ancestors, in a different light. A moment later he managed to speak. “Thank you for your words. They were… different and helpful.”

            “You’re welcome, Baraka, you’re welcome,” she said gently.

            He smiled and looked back at the sky. Her words gave him a bit of hope which was something he needed now. He bowed his head, feeling sleepy and tried to suppress a yawn. The yawn came.

            “Baraka, I think you should return to your chambers and sleep. Even kings need their rest.”

            “Yes, I know. You need yours too.” He paused. “I haven’t asked this yet, I should’ve. How are you feeling?”

            Etana shuffled a paw. “I’m better, thank you.”

            “Good, I’m glad.” He rose to his feet. “Shall we?”

            Etana nodded and followed. Together they walked down the promontory towards the den. Etana settled herself in her sleeping spot.

            “Goodnight, Etana,” said Baraka.

            “Goodnight, Baraka, rest well.”

            “You too…” And the king departed into the den.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The night continued. A few hours later, around mid moon, a large figure left the den with quick steps but his departure was not unheard.

            Etana, from her sleeping spot, spoke in a soft whisper. She knew who the steps belong to. “Arif…”

            She was right.

            Into the lower cave, the shaman prince dashed inside, breathing heavily. His face was pale, his eyes wide, his breathing was heavy. He looked down at his forelegs. They were shaking. He groaned and hit the floor of the cave in frustration, and in his wide eyes was a snap of anger. He hadn’t slept. There were dark circles under his eyes.

            He growled and lowered his head. “Akase… I’m sorry, but I just can’t tell you what’s bothering me. Not even in sleep. I’m sorry. For my own good I must stay away from you.” He sighed and choked back a sob then lowered himself to the ground, his body heaving with more cries. He put his head on the ground and breathed deeply with a shudder. “Ancestors, why did you let me carry this burden?” he whimpered.

            There would be no answer. Arif sighed heavily and sniffed. He rolled over to his side and allowed his emotionally torn body to carry him into a deep sleep.

Chapter 8: Emotions Scattered

“What was your dream about?” Adisa asked his sister.

            The royal cubs stood in another part of the grassy area. Their friends were on the other side. The area as a whole was large. A lioness had brought them there to play. When they arrived Njozi announced that she wanted to talk to her brothers privately. Sharif and his sisters understood and Njozi lead her brothers away.

            “You both may think I’m crazy,” Njozi said, sitting in the grass.

            Adabu put a paw on his sister’s shoulder. “We would never think that, ‘Jozi.”

            “Yeah, we’re your brothers,” added Adisa. “We gotta help each other through all times, good and bad.” He sat behind Adabu. “What was your dream?”

            Njozi sniffed and Adabu stepped back. Njozi tensed. What she had to say would not be easy. “We were all home. It was mid afternoon and we had gotten through with dinner. Everyone was doing their own thing. The lionesses were around Pride Rock, resting on the platforms or in the shade under the promontory. The guardians talked with our grandparents and Uncle Baraka. Mr. Takata and Miss Etana were napping near the den. As for us, including Sharif, Sabiha and Dhani, we were romping and playing in the grasses. Then I pulled myself away…” She stopped.          Adabu and Adisa looked at her curiously. Before they opened their mouths, she held up a paw and resumed speaking.

            “I don’t know why, but I began to shiver. I felt that there was something different with the pride.” She watched her brothers’ faces. They were patiently waiting. She drew in a breath. “I never saw Mom and Dad. I told you guys I’d be back in a moment. That I was going to look for them. I walked up the stairs and found myself heading towards the den. I don’t know how or why. I felt guided. I stopped at the entrance but before I could go in, Etana spoke.”

            “What did she say?” Adisa asked respectfully. He didn’t want to interrupt, but she had stopped again, this time to catch her breath.

            Despite the inward shivers, Njozi smiled faintly. Adisa had such a way with words. “She said, ‘Don’t go in there, your highness. There are two creatures inside and they’re not happy with each other.’ I turned to her only to see she was still sleeping.”

            Adabu looked up. He was hesitant to speak but Njozi saw he had something to say. She nodded to him. “Etana told me that while she sleeps even deep, she can still feel someone’s steps, even if they’re quiet.” He chuckled. “Her gift is a little frightening, but in a good way. At least you don’t have to wake her when you need someone to talk to.”

            They shared a small laugh. Njozi was grateful to her brothers. She didn’t have to get to the point. They wanted to hear what she had to say in full.

            “What she said surprised me but I promised to be careful,” Njozi continued. “She didn’t say anything after that so I went into the den. When I was almost towards the end, near Uncle Baraka’s chambers I heard voices. One was angry, almost pleading and the voice was a male while another voice was female and she replied with a hurt tone. I ran to a corner of the cave and from where I hid, I noticed through the darkness that the creatures were a lion and a lioness.”

            She stopped again, her breathing almost heavy. Adabu and Adisa looked at each other, allowing the words to sink in. They pictured what she was saying in their minds. Everything was crisp and clear. They imagined the pride doing exactly what she said, and in their images there was no sign of their parents. In their minds they saw the den, saw the lion and lioness.

            Njozi pawed the grass. “I couldn’t make sense of what they were saying but their voices began to rise. While I tried my hardest to listen, I heard them each speak one word.” Njozi struggled to remember. She only had the dream a few days ago but having it had prevented her from talking to anyone the morning after. Now, she just couldn’t hold it in. She felt that the only ones who would understand were her brothers. She let out a pained sigh. “‘Akase,’ said the lion. “‘Arif,’ the lioness replied.”

            Adabu gasped, his eyes growing wide. “Njozi,” he said, almost breathless. “Arif is our father’s name and Akase is our mother’s. You’re right. I saw it in my mind. Mom and Dad weren’t with the pride or anywhere below Pride Rock because they were in the den. They were the lion and lioness and they were the ones arguing.”

            Adisa was surprised but he had seen it in his mind as well. He nodded to his sister, silently saying that he agreed with Adabu.