Rafiki looked carefully at Krull’s eye and smiled. “That is that. No more treatments.”
      “No, you must not say that.” Krull pawed his cheek. “Tell no one I am cured, for I am happiest when we have these little chats. You treat me like your brother, not your slave.”
      “I have no slave—only a servant. Aiheu owns every living thing. But I have enjoyed these times too. Your company is all that keeps me sane. I thought I liked living alone, but now I feel like a gopher who cannot reach the surface. I am suffocating underground. You are my only light.”
      “I am honored.”
      Rafiki showed him a picture of a hyena on the wall. “This is you.”
      “But that is your prayer wall.”
      “Yes. It is a prayer for you. When I think how I hurt your arm, it pains me.”
      “I’m glad you did. It was, as you call it, the blood of mercy, so think of it no more.” Krull glanced at the painting once more, then excused himself. It was important that the others did not suspect his friendship. Word could get back to Scar and death would follow swiftly for both of them.
      Far from the Pride Lands, Simba eyed a rare treasure, a bongo. These antelopes are very wary, and well they should be for their meat is the favorite of most lions. Because they haunt the forests, they mainly fear the leopard who brings death from above. This bongo saw Pumbaa and thought, with good reason, that the rustling behind him must be another warthog. It was not.
      In three quick strides, Simba was on the bongo and found a fatal hold on its throat. Pumbaa and Timon watched the spectacle of death with horror. “Aren’t you glad he’s on our side, ” the meerkat said. “Sheesh! Carnivores! ”
      Of course his whole outlook changed when Simba offered to share his meal. Pumbaa would only take a little meat, for he was mainly a vegetarian. But this was fresher than the carrion he was used to. Timon, on the other hand, thought nothing of eating unwisely and well.
      They spent hours on the meal, and still they saw there was plenty for other days ahead. And fully satisfied, they became a little drowsy, especially Simba. He cleaned off his face, and lay in a small clearing with his friends. Simba smiled with satisfaction, then rather indelicately belched. Timon said, “Whoa! Nice one, Simba.”
      “Thanks.... Man, I'm stuffed.
      “Me too, ” Pumbaa said. I ate like a pig! ”
      “Pumbaa, you are a pig.”
      “Oh. Right.”
      Pumbaa surveyed the night sky. Often when he was young, he’d try to count the stars, but not being very educated, he didn’t get far. “Timon?”
      “Yeah?”
      “Ever wonder what those sparkly dots are up there?”
      “Pumbaa; I don't wonder, I know.”
      “Oh! ... What are they?”
      “They're fireflies. Fireflies that uh.. got stuck up on that big bluish-black thing.”
      “Oh. Gee. I always thought that they were balls of gas burning billions of miles away.”
      “Pumbaa, with you, everything's gas.”
      The warthog was left wanting a deeper answer. “Simba, what do you think?”
      “Well, I don't know.”
      “Aw come on. Give, give give give ... come on we told you ours .Please?”
      Simba looked disturbed. “Well, somebody once told me that the great kings of the past are up there; watching over us.”
      Pumbaa sighed. “Really?”
      Timon was amused by the answer, as Simba feared he would be. “You mean a bunch of royal dead-guys are watching us?” He laughed, and Simba had to chuckle, but only for a moment.
      “Who told you something like that? What muke made that up?”
      “Yeah, ” Simba said, his face falling. “Pretty dumb, huh?”
      “Ah, you're killing me, Simba.”
      Simba’s eyes searched the skies. He could almost smell the familiar presence of his father next to him. It was almost like sitting on Pride Rock watching the sunrise. Then abruptly he could see the battered body from whose lifeless arm he stole one last embrace. The ugliness of the memory took his breath away, and he had to leave before he roared with the depth of his grief.
      Simba walked out on a nearby ledge. Looking into the stars for some sign of hope, he found none. “I thought you’d be there for me, but you’re not. You’re not! ” He collapsed in despair. A cloud of milkweed floss was stirred up by the impact, rising slowly around him. Caught by the air currents, it drifted away on the breeze.
