Chapter 70

Límāo Xiǎotōu, stroked his mustache while Aurelia and Zinjo told him of their adventures across the world. The black marketer smiled and sipped from a tiny teacup he didn't interrupt or laugh. When they finished the tale, he held out his hand, "May I see the Lion's Fang?"

"I want it back," Aurelia warned him. She drew the blade and presented it horizontally across her hands.

The loving hands of Zinjo touched her shoulder, "I do not think our new friend is that foolish," He eyed Límāo with suspicion.

"An Al' Miraj gifted you with its horn. To take the blade in greed would anger such a creature and bring bad luck. I am envious of such a beautiful weapon. Where did you get it originally?" Límāo ran his hand against the onyx metal.

Aurelia related the tale of the spider monster she fought, and Límāo shot her a look of awe and respect, "Your deeds are worthy of song. Spider demons give the greatest of warriors difficulty." Límāo motioned for more tea, and his silent attendant poured. "I know where you will find Lemurian runes, but I advise against it."

"Why?" Zinjo asked.

"The Tengu live there. As skilled as you are, the Tengu are better. I have seen warriors dedicated to their training lose in a single move. Very few survive," the words of Límāo were devoid of humor.

"Will they negotiate?" Aurelia slid her blade back into the parasol.

"It is rare for the tengu king to accept visitors. Sojobo will only speak with exceptional individuals," Límāo gazed directly at Aurelia as he spoke.

"I have a question," Gael rose and stretched out, "What were the Lemurians doing here?"

"That I couldn't tell you, Sanjobo might. You will have to climb the Tian Shan mountains to find the Tengu. Once you are there, the real work begins. If the Tengu believe you to be evil, they do everything in their power to prevent you from reaching your goal. When that fails, a Dai Tengu will challenge you to fight."

Gael smiled at Límāo, "I think my friends are crazy enough to attempt it. I have seen them do some amazing things."

"I have no doubt, they have, but again the only person who can bestow the runes on them is Sojobo. I am not the king of Tian Shan." Límāo put the teacup down and folded his hands on the table, "The look in your eyes tells me you are going to Mount Tian Shan."

Aurelia smiled, "Of course we are. I started this journey, and I intend to finish it. I can't allow Lebende Dunkelheit to rule over the most powerful nation on my continent. If you had been there on Carmens Island, you'd say the same."

Límāo clapped his hands, "Then I shall provide the supplies required for such a journey. I wish you both the best of luck."

***

Aurelia and Zinjo took the rest of the day off to enjoy themselves. They passed by a curious place. Men and women moved in unison as a person shouted at them. "I wonder what they are doing?" Aurelia mused.

"I think they are training their fists, dark princess," He continued to watch, "Come to think of it, they are training the whole body. An army would benefit from such training." Zinjo watched them with admiration.

"I agree. We'll ask Límāo about it when we get back," Aurelia put her arm around him, "This is nice. I feel like this journey has left us little time to enjoy ourselves."

Zinjo chuckled, "It's hard to enjoy anything with a bunch of smelly sailors running around." Zinjo fell to one knee and held Aurelia's hand, "I know this is probably redundant, but Princess Aurelia of Shadowfen, I have grown to love you like no other. You are my heart, soul, and family. Will you become my wife and mate?"

Maybe it was redundant, but that didn't matter. Zinjo's proposal was honest, sincere, and heartfelt. Aurelia loved him all the more for the gesture, as it was a tradition of her people. She pulled Zinjo to his feet and kissed him several times, "Yes, I will marry you Zinjo of Kiazangi."

They spent the rest of the day making wedding plans and doing silly romantic things. The night ended with them in a naked embrace that lasted for hours. When they finished, Aurelia turned to her side, "Do you think Sojobo will grant us an audience?"

Zinjo Shrugged, "It is not for me to say. I think we stand a chance. Our quest is righteous, and we go forward with good intentions. The real question is, what do the Tengu view as good?"

"You raise an excellent point. What we know to be good may be different in Sojobo's eyes," Aurelia worried for a moment, "No matter what happens, I do not regret a second of our journey. When other noblewomen speak of their mundane lives, I will have grand tales to tell."

Zinjo kissed her and mounted Aurelia. "You will also have a beautiful story of love and loyalty to pass onto our daughters and sons," he paused, "I am surprised you have not conceived. We have been practicing a lot."

Aurelia gripped his firm buttocks and urged him to go deeper, "I'll guess we'll just have to keep practicing until we get it right," She said with a giggle.

***

The next morning the birds sang the sun over the horizon. Zinjo and Aurelia prepared for their journey. Gael entered their cabin, "I'm surprised you two have your clothes on..." He trailed off at a snarl from Zinjo. "Anyway, I looked into the Clockwork Servants who attacked you."

"And?" Aureli tightened a buckle on her leather armor.

"Clockwork Servants have been malfunctioning as of late. It's becoming a problem. Several people said they are beginning to develop human intelligence," Gael looked dead serious as he spoke.

"We'll look into it when we get back. Maybe Sojobo can tell us what's going on?" Zinjo responded and shouldered the heavy pack.

"I can't believe you two are going through with this. Didn't you hear Límāo the Tengu might kill you?"

"That is a risk I am will to make for my people and the people of other countries. If Lebende remains on the throne of the Cherish Empire, we will endure far worse."

Zinjo gripped Gael's hand and shook it, "You are a good friend Gael. I thank you..."

"Don't you dare say goodbye, you scurvy ball of fur. I'll see you when you get back. The same goes for you, Princess. I see a bright future for Shadowfen if you two survive long enough to take the throne. Please don't die."

Aurelia brandished Lion's fang, "I have no intention of dying at all."