Chapter 47

The morning proved to be fruitful in the ideas department. Tiberius had taken them to a warehouse where he stood next to a barrel, "I present to you our valiant steed to victory," Zinjo and Aurelia crossed their arms, and the guard captain's face fell. 

  "How is a barrel going to secure victory?" Zinjo asked in a dubious tone. He sniffed the barrel and balked, "This is worse than my stink bombs." He backed away from the barrel and hid behind Aurelia.

  "The stick proved to be an effective weapon, but I felt we could do better." He motioned them to the practice yard; he whistled and the men formed up around him. "Henshaw, a demonstration please."

   Henshaw drew back a curious arrow with a round bulbous tip. The sharp twinge of the bowstring drew everyone's attention to the target and the other end of the field. A loud band and the target were blown to the underworld. 

   "We spent most of the night digging spike pits and collecting saplings for our traps, Henshaw has been producing arrows," He twirled his helmet in his hands, "I owe you both a thank you. I allowed myself to lose hope. I see a change in my men, they walk a little taller, and act more confident in their abilities."

   "I'd like to share a thought with you Tiberius if you wouldn't mind," Aurelia decided to turn thought into deed, "I think you should ascend the throne, as Larylia's king, providing the people will back you."

  "No, I am the leader of armies, not of an entire kingdom." Tiberius hefted a tin ball with a tuft of rag stuck in the top, "These right here explode with more force, you light, wait three seconds, and throw."

   Zinjo saw the flaw in the plan, "Tiberius, how does one light these miracle weapons without being eaten?" He sniffed the ball, "It is unnatural and shouldn't be, but our enemies are unnatural things, things that should not be, Ayasu would say sometimes it takes a flame to put out a fire"

   "We don't feel any better about it," Henshaw admitted, "In the wrong hands, this stuff could do untold amounts of damage, which is why we have written the recipe down and locked it away. We left clues in the guardhouse and referred to it in the logs."

   Aurelia breathed a sigh of relief, "A lesser man would see the world in his grasp, and use such a weapon to its full potential."

  "I have enough trouble keeping up a small kingdom and training the recruits, why would I want the world. I need a couple of hours a night to enjoy a good book and a mug of ale. I am content with my lot," Tiberius swatted the air. 

  "Tiberius, you care for the needs of the kingdom now as a guardsman, what would change if you were king?" Zinjo asked in a tone that challenged the heroic leader. I haven't seen anyone else rising to the challenge."

  "We've been after him for years, to assume the throne, actually most people around these parts want to see him ascend as well," Henshaw stated in a loud voice. 

    A furious expression knotted Tiberius's face right up, and he spoke through his teeth, "Fine, I will assume the throne, providing we come out victorious today."

   An urge touched Aurelia's body, the events of the previous night and morning replayed in her head over and over. She yearned to be crushed under Zinjo's powerful form again. She ached to feel his hot breath on her neck, and his lips on her pale flesh. 

  "Aurelia, are you Listening?" Tiberius asked.

  "Forgive me captain my mind went elsewhere," Aurelia stared at Zinjo, whose eyes opened wide. 

  "The captain was saying we set the blood on the opposite ends of the spike pits and blast them to pieces once's they've fallen in. Henshaw and his archers will keep us from getting crushed. Once we've reduced their numbers enough you and I will engage their leader and blow the beast to kingdom come."

  Aurelia glared at Zinjo, "You volunteered us for the job?" She said in a deadly quiet tone. 

  Zinjo desperately tried to dig himself out of the hole he just dug, "We are more likely to succeed in destroying the lizard beast than Tiberius and his men combined, they will be keeping the others busy."

  "How soon do you want to move?" Aurelia asked with her arms crossed. 

  "This is not the sort of mission one undertakes without a full night's rest. We will need every advantage we can get our hands-on. I suggest you two take the day and speak with the captain of your ship," Tiberius motioned his men back into the Guardhouse. "We begin our assault at dawn."

***

   "This is madness," Gael said in a shocked tone, "What will your deaths accomplish? Not to mention it leaves me high and dry in the security area." He turned his back, "Do you have any idea how much faith Tess had in you two?"

   Aurelia refused to feel guilty for helping her fellow man, "What if it represents a better trade opportunity? Wouldn't Tess love some new dresses and accessories to try on? I think you would enjoy it too."

   "Has she gotten into the grog?" a single finger pointed from Gael to Aurelia, "She's never acted like that..." He trailed off and looked at Zinjo, and then back to Aurelia, He cracked a grin, "I was wondering how long you two kids were going to wait. From what Tess told me you two were saving yourselves for the wedding night."

  "The dark princess decided it was time, and I was a willing participant," Pride filled Zinjo's tone

  Aurelia shot Zinjo a dirty look put her hands on her hips, "You don't talk about what we do behind closed doors. Or else what happened last night won't be happening again for a long time."

   Gael laughed, "Yeah they get mad when you start bragging to your friends."

   Zinjo sighed, "Anyway, the better trade opportunity will be with the new King of Larylia, providing we win the battle tomorrow, and find the Gentle Towers camp."

  Gael crossed his arms and bowed his chin to this hairy chest. Aurelia found it odd, Zinjo's human form had next to no hair, not that she minded, she never fancied a hairy man, "Gael I know it's a big risk, but we can do this," Aurelia pointed to Zinjo and herself.

  "I have no doubt, but do me one favor, If things get dicey get the hell out of there. I'd offer some men but mine is amateur swordsmen and would die rather quickly. I'll extend shore leave for three days, and only because my men have earned a little break, not because I agree with this obscene plan."

   Aurelia scoffed, "Helping others is not obscene."

  "I agree," Zinjo said.

   Gael sighed, "Look, your majesty, your story is famous. Word of the spell's failure reached many a port."

   "What?"

    "I know what that does to a person. It creates a thirst to prove yourself to the world. Don't get too caught up in proving yourself you forget about the people who will depend on you. Tess did."

   Aurelia glared at the old sea dog, turned on her heels and marched into the cabin, and slammed the door. Ten seconds later she poked her head out, "Are you coming, Zinjo?"

   "Yes, Princess."