Simosihle sighed quietly, laying on a the flat surface of a jutting bolder that rose just over the grass. It was still warm from basking in the sun all day though the golden globe was already drifting into the distance. Setting the stage for the moon to take its place in the sky as night fell. So much had gone wrong in the pride of late, it felt like everything the Umama had ever known was crashing down around her. She was duty bound to wear a brave face before her sisters, but now, alone with nothing but her thoughts, it all weighed heavily upon her. The disappearance of their ambassador Lengi, the two Abaholi, the disturbing findings Ukame and Andhaka had discovered while she had been busy rescuing a rogue lioness, the lack of litters birthed this year, the cub Ulaka had saved from that leopard—granted not completely intact—and now Njalo was missing. It was all too much.
There were definitely benefits to being stationed as an ambassador to the Firekin. For one thing Machozi was never far from home and though he didn't like to step on his elder brother's paws, he and Gakere had always had a good relationship and his occasional visits had never been met with animosity. Usually his stay was brief, passing through only to make his his mother was still alive and well for her antics often worried him. Unfortunately, it was less light hearted affairs that brought him back now. Word had begun to spread through the red pelts that his homelands weren't fairing so well. Some looked at the ailing pride as a poisonous growth that might infect them as well and there were murmurs of severing ties. Whatever the truth was, Machozi had decided it was time to come home. At least then he could judge for himself the state the Ithambo was in and perhaps warn Gakere of the whispers spreading through the desert lands.
If their allies thought them weak, their enemies might also see an opening as well.
Umama Simosihle. his voice was rough from the parched air that rested heavily on the lands he now spent most of his time in. Head bowing in respect to the lioness his mother had been friends with since before his birth. He half expected to find Njalo'sasa with her now, though the royal colored female was no where to be found as he approached.
She hadn't noticed Machozi until he was nearly nose to nose with her, mind off in some distant place as her chin rested heavily upon her paws. The sound of his warm voice brought her back to reality, lifting her head sharply in response. Machozi..?
It is you! Machozi what are you doing here?! Leaping from her perch to close the distance between them, Somsihle nuzzled her head under the giant male's chin. The pair could have been mistaken for siblings—or even mother and son given their similar slate coloration. Simosihle often joked that she was the father of Njalo's little grey cub, a thought that had always amused Njalo to tears.
Umama Simosihle.. Machozi began softly, fondness in his voice as he greeted the lioness with the same gentle affection he would have shown his mother.
Please, stop with the formality, Chozi, you're killing me. Simo corrected quickly before allowing the lion to continue. It was good to see a familiar face, one that brought a nostalgia of better times with his presence.
Sorry, Si.. it's strange having been away for so long. Word's spreading through the red pelts that the Ithambo is weak. I'm worried they might try to usurp our lands.. I've come to let Gakere know. Have you seen him? The rending expression upon Simosihle's face made Njalo's son pause with concern. What had he said that could cause her so much pain?
No one has seen Gakere or Surtak since a search party found what appeared to be the remains of a bloody battle between the two of them. Their fur and scent was found along with blood... so much blood Machozi. Lowering her gaze to the ground under her paws Simo shrank. I saw it for myself.. I had to. Ukame believes neither one will return, but I can't... I can't believe Gakere is gone forever.
This was worse than Machozi could have imagined. Surtak and Gakere had battled? Over what and why? And if both Abaholi were gone—dead or otherwise—who was protecting the lionesses and their home lands? Simo.. who...?
Andhaka. The name was spat bitterly before Machozi could even finish his question. The Umama's head rising high and proud in defiance of the Inselelo. He showed up not long after Surtak disappeared and Gakere seemed to believe it was a good idea to let him stay with us as an Inselelo. He looks enough like a red pelt to be one. I don't like the idea of their kind claiming rights to be Umholi. I'm afraid we'll lose our identity entirely soon.
Has he tried? The name refused to be fitted to a face for the young Cabanga. It made Machozi slightly uneasy that he had never met the potential threat to the well being of his pride. Made him wonder just how out of touch he was really. To be so close, yet so far away. Six months certainly didn't seem like a long time to be absent when you lived only right next door, but now that hew as home he could see that the lands were changed from his last visit. Suffering in silence.
No. He's foolish, but not that foolish. The lionesses are all too unsettled for him to be able to slip in so easily. They would fight it. I would fight it. No male can stay in power without the support of females, but I worry. The first lioness to cave and give him cubs will give him more standing. The thought annoyed Simosihle, perhaps because she was anxious to start a family of her own. Who knew how long it would be before the Ithambo was healthy enough to begin spawning new litters. She might be barren by then.
Something about the mention of foolish lions made Machozi think of his mother, a frown drawing upon his muzzle as he glanced around distractedly, peering across the empty grasslands. It was strange not to see cubs of various ages dotted about this time of year. He was certainly over due for some younger siblings of his own. Si.. where's my mom?
Flinching again, Simosihle felt his expression fall, brow wrinkling with obvious worry as her brown eyes peered up at the male who carried the same impressive bulk as his father, the late Matifu. Machozi... I don't.. no one has seen her since Surtak and Gakere's battle ground was discovered. I thought maybe she had gone hunting, it's so like her to bring home a big kill to lift everyone's spirits, but...
Her gaze followed the pale lion's into the distance, voice on the verge of breaking with unshed sorrow, ...she hasn't come back.
[ FIN ]
[Word Count: 1183]
