We left Mfalme on the threshold of his journey to the neighbouring Kingdom. We will now journey with him; and intermittently with Giza and the pride in this story.
Chapter Eleven: Tsavo's Kingdom
The sun was setting dully while a young Prince plodded on through the savannah. He was sad and pensive, thinking every few seconds about the task ahead of him. "I have to do this. I have to go conquer that Kingdom to prove to myself that I'm worthy of becoming King," he thought. Then he looked t the setting sun and sighed. "Why did you leave me so alone, father? How am I supposed to do this? How am I supposed to go there and tell them that I'm going to take their Kingdom?" he thought to himself. He needed a drink of water. He stopped by a small pond to drink.
As he drank, he thought of how alone he felt without his father. ""I need you now more than ever, father... How could you leave me so alone?" he thought. He sighed and willed himself to go on, but he needed rest. He'd been travelling for quite some time now, but his destination still seemed a little far away. So he rested as the moon shone brightly in the night sky. Mfalme looked at the sky which was now strewn with stars. He didn't know why, but he felt closer to his father than he had since his death. So he smiled slightly and closed his eyes, hoping that Aiheu was really watching over him.
Morning came surprisingly soon. Mfalme stretched and realized he needed food. He was used to living in a stable pride where the lionesses would go hunt. But now that he was alone, he'd have to hunt himself. So he walked a little further to see if there was anything to eat. He spotted a herd of gazelles grazing a little ahead. He flexed his shoulders and readied himself for the pounce. Then he was a spring. His strong legs pushed him ahead and gave him a great surge of speed. He'd caught up with the herd. Soon he'd grabbed one of them with his strong forelegs and caught it's neck between his teeth.
Once he'd had his fill, he walked further to see if there was a pride here. Then he saw them. A few lionesses were bathing themselves in the sunlight. There was a den, almost like the one at home, but different somehow. He found green pastures and pools of water in some spots. Then he saw a great river flowing through parts of the Kingdom and then to his own. He slowly walked towards the den. He was a bit apprehensive. He didn't know how he'd approach their King. What if they directly led an assault? "Then I'd fully deserve it," Mfalme thought bitterly. "I've come to take away what's theirs."
Soon he was at the mouth of the den. The lionesses were looking at him strangely. One of them went inside to get their King. In a minute, he was standing face to face with a large lion with a thick, black mane and light brown fur. His jade eyes scanned Mfalme carefully. "Why are you here?" he asked Mfalme in a grave voice. "I'm looking for a home, Sire... I... just need shelter. I'm a rogue." "I see... and why do you wish to stay here?" the King asked. "This land seems suitable, Sire. And you seem to be an able ruler... So I thought..." "We don't have enough for you. You're almost an adult lion.
"For all we know, you might be here to challenge me and take over," the King finished. Mfalme gulped and stood there, unable to say a word. "Calm down, Tsavo," a lioness said. She was the Queen. No one else addressed the King by his name. "I'm Kioo. Our Kingdom has gone through great upheaval recently. Do not judge him harshly. We've lost our heirs in a very short span of time." Mfalme felt deeply ashamed of his purpose now. They had just lost their children... their precious cubs... and he was here to take away their Kingdom. "I'm sorry," was all he could manage.
Tsavo looked at his mate and sighed. "You may stay with us for a while. I reserve judgment for now, but only under the condition that when that time comes, you will accept my decision, whatever it may be," he said. Mfalme nodded with as much conviction as he could manage. Tsavo went back into the den without another word to Mfalme. "He seems genuine enough," Kioo was telling him. "So did the lion who married our daughter," Tsavo said bitterly, "but look where that got us! Now all our cubs are dead!" "That wasn't his fault, Tsavo!" Kioo said. "But the other deaths were.
"And until that lion is properly punished, I won't rest," Tsavo said firmly. Kioo sighed as she sat beside him. "We'll recover from all of that, Tsavo... We need some time." "Yes, we do... What we don't need is this Kingdom going into that traitor's paws!" Tsavo finished. Mfalme had overheard this conversation and couldn't help but wonder who they were talking about. It certainly wasn't him, because they'd mentioned that their daughter had married this lion. He sighed and went about exploring this Kingdom to see why his uncle had sent him here.
Chapter Twelve: Giza's Rule
Giza was enjoying his position of power greatly. Although he was an able ruler, he would sometimes get carried away and make some very hasty decisions; one of them being appointing hyenas as his eyes and ears. This worked well for him, but the herds were scared that the hyenas would devour them. Giza didn't pay any attention to their pleas. "If you have a problem with my ways, then you may leave. For now, the hyenas are still under control. They haven't run amuck, and I won't let them. So either you give them the information they're asking for, or leave," Giza told whoever would listen.
