Shaman #3 - Clairvoyant Siri

When Siri's mother was pregnant, there was a great concern within the pride. They had travelled to the scrying stone, as almost all their members did when expecting cubs, but found to their utter astonishment that no glimpse of the future was possible.

It was taken as a negative omen, despite her parents insisting that it may be the stone was simply being stubborn. Before she was born, they decided to name the cub 'Siri' meaning 'mystery' and 'secret', regardless of its gender.

Siri was born a beautiful and healthy cub, but extremely strange looking - she looked like some kind of strange leopard! The other pride members immediately assumed her mother had done the unthinkable - had an affair with a leopard. Her mate defended her furiously - he had total faith in her - and it was certainly well-placed.

As she grew, she was ostracised by the other cubs; they called her names like 'freak' and 'devil', attacked her, and generally bullied the living crap out of her.

And then the reason for the scrying stone's lack of information came forth - Siri started feeling things...sensing things. At first her parents thought she was simply being a silly cub, but when she saved the pride's prince from a snake that would have killed him, everything changed.

Realising she was a medium, the pride turned to her in reverence. Some even began to worship her. It was just...wrong.

Eventually Siri went to her parents and told them she was leaving. She didn't say where; they shouldn't have to lie for her, and she didn't want to be followed. She liked her abilities - she was who she was - but she didn't want to be treated the way she was being treated - especially by lions who once LOATHED her. She promised to visit, when the time was right.

They understood, and accepted her decision, despite being sad that their only daughter was leaving home so early.

Siri travelled for about two months before she came to Achilia's pride. She was received warmly and immediately felt at home in the presence of these lions and lionesses, despite her abilities. They treated her as an equal, explaining that they viewed all living beings as special in their own way.

Siri found a mentor in the prides' lead shaman, a Priestess named Hasa, who could commune with spirits!

Yes, this was definitely going to be an excellent new home.

Siri means 'mystery' and 'special' in Swahili.