Leo is a Grangari, a race of people who live in small "prides" and worship a beast-god named Rathanni. Rathanni''''s laws guide how Grangari think about themselves and live their lives. One these laws, Communion, is a core part of Grangari culture, in which every five years each member of the pride is required to duel a lion to the death. Leo is 17, the first year that Grangari are required to participate in Communion.