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 around and did something of substance for my people,” Aurelia stood and let Madeen wrap her in a towel. “Zinjo is concerned about the Hyenas.”
“Are you concerned?” Madeen showed her two outfits one was a little more traditional and covered her whole body. The other exposed her cleavage, and her slender shoulders. She never wore it because she never had a reason to. “I'll take the one on the left.”
“You're not seriously trying to impress that creature are you?” Madeen shook her head.
Aurelia gave Madeen a disarming smile and then shifted to righteous anger, “Might I remind you the goddess of love chose him for me. I wasn't sure what I thought of him when we first met, but time has endeared him to me, like no other. Unless you think the goddess made a mistake?”
“Well, I mean...”
“By admitting the goddess of love is fallible, you accuse all other gods of the same thing. Is this how you want them to view you?” Aurelia hid her surprise at her own words. Before she used to accept any insults that came to her without question.
“After the werewolves...”
“Do not confuse Zinjo with those lowly creatures...get out. You are a bigot, and I will not tolerate such insults directed at my future husband. He is a better man than all the princes I have met. Has better manners than any lord, and is more skilled than most knights. He will make a fine co-ruler.”
Madeen glared at Zinjo on the way out and he growled and stomped his foot. The handmaiden squeaked and hurried out of the small apartment.
Soft knocks came from the bathroom's closed door, “Is everything okay dark princess?” Zinjo's voice sounded curious.
“You heard everything, no doubt.” Aurelia accused
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Was I too harsh?”
“No, you asked her to respect your future mate, she refused, you took action. I felt proud to be in your company.”
A deep red color spread over Aurelia's face, “Thank you,” a question surfed across her brainwaves, “Zinjo, how do Lion relationships work?”
“Get dressed first and we will discuss it over lunch, sound fair?”
“You have a deal.”
****
At lunch, Sophie watched the young couple with pain in her eyes, “Your father never allowed me to come on his adventures. There is a rightness about you two I can't put my finger on.” Her voice sounded far away.
“Is everything okay, Pride Mother?” Zinjo asked.
“Yes, just remembering better days. Seeing you and Aurelia together makes me happy and a little sad.” Sophie seemed pleased by the werelions concern for her.
“We have some information about the Hyena men,” Aurelia declared.
“Already?” Sophie smiled incredulously, “I was expecting results in days.”
“It could've turned out that way, but Zinjo’s superior senses guided us to the right people.”
Sophie put her fork down and clasped her hands in front of her, “And where did you find these right people?”
“In the sewers with the rest of the rats,” Zinjo's tone was blunt and even a little playful.
The queen spewed her wine halfway across the table and she sputtered, “The sewers are no place for a lady. What were you thinking, Zinjo?”
“I thought the hyenas are stronger, faster, and cunning hunters. We cannot let the grass grow beneath our feet when it comes to them.” He held Aurelia's hand, “The dark princess handled herself like a true lioness. In my mind, she is already a superior leader to you,” His tone remained steady.
Sophie trembled with anger and went to speak several times and failed. Her face slowly filled with a wonderful shade of purple she reserved for guards and servants who failed to perform their duties. “Don't be ridiculous, Aurelia has lots of potential...”
“You expected me to fail, Didn't you?” Aurelia wiped her mouth and stormed towards the door.
“Stop,” Sophie commanded. Aurelia turned and faced the woman who brought her into the world. “I didn't expect you to find anything. Assassins enter the palace all the time, we never find them after they have attacked.”
“You insult us both with your petty actions.” Zinjo rose to his full height, “You speak pretty words, but that is all they are, pretty words,” He strode up to Aurelia, “Your daughter's words may be a bit clumsy at times, but her heart and actions represent her people. Perhaps you have forgotten what it means to rule with dignity.”
“Guards make them stay,” the queen commanded the pikemen near the door.
Their chain mail rattled against their shaking bodies as Zinjo, “Ask yourself, do I need a powerful enemy orally?”
The pikemen leaned their weapons against the wall and held the doors open for the pair as they entered the cold and stony hall. “We'll have to make things right with her at some point,” Aurelia pointed out.
“The old can get trapped in the past at times. It is not wrong, but a leader must look at the past and future with a discerning eye to make effective decisions. The pride mother has lost her objectivity.”
Aurelia sat on a bench, “She didn't expect me to stick with you. She thought it was a silly little girl's game. I am no longer a little girl. I am in love with a wonderful man, and I have a chance to show my people I am not a joke, what else could I want.”
“Hmmm,” Zinjo grunted, “You speak well, dark princess.”
“Thank you,” She took a moment to kiss him softly, “Let's see what else we can find out the hyena.”
“Would you like to hear the tale of Mshindi as we walk?”
Aurelia smiled as she took Zinjo by his massive hand, “Please do.”
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
The death of Horace bothered Aurelia. Horace refused to be decent when he was alive. He drove his kingdom into the ground without a thought about the people. How could his death go undetected? Why was his face blue? Her questions led her right back to her original question; Who was running the kingdom? The bloated corpse of Horace burst the moment a pair of careworn guards tried to move it. Visceral fluid jettisoned from the body at the speed of an arrow. Everyone covered their mouths and pinched their noses against the putrid ooze. Charity sped towards the door, Aurelia followed suit. she could feel the bile building up in the back of the throat, it burned upward through her body and threatened to coat anything within five feet with vomit. Out in the hall, the women gasped for air and spent the next five minutes double over. "How long do you think he's been dead?" Aur
Aurelia began the journey to Shadowfen with confidence, not only had she restored diplomatic relations with Brismond, their neighbors to the east, but she turned an enemy into a friend. Zinjo remained quiet for most of the journey. His face wrestled with the questions known only to him. By the second day, Aurelia grew tired of his silence and sat on his chest, "We are not leaving this campsite until you tell me what's bothering you." "Dark Princess, I worry about Kivuli. I am known to him and who knows what a spiteful creature such as he will do to you just to see me suffer or vice versa," He kissed her hand, "Would you object to being a lioness?" The question rocked Aurelia's inner world. A part of her screamed to do it just to be closer. Her more cynical side knew such power came at a cost. "Will it be painful?" "Most do not survive the first change. Ayasu says the body ca