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Ela
“You know,” Ujuzi said, her mouth full of meat, “I think wildebeest is good for one’s constitution. I mean it stimulates one’s enduring if properly mitigated with other circumstances.”
Ela
“I’m so glad you invited me in,” Ela
“My husband invited you in,” Ujuzi said.
“Still, now that I’m here, I think we can be real friends. You have a delightful daughter.”
Ujuzi pulled off another large hunk of meat and minced it. In words clogged with meat and humors, she said, “That Wehu’s a good’un. Just like her Poppa. Yes ma’am, a real first class act.”
The next few days for Ela
Most of the lionesses were very kind and trusting to her, especially Wehu. Wehu had been taking her off to the side during the day and showing her the lands, often to the sighs of the cubs that were gathered around her. Slowly, Ela
CHAPTER: THE SIGNAL
Ela
The group closed in on some gazelles that were grazing in a clearing. Ela
Then Ela
But surely she had read a tail wave from the hunt mistress! Could it mean something different here? The realization made her stomach knot tightly. Rather than cutting off escape, her gaffe only spooked the gazelles who ran like an opening blossom of tan across the grassland.
The lionesses looked upset at her move...but understanding as it was her first hunt with the new pride. It wasn’t until she heard the queen yell, “Damn,” Did she feel the blood rush to her face in embarrassment of her move.
The lionesses of the pride came up to her and nuzzled her gently, each telling her that it was all right. Wehu was embarrassed. “I should have gone over our signals with you. I’m so sorry!”
“It’s my fault, Wehu. I should have asked.”
Ela
“But Ujuzi, ma’am, in our old pride that was the signal for cut off escape....”
The Queen just snorted at her. “Maybe it still does. You’d be of some use there.”
“Please, Ujuzi, forgive me! It was an i
“Well dearie, why don’t you go over your signals while you cub set for a while longer. And remember Hon, you will be sitting the cubs...NOT my husband.” The lionesses looked with shock at the queen as she disappeared over the ridge.
Wehu sighed and gave chase to her mother. Finally catching up with her, “Mother! Please! Give her more chance! She is almost having to learn to hunt again. It isn’t easy for her, and besides, what she did wasn’t any worse than that miss you made with the wildebeest.”
“Damn it, that wasn’t the same! Not at all!”
“Whatever you say, Mom.” She looked at her with a sigh. “And could you PLEASE tone down your language a bit?”
Ujuzi turned quickly, her eyes full of rage. “What...am I not good enough for the little princess now? I will not sit here and suckle that overgrown cub, while we grow thin enough to catch gophers in their holes. Not only do we have another mouth to feed in the pride...but here she goes and ruins our hunt so we have NO food. If she doesn’t start getting her butt in gear, dear...I’ll throw her out on hers...understand? My responsibilities is to this pride...not to some deposed queen that has fallen on some bad times.” With that, she walked away, leaving Wehu in shock.
Latter that night, the pride had bedded down. The cubs were against their mother, enjoying their warmth, giving Ela
Ela
Mabongo chuckled, “It’s all right. I remember what it was like when I started hunting, and when my daughter, then my granddaughter did. It’s not an easy thing you do, and I’m grateful to have such a fine group.”
Ela
He shook his head, “She probably off moping somewhere...she does that when she is in a foul mood. I hear she didn’t take your mistake too lightly.” He chuckled softly, “I’m actually kinda happy she is gone...she can be such a pain when she is in a bad mood.” He nuzzled her softly and smiled. “I know the cubs ragged on you all day, but I would love to hear one of your stories.”
Ela
CHAPTER: AFTERMATH
The next night, the huntresses walked slowly through the grasses. The queen had taken her usual spot in the front of the group. Wehu, Kiesi, Tetesi, and Darky were a few paces behind her. They had a way to travel, so the four were talking quietly amongst themselves. This was the first hunt since Ela
“I think she is rather kind,” Kiesi noted.
“She’s a lot more cultured than our queen is,” Tetesi added in a hushed voice. She could feel Wehu’s gaze fall on her but she continued. “Can you believe how she speaks? I never heard such words come out of Ujuzi...I think it’s rather nice to have someone here that can act noble. Still....” She paused, unsure how to express herself. “It is intimidating trying to talk with her. I’m afraid I’m going to say something stupid. Not that she would ever let it show. She’s not that type.”
“Have you heard some of her stories?” Darky jumped in. “It makes me wish I was a cub again so I could stay with her and not miss any.”
“I almost wish that she was our queen,” Kiesi added in quickly. The other three lionesses stopped and looked at her. She continued in a hushed voice. “Well...how many queens you know go around acting like ours? Not that I don’t like her...but sometimes...she just doesn’t act like a queen.”
“Be careful what you say...she is my mother.”