Philomela

Philomela - Greek name meaning "nightingale"

Philomela is the older of the late High Queen Nuru's twin daughters. As a young cub she suffered an injury to her leg that would have resulted in her being permanently crippled, were it not for the intervention of a traveling shaman. The old lion set her leg expertly, gave her painkilling herbs and applied healing salves until she regained full use of her leg. In the time he cared for her Philomela came to admire him greatly and once she was well again she begged him to stay to teach her the healing arts. He acquiesced, much to the young girl's joy. She spent a year as his apprentice, learning everything and anything the old lion would teach her. It turned out that she was somewhat of a savant, progressing far more quickly than her mentor had predicted - and that was just as well. He was a wanderer by nature and was not meant for a stationary life, no matter how much he loved his student.

Once Philomena was fully grown he announced he would be leaving soon, and though the lioness pleaded with him to stay, that he was getting older and shouldn't be alone, he would hear none of it. He spent the next few weeks soothing her worries and helping her transition into her role as Pride Shaman. He left soon after, but not before bestowing on Philomena a special gift: his amulet, that had hung around his neck since the moment she met and he never took off. He told her that when she wore the amulet they would never truly be apart. Their goodbye was a tearful one, but Philomena stood strong as her teacher disappeared over the horizon.

In the coming weeks Philomena took to wearing the amulet just as her teacher did - all the time and everywhere. It made her feel closer to him, as if his very essence emanated from it. One night Philomena woke with a start, awakened by a sudden surge of power in the amulet. In that moment she knew the old shaman was dead. She quietly made her way out of the family den, past the pridesisters outside, and retreated to a place where she could mourn properly. She found herself in a grove, full of all sorts of herbs and the sweet scent of honeybush flowers, that had often served as a quite place for her lessons. Here she let her tears flow freely, clutching the amulet to her chest. But in the depths of her despair she failed to notice the near silent footfalls approaching. Only when the form of a lion stood above her did she look up, and what she saw made her gasp. A being made of soft blue light stood before her with a gentle smile and the impression of kindness around his glowing eyes. When it spoke it was with her teacher's voice. His words were like whispers in her ears, breathy and ethereal. So long as she wore his amulet, he said, he would be with her, to guide her and watch over her.

He called her 'daughter' as his form dispersed.

Now Philomena is Shaman of the Eternal Pride, respected and loved for her healing abilities and spiritual connections. Her teacher's amulet is ever present around her neck and nestles close to her heart. Sometimes she hears his voice as she falls asleep or sees the blue glimmer of his form on moonless nights full of stars. Still he is her teacher, lending her his wisdom in dreams and trances and in the motions of the world around her. Always, he is her teacher.

**********

Philomela is the proud mother of the Eternal Pride's young king. Ukhozi. Her son is still new to the throne and at times unsure of himself. Wise in the ways of both the physical and spiritual worlds, Philomela is more than happy to advise Ukhozi when he needs it.