The Hyena Prince: Chapter 3
#4 of The Hyena Prince
Chapter 3
The day burned quickly as the lions and hyenas talked over wine and food, learning about their histories, and sharing laughs. As the sun set, Benatehhor clapped his hands, summoning the musicians to enter. The group sat down and began to play songs meant for dancing of all kinds. Samira, Anuktata, and Adara gracely excused themselves, leaving their Benatehhor and Samira and Adara's sons, Anuktata's brothers, Asari and Bak with the quatro of lions.
"You have quite the taste in women," Ahadi mused. It took a few seconds for the translation, but Benatehhor's comment was just as pleasing to the ears, "As do you. You have a goddess for a wife." The lion chuckled, his mind set at ease, but the nagging concerns of his people still set in his mind. He did not want to ruin the evening by discussing repayment for the land, but that would come eventually.
As the musicians played, the small group turned to watch as Samira, Anuktata, and Adara reappeared. Taka and Mufasa let out a ghasp. The three females were nude, save for anklets, bracelets, and a small gold chain around their bellies. The mothers and daughter trio moved gracefully to the music, their bodies contorting in ways that Taka and Mufasa had never seen. The display was both erotic and sensual as it appeared that the women were making love to the musical notes that flowed through the air. Ahadi and Uru chuckled at their sons, who were both going through puberty. The display was certainly meant to intice and arouse, and it was doing the job, but it seemed as though King and Queens two sons would not make it through the dance, well, they would, but their loin cloths would certainly not.
Benatehhor chuckled warmly, "I see that your sons enjoy the fine art of our dances." As the translation finished, Uru and Ahadi chuckled, "We are enjoying them as well, but it seems that Mufasa and Taka have taken a liking to them." The hyena lord smiled and laughed, "I have noticed." His eyes and head made a nodding motion in the direction of the two teenage lions. There were two tents nicely pitched in their loins as the youths watched Benatehhor's wives and daughter twist and bend to the warm notes. The lord then looked back at the husband and wife pair, noticing that they too were becoming aroused by the motions of the hyena women. "I can offer you a more private place if you wish," he said graciously. "I would enjoy that, though we still have much to discuss before I partake of your generocity," the great king replied, eyes moving between his wife, the dancers, and Benatehhor. "Aye, we do have business to attend to," the hyena added, "I guess now would be the best time for it, since we are now all jovial." Ahadi nodded, as he noticed Asari and Bak's eyes watching him, well, at least Asari's eyes were. Bak's eyes were tracing Uru's lines, just as Mufasa and Taka's eyes were tracing the lines of Samira, Anuktata, and Adara. It was flattering. Uru was beautiful, like the statue of the lioness goddess Ahadi had seen in a corner of the home, and it was apparent that the lioness, who was just shy of nude, clothed only in a small loin cloth, was something he had never seen. But his eyes moved to Asari. The male hyena was looking at him, studying his lines, eyes trying to stay away from the bulge that was pushing the loin cloth up, giving the teenage hyena quite a view. Ahadi gave him a small smile and a chuckle, making the hyena blush. "I think your son likes me," the mighty lion said with a small laugh. Benatehhor chuckled, "It is hard not to like you, my new friend. Do you mean Asari? He does enjoy the sight of such a mighty warrior king as yourself. He wants to study you and your techniques, for he will be a warrior one day." Ahadi chuckled, wondering how much double entendre Benatehhor had just spoken. The hyena smiled, "Shall he stay with us as we talk business?" Ahadi nodded with a smile, "Yes, I think he should." The hyena lord nodded, "Shall we go somewhere to discuss this?" The lion king gave a small nodd, "Yes, we should not ruin the mood for everyone. I think Bak would enjoy the company of my wife, Uru while we are away." Bak smiled happily as did Asari. "It seems my sons agree with your proposal. Come, let us away," Benatehhor spoke as he raised himself off of his pillow.
The trio plus the interpretor moved to a more secluded room, closing the door behind them, taking up seats at a table. T_his discussion is not going to be easy, but it is necessary_, Ahadi said to himself as Benatehhor sat across from him, Ankhareoutef and Asari sitting in the middle as a buffer. "Benatehhor," the mighty lion began, "your hospitality has been a welcome sight and is a credit to those of your race." Benatehhor smiled warmly, "Thank you, good king." Ahadi smiled in return, but then his chest let out a long sigh, "However, there is something that I must address. Benatehhor, you landed upon my shores and claimed land that did not belong to you for yourself and your people. You did not ask, you took what was rightfully mine, passed down to me by my father, who recieved it from his father, who recieved it from his father, going back to the time before time. As much as I enjoy your company, I cannot let this stand." The hyena looked at the lion, "I can understand your predicament, and I regret the actions I have taken, for you see, my people have been invaded time and time again, our land taken from us only to be retaken in long bloody struggles." Ahadi nodded, "I do not wish to have a war with you or your people, but reperations must be paid." Benatehhor nodded, "I will pay tribute to you and your children and your children's children, til time ends." The king looked at the lord, "Yes, but you have taken something from me that cannot be replaced, something dear to me. The balance of the Circle of Life has been disrupted. For it to be returned, I will have to have something that you hold dear." The hyena flinched, "I beg of you, do not take my daughter, Anuktata, for the family line passes through her. She is my only daughter." Ahadi looked deeply into the lord's eyes, seeing the truth within them, "I will not take your daughter, my friend." Benatehhor gave a sigh of relief, "Thank you, good king. I do not wish to lose her." The great lion nodded, "You said that Asari wishes to be a great warrior. He studied me a great deal. I will take Asari in lieu of your daughter. He will be my servant, but he will learn much of the ways of the warrior from me and my family." Benatehhor flinched at the thought, but he was given no other choice.
Asari heard the words uttered from the translator's mouth, and gasped. He was not sure if he wanted to leave his family and be what essentially was a hostage in exchange for the lives of his people, but the very thought of becoming a warrior was inticing, and studying under such a handsome and regal teacher would be worth it, esepcially if he one day became free again. Even if he never was freed, he would have the knowledge of a great warrior, something that he could pass on. He wanted to do it, and he knew that his father was going to have to say yes, else give up Anuktata.
Benatehhor looked at his son, giving him a loving glance, tears starting to form in his eyes, "I agree to this, good King. But I must ask, if I give you Asari, will you also protect the villiage? We do not have enough warriors to defend ourselves properly." Ahadi nodded, "I agree to that as well. When our celebration of friendship is over, Asari will come with me." Benatehhor nodded in submission, "Yes, good king."
The celebration continued into the depths of night before all were too tired to continue. Benatehhor's wives and children, except Asari, excused themselves to retire for bed. No one questioned why Asari did not come to bed with them, but they could tell that he was somehow a part of the compromise. Benatehhor gave his son one last hug, "You are brave, my son, and you will become strong from this. Know that we will always love you." Asari nodded, tearing up, "I know, dad. I'll be fine with King Ahadi. If doing this means that our people will live in peace, then I will gladly do so." Benatehhor shuffled his son's black wig, "You are already stronger than I, my son. I love you." The hyena let go of his son as Ahadi took his hand, "Come Asari, it is time." The teenage hyena took one last look at his father. "Good bye, dad," he said softly as he was taken away from all that he had known and loved.