“Yes, honey tree.”

Togo nuzzled some of the small cubs. He turned on his back and began to play with them, the way he had played with Tanabi and Misha long ago, bouncing them on his legs.

Adhama saw that and began to cry. “Look, Kombi! Look at your brother! Ugas lives on in you!”

Kombi nuzzled her and pawed her cheek. “Auntie Adhama, I miss my mother, but it’s good to be home.” He went to Togo and whispered, “Hey, let's not mess this one up."

As everyone watched in gratitude and relief, Kombi climbed to the top of the kopje where Ambia had so recently held sway. But to Kombi it only meant one thing--it was where his father had ruled. It was the closest he would ever come to meeting Ugas in the world of Ma’at. Feeling his father’s blood surging in his veins, he lifted up his muzzle and roared--loudly. The lionesses answered him. He felt shivers go down his spine. As the echoes died away across the savanna, a distant reply caught his ears. His blood rushed as he recognized the voice of Simba answering him from the Pride Lands, acknowledging Kombi’s sovereignty and proclaiming his own. He heard Simba’s lionesses declare their allegiance as well, tears stinging his eyes as he recognized the voice of his mother. He bowed his head to the ground. “Thank you, God. It’s good to be alive.”

CHAPTER: TO THE VICTOR GOES THE SPOILS

Togo felt a thrill as he watched his brother atop the kopje, the breeze blowing his mane back from his forehead. It was hard to believe the rambunctious brother he had grown up with had grown into the stern faced lion making his way down the rocks. Togo sighed deeply at the wonder of it all.

He was about to join his brother when he felt a gentle touch at one shoulder. Glancing around, he saw a lioness beside him, a smile on her face as she gazed at his hazel eyes. “Your Majesty,” she said, bowing her head in a curtsy.

Togo chuckled. “Oh, hello. I’m sorry, but I’m not--”

“Oh no you don’t!” Another lioness trotted rapidly over. “I saw him first, you hussy!”

“WHAT?!” The first lioness flattened her ears and growled. “Don’t even THINK about trying that stunt, dear. He’s big, he’s beautiful, and he’s all MINE!” She looked back at the shocked Togo. “I’m sorry,” she giggled, her voice returning to normal. “Forgive her, Sire. Now where were we?”

“Nowhere, really,” Togo stammered. “You see, I’m not the--”

“See?!” The second lioness shouldered her way in roughly. “His Majesty has taste AND class...qualities you obviously lack, hon. Now get lost.”

“Ladies, PLEASE!!” Togo thundered. They fell silent, staring at him in adoration. “Please don’t argue like this.”

“And sooo assertive,” the first crooned. “What a monarch! Please, Sire, choose me! I shall rule by your side with loyalty. We’ll bear our children in happiness and joy. Our love will shake the earth!”

“But I’m NOT the king!” Togo finally said. “My brother is.”

The lionesses fell silent and peered over at Kombi, who was already beginning to attract a crowd of his own, then looked at each other.

“He’s YOURS,” they chorused, and sped off towards Kombi. “Sire! Your queen is here! Our love will shake the earth!”

Kombi groomed his mane and looked at his nails. "Check it out, Togo! They're fighting over me!”

"Which do YOU want?"

He looked at both of them. "Decisions, decisions! Oh, it’s not easy being King."

Togo smiled quietly and sat down, wondering if Kombi would survive the realization of his dreams. He lay down, resting his maned head on his forepaws, watching the tips of the grass sway and move in the gentle breeze that caressed the land. The sound of feminine voices drifted back to him and he sighed deeply.

A slight touch at his shoulder startled him and he turned his head to see a young lioness standing close by, the quiet one he had noticed earlier, the one who had been cowering under Ambia’s abuse and had then suddenly slashed at him, giving the brothers the crucial instant they needed to make their move. She smiled nervously at him. "Are you still undecided? Do I have a chance?"

"The line for queen is right over there. It looks like you'll have some stiff competition."

"I don’t want to be queen. I'm standing in THIS line."

"Really?"

Her smile quivered and vanished, and she looked away quickly. "You find me unattractive?"

"Oh no, it's not that."

"Is it Ambia? Has his touch made me unworthy? Togo, I have to know."

"It's just--I've been number two all my life. Nobody's ever preferred me before--for anything. This is so strange."

"I find that hard to believe. You’re so much handsomer than your brother." She smiled shyly. “My name is Amara.”

Togo smiled. "Hey, you're all right. My name's Togo."

"Yes, I know. That's a pretty name." Tears came to her eyes.

“What’s wrong? Why are you so sad?”

“I was saving myself for you.” Her jaw trembled. “Ambia forced himself on me.”

“Oh gods!”

“I either came to him, or he would have killed little Saieti.” She looked away. “What will I do if the cubs are his? I mean, we weren’t together long, but it could happen.” She reached over and nuzzled him. “Could you still want me? Could you want the cubs?”

“You poor thing,” Togo said, wiping her eyes with his paw. “What a thing to say!” He nuzzled her in return. "Amara, I want you. I’ve wanted you ever since I saw you beautiful, frightened eyes full of tears. I wanted to kiss those tears away and make you happy.” He half whispered. "You will be their mother, and that is all that matters to me. That and the chance they might be mine.” He smiled and put his paw on her left shoulder. She purred softly and rubbed him down his whole length, then nuzzled him passionately.

"Hey Togo!" Kombi shouted. "Help me make up my mind!" He was surrounded by five amorous lionesses, clearly in his element.

"Have a race or something," Togo said. "Can't you see I'm busy now?"

Togo nuzzled her, and she lay her head against his mane and walked away, leaning on him.

Without seeing him, Kombi was rubbing the lionesses and giggling. "Where did he go, anyway? You'd think he wasn't interested in girls!"

CHAPTER: SAD TIDINGS

A couple of days after Togo and Kombi’s mantlement, Uzuri began to watch the eastern border, hoping for news of her sons. “Come on, Ugas. Why the secrecy??”

All of the lionesses had been strictly charged to escort Adhama to Uzuri’s spot the moment she appeared. It seemed likely that she would be the messenger.

Rumors had circulated about the goings-on. Uzuri was none too free with her information, and while most of the lionesses knew that Togo and Kombi were going to see Ugas, not one of them fully understood the situation.

“He had no sons,” Ajenti said.

“I think he wants someone from our pride,” Isha told her. “I have my own personal reasons for believing that. Good reasons.”

“Not as good as mine,” Ajenti said with a sly wink. “What do you think, Sarafina?”

Fini sighed. She had been moody for the past few weeks, and this business with Togo and Kombi only renewed her melancholia.

At that moment, Habusu came among them, very excited. “I saw them!”

“Who??”

“Togo and Kombi!”

“Good news??”

“The best! Where’s Uzuri??”

The hunt mistress had retired to her cave, trying to get a little rest. Then she would go back out to the eastern border and wait again. The strain was telling on her. It was also taking a toll on her hunting--two days hunting yielded only a small duiker and a thompson’s gazelle. Very slim pickings for a pride of full grown lions and their cubs.

Habusu practically bounced up. "Guess what, Uzuri! I just saw Togo and Kombi!"

"You did? Where??"