The Leopard Stratagem (Leopard King Saga Book 2)

by T. A. Uner

  “I am Maelstrom. Who has summoned me?” the demon said, its eyes falling on Serpentus.

  Serpentus stood up. “It is I, Serpentus, a Snake Lord that has summoned you.”

  The demon’s red eyes studied Serpentus for a moment. “How can this be?” it asked.“The Five were destroyed long ago.”

  Afaa interjected. “This is true. But a new age has dawned. The power of Serpent Eye survivessss.”

  For a few moments there was silence as both parties studied at each other. Finally the Erebus spoke, “I am sworn to obey the words of the one powerful enough to invoke me. What are your orders, Lord Serpentus?”

  Serpentus thought for a moment, then decided on a worthy task for his new minion. “Go now, seek out the most ruthless assassins and bounty hunters and have them assemble on the island of Capri in two weeks time. I will arrange for their transport.” He handed Maelstrom a drawstring bag filled with gold, Serpent coins and planted additional instructions in the Demon’s mind.

  Maelstrom nodded. “It shall be done, my Liege Lord Serpentus.” It stretched its shadowy wings and flew off to begin its task.

  Afaa smiled at Serpentus. “I see you have already concocted a plan.”

  “Yes, Teacher” he replied, with a smile of his own. “Soon, I shall have all the necessary

  pieces to spring my trap.”

  Part II: The Winds of Discontent

  {December 17th, 37 AD to February 25th, 38 AD}

  “Parva scintilla saepe magnam flamam excitat.”

  “A small spark often ignites a large flame.”-Roman Proverb

  Six/Sex

  Eliana awoke to another day of misery.

  Since Tullus’ departure she had felt even more unbalanced than the first time he had left Rome. This time he had been the one to balk at her overtures.

  Why didn’t he let me come with him this time? she thought. “Where I am going I must go alone,” he had told her. But what had happened to make him say that? She stretched her arms and walked over to the mirror to look at her face. To her men were strange creatures that thought with their privates first, and their brains second.

  She heard a knock at her door. One of the servant girls, Ula, had brought her a wash basin filled with warm water. She left when Eliana told her she would dress herself today. The water felt good on her face and she dried it with a towel. After descending the staircase, she found the breakfast table already prepared and sat down to eat. Her mother, Adolpha, hurried into the atrium and greeted her daughter.

  “You look so glum this morning, Eliana.”

  A slave placed a small plate of fruit in front of Eliana. She wasn’t really hungry but decided to nibble on a piece of melon.

  “I suppose I do.”

  Adolpha placed her hand on Eliana’s arm. “But why should you be? Your father’s recent actions have made him a hero in the eyes of our new emperor. He uncovered the conspiracy against Caligula, and put an end to it,” Adolpha said excitedly. “Only the gods know why senator Silanus and that ungrateful boy Gemellus wanted our emperor dead. Plus, your betrothal to that shameful tribune has been annulled.”

  Eliana smirked. “Norbanus is no longer a tribune mother, and from what I hear, Sacrus was the one who uncovered the treason plot, not father.”

  Adolpha eyed Eliana as if something was lodged in her throat. “Eliana dear, Sacrus is our property. Who do you think ordered him to spy on Silanus.”

  Eliana hated it when slaves were referred to as ‘property.’ This, combined with her mother’s incessant chattering about the conspiracy had made her weary.

  No wonder Tullus left the Praetorian Guard, Eliana thought. Politics is an occupation for those with no conscience.

  Senator Remus arrived and seated himself at the lavish table while a slave brought him his breakfast of wheat pancakes and cheese, along with warm spiced wine. Remus kissed both his wife and Eliana on the cheek. She bristled, causing Remus to look at her discerningly. “My dear there was a time when you looked forward to seeing me in the morning.”

  Eliana shot her father a disgusted look. “That was before you unexpectedly forced an unwanted betrothal upon me, father, to a man you knew I despised.”

  Remus shook his head in dismay. “If I knew, he would have the gall to lay a hand on you, my dear I would’ve never arranged the match. But all of that unpleasantness is now behind you. Norbanus has been stripped of his title and banished from society.”

