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“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 Ela
“Very well. Behave yourself and you may travel with us.”
CHAPTER: THE STARS
Gamu managed to steal a few moments from his new companions to visit Griz’nik in the reeds. The hyena had brought him a rabbit, and Gamu nodded silently, gave him a pat on the shoulder, and took the carcass a short distance. He rolled it in the fragrant leaves of a Corbynanthus and then licked the wound on the neck, chewing it a bit to fully disguise the hyena scent and toothmarks. He brought it back to where Kubali and Ela
“My decision??” Ela
“Oh come now, I didn’t mean to hint around at anything naughty. I meant to come straight to the point. On the one paw, Kubali is dependable, reliable, and is saddled with a strong moral character. Not that I hold any of that against him....”
Ela
Kubali grumbled. “At least she’s half right.”
Gamu sneered. “Come now, Kubali. Would you stand in the way of true love?”
“No. And I hope the one of you will be very happy together.”
Gamu laughed. “Why Kubali, you’ve acquired a sense of humor!” He looked over at Ela
Ela
Gamu smiled i
“Her husband is dead,” Kubali said, a bit ruffled. “Have a little respect.”
Gamu’s face fell. “Oh my gods! That’s my problem. I had a little respect when I should have had a lot.” Gamu nuzzled Ela
“It’s OK,” Ela
“Of course, my dear. Of course.”
Gamu was better than his word. He proved to be an intelligent, polite, and charming companion. That night when the stars winked in, he astounded Ela
Through it all, Kubali sat there jealous and uncomfortable. His own knowledge of star lore was adequate, but no match for Ela
Gamu saw the sullen look on Kubali’s face, and to avoid offending his host he left the admiring Ela
CHAPTER: THAT CERTAIN TIME
Ela
“Huh?? What’s wrong??” He looked around. “What time is it??”
“About midmoon. You were having another nightmare. I couldn’t stand to see you in torment like that. Let your La
He looked at her askance. “I was hunting gazelles. Just about had one too.”
“You weren’t having nightmares??”
“No. I almost never do.” He yawned. “Hey, if you don’t mind, let’s finish this talk in the morning, OK?”
“Sure.” Ela
Her eyes opened to the pleasant sounds of morning, the twitter of birds begi
“Uh, good morning.” Ela
“Fine.” Kubali frowned. “Shouldn’t I be?”
“Oh, uh, of course.” Ela
Kubali nodded and watched as she padded quickly away through the brush, heading towards the small pond they had passed the previous evening. Footfalls sounded in his ear and he glanced over to see Gamu plodding slowly toward him, yawning hugely. The lion paused and crouched slightly, lowering his chest and splaying his forelegs, claws extending with the effort as he stretched contentedly. Emitting a self-satisfied grunt, he arose again and meandered over to Kubali.
“Quiet one, that,” he said, motioning to the lioness who was lapping at the water’s edge some distance away.
Kubali hummed thoughtfully. “And a strange one, too...do you know she woke me out of a sound sleep last night, rocking me like a cub?”
Gamu’s ears rose upright. “Oh? Whatever for?”
Kubali shrugged with a flick of his tail. “Aiheu knows...I was dreaming of gazelle. She nearly rolled me over trying to get me to wake up, going on about ‘my torment.’” The lion peered after Ela
Gamu’s eyes sharpened as he stared at the back of Kubali’s head. “What did she say?”
“Something about me having another nightmare...and she was trying to ease my tension.” Kubali glanced back at Gamu. “Have you ever heard such things?”
Gamu quickly lowered his gaze, his expression carefully neutral. “Only from mothers soothing their cubs...I daresay it’s nothing, my friend.” He smiled ingratiatingly. “She was probably half-asleep herself and dreaming of cubs.”
Kubali nodded absently, his gaze returning to the lioness who was making her way back towards them. “You’re probably right.”
“I always am.” Gamu gri
As the following days progressed, Ela