of kings who ruled the land dey live in, especially dose special kings. For me, it’s Mufasa and for you, it could be Simba or your brother…”

            Arif’s eyes widened. He now wondered why it was Simba who appeared to him instead of one of the other leaders. Was it because Simba was his grandfather and he was a grandson? Or was it because Simba was indeed, as Rafiki said, a special king and because of that he was given the privilege of calling Arif to heaven? It made sense. Simba was a lion who knew suffering and triumphed over anything and everything that stood in his way or in the way of the happiness and peace of his family. Simba had brought peace to the Pridelands in two ways. One by restoring the lands to their true glory after the death of Scar, and two by accepting the Outlanders as Pridelanders when Kovu and Kiara helped reunite the two separate prides.

            “But Rafiki, don’t shamans have to have secrets?” Arif asked. Rafiki tilted his head in confusion. “I mean, when shamans get messages from the spirits, and they ask you to keep it a secret, you’re bound to it, right?” The lion sighed heavily. “I did… get a message from the spirits not long ago. Not telling the king, I can handle… but it’s Akase. She knows I’m hiding something. I want to tell her, but I’m afraid she wouldn’t understand…” He bowed his head and shut his eyes, tears threatening to fall from his face. “Rafiki… I love her so much, but keeping something. And it’s killing me so much that I have to separate myself from her. I don’t want to be rude or cold, but I’m afraid I’ll spill…”

            The mandrill placed a comforting hand on the lion’s shoulder, seeing the worry and despair in his eyes. A voice from below drove the shamans out of their reverie.

            “RAFIKI… ARIF, come down, please! We need you!”

            Arif rushed over to the opening of the tree and looked out. Mabaki was there, worry in his eyes. The mandrill, sensing that there was trouble that required medicines, went to where he kept them, gathered them and hopped onto Arif’s back. The lion leapt down the tree and with the frightened guardian, they ran towards Pride Rock.

            While they ran, the shamans, mainly Rafiki, felt a chill run over their bodies.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The whole pride was gathered around the den by the time the lions and the mandrill arrived. The hunting party had presented the kill to the king but Baraka was nowhere to be seen. He was in the den. When the shamans made their way to the cave, the pride moved away.

            Mabaki looked ahead, watching his friend and the old ape go inside. He looked down to see Kadiri and Dailia’s cubs coming toward him, wonder and worry on their innocent faces. The white lion smiled reassuringly but in his body he shuddered. He knew what was wrong.

Meanwhile, Arif and Rafiki came into the coolness of the den. Baraka and Kadiri were near the king’s chambers, in soft conversation. The Lion Prince cleared his throat in respect and the lions turned. Kadiri rushed over, his eyes frantic.

            “I’m sure Mabaki told you?” said the gray lion but the shamans shook their heads ‘no’. Kadiri sighed and quickly explained.

            When he was through Arif went to Baraka. “Where is she now, brother?” he asked.

            “In my chambers,” Baraka answered. “She needs to be where she’ll have plenty of privacy.” He stepped closer. “Can you help her?”

            Rafiki heard the question and he came up with the medicines in his hands. “We can try, sire.”

            The king nodded and allowed them to go inside.

            “I hope they can help her, Baraka,” said Kadiri with a low head. “She was fine this morning, so why now?”

            Baraka shook his head. “I don’t know my friend, but Dailia is strong. She’ll get through this.” The guard just nodded. “Go outside and eat. I’ll stay here and when they come out, I’ll come get you. Now go, your kids need you.”

            Kadiri turned to the entrance. When he stepped out, Saada walked laid a piece of zebra meat at his feet. Kadiri smiled his thanks and his children came. Kadiri lowered himself to the ground and nuzzled his cubs, purring to keep calm them, including him.

The pride ate in silence and each member wondered how their pride sister was, all except one. Hasira tore into her piece without a care. Kadiri, who was lying some distance away, but just enough to see, shook his head in disgust. He would’ve spoken to her but now wasn’t the time.

            “Father,” spoke Dhani. The lion turned to his daughter. “Is… is Momma gonna be okay?” The question caused her older brother and sister to turn to their heads to him.

            Kadiri felt a lump in his throat. He had asked himself that question many times but there was no answer. “Yes, dear, Mommy’s gonna be fine,” he said with a smile. He didn’t want to worry them but he was fearful. What if she wasn’t going to be alright? He did not want to say goodbye now. He didn’t want his children growing up without their mother. Just thinking about it made him shake.

            Some moments later, Baraka emerged from the den and the pride lifted or turned their heads. Baraka had an unreadable expression on his face and he went to the nearest lioness, whispering in her ear and as soon as he appeared, he went back to the cave. The lioness rose and went to Kadiri and within a minute, the gray lion left his children and ran towards the den.      At this Mabaki and Saada took it upon themselves to look after the cubs.

            Kadiri’s heart pounded as he went to the back of the den. “Baraka, how is she? How is my mate?” He panted heavily, his eyes wild, his breathing hard. Baraka sighed in sadness and Kadiri feared the worst. “No,” he said softly.

            Arif approached, standing beside his brother. “Kadiri…” he began.

            “No…” Kadiri said, more forcefully.

            “Kadiri, she has a very high fever…” Kadiri started to panic but Arif continued. “The fever is very strong and Rafiki has given her some herbs to help dull the pain but with the fever…” He stopped.

            Kadiri shook his head. “No, no, no, no!” He was yelling and the pride who heard from outside, began to gather at the entrance. Mabaki and Saada lured the cubs away so they wouldn’t hear their father’s frantic calls.

            “Kadiri, the medicines we gave her will dull the pain,” said Arif calmly. “But it’ll take a long time for the fever itself to subside and leave her body.”

            “I don’t care!” the lion shouted, the words bouncing off the walls of the cave. “You are shamans! You’re supposed to heal injured animals or animals in pain! Now go back in there and heal my wife!”

            “Kadiri, we have to be patient,” spoke Rafiki.

            The guardian roared angrily and bared his teeth and the two shamans, his eyes snapping.

            Baraka came forward and was about to speak when he saw movement in the den but it wasn’t from any of them. It was from the entrance. He looked up. One of the pride members had come in. “I specifically told no one to come in here,” said the king with an authoritative voice.

            “It’s important, sire,” said a female voice.

            The lions and the mandrill turned to each other in confusion but Baraka recognized the voice and the way