[mlkfaa] - Character -> Sihle by imvula

[imvula]

According to legend, the Sun Gods bestowed their most precious possession, their children, on man. Their children came in the form of White Lions. Another legend tells of Queen Numbi, and upon her death bed, a star descended from the heavens and the mighty Queen was enveloped in the stars' bright light. When the light faded and she emerged, she was young and beautiful once more. The star then shot back up into the heavens. The months since then, there were tales of strange animals being born; two headed calves, white impala, white leopards with green eyes and white lions.

It doesn't matter which tale you believe, what's true is that white lions are a rare genetic mutation. Often considered outcasts amongst normal lions, white lions often struggle on their own and sometimes within the safety of a pride.

Sihle was no different. Born into a normal pride of tawny lions, Sihle was immediately shunned by his father. The only son and heir of a dying pride was a disgrace. How was a white lion supposed to survive in a land where he'd stick out like a sore thumb? His mother was the only one who loved him; she believed the human legend of the white lion being a gift from the Gods. And so, she named him Sihle, it means "beautiful gift."

As Sihle grew from cub to adult, his father noticed that despite the boy's outward appearance, he managed to adapt and he had become an expert in all tasks his father had given him. But the boy could not be King, for Sihle's mother was pregnant. In Sihle's pride, second-born cubs were to become the next ruler. After the birth of Sihle's sister, his father gave him a choice. He could either stay as an adviser to his sister, or he could leave and start his own pride. The latter was chosen.

Sihle travelled many days and nights until he came across a land of luscious vegetation, plentiful prey and flowing water. The pride that lived there welcomed him with open arms; for they too believed the legend that a white lion was a gift. At first no one could understand him; he had a very strange accent. But the other lions soon grew accustomed to it.

On one of his border patrols, he came across a female. She was unlike any other animal he had seen. Her pelt was a beautiful golden colour; she had odd eyes and had a few spots. She was beautiful. Fate was kind, and it brought them together. Sihle and Imvula soon became mates and raised two cubs together.