John Burkitt - The Leonid Saga

Taka looked away. “You might have known a long time ago if you had been more observant. Why don’t you cut to the chase? I want to hear you say it rather than overhearing it in the shadows and crying alone.”

“Very well, son. Mufasa is going to be the next king. It was not an easy decision.”

“I guess not. Either pick the one you love the most or the one that’s best qualified. Love always wins out, doesn’t it?”

Ahadi looked down. Tears came to his eyes. “Oh Taka, before Aiheu I hope you didn’t mean that! Muffy loves me, but I’ve always known who loved me the most. Son, I love you more than I could say.”

“Oh, Dad! I’m sorry!”

Ahadi nuzzled him. “Son, to me you will always be beautiful and wonderful, but you are not strong enough to bear the brunt of the world when it becomes harsh and unyielding.”

“So it’s my scar.”

“No.”

“Then it’s my weak body.”

“Not just that, though Muffy’s strength was a factor.”

“Then what was it, Father?? Why was I passed over?”

Tears streamed down Ahadi’s face and he looked away. “Must I say it? What’s done is done.”

“Why, father?? At least tell me why??”

Ahadi looked around and stroked Taka’s cheek with his paw. “Because your heart is so gentle, you would not be able to make the hard decisions demanded of a King. You are so full of beauty and love that you can see no ugliness in anyone or anything. Muffy has a good Ka, but he always cautious to avoid the deceit and wiles of his adversaries. He can be harsh when a King must be harsh. Could you have put Gur’mekh to death? Could you have slit his innards with his sad, terrified eyes looking up at you?”

Taka looked away.

“See, your own heart tells you I’m right. In love, I did not burden you with this weight. You may not see it this way, but I’m doing you a great favor.”

“So that was it. You think me only a scholar?? Did I learn one too many stories? Did I know too much history?? Did I pay a little too much attention and not watch the wildebeests enough??”

“No, my son! I am not perfect, but I have always acted in good conscience.” Ahadi’s chin began to tremble. “Have I not told you every day that I loved you? Did I miss a day? Do you hate me, Taka? Do you hate your old father who sired you and gave you his unconditional love?”

Taka looked at him and shuddered. “How could I!”

Ahadi leaned into Taka and nuzzled him. “I love you like the rivers love the rain. Never tell your brother what has passed between us. I love him very much and don’t want him hurt. And I want you to love him too. More than anything.”

“Yeah, right.”

Ahadi took in a deep breath and let it out. “Don’t start ignoring me now. You need to hear this story.” He put his paw over Taka’s and gave it a light push.

“When Aiheu first brought light to the world, he brought to shine the two brothers Sun and Moon. And at first they were alike, equally bright and warm, and very proud of their great beauty. But the heat of their twin lights was unbearable and no good thing could grow and no good thing could walk upon the ground. And Aiheu repented that he created two brothers, and wondered which one should lose his light and warmth that the world might live.

“Sun begged the Lord that he might shine forever, and that his faithful service would bear witness to his entitlement.

“’Moon your brother has also been faithful in his duties and served me well.’

“At this, Sun began to cry and begged the Lord that he should not be extinguished.

“At this, Moon bowed before Aiheu and said, ‘As my brother has asked, so be it. I cannot stand to see him harmed, for he is my brother and I love him.’

“At this, Sun felt shame. ‘Blessed are you, Moon, for you are the greater brother. To you should go the light of Heaven and I will sit in darkness and bewail my foolish pride.’

“Aiheu wept. He held Moon to his heart and said, ‘As you have asked me, so shall it be done. But I shall not extinguish you, but only cool your light. And my children will mark their lives by you, the brighter light to be the day and the lesser light to be the night. But greater are you, Moon, for your mercy shall be remembered as long as this story is told among my children.’ And Aiheu kissed him three times, each time dimming his light a little until he only shed a soft glow.

“Now when the living things were made as Ka was placed in forms of Ma’at, Aiheu considered that these children would have life, then die. And he considered what to do that new life would arise to replace the old. So he considered the brothers Sun and Moon, and one of every living creature he made like the Sun, powerful and fiery. The other he made soft and gentle. And so it was that male and female he created them, that by working together through love, the gift of life should endure forever. Because the male is powerful, he fights to protect the Pride from all its enemies. But it is the female whom God has given the miracle of bearing children. Remember, my cubs, to honor your mother when she commands.”

Ahadi nuzzled Taka. “I’m asking you to be Brother Moon. Mufasa thought you deserved to be King. He also asked me to divide the kingdom between you. I refused him, son. But I want you to carry all your days the secret that he would have given you the kingship and half of everything he owns. Don’t hurt him, Taka! Please don’t hurt him!”

“Oh, Daddy!” Taka pushed his face into Ahadi’s soft mane. “I love you!”

The violent lightning made little Nala tremble and huddle ever tighter against her mother’s side. “When is it going to stop?”

“I don’t know.”

“It will stop, won’t it?”

“Sure it will. Then if you’re lucky you’ll see Lord Rainbow and his pride. You’ve never seen that before, have you?”

“No.”

Another bolt of lightning hit very close by--close enough to make even Sarafina edgy. There were a couple of times she remembered when lightning struck the promontory of Pride Rock. No lion was foolish enough to stand out there when the lightning was bad.

“Tell me about Lord Rainbow,” Nala hissed between tightly clenched teeth.

“You’ll like this story. There’s someone named Nala in it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. That’s where you got your name.”

Another bright flash made Sarafina as white as Minshasa herself and the rumble of thunder made the stone under her paws shake.

“Once a long time ago, there was a member of the first Nisei named Lord Rainbow who was taking care of a rogue lioness and her new cubs. Though they never saw him, his presence was protective and he spared them from many griefs.

“One of the cubs was named Nala, and she was very beautiful. Her beauty was great, and so is yours. The older that Nala grew, the more beautiful she became, just like you, and Lord Rainbow loved her with his whole heart. She was his favorite, and at times when he saw her struggling with a nightmare, he would come to her in her dreams as a playmate and chase away her enemies that her sleep might not be troubled. Then he would play games with her, and while he was with her, he could feel what mortals feel through her. Lord Rainbow was content, and would have remained so forever, but as Nala grew, her interests matured, and one night when Lord Rainbow came to her, she fell desperately in love with him. As she rubbed Lord Rainbow full length, he trembled as new feelings very frightening and very pleasant were awakened in him.

“In fear he fled from her dream, and he decided that no more would he interfere in her sleep. But the love of her had swept over him like a fever, and he had no peace in his heart, so much did he love her.