Writing another story always seems to help. Depressed, I turned my eyes to The Leonid Saga, and then to The Promise. I hope my simple therapy makes you feel better too.
-- John Burkitt
Nashville, Tennessee 1997
Everyone who takes the time to read or write fiction of any sort has favorite moments that they enjoy, things that take on a new meaning and characters that stand apart from the rest of the text.
How do they do this? It goes beyond the magic an author weaves into his or her work and into the characters themselves. Like us, each of them has their hopes and dreams. And all to often, like us, those are disrupted by forces beyond our control and smashed to lie in pieces at our feet.
It is those who pick up the pieces and keep on going regardless that earn our admiration. Those that endure the pain because they know that pain is as much a part of life as pleasure, and that pain cannot last forever...but love always endures.
Those like Mabatu and Isha.
-- David Morris
Wilmington, North Carolina 1997
CHAPTER: THE BEGINNING
"It was a hard journey they made, but one they walked
out of love for you."
The anniversary of Taka’s reign was also the anniversary of Mufasa’s death. Taka hated to stand in the shadow of his brother and forbade Gopa the stork to spread the news.
Still, out of love for Elanna, he celebrated his first wedding anniversary. By tradition he went hunting and what he killed would go to his wife. He was not much of a hunter, and the best prey he could find was an old honey badger too weak to defend itself. Under most circumstances, badgers would not have been considered prey, but this gift was his best effort and a token of love. Elanna would understand. Besides, he felt a certain satisfaction in conquering an old fear from his cubhood days.