His spine would soon be severed, and the tribe knew then it would be over.
Goro was weakening, but he was not finished. He roared his frustration, great muscles shivering, for he could not reach back to remove the second lion without opening his throat to attack from the first.
That lioness beneath him had sunk her teeth deep into his chest muscles, but would shift and strike like a snake if he lifted his chin. The silverback knew it was only a matter of moments. His primitive fury surged through him and he squeezed the lioness under him with all his strength—and there was a cracking sound.
Distantly he heard an uproar as the tribe’s warning and scolding cries turned to something else. Something was happening! More danger? The silverback could not help them.
The tribe still scolded the lions, but some it seemed, the blackbacks were cheering.
And the lioness on Goro’s back suddenly screamed, spun and jumped off of him. The silverback ignored the wet coolness that flooded over his shoulders, and growling he pressed his great forearm against the lioness’ throat beneath him. His titanic muscles swelled as he crushed her against the earth.
There was another cracking sound.
Behind him the apes had been cheering Gazda. The night ape had finally broken away from his mother’s memory, and defying Goro’s order had swung through the trees until he hurtled to the ground behind the rending pile of feline muscle perched atop his king’s back.
Even Baho could not contain himself and cheered with the others, while Omag, Ulok and the aging queens scowled as they scolded them all.
Gazda had leapt forward quickly, reaching out for the lioness’ tail which he brought up to his gaping mouth and with his razor sharp teeth sheared off the tufted tip. Thick red blood jetted from the severed tail into the night ape’s mouth.
The lioness had yowled and turned about with long claws lashing out for Gazda, who sprinted away from the battle with her hurtling close behind.
Goro crushed down on the lion’s throat until he felt muscle and bone shift and fracture one against the other beneath his forearm. And at last the beast’s fangs slid from his chest. The big silverback closed his fighting canines over her head and with one great bite, split her skull open. Hot blood flowed into Goro’s mouth as the beast beneath him shuddered and went still.
But there was no time to rest. The silverback heaved himself upright and staggering, turned to see the other lioness moving away across the clearing in pursuit of Gazda.
The night ape could move as quickly as the other apes did on all fours, but he could also employ an unsettling but speedy sprint by raising himself onto his hind legs and charging along like he was about to fall onto his face.
The other apes could also walk on their feet alone, but could never match the night ape’s agility or speed. Gazda kept ahead of the lioness by dodging back and forth, but she was quickly learning his movements and soon her claws would catch.
Goro thundered after them, screaming as he pounded toward the beast. His challenge brought the lioness at last around to where she growled at him in kind, and started back toward the bleeding silverback, his many injuries making him the easier kill.
The king bellowed, and snapped his bloody fangs in anticipation for the lioness’ neck. The bull ape was badly mauled, torn and bleeding everywhere, but his mind was alive with fury that the beasts had dared hunt in his lands, and though he doubted he would survive this fight; he panted joyfully for a final battle, pelting toward the lioness with the last of his strength.
The apes in the trees went silent as the lion ran at Goro and leapt.
The silverback screamed and met the charge with all his might. The big carnivore struck him in the chest and the impact threw both great beasts in a heap where they rolled and struggled on the ground.
Yet just as quickly, Goro felt the lioness in his arms go limp. Puzzled, yet growling mightily, the silverback pulled himself up to see that the beast was dead.
But Goro had not killed it. Instead, Gazda lay there wrapped around the lion’s body, just as an infant ape clings to his mother’s back. Only, he was not suckling. The night ape had his shining fang out and was sinking it again and again into the great cat’s side. Its coat was torn to ribbons; the internal flesh was exposed and stained dark crimson.
Gazda had used Goro’s charge as a distraction and had come after the lioness when she had turned, leaping onto her back as she raced toward the king.
Goro wiped at his bloody brow with a shaking hand, and then sat down quite heavily.
Gazda’s face was lined with worry as he pulled his limbs from under the lion’s corpse.
The silverback’s vision was swimming and tinted red where his torn scalp leaked blood into his eyes. He felt great thirst and weakness, but he climbed back to his feet as Gazda approached.
Farther on, the bull ape could see the rest of the tribe climbing down from the trees to cross the clearing. The smell of carnivores and blood made them move cautiously.
“King Goro fights the lions,” Gazda said, licking blood from the shining fang in his hands.
Goro grunted, pride suddenly burning in his veins, renewing his strength. He took a deep breath as the other apes drew closer.
Rising upright the silverback set one great foot upon the dead lioness, and throwing back his head, he beat his powerful chest with bloody fists, loosing the victory cry of a bull ape.
And then he fell onto his knees as the night ape moved to steady him.
“Goro fights lions with Gazda,” the big silverback gasped, and then he panted lightheartedly, swatting the
