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.”
Zinjo pressed her close to his muscled form. Some women would hate the constant affection, but Aurelia couldn't get enough; she could stay in his arms forever and be content, “Give them time. This is the reason I wanted to connect with the world at large, to curb people's reactions.”
“Can you tell me about Mshindi?” Aurelia moved to his lap and leaned against him. He was warm and his arms encircled her with care and concern.
A faraway look appeared in the predator-yellow eyes. “Do you remember when I told you a group of hyena and lion children brought peace to the land of Kiangazi?”
“Yes, were you one of them?”
“Hmmm,” Zinjo nodded, “As was Mshindi. From a young age, he showed great talent for hunting and leadership. I helped him rise to power, and he helped foster peace between our two peoples,” He paused to stare down a thief who attempted to take off with his partisan, “I suggest you leave, lest I mark you permanently with my claws.”
The thief tipped his bedraggled hat, and headed for the hills, he waited until the thief was out of sight before he continued the story. “Now, peace was the beginning. I suggested the two tribes meet four times a year to trade and hold a celebration to celebrate the peace.”
“I bet that was a hard sell.”
“No, it was not. War is an unnatural thing, and neither tribe cared much to repeat the horrors of such an act. Of course, not all of us agreed that peace should reign. My father's rival Kuende believed Kianzangi belonged to the lions and the lions alone. His son Nyo and I were rivals as children. He took his father's philosophy into madness.”
Aurelia saw the pain in her future husband's eyes, “Nyo had the potential to be a great teacher, and spiritual leader to the people, but his father's thoughts poisoned him against us. My father banished them both for their selfish thoughts and aspirations.”
“Is Kianzangi a harsh place to live?” Aurelia enjoyed the conversation, but she couldn't help but think Zinjo missed home.
“It is harsh, and our lives are ruled by the change of seasons and the availability of food. When the Gazelle are scarce we fish, and when the fish start to dwindle, we eat the birds. We never hunt to extinction,” Aurelia got the impression Zinjo did not miss home at all from the way he talked.
“Are you glad you came?” Perhaps the question sounded a little silly at the moment of its inception but the response to her words was not.
“Yes,” Zinjo clenched his fists in frustration and growled, “I have come to see the human world is not different from the lions, you just have fancier homes. I feel anger towards my father's anxiety towards the outside world.” He rose from the bench, “We will finish this discussion later, right now we need to find out who brought the hyenas across the ocean.”
After she heard the slight growl to his voice, Aurelia decided to leave the subject alone for the time being. Should they ever have children she would want his father to be a part of their lives. “We could start down at the docks. I've heard some ship captains will bring illegal cargo into port for the right price.”
Zinjo rose with Aurelia in his arms, “Hold tight.”
*****
Salty air and the screech of seagulls greeted them down at the harbor. Zinjo switched to his lion form and sniffed the air. “The smell of decay confounds my nose.” He set Aurelia down, “How do you humans hunt evil?”
“Well, we ask questions and follow clues the enemy leaves behind,” Aurelia's hands moved to her hips and she stared up at the large beast-man, “First thing is first, change back into a human. Scared people have a habit of telling lies to save their skin,” she held up a leather bag of coins, “We'll get better results with this.”
“Gold? How will that help?”
“I thought you would've figured out people can be greedy.”
For the first time since they met, Zinjo blushed, “I did not think of it, dark princess.”
“Let's try it my way first and if they won't give a straight answer, I'll let you have some fun.”
The werelions face lit up with excitement, “What if I smell lie?”
Aurelia giggled and straightened her dress, “All you have to do is stand behind me and look menacing. I am the carrot and you are the stick.”
“The what and the what?” Zinjo looked down at her like she was crazy. They passed a couple of young women who whispered back and forth to each other. Zinjo's ears flicked in their direction, “They think you are too ugly to be in my presence.”
Aurelia growled and marched up to them, “I've had enough of the snide remarks, and the whispers. Now if you have an issue, perhaps we can settle this the old-fashioned way?” She held up her fists and punched the air. The young women went white and scurried off.” Her face turned from anger to sweetness, “We use donkeys to transport goods sometimes. They can be hard to move. Most owners tie and carrot to stick and hold in front of the donkey. More often than not it inspires the beast into movement.”
Zinjo stared at her in amazement, “Hmmm,” he grunted, “At this moment I am not sure who is the stick and the carrot between us. Your previous actions suggest you could be both,” he cracked a small smile.
“I'm the carrot, of course. I am sweet, beautiful, and delicious to the taste,” Aurelia drew up to her full height and spoke with dignity.
Zinjo and Aurelia stared at each other for several minutes before they both began to laugh, “I have no doubt all of those statements are a true dark princess.”
“Good answer,” Aurelia pretended to be stern.
“Are you sure you weren't a lioness in another life?”
“Who knows, let's shake up some sailors.”
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
The afternoon sun warmed the earth with its gentle rays and a soft breeze, made it the perfect day for walking. The savage-looking Zinjo and his wife to be Princess Aurelia entered the Dame of Flame blacksmith shop. Hammer struck steel, the smell of charcoal and smoke, gave the shop an industrious feel. Armor stands with completed suits of armor, weapons of all descriptions hung on the wall. In a glass case lay a pair of swords. Aurelia studied the flawless metal and admired the curvature of the blade. Aurelia looked over at her big companion, "Well what is the quality here like?" A nose pressed against the supple leather on the stand. Zinjo examined the seams and the kirtle. "This forger knows their craft. I'd wear this armor into battle confident of its protective capabilities." "High praise from a foreigner," A gruff female voice said from behind him. The pair turned and saw a