  It didn’t matter to Eliana. She was the one who had to live through the ordeal while her parents acted as if nothing had happened.

  Remus cleared his throat. “Which brings me to my next point, finding you another husband.”

  Eliana couldn’t believe her ears. She had dodged an arrow with her annulment to Norbanus and now her father was ready to force another suitor on her.

  Eliana dropped her fork disgustedly onto her plate while both her parents looked at her. “I cannot understand your thinking, father,” she said. “One would think after my disastrous betrothal to Norbanus, you would’ve learned to let me select my own husband.”

  Remus did not look surprised by Eliana’s response. “You simply have no say in the matter, Eliana, I insist that.”

  Eliana stood up from the table. “I have made up my mind. I cannot live in this house anymore! I’m leaving!”

  Adolpha burst into tears. “No! You cannot mean that, Eliana.”

  “I forbid it!” Remus added.

  “I will send for my belongings,” Eliana said, ignoring her father’s threat. She turned to leave.

  “Eliana, consider your next actions carefully.” Remus gave Eliana a stern look. “If you walk out of this home, we will not take you back.” Adolpha urged her husband to reconsider but he looked resolute.

  Eliana turned to face him. “Then I guess this is goodbye, father.”

  Upstairs in her room she began packing her clothes into various trunks while the slaves watched her in disbelief. Ula approached Eliana, “Lady Eliana, please, let us pack your belongings for you.”

  Eliana turned and smiled at the girl. “That’s kind of you Ula, but I am no longer a member of this household so I think I should pack my own clothing.”

  Ula did not look convinced. “Please, won’t you reconsider your decision to stay?”

  Eliana’s heart warmed to Ula’s compassion. Her kind treatment of the servant girls was well-known in the household, and all of the slaves and freedmen loved Eliana. They would be hard pressed to find a better mistress.

  “I’ll be staying at my sister Sylvia’s home, Ula,” Eliana replied after she had gathered her belongings in a small trunk and placed her clothing on top of it. “Please have this trunk shipped to her villa.”

  Ula dropped her head and wiped a tear away from her cheek. “Yes, Lady Eliana.”

  “Everything will be fine, Ula, you’ll see,” Eliana said before she hugged the girl.

  Downstairs, in the anteroom, Remus and Adolpha were waiting for Eliana. Sacrus had also appeared and looked quite disheveled. “I am sorry to see you go, Lady Eliana,” he said.

  “Thank you, Sacrus,” Eliana replied. “Mother, Father. I will send word to you when I have found a new residence. Till then I shall be staying with Sylvia.”

  “Do not count on your inheritance to fund this abandonment,” Remus replied coarsely, “remember, if you leave now, you are cut off from us, for good.”

  “I understand, father.” She turned to Adolpha. “Mother, I shall miss you.”

  Adolpha embraced her daughter as fresh tears deluged her pink cheeks. “Please, Eliana, won’t you stay? Your father only wants what is best for you.”

  Yes mother, he wants me to marry a man I do not love. While the man I do love, runs around with an enchanted Leopardess and disappears when I need him most.

  Eliana kissed her mother on the cheek. “Goodbye mother.” And without casting another glace back at her parents, Eliana walked out of the villa.

  {II}

  Inside the sedan El
iana pulled back the curtain and stared at the rain falling on the streets of Rome and wondered what Sylvia would say when she arrived at her doorstep. She covered herself with a blanket. Despite its lavish interior, it was slightly chilly inside the sedan, as winter made its presence known.

  The sedan trudged on, leaving the Esquiline district behind after traversing the twisting road that descended from the hill’s peak. Ahead was the Caelian district. For a moment Eliana recalled the brutal memories of her violent treatment at Norbanus’ hands. The feeling soon passed. Outside the rain had abated; a winter sun clawed at the dispersing clouds.

  The sedan eventually came to a halt in front of a fashionable villa, built in the rustica style, surrounded by ornate walls. A slave helped Eliana out of the sedan. She thanked him and told them they could leave. Her former servants bowed respectfully and left her at the front gate.

