Left at end of the first cycle, I remember Toturi was gearing up for something but I don't remember what it was...was it becoming Lion champion? The Unicorn champion decided not to marry into the Lion and thus was headed for war. I don't remember much else.

I'm interested in coming back but I really want to get caught up on the story, what are the major developments so far?

@Manchu has an excellent thread that enables precisely what you're after...