PROLOGUE

                 "So fair and foul a day I have not seen."

                                 -- SHAKESPEARE: MACBETH: ACT I

	From everlasting to everlasting, the Circle of Life rolls on, 
encompassing all beings from the tiny termite to the tall elephant.  It 
permeates them, entwining itself through their physical forms of Ma'at 
into their essences, the Ka itself.  It is a stream, whose current binds 
all of Aiheu's children together and sweeps them gently toward him.
	But there are rocks in that stream.  Rocks that resist the flow, 
stirring up eddies.  And some of the larger ones create still pockets 
where all manner of unwholesome things grow tucked away from the tides 
of change.
	Two leaves were swept downstream.  One slipped safely by the rock.  
One spiraled in the eddy, being pulled toward the rock where helpless it 
felt the first signs of decay taking hold in the stagnant pool of its 
confinement.  It looked below and saw the sludge of withered leaves that 
lined the bottom, those who had lost forever the power to float.  That's 
when the despair took hold, and it rarely struggled against its fate as 
it sank lower and lower into the water.
	On the quiet savanna a meerkat was standing guard while his 
neighbors were enjoying a sunbath.  Suddenly a shadow passed over the 
ground and a chill wind swept him.  The guard looked around but saw no 
one.  He glanced up, expecting a large bird of prey, but there was none.  
With growing horror he watched the shadow amble along the ground with no 
owner and he trembled.  As soon as he could find his voice, he yelled, 
"All down!  All down!"
	Within seconds, all of the meerkats had taken refuge in their 
burrows including the guard who huddled next to his wife and young,  
shivering too violently to explain.  The shadow of a makei had fallen 
upon the land.
	But the dark ka of Melmokh was not after them.  Slowly, stealthily 
he approached young Taka, the son of King Ahadi.  Melmokh had followed 
him since the kingdom was promised to Mufasa.  He fed off Taka's 
heartbreak as a jackal shredding the warm flesh from a kill.
	Melmokh felt his wandering days would soon be over.  Driven from 
love and joy by an agony he could not understand, he sought peace among 
the angry and the grieving.  He sought to harness Taka's pain, drawing 
strength from it while it was still fresh.  
	"If I'm not careful, the child will soon forget his misfortune," 
he thought.  "I must strike while the prey is weakened.   Something that 
will not cripple him, only shame him....  Maybe a scar, perhaps?"  He 
trotted ahead of Taka and looked back over his shoulder appraisingly.  
Taka's eyes were soft and bright and beautiful.  "An eye.  Yes, an eye!  
It would freeze the hearts and turn the stomachs of the females.  They 
would stare at it--they couldn't HELP but stare at it!"  Melmokh laughed 
coldly.  "Be careful, little cub!  Accidents can happen!"



CHAPTER 1:  SISTERLY DEVOTION

	"Lend your light to anoint my eyes, Great Mother of us all!  Open 
my eyes and let me see the wonder of your works!  There is the mountain, 
lofty and noble, capped with snowdrifts jasmine white.  There is the 
restless meadow grass.  There is the crash of mighty thunder, and the 
whisper of a heartbeat.  Who shall place a value on these things?  Who 
shall understand your heart, O Mighty Roh'kash?  One like you whose 
heart is full of love, and whose feet walk the true path of 
righteousness."

