Before they left the market in search of the Hyena's origin, Zinjo armed himself. The polished bone and Ivory shoulder guards highlighted the silk tan face and hair. Interlocking plates made up the chest guard and shin protectors. Zinjo turned to Aurelia who was dressed in her usual black and red silk gown, and hair in a tight elegant bun. “How do I look?” he asked while he gingerly cradled a rolled-up blanket.
Aurelia's whole body reacted to the werelion's appearance. Her hands shook with excitement, and then a thought crossed her mind: What if she removed the armor and they stayed in versus going to the market. “I am more than proud to walk beside you,” She gripped his hair and pulled him down for a kiss, the image of the last one was fresh in her mind, and her loins begged her to take another. “What's in the blanket?”
Zinjo grinned and carefully unrolled the blanket, a long ironwood handle with a wavy blade at the end staring Aurelia in the face. The blade was engraved with intricate scrollwork on both sides of the blade. The pictures differed, “What is it?”
“You call it a partisan, and while I am here I shall call it that as well,” He showed her the pictures, “This belonged to my father and his father before him, Each picture depicts a significant event in their lives. He pointed to a man and a woman standing together, “Here is where My grandfather got married, and here is the birth of my father. When we are married, I will have our journey carved on the blade, for our children.”
Aurelia's heart melted to putty at his words, “You can see yourself having kids with me?”
“Yes, I believe you will be excellent at it.”
“Will our children be like you?”
“Yes.”
“Doesn't that worry you?” It worried Aurelia. She loved the people of her kingdom, but at times they were ignorant and gave into fear-mongering at the slightest bit of change.
Zinjo strapped the partisan to his back, “A little. Your people will come to accept me, not all but most. Which is why what we do now is so important, it is an opportunity to earn the trust of the people, before you ascend the throne.”
Why did Zinjo care so much about her? They just met a day and a half ago. “Zinjo, why me. Why travel all this way for me? I know I've probably asked this a while ago...” She never got to finish before Zinjo pulled her tight against his body.
“Aurelia, as I said before, you were worth the journey. Like you I felt out of place and foolish among mine. I wanted to bring my people into a more modern age, and join the rest of the world.”
“How did that go?”
“Not well. We have lived the same way for thousands of years and our people have flourished. We follow the season and take only what we need. The elders fear by letting your kind into our lands we fall into excess and destroy the land that nourishes us.”
“I wasn't expecting your people to be biased against us, you seem so understanding.”
Zinjo moved toward the door, his sleek body moved without noise, “I did at one time, but as I traveled I met like-minded people and made friends. I came to see the imperfect nature of my people and yours. No way of living is better than the other, they just have different advantages and disadvantages.”
A slender arm locked with Zinjo's, “Just in case there is confusion as to why you are with me.”
“The entire kingdom saw you lay claim to my heart. There is nothing to be confused about,” Zinjo pulled her in and kissed her with a passion that lit her whole body on fire. “Does that clear things up?”
It was a struggle to stay upright. Her knees were so weak. Aurelia leaned against Zinjo for support and he put an arm around her, “A little, but I think I will understand more with time.”
****
The outing to the market became interesting the moment they arrived. People hurriedly moved out of Zinjo's and Aurelia's way. It irritated Aurelia a little, “Look at them scared over nothing,”
“Hmmm,” Zinjo sniffed the air and sighed, “I do not think we will find what we seek here. I do not smell hyena.”
“How strong is your nose?”
“Depending on the strength of the smell up to two miles.” He paused, “In some places, they had hidden markets with illegal goods, does Shadowfen have such a place?”
“I know a few questionable merchants on the docks...Oh, I get it, if the hyenas wanted to remain hidden they'd avoid using mainstream merchants.”
“Yes, you are smarter than your mother.”
On many occasions Aurelia felt six inches tall next to her mother, never had she thought herself superior to her mother in any way. “My mom is smarter than I am.” she buried her face in his chest and giggled softly. “I am flattered by your belief in me.”
“I do not flatter, but speak the truth.” He paused and pointed to a lanky thief. The deft hands shoved fruit into several pockets before the dirty face darted down an alley. “We must stalk our prey. Hop on my back, it will be faster.”
Aurelia jumped on Zinjos' back and gripped the long hair like reins, “Are you sure about this? You don't feel a little silly?”
“We are to be mated, there is nothing I wouldn't do for you.”
“I appreciate that Zinjo,” They stopped in a dingy alley with broken crates and bins full of garbage, “Do you smell him?” Aurelia asked.
“Yes. Your city is an affront to my nose.”
“Yeah, we aren't crazy about the smell either. She dropped to the ground and examined the area. She saw nothing. She scanned the ground, and noticed a manhole cover, “Do you think he went down there?”
The gorgeous man knelt and sniffed the manhole, “Yes,” He pulled the cover free and gripped the ladder, “Are you coming?”
Aurelia peered into the dark depths below, and then to Zinjo, “Can you carry me again. I am all for being brave, but I draw the line at sewer water.”
Zinjo scurried down the ladder and held out his arms, “As you wish.”
