Chapter 16

The guards escorted Aurelia and her companion to the audience chamber of Lord Dawkins. The chamber featured previous lords and ladies who presided over the thriving town of Pallrath. Lord Dawkins commanded respect without words. His looks may have been average, but the way his servants, and guards looked at him, one could conclude Lord Dawkins was anything but ordinary.

He scrutinized Aurelia and Zinjo as he approached the caterpillar, thick eyebrows knitted in thought, deep brown eyes affixed on his guests. He kept his hands clasped behind his back, "Please state your business, and surrender your weapons. I do not know you, and armed people make me nervous."

Zinjo handed the partisan to a young guard who trembled under the gaze of the predator's yellow eyes, "This is a family heirloom, please care for it." the guard almost dropped. His knees knocked together.

"I am Aurelia, heir to the throne of Shadowfen. I came for two reasons. One I'd like to restore diplomatic relations with Brismond. My mother has let our kingdom fall too far, and I intend to make it great again."

Dawkins scratched his goatee, "I am not averse to it, but Horace will be. He's been using the kingdom as his piggy bank. You'll understand there is some bitterness between Brismond and Shadowfen, right?"

Zinjo's eyes locked on Dawkins, "Why is there bitterness?"

"Queen Sophie," Dawkins replied without humor or a smile.

Confusion spun Aurelia's mind in circles, "What does my mother have to do with it?"

"She's the reason why Charity and Amadeus separated. She came in flaunting her good looks and bedroom eyes. The gods know Amadeus had difficulty keeping his sword sheathed, but for another visiting noble to blatantly offer her bed to a married man, disgusting." Dawkins spat with venom.

"We want to help put Charity back on the throne," Zinjo snarled at a guard who had a dagger trained on his back, "I suggest you put the knife away before something regrettable happens."

"You dishonor me, leave at once," Lord Dawkins pointed toward the door. The guard hung his head and walked out of the audience chamber. "Come, let us retire to the conference room. I'll fetch Charity, perhaps she will hear what you have to say."

****

The conference room had a lived-in feel to it. Rolled-up parchments scattered all over the table, Ink blotches covered the table where the king usually sat. Aurelia and Zinjo sat across from each other while they waited.

"I can't believe mother did that. She's tarnished the reputation of the kingdom. No wonder she cut off contact with Brismond," Aurelia smacked the table with a closed fist.

"The past is unchangeable. Our job is to create a better future. Let's hope Queen Charity agrees. Before we attempt to restore diplomatic relations, let's get our Hyena questions out of the way. Perhaps we can convince them to keep their ears out at the very least."

The collaboration excited Aurelia, she stared at his battle harness and how it hugged his sculpted form. She took a few moments to daydream about his body sweating with effort over her with love in his eyes. "I agree. Mother has done irreparable damage to diplomatic relations here."

Lord Dawkins entered the conference room with a plain-faced woman dressed in a beautiful gown, she glowered at Aurelia and shot Zinjo an amorous smile. Aurelia felt a spike of jealousy at her actions. Her hand gripped the edge of the table until ghostly white covered her knuckles.

"Queen Charity, I present to you Princess Aurelia of Shadowfen and her betrothed Zinjo, I don't know much else." Dawkins gestured to each of his guests.

"Welcome Zinjo, I don't why you had to bring that spawn of the working girl who destroyed my marriage." Charity's tone filled with an arctic chill, and she crossed her arms.

Zinjo shook his head, "Forgive me Pride Mother, but is it right to blame the child for the mother's transgressions?" He leveled his unblinking gaze on Charity, who blushed furiously under the intensity.

"Like you don't know Aurelia is Amadeus's child..." She trailed off as Aurelia covered her mouth.

"This was a bad idea. We should leave." She rose and hurried toward the door. Her insides twisted in thick sailor knots, and shame overtook her. She fought to hold back her tears. Lies, her mother filled her life with lies.

"Confound it Charity, are you willing to sacrifice everyone in this kingdom to satisfy your need for vengeance?" Lord Dawkins shouted at the top of his lungs. "It is obvious Princess Aurelia knew nothing, and she seeks to open trade and relations with Brismond again. Do you not want to see Brismond thrive again?"

Zinjo rose from his seat and took Aurelia into the safety of his arms. She wept into his shoulder. "I'm sorry for being weak." She could taste the saltiness of each drop as it fell, and her nose became a spigot dripping with melancholy. He stroked her hair, "Your people suffer, while you lick your wounds pride mother. Aurelia took the insults and whisperings of her people for two years, and yet she has come on their behalf, can you boast the same?"

"Why doesn't she lay claim to the throne the way her mother laid claim to my husband? She has just as much right as I do." Her words cut Aurelia deeper, and the guilt of being in Charity's presence caused her more pain.

"Do not be afraid to challenge her. She has insulted you for existing. I am always behind you," Zinjos' warm breath and beautiful words caused a shift inside the princess.

She gave Zinjo a soft kiss before she put on her angry face. She marched to the end of the table, "I am equally displeased with my mother's actions. Had I known what she did, I wouldn't have bothered to deal with spiteful shrew such as yourself."

"Excuse me?" Charity scoffed, "You are the reason..."

"I am not the reason. My mother is," Aurelia silenced her with a slash of her hand. "I don't want Brismond. I don't know the people or their festivals, but you do. They are crying out for a leader, and you sit here languishing in anger. Maybe Amadeus acted shamefully, but what you did is not much better. Now either make peace with the past or you and I will take this outside and deal with this like men." Aurelia cheered for herself inside, while her exterior stood in a challenge.

Charity waited for Aurelia to back down, but she didn't. She looked to her father. Lord Dawkins shook his head, "You are a grown woman. You offered insults to a guest, that's your problem. Regarding her challenge, I suggest you shit or get off the pot."

Queen Charity glared at Zinjo and Aurelia for a moment and then her eyes fell to the floor in shame. "You are right, princess. I have done nothing but hide since my disgrace at court. It is time to let the past go, and look to the future. I have one question: Will you help me ascend the throne again?"

Zinjo shifted forms and growled, "We would be pleased to help."

Lord Dawkins elbowed Aurelia, "Where did you find him?"

Aurelia giggled and hugged the humanoid feline, "I didn't find him. Now, lets prepare to storm the castle."