The Delegation

The night had set and glistening stars dotted the sky,

Yet when I call for their guidance I heard no reply.

I lay down on ground,

Look out at the faces of those all around.

With their lanky limbs and ragged manes,

I for one could feel their pains.

By the king we were sentenced to bitter exile,

Without so much as one measly trial.

But life is not fair, as my father had said,

So I quelled my thoughts and went to bed.

My dreams were not filled with suffering or hunger,

But of the days when I was much younger.

When we lived in the peace of the pride lands,

Before power had once again changed hands.

I sat by a lake, so eerily still,

Then heard a cry so morbid and shrill,

I ran as swiftly as my would paws go,

To where I was going I did not yet know.

I found myself beholding a scene,

So sickly and dreadful, yet oddly serene.

My mother plummeted down a towering cliff,

Then the vision was gone, like a breeze or a whiff.

But before it had vanished, I just managed to see,

The sire's own daughter seated by me.

How could I be so compelled by her lust,

That I would betray my own mother's trust?

Don't worry my son, it is what we intended,

Once you are king she will be commended.

Thus spoke my father in a caressing tone,

As if to assure me, I'm not on my own.

And so I asked him, for how could one not,

Was this was the venture that so he greatly sought?

"Are you saying that mother shall meet her demise,

And to you and I this will be no surprise?"

You will make sacrifices on your rise to power,

As you can tell, it's not an easy endeavor.

At time will soon come to when you'll leave your pride,

With the king's daughter as your youthful bride.

He will have his suspicions, of that I am sure,

But you will then show him you're naïve and pure.

Your darling mother, she lives in the past,

With her old ways she will never outlast.

An open rebellion will be what's expected,

So attack from inside, then you'll be respected.

Just win over his daughter, my quick-witted son,

And that I believe you have already done.

She is the path to he who stands your the way.

He is the one you must discreetly slay,

But by all means, do what you must,

So that you earn his undying trust.

All will bow down when you make your debut,

For your moment of glory is long overdue.

Once they listen, once they obey,

Direct then like pawns; if so you may.

Tell your dear mother,

Your sister and brother,

For they shall assist,

They are the help you will enlist.

Remember, not all of your allies look out for what's best,

Some may deceive you while your mind is at rest.

The rewards shall be great, so I hope you succeed,

But if you do not, then someone will bleed.

Without an ounce of remorse, they will tear flesh from bone,

For all your dark deeds you will one day atone.

So make your own choices, and don't make it lightly,

You must be certain, so do speak forthrightly.

Some of your actions, you won't ever forget,

But if you are king there will be no regret.

You will carry the burden,

You will stand proud and tall,

But if your legs tremble,

Then soon you shall fall,

No one will catch,

They could never forgive.

As long as you breathe,

As long as you live.

Life is a test,

So do try your best,

But whatever happens,

Don't give up on your quest.

Unless of course you don't covet the throne,

If that is the case, take a path of your own.

Must I remind you, it is no obligation,

Forget about earning my admiration.

I won't push upon you a life of despair,

If that is something you can't truly bear.

Yes, I am certain I replied with no hesitation,

We shall take vengeance on he who has caused our starvation,

Then I promise to guide you each step of the way,

If you will take heed of the words that I say,

The fate of your pride rests in your paws,

Which isn't to say you can't have any flaws.

But you are the brightest of your generation,

Why else would we have such a deep conversation?

He already knew that my fate had been set,

I made him proud, I am willing to bet.

I thanked him sincerely,

For I loved him so dearly.

And with that we concluded the night's delegation,

Dawn will commence with intense preparation.