Finally, Habusu became weak in turn. Isha was going mad with worry, and Taka paced about like something possessed. “The curse! The curse!” he would murmur. “Will nothing stop it??”
Isha was heartened when Kako and some of her friends smuggled herbs from Rafiki to build Habu’s blood and heal his infection. Even Taka, who did not often pray, would come over and let the child stroke his mane in the belief that a King’s mane might have some healing powers. He would pray to Aiheu, and even breathe a quick whisper to Roh’kash just to be sure. Then day by day Habusu grew stronger. For one of the short times in Taka’s adulthood, he believed that there was a God after all. And from that time forward, he would always say “Aiheu provides” before eating.
From the time he was very young, Habu had been told that his father loved him very much, though he had never seen him. And though that sounded strange to most people, Habu did not doubt it for a moment because his mother would never lie to him.
Though Isha did not lie, the truth she withheld from him would fill volumes. Habu knew about his father only in broad general terms--that he was brave, handsome, gentle, and loved them both very much. But Habu thirsted to know more. And one day when Togo and Kombi were telling him about things that happened before he was born, he decided to ask if they knew his father. It was a dreadful mistake.
Kombi, without malice, simply tried to answer his friend’s heartfelt question with a truthful answer. “Mabatu was one of the older cubs,” he said. I heard Ajenti telling Sarafina that he scored with your Mom before his mantlement, and Scar kicked him out but wouldn’t tell anyone why. Maybe he saw them--I don’t know. You mean she didn’t tell you?”
“No.” Habu trembled. “What do you mean by ‘scored?’”
“You know. Getting down. Heavy breathing. The wild thing.”
Habu gasped. Tears started down his cheeks and he let his breath out in a great wail. “Mommmm!”
“Hey, Habu! I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” Kombi said, genuinely distressed. “That’s where babies come from. It’s just your Dad wasn’t old enough, and you get busted for that around here.”
Sobbing, Habu bolted for home. He huddled against his mother’s soft, warm body and cried. “Tell me it’s not true about Daddy!”
Isha regarded him with her heart crumbling and kissed him gently and repeatedly until he settled down. “Let me tell you about your father.”
Isha explained to him in gentle terms about the lifelong love Mabatu had for her, about the time Taka suddenly determined he must leave the Pride, and about the bittersweet night before his mantlement. “I loved your father and I pledged to him. He had to go away for reasons only Taka understood, but he said he would come back for us someday. Then he will love you as I have loved you, and we will be a family again. I promise.” She was uncertain if Mabatu was alive or dead, but she did not share this with Habusu.
The question preyed on her mind more than ever. She had to settle her heart one way or the other, so late that night when Habu was peacefully asleep, she went to see Makhpil.
The hyeness was not surprised to see Isha coming. Few things surprised a medium of her quality.
“Please be truthful with me. Please.” Isha stroked Makhpil’s foreleg with a paw, a desperate gesture of pleading that a hyena would understand all too well. “I know we have been enemies in the past, but the gods have given you this talent for a reason. Please use it for good. Do not lie to me.”
“Lies cost me my best friend,” Makhpil said. “She was my only friend. I will not lie as she did.”
“I will be your friend,” Isha said.
Makhpil looked into Isha’s eyes. “Yes, there is truth in you. Goodness that I did not expect to see. Your friendship honors me.”
“I have a problem,” Isha said. “It’s driving me crazy. I have to know if....”
“Hsssh!” Makhpil said. “Silence, my girl. Silence!” She closed her eyes and drew back her ears. From her parted lips came an eerie high-pitched whine. It sounded painful, but she didn’t seem to be in distress.
“You are worried about your husband.”
Isha started. “Yes!”
“Hsssh! It comes to me. Yes, your husband is alive. But how he fares, I do not know. The spirits are unclear.”
Makhpil’s eyes flew open with a wild stare and she shook as if to rid her coat of water.
“Are you OK?” Isha asked.
“Of course. Glad I could help.”
“Please tell no one what you have seen. Tell no one of Habu’s father, not even Shenzi or Taka.”
The hyeness looked in her eyes. “You fear Taka. You fear us too.” She looked away. “I don’t blame you. I’m scared all the time. Shenzi has spies everywhere watching us.”
“You too?”
“Yes. They need me, but my powers frighten them, so I’ve taken to sleeping lightly when I sleep at all.” Makhpil touched Isha’s cheek with her paw. “Roh’kash gave me strong teeth, sharp ears and quick feet. I have no need for lies and tricks. Your secrets are buried deep.”
“Bless you, and bless the news you bring.” Isha fondled Makhpil and kissed her. “I live again. Perhaps he will come back to me. Perhaps he will claim what is his.”
“Perhaps he will, koh’met.” She nuzzled the lioness tenderly. “Never underestimate the power of love.”