Fragments Gallery
The Lion's Rest
In the distance a monkey called startling a nearby bird from its perch in a nearby tree. The lion merely looked up from the large rock it was lying on, yawned and then laid its head back down to rest on the cool stone.
The lion was a gigantic beast, well over six feet in length and weighing more than six hundred pounds. Its golden face was framed with a great mane of smooth fur and the beast’s tail occasionally flicked from side to side thudding against the rock. Its back and flanks were marked with numerous old scars, mementoes of old fights. Remarkable creature.
At the moment it was relaxed, reveling in the fading warmth of the day. But soon it would be night; soon the lion would leave its rock to prowl the darkness hunting for its prey. Soon it would continue on its way.
This was alien territory for the beast; it had paused here on its way through the jungle, stopping to rest on the warm rock as it made its way back to the savannah. Even within unknown territory it showed no worry, no concern. It knew that it had nothing to fear.
The lion lifted its nose and sorted through the scents in the air picking out both familiar and unknown aromas. Satisfied with what it found the beast relaxed again, lounging with its jaw half open as it panted in the heat. The beast was waiting for the air to cool, knowing that soon it would be a comfortable temperature for travel.
The lush jungle surrounding the lion turned purple in the fading light. Slowly the trees darkened and shadows lengthened as the sun sank. There was no movement in the overgrowth; all other creatures had long since fled the lion’s vicinity. Quiet bloomed in the jungle as the other remaining creatures began to fall silent. Soon night would fall. Soon.
Shadows continued to grow and the trees faded into indistinct shapes in the darkness as time wore on. The rock and the air grew cooler and soon the only sound remaining was that of the lion’s breathing. Slowly the beast’s eyes opened.
A growl caught in its throat and stayed there as the lion yawned and rose, its muscles rippling along its back. After a long luxurious stretch the magnificent beast padded off into the jungle heading back toward the open savannah. It was growing hungry again, it was time to move.