Helel'Shahar was tired. Not just his usual, run-of-the-mill, too-lazy-so-let-his-lessers-do-it tired. He was bone weary, drenched in sweat, his constant companion an irritating bunch of gnats that seemed to announce his presence throughout the steamy jungle he'd stumbled into.
He flicked his tail at them half-heartedly. His skin twitched across bare row upon row of ribs protected by a thinning veil of skin. His once luxurious coat was now dull and matted, and his dark mane was stringy and rank.
Where the hell did THIS come from, anyway? He snorted in disgust. One second he was ambling down a mountain, the next...jungle? And the scent of other lions was EVERYWHERE. He knew he was walking into trouble, but...
He turned to scrutinize the landscape behind him. He was bloody well NOT climbing that mountain again, gods-be-damned. Furthermore, he smelled something, over the clamorous din of odors wafting from the foliage around him. Water...?
He trudged forward, ears perked and head high for once. There! In a sudden clearing below him, a series of hot springs revealed themselves, each bubbling over to the one below it, to mingle with the fresh, clear waters of a snaking river beside. His tottering movements became a surge of energy, as he sprinted the last few yards down to the edge of the clearing and plunged into the uppermost pool.
Blast, but it's hot! He sank in nearly up to his eyes, enjoying the mingled pain and relief the scalding water brought to his weary limbs.
As he enjoyed his impromptu bath, he slowly realized that, over the smell of limestone and sulfur, he sensed the fresh musk of many, many lions...as well as tracks...leading to, from, and around the area of the pools. In fact, some of those rock tumbles looked suspiciously like dens...
Helel sank a little lower, ignoring the searing heat as his eyes watered from the steam.
