Chapter 21

     Brothels are an unfortunate part of the world and home to one of the oldest professions known to man. Aurelia didn't know what to expect when she opened the double wooden doors. It was only after she entered did she become privy to the secret world of the working girl. 

   Discomfort ruled Aurelia as she gazed at the naked forms of women enticing men to part with their coins. Something about the way they moved and spoke increased the desire in their targets. She recognized some of the men from the royal guard, most of which had families. 

   A woman wearing long flowing silk robed greeted her, "Excuse me are you looking for work?" She walked around Aurelia, "I can see the potential already, is the leather armor your gimmick?" she lifted an arm, "Decent muscle tone, and chest area. You're Young, the men are all about feeling powerful..."

   After her face stopped burning from terminal embarrassment, "Excuse me, I am not here for a Job, I am Princess Aurelia..."

    There was no hesitation the woman fell to her knees and clutched at her boots, "Forgive me, your majesty. Please don't tell your mother. She'll try to close us down like the last time she was here." The woman wailed. Her elaborate face paint began to smear and run down her face. 

    In all of her time, not a single person dared to treat her as anything but a screw-up. To see this woman tremble in fear at her feet felt dangerously good. Aurelia sensed this particular was steeped in importance and would define her. If she couldn't find compassion for a working girl, how could she find it for the masses?

   "Please rise, I am not here to cause trouble. I am looking for someone named Mashek Littlechild. I have a task for him," Aurelia held out her hand, and the woman shrank back. 

    "Is your mother coming here?" She asked in a trembling voice.

    Excited chatter buzzed around her, and the girls left their male companions to stand near the door half-naked bodies blocked the door, and Aurelia could hear what the excited bunch of slots was talking about. 

    "Umm I get first dibs," a blonde shouted.

    "Well hello hands redhead was about to say, "What the hell is that?" she screamed as Zinjo took on his lion form. The working girls tried to touch him.

    The werelion stared them down and roared. The sound shattered the glass and forced everyone to cover their ears. Against deafening noise. After he saw Aurelia, Zinjo bowed with his tail between the legs, "F, forgive me, dark princess. My personal feelings should not prevent us from completing our objectives." He said in a mournful tone.

    "You better be," Aurelia snapped, "I don't like the idea of Mshindi and Kivuli hanging around my Unless. Unless...we make Mshindi an ally instead of an enemy. I mean the assassination attempt failed."

    Zinjo embraced Aurelia and crushed her against his hard body, "I think it's a good idea." He looked down at the Madame, "Are we finished with the unclean one?"

    Aurelia smacked Zinjo, "Don't do that. She's still a person. I may not agree with what she does, but it's not my life. We've done some pretty questionable things since we started this little adventure.",

   "Yes, but it was in service to the Kingdom..."

   "Now our terrified friend has the same opportunity," Aurelia held out her hand to the madam, "I don't plan on closing your doors. I think we can work out a deal where you use this place to help keep the kingdom safe," Aurelia said. 

    "I'm Patience, Madame of this brothel. How can my girls keep the kingdom safe?" The madame adjusted her silk robe to cover more of her milky white skin. 

   Zinjo crossed his arms and turned his back, "I can't wait to hear this."

   "Is he always like this?" Patience shot a sympathetic look toward Aurelia.

   "Leave the ball of fur to me," Aurelia gave the bad kitty a withering glance, "That cat is going to spend some time in the dog house." She could see Zinjo lower his head, "Anyway, customers sometimes tell your girls things they shouldn't. I want to know those things. Particularly where the kingdom is concerned Patience wiped her eyes, and took on a businesslike tone, "What am I getting in exchange?"

   "I'll toss a few coins to the girl who brings some information and a few to you." the number of coins will depend on the quality of information I bring you?" Patience slid the stipulation in with expert ease.

    "We'll set up a meeting, Patience. Right now, I need to know where Mashek is."

    "Litchford Hills, he said something about hyenas, a man named Redford," Patience moved to the bar and poured wine into one of the few glasses that survived Zinjo's roar. "He's my brother, see that he comes home in one piece, he may be a thief, but he helps keep the girls safe."

    "You hear that, Zinjo? We should make sure Mashek lives to see another day," Aurelia shouted in a shrill tone. 

    The large man shrank at the sound of her voice, "Yes, dark princess."

   "We will do the best we can. If he dies, I will see you properly compensated for his death in service to the crown," Aurelia promised. She strode up to Zinjo, who wouldn't look at her. "Are you done being a child?"

   "Yes dark princess, please do not make me sleep with the dogs," Zinjo pleaded. 

   Aurelia laughed, "I do that to you. Its an expression women use when they are angry with their mates. It means your in trouble, and you'd better figure out a way to make it right."

   "Back home women send their mates to sleep with the jackals," Zinjo sounded relieved.

   "Here it means you sl, ep alone," Aurelia said as she demurely walked out the door. 

   "At least it's not with the Jackals," Zinjo said. 

***

   On the way back to the palace Zinjo nudged Aurelia, "I am sorry for my actions. Ayasu used to say no matter where you are, kindness is a currency people gladly accept."

   "I rather like the sound of that. Maybe one day I can meet Ayasu."

   "She would like you. What you did in the place that shouldn't be, was kind. I do not wish for you to be angry with me anymore," Zinjo swooped in for a kiss. 

    Aurelia moved and let out a giggle, "You embarrassed me, and then made a scene. I think you can suffer for a little longer. Besides, we have a journey to prepare for. I've never been to the Litchford hills."

   "You think Patience speaks the truth?" Zinjo tried to put his arms around her, and Aurelia spun away. He looked a little forlorn, at her action. 

    "I have no doubt. Lets hurry, Mashek may be in danger."