  One of Sylvia’s female slaves hurried to the front gate behind two sinewy slaves, one of which bowed his head respectfully at Eliana while the other slave opened the gate to allow her inside the grounds.

  Eliana recognized the female slave, a woman named Buree, who served Sylvia and her merchant husband, Pontius Rufus Petrus. “Lady Eliana, what a pleasant surprise,” Buree said, “but we were not informed to expect you today.”

  Eliana smiled. “That is because my visit wasn’t planned Buree.” Eliana walked toward the villa’s main entrance, Buree and the two slaves following her. “If you could have my trunk taken up to a room I would be most appreciative.” Buree ordered the two slaves to take Eliana’s trunk inside the villa before she showed Eliana inside, but a look of apprehension marred Buree’s face.

  “How long will you be staying, Lady Eliana?”

  Eliana wiped her wet sandals on the doormat while another house slave took her cape from her. “I would think till Sylvia’s baby is born. Where can I find my sister?”

  “Upstairs, in her room, my Lady.”

  “Ohh,” Eliana said, “if she is resting I do not wish to disturb her.”

  “You’re not disturbing me sister, dear.”

  Eliana looked up and saw her sister descending the staircase from the landing. “Although I was not expecting my little sister to grace my estate with her presence on such a sullen day.”

  Eliana rushed to greet Sylvia. She hugged her sister and noticed that a slight bump was protruding from her sister’s belly. “When is the child due?”

  “In June, Pontius is ecstatic.”

  “You’re probably wondering why I am here.”

  “Well, yes. The thought did interest me. But let us talk in more comfortable surroundings.” Sylvia took Eliana’s hand and led her into the atrium. When they were both seated, Eliana took a deep breath and exhaled. “I left home…for good.”

  Sylvia didn’t look surprised. “Did you tell them you were coming here?”

  “Yes,” Eliana said. “I hope it will not be a burden to you and Pontius. Father has also withdrawn my inheritance, so I’m destitute as well.”

  “It doesn’t surprise me in the least. Father was always stodgy when it came to tradition. But Eliana dear, you must take a husband. Surely you know that?”

  Not this argument again.

  But despite her resistance, a part of Eliana knew it was true. Tullus came to mind and she grew angry at him for leaving her again.

  Eliana stood up and walked toward a padded couch and stretched out on it. She wished she could lay here forever, forget her troubles. Two slaves entered the atrium bringing plates of fresh fruit and mulsum. But she was not hungry. Sylvia plucked at grapes and chewed hungrily.

  “I must say, pregnancy has stirred my appetite.”

  “I promise not to stay long,” Eliana said.

  “Nonsense! Do not even trouble yourself with thoughts of leaving. We are united by blood. You may stay here as long as you wish, Eliana dear.”

  Eliana was glad to have such a caring sister. Still, she needed income. But what could she do?

  “I would like to work,” Eliana said while her older sister looked at her disbelievingly.

  “Work?” Sylvia laughed. “What foolery! Women of our class do not work. We attend social galas and shop for expensive clothing. Working is for men and the lower classes.”

  Eliana sighed. “Still, I would like to be productive.”

  “You mean like helping the merchants?” Sylvia replied. “How did that turn out anyway?”

  “Quite well, thank you. Those men have their livelihood back.”

  Sylvia didn’t look impressed. “Why you trouble yourself with the problems of others I shall never understand.”

  “What is there not to understand? The merchants are an important part of Rome’s commerce,” Eliana said pointedly, “they’re also human beings, like us, believe it or not.” Eliana wondered how two sisters could be so dissimilar in thought and etiquette. It was as if they were two completely different people. Still, she knew it was wrong the way the patrician class looked down upon the plebeians.

  “If it’s not too much trouble, could I be shown to my room? I wish to unpack and get settled in.”

  Sylvia stopped eating and summoned a slave to take Eliana to her new quarters.

  “I almost forgot. Tonight I shall be entertaining a guest. Do you remember that strange girl named Lorien we used to play with back when we were children?”

  The name didn’t quite resonate with Eliana as she tried recalling each of her childhood playmates.

  “I cannot seem to remember her,” Eliana replied as Sylvia’s slave arrived to show her to her new room.