But most of them stayed because there was food here for everyone. Giza was glad that the hyenas were at least listening to him. He would've had a big crisis awaiting him otherwise. The pride didn't like Giza's rule much, but they were surviving, so they weren't complaining. Things were looking grim, though. Expectant mothers preferred to have their cubs in a pride where the King was welcoming and playful. Giza was none of those things. He was a stern ruler who preferred order and rules with no flexibility in them. Bending the rules was not an option.
But Giza was completely different when he was with his family. He loved and cared for Epesi and their cubs more than life itself. If anything happened to Kuchinja or Njaa, he wouldn't survive it. Epesi was another matter. He had kept a lot from her, because what he'd done would horrify her to say the least. He sighed as Safidy walked past him one day. "She misses her son," he thought as he followed her. "Hey, sis... You seem down. What's going on?" he asked her. Safidy smiled at her brother and said, "Your cubs are still safe at home... with you. My only cub is away trying to conquer another Kingdom.
"What do you think is going on?" Giza laughed half heartedly. "He takes after his father... He'll be fine," he said. "I want to help him. I want to go with a few lionesses to help him," Safidy told Giza. He masked his fear in an instant and said, "He needs to accomplish this on his own, Safidy. That's why I sent him. He has to prove to us that he'll be able to protect us when the time comes." "I know, Giza... But the task you've set him is nothing short of impossible!" Safidy retorted. "You don't know what that word means, Safidy. You wouldn't have said this if you did," Giza said calmly.
"What do you mean?" Safidy asked him angrily. "I didn't send Mfalme in the hope that he'd fail, Safidy. I care too much for him. He is my nephew, after all," Giza said slowly. "I just hope he comes back soon... That's all," Safidy said simply. "I know, Safidy... I know. Mfalme will be back soon enough," Giza said and nuzzled her lightly, trying to comfort her. Safidy smiled at him and said, "Thank you, Giza. I'll go back to the den now," she said. Giza nodded at her and sighed as he watched her go. He didn't know how she'd react if he told her the truth... and he had no intention of finding out.
Chapter Thirteen: Epesi's Family
Mfalme had gotten used to the new Kingdom here. As of now, he had no intention of taking over it. He was fighting a losing battle with himself on this every day. Part of him wanted to accomplish the task Giza had set him, but another part of him was telling him that that wasn't what his father would've done. "Father would never have taken this away from them by force," he told himself. Everyday he'd persuade himself that he was doing the right thing. But the task ahead of him kept gnawing at him every few minutes. "I have to think carefully about this," Mfalme told himself.
Some time passed and things were going fine for all of them. Tsavo and Mfalme had bonded well over time. They walked around the Kingdom's grassy plains and told each other about their lives... So one day, Mfalme had finally plucked up the courage to ask Tsavo this question. "Forgive me if I'm intruding, Tsavo, but... the day I came here, I heard you talking about a lion who had married your daughter... and then you said something about him cheating you. What exactly happened there?" he asked Tsavo. Tsavo looked at him sadly. Mfalme had only begun to realize how old the King was.
"Kioo and I raised three cubs. Our first born was Aja. He was to be King after me. We had two daughters. Their names were Epesi and Ghana," Tsavo said sadly. "Epesi is your daughter?" Mfalme asked him. "Yes, she was," Tsavo said. "When did she die? She was alive when I left! She had two young cubs! She... What will Njaa do? He's still little!" Mfalme said more to himself than to Tsavo. "You knew her? You seem to know her cubs, too," Tsavo said asked, a little suspicious. "Well, yes... They're my cousins. She married my uncle... Giza? Giza betrayed your pride? He had your cubs killed?" Mfalme asked, shocked.
"You know that traitor?" Tsavo asked him. His voice was like ice. "Believe me, Sire... I had no idea about this! I still don't know... I don't understand!" Mfalme said. "Then let me help you understand what that traitor did. When he came here, he was upset. I don't know why. But he got along well with Epesi. Soon they announced that they wanted to get married. We loved her and wanted her to be happy, so we had the ceremony as soon as possible. For a while it seemed like he was happy here with us. But he'd always avoided any question regarding where he'd come from.
"We didn't want to ask him about it, not wanting to upset him. But something wasn't right... Our Kingdom was changing. Hyenas had begun to breed all over the Kingdom, ravaging it every day by killing mercilessly. There was almost an army of them living around here. That's why Giza suggested that he leave with Epesi... because she was carrying their first cub," Tsavo said. "Kuchinja! Oh! He was born shortly after Giza came back!" Mfalme said. "Well, you can understand how we felt. This Kingdom wasn't safe for us anymore so when he suggested that he knew a safer place for our daughter and her cub, we agreed instantly.
"That's when it happened... A moon after Epesi left, there was a vicious attack. Aja was killed in it. There was nothing we could do. Our Crown Prince was dead... and we didn't know who we'd choose as our Heir... Ghana had married a Prince in a Kingdom far away, so it didn't make any sense for us to give this away to her... but Epesi lived in the neighouring lands... so we thought it'd be best if this was handed over to her. By this time our Kingdom was changing again... and this time for the better. The hyenas had left the Kingdom. We were glad for it, but... we got a message from Ghana... and it wasn't good news," Tsavo finished.
