Chapter 28
Things can change in a few short months. Nobody knows that better than Aurelia and her companions. The mix-matched a group of royalty and vagabonds trudged across the mountains of Litchford Hills, in search of the evil creature known as Kivuli. Their search brought them to the doorstep of the Cherish Empire, the most powerful nation on the continent.
They crossed the border into Cherish without much difficulty. Redford, a brigand and former guard to royalty, grew more and more paranoid the further into Cherish they went. His eyes darted left to right, and he jumped at every person who saw him.
"Redford, don't worry," Aurelia hissed, "These people don't know you from a hole in the ground. If you keep acting like a crazy person, you'll bring the guards down on us." She tried to keep a modicum of kindness to ease the frazzled brigands' nerves.
Zinjo took a stance next to the brigand, "My future wife speaks the truth. The three of us will protect you." He put a large hand on Redford's back, "Come answers await."
"Speaking of which, where do we find Mashek?" Mshindi kept watch, as he spoke, "We need to get a move on, or that will catch the attention of the guards."
"What are you idiots worried about?" Aurelia asked, "Besides if we get into real trouble, I'll just tell people who I am," she held up the royal seal and grinned, "If anyone asks, the expedition is about learning how the other half lives."
The three men stared at Aurelia with awe, and nodded, "I vote she's in charge from now on," Redford cried. No argument came from Zinjo and Mshin, di, instead they bowed, "We accept your authority, dark princess. We shall defend you with our very lives."
The entire scene left Aurelia feeling warm and tingly all over. The look in Zinjo's eyes, caused a deep ache to be crushed in his naked embrace. However, the mission had to come first. "Didn't Redford say our goal was to reach Venmere?"
"A few days walk from herrude'd say ride, but the damn things can smell the beast on Mshindi, I suspect it will be the same with Zinjo and you as well, your majesty," Redford gestured towards the town exit.
"Why is this town thriving?"Aurelia asked. "I was expecting something more depressing, especially after Brismond. I don't understand." She waved to some little girls who regarded her with awe. Her mind daydreamed about married life with Zinjo, she allowed herself a soft giggle.
The band of travelers strode through the town, Redford scratched his stubble, "When I left the empire was coming apart at the seams. They closed their gates to all dignitaries, nor did they leave to entreat with other nations. A rather astonishing recovery."
Mshindi and Zinjo sniffed the air, "It smells like a human village," Mshindi said as he examined a rusty blade for sale on a table outside a weapon shop.
Zinjo stared at the display table, all the blades were rusty, "Something is not right here. We should leave," He pointed to the town exit, "Now."
Aurelia gave the town a secondary glance. The hustle and bustle of the townsfolk distracted the eye from the crumbling buildings and unkempt roads. The smell of garbage drove Aurelia to her knees for a moment. "I agree," A villager in patchwork clothes, passed them and pointed at their unblemished garments. Almost all the residents wore terrified expressions, and suspiExceptexception of the guards, who leaned on their pikes for support, some even slept
Redford looked around and nodded, "I agree with the cat. This place gives me the willies."
Aurelia tensed up as they passed by the guards, who tipped their helmets and allowed them through without incident. The small group waited until they were well out of earshot before a single word left their lips.
"They are pretending it isn't happening?" Aurelia asked, "Why didn't we see it in the first place? With all the heightened senses between us, we should've caught on sooner."
"Magic," Mshindi said in a hushed tone, "It has to be some sort of magic."
"I agree," Zinjo entered the conversation, "We should've noticed right away. The smell of garbage alone is enough to drop a rhino."
"Rhino?" Aurelia asked.
"Animal from Kianzangi," Mshindi explained, "Zinjo speaks correctly, the smell didn't hit us until we noticed what was going on."
Redford clenched his fist in anger, "Randolph Dunkelheit, I know he has something to do with this. I hope Mashek managed to find the snake in the grass. I have a score to settle."
Aurelia shook her head, "Unless he's Kivuli, in which case killing will make it worse. I'd hate to spend my life chasing seven of those accursed creatures around the known world." they waved to a family in a rickety wagon. The stench of human flesh came from under a thick canvas blanket, flecked with red droplets.
"Makes you wonder what people are eating these days," Mshindi kept his eye on the wagon as it rolled out of sight.
"I've seen people do worse things to survive," Redford threw the hood of his cloak over his head.
Aurelia stayed near Zinjo, and acted like the dutiful wife, "What do you think, my love?"
"Hmmm," Zinjo grunted. "It depends greatly on what we find in Venmere. answer to answer. We should see if the other towns are in the same tree." He kicked the ground, "I have a theory of my own I'd like to confirm."
"Which is?" Mshindi said his grin continued to unsettle Aurelia.
"There is no need to conjure up trouble where none exists, yet. I wish to see if my theory is true before I tell anyone."
Aurelia knew Zinjo thought there was more than one Kivuli loose on the continent. If there was more than one, it meant the demon convinced someone to kill it. Aurelia came up with an idea herself, "You said the kivuli are born of dark magic users correct?" she directed her question at Redford.
"Yes, why?" Redford looked curious, as did Zinjo and Mshindi.
"What if the creature carried over habits from the magic-user that spawned it?"
Redford frowned and then wagged his finger, "You may be onto something there. It will also give us a cover for wandering around the bewitched, we can bewitch hunters."
Aurelia smiled, "All in favor say, Aye?"
"Aye."