Relying on the old hyena proverb that a half truth is like a half carcass—it can be pulled twice as far—they decided on a lie that would soften the blow, but still strike home.

Timid and unsteady, Shimbekh stood before Taka to deliver the news that may bring instant death. “My Lord, evil tidings.”

“Oh?” He involuntarily put his paw before his mouth. “Surely not! ”

“I don’t know how to say this, my lord. But there is an evil spirit in this place. One too strong for our powers to drive off. Unless Mabatu driven off early, the day after his mantlement he will go mad and kill his mother, then you.”

“What??” Taka ran abruptly to within a few inches of her face. “If you’re lying to me, I’ll rip you apart! ”

Regardless of her safety, she wept and kissed his cheek. “You love him, don’t you.”

“Yes, I love him.”

“Then....” She struggled for words. “Send him away now while his heart is pure. You know what it is like to suffer from the inside. There is nowhere to hide.” Her voice began to trail off. “No one knows what torment there is in the wounds we bear inside. We try to smile when our heart is breaking.”

Mabatu was told two days in advance that he would get a commoner’s mantlement so he could do his leave taking and make the appropriate spiritual preparations. But he was not told why. Taka was clearly upset, and despite the obvious temptation, Mabatu showed him no hatred or resentment. Taka also clearly loved him.

Mabatu and Kako were both in a bit of a panic. Baba was not ready yet—he had minimal hunting skills and he was still not what most lions consider mature. Kako makes an impassioned plea for a little more time—that not waiting a moon or two would be just condemning him to death--but is turned down by Taka. “He will learn. It’s Nature’s way. Besides, I will pray for him every night.”

It was the night before Mabatu’s mantlement, a time most young lions would be spending with their mother, trying to say enough kind things to last a lifetime. But Mabatu was unprepared, and every moment had to count. That’s why Isha stayed home from the hunt to spend time with Mabatu, talking about hunting, fighting, and other skills.

His greatest hope was to drive off hyenas, for he expected to live on carrion if he was to live at all. So he had to know their weaknesses, and how many of them could be safely dispersed. There was little hope he would blossom into a great hunter. Isha above all should know this for her skills as a huntress were second only to Uzuri. And because she had always loved Mabatu, she was desperate to do her best.

“We must look at holds, ” she said. “Here on the arm, you can restrict movement.” She mouthed his upper arm gently above the elbow. “Here on the flank you can rip. But the throat hold is one of prime importance....” She put her arm over his back. “You strike them here and push with your weight.” Isha leaned on him. “It’s important to let your weight do the work. Then you go for the throat and cut off his wind.” She gently opened her mouth and caressed Mabatu’s strong throat.

A moment later, she let go and looked up. “Your heart is pounding. Are you all right?”

He stared at her. His nostrils quivered as the warm tides of his breath came and went. “Isha....”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. It is I who have offended you.”

“Nonsense, ” she said, nuzzling him.

He nuzzled her back passionately, nibbling her ear. He looked at her expression of surprise. “Don’t hate me. You don’t know how long I’ve waited to do that. How very long.”

“We need to get back to hunting, ” she stammered, watching his trembling chin. “We don’t have much time.”

“We don’t have much time, ” he replied. “I must hunt now. I may not have a chance, but I’ve stalked for a long time. Now I must break my cover and rush to you.”

“Even though I’m old enough to be your mother? I’m flattered. Really I am. But when you’re older, you’ll find someone more your own age. Then you’ll look back on this and laugh.”

“You know I’ll never get much older. I’m being sacrificed to help the others. You know it.”

She is distraught. “I wish you wouldn’t say that.”

“But you don’t deny it.”

“How can I?”

“I love you, Isha. I’ve always loved you. Remember, I said when I grew up, I’d marry you. You laughed then, but if you laugh now, I’ll die. While life holds my soul and body together, I will love you. Even in death I will love you.”

“In death?” She nuzzled him. “Don’t think of death. You are alive.”

“How can I be alive? I’ve never lived. If I could only be close to you, just for tonight, I would have LIVED, Isha.”

She looked into his eyes, then pawed him. He playfully batted at her. She moved around him, looking for an opening. “If you hunt big game, prepare to exert yourself.”

She pounced, locking her arms around his throat and wrestling him with great skill. Laughing and panting, she nearly shoved him to the ground. He flailed at her with his arms, but struck her so gently it would not have awakened a cub. She pushed him over.

Mabatu got up to have another go at it. He tried to use his weight to push her over, but she outweighed him, and easily stepped aside. She put her arm over his shoulder and began to lean in on him. His legs began to buckle under the strain. Then when it seemed she would pin him, she stood still. He put his head under her arm and pushed her over into the grass and looked down at her. “Gotcha! ”

She looked deep into his eyes. Her jaw quivered. “Now that you’ve caught me, ” she purred, “do what you will.”

“Oh gods! ” He began to nuzzle her passionately, nibbling her ears and pawing her cheek gently. “Isha, beloved! ”

In the silver moonlight, she whispered, “Come, my lover, where the night shall hide us away.” He kissed her and rose to his feet. Isha followed, resting her head on his woefully thin mane and leaving it there as she walked alongside him into the shadows.