“The trail is old,” Chango said. “He might have been taken by a leopard.”

The chief followed Chango, wondering why his own trusted bodyguards never came back. Then he found them horribly ripped with their heads nearly bitten off. It looked like a lion attack, but no meat was eaten.

“Oh gods!” Kinara wailed.

There are no lion tracks, but the cuts left no doubt what had happened. “Chango, I trust you. Right now I need you. Carry the bodies away and bury them, and swear to me that NOT ONE WORD gets out to ANYONE about this.”

“I swear.”

Sure he knew what had happened, Metutu headed back. He heard footsteps beside him, heavy footsteps.

“Asumini, is that you?”

She appeared at his side. “Metutu, have courage. I will be with you.”

“Asumini, did my father do this?”

She looked at him glumly. “Your heart knows the answer. Metutu, I am so sad, so very sad!”

“I know you loved him.”

“Not sad for him. Sad for you! Because you love your father no matter what he has done. Because hard times lie ahead for you. But take heart, for I will not leave you till my work is finished.”

CHAPTER 18: IN LOVE

That evening Metutu returned to the one place he could find peace. Coming into the mouth of the cave, he saw Kima standing over the food for the meal. Though she was going through the motions of her old life, the look in her eyes was very different. They were dull and lifeless.

“Kima? Are you all right?”

She looked up. “Metutu?”

She looked notably older. Without a moment’s hesitation, Metutu went to her and embraced her. The old fire came back to her face as she wept on his shoulder. “Oh thank God you’re all right! You are such a good boy. No wonder Busara loved you so!”