Mitopanna Savannah Chronicles - Chapter Three
#3 of The Mitopanna Savannah Chronicles
An Heir to the Throne
Once Rafiki and The Old Sun King where far enough away from Jiweusi's Acacia, they began speaking about what they had observed.
"So, Rafiki," Juakali said, somewhat doubtfully at the younger Shaman he was not so well acquainted with, "What do you think of the white cub?"
The Mandrill glanced at the Old Sun King, then away before responding. He knew very well that the King probably would not value his word as heavily as he would his aunt Mshauri. "He will make a good King one day-"
"Then it is settled, he will be betrothed to my daughter, Neema."
"Eh," Rafiki hesitated.
Juakali paused, eyeing the Mandrill harshly. "What?" he demanded.
"Dere is something uncertain about him- I sense he and Neema are not a good match."
"Well, that's just too bad then. They are betrothed."
Rafiki simply looked at the Old Sun King.
"I have little other choice, Rafiki. There are no other males to betroth my daughter to."
"But, sir, Kijivu is quite a lot younger than Neema. He is still nursing."
Juakali felt his temper rising up. He whirled on the Mandrill, who leapt back in surprised, although he was not fearful.
"I'll listen to any suggestions you might have!" the Old Sun King snarled.
"Dere is another, much closer to Neema's age, although a month or two older than her."
Juakali was still a bit angered. "Well? Who?!"
"Ahadi's youngest son, Taka."
"Out of the question. Absolutely not."
"But, My Lord," Rafiki pleaded. "This is not only for Neema's good, but for Mufasa's as well. If de two brothers remain in the same Pride, something terrible is bound to happen..."
"You know well enough that I do not meddle in Ahadi's affairs, nor does he meddle in mine. It shall remain so."
"But, My lord! This matter is both of your affairs!"
Juakali growled deeply. "I've had enough of your impudence!! Take me to Mshauri!"
"But-" Rafiki muttered.
"NOW, Rafiki!" the Old Sun King roared.
Rafiki, frustrated, shut his mouth and lead the belligerent Old Sun King to the West toward the Jungle. The great baobab tree looms in the distance. The sun is lowering in the sky as they reach it's base.
In the long walk, the Old Sun King has fallen a few steps behind they younger and much more spry Mandrill, Rafiki. He nearly walked into him, having unexpectedly stopped before a large mound of fresh earth. At one end of the mound was something that Juakali recognised, and as he noticed Mshauri's staff, his heart plunged into his ribs painfully with the realisation that his good friend Mshauri was dead.
Rafiki crouched before the mound, his head lowered, his fresh tears darkening the earth. Juakali was filled with regret as his harshness towards Rafiki. He had displayed great composure in spite of the loss of his aunt. The elderly lion wrapped his paw around the Mandrill, squeezing him tightly.
"I am so sorry, Rafiki." To his own surprised, his voice cracked at the words. To surprise him further, the Mandrill wrapped his arms around the Lion and sobbed deeply into his mane. With no one to talk to or comfort him now, Juakali tightened his grip around the Mandrill, and found that tears can to him too... although nothing like Rafiki was going through. The Mandrill's form felt slight in the Lion's grip, his vulernable form lost in the throes of grief.
Sunset came, Juakali remained with Rafiki, trying to comfort him as they spoke warmly of Mshauri, shared memories of her, laughed, cried more, and then as the Old Sun King turn to go, Rafiki stopped him.
"I am nothing without her."
The old lion stopped, and turned back around. "Rafiki, she lives in you."
And with that, Rafiki watched the Old Sun King disappear into the sea of grass as he walked North, heading back to the Kikkao.
"She lives in me..." Rafiki pondered. He stood, looking over the grave of his aunt Mshauri. He stepped forth and removed the staff from the head of the grave. In that moment, a flash of light directed the simeon's attention to the clouds forming above. He could not believe his eyes as the clouds formed in the familiar face of Mshauri, smiling. "Yes, my nephew. It is time," her voice echoed over the boabab tree.
And just as quickly as the vision appeared, the clouds rolled away with a strong wind, his aunt's face swirling into an undecernable mass of cloud.
"Huh," he mused, looking into the sky, then to the Staff. "Very peculiar."
Rafiki then looked after the trail of the Old Sun King. Nothing stirred but the grass in breeze. Rafiki couldn't help but wonder if the elderly lion had seen the phenomenon, and moreso, why the old King had stayed with him, and been so kind and gentle after seeming so brash and hard.
Rafiki climbed the baobab tree, now his in the stead of Mshauri. He gazed off to the North, spotting the bump in the distance that he knew to be the Kikkao. Now he prayed, hoping that the Good Sun King will remember his advice, and listen well.
He sighed. Something told him that the Old King would not listen.