| Lion | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Animal |
Lion |
|
Master |
Wild |
The lion is an animal Branan makes an uneasy friendship with in volume six of the Son of Samson series. Branan encounters the lion when he is stranded in the desert somewhere between Lod and Shiloh after some thieving lion hunters pilfer Uzal and the serpent staff Branan was returning the the tabernacle priests at Shiloh. Staggering around in circles, desperate for water, Branan comes across a noble-looking lion trapped in pit presumably dug by the lion hunters who stole Branan's provisions, Yitzhak and Mizzah. Branan decides to free the beast from the pit by dropping a nearby log into the hole so the lion can use it like a ramp to walk out of the hole.
After the lion escapes, it runs away, much to Branan's relief. Branan, meanwhile, is still stuck walking around in the desert without any food or water to sustain him. When Branan keels over from thirst, the majestic lion finds Branan and drags his unconscious body to the nearest water source, saving his life.
By this point, the lion starts to follow Branan around, but the attachment is purely one-sided, as Branan is still understandably frightened of the beast. Figuring that the large cat might stay away from him if throws a stick for the big kitty to fetch, Branan hurls a twig through the air as far as it will go. While the lion is chasing after the stick, Branan stumbles on to the Philistine army's encampment. Knocking a sentry unconscious and taking the soldier's armor, Branan is able to walk freely about the camp.
When Branan overhears Sidon and Lord Pathrus in a tent discussing their impending invasion of the Hebrew tabernacle at Shiloh, Branan shifts over to the livestock pen where both Uzal and the bronze serpent are safely waiting.