      Rafiki was ready to eat his meager evening meal when a cool wind swept over him. It was from the wrong direction for that time of day. What’s more, there was milkweed floss on the breeze, and no milkweed grew in that area. He collected it. Something in it makes his fingers tingle. He put it in a bowl and sifted it sunwise. It came out in a shape that only had meaning to an astrologer like him. The constellation Amalkosi, where Mufasa’s star burned brightly. He turned it again sunwise and it came out again Amalkosi. Then he wanted its meaning so he turned it counter-sunwise. It fell into a constellation he recognized very clearly. M’hetu.
      Reverently he whispered the words of an old tale: “Look, my King, the cub has returned a lion.” He turned and looked at the painting of Simba. He reached out and put his fingertips on it and they began to tingle. His hand started shaking. “Simba?? He's--he’s alive? He he- He's alive!! ” He laughed loud and wonderfully. “It is time! ” Trying to control his shaking hands, he picked up some red ochre and hastily daubed a mane on the painting. “Krull, come quickly! ”
      The hyena arrived seconds later. He saw the radiant face of Rafiki and smiled, genuinely pleased. “Yes??”
      “I need an escort.” He drew close and gave Krull an affectionate pat. “Listen carefully, ” he whispered. “The time has come when you will see the power of Aiheu strike like a mighty thunderclap. You will be blessed for your acts, even if they are against your will.”
      “Against my will?” Krull said. “The old vow by Roh’kash means nothing to me. Through you I have come to know Aiheu, and I have given my life to him. I am his servant now.”
      Rafiki beamed with joy. “Today is twice blessed. They call you Krull, which in your tongue means flint, but I call you Uhuru, which means peace.” Rafiki took his staff and said, “There is a long journey ahead, my friend. We will not return alone.”
      “Where do we head, my Lord?”
      “Into the wind, Uhuru. We go to the King! ”

      A couple of days later, all the hyena guard knew of Rafiki’s escape. But afraid for their own safety, they said nothing to the others. All visitors were turned away, even the very ill, and suspicion began to build that someone had murdered the mandrill secretly and eaten him. Indeed, with the scarcity of food, it was not a foolish notion. Uzuri’s son Kombi was lost, and for the longest two hours of her life, she expected to find the remains of her dead child as she searched the Pride Lands. When she found Kombi digging in a termite mound, she cuffed him, then kissed him, and cried. “You must never wander off again. It is not safe anymore.” Indeed, most lionesses felt that way, and had taken to sleeping lightly with a paw across their children.
      A couple of hyenas came privately to Elanna.
      “What are you doing here?”
      “Hsssh! ” Bot’la came to her side and whispered in her ear. “My lady, this is urgent. But you must not tell the King.”
      “What is this coming and going that you don’t tell the King?”
      “I have a mate, ” Bot’la of the hyenas said. “I’ll level with you—we love our mates and pups as much as you. We have feelings too.”
      “So?”
      “So…” He whispered even more lowly. “You are the one that loves Scar.”
      “Taka, ” she said indignantly.
      “Keep it down, please! ” The sound of his voice startled him, and the Bot’la winced. “You love him. You know in your heart no one else does.”
      “This is treason.”
      “OK, so it’s treason. Fine. But even though we don’t care a whit for Taka, it so happens my friend and I feel differently about you. Your care for him is—well—almost hyena-like. I think you deserve a break, so I’m going to let you have it straight. If you want to help your husband, you’ll listen to me.”
      Elanna nodded. “Speak freely.”
      “It is not mine to say. But that Rafiki, the ape that Taka hates so much, has shown me things. Awful things. He’s sworn to protect the rightful King, the son of Ahadi--he will not break a vow to his God. And he’s almost foaming at the mouth with fear, for disaster waits for the Pride Lands and no one listens to him. Such awful things, but so easy to avoid if only someone who bends the King’s ear will act quickly.”
      “What things?”
      “I have sworn not to repeat what I saw, ” Bot’la said. “Such words even in speaking can cause mischief. Rafiki has made a good faith effort to undo the evil he has loosed. You must be the voice of reason. You must influence your husband.”
      “Do you realize what you are saying?”
      “Yes. If things meet their appointed course, all of us will die. The land is sick. The water is gone. And there is worse—madness and despair. I don’t want to die, Elanna. I don’t want my family to die. And I feel I don’t want you to die, either.”
      Elanna was silent for a moment. “How will I get out of here?”
      “We have arranged that. Follow us and we will take you to him.”
