The Lion Prides: Icewind

Chapter Six: The Duel

    The ancient dueling meadow was indeed ancient. The towering pines, oaks, and maple trees whispered in the breeze as the lions padded into the clearing. The emerald grass was soft beneath their hardened paws and a clear stream trickled through the center. A few deer grazed peacefully around the edges, but when they saw the lions, they bounded away.

   A large outcropping of rocks ringed half the edge of the clearing, flat enough that the lions who weren't going to fight could sit, and wide enough that the entire group could fit on the outcropping quite comfortably. As the two lions prepared to fight, Icewind's supporters rallied behind him. Most of Water Pride was with him, as well as half of Snow and Stone Prides. The Water Pride lions wished him luck as they prepared to take their places by the edge of the clearing. He watched in amazement as former enemies sat side by side, each cheering for him. Stoneface sat beside a gorgeous young lioness from Snow Pride, Stonestream sat beside Fireoracle, and each of his cubs had found a friend among his supporters. Snowdrop seemed smitten with a particular young lioness from Snow Pride, Iceflow. They sat side by side, fur brushing as their tails, by no will of their own, wrapped around each other.

   Darkfur's supporters were only a few more than Icewind's, but he saw that many among Fire Pride and the few Water Pride lions with them wanted him to win. Icewind felt a surge of pride that he had so many supporters. As he turned to face Darkfur and begin the fight, he caught the other lion glaring at him, hatred plain in his eyes.

   "This will be your last fight, White Lion. Your cubs will meet your end as well." Darkfur growled, flexing his claws.

   "Overconfidence will be your downfall, Darkfur. You only say what you do because you are afraid. You know your evil is about to come to an end." Icewind replied calmly, flexing his claws in response, his muscles rippling.

   Stoneface, Fireoracle, Snowclaw, and Watertalon came forward, nodding encouragement to Icewind. He raised his head and lashed his tail in clear challenge. Darkfur did the same.

   "Darkfur, descendant of Midnight the Black and Icewind, descendant of Snowfall the White, you have challenged each other to a duel to the death. Let an ancient feud be settled today and a new day rise over all Furrasia. Unsheathe your claws, warriors!" Watertalon said, retreating with the other lions as the fight began.

   Darkfur and Icewind circled each other, growling loudly. With a roar, Darkfur leapt for Icewind's head. Icewind sidestepped and clawed Darkfur's underbelly as he flew by. Blood sprayed from the wound as he landed.

   "You're going to have to be faster than that if you want to kill me, Darkfur." Icewind growled, baring his fangs. He leapt for Darkfur's throat, but Darkfur slashed his side. Icewind bit Darkfur's leg instead and raked his claws along the leg. Releasing the leg, he dragged his razor-sharp claws along Darkfur's side.

   Darkfur retaliated, swinging away from Icewind before ramming into his opponent, knocking him over. Icewind was on his paws before Darkfur could pin him down. Snowdrop and Icedrift rallied his supporters and started cheering for him, chanting his name over and over again.

   Fear was evident in Darkfur's eyes as the chanting got louder, and his supporters joined Icewind's. Hastily stepping back, he slipped in a pool of his own blood. He fell, and Icewind was on him. The lions wrestled, Darkfur tried every dirty trick in the book, and Icewind raked his opponent's belly with his hind claws.

   Darkfur fought back, trying to regain his feet, but Icewind was too strong for him. Panting, Darkfur tried to throw his opponent off him one last time. Icewind bared his fangs, and Darkfur froze, terrified.

   Knowing his enemy was defeated, Icewind was merciful. After landing a few more scratches, he leaned down, his blood covered muzzle next to Darkfur's ear.

   "It didn't have to end this way, Darkfur. You could have changed when your father warned you that a White Lion would be the end of you. We could have been friends one day." Icewind gently whispered in his opponent's ear. Raising his head in triumph, Icewind bared his fangs and lowered them to his enemy's throat.

   Darkfur fought to keep his throat away from the fangs of his opponent, but Icewind was exceptionally smart. His teeth met in Darkfur's throat with an audible click. The black lion's eyes bulged for a second, then relaxed and closed. The fight was finished.

   As Icewind walked away from his dead foe, he was surrounded by lions who congratulated him. His heart was heavy at the loss of a great fighter, but he didn't let his emotions show. Darkfur had been evil, but he was also a mate and father.

   Looking around, Icewind saw what his fight with Darkfur had done to the clearing. The once clear stream ran with drops of blood. The grass was stained scarlet. Fur lay everywhere. Darkfur's body lay in a pool of blood, torn and ruined. Icewind vowed to bury Darkfur in his favorite place. Time would wash away the stains, but it could never clear the memory from Icewind's mind.

   Everywhere around him, joyful lions were paying up. Those who had lost the bet were delivering gems and other goods from their nests. Snowdrop and Icedrift had vanished, though Icewind knew they were safe. He padded over to Stonestream, who was waiting for him, adoration in her shining eyes. Reaching the blue-gray lioness, he gave her a sad glance. She understood without words what he was feeling.

   Icedrift padded over with a Stone Pride lioness. Icewind recognized the black lioness as Diamond, an ambitious young lion who fit his son's personality. Both were looking a little embarrassed, like they had been caught kissing (which they probably had).

   "Dad, Diamond and I have discovered a mutual attraction between us. I know I haven't had my Trials of Bravery yet, but would you speak to her father and ask if I may select her as my mate once I have?" Icedrift asked nervously. Icewind nodded, proud of his son for speaking his heart.

   Then came the next shock. Starfire led a young lion to him. The lion was Dragontalon, Darkfur's son. Icewind was surprised. Darkfur must have been a horrible father if Dragontalon had supported him and not his father.

   "Dad, Dragontalon has something to ask you. Please don't kill him for asking." Starfire said, laughing at the terrified look on Dragontalon's face.

   "S-sir, I would like to take your daughter as my mate. I know you and my dad were enemies, like our ancestors, but I would like to take her as my mate and be a bridge to our ancestors. Even now I can feel them relaxing in the ground. I love your daughter, Icewind, and will take good care of her." Dragontalon stuttered.

   "No need to be scared. As long as you promise to take care of her, I will let you have her as your mate. I hope our descendants will be friends someday." Icewind said proudly.