Chapter 72

The next day Tien bought them to Lord Nian Zhen. The leader looked exhausted and frustrated with his inability to protect his people from a superior opponent. Thoroughly demoralized guards spoke to the frequency of the attacks.

The middle-aged man had lost the flatness to his stomach, and his face drooped a little on the edges. Yet, there was still power in his movements. He wore a stretch of cloth over an eye. Like anyone else with rank, his robes were elaborate and brightly colored, his bore cranes in flight among the clouds.

Tien cast his spell to allow the young couple to speak with the lord. Zinjo stood in silence next to Aurelia. "Do I bow here?" Aurelia asked Tien.

"You are a princess, and he is a lord. Your station is still higher than his," Tien seemed amused by her concern, "Aurelia, princess of Shadowfen, this is Lord Nian Zhen of Sēnlín zhī jiā, you may call it Senlin for short."

Lord Nian bowed to Aurelia, "I have never met anyone from the west before, your majesty. Tien spoke of your deeds when you arrived. You bring honor to my home."

"I am a stranger in a strange land, and it is wiser to make friends than enemies," A bright smile came to Aurelia as her arms encircled the man she would marry, "This is Zinjo of Kiazangi he is the son of a chief."

"A nobleman in his own right," Tien stared at Zinjo in admiration, "I have told Lord Nian you wish to help with the Yanhuo."

Lord Nian shifted his position and sat crosslegged, "I am unsure what to make of your offer. I could use the help, but I fear retribution from your people should you die, princess."

In a flash, Aurelia's mind began to put on the catsuit in her mind. She could feel the power of the lion form envelope her. Her bright yellow eyes remained fixed on lord Nian as Zinjo made his transformation. Both Tien and Nian bowed at their feet.

"The gods have sent us a pair of Shishi. They will help protect the village," Tien cried out with joy.

"I will never get used to people's reactions," Zinjo held out his hand for Tien, "I am a mortal man, I was born to my mother Ayasu, high priestess, and slayer of the fierce Kongamato," Zinjo spoke his mother's name with pride and respect.

Aurelia offered her hand to Lord Nian, "Perhaps you should tell us more about your problem. If you doubt my skill," She held up the Lion's Fang, "I won this blade from a spider demon." She pulled the glowing jewel out of her pouch, "I earned this from a battle with one of your clockwork servants." Last, she produced a claw from the fierce avian "I took this from Kongamato after I helped slay him."

Lord Nian looked over at Zinjo, "She is an accomplished warrior. You must be proud to fight alongside such a woman."

"Who do you think taught her?" Zinjo laughed.

Aurelia shifted back to her human form and sat crosslegged. The pose felt unnatural and caused her calves to ache a little. "Now Tien said something about the Yanhuo?"

Lord Nian's face filled with grief and sorrow, "I have no explanation for their violence. We have left the appropriate offerings and have kept our logging activities away from their home. I believe this is their third attack this week."

Zinjo crossed his arms and went, "Hmmm," his chin bowed to his chest, "Are they skilled fighters?"

Tien shook his staff, and the rings tumbled against each other, "It takes two warriors to face one, I'd estimate. Our people are comparable in skill. But their ability to breathe fire and strength make them fearsome opponents.

"That makes no sense," Aurelia opened and closed the parasol in thought. "By all rights, this village should be destroyed if what you say is true. Can we take another walk through the village?"

***

Lord Nian accompanied them as they strode through the village, "What is she looking for?" Nian asked Zinjo.

"I have learned to trust her instincts. They are seldom wrong," Zinjo said.

Aurelia frowned as she looked at the scorched walls. Why not burn the house down? "Were any women and children hurt?" Aurelia looked up and saw broken bits of tile on the roof. She looked over at the home gardens. The plants still thrived and retained a healthy green color.

Nian and Tien looked at each other, "Now that you mention it, the only people injured were guards and men bent on protecting their families. Why do you ask?" Lord Nian offered his hand to a family, "I am sorry for your loss. Your husband died with honor. I make proper compensation by the end of the week."

"He is a kind Lord," Zinjo said in a soft voice.

"He is beloved by his people. Lord Nian helps plow fields and build houses when he has time. He is terrible at both, but the people don't care. Their lord at least tries to understand their struggles," Tien said without flattery.

"Are you two done?" Aurelia scowled, "I'd like to answer Lord Nian's question if you don't mind." Tien and Zinjo zipped their lips. "I think the Yanhuo could've destroyed this village any time they wanted. I believe they are looking for something."

Lord Nian tightened the cloth around his eye, "Your words make much sense. The question is, what are they looking for?"

Tien spread his arms wide, and the metal rings on his staff rattled, "I don't think what they're looking for is outside, perhaps a resident of the town?"

Zinjo nodded, "I agree. We should find it before they decided to mount another assault on the village."

Lord Nian marched up to a soldier, "Gather some men. We will search every home. I want every odd object brought to the center of town along with its owner. Now move.

***

Over the next couple of hours, a line of men and women with strange and exotic objects stood in the center of town. A few rare vases from the desert lands, odd jewels, and strange swords, none of which were objects that would interest the Yanhuo.

"Maybe I was wrong?" Aurelia felt a little foolish.

Zinjo's strong arms enveloped her, "Have faith, dark princess. They still have homes to search."

Excited shouts came from the soldiers, "Lord Nian, you need to see this."

Lord Nian rushed to his men, Aurelia and Zinjo followed. A guard dressed in armor motioned them toward a house. A guard stood in front of the house and held something in his arms.

"Is that What I think it is?" Tien stared in awe.

As Aurelia got closer, she could see the white face and black fur. The red eyes regarded her with curiosity. It had a long bandage on its arm. "This is one of their children and what the Yanhuo are looking for."

A woman threw herself at the lord's feet, "It is all my fault, Lord Nian. The young Yanhuo was injured, and I feared retribution from the other Yanhuo. I took it home and tried the heal the young one as best I could."

One would expect Lord Nian to treat the woman harshly, but instead, he said, "You will aide the aggrieved families. You may only attend your household after theirs have been taken care of, understood?"

The woman nodded and ran off to carry out her punishment. Lord Nian turned to Zinjo and Aurelia, "Will you two join me on a trip?"

Aurelia nodded, "Let's return child."