Down in the sewers, Aurelia and Zinjo stalked their prey. Well, Zinjo stalked, Aurelia clung to his back like a tree trunk as he waded through the murky smelly water. Despite the low light, Zinjo negotiated the stone maze with ease. He stops and sniff the air and would adjust his course according to what his nose told me. Aurelia couldn't help but question how he could smell anything over the stench of human feces and excrement, “How do you know which way he went?” Zinjo gave a throaty chuckled, “The thief does not smell as bad as this tunnel,” He turned down a much larger tunnel and growled, “There are many bad men down here, I can smell them. Do you know how to fight?” “No, I was raised in statecraft.” “Foolishness, every leader should know how to protect themselves. Guards can be bought, best friends can become enemies in the blink of an eye, enemies can
It took several baths to get the stink of the sewer off of Aurelia. Zinjo waited patiently in the next room for her to finish. Despite being immersed in the putrid liquid the lion man didn't smell at all. Her lady in waiting, Madeen scrubbed her hair, “How are things with the beast?” Aurelia took offense to the term, “Zinjo is a man, a good man, his kind are nothing like werewolves at all. Not to mention he is our only link to the Hyenas. He thinks that Mshindi is not alone. I'm inclined to agree.” “You intend to get involved in the affair?” Maddens hands were like magic to the scalp and Aurelia felt the tension in her body release. “Yes. It's about time I stopped moping aro
The afternoon sun warmed the streets of Shadowfen. The people's attitudes toward Zinjo remained petty and suspicious despite the fact a goddess had chosen him for Aurelia. It bothered Aurelia at first until Zinjo shook his head. “I thought you didn't care what they thought?” Zinjo gestured to a bench and leaned his partisan against the stained wood. His massive calloused hands cradled Aurelia's with a gentleness that belied his size. “I try not to, but it seems like I can't please them at all,” Aurelia spoke in a glum tone. “You are the best thing to happen to me, and nobody wants to be happy, not even my mother. You saved her life, shed blood for this kingdom and its future, you deserve better.” &
A cloud of smoke and boisterous conversation hit Aurelia's ears the moment she entered the Seaside tavern aptly named, the Cracked Oyster. Men with pipes smoked by the fire and swapped tall tales, while the younger and more virile arm-wrestled on patchwork tables. Unlike the local populace, the sailors didn't bat an eyelash at Zinjo or Aurelia. “Stay close,” Zinjo said quietly. One last look around the leathery faces and missing teeth made Aurelia nervous enough to cling to Zinjo's arm. “I didn't plan on leaving your side,” She lifted a drink to her nose, it smells like sour lemons and whiskey, “Eww what is that?” “The sailors called it Grog,” Z
Before they hit the road to Brismond Aurelia undid the latch on the chest. The lid squeaked open and soft wool and the smell of tanned leather entered her nostrils and she tingled with excitement. Inside was a set of leather armor and a matching outfit. She held up the breastplate and then turned it upside down, “Ummm, how do I...? I've worn such a thing before.” Zinjo grinned wickedly, “I know-how. If it is proper to you, I shall dress you.” “That would imply I have to get naked,” Aurelia felt her loins boil over at the thought, while her mind worried her bare form would drive Zinjo away. Girl “Your slender form pleases me, dark princess.” the werelion blushed,
Aurelia never traveled to Brismond before. As she and Zinjo stepped in unison toward their goal, Aurelia wondered why the goddess chose the large werelion as her life companion? Not that she minded, Zinjo was everything she wanted in a husband and more. Doubt ruled her heart when they first met. Aurelia may have dressed in black after the heart's call failed once, but further inspection revealed she's felt that way for longer than she realized. "Something on your mind, dark princess?" her large companion growled with concern. He stepped next to her and put his arm around her slender shoulder. "You have been quiet since we broke camp." Aurelia leaned against his muscular body, "I was just marking my progress since we met." "Oh?" "I've treated myself terribly for a long time. For the first time, I believe things can get better," Aurelia blushed a deep crims
The guards escorted Aurelia and her companion to the audience chamber of Lord Dawkins. The chamber featured previous lords and ladies who presided over the thriving town of Pallrath. Lord Dawkins commanded respect without words. His looks may have been average, but the way his servants, and guards looked at him, one could conclude Lord Dawkins was anything but ordinary. He scrutinized Aurelia and Zinjo as he approached the caterpillar, thick eyebrows knitted in thought, deep brown eyes affixed on his guests. He kept his hands clasped behind his back, "Please state your business, and surrender your weapons. I do not know you, and armed people make me nervous." Zinjo handed the partisan to a young guard who trembled under the gaze of the predator's yellow eyes, "This is a family heirloom, please care for it." the guard almost dropped. His knees knocked together. "I am Aurelia, heir to the throne of
Lord Dawkins and Queen Charity marched ahead of a small squadron of well-armed soldiers. Their chainmail sparkled in the sun. An air of excitement followed the small band of warriors as they marched. They raised their voices in song and ancient battle hymn known only to the people of Brismond. In the rear of the two columns, a woman with black leather armor, and a savage man dressed in bone armor marched right along with them. "You have done a good thing today," Zinjo commented with pride. "It doesn't feel like it right now," Aurelia fiddled with her short swords, "I can't believe mother tanked a kingdom and ours for a night of pleasure, and we still haven't asked about the hyenae. Have you smelled any?" "Not as of yet, Hyena's will sometimes hide their scent with a stronger one. Back home, they use a special plant to do this. Given the plant's needs, I highly doubt the Hyenas can gr