"What was it?" Mfalme asked him, worried. "She was in trouble... Hyenas had infested her Kingdom... and everything was almost gone. She said she needed help. So we went there with a few lionesses to help her. It was a long journey, but we had to do it. But what we saw horrified us. Ghana was dead, and the hyenas were left. Kioo couldn't bear it when Aja died... to watch another one of her cubs die was too much for her. I tried to help her as much as I could, but... what do you say to a mother who has lost her baby?" Tsavo asked him sadly. "But how did you find out that this was Giza's fault?" Mfalme asked him.
"A small pack of hyenas had stayed back... hidden... One day, Kioo and I found them lurking by a small cave. Kioo's anger was such that she badly mauled one of them and demanded to know why they did this. The hyena only said that he was working on someone's orders. When we asked him for a name, he was too frightened not to give us one," Tsavo finished. "Giza," Mfalme finished for him. "That's right... When we found out about it, we decided to let this Kingdom die with us. It was not worth it to give it to him. We didn't have the heart to tell Epesi about him... She would be devastated. Besides, she was safe and happy with him.
"As for when she died, it happened recently. It seems like your Kingdom was facing drought... and the hyenas under Giza's command got out of control," Tsavo said. "Hyenas? In my Kingdom? Giza wouldn't let them run amuck like that!" Mfalme said. "I know why you'd want to think the best of your uncle, Mfalme," Tsavo said calmly. "But he hasn't been honest with any of you." At that moment, Mfalme remembered seeing his father, mauled and bloody... The claw marks on his body didn't seem like a lion's. "No! It can't be my uncle. He wouldn't... He just wouldn't... I have to tell Tsavo why I'm here!" he thought.
"Tsavo... there's something I have to tell you," Mfalme said slowly. "What is it?" Tsavo asked him. "I was sent here by Giza. He asked me to conquer this Kingdom to prove to him and my pride that I was ready... But you have to believe me when I tell you that I didn't know anything about his past. If I'd known, I'd never have come here! I don't want to take this away from you!" Mfalme said. "He sent you here?" Tsavo asked angrily. "Yes, he did... I'm so sorry about what Giza's done to your cubs... I really am," Mfalme said sincerely. "Get out of my sight before I do something I'll regret," Tsavo said and left without looking back at him.
Chapter Fourteen: Giza's New Regime
Drought had gripped Giza's Kingdom more severely than ever before. The hyenas were getting tetchy because there was nothing to eat. They were no longer the compliant followers they once were. Even Giza had started to become wary of them. Then one day, things took a turn for the worse. It began innocently enough. Epesi had gone out looking for some new source of water. Kuchinja was resting. Giza was playing with Njaa. "Don't you need to rest, my boy?" Giza asked Njaa as he scurried all over him. "No, dad... I don't! I don't feel tired," Njaa told his father. Giza sighed and placed his massive paw on his son's tail and pulled him close to rest.
Meanwhile, Epesi had ventured into what had once been a lush valley. Now it was barren. All that was left there now was a huge mountain with smoke rising from it's top. She had never seen one of these before. Not wanting to go any further, she walked back. Watching her was a pack of hyenas. One of them almost got up to get her. "We haven't had anything to eat in a long time! Why can't we get her?" one of them asked the others. "Because, she's the King's mate! If anything happens to her because of us, he'll hunt us down and kill us!" one of the others said. "We won't have any power then!" "We don't have power now!
"This drought has brought out the worst in Giza! He doesn't let us terrorize the others... he keeps all the food he gets for that stinkin' pride of his! How are we getting anythin' out of this?" they hungry one said. The others couldn't help but agree. All their obligations were forgotten as they attacked Epesi. She tried to fight them off, but one of them had caught her neck and was trying to squeeze her trachea shut. Her pupils dilated as she felt life leave her body. She thought sadly of her mate and their sons before she died. The hyenas couldn't wait to finish their feast.
Ukware was the leader of the army of hyenas in this land. He had summoned the pack of hyenas that had killed Epesi. "You do realize that you've permanently sabotaged our alliance with the Lion King by killing his mate?" he asked them angrily. The hyenas didn't speak. "You will leave this land immediately. Find a new pack. I will have to answer to the King when he finds out what happened," Ukware said and had them dismissed. That's when he heard a thunderous roar from the King's den. "Ukware!" he heard Giza call out. "Get here this instant!" Ukware ran to the den only to be clawed at by Giza.
"A pack of hyenas mauled my Queen to death! Explain to me how this could've happened when you claim to be their leader!" "My Liege! I feel most aggrieved for your loss! I have banished the pack from these lands. They will not return!" Ukware said. "That won't bring my Queen back, Ukware!" Giza thundered. "Please, Sire... Remember our loyal services to you when it came to Aiheu and Aja and Ghana... We helped you accomplish those impossible tasks. Remember that and forgive us this one indiscretion! I beg you!" Ukware said. "Fine... You may stay. But you will be stripped of all the powers that you got from being associated with me.