                           -- TRADITIONAL HYANNIC MORNING PRAYER

	Wind fingers fondled the golden savanna grass as pup voices of 
giddy joy bubbled from the hyena den.  Shimbekh gamboled out, with her 
sister Kambra close behind.  They rolled in the friendly grass, sparring 
and wrestling in a flurry of high spirits.  Their muti (mom) looked out 
of the burrow, a tolerant smile on her kindly face.  "You know it's time 
for your nap."
	"Aw, Muti!  Can't we play just a little while longer?" Shimbekh 
asked.  She put on her best long face.
	"Don't show me those Gazelle eyes, young lady!  I know all the 
tricks.  And don't go plotting something with that sister of yours.  I 
can't hear your thoughts, but I'd know that look anywhere."
	"What look?" Kambra thought.
	"I don't know," Shimbekh thought back.
 	"Do you think she can really tell?"
	"Let's see."  Shimbekh looked at her muti right in the eyes and 
concentrated.
	"Oh no you don't!" her muti said with a laugh.  "I know when 
you're up to something, and you're up to something!  Guilty thoughts 
left their tracks all over your face!"  
	She seized Shimbekh by the scruff of the neck and hauled her into 
the den.  Kambra followed dutifully.  There would be no reprieve from 
nap time.
	Life for the hyena pups was as warm and soft as the fur on their 
muti's side.  Muti would keep them clean and well fed, and Maleh (Dad) 
would tell them wonderful stories of midnight hunts under the silver 
moon.  Giddy games melted into quiet naps, and always the love and care 
of their parents hovered around them like a warm hug.  In those days, 
there was food enough for everyone, and each new day was an exciting 
step on the trail to adulthood.
	Nature was their companion on the trail, working wonderful 
miracles that the jaded call "growing up," a term that falls far short 
of the mystery and beauty of life unfolding.  Very soon, too fast for 
their okash (mother), they had outgrown the den and spent their days in 
rough and tumble games.  The naps soon ended, at least the enforced 
ones.  Short puppy legs began to grow at an alarming rate.  Shimbekh  
teased Kambra about her sticklike legs, heedless of the changes that 
were sweeping her own body.
	A dry season scorched the grass into submission, then a rainy 
season turned the dry fields to mud.  From the healing drops sprang new 
life.  Antelopes and wildebeests grazed on the new grass.  Some 
prospered, others lost their hold on this world, leaving sustenance for 
the clan.  Shimbekh and Kambra availed themselves of the abundance, 
giving up their muti's milk forever, and with it their brief hold on 
infancy.  Time had passed.
	As their strength of muscle and sinew developed, so also grew 
their mysterious and wonderful link with the spirit world and with each 
other.  Other feelings were growing as well, awakening thoughts that 
were both frightening and exciting.
	It began as an idle curiosity about the opposite sex.  Then in 
timid stages it finally blossomed into a healthy desire to find a mate 
and found a family.
	Like everything else, the sisters began this search together.  
After spending time looking over some of the young males, usually more 
amused than impressed, they concluded that the clan was about the worst 
place to find a husband!  This only changed when they checked out 
Gur'bruk, a fine up-and-coming male.  
	Kambra thought to Shimbekh, "Boy, I could sure sneak away with HIM 
and be his play toy for an hour or two!"  
	Gur'bruk looked around and his eyes half closed.  He thought back, 
"You name the place, Sweetcheeks."  
	Her eyes grew large.  "He heard me!"
	His eyes widened.  "She heard me!"
	Shimbekh began snickering.  "Way to go, play toy!"
	Gur'bruk smiled and winked, and without a word he raised his chin 
and strutted away.
	"Handsome AND a mystic!" Kambra gushed, following him with her 
eyes.  "And with hips to die for!"
	That was no mere puppy infatuation.  Kambra fell for Gur'bruk and 
soon he heartily returned her love.  They would sit for long moments, 
gazing deeply into each others eyes to taste the love that flowed freely 
between them like water from a crystal spring.  Indeed, they rarely 
spoke aloud, but they shared everything, including the plan to share one 
path through this life and beyond.
	Shimbekh could feel the beauty of his love for Kambra, and she 
longed to rub slowly along his warm, strong body and kiss his finely 
chiseled face.  But her love for Kambra restrained her.  She often hid 
when she saw Gur'bruk coming so her eyes would not betray her feelings.  
And yet her pain was not lost on Kambra or Gur'bruk.
	Kambra felt badly about it.  She went out of her way to spend 
extra time with her sister, trying to soothe her aching spirit and 
recapture the fun of childhood games.
	In return, Shimbekh promised Kambra that nothing would come 
between them, wishing her a happy life and many strong pups.  Shimbekh 
meant what she said, but Kambra looked beyond her words to feel her 
frustrated longings.  Kambra nuzzled Shimbekh and said, "If I ever die, 
you must take care of him.  Promise me you will."
	"Oh Kambra!"  Shimbekh nuzzled her back.  "You must never die.  
Don't even say it, Sis."


CHAPTER 2:  ILL TIDINGS

	Kambra's ears twitched.  She bowed her front legs and wagged her 
tail playfully.  "Come get me if you're big enough!"
	Gur'bruk laughed.  He sprang forward, flailing at her with his 
paws.  Kambra blocked him with effortless skill, seeking an advantage.  
The moment she saw an opening in his defence, she bounded up and put her 
forearms around his neck, trying to force him to the ground.
	Gur'bruk and Kambra were so in tune that their contests ended in 
draws.  Still, Kambra managed to catch him off guard, and with a mighty 
shove of her back legs pushed him to the grass where she pinned him, 
panting and laughing.
	"Let me up!"
	"No!"
	"Let me up, Kambra!  You won, all right?"
	"It's not that simple.  Do you want to surrender?"
	"What are your terms?"
	"Does it matter?  You're stuck."
	"Good point.  So how much is this going to cost me?"
	She gazed into his beautiful hazel eyes, then rubbed his face with 
hers.  "You beautiful thing, I want to bear your children."
	"I'll have to think about that," he said with mock coldness.
	He took advantage of her momentary surprise, and with a quick 
thrust of his paw easily pushed her off.  She fell to the grass and 
looked up at him pleadingly.  The time for games was clearly over.
	He gently nuzzled her recumbant form as she lay in the grass, then 
he settled down next to her with his head resting gently on her side.  
"Kambra, why ask me for something you already have?  You know my heart 
is yours.  It's only a matter of time till you have the rest of me."
	"When, Gur'bruk?  When?"
	He laughed softly.  "You name the time, my little play toy."
	"Oh Gur'bruk!"  She reached lovingly with her paw and began to 
fondle his handsome face and neck.  "Is tonight too soon?"
	She looked at him quietly for an answer, and his feelings were 
clear to her.  She drew comfort from his warm affection and held him 
close to her.  "What did I do to deserve such happiness?  I love you so 
much.  More than life itself!"
	He smiled and closed his eyes.  "Kambra, our love is life itself.  
I was born on the day you first loved me, and I will die on the day you 
stop."
	"Then you will live forever."
	The boughs of the acacia tree hovered over them protectively, 
dappling the lovers with light and shadow.  A mild wind caressed them 
with its cooling embrace, and they soon drifted into a contented sleep.  
Theirs was a happiness without blemish.  As the poet La'kresh said:

