Kisembu's Den

PRIDE LORE
Here, the murmuring branches rattle stories into the mist. Here, the emerald-gray moss weaves a carpet for weary paws. The brumous wet air does not let in much light. All the better for those who prefer the velvet comfort of darkness. The Mosshollow Pride dwells amongst mushroom-spotted logs and fuzzy round stones. We are silent as graveyards. Grim as a morning with no sunrise. We care not for frivolity or pettiness. We remain literal, focused on survival and mutual care. The Kings who rise to power amongst us keep to a simple set of tenets: protect the pride. Feed the hungry. Tend the sick and wounded. Consistency reigns supreme in this land of leaves and fog. Sometimes, the most notable surprise is merely the croak of a nearby toad or the crunch of a twig underneath the hoof of a fawn. It is a slow, quiet life in Mosshollow. For what else is there, besides rising each morning, performing one’s duties, and drifting into slumber at night?

Strangely enough, many cubs born within the Mosshollow Pride tend to resemble the forest around us. Their markings match the shadowed foliage or the jagged, murky bark of the trees. We are grateful for this natural gift. It allows the young ones to camouflage and aids in hunting when they grow older. We are often glad to recruit a green lion to join our ranks. Green lions are blessings and signs of good fortune in the years to come. So silent are we, moving softer than breath amongst the verdant bushes. If a visitor happens upon our secret woodland, they tend to assume that the area is uninhabited. We watch them pass through, ensuring that they do no harm to our lands and do not over-hunt or attempt to settle in without permission. They are always so frightened when the foliage begins to move, transforming into a group of stoic, leafy warriors. Mosshollow lions do not attack unless provoked. Our first tactic is to peacefully inquire about the stranger’s business, making it clear that this is our territory and that any passersby must follow our rules. We are strong and we are many. Most travelers know better than to cross us. Those who cannot learn become fodder for the twisting roots and gnawing insects littering the forest floor.

We live in harmony with the surrounding lands. We do not take more than we need and are always careful to give in return. Greed, wastefulness, and violence would lead to the destruction of our beloved home. The damp glens and crystalline pools, so much deeper than they initially appear, would succumb to rot and disease. Prey would move to greener pastures. Predators would grow hungry and begin to attack our cubs. Living amongst the Mosshollow Pride means understanding the balance of the world. We exist in specific relations to everyone and everything, from the largest buck to the tiniest spiral of fern. Lions who do not realize this will not do well here. It is easy for an outsider to become frustrated with the gradual pace of life in the pridelands. For us, this is tranquility. We do not require anything else.

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There are lessons in everything. From the herbivores and grazers, we learn which plants are safe to line our dens with and which might be useful for medicine. The birds teach us which fruits and seeds to avoid and which to gather when ripe. Smaller canids and felines are reliable sources of information on fishing. The fish themselves indicate the presence of clean, drinkable water. The water moves and dances to entice us and sits still as a mirror to send us away. Trees with thorns are perhaps protecting something delicious. Plants and creatures bright in color are often a warning. The Mosshollow Pride listens well to everything in the woodlands. Without this knowledge, we would grow ill or starve. This is what we teach our young ones when they follow their elders on expeditions out into the wilds. Broodmothers do not simply remain behind in their caves, but instead take cubs out to explore their home. Yes, this occasionally leads to trouble– but our skilled caretakers see to it that our offspring are safe. This way, the cubs do not grow bored or idle. They develop hunting and hiding skills early instead of later. They carry on the Mosshollow legacy with honor. We let the forest itself be their teacher.

The original group of lions who eventually became the Mosshollow Pride did not know much of the woodlands. They had come from where lions are said to originate: jungles, deserts, and savannahs. Whether they were cast out of former prides or survivors of hostile takeovers, they were desperate for a new life. A quiet life. One where they did not feel as if they had to remain constantly in motion. It is said that the stillness of the forest drew them in. After traveling for months, the very first lion to come upon the area was awestruck by its silent beauty. He made a home for himself and was later joined by other misfits seeking refuge. Together, they learned how to live and thrive in an environment so different from the ones they were born into. It was difficult at first, for the woods are not often friendly to newcomers. The trees– formidable giants– stand tall and fierce, protecting the creatures below. Fog creeps around like swaths of spirits. It is easy to become lost amongst the thickets and brambles. Wolves tip their heads back and cry for the moon, creating an atmosphere of mourning. Still, the lions persisted. They could not turn back. They knew there would come a time where they would join the rhythms of the forest– and eventually, they did.

They called themselves ‘The Mosshollow Pride,’ after the enormous tree hollows they took shelter in. Through observation, caution, and respect, they grew to understand the language of the forest. They kept its secrets and shared some of their own. They crouched in the shade, soon preferring it to the few patches of sun. They became stewards of stillness, abandoning the stress of constant motion. Thanks to those lions from long ago, we now live comfortably amongst the ghostly mist. The needle-sharp pines. The crisp leaves underfoot. We are content. We are safe. What more could we possibly ever need?