Prologue

There was a rumble of thunder.

The lion growled deep in his throat, a coarse sound that echoed off the walls of the damp cave and reverberated all around him.

As if in answer, a jagged snatch of lightning forked across the dark sky and the world momentarily turned into a massive sphere of white light. Then darkness.

Again, the lion growled, this time beginning to pace, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

Outside, rain fell in slanted sheets across the savanna, occasionally blowing into the cave to settle heavily onto the lion's magnificent golden pelt.

Changing direction, the great cat paced to the other side of the den, his tail lashing, a growl continuing to rumble deep in his shaggy throat.

Another roar of thunder.

The lion changed direction again, growling, snarling, his nostrils flaring, thoughts flickering around in his eyes like minnows in a pool.

Suddenly, among the darkness, a noise, soft and yet vaguely sharp, "Ahadi!"

The lion started, as if awoken from a dream.

Again, the voice spoke, "Ahadi!"

Sharply, the lion turned his great head, his long tail whisking behind him. For a moment, there was darkness. Then the world lit up in an enormous burst of lightning and he saw her. The next moment shadows dominated the cave once more.

"Uru." He said in a low voice. "I'm thinking. Leave me be."

Two orbs of lavender glowed in the darkness and, as Ahadi watched, they blinked, almost contemplatively.

"You've had much time to think, Ahadi." The voice replied, its tone gentle and yet border lining strict. "It is time to make a choice."

At these words, the lion snarled and turned his back on the glowing eyes.

"Why must it be my choice?" He spat. "You are daughter of the king. I am merely your consort."

The mysterious lioness shifted in the darkness.

"You are king, my love." She answered softly. "It is your duty, not mine."

Again, the lion snarled. Thunder roared across the plains and the overpowering burst of noise caused the whole den to shake.

"Ahadi." This time, Uru's voice was edged with urgency. "This storm could be a sign. The great kings want you to make your choice."

Ahadi was quiet, his tail lashing back and forth behind him.

"Let me see them again." He ordered hoarsely.

The lioness nodded and her eyes shifted downward to her belly. Ahadi lowered his gaze and then turned to face his mate, his eyes already seeking the crook of her stomach. For a moment, there was darkness. Then a flash of lightning. And in that momentary burst of light, he saw them, curled together next to their mother. He turned away once more, snarling bitterly.

"Why must it be up to me?" He moaned. "How am I to know which is the wiser?"

"Ahadi," His mate's eyes sharpened. "You will know."

The lion hung his head, his eyes gently closed. In his mind's eye, he could see them both, still sleeping together, despite the storm. The one, with his compact form and deep golden pelt, and the other, small and sleek, with fur the color of tree bark. Which should he choose?

"Uru." The lion did not lift his head. He did not even open his eyes. "Both are sons of kings, but only one will make a king himself."

The lioness was silent.

"Uru." The lion lifted his head, his amber eyes giving him the appearance of a lion far older. "I have made my decision."

As if in answer to his words, a clap of thunder shook the savanna.

The lioness nodded.

"Come, then." She said and she licked each lion cub on the forehead.

Swallowing thickly, the great lion padded forward, his huge paws making barely a sound on the smooth cave floor. As he drew nearer, another flash of lightning lit up the cave. Momentarily, he could see his mate, a beautiful lioness with silky brown fur, and his two cubs, as different as east from west, nestled into her belly.

At last, the lion stood over the three, his gigantic form blotting the cave entrance behind him. Slowly, gently, he bent down his great head and touched the tip of his nose to the golden cub's forehead.

"Mufasa." He whispered.

The cub stirred, mewling pitifully, and then reached up to touch his father's muzzle. The lion smiled and an affectionate sound rumbled deep in his throat.

"I hereby grant you the right of a king." He whispered. "May this blessing serve you well when the sun sets on my time and rises with you as the new king."

A long moment passed with Ahadi's great head bent to his son, who reached eagerly toward him, as if sensing the significance of the moment. Then there was a furious mewling and the other cub began to thrash uncontrollably, his small pink mouth gaped open in a wail of protest.

"Hush, hush, my sweet Taka." The lioness soothed, leaning forward and nuzzling the cub affectionately. "This is an important moment."

Gradually, the cub calmed down, though his face remained scrunched, as though he had tasted something bitter. Ahadi lifted his head, eyes fixed on the smaller cub.

"Uru." He murmured. "Could . . . could it be an omen?"

The lioness glanced up sharply at her mate.

"Don't think such things." She retorted scathingly. "Our sons have been bestowed blessings, not curses."

Ahadi dipped his head, accepting her words.

"Of course." He murmured.

As Uru dipped her head to continue cooing the cubs, Ahadi kept his eyes fixed on the smaller cub, the one named Taka. There was a rumble of thunder and a jagged fork of lightning split the sky behind him, its outline reflecting over the left eye of the cub, giving him, for a split second, a phantom scar. Then darkness once more fell over the cave.

A shiver ran down Ahadi's spine and the great lion turned quickly away, breathing heavily. No, it wasn't an omen. It couldn't be. The great kings of the past would not bestow such a curse upon a king's child.

Shaking his shaggy head, the lion padded away from his mate and resumed his position at the head of the den. He was not going to get worked up about this. It didn't matter anyway. There was nothing left to be done. It was in the hands of the great kings now. All left to be hoped for was that Mufasa would make a good king and Taka a good brother.

Presently, Ahadi's fur laid flat against his back and he breathed easy again. Mufasa would make a wonderful king. And Taka would grow into a fine brother. They were sons of kings, after all.

With his fears assuaged and his heart set on hope, Ahadi fixed his eyes on the stars above and let the rain lightly mist his muzzle.

The storm raged on.