One morning as Kubali and Elanna were sitting side by side, they watched the clouds and imagined what things their shapes might be.
“There’s a wildebeest,” Elanna said.
“It has a calf,” Kubali said. “See, that little puff to the left?”
“So it does! And there’s a rabbit. He’s eating a--oh, it’s a lion!”
“That must be some rabbit!”
“No, I mean there! A rogue!”
“What the....”
“Should we say hello?”
Kubali tensed up. “To him?? That dirty rascal??”
“You know him?”
The strange lion trotted up, obvious pleasure on his face. “Kubali! Our paths cross again!”
“I wish the pleasure had been postponed--indefinitely.”
The stranger showed disappointment. “Surely not!”
Elanna nudged Kubali disapprovingly. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
“This is Gamu,” Kubali said shortly. “We grew up together.”
“Your brother?”
“Heavens, no!”
Gamu looked down. “Whatever wrongs I’ve done, I’ve paid for in the hell of my solitary existence. I’m sure I wasn’t perfect like you, so they weren’t sad when I left.”
Kubali’s face fell. “Well, maybe I’ve been harsh with you. But you asked for your hard times.”
“Asked and received. Remember at your mantlement? Something about the proving grounds of hardship which strengthen the Ma’at and purify the Ka?” He bowed his face to the ground. “I have suffered, Kubali! Please let us try it again from the start? Please??” He looked up and mustered a withering smile. “Kubali! Our paths cross again!”
Kubali came forward and nuzzled him. “So they do. This is my friend Elanna. Elanna, this is my old pridemate Gamu.”
Elanna shyly nuzzled Gamu and felt his timid kiss on her cheek. She felt sorry for him at once.
“So what brings you this way?” Kubali asked, pointedly.
“The whims of the savanna. Some gracious chance, or was it Aiheu? But since kind fate has thrown us together, let us band together. I can help protect you and aid you in hunting. Maybe someday if you want lands of your own, I can be a valuable ally.”
“And in return?”
“I have a real audience. I’ve had no one to talk to but myself for many long weeks. I’ve lost track of the time.”
Kubali nodded, then looked over at Elanna. She nodded back at him and smiled shyly.
“Very well. Behave yourself and you may travel with us.”