“Why not tell her the truth?” Kombi asked.

“Picture this,” Simba said. “Your mother fighting a strange lion that weighs half again as much.”

“I’d never let her fight my battles for me!” Kombi said indignantly. “What do you think I am??”

“As old as she is, your mother can still outrun you. She’d fight him to the death out of love for you. Never underestimate the power of a mother’s love. It’s stronger than any spell in Rafiki’s baobab.”

“He’s right,” Togo said. “We have to be strong for her. Smile, Kombi. Like you really mean it, understand? We’re going to see Dad, and you’re happy.”

“Is this good?” Kombi asked. His smile was weak but acceptable.

Just then, Uzuri came in. She saw Adhama and her face fell at once. “It’s Ugas, isn’t it?” She tensed up. “How did it happen?”

“He’s fine,” Adhama said with a forced smile. “He just needs to see Togo and Kombi at once.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Alone,” Adhama said.

Uzuri glared at her suspiciously. “Alone? Without me? He’s my husband.”

“That’s what ‘alone’ means. Relax, hon. It’s one of those male things--he wants to see them before he steps down. Maybe he wants to choose which one will be King.”

“Oh.” She glanced at Togo, then at Kombi. “I guess that means it’s time.”

Simba nodded. “Yes. Now. I’m sorry I didn’t give you more warning, but I only just found out myself. You know how impulsive Ugas can be.”

Uzuri hurried to Togo and nuzzled him, then she nuzzled Kombi. “My little boys are lions now. There is so much I wanted to tell you. I will come to see you--I promise. Soon.”

Adhama said, “In a couple of days it should be OK. I’ll send for you.”

Uzuri began to cry. “I know I haven’t said it as much as I

should, but I’m so proud of you. Both of you. I hate to see you grow up, but I know you’re going to be King and Prince and you’re going to have a safe home of your own. I’m happy for you--so happy!” Her chin trembled and she sniffed back tears. “I’m stepping down as hunt mistress, and as soon as I’m sent for, I’ll join you and take my place at your father’s side.”

Togo and Kombi nuzzled her fervently. “Don’t cry, Mother! Please don’t cry!”

Simba put his paw on Kombi’s shoulder, then he touched Togo’s shoulder. “Unto the keeping of the gods I send my sons. Long life to you and success in your endeavors. Remember the Lord who formed you from the ground and breathed life into you. Go forth with my blessing.”

Uzuri said, “You will always be my sons, but you are no longer my cubs. Remember that by the standards you set, you shall be judged yourself. What you require of others, it shall be required of you, and what you forgive of others, it shall be forgiven you.” New tears welled up in her eyes. “Go forth with my blessing!”

CHAPTER: THIN ICE

They were anxious to prevent Ambia from hurting their family, but they knew better than to run. Ambia would be well rested, and they must be prepared to fight him. At a fast trot, they headed across their old home for the last time. Every landmark was associated with a dozen memories. They quickly glanced about, trying to remember as much as they could. And Togo also glanced over at Kombi. He had a horrible feeling that one of them might not survive, and he wanted to remember his brother. Oh if there was only time to sit and talk! He had wasted the morning napping in the grass when he could have said so many things that were suddenly so important!

The three lions paused a moment at the border. The stream had always kept them in before. Now it would keep them out. As Simba had taught them to do, they bowed their heads to the ground at the bank of the stream and thanked their parents for giving them life. Then they headed into the water. Togo deliberately splashed water on his face to hide his tears.

No sooner did they emerge on the opposite bank than they could smell the new male’s mark. “Well, now we’re in trouble,” Kombi said. “At least some things never change.”

“He’s the one in trouble,” Togo said, shaking water out of his mane. “It’s either him or me. I’m not running.”

“Yeah. Me neither.”

Adhama briefly bowed before them. “Welcome home, my King. I touch your mane.”

Togo glanced at Kombi and nodded at him.

“I feel it,” Kombi said. Then he nuzzled his brother and whispered, “You’re OK, kid.”

There was an unearthly quiet over the land. No birds sang, no crickets chirped. Even the wind did not blow. Adhama expected to be met by some of the pride sisters. But there were no sentries, no messengers, no hunting parties. It seemed like the calm before the storm. Could it be that Ambia had forced one of the lionesses to reveal her plan? Were they walking into a trap?

They got to the Pride Kopje. Ambia was nowhere to be seen, but there were several lionesses around with pained expressions.

“Does he know?” Adhama asked. “Is he watching us?”

“He’s behind the rock--with Amara.”

Adhama’s jaw trembled. “Not my little girl! If he hurts her, I’ll kill him!”

Togo and Kombi crept quietly around the rock. They saw a large lion looking very smug. Lying on the ground with a paw over her face in shame was Amara.

Ambia got up and sauntered over to her. “Admit it, I’m fun to be with. Someday you’ll come to appreciate me.” Trembling, he nosed her slender thigh. “Try to relax this time. It will be good for you too.”

“Stop!” Togo cried.

“Says who??”

“The true king!” Kombi cried.

“The what??”

Togo and Kombi took advantage of his momentary surprise. They snarled and mounted a viscous frontal attack. Amara cowered back as Ambia flailed back at them with swipes of his bared claws and snaps of his powerful jaws. One well-placed blow and he could even up the match.

Suddenly, Ambia felt a hot pain rake down his back leg. He turned around for one fateful moment to look into the burning eyes of Amara. “Was it good for you too?” she hissed.

Before he could look back at Togo and Kombi, they grabbed him by the throat and forced him to the ground. Wide-eyed he stared up, pushing with his paws but unable to dislodge himself. As Togo’s grip threatened to crush his windpipe and choke the life out of him, Kombi came about to face the desperate opponent.

“Spare me!” he cried, gagging. “Spare me! I’ll go away and never come back!”

“Kiss her feet,” Togo said.

“What??”

“I said kiss her feet! Now DO IT!”

Trembling, Ambia crawled across the ground on his stomach toward Amara, kissing her forepaws, then rolling on his back. “Tell them to spare me! Please, for God’s sake!”

The lioness looked at Togo and Kombi. “He defiled me. Do with him what you will.”

Kombi came to him, raising his claws as if to rip him.

“Please, for God’s sake!” Ambia cried. “I surrender!”

Kombi smirked at him. “My mother always said to put personal feelings aside and have mercy on the helpless.”

“Oh thank God!”

“But you’re not dealing with my mother.” He raked Ambia’s face with his claws out. Ambia screamed hysterically, blood staining his cheek a bright crimson.

“Now you know how it feels. Get out!”

Ambia squirmed before Togo and Kombi. “I’m going! Thank you!”

Togo roared with his full voice, “You heard him--DO IT NOW!!”

The intruder bolted wild-eyed across the savanna and into the shelter of the rushes. It was safe to assume he was gone for good. The lion that terrorized lionesses and their cubs was a coward.

Then in the quiet left after the storm, lionesses and cubs came from the bushes and tall grass as if they were popping out of the ground. “Look everyone, it’s Ugas’ sons!”

Lionesses came from all sides and rubbed against them. Cubs stared at them, noting the uncanny resemblance Kombi had to Ugas.

“Is it safe now, Mommy?”