The lions instantly stopped what they were doing and padded to settle near the rock. They waited quickly for the meeting to start. Moon nodded at the cat cueing for him to get on the rock.
Overwhelmed, Leon crawled his way up on to the rock beside Moon. The lions began to murmurer words to each other. They seemed to be wondering what Leon had to do with the meeting. The pride was in for a suprise.
After a moment Moon lashed his tail for silence. The pride began to quiet down. Leon sat silently to listen as the lion spoke.
"As you all have heard," Moon began in a firm voice,"I have welcomed this cat into the pride."
A few lions murmured in protest, but kept listening as Moon spoke again. "Because," he said raising his voice, "He is the one our ancestors have spoken of. He is the one that can save this pride."
Moon spoke with confidence so Leon knew this wasn't a joke. This lion really believed that Leon was part of a prophecy.
The sun-color pelted lion, Talon waved his tail to speak. Moon nodded in approval for him to speak.
"Moon, are you sure that a feline this size can really fight the mad cheetahs?" He spoke, not in rudeness, but there was disbelief in his voice.
"I never said he would have to fight the cheetahs," the pride leader replied. Really? Then what would I have to do? Thought Leon. He kept the question to himself.
"But...then, how?"
"He will help us win through dreams."
For a moment the crowd was speechless.
Moon began to explain, "Yes, our ancestors, well specifically my father," he corrected,"has told me that 'Only the smallest lion can compeat: and in his dreams.' I believe Leon is the one."
"But he's not a lion!" Talon protested and his brother who sat beside him nodded in agreement.
"Oh, but he has the courage of a lion, a heart of a lion, and not only that but he has nine lives"
The two brothers didn't speak again, they seemed to only half doubt him now. What! Leon thought with panic, I don't have nine lives! Do I? But Leon said nothing.
"Therefore," Moon went on,"This special feline must be a full member of the pride but be apprenticed first to train as our first fighter."
Leon's tail-tip wigged in excitement as he saw some of the pride members gazing up at him with admiring eyes. Less doubted him now.
"Leon," Moon called him to stand at the top of the rock close beside him. "Our rules are easy and simple to follow," the leader began the apprentice ceremony. "Rule one, respect your pride members. Rule two , the weakest must be feed first,"
Leon listened in amazement. He couldn't believe this was happening. He was going to be a part of the lion's pride!
The massive lion went on, "Rule three, follow your leader's and deputy's commands. Rule four, do not trespass on another's territory, and rule five, protect your territory and pride members at any cost."
The leader made it sound as if he was apprentising another lion instead of a cat. Moon turned his head to look at Leon.
"Do you promise to dedicate your life to the pride?" He said with some concern in his eyes, maybe because he thought Leon might reject the oath.
"I promise," Leon said his firm voice.
His eyes clouded with images of what his future might hold. So much danger!
Moon looked at him with respect and happiness flowing over Leon's face.
Then the dark furred lion turned back to face his pride to continue, "Then, I Moon would accept to train you and teach you more of our ways as your guardian mentor." Leon's mouth gaped in surprise. He didn't expect that Moon the pride leader would want to mentor him.
"And Shadow," he turned to the dark pelted lioness, and beckoned his tail to her. Shadow was Moon's sister.
When she made her way to stand in front of the huge rock Moon went on, "Will you train this cat, teach him our ways of hunting?"
Two mentors?
At first Leon thought it was weird, but he was training as both guardian and hunter. That must mean he needed two trainers.
To Leon's relief Shadow looked pleased to mentor him.
"I will be hornered to," she replied.
"Leon do you approve us as your trainers?" the leader asked as part of the ceremony.
"I accept," he replied without hesitation.
"Great," Moon whispered in Leon's ear as he bent in to touch his nose to the cat's cheek.
The rest of the pride watching from below the rock keeled down with there heads bowed to congradulate him.
As Moon pulled away Leon's way he was surprised to see ever single lion praising him. Even Hawkclaw, who rejected him had his head bowed. Maybe this can't be to bad.
-Chapter 9
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