Just a story I started to develop after reading erkki's story Gravid Sorcery. This chapter's just backstory really.

Just to note Shermas (such as Rask is) are basically intelligent lions (though the setting also includes normal lions), but with zebra-like manes for the males rather than normal ones.

Also, the name of 'Rask' was one I came up with independently looking for something short and sharp, and wasn't taken from my fellow user of the same name, who's existence I have only just become aware of.

Please feel free to comment.