Chapter 62

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.

The parasol returned to Aurelia's shoulder in a flirty fashion, and the silver fan obscured her face, "Don't hurt me too bad, Juma. I'm just a girl." She added a hint of seduction to her voice and pouted. She drew the blade, the hilt came out, and the rest of the weapon remained in the protective covering.

A polished hand ax pointed at Aurelia, "Is this what you have become without your people, Zinjo? You asked a woman face your greatest rival? Have you no Shame?"

"It is no more shameful than breaking a challenger's weapon before the battle," Zinjos partisan pointed at the broken sword. "My friend Gael had better be in good condition when I see him again, or you will not live to see another sunrise."

Juma smiled, "I rather like the fellow. He is discussing trade with the Lioness council. They are interested in his ideas. No harm will come to him."

A flash had the whole crowd raise their hands to shield their eyes from the glare. The Al' Miraj's horn grew another few inches and clattered to the ground. A smaller horn replaced the fallen one. The Al' Miraj pushed the horn to Aurelia's feet and stared up at her with expectant eyes.

The glassy horn felt cool to the touch. Aurelia held the horn close to the hilt, the Al' Miraj leaned forward, and its stubby tail vibrated fiercely. The horn touched broken metal. It grew and took the shape of the blade.

"I shall name it the Lion's Fang," Aurelia took a few practice swings and smiled, "Thank you, my friend, I will pass it on to my children, who will know of you and your noble sacrifice." She gave the horned rodent a scratch behind the ear. The softness of its fur brought comfort to the princess, "I will win for you, I promise."

Juma roared, "Are we going stare at each other all day? I thought we came to fight." He held up his partisan and looked over at Sahiri, "The girl dies. She is unworthy to be a lioness."

Sahiri transformed and streaked toward Aurelia. Zinjo held out the shaft of his weapon. The lioness stumbled, and Zinjo cracked her on the back of the head with the flat of his blade. Sahiri enjoyed a face full of stone.

Aurelia ignored everything else but Juma. She threw the broken metal aside and held the lion's fang at her side. Like Zinjo, Juma capitalized on the reach of his weapon to try and end the fight early.

Aurelia dodged easily grateful for her daily practice sessions with Zinjo. "You can do better than that, Juma. Have you forgotten to practice in your brother's absence?" She Twisted and opened the parasol while the blade slid from the sheath with ease.

Juma jumped back at the bright-colored canopy and left himself open. Aurelia swung the onyx blade at Juma's partisan the bone handle broke in two.

Juma growled, "That was a gift from my father..." He never got to finish. Aurelia struck him on the back of the head with her scabbard,

"I am not going to kill you, Juma." She lunged forward fist first and struck Juma again. He fell to the stone. She kicked him in the gut, "But I will make sure you hurt for a long time."

She dared to glance at Zinjo, who was now locked in a contest of strength with Sahiri. The lioness held her own, but Aurelia noticed Zinjo push his foot out to the side. Her lover was about to put Sahiri on the ground.

Two seconds later, she caught a glimpse of the jagged ceiling on the way to the ground. She tightened her grip on the parasol blade and bounced off the stone floor. Juma wasted no time and drove the broken weapon down toward her heart.

The crowd cheered for both sides. Although Aurelia thought she heard the crowd cheer louder for her and Zinjo. Aurelia rolled, and sparks flew where she once was. She scrambled back to her feet and charged Juma.

"Why won't you die?" Juma growled. Sparks showered the ground as steel met onyx horn. Without the proper handle, the partisan was unbalanced and clumsy to wield. Juma was unused to it, and his moves left most of his body exposed.

"I have come too far to say die to a lesser lion. Your brother may not be a chief, but he acts like one with or without the mantle," She knocked the partisan away from his body and swept Juma down. She held the lion's fang to Juma's throat. "Yield or die."

She could hear the crowd cheer louder as Zinjo put Sahiri down for the count. His partisan rested on her stomach, "Stay down, and I will spare your life." He growled.

Ayasu entered the arena in her lioness form. Her long, decorated robe swept the dust along her feet. "The challengers have proven their skill and strength. None shall stop them from entering the broken plains."

***

Gael met them at the entrance to the arena. The jovial sailor grinned, with the Al' Miraj perched on his shoulder fast asleep, "Looks like we all achieved our objectives."

Aurelia drew the lion's fang and smiled, "I have to admit the Al' Miraj has been a steady and true companion. I still wonder why the silly beast follows us."

"Hmmm," Zinjo grunted, "It matters little why it came along. It saved you and protected us along the way. I am proud to count it among my friends."

Gael laughed, "Tess is going to love the trade deal I worked out here. It promises to be a profitable affair. I will finally have the money to pay for her dowry, and we can get married."

Zinjo strapped the partisan to his back, "Come, dark princess, we should see about getting some supplies on our journey. The broken plains can be an unforgiving place."