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First came Skayne of the Beginning, then Kimawe the Lost, then Vyaterran the Fearless, then Tanagren the Cursed. Tavarys doesn't know yet what he will be known for, but he prays it is good and that he is worthy.
When you greet each other, Bosoto exchanges with you a few interesting stories about his last trip to the waterhole.
Tavarys's rule came on unexpectedly, to say the least. Tanagren had been a young, healthy king one minute, and the next, a curse from some unknown being had aged him to 16 years, forcing Tavarys to take over for the now aged king.
He wasn't strong enough, nowhere near as strong as his predecessor, nor the king before that, or before him even. He hadn't been allowed the same opportunity to train as his kingly ancestors. But his lionesses... wow.... HIS lionesses... needed him. Boy, what a trip that was. And the cubs... some of them not even born yet, who would never grow up with their father. Tavarys was a fatherly lion, regardless, and would treat them as his own -since they were his now- but it saddened him to see the strong king laid low.
Goddess wept, as this hadn't been Her plan. Inside Her territory-and therefore Her kings' territories- all were protected. But Tanagren had been presumptuous and followed a wandering lioness outside his borders. Curses could only be broken by the one who placed it, and the entity refused to cooperate with Her to take it back. There was nothing She could do, not even as their Goddess.
She promised Her new king that he would grow just as strong as the kings before him. But it would take time. He was young yet, much younger than She preferred in Her kings, but She would guide him, and give counsel when asked.
Still, he was unsure. His lionesses hadn't grown to respect him as king yet. They hadn't been given enough time to become accustomed to him as future heir. The night of Tavarys's crowning, all the lions from Goddess's lands gathered together. She stood beside Tavarys, giving him Her endorsement, as some believed that one of Tanagren's own cubs should take over.
"I hand picked Tavarys to become king. Is it earlier than I expected? Yes. But I know his heart, and I will be there to guide him, as will Belshazzar, your brothering pride. Do you have no faith in him, or did you lose faith in Me because of the curse of Tanagren, My lionesses?" She questioned them. Most hadn't ever been personally addressed by their Goddess and bowed under Her power. "If it is the former, give it time. If it is the latter, I ask your forgiveness. That is all I can do."
In the end, Tavarys took his kingly vows, as witnessed by his and Belshazzar's prides. His lionesses took their vows to him, however begrudgingly some spoke them. Each, in turn, gave him her name as he gave his to them.
Belshazzar stood side by side with the younger king, with Tanagren, now aged and frail behind them. He was quiet, and an unsettling blankness had fallen over his eyes.
"Tanagren, my brother, " Belshazzar spoke, "I swear I will help him take care of everyone." He nuzzled the older kings wrinkled face. A spark of life entered his eyes, and he smiled at Belshazzar.
"Bel!" Tanagren's aged voice said. "Time to discuss the seasonal trades again already?" Belshazzar's and Goddess's hearts break. The wet season had just begun. They'd discussed the trades only days ago.
"Yeah, Tan," Belshazzar said tearfully. "We've got to get some new trade agreements settled."
"Good, good. In the morning, though, okay, brother? My back is killing me and I'm suddenly so, so tired," he said, slowly lying down.
"Of course, brother. Whatever you need." Belshazzar groomed Tanagren's mane for a few moments as the older lion fell to a peaceful sleep.
"Will his mind come back to him?" Tavarys asked Goddess. She shook Her head sadly.
"The mind naturally depresses with age. Losing his years all at once like this, it broke something inside of him that can never be fixed. It's up to you now, Tavarys. You have much resting on your shoulders, My King."
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