Chapter 12

The afternoon sun warmed the streets of Shadowfen. The people's attitudes toward Zinjo remained petty and suspicious despite the fact a goddess had chosen him for Aurelia. It bothered Aurelia at first until Zinjo shook his head.

"I thought you didn't care what they thought?" Zinjo gestured to a bench and leaned his partisan against the stained wood. His massive calloused hands cradled Aurelia's with a gentleness that belied his size.

"I try not to, but it seems like I can't please them at all," Aurelia spoke in a glum tone. "You are the best thing to happen to me, and nobody wants to be happy, not even my mother. You saved her life, shed blood for this kingdom and its future, you deserve better."

Zinjo pressed her close to his muscled form. Some women would hate the constant affection, but Aurelia couldn't get enough; she could stay in his arms forever and be content, "Give them time. This is the reason I wanted to connect with the world at large, to curb people's reactions."

"Can you tell me about Mshindi?" Aurelia moved to his lap and leaned against him. He was warm and his arms encircled her with care and concern.

A faraway look appeared in the predator-yellow eyes. "Do you remember when I told you a group of hyena and lion children brought peace to the land of Kiangazi?"

"Yes, were you one of them?"

"Hmmm," Zinjo nodded, "As was Mshindi. From a young age, he showed great talent for hunting and leadership. I helped him rise to power, and he helped foster peace between our two peoples," He paused to stare down a thief who attempted to take off with his partisan, "I suggest you leave, lest I mark you permanently with my claws."

The thief tipped his bedraggled hat, and headed for the hills, he waited until the thief was out of sight before he continued the story. "Now, peace was the beginning. I suggested the two tribes meet four times a year to trade and hold a celebration to celebrate the peace."

"I bet that was a hard sell."

"No, it was not. War is an unnatural thing, and neither tribe cared much to repeat the horrors of such an act. Of course, not all of us agreed that peace should reign. My father's rival Kuende believed Kianzangi belonged to the lions and the lions alone. His son Nyo and I were rivals as children. He took his father's philosophy into madness."

Aurelia saw the pain in her future husband's eyes, "Nyo had the potential to be a great teacher, and spiritual leader to the people, but his father's thoughts poisoned him against us. My father banished them both for their selfish thoughts and aspirations."

"Is Kianzangi a harsh place to live?" Aurelia enjoyed the conversation, but she couldn't help but think Zinjo missed home.

"It is harsh, and our lives are ruled by the change of seasons and the availability of food. When the Gazelle are scarce we fish, and when the fish start to dwindle, we eat the birds. We never hunt to extinction," Aurelia got the impression Zinjo did not miss home at all from the way he talked.

"Are you glad you came?" Perhaps the question sounded a little silly at the moment of its inception but the response to her words was not.

"Yes," Zinjo clenched his fists in frustration and growled, "I have come to see the human world is not different from the lions, you just have fancier homes. I feel anger towards my father's anxiety towards the outside world." He rose from the bench, "We will finish this discussion later, right now we need to find out who brought the hyenas across the ocean."

After she heard the slight growl to his voice, Aurelia decided to leave the subject alone for the time being. Should they ever have children she would want his father to be a part of their lives. "We could start down at the docks. I've heard some ship captains will bring illegal cargo into port for the right price."

Zinjo rose with Aurelia in his arms, "Hold tight."

*****

Salty air and the screech of seagulls greeted them down at the harbor. Zinjo switched to his lion form and sniffed the air. "The smell of decay confounds my nose." He set Aurelia down, "How do you humans hunt evil?"

"Well, we ask questions and follow clues the enemy leaves behind," Aurelia's hands moved to her hips and she stared up at the large beast-man, "First thing is first, change back into a human. Scared people have a habit of telling lies to save their skin," she held up a leather bag of coins, "We'll get better results with this."

"Gold? How will that help?"

"I thought you would've figured out people can be greedy."

For the first time since they met, Zinjo blushed, "I did not think of it, dark princess."

"Let's try it my way first and if they won't give a straight answer, I'll let you have some fun."

The werelions face lit up with excitement, "What if I smell lie?"

Aurelia giggled and straightened her dress, "All you have to do is stand behind me and look menacing. I am the carrot and you are the stick."

"The what and the what?" Zinjo looked down at her like she was crazy. They passed a couple of young women who whispered back and forth to each other. Zinjo's ears flicked in their direction, "They think you are too ugly to be in my presence."

Aurelia growled and marched up to them, "I've had enough of the snide remarks, and the whispers. Now if you have an issue, perhaps we can settle this the old-fashioned way?" She held up her fists and punched the air. The young women went white and scurried off." Her face turned from anger to sweetness, "We use donkeys to transport goods sometimes. They can be hard to move. Most owners tie and carrot to stick and hold in front of the donkey. More often than not it inspires the beast into movement."

Zinjo stared at her in amazement, "Hmmm," he grunted, "At this moment I am not sure who is the stick and the carrot between us. Your previous actions suggest you could be both," he cracked a small smile.

"I'm the carrot, of course. I am sweet, beautiful, and delicious to the taste," Aurelia drew up to her full height and spoke with dignity.

Zinjo and Aurelia stared at each other for several minutes before they both began to laugh, "I have no doubt all of those statements are a true dark princess."

"Good answer," Aurelia pretended to be stern.

"Are you sure you weren't a lioness in another life?"

"Who knows, let's shake up some sailors."