      She nodded. “You’re right.” She began to cry. “I thought we had no friends, but you are good, Bot’la. I can see God’s mercy in you, so I know now there must be a God.”
      Bot’la winced as if a sharp thorn had been driven through his heart, but he quickly hid it. He led her out of the cave and down the side with utmost silence and care. And by skirting the cistern and euphorbias, they made it away from Pride Rock and into the tall grass.
      She was unaware that Rafiki was long gone to search for Simba. All she knew is that some kind souls are cloaked in different hides. Somewhere, somehow, they will sit with the great kings of the past.
      She was not worried when her small body guard of two became four. But she didn’t know whether to feel flattered or frightened when two more joined ranks and suddenly there were six. She didn’t have that many friends, much less Taka.
      Behind the south kopje, four more hyenas fell in line. It was then her heart sank. She was headed away from the baobab, and not to hide her from her husband’s watchful eyes. They had turned toward the desolate lands, the appropriate place where poor Ahadi and Akase went to meet their God together. Now she would die without family or friends.
      “Forgive me, Aiheu. Forgive me that I have loved him, but o gods, how I loved him. Bless my poor husband and comfort him in his hour of grief.”
      One of the hyenas went “Hssssh! At least try to die with dignity.”
      “My dignity before the gods is intact. Worry about your own—you bring ten hunters to kill one lioness.”
      “Silence! ” Bot’la commanded. He added with some regret. “I don’t enjoy this. We’re just trying to save ourselves and our families. You can understand that.”
      Then back at Pride Rock there was a tremendous shout. Bot’la looked back. There was a fire at the rock. Lions roared, and hyenas screamed with rage and pain.
      “The war is on! ” He looked at Elanna and thought for a moment. Finally Bot’la said, “This is our land now. Get out.”
      Elanna hurried away from the hyenas. The guard headed back to Pride Rock to fight the last battle. “Death or glory, lads! Out with the lions! ”

      At the climax of the battle for Pride Rock, Taka was struck such a blow from Simba that he tumbled from the lower promontory. He fell injured at the base, but still alive.
      Waiting for him were Shenzi, Banzai and Ed. They looked very displeased. Taka tried to move, but one of his legs was broken and his ribs were cracked.
      “Ahh, my friends.”
      “Friends?” Shenzi sneered. “I thought he said we were the enemy! ”
      “Yeah, that's what I heard, ” Banzai said. “Ed?”
      Ed laughed.
      Taka trembled. “No. Le-Le-Let me explain. No. You don't understand. No! I didn't mean for... No, No! Look, I’m sorry I called you... No! No! ” They closed in on him.
      “Oh gods! Oh my gods, it’s the dream! Wake me, Elanna! It’s happening again! ”
      “Wake me, Elanna! ” sneered Shenzi. “It’s happening again! ” Scar was frozen, unable to resist. She closed her powerful jaws on his throat and crushed his windpipe. He struggled for only a second, then shuddered and fell limp, nearly crushing her underneath.
      “What the…”
      Shenzi let go in astonishment. She nipped his nose, but his face did not move.
      “You scared him to death, ” Banzai said. “Imagine that.”
      “Weird. But let’s make sure.” With one massive pull at the stomach, she revealed all of Taka’s inner secrets. “He’s not goin’ NOWHERE.” How like a wildebeest he seemed under that hide.
      “Look, ” Banzai said. “His teeth and ambition are bared! ”
      Shenzi said, “Hey, almost as ugly on the inside as he is on the outside.” She got a wicked little grin. “You know how they would say there was a frightened little cub deep down inside? If we move some of this stuff around, we might find it.”
      “Are you saying he had the light in his eyes?”
      Shenzi broke out in a full horse laugh. “Oh gods, now THAT’S a good one! Scar, pregnant! ”
      Suddenly Sarabi burst in on their fun. “Get out! ”
      “Say what??” Shenzi bared her teeth at her.
      “Get out, now! ”
      Shenzi said, “Let me get this straight. Do you think you could beat the three of us? We’ve already killed one lion.”
      “I’d I kill at least one of you.” She glanced around. “Which one will it be?”
      The hyenas looked at each other nervously. “I think we’d better go, ” Banzai said. “This isn’t fun anymore.”
      “Yeah. Who cares, ” Shenzi said. “Let her have him. He’s probably spoiled meat.”
