The Star's Legend: The Beginning Battle

The Star’s Legend

Allison Schaust

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© Copyright 2011 Allison Schaust.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Printed in the United States of America.

isbn: 978-1-4669-0456-9 (sc)

isbn: 978-1-4669-0439-2 (hc)

isbn: 978-1-4669-0440-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011960882

Trafford rev. 11/18/2011

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Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Epilogue

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my mom and dad for giving me so much support through this whole process. To my brother and sister who have added humor and understanding when it was most needed. Last but not least, all my family and friends for believing in me, and that gave me strength and determination to write this book.

Prologue

The stars shone in the black, inky sky. A female leopard stood on a thick branch of the large tree. Her eyes reflecting the stars, and her fur shone silver under the moon. She breathed in the air, and a familiar scent rode the wind. A male lion with a thick golden mane appeared out of the grass. His golden fur was bleached white in the moonlight.

Then from over the horizon came a cheetah. She ran toward the leopard and the lion. The cheetah raised her beautiful head to the stars, and spoke, It is time to choose.

Yes, my choice is obvious, Star. Look to the stars, and approve my choice. She is brave and determined, The leopard said.

As told the lion and Star looked to the stars. A figure of a beautiful female leopard dazzled the sky. Her, cried the lion, Why, she is too naïve, Moon. She could never cope with her destiny.

I object, Sun, Star, the cheetah, murmured, She is brave and daring. I agree that she is the obvious choice.

Then it is decided? Moon, the leopard, asked. And the lion and Star gave a nod of approval. Then Sun, the lion, stepped forth.

Look to the stars, and my choice will light the sky, He growled. As he spoke a glimmer of light passed across the stars, and an image of a beautiful female lion lit the sky.

Are you sure she is not too soft? Star asked unconvinced.

She is as worthy as your choices are, Sun rumbled. Moon and Star again looked up at the stars, and nodded.

Next Star stepped forward, Look to the stars, and you will feel the strength of my choice.

As Star promised, Sun and Moon felt Star’s choice as he filled the stars. They could feel his strength as if fire were in their fur.

Is he too ambitious? He could easily destroy his destiny, Moon argued. Star flicked her tail in annoyance.

He will be strong, yes. But I think that he will prove himself worthy many times over, Sun purred.

As he spoke both females calmed down, and Star sighed, He is chosen.

So, it is decided, Star asked. They all agreed, and a shooting star shot across the sky. The Star’s Legend had been chosen.

Chapter 1

Melody

As I opened my eyes, rays of light flickered through the leaves. It was peaceful; I loved that. I loved the feeling of being safe and happy. As I got up and stretched, I noticed my pride was starting to wake up. My father Samuel, who was King, woke up first. I then noticed my mother; Sahara, who was queen, had also woken up.

My body felt restless, so I decided to go on a walk. As I started, I heard Sahara growl. Where are you going Melody? I turned to her, trying to look serious. I’m just going on a walk. I answered. Sahara growled and then nodded.

Well, be careful. You know how some lions can be in the morning! she added with a hint of warning in her voice. I nodded, and then continued on my walk. Lila, my sister, looked up sleepily as I trotted past her. Rays of the sun made her cream coat look white.

The morning air was warm, and a breeze made the leaves in the trees seem to whisper. Hills unfolded into the distance, and trees dotted the land. Over the horizon, I could see where the sky and land met. Seeing it go on and on forever gave me new energy. I yawned, and starter padding toward the river. The river laid a few tree-lengths away, and was always full of water.

When I reached the river I bent my head to drink. It was cold as it slipped down my throat. When I returned to my pride they were all awake. Sahara was organizing a hunt, and Samson was getting ready to check the territory. Mother, can I come and watch the hunt? Besides, I need to learn. I stammered, and hoped they were the right words.

She eyed me a minute, and then nodded in agreement. She trotted away toward the other lionesses waiting. I followed her, glad to learn how the lionesses hunt together. Led by Sahara, we walked through the long grass.

The sun had already risen high into the sky; much higher than it was during my walk. My ears pricked for any sound from prey. It was quiet, so when Sahara gave a low growl, which meant prey was spotted, I was very surprised. It was a small herd of zebra. Sahara flicked her tail, and the lionesses spread out.

The lionesses became invisible as they slipped into the grass to follow the zebra. I smelled the air, and tried to pick up any scent from them, which didn’t help. That told me that they had hidden their scent well. Disappointed I decided to just wait for them to appear. I waited awhile longer before I saw the sleek body of Anna, followed by Dolly; who were both Sahara’s sisters.

