SWNOVELS Chapter Ch 18 The Skill of Adaptation
Zarda was explaining everything that the great creator had said and done for him. He was amazed at how well everyone understood him and could respond. He started to notice throughout his explanation, the atmosphere was turning awkward. He watched them cover their shame and hide behind sad faces. One lioness interrupted Zarda's focus, by pointing towards Meeku's coverings. They whispered between themselves with curiosity and interest. Zarda quickly turned to his brother.
"Meeku. would you help fashion coverings for our family? " He asked.
He looked annoyed over at his brother. Why should he have to do it? He thought to himself. Yet, He knew his brother had the right to ask. Meeku set aside his feelings for the moment, and decided He better do what was inquired of him.
"Sure, where should I go to gather materials? There's nothing here to work with." he replied.
Zarda looked around and could see the blurry outline of the jungle not far off.
" There" he said pointing past Meeku.
Meeku turned to see what he was pointing at and realized his mission. He didn't hesitate asking more questions. He turned and began to journey towards the jungle.
" My brother will need help carrying back materials. Are there any lion warriors willing to heed my orders and follow" asked Zarda boldly?
Warrior Slash and Razor both raised their hands to volunteer.
Zarda was pleased and sent them off to help. So far, it had only been thirty minutes into their tiny reunion with his pride, and everyone treated him as if he were already King. He wasn't the king, though. He had just barely been reunited back with his family. Zarda knew he wasnt ready for that task. He was scared and uncertain. No one had taught him how to rule. Not other lions and surely not his father. He and Meeku had grown up alone, just the two of them, always on the run. They slept by taking turns as young cubs, they struggled to feed eachother daily. They did their best to survive, yet somehow they managed. Nights were cold and scary without a big pride to watch over them. Life lessons came hard at times. Some, were painful like the ants, others were sweet; like the time the brothers discovered Natal plums for the first time. They learned fast what animals wanted to harm them and which ones were terrified of them. As they grew stronger it seemed they had fewer enemies except for the short few.
" We will make you coverings, and you will not be naked anymore. I have to speak to the master and seek his counsel on what to do next. Our lifestyles are going to change, and the structure we once understood will too. It won't be easy, but I'm hopeful we will adapt fast. Meeku and I did. We had to learn the skill of adaptation. We were alone for many years taking care of one another without the pride. That was the hardest adaption ever. This will be a walk on the Savannah compared to what we endured alone." He shared.
"Are we?" She paused. "are we the only ones like this that the creator changed?" Asked Queen Saharrah.
Zarda wasn't positive. He didn't know what he had expected, then he remembered the master mentioned him say they would change and then some. So the then some, had to be the answer.
"Can you protect us as our King? Omma, a nearby lioness asked.
Everyone turned their attention towards her including Zarda. She continued to speak.
"We need one, and seeing that you're the rightful owner of that rulership. You're next in line besides the..." lioness Omma stopped speaking.
The Queen, cut her off with a grimace look.
Zarda knew why.
"It's okay Mother, Meeku and I know about Father. Master told us not long before we found you. We had our short time to mourn, I believe we will both be okay. At least I feel that I am strong. Though, I'm unsure if I'm able to lead in his footsteps. I will, If you want me to. To be honest I'm terrified. I have no clue at what to do or what to say. I've only ever knew the nomad lifestyle. If you decide that I should lead, I will, but under one condition. Meeku stays as my right-hand general, defending alongside me. I will not abandon him, never! The old ways of rulership are fading, and it's time to adapt to the new ways. Adapt or be left behind." Zarda said sternly.
His mother nodded, she wouldn't dare separate her sons apart now, not ever. Saharrah was opened minded to the new ways of thriving.
"I won't split you two apart, nor will I send him away from us. I just got you both back, that would be insanity. Your both here to stay. You can lead, in your father's kingship my son, I believe in you. The same blood that ran in your father's veins pulses through yours. Your meant to take his throne. I have waited so long for you to do so, and don't be scared. I and your fathers, old warriors will train you up at least in some old ways of rulership. It seems now life has a new game piece added to the board. We either play with it or ignore it off inside the box it came in. Seems hard to do that if you ask me. Its your throne you take it." replied Saharrah.
Meeku walked at a fast pace. His legs made quick work with the longer strides. The new body was full of exciting new skills.