"You will not come near my den; nor will you get any food from me like before. I no longer wish to associate myself with you," Giza said firmly. Ukware left slowly. Giza was still tremulous with rage. He had no idea how he'd tell his sons the news. He held back tears as he thought of Epesi. "I can't believe she's gone," he thought. At that moment, Safidy came to see her brother. "I'm so, so sorry, Giza... I just heard about Epesi." Giza looked at her, finally being able to understand how she felt when Aiheu died. And he'd done that to her. He felt terrible about what he'd done to them.
"Maybe it's payback," he thought, "for taking everything away from her and her son... I'd promised my mother I'd protect her... and now I've killed her mate and sent her son off to be slaughtered," he thought. Then he steeled his mind and started his reign of terror. But he had to find someone to help him. So one day, he found one. Ndovu was the leader of the elephant herd. He'd suffered great losses because of hyenas. Giza went up to him one day, knowing that Ndovu could strike him down if he wanted to. "Hot morning, isn't it Ndovu?" he asked him. "Yes it is," Ndovu said without conviction.
"Listen, Ndovu... I know how much trouble the hyenas have caused your herd... and I want to help you. You're a powerful elephant... and you can use that to your advantage. I want to keep the hyenas away from my Kingdom," Giza said. That did it. Ndovu looked at Giza and let out a loud trumpet. "I'm with you on that, my King. What do I have to do?" Ndovu asked him. "First of all, get all the help you can get to keep the hyenas away. Use any force possible, but I want them out. And secondly, everyone else in this land should abide by a water truce which will be announced tomorrow. You have every right to punish anyone who defies me." Giza said.
And so Ndovu's regime went hand in hand with Giza's. The herds were terrified. If they complained or made a statement that contradicted what the King said, Ndovu was there to give them their punishment. And Ndovu didn't realize, even for a second, that he was doing this because he liked having more power than the other herds, even if it was second to the King's. Giza failed to notice it, too, because his reign of terror left no room for complaints. All he knew was that Epesi was being avenged bit by bit. That was all that mattered to him, although the lionesses and cubs in his pride might have a different opinion.
Chapter Fifteen: The Great Spirit
Mfalme felt terrible after hearing all about Giza's exploits. He was the reason for all this... He'd taken so many innocent lives to become King himself. Now he had no doubt that he was the one who'd had his father killed. And a rage unlike anything he'd ever known shook him. That's why Giza had sent him here... so he could take over his Kingdom, hoping that he'd never return. How could he have been so naive to believe his uncle? How could he have trusted him so blindly? He cursed his stupidity as he paced around, thinking about what to tell Tsavo. How would he explain?
"I have to leave before I cause them any more pain," Mfalme thought and started to leave, but a painfully familiar voice stopped him. "Mfalme," the voice said, "you are not a coward." Mfalme looked at his reflection in the river. It didn't look like him at all. It was his father. "You will not run away from this situation. You are not a coward like Giza!" Aiheu told his son. "Father! How..? How is this possible?" "I am the river, Mfalme... I am the trees and the grass... the canyon and the volcano. I am this land," Aiheu said firmly.
"But you're dead!" Mfalme said, his voice barely a whisper. "No, Mfalme... I have lived on in this land... through you. I am the spirit of our Kingdom. You see me this way because this is how you remember me," Aiheu said. Mfalme was still confused to say the least. "Giza took you away from me," Mfalme said angrily. "Has he?" Aiheu asked his son with a chuckle. "Hasn't he?" Mfalme asked, exasperated. "No one can ever take me away from you, my son... I am part of you... as I have always been," Aiheu told his son. "Is this real? Is this really you?" Mfalme asked doubtfully.
"I'm the part of you that you've always known to have existed, but never found... until now." "I don't understand... If you're who you say you are, does that still make you my father?" Mfalme asked. "What does your heart tell you?" Aiheu asked. "That you're my father... here to help me when I need you," Mfalme said. "Then believe it," Aiheu said. "I don't know what to do, father... I just found out that Giza did some horrible things... and now Tsavo doesn't trust me!" Mfalme said. "So you're running away?" Aiheu asked him, disappointed. "That's not what I taught you!" "But what's left here for me?" Mfalme asked. "You have to find that out for yourself.
"But you have to go back," Aiheu said as his face dissolved into the water. "Remember what I've told you," he said and left as soon as he'd come. "No!" Mfalme said as he watched his father's face fade away. "Father, don't leave me this way!" he said. Aiheu's last words were still ringing in his ears. "You have to go back," he had told him. Mfalme sighed and walked back to the den with a sense of dread. He didn't know what would happen at this time. All he knew was that Tsavo would have to be absolutely mad to let him back in after what he'd just told him.
