บททั้งหมดของ The Lion of Shadowfen: บทที่ 61 - บทที่ 70

Zinjo and Aurelia stood shoulder to shoulder. The roared of the crowd echoed off the cold stone. Aurelia did not want to fight Zinjo's brother, Juma, but the rules said they had to. All because the young couple wanted access to the broken plains. It didn't help Juma held a grudge over Zinjos need to find Aurelia. Displeasure and frustration became Zinjo, and his eyes reflected the conflict within. Zinjo still cared about his brother and didn't wish to harm him, "My heart is not in this fight, dark princess. Juma is skilled but is rash with his moves." In those words, Aurelia formulated a way to end the fight as peacefully as possible. She glanced at Sahiri. Murder owned the lioness's eyes and suggested to Zinjo, "How about you take Sahiri, and I will take Juma." "Are you crazy? Juma will not hold back with you..." Aurelia's lips met Zinjo's, and she smirked, "I have a plan, my love, please trust me and this." Zinjo switched places with his mate.

A brutal hot wind blew across the desolate landscape of the broken plains. Blackened plants jutted out from under rocks, black and crimson sand stretched out toward the horizon. Two days of travel did nothing to raise the spirits of the Three Lionesses. The water and animals were poison to the body. Sahiri maintained her silence, and Aurelia came to accept this was just a part of who the lioness was and spoke to her when she dared to speak at all. Ayasu kept her spirits high and wore a smile for most of the trip. "We should be at the old city of Matumaini by the afternoon. I know not what awaits us. I hope Nyo and Kuende have found a proper place to survive," Aurelia admired the care and concern Ayasu bore for her people, even the misfits. Sahiri gripped a handful of sand and let it run through her fingers, "Nyo will do better than Kuende. Kuende has particular tastes, while Nyo only cares if it's edible." The grains blew across the wasteland and joined the e

Everything went still in the presence of Kivuli. Ayasu tried to push Sahiri and Aurelia behind her. Kivuli twisted his dark form until he stood as a man. His clothes were unlike any Aurelia had seen, a long white robe with gold-threaded lapels. His face bore tribal markings from a bygone age when the lions were human. A purple glow surrounded the serpentine eyes. Rows and rows of long sharpened teeth gleamed bright against his blackened form. Behind him was the source of the footsteps dozens and dozens of grey-skinned, bat-eared humanoids with holes drilled into their skulls looked toward the darkness for guidance. Their eyes shone with devotion. "I am Kivuli, and who are you to trespass into my city?" A hand adjusted the spectacles, "I don't have time to entertain guests. Not when I am on the verge of my monumental discovery. The answer I have sought for so long is in my grasp." Madness held onto Kivuli's voice. Ayasu and Sahiri stood frozen in fear. Aurelia

The weather favored the Nightingale's voyage to the far east. They encountered the blockades into the waters of Fā Tiáo Cheng. The naval ships were pleased to let them past, as the people of Fā Tiáo Cheng were consummate merchants.   Gale clutched his bandana while he skillfully steered the ship into port. Aurelia noticed the humidity in the air almost immediately. As a human, she hated the hot and muggy feeling. As a werelion, she found comfort in the tropical climate.   The port was alive with activity. Ship captains wheeled and dealt with passengers who sought adventure abroad. Merchants poured over the goods of recent arrivals. The scene seemed normal for a harbor, except the men made of metal.   Each one differed in size and design, but they all had masses of gears and springs beneath their metallic chests and legs. A few had large knobs on the back, while others did not.   "What are they?" Aurelia asked with awe  

Límāo Xiǎotōu, stroked his mustache while Aurelia and Zinjo told him of their adventures across the world. The black marketer smiled and sipped from a tiny teacup he didn't interrupt or laugh. When they finished the tale, he held out his hand, "May I see the Lion's Fang?" "I want it back," Aurelia warned him. She drew the blade and presented it horizontally across her hands. The loving hands of Zinjo touched her shoulder, "I do not think our new friend is that foolish," He eyed Límāo with suspicion. "An Al' Miraj gifted you with its horn. To take the blade in greed would anger such a creature and bring bad luck. I am envious of such a beautiful weapon. Where did you get it originally?" Límāo ran his hand against the onyx metal. Aurelia related the tale of the spider monster she fought, and Límāo shot her a look of awe and respect, "Your deeds are worthy of song. Spider demons give the greatest of warriors difficulty." Límāo motioned for more tea, and