Chapter 15 on the road

      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 crimson and she hid her face.

     "I understand how you feel. My people laughed at the dream, Ayasu and my father were the only ones who believed it had any significance. For a year I suffered the laughter of the males and the scorn of the women who saw me as a potential mate," Zinjo stopped and held her in his arms.

     Aurelia looked up at her future husband, "For the record, I am quite happy with the way things turned out," She paused, "You will be king of  Shadowfen."

    "Which is why we travel to Brismond, to show the people we are dedicated to making the kingdom great. What is Amadeus like?" Zinjo asked, and some soldiers on patrol waved to them. Aurelia waved back.

    The parchment kept rolling back up, and Aurelia growled as she gripped the top and bottom with her delicate hands, "According to mother, the king of Brismond is a thoroughly political animal, and often tries to weigh trade agreements in favor of his kingdom. Mom also says he is a narcissist, petty..." Aurelia trailed off. 

    "Hmmm," Zinjo scratched behind his ear, "Is it just me or does it sound personal?" 

    "Maybe there is a reason Shadowfen and  Brismond dropped contact?"

    "Do you think your mother was unfaithful to your father?"

    "I don't know what I think. I don't want to go into Brismond under a cloud of assumption. This is about the past. This is about the future," Aurelia said in a regal tone. 

     "I agree, dark princess. Let us hope Amadeus disagrees

 ****

      Brismond looked horrible, guards stood on every corner, and eyed them with suspicion the streets were covered in thick layers of sand and dirt, buildings in desperate need of repair lined the cracked paving stones. The stench of manure and garbage curled the nose hairs. 

     "What happened here?" Aurelia asked. She adjusted her leather breastplate and kept both hands close to the short swords. She caught a glimpse of the residents. They were gaunt, weathered, and dangerously thin.

      "This reminds me of the great fall. An unknown illness tore through the animals of Kianzangi. Many hyenas and lions died that year. We held a feast on the day it ended, to remind us how fickle mother nature can be," Zinjo eyed the guards, "Their protectors are overworked."

    A pair of guards crossed their pikes at the entrance of the castle, their voices careworn and defeated, "State your business or leave," The heavier of the two said, in a morose tone. His armor and equipment clung to his form by a thread

    Aurelia held out the parchment with her mother's seal on it, "We have come to restore diplomatic relations with Brismond."

    The guard's eyes lit up with interest, "Shadowfen? It has been a while since we received an envoy from another kingdom." He sighed and handed the Parchment back, "You came all this way for nothing, Amadeus died in his alcoholism. His son was killed in battle. Now we have his idiot cousin, Horace, running the kingdom. He couldn't care less about the people. He's reduced the army by a third, and refuses to deal with any diplomats."

   "You are saying we came all this way for nothing?" Zinjo asked.

   The guard looked around, "Perhaps not," he lowered his voice. "Amadeus's wife is still alive, none knows where she went. By our laws, she is still queen."

   Aurelia smiled at Zinjo and then at the guard, "Then I guess we should try to find her?"

   "It is against the law to find the Queen, but If you were to question Lord Dawkins, Queen Charity's father, he might be able to tell you a thing or two. His lands are on the outskirts of the kingdom. I warn you he doesn't like visitors, but perhaps you can change that."

   "Why was Charity dethroned," It seemed like a silly question, but understanding the motivations of the current ruler could shed light on their current predicament.

    "The queen went home after the King had an affair with a visiting noble. Nobody knows who it was, but Queen Charity found out. Horace claimed since the queen separated from Amadeus, she lost all claim to the throne. He stood in front of everyone and made promises, promises he never kept. We were fools to turn our backs on her." guard cards eyes were now awash in grief and misery.

   "We will restore the queen and the honor of your kingdom," Zinjo promised.

   "Forgive me while I hold my breath. The last two people who said that wound up decorating the front gates on pikes. Horace does not take kindly to people who speak out against his policies or him."

   Aurelia clenched her fists and grimaced in determination, "Then I guess, we had better succeed where others have failed," She kissed Zinjo, "I have learned the impossible can happen when you least expect it."

    The guard smiled, "let's give you directions."

****

     The lands of Lord Dawkins were vibrant and alive. The small town of Pallrath's atmosphere was a happy one. People looked healthy and repairmen worked on buildings. The voices of vendors and shop owners filled the air, as citizens went about today-today day tasks. 

    "If Queen Charity does not wish to rule, perhaps Lord Dawkins would like to give it a try?" Zinjo suggested.

    "No argument here," Aurelia looked around, "I want Shadowfen to prosper like Pallrath. I may take this opportunity to pick Lord Dawkins' brain."

    "It is wise to see things from many points of view, dark princess. Already you show a better aptitude for ruling than your mother. Her sadness becomes her."

   They got to the gates of the estate, and a mustached guard and a younger guard approached them. "Do you have an appointment with Lord Dawkins?"

  Aurelia held out the paper and smiled, "I am Aurelia, princess of Shadowfen, this is my fiance Zinjo, we seek an audience with Lord Dawkins," Aurelia said with confidence, "When can we expect to see him?"