Kingdom of Fire

CHAPTER ONE

A deep orange lit the savanna, turning everything in its path into scarlet. The rays of the setting son glittered brightly in the wilderness of the planes, illuminating off any creature in its way and sending towering shadows across the grassland. The winds whisked so slightly that only the keenest could detect its movements.

The herds lazily padded on their journeys, finding a place of well earned rest. The herbivores moved so slowly, yet alert for any sign of disturbance. Elephants stomped in a single file line, tails flicking to and fro, buffalos grunted as their herds moved on, impalas galloped to their final destination, and giraffes walked together with their heads held high, zebras not far behind. The grazers would settle in the tallest grasses tonight.

Meanwhile the predators lounged lazily, full from their day's hunting. Prey had been plentiful on this hot day. A lone male leopard snored in a tree, his half eaten gazelle dangling from a branch. A cheetah and her cubs muched on a warthog in the tall grasses. A clan of hyenas were cackling while two of their members played tug of war for meat scraps, and the wild dogs had already settled down for the night, full from their meal.

But meanwhile somewhere a little deeper in the planes in the richest part of the savanna sat a lion pride, one of the most respected prides of the western planes. Their territory was plentiful of food and they had a waterhole, merely a minute walk away, free of crocodiles and hippos, chased away by the fearless pride. That didn't stop the occasional prey from coming for a drink however. A clumsy kudu or impala would stray sometimes, right into the claws of the lions. Not one animal left there alive.

Now most of the pride slumbered except for a couple of lionesses who were watching the cubs tussle and the king and queen who were taking turns grooming each other's pelts. Their son, Ezra biting on his mother's tail and chasing it as she whisked it around. He was a young cub, the only surviving heir of his litter. His two sisters had died shortly after birth leaving Ezra not only in the care of his parents, but the entire pride. The young cub crouched, wiggling his haunches as his mother lifted her tail in the air in invitation. However when Ezra leaped, his mother swiped her tail away quickly, leaving the young cub to thud in a face full of dirt, showering it in his father's face.

His father, Sefu lifted his mother from grooming his queen and gave the young cub a stern stare. "My son, you are being a little much. Why don't you go play with the other cubs?"

Ezra jumped to his paws and shook dust from his pelt. "But I want to play with you and mother!" the cub pouted. "I'm always playing with the others." This time his mother answered, Dara the gentle and respected queen on the pride. "You won't be a cub forever, my dear," she soothed. "Go enjoy your youth while you can. You won't be able to play with them once you're older."

Ezra tipped his head, confused. "Well why not?"
Sefu stopped his grooming and gazed seriously at his son. "Because once you're older, the pride demands duties to be done. And more importantly, as our heir, one day it'll be your job to take my place as king of this pride."
Ezra gave an excited squeak and hopped up and down. "Really, one day I'll be king? Oh I can't wait! Does that mean I can boss all the lionesses around and make them do whatever I want?"

His mother frowned and Sefu exchanged a glance with her. When his father finally returned his gaze, he spoke darkly. "I shall hope not. Some kings choose to be that way but they never earn the respect of their pride. You can be the kind of king I am, work together with the lionesses all the while being in charge and giving orders, doing so fairly and not abusing that power. If you thrive to be a leader like me, you'll be fair yet strict. The lionesses are the hardest working members of our pride but the king always eats first and if a lionesses or even a male steps out of line, it is your job to deal with it."
Ezra nodded at his father's words, listening intently now. "Will I have to banish males too?"
Sefu nodded. "Once they are old enough yes. If they refuse to leave or of they challenge you, you must fight to the death. The same goes if a rogue male tries to challenge you."
"I see," Ezra murmured. "I'll be the best king I can be father. I promise I'll make you proud."
Sefu let out a long yawn. "I hope so." with those final words he continued grooming his mate.