As he approached the den, he saw that the herds had gathered there for something. Mfalme gulped. This wasn't good for him at all. He tried to walk up to the mouth of the den, but two lionesses stopped him. Then he saw Tsavo looking down at him with grave eyes. "When you first came here, you asked for judgment. Now is the time for me to pass it!" Tsavo said dramatically. "Should we decide to let you stay, you may come up and join us. Should we decide to banish you, you will leave and never return. Do you accept these terms?" Tsavo asked. Mfalme gulped and said, "I do, Sire."
Chapter Sixteen: Kuchinja's Nemesis
A young adult lion sat bathing himself in the sunlight. His tawny fur and jet black mane were shining in the sunlight. He had an air of royalty about him that didn't suit him well, for it was evident he was showing off. Giza's eldest son yawned as he felt someone nudge him lightly. "Wha..? Njaa, what's going on? Why'd you wake me up?" Kuchinja asked sleepily. "Father wants to see you," an adolescent lion with jade eyes said. "Alright, alright... We'll go right now," Kuchinja said as he stretched and began to walk. "Any idea what he wants to see you about?" Njaa asked him. "Not a clue, bro. We'll find out."
Giza was pacing around in the den. He looked agitated to say the least. But what Kuchinja saw upon entering the den was more shocking. Mfalme had returned. He chose not to notice him for the time being. "You sent for me, father?" Kuchinja asked pompously. "You remember your cousin Mfalme?" Giza asked him kindly. Kuchinja sighed and nodded at Mfalme. Njaa on the other hand was positively delighted. "Hey, Mfalme... Glad to have you back," he said. "It's good to be back, Njaa. It seems things haven't changed much, here!" Mfalme said happily.
"So, Giza... as I was saying, I wanted to tell you about what happened with Tsavo's Kingdom," Mfalme said looking at Giza. "Well, yes, Mfalme... We'd love to hear about all your adventures," Giza said. "Not we, Giza... You. I don't think your sons would like what I have to say," Mfalme said lightly. Giza looked suspicious to say the least. "What is it that you wish to tell me, Mfalme?" Giza asked him. "Kuchinja, Njaa... Please excuse us. Don't worry... I just wish to have a talk with him. He will be just fine by the end of it," Mfalme said calmly.
"Leave us," Giza said seriously. "Let no one else in. If Mfalme seeks a private audience with me, I trust him enough to let him stay." Kuchinja nodded and left with Njaa. Giza waited for them to leave and asked, "What did you find out?" "Why're you so worried, Giza? I didn't believe a word of what Tsavo told me. Although what he told me was very shocking. That's why I left, you see... You're my Uncle... and I know you would never do anything close to what he'd mentioned about you," Mfalme said with a smile. "That's very kind of you, Mfalme... I'm touched by your loyalty," Giza said.
"Why shouldn't I support you? My father vouched for you... and my mother vouched for you... I don't see why I shouldn't. I told Tsavo that we'd go with our pride to take over his Kingdom. Our cause is just. After all, Epesi was his daughter... and you're her only living relative!" Mfalme said seriously. "You did what?" Giza asked him. "What have you done, Mfalme? All I'd asked you to do was to go conquer that Kingdom! Now you've made a mess of everything!" Giza said. "Well, Giza... You do have one thing to consider. Since I failed to accomplish my task, I won't be King," Mfalme said serenely.
Giza was dumbfounded. "You... don't want to be King?" Giza asked him. "No, I don't. I really don't. I've failed you... and I've failed my father. I can't take his place yet," Mfalme said. "I don't know what to say, Mfalme. Your father had his heart set on you becoming King," Giza said sadly. "He'd be terribly disappointed in me," Mfalme said, looking dejected. "Cheer up, Mfalme... You have your family. You'll always have a place in this pride," Giza said. Mfalme sighed and left without a word. "Things are turning out better than I thought," Giza thought happily.
Chapter Seventeen: Mfalme's Plan
Mfalme stood looking at Tsavo as he passed judgment. He hadn't feared anything this much. "Mfalme, you came here seeking shelter among us, which we provided. Now, we have found out that you have come on the orders of an enemy. This we cannot allow," Tsavo said seriously. Mfalme hung his head in shame. He knew this was going to happen. "But you didn't hide from us! You told us the truth and made your intentions clear. For this reason, you shall remain with us," Tsavo said. Mfalme couldn't believe his ears. They were letting him stay!
"Not only will you be staying with us, you will be named Crown Prince. You will rule over these lands after me and Kioo," Tsavo said, smiling. "Join us now, Mfalme... Join our pride." Mfalme walked up to the ledge and smiled at Tsavo. "Thank you," he told him, "for believing in me. I won't let you down." Kioo paved the way inside and asked Mfalme to follow her and Tsavo. "Mfalme... I think it's time Giza learnt his lesson," Kioo said. "When you told me why you were here, I was angry... But Kioo helped me understand better. You told us the truth... and now you came back to face the consequences.
