Chapter 73

Tien felt his age would hinder the journey to return the Yanhuo child to its people. To ensure proper communication, he spent the night enchanting two leather bracelets, which would allow them to speak without confusion.

Aurelia despised the jungle-like forest. She'd had her fill back on Larylia to go into a second dense forest brought her sanity into question. However, she promised to help return the Yanhuo child.

Lord Nian carried his strange halberd, known as a Jian, with pride and care. Zinjo admired the weapon and the craftsmanship that went into it. "I like this style one can stab and cut."

Lord Nian gave Zinjo's partisan the once over, "This blade tells the tales of your victories and your families victories, does it not?" He ran his thumb over the edge, "How do you keep the blade so sharp?"

"My father bestowed our oldest weapon to me when I came of age. I sharpen it with a clear stone." He reached into his pocket and produced an uncut diamond, "I use this to sharpen the blade, and it never fails."

The young Yanhuo clung to Aurelias back. She assumed its mother carried it this way. Then again, she knew nothing about fire-breathing apes. "Should I leave you two alone?" Aurelia's hands clasped behind her back to keep the young from sliding off her back.

"I could make for an interesting time," Lord Nian teased.

"Hmmm," Zinjo shook his head, "I think I would prefer the company of my future wife in that area." He moved closer to Aurelia, and the baby Yanhuo shifted his position and almost knocked the princess off her feet.

"I don't think it likes you very much. I wonder why? It didn't have a problem with Lord Nian." Aurelia watched Zinjo's face fall.

"Perhaps I will fail as a father?" He said.

Lord Nian smacked him in the arm, "Do not be hard on yourself. Fatherhood is something you learn with the child. When I had my children, I doubted my ability to care for them."

"How are your wife and children?" Aurelia asked.

"They are in the imperial capital tending affairs of state. They should return within the month. If you are still here, we would be pleased to have you over for dinner."

"We will leave before then, but if we can find time in a couple of years, we will come to visit as tourists," Zinjo promised. The warrior poet society impressed Zinjo to no end. He loved the rigid discipline of the people and admired their work ethic.

Lord Nian nodded, "I would enjoy that. It is not often I meet a kindred spirit. I find most of my servants talk too much and require supervision to perform the simplest tasks."

"What of your friends?" Zinjo used the partisan to cut through the bamboo.

"They are all in the Captial. Many of them are generals in the imperial army. I see them from time to time, but their duties keep them occupied."

A thought struck Aurelia, "Lord Nian, do you teach swordsmanship?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. Why do you ask?" Nian seemed interested in the conversation.

Aurelia handed the Yanhuo to Zinjo, who panicked at first. He relaxed the moment it clung to his back. "Well, as it stands, I have a large group of disloyal lords waiting to knife me in the back once I ascend the throne, and my mother has neglected our army back home. If I were to offer a position, would you join me?"

"You honor me with your words, princess. I must give the matter some thought and discuss it with my wife. She is not fond of the capital city and wishes to live anywhere else." Nian replied.

Tears formed in Zinjo's eyes, "You would do this for me, dark princess?" He wiped his eye, "Such a gift is worth more than any precious stone."

Aurelia kissed him and giggled, "Your happiness is my happiness."

"I would advise you two to hold your affection we have arrived in Yanhuo territory," Nian pointed his blade to scorch mark on the bamboo, "We must tread as quietly as possible."

***

Deep in the heart of Yanhuo territory, the scorch marks on the bamboo and small trees grew more and more prevalent. Aurelia noted there were thick strands of web. She nudged Zinjo, who groaned.

"Not another one of those accursed spider creatures. I refuse to take another step toward my doom," Zinjo complained.

Lord Nian put his hand on Zinjo's shoulder, "If the spider demon were here before, it isn't now. I heard they make armor using their webs and catches fire easily. I doubt such a creature could thrive among the Yanhuo."

Aurelia pointed to the path ahead, "What are those?"

Animal skulls on sharpened sticks the eyes were charred, Lord Nian shook his head, "What madness is this? Only bush tribes use these markers to ward off trespassers. It would explain their recent hostility towards us."

"Is it possible the child's parents have shifted their position to another area?" Zinjo growled low.

"No, the Yanhuo have lived here for countless generations. My grandfather said they rarely move. If they do, they always return to their ancestral lands. He brokered a deal with the emperor to protect the land."

"Your people revere the Yanhuo?" Aurelia allowed the young black ape to walk beside her. It seemed pleased with its companions and dared not to stray far from them.

"We do not revere the creatures, but they were here first. As you have seen, a war with them would be costly, and many would die. Villages would burn, you get the idea," Nian kept to the underbrush.

"How are there still wild tribes running around," Aurelia whispered.

"Some people want to run around bare assed in the woods for the rest of their lives. Those are left alone as most agree they don't know any better. Ones who use the markers tend to be groups of bandits looking to usurp a town to prove their worth. They must have heard about the recent attacks."

"Which gives me an idea," Zinjo said with a smile.

***

Zinjo's plan was quite simple. Step one avoid the patrols of the wild ones. Step two, find the Yanhuo and return the child. Step three, allow Zinjo to attempt communication with the firebreathers. Step four, remove the would-be marauders from Lord Nian's lands.

The scorch marks grew thicker and thicker until the Yanhuo child sniffed the air and flew into the bushes just ahead. Aurelia tried to catch it, but the young ape had agility beyond hers. She turned to Zinjo, "Let's hope these apes will understand you."