Kingdom and Clans, King's Destiny (Book 1)
Ch 9 Hoghill Clan

It is morning now, at a nearby watering hole. Just many that blanketed the landscape. At least, during the season of plenty. It was a different story during the dry seasons.

King Muck wallowed in the cool wet mud. It cooled his hot skin, and eased it from the itchy blood sucking ticks that feasted on him daily. The King didn't have the same hard work as the male lions. He had elders and tributes under him to watch and guard the clan. The only thing the King needed to do was mate, eat, sleep, be lazy, and occasionally deal with delicate matters. The Queen was usually the one ruling alongside the clan's elders.

It had been Queen Torlia and the elders' who spoke to Purk, that day, about his friend's need for help. Queen Torlia felt guilty within her heart when they had to turn that help away. If anything happened to those lion cub's she would be responsible for it. She prayed to the creator for their safe travels a head.

On top of that no one seemed to take notice to the cubs traveling in the wrong direction. Queen Torlia never ventured out too close to the lions territory and Purk who had been the only one was oblivious to directions. He didn't have to worry about that now as prince. Those things he assumed would just come naturally as King.

Purk learned from his elders' what his future task would entail. It wasn't anything he had thought. Purk was more interested in the newer age ways of clan life, not so much the ancient ways of the elders.

Seven years ago, several rogue warthogs had joined their clan, and with them, they brought their new ideas and languages. The elders who had been from the beginning were cautious to welcome them in, but the King allowed them entry. It was the rogues who taught Purk and his siblings all the new ways and animal speech.

One of the new rogues, was their nanny warthog. She had been assigned to care for the King's piglets three years ago. Her name was mama Willa. The piglets loved her very much and behaved well for her. Since, their mother was always out working the lands and guarding with the tributes, or in busy meetings with the elders. They seldom saw her, except for prince Purk. Who, had a fewer more visits than his siblings. Purk's siblings lazed about with their Father King Muck mostly, and learned from nanny, mama Willa.

Queen Torlia would come to take prince Purk with her to the meetings of the elders. During those times he would learn, listen, and observe. It wasn't far off from Purk's future that he would be all grown up. It would be time for the choosing of his mate and new Queen.

Purk was growing fast, and as an aging warthog male, feelings within begin to change. His natural maturing status would attract many neighboring females. Close by warthog clans would travel for the annual 'Ceremony of the first mate'. It was then where Purk would meet lovely female warthogs presented by their Father's. He would choose his mate and the ceremonial consummation would take place that night.

It had been a year now, and only eight months ago, since Zarda and Meeku had last passed through. The young cub's and piglets were no longer young, but now mature males. Purk was big and muscular like his Father. He was strong and brave beyond other warthogs. During his time growing up he went out with the young tribute warriors to hunt and battle other challenging clans. He learned war and sport quickly.

Time on the Savannah was moving at full speed. As Purk grew older so did his parents.

King Muck was old, his dark charcoal skin had turned to an ashy gray. His hair was no longer spikey all over. He was balding in patches and the other areas, what was left of it, were limp and droopy.

Purk on the other hand was handsome, as far as warthogs would agree. He was the finest male among his clan. His mother reminded him of it every day. She, too, was growing old, weak and tired. Her time would soon be to retire with Purk's Father. She would live out her days in the watering hole and caring for future grand-piglets. It was her joy to do so. She had lived and ruled a long hard life. She was proud of all her decision's, except for the one that always filled her dream's

A day never went by, that she didn't think of prince Zarda and his brother Meeku. She could only hope their mission was successful.

Purk watched his mother, that particular morning, looking sad off into the horizon. He slowly approached, nuzzling her side.

"What is troubling your mind, mother?" asked Purk, with concern.

His voice was caring and deep. Queen Torlia did not turn her head to her son, she simply replied softly.

" Not my mind, dear son, but my heart. I'm thinking of Zarda and Meeku, wondering if they ever made it back home." She said.

Purk understood her feelings. He had asked the same question over and over as he grew. It was his friendship he had missed. When he was with Zarda he felt free and normal like being in his sibling's position. They took him away from having to learn, and have non-stop boring, prince work. He vowed, to replace his friends one day and to share all the changes that have happened within the clan. Purk's thoughts quickly moved on to the upcoming events at hand.

"It is almost time, for your replacement, to be chosen, then my ceremony to become King will follow." Said Purk.

The queen turned and smiled up at her son.

" Oh yes, how exciting for you. I pray you pick the bravest, and most beautiful bride, to be your Queen. May she be just like me." Said Queen Torlia. Purk chuckled. "None, could ever replace you, mother, but I will see. A future queen to be honorable." He replied.

"Aya lu, aya ameer" said Queen Torlia, which means 'My love, my son'. Purk pressed into his mother's side deeper. He was proud to be her son and future King.

The sweet silence between mother and son was broken up by an approaching warthog. "Pardon me Queen and Prince, but it is time to gather the clan. Soon the visitors will be here." interrupted tribute Roz.

Roz had become a very close friend to Purk and his most reliable warrior. He was no Zarda or Meeku, but He was a great, reliable friend. He was a big, husky hog with a scar above his right eye, from a previous battle. Roz waited for the mother, and son to move before leading them to the arena.

Reluctant to get up, Queen Torlia finally pushed up her hind end and stood firmly. Purk followed close after her. They walked side by side, with Roz leading them to the circle of stones. There, all the clans would be represented from around the neighboring area. Hog hill clan, as the host took president, over the best spots under the cool shade of an Acacia tree. The clan was seated on the outer rim of the stone arena, while inside would sit the King, Queen, and Prince Purk on stone built thrones.

Tribute Roz cleared his throat as he introduced the King, Queen, and Prince. The squeals of the clan quieted as they entered. They sat like stones as they watched the royal family go to their throne. King Muck, walked with a limp in his old age, while the Queen moved with grace, with her tail up high. Prince purk, followed behind his parents, tall and strong. The clans stomped their hooves and grunted a cheer around the arena.

Many warthogs cheered, and naughty piglets acted poorly. The Nanny, mama Willa, wrestled, some of the King's own. The Elders were sitting upright, whispering, among, themselves. They sat, judging harshly each step the prince made. The tributes stood stiff as boards, with their tusks up high, in honor to the King. They were stationed near both the opening sides of the arena. Hog Hill kingdom, awaited the four approaching clans from distant lands.

The Clan of Ruff tusk was leading the caravan of hogs. The clan's leader, was one of King Muck's eldest friends. If truth be told, King Muck, had his heart set on purk to choose their kingdom; at ending ceremony, but this was a ceremony of chance and fate, not politics. Clan Wimble followed not far behind, Ruff tusk. They were quite humble hogs, well-mannered and behaved, then came the Clan of Hollow-hoof. Who, expressed quite the opposite reputation. They loved to party and were known as the best around. No one, ever wanted to, miss their invites. Finally, trailing in the end, was the Clan of Harvel. They were one of the top wealthiest clans around, other than Hog Hill. They were known to do well, when, it came to natural resources. Harvel was the second top, well off warthog clan. Purk was nervous for the approaching clans to come. In his heart he was aware one of his future wives would be walking into his life, very soon. As far as his parents were concerned, they were ready for a time such as this.