“I will live forever.” Light coalesced next to Mano, and the true Roh’mach herself emerged, her featured composed and serene. “Don’t worry about me, child. I’ve seen victory, and my heart is at peace. But take care of my husband--he’s so helpless without me.”

“Anything you say, Amarakh. I swear I’ll take care of him.”

“Indeed she will,” Mano said, nuzzling Amarakh. “So will I.”

CHAPTER 67: HE LIVES IN YOU

The confirmation of Uhuru as Roh’mach and her subsequent exile seemed that it must be Shenzi’s ultimate humiliation. She had been born a chosen one, but what she had been chosen by, no one was quite sure.

Still, inside her she carried both the memories and the legacy of her relationship with Melmokh. She was already beginning to show the “light in her eyes,” as Fabana delicately put it. Still Skulk, ever the naïve one, did not know that his “bak’ret” had long lost her maidenhood to another.

Utterly disgraced, Shenzi followed Skulk meekly into the darkness of the savanna, hearing the soft calls of her brothers and their few companions in the dark.

Tired and footsore, the hyenas traveled well into the next day, stopping only to rest at high sun, when it was too hot to travel any more. They scattered under the spreading limbs of an acacia that provided welcome shade, panting fitfully in the intense heat.

Shenzi pillowed her head against Skulk’s flanks, looking at him through slitted eyes as he napped fitfully. How, after all she had been through, could he still want her! If only she were free to accept his frequent offers to pledge! Surely the real Roh’kash would not consider her marriage binding. After all, it was entered into under false pretenses. All she knew is that she regretted her decision, and wanted something more substantial and wholesome. Lies and empty promises had followed her literally from the moment of her birth. Though she was no nisei herself, she still felt stifled by the wanton exploitation of her femininity. She didn’t know what to believe anymore, or who she could trust--all except for her faithful okash and Skulk. Good old Skulk.

Fabana came and nudged her. She tossed her muzzle to the side and stared at her.

Getting the hint, Shenzi stood up quietly and followed Fabana a short distance. Fay made sure no one overheard them.

“Shenzi, you must tell me plainly. Are they Melmokh’s?”

“What? Oh.” Shenzi looked down at her growing figure. “Yeah. That’s all we need right now is more mouths to feed.”

“That’s not the issue,” Fabana said sternly. “This thing you had sex with--I won’t even call it a ban’ret--is the creature that killed your father.”

“You mean the lion??”

“No. Your father was guiltless. Melmokh arranged for Jal to slip when he was running from the lion. It was premeditated murder. This THING was responsible for the killing of Avina and for most of our troubles. It feeds off of misery, so it stirs up misery to survive. What’s worse, it took you away from the real God, and Missy, you’re in need of some serious prayer.”

“Are you calling me a heathen??”

“No. I’m calling you the okash of something unholy. What grows within you is the spawn of your okhim’s murderer! He has stolen your okhim, and now he has stolen your bak’rethood. Skulk is no La’kresh, but he’s faithful. He would make a good husband, but how do you think he will feel when you bring something into the world born only to house Melmokh’s spirit? Did you really think a normal pup would come of this union??”

“Well I....” She hung her head.

“It would be Melmokh itself. It wants a physical body. It has used your worship and your loyalty. Now it has used your body. USED, I say. It can feel no love.”

Shenzi shuddered. “And it’s inside me, Muti!” She drew close to Fabana and rubbed against her. “Oh Muti! What can I do?? What’s Skulk going to say when he finds out I’m....”

“The pup--if you can call it that--must die. It’s not one of us. And Skulk does not have to find out.”

CHAPTER 68: THE PILGRIMAGE

Fabana took Skulk aside and told him she was taking her daughter on a short trip--a pilgrimage. “Do not be sad. We will be gone six days, and when we return, I feel certain Shenzi will pledge to you.”

“You mean it?”

“I don’t say what I don’t mean. You know that.” She nuzzled him. “You will bring my daughter the things she’s been missing in her life. I know we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye....” She smiled, self-consciously, turning her good side to face him. “Still, I will be glad to have you as my son.”

Skulk smiled sheepishly. “Things are going to be better. We’re going to find us a good territory, one where our pups can grow and play. No more of this scrabbling in the badlands. And you’ll see, things can only get better from here. I promise I’ll be the best husband I can be for your Shenzi.”

They arranged to meet at Elephant Kopje in six days. Skulk would remain in charge, even without Fabana to keep Banzai and Ed in line. They knew better than to cross him, and he warned them again just to make sure.

Fabana chatted with Shenzi as they headed off into the south. She described her dream of a white lioness who told her of the fruits that grew by Redrock Kopje. “They taste bitter, but they will end your bitterness. They bring death but they will save your life.”

“Good,” Shenzi said defiantly. “That will rid me of the last of Melmokh.” She tried to be brave about it, but slowly her face fell, her ears and tail fell limp and she trudged along like the dying. Tears began to run down her cheeks.

“I was looking forward to being a mother. I thought I could find happiness and be normal like everyone else.”

“What is inside you is no bringer of happiness. Look forward to being with Skulk. His children will bring you happiness. And so will he, I warrant.”

They only walked about a day and a night to find Redrock Kopje. After gaining the goal so easily, Shenzi asked her okash, “Why did you say we’d be gone for six whole days?”

“You’ll find out. I was warned that we must not rush things.”

The plants grew next to a watering hole at the base of the kopje. It was not a very safe location. Surely others came to drink besides the antelopes and zebras that fled before them. Ones not so likely to flee.

Fabana came with bated breath to the water, then looked around carefully, sniffing and listening to the best of her ability. After many moments passed, she called Shenzi to join her and she searched for the berries.

The fruits were dark green with light stripes. The bush they grew on was covered with thorns, and just the look--and smell--of it was enough to panic someone made of less stern stuff. But Shenzi was determined to change her life for the better and strike a blow at the evil creature that violated her.

“You must eat five--no more, no less.”

Shenzi forced down one. She nearly vomited. “Ooh, these are bitter!”

“You will forget the bitterness soon enough.”

Another went down, her face tightening with disgust. Then three more. Gasping, she wanted to wash them down with water, but Fabana cautioned her against it.

“We must do exactly as we are told. Now then, Missy, I will find you a stick.”

“Why?”

“Something to chew on. You’ll need it, honey tree. If you don’t want to bite clear through your tongue.”

“Oh??” Shenzi settled down to rest by the water. “Muti, I’m afraid.”

“I know. So am I.”

Fabana pulled over a large stick. Then she began to groom Shenzi who smiled to feel the closeness of her muti again.