Where a young white lion had stood just a minute ago now crouched a tiny silver kitten. “Uncle Ebony!” gasped the silver kitten, leaping behind a huge rock just as the shadow of an enormous adult lion fell across him. Flame’s tiny kitten heart beat fast as his uncle passed close by where he hid. He could hear Ebony’s angry roar and imagined his fierce, ice-cold eyes. “Flame must be found and then he will die!” Ebony hissed aloud. Suddenly a huge paw, almost as large as the kitten’s entire body, reached around the rock. Flame laid his tiny ears flat and bit back a whimper as he was scooped up. This was it. He was dead. But instead of being dragged out on to the sand, he found himself being swept further back into the safety of the rocks. An old gray lion looked down at him. “Cirrus! Thank you,” Flame meowed gratefully. Cirrus bowed respectfully. “I am glad to see you again, Prince Flame. But it is not safe for you to stay here.” Flame lifted his chin. “I must regain the Lion Throne!”