  “I’m sure you will remember her when you see her tonight. I ran into her only the other day at the Forum and decided to invite her to dinner.”

  Eliana thanked Sylvia before heading upstairs. But her curiosity had been stirred.

  That night an impressive array of foods were prepared: various cheeses and sweetbreads; antelope served in wine sauce; lobster, prawns and cuttlefish seasoned with pepper; venison in rich brown gravy; for desert, soufflés and thick mounds of pudding. Eliana reclined on a couch and waited for Lorien’s arrival. At first, Pontius was surprised to see Eliana in his villa but made no inquiries as to the reason for her stay. Sylvia would probably fill him in on the details later. One of the slaves played a harp in the background. Another slave arrived and announced the arrival of Lorien. Their guest wore a laced-up flowing emerald dress that flattered her slender figure, wide gold trim adorned the sleeves and hem of her dress while the low-cut neckline featured twisted gold and green piping. Atop her head was an emerald headpiece.

  Eliana, Pontius and Sylvia stood up from their couches and welcomed Lorien, who embraced Sylvia and thanked Pontius before turning her attention to Eliana. “Lorien,” Sylvia said, “this is my younger sister, Eliana Clodia, she is staying with us for a short period.”

  Lorien bowed her head respectfully at Eliana. “It has been a while since we have seen each, other, Eliana.”

  “Yes,” Eliana replied, trying her best to recall to her sister’s houseguest, “I hope tonight we will have an opportunity to renew our acquaintanceship.”

  Lorien nodded politely.

  Spiced wine was brought into the room. All except for Sylvia drank the fine vintage while slaves hovered about offering trenchers filled with various food selections.

  “My dear Lorien,” Sylvia began, “what have you been up to these years?”

  Lorien paused for a moment as she savored her wine. “I used to work as an apprentice to an artisan, but now I have my own business. I’m an artist, of sorts.”

  “How delightful,” Sylvia replied, while Pontius slurped as he ate, much to her distaste. “My sister Eliana has a passion for the arts, don’t you dear?”

  Eliana smiled. “Yes, one could say that,” she said modestly, “but I don’t consider myself a professional. It is only a hobby.”

  Lorien smiled and when she did, her dark eyes followed suit. Eliana felt there was more to this woman, her seductive brow
n eyes, sentries, for a closely guarded secret. “Well, even though I make my living creating frescoes, sculptures and mosaics, it started as a hobby, while I was a child. Afterwards, it blossomed into an occupation.”

  “How nice,” Eliana said, “to earn income working in an occupation one loves.”

  “Yes, Lady Eliana,” Lorien said. “It is always good to be appreciated, especially by a fellow lover of art.”

  Eliana took a sip of wine. “Well, I’m not an artist such as yourself, but since I was a child I took harp lessons.” When Eliana spoke she felt as if Lorien’s eyes were attempting to read her mind.

  Could this woman be a sorceress? But the practice of sorcery was banned, even speaking of it could elicit punishment, public or private. Still, Eliana was drawn to Lorien’s secret, whatever it was.

  “You must play for us sometime,” Lorien said. “I would enjoy listening.”

  Pontius paused eating for a moment and licked his fingers. “Yes, yes…Eliana is a fine harpist,” he said, uttering a rare sentence before resuming his meal.

  Eliana smiled. “My brother-in-law is too kind.”

  “Eliana,” Sylvia said, “why don’t you play the harp for us?”

  Eliana didn’t feel like playing, but it would be rude to decline, especially in front of a guest. “Very well,” she said before a slave handed her the harp. She seated herself on a bench across from the dinner table. Sylvia gently nudged Pontius’s arm with her elbow and he stopped eating.

  Eliana rang her fingers along the strings to get a feel for the instrument. As she did she met Lorien’s gaze again and her confidence grew.

  Eliana’s fingers danced upon the harp’s strings as she played a melodic tune for her audience. Everyone seemed entranced by her performance, Lorien most of all, and they all applauded loudly when she had finished playing.

  “It appears I can still play,” Eliana said as she handed the harp back to the slave.