Chapter 17

Lord Dawkins and Queen Charity marched ahead of a small squadron of well-armed soldiers. Their chainmail sparkled in the sun. An air of excitement followed the small band of warriors as they marched. They raised their voices in song and ancient battle hymn known only to the people of Brismond. In the rear of the two columns, a woman with black leather armor, and a savage man dressed in bone armor marched right along with them.

"You have done a good thing today," Zinjo commented with pride.

"It doesn't feel like it right now," Aurelia fiddled with her short swords, "I can't believe mother tanked a kingdom and ours for a night of pleasure, and we still haven't asked about the hyenae. Have you smelled any?"

"Not as of yet, Hyena's will sometimes hide their scent with a stronger one. Back home, they use a special plant to do this. Given the plant's needs, I highly doubt the Hyenas can grow them here."

"Maybe we should check with apothecaries. They know about all sorts of plants and smelly compounds. If the hyena's want to mask their presence, I'd start there,"

"Hmmm," Zinjo smiled at her, "I like this idea, but we should ask Dawkins first before we begin to explore other leads."

The pair let a burst of speed carry them to Lord Dawkins who greeted them with a smile, "Win or lose, you have given this kingdom a chance to thrive again," his smile turned serious, "I'll assume you have something to ask?" His metal armor clanked as he walked.

Aurelia took a few moments to explain the hyenas and the events that occurred at dinner, "Which is part of the reason why we came. Whoever took the hyenas in, sent them after my mother."

Charity stopped, "Father give me a moment alone with Aurelia, you too Zinjo."

Zinjo nodded, "Do you mind if I'm the first one through the door?"

"No," Dawkins answered, "I want to do this with minimal bloodshed, some of the guards are old friends and I wish for those friendships to continue. Could you do it as a Lion?"

"You believe my animal form will encourage them to surrender sooner?"

"Yes, or at least that is my hope..." Zinjo and Dawkins's voice faded and left Aurelia alone with Charity.

A deep mournful sigh left Charity's throat and she averted her gaze, "I hired the Hyena...I...couldn't stand what your mother did. I thought if she died I would feel better, but when the gold changed hands, I was filled with deep guilt. Its part of the reason I treated you so horribly."

"What happened is between you and my mother. Quite frankly, I am unimpressed with how she handled the whole thing," Aurelia clenched her teeth in frustration, "Anyway, for an alliance to exist between our two kingdoms, we should put the past where it belongs behind us."

"Zadock is the name of the man who I hired to find the assassin. From what I heard, he has a hideout in the wilds between our two kingdoms. I couldn't tell you where though."

"We have a thief under our thumb back in Shadowfen. Perhaps its time we made good use of him," Aurelia grinned wickedly.

"You are nothing like her you know," Charity said with a thin smile. "You certainly aren't like Amadeus, either. Should we win the day, I will send emissaries to Shadowfen when you assume the throne. I won't deal with your mother in any capacity."

Aurelia held out her hand and smiled, "I'll take it. We should catch up to Zinjo and your father."

"Race you?" Charity giggled and ran ahead.

"Hey, wait up," Aurelia laughed.

****

The guards didn't bother to put up a fight. Charity gave them a simple choice, fight with her and keep their jobs, or walk away in shame. The guards were tired of Horace and his ridiculous demands.

"The dark princess will hunt with me," Zinjo said in an abrupt tone. Aurelia looked around, "Do not fear, dark princess, we are surrounded by sturdy men, and the danger to you will be minimal," His voice filled with promise.

"I don't even know how to hold a sword," Aurelia slapped his hand away as he tried to touch her.

Zinjo caught hold of her and pulled her close to him. She surrenders to his spicy smell, and loving arms, "We all have to start somewhere, dark princess. Back home..."

"You are not in Kianzangi anymore, Zinjo, I spent my formative years tripping over my feet. I have two left feet..."

"Dark princess, these weakened guards pose little challenge. I will be there to step in if you get into trouble. I believe you can do this, and so must you."

How could she say no to those gorgeous eyes, and the gruff kindness of the werelion? "She drew the short swords and held them up. She always heard soldiers and Knights talk about the weight of the blade, she barely noticed it. "I don't see how something so small can cause fatigue."

"Battles last for hours, Aurelia," Dawkins said with a grimace. Most men are good for ten minutes, and trained soldiers can go for hours."

She looked up at Zinjo who nodded, "The pride leader speaks the truth. Some battles last a couple of hours, others go on for days and sometimes through a night. A warrior who tires easily is a dead one."

"Can we save the lessons for afterward? We have despot to overthrow," Charity growled and took the lead. She held up her sword with expert precision. "Form up behind me. I will not hide behind the lion. This is between me and Horace." She shouted as she shoulder charged the door. Aurelia stifled a giggled as she bounced off of it. Not a single guard or Soldier laughed. Charity imperiously pointed at a large marble statue, "They have barred the door, grab the statue and use it as a battering ram."

Without warning, Zinjo charged forward his golden mane trailed behind him, "I don't have time for this." As he crashed into the door he shouted, "For the pride." Aurelia laughed a little as the lion man bounced off the door.

He rolled out of the way of the soldiers who charged the door with their makeshift battering ram.

"This is it, gentlemen, retribution for all the suffering," Charity shouted with glee.

"She is fierce," Zinjo commented, "You could learn a thing or two from her."

"Zinjo, dear," Aurelia's voice was covered in honey.

"Yes?"

"I don't know how they do it back in Kiazangi, but here we don't compare our mates to single women," A sharp-edged voice accompanied her words, and for the first time Zinjo looked at her with a bit of fear.

"I shall remember that in the future."

The door cracked open and the soldiers poured into the throne room like ants. The smell of death caused most of them to choke and vomit. There on the throne lay the rotting corpse of Horace. His face was a bright blue color."

"I have a question. If Horace is dead, then who was in charge of the kingdom?" Aurelia asked.