%Queen Sekhmet

Behold the Sun Queen, the one before whom evil trembles, goddess of the hunt and protector of lionkind.

----------------------------------------------------------
Born of royal blood and mated with a king, Sekhmet has led a pampered life. Her rich colors mark her as from a different land, and she brought with her certain aspects of her culture that made life in the pride easier. She knew how to collect water, for example, owing the practice to her desert tribe who had to conserve water any way they could. There was also the snake charming, which most pride members were not too thrilled about. For many years she had a golden cobra companion that stayed near her at all times. Some of the lionesses say they heard her chanting in a strange language one night, and the next morning the cobra was by her side. As strange as it was, the snake provided protection from trespassing lions that would have taken advantage of her--or other lionesses. (If you asked her, she would tell you that snake companions are common in her tribe for this exact reason.)
Sekhmet held the pride together while Koriat traveled to distant lands in search of enlightenment. While the lionesses feared her they also loved her, and they found her dry humor and quick wit refreshing in the light of hardship. She will be remembered as a fierce and loyal queen, and will be sorely missed.

We are all grains of sand in a vast desert.
It is from the sand we come,
It is to the sand we must return.
(A desert tribe adage)