"Now we know we can trust you," Tsavo said. "We want you to help us defeat Giza," Kioo said. Mfalme smiled. "I have a plan," he said. And so Mfalme told them of his plan. They listened and waited as Mfalme explained it to them. It was brilliant! Tsavo smiled and said, "This is going to work well for all of us," he told Kioo. Kioo smiled at Mfalme and said, "Thank you, Mfalme... Thank you for helping us." "It's the least I can do for you after all you've done for me," Mfalme said sincerely. "And don't worry about a thing. I'll make sure that Giza pays for his mistakes."
Now, as Mfalme walked out of the den, he knew that Giza would be ecstatic. That was exactly what he'd wanted. As he walked out, he saw Kuchinja look at him with anger. Mfalme didn't want to get into that right now, so he went to find Malkia. He smiled at the very thought of her. He saw her resting by the river. "Why so sad, Malkia?" he asked her. She took one look at him and jumped up to nuzzle him. "I'm so glad you're back," she said. "I am, too... How've you been?" he asked her. "I've been alright... I really missed you," she said with a smile. "I've missed you, too... You and my mother," he said.
"So were you able to accomplish the task that you'd been set?" Malkia asked him. "Yes, I was. Although don't tell Giza just yet. I have some unfinished business with him, and I'll need your help," Mfalme told her. "What is it?" she asked him. "I'll tell you as soon as we go find my mother," he said. Malkia broke into a run and Mfalme followed her. Then he saw his mother walking alone. "Mother!" he called out to her. Safidy instantly looked back and was ecstatic to see her son. "Thank the Great Spirit you're alright!" she said as she nuzzled him lightly. "I thought I was going to lose you."
"You'll never lose me, mother... You know that!" Mfalme said, laughing. "So tell me... What happened on your journey?" she asked him. "It was eventful to say the least. I learnt a lot," Mfalme said with a smile. "Now you'll be King! Oh, things are going to be much better now!" "Things will be better, mother... But there's something I need your help with first. I need you and Malkia to meet with the pride waiting at the southern border. They will fill you in on everything. Once you meet them, come meet me. I'll let you know what it is we'll be doing," Mfalme said.
"What are you talking about?" Safidy asked him. "Just trust me on this, mother! I know what I'm doing! Please go meet them," Mfalme said. Safidy nodded and left with Malkia. Mfalme sighed and walked back to the den. On the way, he saw Kuchinja. He looked smug to say the least. "I heard what happened of your task, Mfalme," Kuchinja said. "Did you now?" Mfalme asked him. "And I feel sorry for your father," Kuchinja said. "His son turned out be such a coward!" Mfalme smiled to himself, but looked angrily at Kuchinja. "What's it to you, Kuchinja?" Mfalme asked him.
"Well, thanks to your cowardice, I'm going to be King! So, thanks!" Kuchinja said, trying to goad him on. "Good luck with that, Kuchinja... You'll need it," Mfalme said calmly. "What's that supposed to mean?" Kuchinja asked, flaring up at once. "Nothing, really... I was just wishing you luck," Mfalme said, reveling in the effect his words had on Kuchinja. "Why, thank you, Mfalme... I'm sure Malkia and I will be happy as King and Queen," Kuchinja said. Mfalme froze. So that's why Kuchinja was so unhappy when he'd returned. He'd had his eyes set on Malkia.
"No... It's not worth jeopardizing the plan. Don't start a fight now," Mfalme told himself and left without another word. Soon he was face to face with Malkia. "You've got some nerve, Mfalme! This is a brilliant plan!" she said. Mfalme nodded and asked, "Why does Kuchinja think you'll be his mate?" "Oh... He started bragging in front of you, didn't he?" Malkia asked with a chuckle. Mfalme didn't laugh. "Look, Mfalme... Ever since you left, he's had his hopes up. But you should know better than anyone that I wouldn't do that to you," Malkia said. Mfalme finally smiled.
"Alright... I trust you. Anyway... what do you think of my plan?" Mfalme asked. "It's great! This is going to be great! Giza won't know what hit him!" Malkia said. Mfalme nodded at her and watched as his mother came towards him. "I know he's your brother... But he's done some horrible things. And I cannot forgive what he did to dad!" Mfalme said firmly. "What has Giza done to your father?" Mfalme hadn't realized that his mother didn't know what had happened. "There's something I didn't tell you, mother... You remember I'd gone to find father the day he died?" Mfalme asked gravely.
"Yes, I do... You returned wounded and bloody," Safidy said. "I wasn't wounded. I was trying to carry his body. And I saw marks on it, too. Hyenas had mauled him," Mfalme said. "So you think that Giza sent them after him?" Safidy asked him. "Yes, mother, I do. And I don't want you to tell Giza about it. He shouldn't suspect anything when we make our move tomorrow. Do you understand?" Mfalme said seriously. Safidy nodded and left for the den. "As for you," Mfalme said smiling at Malkia, "we have plenty of time to spare." Malkia laughed as they went for a stroll in the moonlight.