			Look to me only with your heart
			Let no outward guise of earth
			Hide the purity of my love.

			Time consumes, the grass may wither
			But we shall spring up with the rains
			Before the feet of Roh'kash!
		
	Suddenly a hot wind from the east swept over them like an angry 
hand.  Kambra stirred and opened her eyes.  She saw her sister Shimbekh 
approaching, her gait burdened with sadness and her eyes dark with 
worry.
	Quietly, gently, Kambra eased out from beneath Gur'bruk's head and 
pillowed him lovingly in the soft grass.  She ran on silent pads to 
intercept Shimbekh.  
	"Sis, we were in the middle of our nap.  Can't this wait?"
	"Come with me."
	Gravely, Shimbekh slinked away out of hearing range.  She led 
Kambra into the shadow of some bushes.
	"Now what's wrong?  You look terrible, Sis."
	Shimbekh looked away, afraid to meet Kambra's eyes.  "I love you, 
Kambra.  If the wild dogs came, I would be first in line to die for 
you."
	"And I would die for you.  But you didn't come out here to talk 
about dogs."
	Shimbekh took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.  "I just had 
an awful vision."  She hung her head.  "It's so terrible!"
	"Is it Gur'bruk?  Is he in danger?"
	"Not Gur'bruk."  She kissed and nuzzled Kambra.  "Sis, forgive 
me!"
	"Well, out with it!"
	Shimbekh moaned.  "If you marry Gur'bruk, you will bring forth a 
son who will be the downfall of our people."
	"What??"
	Shimbekh bent her head lower and moaned.  "Sis, believe me!  I 
have carried this thorn in my heart for hours--hellish hours when I 
wished I could die, just die!  I could not bring myself to speak it, but 
if I am silent I will betray my own people and you as well!"
	"Shimbekh, you've had a nightmare.  That's all!"  Kambra kissed 
Shimbekh and smiled coyly.  "Everything's going to be fine, Honey Tree.  
Don't you think I would have been warned?  Why would the gods put that 
burden on you?"
	"I don't know.  Perhaps you couldn't believe it."
	"I DON'T believe it--it's just a dream!  That's all it could be, 
for it doesn't make sense."  Kambra began to pace around nervously.  
"Gur'bruk is good, and our love is pure and deep.  Our children will be 
born from love, raised to love and follow God.  I'm sorry to see you 
upset you, Sis, but I'm going to marry Gur'bruk this very night."
	"But you can't!  Oh gods, you just can't!"
	"Shimbekh!  I just can, and I just will.  Now I know how you love 
Gur'bruk, but he does not love you!  I'm very disappointed in you, Sis--
I didn't think you would try something like this, not with your own 
sister!"
	"It's not my jealousy speaking!  I swear!  Oh gods, how I wept 
over this--wept tears of blood!"  She rolled miserably on the ground.  
"Kambra, I love you, and I want you to be happy, even if it is with him!  
Look in my eyes!  Look and see for yourself!"
	Kambra studied Shimbekh's eyes.  Her hard set jaw relaxed and her 
expression changed to concern.  She nuzzled Shimbekh.  
	"I'm sorry I doubted you.  I believe you had a bad dream, and I 
believe it seemed very real.  But you must understand that it's your 
love for him talking.  I don't hold that against you, really I don't."
	"But it's not a dream!  I was awake!  You have to warn him!"
	Kambra became cross again.  "Look here, Sis, you better not 
breathe a word of this to ANYONE else, ESPECIALLY my Gur'bruk."  She 
tried to calm down.  "Wait and see our children.  You'll see.  If there 
was some danger, love could overcome it.  Now we'll be doubly sure to 
love them every chance we get."
	"I know what I saw!"
	Kambra raised up sternly.  "Go home, Shimbekh!  Leave us alone!"
	"I love you, Kambra!"
	"I love you too, but right now I'm upset.  Go, Shimbekh!  Go 
home!"  She bared her teeth.  "Go home before I say something I'll 
regret!"
	"I'm scared, Sis."  Shimbekh slinked away, sobbing.  "Please don't 
hate me!  Please!  I'm so scared!"

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