Kingdom and Clans, King's Destiny (Book 1)
Ch 2 Family

The urge and desire to eat was gnawing a hole at my belly. My feelings turned from calm to angry in seconds. I was obsessed with it, and I needed to quench this thirst. Those smells filtering in all at once were consuming me. I began to pick out the good smells and separate them from the nasty ones.

One odor in particular stood out of the rest. It was sweet and satisfying to my senses. I followed its strong aroma upwards in the soft creature I was crawling upon. As I ascended, I could hear sounds stirring all around my body as well. My senses were so heightened, yet I was still blind. The one question I did not get to ask about. Oh well, it would have to wait for another time.

The delightful smells and sounds made up for my missing sight. Was this the wonderful experience the great creator spoke about? Truly, It's wonderful and much more! Still, the pain from what creator called-birth was a lingering memory. How different time made within a short lap. Higher and higher, my little limbs clawed upwards towards the smell. It was growing stronger. It was beckoning me, to its will.

The smell was right in front of me, and I drew nearer. I paused when my paw touched an object sticking up from the soft body. It was not the same soft, the body was. Although it was soft in a different form. I swatted at it cautiously. I drew back my paw quickly. To replace it was wet and sticky now. The smell was intoxicating, stronger for some reason. I followed my nose down to my paw. It smelt delicious! I instinctively pushed my tongue out of my mouth and licked at the wet substance.

An explosion of new senses burst in my mouth. Whatever the smell was, it tasted good too! I immediately moved upon the soft bulge and wrapped my entire mouth upon its surface. Quite unsure how to get more out. At first, I licked at it like I did my paw. When no more filled my taste buds, I removed my mouth. Inside, I thought, "How do I get more of this delicious liquid?" As if on que in perfect timing, the creator said to me.

"You must suck, not lick. Draw with your tongue upwards towards the back of your throat. Try it now."

I fumbled for the bump again and sucked as I was told. To my delight, a rush of tasty liquid filled my mouth and slipped down the back of my throat. I was greatly pleased and satisfied at once. I must have stayed in that spot drinking my fill for what were hours. Never mind the fact I wasn't the only one present.

Time had stopped, just for me to settle a score with an insatiable thirst I encountered. My belly felt fuller and fatter. No longer was there a nagging hole eating me from within. I was happy again, and my demeanor was calm as before. Soon after, I felt a nudge and a push from another similar textured creature near my side.

"Huh, that's odd, I didn't recall that before." It seems I'm not the only visitor just like myself. He must have been seeking the same aroma I had done a few hours prior. How we missed each other before was beyond me. I moved away to explore, the warm surrounding of the larger creature's body.

I discovered there were two more little creature's like myself nearby. Each one with a different odor. I was able to tell them apart by their distinct smell. One had a grassy smell about them, while the other smelt sweet like the liquid they consumed. The third creature I encountered first had an iron sharp, displeasing smell to him. Him; her. I wasn't sure what I was saying, they; them at the moment was more like it. Even the large creature I explored upon had a different smell to it. It was perfumed with a sweet, subtle aroma.

A floral and woody scent was the best description that was brought to my mind. Even though I had never smelt or knew what I was speaking in my head. It just came to me naturally. I realized within myself, this was my family. The deep voice had returned. "Correct, You have a Mother. A lioness is what she is referred to by all. She is the soft creature you have been exploring. The smaller, pushy creatures are your siblings.

They are your brother and two sisters. You will grow up with them and know them by name. The liquid that satisfied your thirst is called milk. It gives life and strength to your being. You will drink from your Mother often until you move from milk to meat." Said the creator. I pondered on the word meat. "What is meat"? I asked myself.

Elohim replied.

"That's not the important thing right now, but to explain it, it is food like the milk is food to you as well. It's what keeps your tummy full and gives you energy to grow Into a big lion one day.

For now, milk is what you and your siblings need. It will help your sight come to you very soon. Enjoy this time while you have it."

Finally, another question answered. I would not be blind forever. Soon all my senses would be complete. How awesome to be able to see what I'm feeling, tasting, smelling, and hearing. Joy filled my heart immensely. Once again, I found myself drifting into a slumbering stoop. I relaxed my mind and body, allowing myself to drift away into a soft-pale blue scenery.

Visions of leaping creatures, flashes of yellows and brown blurs, and a cool breeze rushed over me. Whatever I was dreaming about, it was exhilarating. I stayed in this vision for a long time, it seemed. I was having fun hopping after the blurbs rushing in front of my face. My feet moved as if I was actually chasing them in real-time.

My mother chuckled, as she watched from where she laid. She was exhausted after giving birth to four healthy lion cubs. Zaza, my eldest sister, Meeku, my younger brother, and Teek my younger sister. They were both born quickly in that order right after me. As for myself, I have no idea what my name is, Which is strange as to how my siblings have a name and I do not. How on earth did I know their names and not my own? Another puzzle, I'm sure the creator was willing to explain.

Sure enough, his deep voice called to me.

" Your Mother calls you Zarda. You are her firstborn son. You will be cherished above all other Lions." Spoke, the now so familiar voice.

I rolled that name around in my head several times over.

"Zarda, zarda, zarda...sounds strong". I thought.

"Creator, what is my Mother's formal name" I asked?

"Many of your kind call her Queen Saharrah. She is the top lioness of the Whitemane pack. This is your families tribe name. You are Zarda Whitemane. For your tribe has a rare genetic inheritance. You are the only tribe, to carry the gene that makes the male lions' mane to be white as snow. It is that every fourth generation a new King is to be born to reign, and that his mane will be white as snow, and as perfect set apart from all others. You Zarda have been born with that gene. Your brother does not carry it. Neither do your sisters. You have been chosen to enter the fourth generation to take over your father's role. That will not come to pass until a great way off. Your Father, King Ezekiel, will rule for now. He will rule until time passes. When you are old enough to fulfill his place. He alone will rule over your tribe. That is all I want to indulge you with. I prefer you to experience what is to come as a surprise of wonderment. It's more exciting that way, and also more challenging. Bless you Zarda my creation. I'm always here if you need me. I must go for now." Said the creator, as His smooth voice drifted away.

This time for what seems it will be a very long time.