Lion of the Earth

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Title: Lion of the Earth
Cover Artist: Don Semora
Genre: Scifi/Fantasy
Series: Land of the Lions
Publication Date: August 2012
Media Types: Ebook
ISBN: 978-1476114095 (ebook)
Preceded By: Lion in the Wind
Followed By: Lion on the Water

Lion of the Earth is the second book in the Land of the Lions novel series and sees the character of Tgegani and his family sent to the Eastern Continent in search of answers. However, while there they will come face to face with four children, a mystery and an evil unlike anything they've ever encountered before.

Summary

The story begins in a graveyard as Tgegani mourns over the loss of his parents, as well as many, many old friends, including some who passed away during the 20 years he and his siblings were offline. During this time of memories, he begins to realize how little he really knows about his parents, and gains a strong desire to know as much as he can. So he tracks down one of his father's close work associates, Rose Sehgtra, now an elderly woman, and is welcomed into her home with joy. Tgegani then questions her and learns many surprising things about both his father, Edias Burgon, and his mother Persia. While this is happening, it's discovered that Pen, fearing for Tgegani's safety, even though he's not at risk or in danger, is constantly shadowing him, ensuring that he doesn't ever become such.

Meanwhile, Breakman, who was instrumental in reviving the lions and giving them brand new bodies, using his father's research and design plans, is busy elsewhere dealing with government bureaucracy, malevolent grant officers, family drama in the form of emergencies, injuries and regular maintenance, as well as many other things. Working alongside his long time lab partner, Dr. Jarg, ensuring the well being of his extended, and rather large family, is a full time job. After learning all he can, Tgegani comes to visit Breakman, but more specifically to speak with Dr. Jarg about Dr. Slao, because, in his research, Tgegani discovers that all of Slao's records are sealed, and not even he has the clearance to view them. Jarg explains that this is due to a top secret project to create a shape shifting super material went south, causing the death of several of the researchers, after which the government classified the project and sealed away all of its records from public view to keep it a secret. Deciding he still wanted to know more, Tgegani leaves and heads over to Slao's old, and now abandoned home.

However, before he can enter, he's greeted by Meshua, who invites him to sit down with him for a talk. After a brief discussion, Meshua sends him to the east to the town of Able North where he will find the next piece of the puzzle he's seeking to solve. While he's doing that, Breakman takes one of his experimental robots out for a test drive. While there he encounters a Garac rampaging through a farm, who had just recently killed a farmer in cold blood. Breakman then strategically, with the help of his robot, engages the Garac. However, despite his best efforts, he is unable to defeat the Garac, and is nearly destroyed himself when he is rescued by Sinc and Neomara, two of his Burgon siblings. They then report this incident to the authorities. Over in Able North, Tgegani enters town to find it seemingly abandoned. In reality, everyone is gathered in one of the buildings watching an early season game of Gobat on a small TV. Tgegani comes in and sits down briefly to watch, as Gobat is one of his favorite sports, but soon rushes outside when he hears a blood curdling scream. Upon arriving he finds one of the villagers have been murdered by a Garac that is perched defiantly on the roof.

Soon two more join him and Tgegani has to use all of his wits and skill to outsmart them. But the battle of three on one proves to be too much for him, and he is unable to gain the advantage. That is, until Pen, Tiel show up and help him exterminate the three Garacs. Fearing that this might cause a panic, Tgegani tells him to keep this quiet. Just then he's pulled away in the spirit to meet with Meshua who tells him to go east. Tgegani then sends Pen to warn the others, and in turn Pen sends The Original Five with him as both his companions, and his body guards. Back at the lab, Jarg is shown the ashes that Breakman collected, and is shocked to see that they're nearly identical to those of the creature that Slao originally created. He warns Breakman to be careful because, if the government finds out, there'll be Verok to pay. Later on, while doing more research on the ash sample, Jarg discovers that this actually isn't the work of Slao, and that it must have been made by someone else, which further complicates the situation and makes things all the more dangerous.

To the west, Meshua intercepts Pen, who was about to gather his entire family, and advises him to only take a small band with him, and leave the rest behind. At first Pen protests, worried for Tgegani's safety. But eventually he complies. Meanwhile, Tgegani and team are racing through Gorg territory at top speed, and in doing so catch the attention of the local authorities. Eventually Taybar, grandson of O'ik, gets them to stop and explain themselves, then offers them a ride by plane to speed things up. Meshua encourages Tgegani to agree, which he does. Pen in turn, while gathering up his small army of lions, also recruits Breakman at Meshua's request. In the midst of all this, the Sattazin learn of the lions and one of them, Commander Ter'ik, takes a special interest in them, gathering up his old friend No'van and his mountain regiment, and heading east in pursuit of the lions. Elsewhere, as Tgegani's flight is making their way east, they're attacked by flocks of Garac, but are saved by a pair of Sattazin fighters that engage the Garac, allowing Tgegani's flight to escape. They are then advised to put down in Astrad as things beyond that are too dangerous for them to continue flying. So they follow the advise given to them and proceed on foot again from there.

On the same note, Breakman is able to arrange a charger flight for himself, Pen and the other lions to take them east in search of Tgegani. And, while Pen is happy to be able to catch up to Tgegani faster, his fear of flying is made quite clear to Breakman who chides him on it. Once at their destination, they disembark the plane and then set out on foot as Breakman hauls out his VTOL scout craft he brought with them. As they're preparing to leave, Jarg contacts Breakman and warns him that the NLEA is aware of what he's doing and has sent people after him. He also mentions that the entire Yigzan First Naval Fleet is being mobilized, but doesn't give any reasons why. This worries Breakman. Meanwhile, Tgegani and the original five reach a Sattazin seaside port and succeed in acquiring passage above a ship owned by Zorig, who takes them across the sea to The Eastern Continent. Back on the main continent, Breakman and Pen are constantly running into Garac along the way as they are attacked regularly, and the attacks get worse as they go east. Ter'ik and his team though do not have this problem, and they make good time going east. Eventually they arrive in Mar'ik'tan and soon locate Zorig, who has just recently returned. Ter'ik barters with him for passage across the sea to the Eastern Continent, and is granted passage.

As they make their way across the sea, the ship is attacked by a large flock of Garac, which Ter'ik and his warriors defeat, in a very pitched battle. Elsewhere Tgegani and team make their way across the uninhabited Eastern Continent as Pen and team also hire a ship across the sea and land on the Eastern Continent not far behind Ter'ik's men. A Garac soon spots Tgegani's team and reports this to its master, the Margog, who then summons Segarg to investigate this report.