Mitopanna Savannah Chronicles - Chapter One
#1 of The Mitopanna Savannah Chronicles
"The Old Sun King and His Problem"
The Mitopanna Savannah lies west of the PrideLands, a smaller grassland that borders both the lush jungle and the barren desert. The Mitopanna River creates the natural border between the two lion-dominated Kingdoms.
To the West of Mitopanna, the jungle, where the leopards linger. To the North, Hyenas dwell To the South, the Cheetahs inhabit the meetingplace of the Jungle and Desert. And to the Southeast, the Mitopanna River dwindles to a trickle into the shared Water Hole.
A days walk west of Pride Rock, another rocky formation, the Kikkao, can be found. It is tall as an elephant, but filled with large holes through its width. The stone plunges into the earth, as do its tunnels, ending in depressions that suggest they had been made by water... Yet during the rainy season, most of the little stone dens remain dry. Inside, there was a larger den near the centre of the great stone.
This was the Old Sun King, Juakali's den. He was an old friend of Ahadi, and the two Prides remained neutral allies, each never really interfering with any of the others business. During the last Rains, his old Queen Nyesha had died. Juakali had announced that his wife decided to end her life on her own account, haven awoken beside his unstirring love. Her name had meant 'To Rain', and so he believed she was ready to leave her old achy body behind. Ahadi's young son Mufasa and his betrothed Sarabi had come to pay the respects of their Pride. Juakali could tell they would be excellent rulers.
Juakali did have a daughter, Neema, and with the pride dwindling he would soon need to face the task of betrothing her. They young pair's arrival had reminding him of this, and although he was worried what would become of his daughter upon his death, there had been no news of any unrelated male lions.
As for now, he was watching the dry season sun rise from atop the smooth and flat stone roof of the Kikkao, considering the need to cross the river to find a suitable young male to betroth his daughter to. His heart sank. It was something he could only do if absolutely no suitor could be found.
"My lord, Juakali," came a voice below. The Old Sun King lowered his gaze to look upon the small creature at the foot of the Kikkao.
"Yes, Tume?" The old, greying Lion's voice grated roughly from his throat, addressing the small form of the golden cat below. It was a strong young Caracal, the local messenger and friend to most.
"I bring news from the West. I expect your remember a black leopardess by the name of Jiweusi?"
Indeed he remembered the poor young thing. She was living in an Acacia down by the Water Hole. "Yes, Tume. What news of her?"
The Caracal settled a bit, sitting back on his haunches. "It seems she has come across a raging golden-maned lion by the name of Aminfu."
Juakali's heart sunk again. Jiweusi was a gentle creature, while Animifu was hardly such. What horror had the lion subjected the young leopardess to?
Tume continued at Juakali's frown. "It seems that young Jiweusi watched Animifu chasing a few lion cubs toward the Water Hole. He was killing them." Tume paused, then looked at the displeased look on the Old Sun King's face. "Aminifu was unawares of Jiweusi's presence in her Acacia, and she was able to ambush him from above and save the life of the last cub."
This news made Juakali rise up to a sitting position. As he looked upon Tume, the Caracal continued. "Apparently she took the cub back to the Leap, to beg her mother's advice as to what to do with him."
"The cub is male?" Juakali interrupted with interest.
"Yes, My Lord, but that is not the interesting part. Jiweusi asked her mother, Dhahabu, what to do with him. I'm sure you know that not long ago Jiweusi had a full litter that was stillborn..."
"Yes." The Old Sun King nodded.
"Well, Jiweusi thought she should bring the cub here, to you, My lord, but Dhahabu forbade her, due to the fact that the cub is white."
"White?" Juakali frowned. That explained things a bit. Aminifu must've wanted to kill the cubs because they were white, and therefore in his eyes, 'Maluuni'... Cursed. "Ah, Dhahabu was afraid I might hold up that old superstition that white cubs are cursed."
Tume nodded. "Should I go tell her that you will not kill the cub?"
The Old Sun King considered. "No... At least, not yet, Tume. I wish to go see Jiweusi myself, and speak with her."
Tume looked surprised.
"Tume, do you know if Jiweusi has been nursing the cub?"
"Yes," the Caracal replied. "Dhahabu told me that she has been nursing him."
The Old King nodded. "Good. I see. I will depart now to see Jiweusi."
"Shall I notify her, My Lord?"
"No need Tume, I consider her a good friend. She will be glad to see me."
"As you wish, My lord."