      They turned and trotted off.
      A few drops of rain fell on the dry and smoking plain. These first gifts of healing moisture were followed by others, many thousands, more than the stars of a cool autumn night. The cleansing shower soothed the burning grass, washing ashes into the soil and bringing new life to the dying stream and watering hole.
      Upon the spur of Pride Rock, Simba looked into the face of God and felt the cleansing gift soaking his fur. He drew in a deep breath and roared. His warm voice echoed off the kopjes and stones. It reached across the freshened plains to the mighty forests. The lionesses took up the call and spread the message of hope. Mufasa’s anointed was King—long live the King! Only Sarabi was silent. She looked at the humbled remains of her first love, sleeping peacefully for the first time.
      “Why did you kill Muffy? You loved me once. You loved me, but then you took away my whole life.” She stroked his mane. “Now I look at you and I still feel pity. Damn you! Even in death you can hurt me! ”
      Out of the rain came Fabana. She sat next to Sarabi and howled. “My son, my son! Sarabi, did you kill my son?”
      “It was Shenzi.”
      Fabana bowed her head and moaned. “Oh gods, that girl has been nothing but grief to me. She’s just like her father--worse.” She pawed at Taka’s blood-spattered mane. “Taka was the only one that really loved me. And he really loved me, you know, whatever else he might have done. He loved me.” She kissed him and sobbed out, “Memu kofasa, Taka. Roh’kash ne nabu. Roh’kash ne nabu! ”
 
FABANA:Short was the respite and long was the road
Meager the rations and heavy the load
Many and bitter the trials you have passed,
Rest, my beloved, and find peace at last.
 
 
Reach for my heart, it’s not very far,
We are together wherever you are;
When I remember how you loved me so,
Love will reveal it, and somehow you’ll know.
 
 
SARABI:Although we suffered a lifetime of pain,
Thoughts of the good times will always remain;
Gone from my life, you’re not gone from my heart,
Death has no power to keep us apart.
 
 
Reach for my heart, it’s not very far,
We are together wherever you are;
When you remember how I loved you so,
Love will reveal it, and somehow I’ll know.
 
      Sarabi took her paw and drew Fabana next to her and the two of them wept by the body.

      The smell of Taka lingered in the cave that was once his home. As unpleasant as it had become to Simba, he could not leave Nala in the driving rain. And so it was in the cave where Simba was born that he swore his love to Nala and made her his queen. Rafiki made it abundantly clear to Timon and Pumbaa that the cave was much too small for visitors. “Don’t worry, the rain will only make you fresh and clean.”
      “The only thing getting fresh around here is Simba, ” Timon said with a withering attempt at humor. He drooped in the rain. “Well, Pumbaa, let’s go.”
      But there would be no honeymoon just yet. Attracted by the call of Simba’s triumph, a procession of the few remaining inhabitants of the Pride Lands straggled in. The Incosi of the Zebras came first to look upon the new King and bow deeply. “Khemoki, Your Majesty, by Aiheu’s grace Incosi of the Zebra’ha. I stand ready to serve you.”
      Pa’hal, Incosi of the Wildebeests, came next. “I beg the gods that you do not hate our people.” He bowed till his forehead touched the ground.
      “Rise, uh….” Zazu whispered something in Simba’s ear. “Rise Pa’hal. Have no fear of that.”
      The leader of each tribe of antelopes came, as did Jebweel of the Giraffes and Boga Kwitu of the Elephants. These were the Incosi, the leaders, who came with assurances they would not be struck down as prey as long as they spoke for their people. It was Simba’s duty to try and recognize all the wet creatures if he saw them again, but the lionesses were the ones who paid the most attention.
      The Lion King, by custom, must not interfere in the internal affairs of his peoples. He only meddles in the affairs of other lions, and only when he feels he should. But he did make his influence known in a powerful way when he had Uhuru the hyena brought before him.
      “You are the one we recognize as Incosi.”
      With those words, Simba had imposed his will on the hyenas. In hyenas, the Incosi is referred to as the Roh'mach (great leader). And since hyenas consider themselves somewhat independent of the order established by the King, and they considered the Roh’mach a sovereign in every sense, they were bound to be furious at this attempt to influence what they felt was their own affairs. Though Shenzi may try to maintain her iron grip on the hyenas, she could not represent them any longer before the Lion King. There would be great pressure to make Uhuru the recognized Roh’mach because the fortunes of the hyenas had dipped even lower than usual.
