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.”      &

      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,

   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

        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

      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