Chapter 69

Things in the far east are not going well for Aurelia and her mate Zinjo. Their search for the Lemurian runes took them to the city of Fā Tiáo Cheng, an advanced city with clockwork servants. Under the advisement of their ship captain, Gael, they came to the slums of Fā Tiáo Cheng to speak with Límāo Xiǎotōu. A man who deals in lost treasures and artifacts. Only to be attacked by clockwork servants themselves.

Aurelia hissed at the hand-painted faces. To see machines act like men unsettled the princess. Their movements devoid of purpose and soft scrapes of metal and ticks from the gears made them more terrifying than Kongamato. "These should not be," Aurelia commented as she raised the Lion's Fang in defense.

Zinjo brandished the ancestral partisan and nodded, "I agree with you, dark princess. These things are abominations meant to rust away into nothingness."

Each one stood about six feet tall with springloaded limbs to add force to their blows. In their chest, a glowing jewel which Aurelia assumed to be their power source. Despite their squared limbs, the metal humanoid moved with fluidity. Aurelia compared their grace to the Lion people of Kiazangi.

Long staffs with curved sharpened blades swished through the air with malice. Aurelia stepped forward to engage one. The Lion's Fang sped towards the jewel but clanged against the polearm. The same happened after she feinted left and struck on the right.

"It's almost like they can predict our movements," Aurelia shouted as she blocked a blow with the parasol sheath.

Zinjo fared a little better, but not much. His partisan and the clockwork weapons were equal in length. Their battle became a struggle to the first blow. "They are skilled. I want one as a practice dummy," Zinjo grinned and blocked a blow.

Gael tapped Aurelia on the shoulder, "I'll see if Límāo can send us some backup."

The battle raged on for what seemed like hours, but in reality, lasted a few minutes. The Clockwork servants did not tire, nor did they care for any damage done to them. Aurelia noted their feet barely moved as they attacked and opted to try another strategy. Instead of attacking directly, she waited for the next strike to come hurtling toward her.

The automaton attempted a three-hit combination. Aurelia deftly blocked the first two and the third she deliberately knocked the blade wide and pounced on the metal warrior. She tossed the Lion's Fang aside and used her considerable strength to pull the arms off the steely menace.

Zinjo saw what his mate had accomplished and followed suit. The fight was over moments later, with the automatons motionless in the streets dismembered. "You have learned well on our journey, dark princess."

Metal creaked and bent as Aurelia pulled the jewel free and examined it. Beneath the crystalline surface, a glowing orb with eyes stared at her. "Have you looked at the jewel yet?"

"No," Zinjo took a moment to rip the jeweled heart out of his opponent and examined this. "Magic helped make this," he said in a worried tone.

"I agree," Aurelia pointed to the refurbished building, "We should let Gael know we are victorious."

"Hmmm," Zinjo nodded as he continued to stare at the jewel. "Do you think they have trapped a soul within this bauble?"

"Límāo might be able to tell us more. That's if Gael isn't his prisoner."

***

The outside of the building did not do the inside justice. Everything looked new and polished. A few stalls had pushy jewelry salesmen. Many of her noble counterparts enjoyed pouring over items in the shops. Aurelia saw little sense in the activity. In her mind, one shopped because they had to, not because one derived pleasure from it.

Zinjo chuckled and put his arm around her, "I know a few lionesses who would spend hours in there looking for the perfect item. I thought you would like to peruse them."

"My silver fan," Aurelia said in a soft tone. She drew the bent mass of silver and sighed, "I would like to have this repaired, not replaced."

A group of men with curved blades and helmets marched ahead of Gael. Their yellow skin and youthful looks made it impossible to guess their age. Each one wore an elaborately designed breastplate and shoulder guards.

Next to Gael, a man in a bright robe and a neatly trimmed mustache on his head sat long rounded hat tied under the chin to hold it on the man's head. His long sleeves practically swept the floor as he shouted something in his native language at Gael's behest.

"I should've known you two would survive a couple of tin soldiers," Gael gestured to the man next to him, "Aurelia and Zinjo, meet Límāo Xiǎotōu, head of the black market."

"I am honored to meet the friends of Gael. He saved my life a few years back. I promised him if he ever needed anything, I would be more than happy to help," Límāo bowed as he spoke.

"Aurelia, princess of Shadowfen, and my strong, silent companion is my mate Zinjo of Kianzangi," Aurelia's bowed in return. She saw several people do it on the way to the slums and assumed it was a greeting of sorts.

Límāo shook his head, "You are a person of higher station than me. If anyone is to be bowing, it is me, your Majesty." His western language and pronunciation were impeccable.

"You speak well for someone who has not been to the western world," Zinjo stepped and put his arm around Aurelia.

"Yes, I had little choice but to learn. Many western treasure hunters come here to seek their fortune. The town pales in comparison to the mountain city of Kunlun Shan," Límāo spoke softly.

One of his men whispered something in his ear, "How should I know what happened to the jewels of the metallic servants," He waved the man away in annoyance, "I'll assume you two took them as souvenirs?"

Aurelia and Zinjo held up their prizes, "They were difficult to beat, and we are Werelions," Aurelia smirked.

Límāo turned his head to Gael, "Werelions?"

"It'll be faster if they show you," Gael smirked and pointed to his seafaring companions.

"What have I told you about doing that here? Need I remind you the last time you pointed at someone," Límāo spoke in a harsh tone. "That goes for you two as well. Try not to point at anyone. It is considered rude and hostile."

Gael laughed his friend's statement off, "Come one, you two, show him."

Aurelia pictured herself putting on the powerful catsuit, and the familiar sensation of leather stretching out around her mighty form followed. Límāo put his hands on his head and goggled at the pair. "They are lion people. The emperor would pay handsomely to have live Shishi guarding him..."

Gael covered his mouth, "That's enough from you. Aurelia, perhaps you would like to explain why you are here?"

Aurelia giggled and nodded, "It would be my pleasure."