A concept painting for our upcoming novel, The Leopard Sun.

Rest fair Silver-kin
Within my gleaming pelt
Upon Soft tawny leas
And deep green seas
Carry e’er the sorrow song
The song of a’ghrian and a’gealach.
My voice bequeathed
To kindred heart
The memory in tears
and onyx wreaths of rosette burnt
O Silver-kin o mine
I am your voice
The voice of the healing rain
And waning silver moon
O tender Silver-kin o mine
My voice is yourn
Of the twilight
Of the shadow
We have fell to be
O Bright Silver-kin
In timeless spots
Like melody
We find our way
E’er as one
E’er of one

Above was an early concept for one of the many songs leopard mothers sing to their cubs.

One of the things we decided early on was that the "cultures" of the animals in The Leopard Sun wouldn't be based on African tribes. The obvious reason is that this formula is overused; but the primary reason is that the animals are supposed to be a reflection of humanity. We wanted each species to have a very distinct culture from one another (akin to peoples descended from different civilizations), even if that meant their cultures aren't "African" in feel. In the case of the leopards, their culture has some Celtic elements, which is reflected in their songs.

a’ghrian and a’gealach means "Sun" and "Moon", respectively. Although the Moon is the primary deity in the leopard's mythology, the Sun does play a prominent role, and the leopard's storyline frequently revisits this duality.

Hawa, standing in the back against the golden disc of the Sun, is partially eclipsed by Ruya and her silver Moon. Will she shield the world from his flames? Or will his fire consume her?

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Artwork by  Balaa
The Leopard Sun is ©  Balaa &  Bagheera