Kingdom and Clans, King's Destiny (Book 1)

  The cool quiet rested upon the entire Savannah. Nothing moved, except the trees, from the chilly wind. Zarda peered up to the star lit sky. Leaning against a palm tree, he guarded the North edge of the jungle. His hand was grasping his staff, loosely. Zarda wasn't going to chance a surprise attack. Meeku had taken the South edge of the jungle to guard. Slash guarded the location behind the waterfall towards the East edge, while Razor took his post at the West end. They walked around their specified perimeter, not to stray too far from their assigned positions. Zarda, left back towards the camp to swap places with two younger male lions, Matiti and Mazunga. Both were unexperienced, and had only observed their elders slash and razor over the years, as young cub's. Zarda, was willing to believe in their instinctive nature, that if trouble came it would kick in quick.

So, he handed them one of the hand crafted food spears to keep as a weapon. Zarda wanted them to watch together for better protection. It was time for Zarda to sleep. He needed the master to fill his dreams with the visions.

Zarda found a spot near the lionesses sleeping on soft palm leaves. He laid on his back for the first time to sleep. How it felt out of place in his human like form. The ground didn't cradled his body like it did in his lion's form.

Closing his eyes, his mind went dark. Zarda drifted upwards from his bed. He was quickly floating through pastel pink and purple clouds. He could feel his skin tingle from the warmth surrounding him. The smell of lavender and jasmine filled his nostrils. He felt so comfortable as he floated. Up ahead, he could see a white throne.

He drifted closer, but only to a short distance away. His eyes stung, like fire, as he tried to look upon the being, sitting on a throne before him. He quickly turned his head downward. The being spoke to him softly, it was the creator.

The master told Zarda, to listen closely, for he had a great deal of instructions for him. So, Zarda clung to each word that proceeded from his master's mouth. The creator started with eating, hunting, and food in full detail, then he moved onto how Zarda's and all the female bodies would work now, and how life would come from them differently. Next, the creator explained war, and battle and what must be done. He went on to explain how to forge, build, and design structures, weapons, and tools for everyday use. Zarda's head spun with so much information.

"Finally, Zarda, I will call a great meeting to come, in two days. You, Your brother, and two mighty warriors will travel for three days journey to Mount Sabyinyo. It is an extinct volcano in the eastern parts of Africa in the Virunga Mountains. You will see my works and wonders there again. This, will be where you will meet the chosen animals, for the first time, as equals. You will not kill your prey or your enemies. This location will be holy to all. I will establish it then, when I will share a few more important things at the exact location. Take with you spears, food, and warm coverings as you go." Elohim instructed.

Throughout the night, the creator, made visits to the minds of each animal leader. Zarda slipped back to his body. His eyes opened wide. Light from the warm sun was peeking through the canopy. Most of the pride was up and eating again. They happen to start up the fire from the ongoing glowing, embers.

Zarda, was pleased to see how quickly his pride was picking up on simple tasks. They no longer would have to use their bodies to take down food, now he had perfect instructions on how much easier hunting would evolve.

He sat up to see his mother eating a juicy bird leg. The fat dripped from her chin. The animalistic ways still present, soon they would be more refined in how they approached the new ways.

"Hello, mother." said Zarda, smiling down upon her.

His mother's eyes looked up, with a mouth full, to spy her tall and handsome cub. To Saharrah, he would always be her baby. Then, suddenly, a break through the trees come upon them. Emerging from the four corners of the jungle were Meeku, Slash, Razor, Matiti, And Mazunga. They were tired, desiring food and rest. Meeku looked at his rested brother with droopy eyelids.

" Good visits with the creator, I presume." He said yawning.

Zarda shook his head yes. He watched his brother walk over to a lioness and take hold of a roasted bird with his bare hands. The heat didn't seem to bother him. He was hungry and needed to sleep. Same for the other four, they too grabbed a bite to eat and found a nice spot to curl up in.

Tonight, Zarda would assign eight lionesses to stay watch, so they could take a turn. He needed to share the news with the male lions as soon as they woke from their slumber.

It was late evening, he and the lionesses had spent their time foraging more food, while the warriors slept soundly. They were sitting by the fire, sorting all the fruits and insects into small piles. The stock of colors looked Exquisite. As Zarda handled the fruit he was tempted to pop a nice big red beetle into his mouth. He resisted, he knew they needed to evenly sort it out, then distribute to each pride member first.

The warriors were awake now, looking well rested from a long earned sleep. Zarda left the lioness warriors to his remaining work. Better he did that, than eat up all the food. It was time to share with others. The male warriors sat in a circle by the edge of the jungle, facing towards the warthog territory. Zarda didn't waste time in starting the meeting. He sat down and began to share everything, even the fine details of each category the creator had spoken. Meeku personally, was excited hearing about the creative concepts. He was itching to get to work, but his task would have to wait, until they made the trip back from Mount Sabyinyo. The lions returned over to the lionesses, who were finished with sorting the food.

Zarda proceeded to share the news with the rest of the pride. The ones traveling would get a good night's rest and head out before day break. Zarda's mother ordered the lionesses to prepare a backpack from the blankets they fashioned, to carry the food and coverings they needed. She took a hold of both of her son's arms.

Saharrah placed her soft hands on their cheeks.

" This time, don't be gone for so long. Come back to me, please. I will lead while you are both gone. Don't worry about us, we will be fine." Saharrah said.

Zarda kissed his mother's forehead, and headed to find a peaceful spot to rest. Meeku wrapped his large arms around her shoulders for a tight embrace, he, too, left his mother to go sleep for the night.

Saharrah herself had determined to keep watch over her sons and warriors. Lately things around camp had remained calm, but this was a new world they lived in, anything was possible to change.

"Zarda, What does this Quest for Kings, entail for all of us?" Asked an inquisitive Mazunga.

Asked an inquisitive Mazunga.

"Well, mazunga For one, it will entail a better future for our pride. Secondly, you and the rest of us, will get an opportunity to meet kingdoms, we've never dreamed of crossing in the wild. Just think, you'll be face to face with a hippo, or a crocodile, or better yet, an elephant king. Pretty cool, right?" replied Zarda.

Mazunga's eyes grew wide. The thought of a massive elephant towering over him brought on some anxiety.

Zarda placed a firm hand on Mazunga's shoulder, reassuring him he had nothing to worry about.

Quiet now, we need our sleep. I know your excited. So am I." Zarda said.