpment where the lion cub had been incarcerated. Eyes widening in realization, he looked at her in shock. "NO! "
Tears sprang to her eyes. "I tried to stop him, but he was too strong." She was abruptly knocked aside as Skulk took off, heading toward the distant skull. Picking herself up, she laughed softly. "Idiot." Shaking herself, she padded off after him.
Griz'nik stood stoically at the mouth of the skull, trying desperately to ignore the horrible sounds coming from within.
"Almighty Roh'kash! " he muttered, "why does stuff like this always happen when I'm on duty?" He gritted his teeth as a drilling shriek issued from inside the dank recesses of the skull where the cub was imprisioned. Kh'tel had ordered him and the other guards to stay outside while he went in there to "interrogate" the prisoner. Judging from the sounds the cub was making, Griz'nik doubted if Kh'tel was in there making polite conversation. He felt a muffled impact thorough the bone at his back, punctuated by an abrupt CRACK. A horrible scream resounded from inside. The guards looked at him, their eyes wide.
Griz'nik winced and shook his head in sympathy. "Gods, that’s gotta HURT."
Skulk ran like one posesssed, the cries of the cub filling his ears, lending a desperate urgency to his straining muscles. As he neared the escarpment, he saw the other guards ringed around the skull, various looks of disgust and glee on their faces. Abruptly, the cries from within the skull ceased, and Kh'tel emerged from the mouth of it, licking his lips in obvious enjoyment.
Skulk bounded up and confronted him immediately. "What the devil are you DOING?! " he screamed.
Kh'tel shrank back, frightened. "Calm down, Skulk. Our little guest decided to get antsy, here, so I had to take care of him." He frowned deeply. "I tell you, though, lions are almighty tough to stomach." He abruptly held forth with a tooth-rattling belch.
Skulk stuck is head into the mouth of the skull. Peering about, he made out vague bloodstains on the inside walls. Casting his gaze down, he saw a small tuft of golden fur, ruffling gently from his breath. Emerging slowly, he glared balefully at his companion. The corners of Skulk's jaw clenched tightly as he fought to repress a shriek. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Kh'tel stared at him blankly. "What's wrong with you? Don't tell me you liked the little furball?! "
"No, imbecile! But at least with a body I could have proved he was dead! I could have solved all our problems with one stroke. Now I've got to figure out how to make them think he's dead! " Skulk sat seething for a minute, then brightened. "It's a long shot, but it just might fool them." Ducking his head into the skull, he snatched up the small bit of lion fur lying on the ground. Emerging, he shouldered past Kh'tel roughly as he stalked away, grumbling, but stopped abruptly and looked back. "Hold it, " he said, peering at Kh'tel intently. "You finished him off awfully quick."
The corner of Kh'tel's mouth twitched slightly. "Well, uh, he was kinda small-"
Skulk shook his head in disgust. "You greedy slob." A peevish note crept into his voice. "Couldn't you have saved some for me?"
Kh'tel grinned shame-facedly. "Sorry."
Skulk stared at him a moment longer, then trotted away quickly.
Kh'tel held the grin until the sounds of his footsteps had faded away into the night. Rounding on the remaining guards, he bared his teeth viciously. "Well, what are you laughing at? Dismissed! Go on, get lost! "
Grumbling, the others slowly dispersed. He watched them carefully until the last form had vanished into the dark. Creeping over to a secluded alcove, he sat quietly, listening. Several long moments passed. Satisfied, Kh'tel whooped a sigh of relief and turned around. "C'mon out, kids."
Habusu's head emerged from an eye socket above him. "Did it work?"
"Yeah, kid. Now come on down here, quick." As the cub clambered down the face of the skull, Habusu giggled softly. "I can't believe he fell for it! "
A dark shadow detached itself and trotted over. Losara nuzzled the cub gently. "Rho'kash bless you for what you have done tonight, Kh'tel. For now, however, we have no time to celebrate. Bashak! Come on! "
The pup skittered out from behind a concealing rock. "Where are we goin' Mama?"
"We're going to take Habu home, my son, " she said, grinning. "I'm afraid it's way past his bedtime."
Shenzi's breathing had begun to come in great ragged gasps of air. She shook her head, fighting to clear her vision as she staggered about, bleeding from half a dozen wounds. Across from her, Uhuru panted rapidly, a nasty gash on his ribs giving evidence of Shenzi's prowess in the prolonged battle. But his confidence showed clearly now; the other hyenas merely waited for the combat to draw to its inevitable conclusion. Outside the circle, the jackals had begun to gather, smacking their lips in preparation for the feast which would follow, for neither lion nor hyena will eat the dead bodies of Roh'kash's Chosen Ones; they are corban to all but the lowliest of scavengers.
Shenzi caught Uhuru's eye and gave a silent snarl of defiance; she did not intend to sell her life easily. She slowly gathered her strength, preparing for a final spring. It would leave her wide open for attack, but she would get at least one clear shot at his throat before she went down.
Uhuru's paw struck her high on the face, sending her sprawling. A paw slapped down on either shoulder, pinning her neatly to the ground. She saw the starlight gleaming off his fangs as he prepared to tear out her throat. Closing her eyes, she prayed it would be quick.
Skulk shook his head in despair as he rejoined the circle of his bretheren. "I am saddened by the heavy burden of the news I bring, but it is my duty to inform you, Roh'mach."