Chapter Eighteen: Giza's Last Hope
At sunrise the next morning, news had reached Giza that a pride was entering from the southern border. He was alarmed to say the least. "Lionesses! Assemble now at the southern border for defense. Move!" he roared. The lionesses obeyed instantly. "Mfalme, you and Kuchinja are my fortresses. Don't disappoint me!" Giza said firmly. Mfalme left without a word to Giza and followed the lionesses. Giza walked through them as they reached the southern border. Kuchinja joined in, ready to fight. Njaa, on the other hand, was asked to stay back at the den with a few lionesses for support.
Tsavo watched as the pride advanced towards his. "Ready the lionesses, Kioo. This has to work," he told his mate. Mfalme walked a little ahead, watching carefully as Malkia and Safidy took well planned positions. Mfalme had told them not to ask him any questions while they marched, because that would make Giza suspicious. Giza waited, watching Tsavo's every move. Then he smiled to himself as he remembered what he'd done to his cubs. Who would make the first move? Who would start the attack? Both prides waited for the other to strike, but nothing happened.
"Aren't you a little late for vengeance, Tsavo?" Giza asked, breaking the silence. "You've gone unpunished for too long, Giza. I welcomed you into my pride... treated you like a son! All you did was destroy my family!" Tsavo said. "Your old bones won't be enough to fight me, old lion! Go home while you can with your Kingdom intact!" Giza said, laughing at Tsavo. "My Kingdom is intact, Giza. The question is... Is yours?" Tsavo asked with a smile. "If you lose here today, which you will, your Kingdom will finally be mine!" Giza said. "We'll see about that, Giza!" Kioo said.
"Last chance, Tsavo... You have nothing to fight us with! We have two young lions and many strong lionesses waiting to attack!" Giza said haughtily. "I have a young lion twice as strong as you fighting for me!" Tsavo said. "Where?" Giza asked, laughing. "I don't see any!" Mfalme slowly walked over to Tsavo and said, "That's because you're looking in the wrong direction, Giza! This battle is between you and me, now! You've killed innocent lions; including my father. The time has come for you to pay! Fight me now in mortal combat! Winner takes all!"
Chapter Nineteen: The Fight
Giza didn't know what to think. Mfalme had won the allegiance of Tsavo's pride in an instant! How was it possible that they let him do this? There was something going on here that he didn't know about. "What're you waiting for, Giza? You wanted me dead all along! That's why you sent me away, isn't it? Here's your chance!" Mfalme said. Giza weighed his odds. Mfalme was definitely stronger. There was no denying that. Both prides were now waiting. "You deceived me," Giza said slowly. "As you have deceived all of us for so long. It's only fair, Giza. It's time to face the consequences of your actions.
"You had Aja and Ghana killed; you killed my father; you tried to dispose of me, too. Your only mistake was for you to send me over there! I'm the Great Aiheu's son! He didn't raise me to be a devious coward like you!" Mfalme spat. Giza didn't say anything. He laughed heartily at Mfalme's words. "You fool! You naive fool! Do you have any idea what your father did to me?" Giza asked him. "He took away what was mine! I was the Crown Prince! Not him! Yet my father chose him over me! How do you think that'd make me feel?" Mfalme hadn't known this.
"It was still wrong for you to have taken those innocent lives, Giza!" Mfalme said. "I know my father! He would never have taken this from you out of spite like you did! Your father chose him for a reason!" Mfalme finished. Giza let out a thunderous roar and charged at Mfalme. Mfalme had already drawn his claws. As Giza approached, his keen eyes scanned Giza for a weak spot. Then he struck Giza with all his might on the chest. Giza roared in pain as Mfalme waited. Giza rushed at Mfalme, slamming him into the ground in full force. Mfalme pushed him off with his hind legs.
Mfalme was panting after Giza's vicious attack. His cheek bore a deep gash now from where Giza had struck him. He closed his eyes and remembered his father's lifeless body; an anger such as he had never known coursed through him like poison. His eyes flew open just in time to see Giza's outstretched paw. Mfalme ducked and caught Giza by his mane. He bit into his shoulder as he heard Giza roared in pain. Then he felt pain unlike any other. Giza had kicked him in the stomach. Mfalme let go instantly, roaring in pain. "He killed your father," he kept telling himself. "Avenge him! Avenge them all!"
He wished for his father to be with him now, helping him fight. "No one can ever take me away from you, my son... I am part of you... as I have always been," his father had told him. Then he knew... How could his father possibly leave him? He was all around him! And within him! And so he charged at Giza for a final time, crashing him into the ground. He mauled Giza as badly as he could until Giza had no strength to retaliate. Then he looked at Tsavo and said, "Do it now, Tsavo! He has hurt you the most. Relieve him of his pain! End it now!"
