she do for Baraka and just how special is she? Why couldn’t they just tell him? If the Almighty Himself knew why couldn’t He tell the great leaders? And why were they keeping this lioness’s identity a secret, and from him, no less? He was a shaman and the king’s brother, but he was still learning. Rafiki had more wisdom, knowledge and intelligence than he. Why was the student given this special assignment and not the teacher? Was it favoritism, or the fact that Rafiki wouldn’t be able to handle it as the deceased leaders mentioned? Or was it because Arif was royal blood and that there had never been a shaman born from a long line of Prideland leaders?

            Two weeks had now passed since he was given the message and during those two weeks, and even now, he was confused. Not telling Baraka, he could understand as the king would not believe it. Not telling his parents, also understandable as Kovu and Kiara didn’t need to know everything their children did. And they probably wouldn’t understand, either.

            But not telling Rafiki or Akase was too hard. Rafiki was his teacher. What would he make of what the lion experienced? From what the mandrill had taught, no shaman in the Pridelands history had ever been taken to the other side.

            Then there was Akase. She simply wouldn’t understand. She had never been around shamans until she and her mother arrived in the Eastlands. But when her mother mysteriously died, mortally wounded by some unknown assailant, Akase was treated kindly as a guest in the Eastlanders home. But her time there didn’t last due to memories of her mother’s death so she moved to the Pridelands to be with Arif.

            Even a year later, she had no idea what he did day in and day out as a shaman. He wanted her to understand but what could he say?

            Arif sighed heavily, feeling his heart pound. He squeezed his eyes shut. He hoped that this unknown lioness would come soon. He wanted to be free from this burden that rested on his shoulders.

            “I don’t know how much longer I can keep this to myself,” he said to himself aloud.

            “Keep what?” asked a voice from behind him.

            Arif flinched. It was Akase. The princess walked up and sat down beside her mate. Arif opened his eyes, wanting to look at her but instead, he turned away. He refused to meet her eyes.

            She looked at him, curious. “Arif…” she asked.

            He slowly turned and managed a small but weak smile. “I’m alright, Akase, it’s nothing for you to worry about,” he said softly.

            She was unconvinced. She felt he was hiding something. “Arif,” she began carefully. “What’s wrong? And don’t tell me it’s nothing for me to worry about. I’m your mate.” She put a paw on his and moved closer.

            The shaman trembled. He never shook when she was near him, trying to show him support and love. Why was it so hard for him to be near her now? They had been married for almost a year in a half. He knew the reason. He hated to keep secrets… especially from her… But he was bound, under direct orders of the leaders of Prideland past. And as a shaman, the spiritual leader of his brother’s kingdom, healer of the animals and the pride itself, he could not spill such a secret or break a promise.

            “Akase,” he said gently but his voice betrayed fear. “I know you’re worried about me, but really, there’s no need to be. I’m fine.” He pulled away.

            Akase wasn’t a fool. But instead of pushing a pointless subject she merely nodded. “Okay,” she replied and the two stared out into the distance, each buried deep in their own thoughts. After a moment of not being able to take the silence Akase turned to her husband, her eyes serious. “No,” she said sternly.

            “What?” Arif was confused. He stared at her, surprised. He had never seen her orange eyes spark. It was almost frightening. “Akase, what are you talking about? I told you, I’m fine.” He was insistent. She, however, wasn’t falling for it.

            “No, you’re not. You’ve been acting weird for two weeks, Arif. Something is bothering you and as your mate I have a right to know what it is.”

            He shook his head, slowly getting irritated. “Okay, so I have been off, big deal. It’s nothing new.”

            “Yes, it is. Whenever you have something on your mind we talk about it. But lately, it’s clear to me, your parents and the cubs that you have had something on your mind and this time you haven’t said a word to anyone. Does Rafiki know? Maybe he can help.”

            Arif lowered his head. “No, I haven’t told him.”

            “Why? He’s a shaman and he is your teacher…”

            He cut her off. “Akase, please… I know you’re trying to help but… I can handle it.”

            His attitude surprised her, maybe even scared her. She had never seen him so distant. It was as if he wanted to avoid everyone, including her. Did she do something wrong? Were the kids being too clingy? Was he so worried about Baraka that he was somehow losing touch with the world around him?

            Akase just stared at him, seeing almost anger playing in his red colored eyes. She felt a chill roll up in her body. She wanted to move closer to him again, to let him know she was there but ruled against it.

            They were silent. A moment later, Arif rose and turned to Akase who met his gaze. He gave her a reassuring smile, kissed her cheek with his tongue and nuzzled her. He gave another smile and she returned it. He didn’t speak, but walked down the stone and jumped down the stairs one by one.

            Akase watched him run through the grasses, heading to Rafiki’s tree. The princess’s face, where once had a smile, was now somber. Emotions rose and a small tear fell from each of her eyes.

            Now, more than ever she worried about her mate.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The cubs of the Pridelands played happily near one of the big waterholes. The princes pounced on their male cub friend, Sharif, while the boys’ sisters pranced around in the grass. They were watched by one of the lionesses, a lioness who was the childhood friend of the cubs’ parents.

            Princess Njozi, after pawing at the grass walked to the water’s edge, to drink.

            Sharif, who pushed Njozi’s second older brother, Adisa, into the water, looked at her curiously and ran over. “Hey, ‘Jozi why don’t you come join us?” the gray colored cub asked, his green eyes dancing.

            The princess looked up at her friend and smirked. “Why, so you can pounce on me? I don’t think so, Sharif. Sorry, you’re on your own.”

            Sharif lowered his ears in feigned hurt. He looked at her, nudging her in the shoulder. She shook her head, ‘no’. He nudged her again and nuzzled her kindly. Njozi finally rolled her eyes in annoyance and pounced on him, her paws making contact with his side. She pushed him into the water and jumped in. Sharif’s sisters, Sabiha and Dhani, laughed and ran in too. Soon the waterhole was filled with the cubs’ laughter and water splashing.

            But Adabu, the eldest of his siblings and unnamed leader of the group, walked out of the water, shaking himself dry. For some reason he didn’t feel like playing. He turned to where their watcher, Saada, was resting in the grass. He walked over to her and watched her sleep. Her breathing was soft.

            Saada was a golden brown colored lioness with very light sky blue eyes. Her muzzle, chest and belly were a creamy color and she had