He could hear footsteps behind him, swiftly advancing. He looked over his shoulder to see two familiar faces. It was his father's trusted warriors. They had aged, and carried themselves differently now. He remembered them once in their prime even though it hadn't been so long ago, he laughed. Unfortunately, when he glanced back he happened to see everything, including the way their old naked bodies moved. They couldn't get to materials fast enough in his opinion. He was disgusted and kept a few steps a head of them. Every time they tried to match his pace, he would move on faster. He didn't want his mind clouded with visions of
"Old balls and bodies, terrible trade for them." He said to himself.
They weren't as trim as they had been in their younger years like Meeku and Zarda, but they still had lean muscle tone, which helped with endurance. Their bellies sagged a bit and their faces looked advanced in years. He assumed it had been from a life fighting battles. Stressful living aged beings ten times the normal speed. Even the golden color in their fur had faded now into gray.
"How long did you all search for Zarda and I." Meeku asked?
He was making light of conversation during the awkward silent travels. A raspy, o voice came from Slash.
" Your mother searched every day up until recent. It's why we saw you when we did. Other wise we would still be off in the jungle living our new lives. Because it was growing old on her and She wanted to leave it for open spaces. She desired to keep seeking you." He replied.
Meeku's heart swelled. He thought over to his father and his hands started to shake. He rubbed them together, so the warriors wouldn't see his weakness.
" Where did you two go anyways? We looked for you both for so long, and all we got was empty returns and broken hearts." Said Razor.
He had a bit of an accent, which Meeku thought it to be strange. It was different from his and definitely from his brother Zarda. All the languages seemed to had been mixed up with the BIG change.
"How much time do you have?" replied Meeku.
Slash said " With all the time in the world, I suppose".
" We were taken by Lioness Mara to the warthog territory. I guess somehow, we had turned around at night, never realizing it, until in the morning light. The direction we were heading led us straight to the Hog hill Clan. They promised us safety, but no help finding the pride. We searched until we gave up, and lived our solitary lives as bachelors. We fought off cheetahs, survived torrential rains to the point where we almost drowned in the river. We met friends along the way, and learned how to hunt quick if we wanted to live. If it wasn't for the creator calling out to Zarda. We would still be back at our cozy pad." said Meeku.
The warriors looked at each other in amazement. Truly, the King's mightyblood lives in his son's. They thought.
"I'm glad you two listened. I'm not sure your mom has much longer to live. Many of us are old and tired. We need a King to rule and lead the pride back into its prime." Said Slash.
" Yes, we have no cubs and our future isn't looking safe. If we are the last to die, then this is the end of us. Zarda must take a lioness and continue the bloodline." Said Razor.
A silence fell upon the three as they continued their walk towards the jungle.
Zarda knew it was time to go and seek a quiet spot to speak to the creator. He dismissed himself for a moment. He didn't go too far. Zarda found a peaceful location at the foot of an abandoned termite mound. Although he doesn't remember it feeling so rough to the touch. His old skin wasn't bothered by the rough texture. His new skin on the other hand was sensitive. He wasn't adjusted to the way things felt against his bare skin quite yet.
He cleared his thoughts, looking for the right words to speak. Zarda proceeded, he was hopeful master would hear.
" Master, I'm seeking your wisdom. What do we do now? How do we hunt with hands like men, how do we continue our bloodline? You said we are blessed, and yet I feel lost. Help me to learn from you. What must we do?" Asked Zarda.
He didn't hear the master's voice right off. He was starting to panic a little.
"Could he be a sleep?" He thought.
" Where are you? We need you!" he cried out.
Still silence, in his mind.
"I am here. Zarda. Fear not. I will show you a vision tonight in your dreams. I will do the same to the other animals I choose. The animals have gone into hiding. When some of the herds, litters, gangs, parades, packs, and so forth transformed, and the others did not, it scared them. It brought panic to the new creation and old. In their fright they dispersed. The Kings of their own kind I will visit and share the same as I shared with you. You must remember you alone I have set to rule over them all, except man. Man will have dominion over you. Go share with the pride to take cover tonight inside the jungle. I will send food for you all to eat. When you arrive you must first take stones and make a ring with them, and fill the center with dry sticks and leaves, then you will take the wand I gave you and touch the kindling. I will cause it to light on fire. Once you have that going, the food will come, and you will catch it, and cook it on the fire. You will take a long, sharp edge spear and place it through the body of the animal. You will hold it over the fire, turning it so often, so it cooks evenly. For now, cook it with its fur-feathers and all, but do not eat it raw! Your pride is to never eat meat in its blood ever again. You will learn in the vision how to cook more efficient and how to hunt. Tell your pride to be patient with you. Goodbye for now Zarda. I must go." Said the creator.