They chased the zebra towards a small area where I could barely pick up the scent of Sahara and her mother, Lily. I knew this trick. Two lionesses would chase the prey to where the other lionesses waited to ambush. Then they all bring it down. As soon as the zebra was within a few tail-lengths of Sahara, and Lily; they joined the chase. It wasn’t long before Lily had caught their prey.

I ran toward the lionesses, seeing Anna and Lily grabbing the zebra’s back legs, and dragging it toward home following Sahara. Dolly and I followed them home, walking side by side. When we returned, we all ate our share.

Again I was reminded that as long as I had my pride, I would be safe, well fed, and loved. I would do anything to keep it this way. No one would ever mean more to me than them, they would always come first. I will live a happy life; long, and complete. Maybe someday I would even become Queen!

I didn’t plan on having cubs because I would have more important things to do. The star watchers had other plans waiting for me, I could literally feel it.

* * *

That night I dreamed about being queen. I saw myself standing next to a large male lion. He stood with pride, and I was proud to stand next to him. Then I saw myself leading a hunt with my family, and a bunch of other unfamiliar lions.

I roared with victory as we brought down a large wildebeest. And I saw my sky blue eyes radiating with happiness. All of a sudden a dark grey cloud came overhead, covering the sun and all its warmth. Rain fell from the clouds, and the land disappeared under a blanket of water. Then the water became scarlet red.

It was blood.

I let out a terrified scream, and searched for my family, but they were nowhere to be seen. Then a huge wave of blood crashed over my head, and I disappeared under the red river. My lungs screamed for air, and the world seemed to slow down as my senses started to dull.

When I rose up from the river of blood it started to drain away. Behind it, it left a dry barren place. Prey was nowhere, and there was no water in sight. I tried to call to my family, but there was no answer.

However much I searched, my family was nowhere in sight.

It was in the middle of the night, and a loud roar sliced through the darkness. When I opened my eyes I could very faintly see an unfamiliar lion. He looked very young with his shabby mane that was still growing. Again he let out an earsplitting roar. Then I heard the challenging roar of Samuel.

I could barely see the muscular shape of Samuel as he approached the amateur lion. The young lion charged at him, but Samuel was ready. He knocked the lion off his paws. Samuel’s eyes gleamed with triumph as he stood over the young lion, but I knew what the young lion was doing. He was preparing to rake his claws down Samuel’s belly.

Before I could warn Samuel the young lion had already accomplished his task. Samuel! I cried out as I watched the grass turn crimson red. Someone help him, I roared in fear. At the sound of my cry mother woke up.

She saw Samuel fighting with the young lion, and started to wake up the pride. Winnie and Jasper, who were Anna’s cubs and the youngest, watched in horror as Samuel fought for his life. Everyone knew that the lion law dared not allow the pride to step in during a fight. Samuel was losing energy fast, and the lion was getting stronger. I noticed that Sahara was trying to reach Samuel.

Lily and Anna had to hold her back. No, Samuel! Let him go, Sahara cried. My sister, Lila, walked to our mother’s side and began to calm her down. The lion raked his claws against Samuel’s side, and Samuel collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Then the lion leaped for Samuel’s throat. Samuel let out a roar of surprise that was cut off as the young lion’s teeth sunk into his throat. The night was silent as we all heard Samuel take his last breath. It took all of my control to keep from running to Samuel’s side. How could any lion be so cruel?

Sahara escaped from Lily and Anna’s grip and barged past the young lion. Samuel, she choked out, Don’t leave us! Sahara lay down next to Samuel, and shoved her face into Samuel’s soft fur. A tear rolled down her cheek.

The lion turned to us, and spoke. I am your new king. My name is Rubin, He told us. Mother turned to face him, and I could see the anger burning in her eyes. Everyone knew that this was the law that all lions followed.

Whoever won the fight would be king. Rubin had won, and therefor he was our king. I willed my mother to disobey this law, and to chase Rubin away. Only she nodded in defeat, I am Sahara, Queen of this pride, and this is my family. She then walked away without following the law of introducing the pride to the new king.

I could see in the hunch of her shoulders how much she was suffering. Anna, Dolly, and the rest of the pride fallowed her back to the tree. Only I remained to face Rubin. Rubin nodded, I’m sorry about your king, but how else does a young lion receive power? Samuel wasn’t strong enough so that’s life for you. Is that not the law?

Mother turned to face him, and nodded even though her eyes still blazed with anger. Why did you kill Samuel? Winnie asked, and I felt bad for her and Jasper. Winnie and Jasper were Anna’s cubs, and they were also the youngest. They