Tsavo walked over to Giza and looked at him. "You know, Giza, you brought this upon yourself. We loved you like a son! And you betrayed us!" he said. Then he took one last swipe at Giza's chest. Giza winced only for a second. Then his head flopped on to the ground lifelessly. Safidy wept a little for her brother, which Mfalme could fully understand. Mfalme walked slowly over to her and nuzzled her lightly. "I'm sorry, mother... I'm sorry I had to do this," Mfalme said. "I know, my son... I'm sorry, too. But he brought this upon himself," Safidy said sadly as they walked back home.
Chapter Twenty: Kuchinja's Vow
As Mfalme turned to go home, Kuchinja stood right in front of him. "Where do you think you're going, you filthy lion?" he asked Mfalme. "I thought we were going home, Kuchinja," Mfalme said slowly. "You're not!" Kuchinja said and charged at Mfalme, but Mfalme dodged him with ease and pinned him down. "Don't try that again, Kuchinja. I just pinned you down this time. Next time, I won't hold back," Mfalme said. Kuchinja tried to wrestle Mfalme off, but his shoulders were pinned to the ground. "Let him go, Mfalme!" they heard Njaa say. "Please! Just let him go!"
Njaa looked at his brother and then back at Mfalme. "What happened?" Njaa asked Mfalme firmly. "There was a fight, Njaa. Your father died in it," Mfalme said. "Who killed him?" Njaa demanded. "I did," Mfalme told him calmly. "He refused to give you the Kingdom, didn't he?" Njaa asked, softening a little. "Yes... He went back on his promise to me," Mfalme said. "Well, I can't say I'll forgive you, Mfalme. But I understand why you decided to fight him," Njaa said. Mfalme was completely taken aback by Njaa's words. He was so young, and yet... ""If I'm sorry about anything, it's the fact that you lost your father.
"Whatever he was, I'm sure he was a good father to both of you," Mfalme told Njaa. Njaa nodded and went up to Kuchinja. Then he nudged his brother and said, "Get up, brother. We need to go home." "We don't have a home to go to, you idiot! Thanks to Mfalme here, we're no longer Princes!" Kuchinja spat. "I never said you couldn't stay, Kuchinja," Mfalme said calmly. "I don't want to stay here if you're going to take my place!" Kuchinja said and got up. "I won't forget this, Mfalme. I'll come back to take what's rightfully mine!" Kuchinja said.
Njaa looked at his brother and said, "Come on, Kuchinja! He's our cousin! He didn't do this deliberately!" "Whose side are you on, little brother? Mine or his?" Kuchinja asked angrily. Njaa felt torn at his brother's question. I’ll come with you. You need me more," Njaa said. Mfalme was touched. "You're a very loyal brother, Njaa. Kuchinja is very lucky to have you," he told the young lion. Njaa nodded at Mfalme. Then, looking at Kuchinja, he said, "Let's go, brother." Kuchinja and Njaa left without a word to Mfalme or the rest of the pride.
Tsavo and Kioo looked on as their grandsons left. "Kuchinja is more like his father than I'd have wanted," Kioo said slowly. "But Njaa is more like Epesi. He has a very large heart," Tsavo said sadly. Mfalme looked at the old couple and felt their pain as they mourned their cubs. "I hope I never have to go through something like that," he thought. Then he looked at Malkia and nuzzled her, hoping that they'd have a wonderful life together. Then he looked at Kioo and asked, "Won't you stay with us here?" "Yes, we will, my King!" Kioo said proudly. "We would be delighted," Tsavo said.
And so Mfalme took his place as King. He knew that they were going to face tough times... and he knew that Kuchinja would want his vengeance. He was hoping that someday, Kuchinja would understand what happened and accept it. But for now, he was happy to finally be back home with his family, where he belonged. Malkia smiled at him as they walked back home and said, "Your father would've been very proud of you, Mfalme. You did something wonderful for Tsavo and Kioo today." Mfalme smiled at her and said, "I'm sure he would, Malkia... I'm sure he would."
End of Book Two
Giza's rule has left Mfalme to clear up a pretty big mess... How will he handle it? Will Kuchinja return for vengeance? Find out in Book Three!
Well, like your previous book thus far, I'm really enjoying the storyline you've come up with divsalley and it's starting to fill in a few of the holes left by the last book, which is always a good thing. ^^ I like how you integrate the two plots together with one another. Your attention to detail is getting better, although I still felt as though the first two chapters were rushed a bit and could have used a bit more planning but seeing as this follows in the heels of your last book, it's not quite as bad as if this were a new story in and of itself. Again though, you really should re-read through your work to find mistakes and run a spell-check. It will make a world of difference for your readers. ^^ Aside from those gripes though, I think this book is still coming along wonderfully and I look forward to reading more of it as you post it. 
I do find it interesting that perhaps Giza has finally found perhaps a sliver of humanity following Epesi's death! I wonder how that'll play in to future chapters and whether or not he'll be more compassionate toward others.