      Simba felt very successful in his dealing with the hyenas. Finally, by high moon, the last of the Incosi had paid their respect, and he was alone with Nala. He sat worried by the entrance watching the rain, lost in thought.
      Nala nuzzled him and nibbled on his ear. “What is it, dear? Are you timid?”
      “What?” He looked at her. “Oh.” He kissed her with his warm pink tongue. “I’m King, Nala. I used to look forward to this when I was a cub. Now it frightens me. There is so much to do, and I have had so little preparation.”
      “You have friends, ” Nala purred. “Friends that care about you.”
      “I do, don’t I.” He looked out over the barren landscape. “I can only do the best I can. When I come face to face with Aiheu, he will know I tried.”
      “You’ll be a fine King. Now why don’t you get some sleep, husband? I’ll be here when you wake.”
      “You’ll be here when I wake?” Simba looked into Nala’s deep hazel eyes. “You’re the first thing I’ll see when I open my eyes.” He nuzzled her passionately and touched her left shoulder with his paw. “I will be King tomorrow. Tonight I am a lion.”

      The air in the graveyard was quiet, filled only with the hiss and bubble of escaping methane as the hyenas, their once great numbers diminished in the terrible fight, straggled in slowly. Banzai limped off, muttering angrily, his haunches scored with claw marks, Ed following behind, still giggling maniacally at his discomfort. Exhausted, Shenzi made her way over to a quiet niche in the rock face and sat down. Skulk wandered over, his ears perking up as Shenzi grumbled under her breath.
      "That sorry, no account, pandering IDIOT! Who does he think he is?! " She bared her teeth.
      Skulk cringed, terrified. He had never seen her in such a rage. "Who? Krull?"
      She uncoiled with the speed of a striking snake, cuffing him heavily across the jaw. Yelping, Skulk jerked away.
      "Of course I mean Krull! Who do you THINK I'm talking about?" She clenched her jaw, the muscles flexing visibly. "I spent my entire LIFE waiting to become Roh'mach. And that imbecile of a king dares give it to a MALE?"
      Skulk nodded energetically. "Of course. You should have been chosen as Roh'mach. You’re the only logical choice. You are far more cunning and powerful than Krull."
      "My name is Uhuru, ” a voice said. The hyenas turned to see their new leader entering the graveyard. He walked over to Skulk, getting dangerously close. "You can just call me Roh'mach."
      Unable to contain himself, Skulk shoved his muzzle into Uhuru's face. "You heathen traitor! " he screamed. "I ought to beat some respect into you! "
      "Is that a challenge?"
      "No, my dear Roh'mach. I would never dream of challenging you."
      "So you're going to beat some respect into me?" Uhuru glared at him. "Either call me out now, or stow it."
      Skulk's jaw dropped. So the lion stooge was daring him to fight! The former Krull was gone, and this was indeed Uhuru, a force to contend with, the Roh'mach. He drew back a step and spat angrily. "Gah! If I wanted to wet my jaws with a coward’s blood, I’d go hunting! "
      Uhuru’s eyes narrowed. "I will choose not to take that as a challenge to my honor this time. But you have stirred up sedition, and you eat last until you learn how to behave."
      Skulk looks to Shenzi. "Do I have to put up with this?"
      "Apparently so. He's clearly the unchallenged ruler, or hasn't anyone told you half a challenge is less than nothing."
      Skulk gritted his teeth. Without a word, he walked away stiffly, ignoring the occasional chuckles or snickers that sounded behind him.
      Shenzi waited until the ruckus had died down, then rose quietly. Glancing around quickly, she made sure no one was watching. Seeing no spying eyes, she delved into the shadows. She passed under a hollowed out ribcage and made her way around the hissing geysers behind it to an isolated corner of the graveyard.
      She smiled as she spotted Skulk sitting in front of an enormous skull, its surface yellowed with age. Pacing slowly up to him, she sat down. "C'mon, Skulk. No need to sulk." She tittered slightly.
      His eyes glowed eerily in the greenish light that permeated the graveyard. "Why do you put up with him?" he asked, hurt. "Why didn't you help me?"