Uhuru cocked an ear toward him, but kept his gaze locked on Shenzi, wary of a trick. “Speak up, Skulk, and be quick. What do you want?”
Skulk strode forward and spat a mouthful of golden fur into the circle before the two combatants. "There is all that remains of the lion cub. One of Shenzi's traitorous guards decided to have him for a snack."
Complete silence fell, broken only by the sound of Isha's sobbing. Uhuru looked at the fur disbelievingly. "You mean..."
Skulk nodded sadly. "I'm afraid so." He staightened and cleared his throat. "I'm afraid that once the combat is complete, you will have to be executed, milord. You did swear your life with that of the cub's, and I will not wrong our mighty king with lies such as Shenzi has spoken."
Shenzi glared at him in shock, a smile spreading slowly across her lips. You sneaky little cur, she thought. I didn't know you had it in you. She shook her head. If only I'd known earlier....
Sudden movement caught her eye as a tawny shape padded past a gap in the circle. "Hey, Shenzi! "
"Shut up, Habu, " she snarled. Freezing, she did a double take. "Habu?!! "
Skulk gaped at the little form. "What? But he-, I mean, you..?" His eyes flared with rage as he stepped forward, growling. “No matter. I’ll deal with you myself! ”
"STOP! "
All movement ceased as Isha bludgeoned her way through the circle to stand next to them. Interposing herself between Uhuru and Shenzi, Isha gently but firmly separated them.
"My son has been rescued, Uhuru. There is no need to finish her." She turned to Losara and Kh’tel, who stood protectively over the cub. Uhuru stared for a moment, disbelieving.
"Outrage! " one of the crowd yelled. They turned to look as one of the hyena priests stepped forward. “You cannot interfere with the Shih'kal! "
The hyenas moved to close in, but they had barely gotten one paw forward before a familiar shape dropped into the circle.
"Wait just a minute, friends." Rafiki brandished his staff, warning the hyenas away. "The Shih'kal is indeed inviolable; no one may interfere. One way or another Shenzi must die."
Isha felt the blood drain from her face.
"But, " he continued musingly, chin cupped in hand, "If Shenzi concedes defeat, Uhuru gets to pick the method of Shenzi’s death, does he not?”
“He does, ” the hyena priest said.
“And if it were something slow, like being sealed alive in a cave, would that do?”
“Indeed it would, ” the priest said with barely concealed enthusiasm.
“In that case, may I suggest a method that would be very slow and utterly inescapable?”
“By all means.”
Rafiki went through the crowd and stood next to Uhuru. The male still had Shenzi pinned trembling on the ground. “I have a suggestion. Are you open to it?”
Uhuru looked up at Rafiki, ready to object till he caught the slight wink. “As you say, shaman, it shall be done.”
Fabana came and fell at Rafiki’s feet. “Mercy! Mercy! Do not torment my daughter. Let me die in her stead.”
“I thought you renounced me, ” Shenzi hoarsely whispered. “I’m sorry I renounced you. Let me die your daughter.”
“You will live. I will die your mother.”
“As you wish it, Fabana, ” Rafiki said. “In Shenzi’s stead, Fabana is to die slowly—of old age.” The mandrill chuckled heartily. “I have chosen the instrument of death. Do you concur, Roh’mach?”
“Indeed, ” Uhuru said, beaming. “You are wise beyond measure.” Uhuru looked down at the quaking hyena. "I will send you away with the same blessing you gave Simba. Get out of here, far away. If you ever come back, I'll kill you. And this time, it won’t be of old age. And take Skulk with you. You are both corban."
Shenzi staggered to her feet, swaying unsteadily. She looked at Uhuru for a long moment, then turned and headed away. Banzai and Ed came foward, supporting her gently on either side.
"Don't worry, sis, " Banzai whispered as gently as his gruff voice would allow. "We'll come with you. We ain't turnin' our back on family."
Fabana looked after them, then turned and smiled at Simba sadly. "God go with you. I touch your mane."
"I feel it."
She trotted off slowly to join them. Abruptly, one of the remaining hyenas broke away and ran to join them. Two more followed, and then another two.
They hurried over to Shenzi’s group, spreading out to form a protective phalanx.
A weak smile slowly crept acorss Shenzi’s features as she surveyed the growing party. Turning to Skulk, she chuckled. “On the other hand we may be able to salvage something from this after all.” She lowered her voice. “Listen up. I want you to....”
His cold eyes locked with hers. “Shut up.”
The group froze, their startled gaze turning to him as he shook his head. “Just shut up and keep walking. I’ve had it with your schemes. From now on, I’m going to handle our dealings with outsiders.” He glanced furtively over his shoulder. “In case you didn’t notice, most of our bretheren have sided with the King. The Roh’mach has graciously allowed us to leave.” His voice curdled with contempt at the mention of Uhuru. “We still have our lives. Or would you rather go back and have the little weasel finish the job?” He looked at her intently. “I can arrange that if you’d like.”
Banzai strode forward angrily. “Hey, you can’t do this! ”
Skulk stared at him. “I just did, ” he said softly. “Now be silent.” He returned his gaze to Shenzi who looked back at him with an incongruous smile on her face. “Well, I’m waiting.”