Adapt or die! Is what Zarda was thinking. He was happy with the word given from master. He quickened his pace over to his mother. Once again, the lionesses gathered to listen to their future King. He spoke slow and clear, giving direct orders to pick up all they had. He led them towards the Jungle. Where he would soon meet up with Meeku, Slash, and Razor. They had arms full of great materials. It was the master who had given to Meeku the wisdom on how to make coverings. Each time, he grew better and better at it. Meeku and the two warriors were surprised to see the entire pride meet them so soon. He was quickly satisfied to hear the good news from the creator again.
Zarda, like a true fashioned leader, assigned two lionesses to gather up sticks for kindling. At first, they looked at him oddly. He understood they didn't understand. So, he took them and demonstrated how to gather and break the firewood. Once, he was happy with their performance, he went back to look for lose stones.
Queen Saharrah saw his need and walked with Zarda as they both gathered hand fulls. She had been more familiar with the surrounding. She drew him closer to the waterfall. It was the best location for smooth stones. When they came into the presence of the great wonder Saharrah allowed him to gaze upon its beauty. He stood in awe of its power. The cool mist was blowing off into the breeze, catching them just right. It felt good upon his skin. He closed his eyes and breathed in deep. The air was damp and refreshing.
" Zarda, there's something I need to show you." Said his mother.
She walked him over to a large pillar at the end of the waterfall. It had been a while since they had last buried King Ezekiel, and small buds had begun to grow along the sides. It made his grave look beautiful.
Zarda didn't understand at first. It was just a rock with pretty flowers. So what? He thought. He looked at his mothers face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Finally, her prayers had been answered. They were back together. Even though, his sister's were there in spirit. She was never able to give her daughters or the other's a proper burial. Their bodies remained as ghostly reminders, at pride rock, of that devastating day. They had only had time to gather the King and run before the hyenas returned.
Zarda realized this was his Father's grave. Saharrah knelt down in front of it and placed her hand upon the cold stone. It was weird to feel it the way man feels. Zarda joined his mother laying down the stones. He held her shoulders, while they wept and spoke to him as if he was there. Minutes passed and He grew tired of weeping. He needed to get the fire going. So he gathered up his stones and headed back to the camp. His mother followed close behind. Zarda, was pleased to see he had gathered enough to make a big enough ring. The lionesses were back with arms full of bundles. It was so much easier having arms and hands with thumbs, verses paws and retractable claws.
Zarda made quick work of the creator's instructions and reached for his staff from off of his hip strap that Meeku had made him. He touched the wand on the branches as told. Soon purple flames exploded before them. The crackle of fire shook them all. Like instinctive cats they ran and hid in the bushes. Zarda couldn't he had to be brave, but he also trusted the master. When the others saw his bravery they too became bolder. He told them it was fire. That used properly it gives food and warmth which gives life. If missused it can bring destruction and chaos, which causes death.
Suddenly, he heard a thud near by, then another and so on. It was large birds falling down to the ground. They hadn't died, but they were unable to fly. Zarda found a large tree sproutling and snapped it off at the base. He sharpen it up against a rocks rigid edge, and formed a pointy tip. Taking the spear he did like master told him. With the two birds peirced through he roasted them over the fire with some cautious distance.
All who observed soon copied him. They made spears and collected the birds up. The master had given them an abundance of food. Each of them ate their fill. Meeku, swallowed down his fast. He took the materials, to start creating long tunics for the lioness.
For the male lions he made tight fitting kintas for their groin. Soon the coverings were being passed around to each pride memeber. They clothed themselves happily. The clothing fit perfect on their tiny bodies. It made the lionesses more attractive. Thought Meeku. Everyone was happy and full. It had felt like the old days. When the pride would hunt until satisfied and the pack would live comfortable and free around eachother.
Zarda set up watch for the night alongside his brother, Slash, and Razor. The lionesses took the leftover materials and made blankets for the cool nights to come. The temperature was warm and humid in the day, but ice cold at night. As time would pass the creator would annoint Meeku with knowledge in creating, building, and forming with his hands. With weather being the obstacle at hand Meeku learned quickly how to make caped robes for the male warriors. They were more exposed to the open elements at night as they watched over the pride. They no longer had their protective fur to guard them. It was time to think outside of the old box.