      "I can't fight all your battles for you. If you want something, you must take it." She sighs in exasperation. "Why can't you be a little more like a female?" Getting up, she turned to leave, but looked back over her shoulder coyly. "On the other hand, I do get excited when you get your fur up." She paced by directly in front of him, swatting his nose with her tail playfully as she headed by.
      Skulk sat transfixed for a moment, unable to move. Finally he leapt up and shook himself roughly. He paused for a moment, then padded off in the direction she had taken, his eyes fixed on her lithe body.
      Skulk followed Shenzi to her private quarters that had once been Uzuri's corner. There in the privacy of a cleft in the rock, Skulk brushed past her in the dim light and fondled her cheek with his paw. Finding no resistance, he kissed her passionately. "Shenzi, I'm on fire."
      "On fire?" She kisses him and rubs past him. "Just a little flame, or a real bonfire?"
      "Oh gods, let me show you." His breath was ragged and rapid, and she could almost hear his heart beating in the quiet of the cleft. "Are you ready?"
      "I am ready. Ready to be Roh'mach." She took a swipe at him with her paw. "I wanted you to know what you are NOT getting as long as that Uhuru is running the show. Oh, but power makes me sexy-very sexy. I'd take you to the corners of your wildest fantasies."
      "You should not lead me on like that, " he said through clenched teeth. "Maybe I won't find you very sexy when YOU’RE ready."
      "I doubt it." She rubbed her cheek against his and nibbled his ear gently. “You’re heart is pounding. You want to be next to me. You want me.”
      "Stop it, Shenzi! " He crept into a corner and shuddered. "Don't lead me on like that-I can't stand it."
      "No one is leading you on. It's very simple. When Uhuru is history, we will come here and make love till your heart stops."
      "But how could we fight against the lion's Roh'mach? We won't have anyone to answer to the King."
      "Who needs the King? He doesn't let us on his hunting grounds anyhow. Ever think of that? What use is a Roh'mach that pals around with lions anyhow?" She whispered, "When you know someone's weak spot, you can go in. That's how you kill a gazelle. You go for the weak spot. So how do you get the lions to cooperate?"
      "Do they have a weak spot?"
      "Not to kill them, just to secure their cooperation."
      "Well-hmm-you know, they love their children as much as we do."
      "Yeah? So?"
      "So if we could get a cub...."
      "They would kill you."
      "Sure, if a direct assault, but the occasion calls for subtility. We could have them at our mercy."
      "Is this another of your theatrics here, or do you have a suggestion??"
      "You bet your sweet fangs I have a suggestion. Let me whisper it in your ear when I have made you mine. I will make you Roh’mach or die trying, but tonight is ours."
      “I don’t take credit, ” Shenzi said. “Just remember, the faster Uhuru is out of here, the sooner we take the vows.”

      The morning sun felt warm against Isha's fur as she sprawled in the cool grass. Always an early riser, she took joy in the thought that the other lionesses would be stuck sunning themselves on the hard rocks; between the drought and last night's fire, there was precious little grass left to lie on at the moment.
      Rolling over, she saw her small son Habusu sitting up, peering intently at something out of her line of vision. Leaning over, she nuzzled him. "What are you doing, Habu?"
      He glanced over his shoulder at her. "Look, mama, there's Togo and Kombi. Can I go play with them, pleeease?" He looked at her mournfully. Isha couldn't help but laugh.
      "All right, you little scamp! Go ahead, but stay close to Uzuri; I don't want you all wandering off, now."
      He smiled broadly. "I’ll be good! " He scampered over to the others.
      He was unexpectedly flattened by Togo. "Hey, Habu! Wanna play Mud Tag?" Togo asked.
      Habusu got up shakily. "Uhh, yeah, I guess."
      Kombi smiled menacingly. "Good, then ... you're IT! " With a brutal shove, he sent the poor cub sliding down the slope to land in a mud puddle. Dragging himself out of the brackish water, Habusu's eyes brimmed over with tears as he listened to the two laughing. Unable to bear it any longer, he turned and fled.
      His progress was tracked sharply by two sets of dark eyes. Shenzi and Losara stood behind a stand of dry grass, with Losara's pup Bashak lying next to her. Looking at her friend impatiently, Losara shook her head.
      "Shenzi, what are we doing here? What if we get caught?"