“Oh! I’m so sorry!”

Ber looked down. “And that’s not all.” He pawed Kambra’s face. “Prepare yourself, my dear. Your sister is gone too.”

Kambra’s eyes widened. “My Shimbekh?”

“I’m afraid so.”

Kambra’s eyes misted up. “We were so close....” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “My poor Shimbekh! Oh gods!”

When Kambra regained her composure, she signaled to Gur’bruk and the two of them headed deep into clan territory.

They were in for more surprises as they went to find their family.

Bath and Mer’bel were playing with their pups in the eastern march. “Girls!” Kambra said, feeling her heart rise in her mouth. “It’s time for your nap!”

They looked around, stunned. “Muti! Maleh!”

There was a tearful reunion, one made all the more special by the quick arrival of Gur’bruk and Kambra’s parents. Word spread fast among the hyenas.

The whole family was together for the first time in years. En’geer and Tela were off hunting, but a quick look by Mer’bel turned up their pups. It was becoming a rather large reunion.

The absence of Shimbekh and Gur’mekh was keenly felt, but they all felt that somewhere, somehow their hearts were with them. Such peace came to them all as had not been felt in many moons.

Bath and Mer’bel introduced them to their husbands, then to the pups. There was no way Gur’bruk and Kambra could remember all those names, but they both loved children so, and fit easily into the new role of grandparents. They were mobbed by affectionate pups, some of whom had the gift.

“I can see that prophesy is alive here,” Kambra said with a happy sigh, kissing the small wiggling bodies that tugged at her ears and tail, rubbing against her side and crying “Grand-okash!” Gur’bruk rolled on his back, batting at his assailants. One pup sat on his stomach and peered straight down into his eyes. “Gotcha!”

Bath said, “They’re going to love their grand-okash. Muti, we’ll have to find you a new place. Dabrek is old and set in his ways, and he is fond of napping on your old scratching grounds.”

“We’re not here to stay,” she replied.

“But you MUST stay,” Bath said, her ears folding back. “Muti, it’s OK for you to come back. The Roh’mach understands.”

“We have things to do first. We’re going to Pride Rock, and I’m not sure how long we’ll be gone. But the moment we leave, we’re coming back here.”

“Why are you going there?”

“To keep an old promise.”

Just then, Uhuru came by. Gur’bruk winced. “We were just leaving,” he said. “We came to see the family.”

“Now look here, Gur’bruk. Since when is having puppies a crime worthy of expulsion?”

“We must be honest about this. You know good and well Gur’mekh told us he was guilty. We harbored him for a while because he was desperate to have an exorcism. No matter what the Roh’mach said, only God has the right to condemn an immortal soul. What we did, we had to do. On this basis you may make your decision, and we will abide by it.”

Uhuru said, “I’m not telling you to trample the law underfoot, but I’m a little more open minded than poor Amarakh. I’ve seen things in my life that have broadened my views. The ban is ended, and tonight we will set aside time to grieve for Gur’mekh.”

“Thank you, Roh’mach. How is Amarakh?”

“Dead, Gur’bruk. The dying has stopped, but during the two conflicts and the famine nearly a third of the people you knew died.”

Gur’bruk gasped. “My gods!”

Gur’bruk and Kambra headed on toward Pride Rock. Halfway there, they were challenged by a hunting party of lionesses.

“Ho there, we don’t know you.”

“King Ahadi will understand our mission.”

“Ahadi? He’s been dead for some time. His grandson Simba is king now.”

“Grandson?” Gur’bruk looked at Kambra. “Has it really been that long, old girl?”

Kambra spoke up. “Where is Yolanda? She can explain this.

"Sorry, ma’am. She’s dead." Ajenti drew closer and examined Kambra carefully. It was a tense moment. “So how did you know my mother?”

"Your mother was very kind to us in our suffering. We came here to thank her. I’m so sorry."

Ajenti relaxed. “There’s only one hyena that mother knew. You wouldn’t be Kambra, would you?”

“Yes, I’m Kambra.” She looked at Ajenti carefully. “I’ll never forget your muti’s face. You have her eyes, and the bridge of your nose. It was such a kind face, and she had such a large heart.”

“She must have told me about you a hundred times,” Ajenti said with a purr. “Now I see you face to face.”

“I promised your okash--your mother--that I would come back someday and visit her.” She nuzzled Ajenti. “Yolanda, wherever you are, that’s for you.”

Ajenti kissed her. “And that’s from my mother.”

Just then, investigating the odd meeting, Simba came up. He looked at them closely, then shook all over. "Hey, I know you!" He smiled broadly. “You’re the two hyenas that saved my life!”

“You’re that little cub??” Gur’bruk said.

“You’re that big hyena??”

They both burst out laughing. "Come,” Simba said, “let's have something to eat! You’ll be glad to know that grubs are NOT on the menu!”

CHAPTER 70: THE HUNTER HOME FROM THE HILL

Skulk’s love for Shenzi was genuine, and it was not long before she had “the light in her eyes” once again, the impending promise of new life preparing to come forth. The birth of the pups was greeted by joyous exultation by the new clan, eager as they were to perpetuate their line. Ed was not particularly impressed with the new children, engrossed as he was in studying the cloud formations overhead, but Banzai’s chest swelled with pride as he looked at his little nephews and nieces. “Nice job, Sis.”

Shenzi smiled tiredly as her children gathered to her to take their first meal. “Thanks.”

Skulk worked overtime to try and fulfill his promise to Fabana. Under the circumstances, he provided for Shenzi and his pups rather well, but they went hungry more often than not. There was little enough food to go around for they had no territory of their own. Even when they did kill, it was sometimes taken from them by the lords of the land.

The brave thing to do might have been to not have pups. But the husbands and wives had few basic comforts and even fewer pleasures. So soon a few more couples had pups.

The scarcity of food began to take its toll, visible in the lean forms and gaunt faces of the clan. The suffering was most readily apparent in the oldest. Fabana could not eat while depriving the children, so Fay was slowly starving herself to death.

Tired all the time, Fay curled up one day at mid-sun in the scant shade of a dying acacia. Soon she was asleep, her body too drained to sustain a prolonged effort in the heat.

Jalkort came and nudged her. She awoke with a start. “Jal?? Is this it? Am I dead??”

“No, Fay. I’ve come to plead with you. You must go back to Pride Rock. Do this for me. Do it for the lions who still love you. Do it for Makhpil who needs someone warm and strong to give her companionship.”

“But I can’t run out on my children!”

“Would I ask you to run out??” Jal looked at her crossly. “You think what you’re doing is noble. But who appreciates it? If you were back at Pride Rock, you would eat well and they would eat better. Look, honey bunch, you deserve a little happiness. I can’t please you anymore, but you can find release from your misery if you’ll only take it. Besides, you’re spoiling heaven for me. I want you with me, but not by you dying young from hunger! Be happy for me. Be happy for you. Be selfish for a change. Gur’bruk and Kambra are there. And remember, you were never banned to begin with. You’re free to go home whenever you please. Uhuru is doing a fine job, and there is plenty of food. What’s more, you will find self respect, and love. Go home.”