Simba looked at him a moment longer, then lay his head down, pressing his nose into Pumbaa’s side, trying to blot out as much of the world as he could. The gentle tides of Pumbaa’s breathing and the steady thrum of his heart lulled the exhausted cub, pulling him into a much needed sleep.

Pumbaa sat quiet until he was sure Simba had dropped off, then lay his own head down. Eyes drooping, he began to slide away into sleep’s embrace until a sudden motion from the cub brought him back to sharp wakefulness. Glancing down, he saw Simba’s paws twitching restlessly, soft moans escaping his lips and chilling the warthog with their intensity.

“Uncle Scar? I’m sorry...din’t mean it.” He shuffled restlessly again. “Accident...what’m I gonna do? Mom?” Pumbaa grunted with pain as the cub kicked abruptly, crying out in the dark stillness. “Dad! No!”

Pumbaa nuzzled him helplessly, uncertain of what to do, and was relieved to see Simba quiet down at the touch, forepaws reaching out in his sleep and making contact with the warthog’s side, claws kneading him slightly in a long forgotten reflex. Pumbaa endured the discomfort, gazing at the cub thoughtfully as the night passed, until Simba dropped off into a deep, dreamless sleep.

CHAPTER 43: ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED

Meanwhile Fabana, Shenzi and Banzai moved among the hyenas. They spread the word to all: “Important Clan meeting at high moon. Attendance is required.”

Amarakh was having a playful wrestling bout with her husband when Ber came by. “Roh’mach, do you have a moment?”

She looked up, peeved. “Can’t I have a life of my own?”

“I’m sorry, My Lady. I’ll ask you tonight at the clan meeting.”

“I didn’t call a clan meeting.”

“Well everyone else says you did. And that it’s very important.”

“Who told you?”

“Fabana.”

Amarakh sighed, kissed her husband, and said, “I’ll be back in a minute. Remember where we were.”

The Roh’mach went around looking for Fabana. She expected to trace down the source of the rumor and find out who dared to mock her. She was in for a great surprise when she finally found Fabana.

“Fay, what’s this about a clan meeting? Who told you?”

Fabana straightened with pride. “Roh’kash herself.”

“What??” Amarakh’s hackles raised. “Let me scratch my ears. I must have wax in them.”

“No, My Lady. Tonight at high moon, The Lord herself is going to address us on a matter of great importance.”

“If you say so,” Amarakh said dubiously. “Let’s just say I hope She shows up for your sake. Otherwise, I’m going to be pretty put out with you, hon.” She softened her tone. “I know it’s been hard on you raising that family of yours alone. Especially the way Jal died. I’ll think of something important to say. Maybe I’ll just make something up. I don’t want you being made a fool of. We’ll discuss this later, OK?”

“I’m not seeing things. There are witnesses. Shenzi, Banzai and Ed all saw her.”

“Look, Fay. We’ve been friends all our lives. But this is ridiculous. You go around promising God to these folks, all I can say is you had better deliver!”

There was a large pointed crag in the elephant graveyard called Makh’pil Baru, or “Moon Claw,” for at exactly high moon the shadow of its point would touch a boulder named Ul Khalil, or “The Springhare.” In living memory it had always been the signal to start a clan meeting.

Also by long custom, the Roh’mach did not discuss business before mid moon. Everyone usually had some idea what was going to be covered in advance, and this time as always there were rumors being spread through the crowd. Amarakh politely turned away questions, but she was clearly uncomfortable.

“It’s not too late,” she whispered to Fabana. “Please don’t go through with this. I’m trying to help you. You know I’m your friend.”

“I know.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Just wait. You’ll see.”

The dance of the heavenly bodies was progressing. The point of the shadow drew close to Ul Khalil. By then, everyone was in a state of great anticipation.

Amarakh was silent, her mind working quickly to think of something to say. Shenzi was looking rather smug, certain that what happened would be the crowning glory of her short life. Banzai was proud of his sister and sat erect, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye and looking gravely serious, trying not to grin broadly. Ed, as always, was Ed.

The point of the shadow crept to the edge of the rock. As everyone watched with bated breath, the black triangle crept across the stone and finally reached the exact center.

The quiet was unearthly. No one spoke or even dared to move.

Then the shadow passed the center of the stone and approached the far side.

“Thank you for coming,” Amarakh said. “My main reason in calling you here was to sort out a crime that had been committed against one of our prominent families. But since the guilty party has confessed and agreed to make reparations, I think it wise not to dredge it up again.”

“Who, Roh’mach?” someone asked.

“I prefer not to say.”

“Was that it?” another one asked.

“Pretty much. The wildebeest herd is on the move again, but most of you know that by now. I’m sorry the hunt had to be spoiled by this little fiasco.”

“When is God coming?” one of the females asked.

“Yes, when is she coming, Amarakh?” Korg asked.

“We were told God was coming!” Ber said. “So where is she??”

“Who said God was coming??”

A clamor arose. Clearly, there were a lot of disappointed hyenas who were not sure who to be upset with, but Amarakh was as good a target as any.

“Calm down everyone,” the Roh’mach said. “We’ll all see Roh’kash at the moment of our death. Think, all of you! Think! Why would God want to call a clan meeting with us? It makes no sense!”

Amarakh was suddenly aware of her shadow grow long and prominent before her, a great golden light filling the air around her with luminance and bathing the hyenas before her as they fell to the ground, ears flattened back and heads between paws. Amarakh trembled. She swallowed hard and turned around....

“Roh’kash!!” The Roh’mach fell to the ground and howled in fear. “Mercy! Mercy, Lord!”

Melmokh came to her in the form of a beautiful hyena. “You question my decision, Amarakh?” said a sweet voice. “I will not harm you. Still, you are no longer Roh’mach.”

“Why, my Lord? Have I not always worshipped you faithfully?”

“Not for your impiety, for there is no quarrel between us. I have given that title to the daughter of the prophesy. Shenzi was anointed from birth to deliver your people from bondage, and her path shall you follow.”

Amarakh rolled over and pawed at the false Roh’kash. “Even so, my Lord. Even so! I hail Shenzi, the Lord’s anointed!”

The other hyenas cried, “Hail Shenzi, the Lord’s anointed!”

Melmokh went through the crowd. At first they parted before him, but after he touched lame Pashond and healed him, the other hyenas began to crowd in on their Roh’kash, seeking blessings and the occasional coveted kiss.

“Hear my words,” the false Roh’kash cried. “I have come to liberate you through my servant Shenzi. But if you are to be worthy of her and of me, you must be disciplined. You must be sober in judgment. You must be willing to make sacrifices.”

“Even so!” hyenas shouted. “Even so!”