For I Am Convinced

Chapter 2

Leonitarus parked his yellow Speedor in front of the thirty step staircase in front of the manor. A slightly middle-aged Lion with a burnt-sienna mane, Leonitarus commanded respect and obedience from everyone. One would just have to look at his polished Lion Guard uniform and to know not to ask questions. After all, no one questioned one of the finest scouts in the Lion Temple.

His partner, a dark-furred Lion with an almost blond mane and tattered Lion attire, dismounted his own Speedor. "Thank you for inviting me to your house, Leonitarus. A whole manor in the middle of the Outlands, one nobody, not even I knew about! I like it! Or, do I?"

"I don't do this often, Lavertus. Don't test me." Leonitarus swept up the stairs as a hyena opened the door. Inside the massive hall, complete with iron chandeliers and a blood-red hall rug, the servants stood at attention.

His guest barely had time to gape at the room before two fiery-maned Lions bounded up, playfully shoving each other in an effort to reach them first. "Dad, you're home!" The younger one smiled widely.

Leonitarus winced angrily. "It's 'Father', Laval. You know the rules."

"Of course." The young Lion backed down just a bit, golden-amber eyes softening. "My apologies. How was your ride, Father?"

Leonitarus' smile returned. "Invigorating, my sons." He handed his gloves to a hyena and turned to Laval and Lion-O. "This is Lavertus, our guest. You will join us for tea in ten minutes."

"Yes, Father," Lion-O answered. Laval crossed his arms behind his back.

"Good." He turned to a hyena. "Harper, make sure Hela steams our tea for 7.75 minutes, the last time was 7.35 minutes and it was too cold."

"It will be done." Harper bowed.

As Leonitarus passed Lion-O and Laval on his way upstairs, he paused, golden eyes narrowing at a thin orange smudge on Laval's left cheek. "What's that?"

Laval's eyes widened as he touched the spot. "Uh." Lion-O opened his mouth to cover for him.

"Painting, I assume. What of your duties?" Leonitarus grunted. He would have to look into cutting the paint supply again if Laval kept skimping on these duties.

"Already finished," Laval answered, his voice a near icy tone.

"Honestly?" Leonitarus growled as he paused halfway up the stairs. "Bed's made, room clean, your section of the garden weeded, floor swept, washed clothing?"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, and they are folded and put away." Laval was smirking, even as Lion-O nodded to confirm it. Leonitarus growled lowly as he turned to keep climbing the mahogany staircase. That boy needed to stop smirking like that. Otherwise, he'd be-

SQUEAK!

"Hmm. Hollens! Oil the stairs immediately!" Leonitarus turned to Laval with a snarl. "I should have you oil these stairs, considering how often you waste your time painting after all. I've raised you since you were a cub and this is how you thank me? By wasting your precious time painting? Ungrateful child."

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"Couldn't we poison his tea?" Scomper asked.

"You hush up!" Hela (a black-furred, brown-spotted hyena cook with one good eye and achy joints from years of service) growled as she hung the brass kettle over the raging fire. Laval and his friends often came into the kitchen to chat or to help, depending on what needed to be done. "You should be grateful Leonitarus didn't come down on you, too."

"I am grateful!" Scomper protested. "I just wish he'd stop....existing."

"Well, he is your master too and you ought to know your place," Hela snapped.