The Lion Prides: Icewind

Prologue

      "Beware, Darkfur. Change your ways or a White Lion will be the end of you." Fireoracle's words pounded in his head. He was at a meeting of the Protectors, waiting to speak.

      "I want all the original protectors and the White Lion brought to me immediately!" Darkfur roared. Of course the protectors scrambled to obey, but Watertalon and the White Lion were nowhere to be found. However, later as the sun was setting, Watertalon padded into the meeting of the lions escorting the other three original protectors.

     The Original Three stood while the other lions added Watertalon to the group of prisoners. As they marched, they were told where they were going. When they arrived, Darkfur stood in front of them.

         "Keep Fireoracle here. Take the others a short distance away. There are chains waiting for them. After they are secured, come here. I have a task for you." Then he turned to Fireoracle. "Hello, Father. Take back your words, and you and your friends go free. You don't take them back, and I will take your power for myself. I will execute you before my feast and be rid of you. Now that I am king of all lions, my word is law. Oh, and your pelt will look lovely on my golden throne. Now, What do you have to say?" He glared at his father.

          "Fine. But I would only renounce my words if you were to actually keep your word. I know you have some magic, but not nearly enough to drain our power." Fireoracle growled.

          "You risk my anger. I'd better start planning my feast. The day, who will attend and what to serve beside venison. Tell me if you don't feel the power in your body drain. I dare you."

           "Kill me if you want, but let my friends go free. You have no quarrel with them."

           "Your friends are close to you. Now, enough talk. Pin him down." he spoke to the soldiers, who had returned.

            They quickly pinned the struggling, old lion on his side, exposing his other side. Fireoracle thrashed, but it was no use.

             "Let all here witness what happens to those who oppose me! Their power will become mine." Darkfur roared and placed his paw, claws extended, on his father's side. He focused all his thoughts on draining his father's power until he felt a tingling sensation in his claws. Fireoracle released a pained roar as his power was torn from his heart and locked inside Darkfur's evil heart in an instant.

             "Now will you renounce your words to save your friends from this pain? Or do I have to drain all your strength so I can transport you to the palace dungeon?" he murmured in his father's ear.

            "I will never renounce the truth! The truth is that you are an evil monster!" Fireoracle growled.

            "So be it. He refuses to renounce his treason!" And Darkfur quickly drained his father's strength and had him dragged to the palace by some attending guards. Watertalon was brought forward and likewise pinned on his side. Darkfur quickly seized his power and strength.

              "Put him with my father. He will serve the same purpose. Bring Stoneface to me!" He commanded.

              And so he went through all four protectors and followed the guards to his palace, where he placed them in an enchanted sleep, which would allow them to regain their strength and rest until the day of their execution.