The Leopard Stratagem (Leopard King Saga Book 2)

by T. A. Uner

  “I don’t know, yet,” Hradack replied. Celestra took her leave of Tullus and left the room. Mithras followed her. The Leopard Master chuckled. “I think my Mithras has taken a liking to your Leopardess.”

  Tullus nodded and smiled.

  They turned their attention back to the scroll. “I’ve never been to Capri,” Tullus said. “Although I know it’s a popular tourist attraction.”

  “Perhaps you will be going there, in the future,” Hradack said.

  Tullus climbed out of the bed. “My power in Elemence growing.”

  “But can you wield it effectively? Without mastery Elemence is unpredictable.”

  Tullus nodded. Hradack was seldom wrong. “I only wish I knew what this vision meant.”

  Hradack clapped Tullus on the back. “The Gods have already written our fates, you, me and everyone else in the universe are actors on a stage, playing out our lives. But I once met a man who claimed he spoke to God. His name was Yeshua and he was a carpenter. I met him in Judea, years after the Paladins had been wiped out. I was troubled and his kindness soothed my troubled soul.” Hradack’s eyes grew melancholy. “They crucified that man, said he was trouble. But when I spoke to him I felt my life-force flow through my veins like a tranquil waters. How could someone filled with so much love and compassion be considered ‘trouble'?”

  Tullus could feel Hradack’s sorrow. He placed a reassuring hand on the old man’s shoulder. “No wonder you know everything, Hradack. This man you met has opened your eyes to seeing life through an elevated perspective.”

  “Tullus, I’m only an experienced old man who has seen a lot in his life. Now, I promised you that I would introduce you to two of my friends.”

  They left the house. Cornelia called out to Hradack to let Tullus rest but The Leopard Master would have none of it. Tullus promised Cornelia he would return shortly. He did not want to upset the kind, old woman.

  They came upon a maroon-colored barn which Tullus hadn’t been to before. Hradack opened the front door. Inside it smelled fresh and was well-kept. There were a few stalls for horses. “This is strange,” Tullus said.

  “What is so strange about it?”

  “This barn, it smells so clean.”

  Hradack grinned. “And why wouldn’t it? Its occupants wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  They came upon the corner of the barn where two large creatures were sitting at a table. As they drew closer Tullus noticed that the two creatures were playing a game of dice.

  “Sweet Venus,” Tullus said.

  Both creatures turned their heads around and stared at the newcomers. One was a large ape-like creature with shaggy black hair and powerful arms who stared at Tullus indifferently. The other resembled an odd-looking bear. It smiled at Tullus. Both creatures’ eyes featured sparkling stars.

  “I see you’ve never met an Incantra mountain gorilla or sun bear,” Hradack said. “Allow me to introduce you.” Hradack walked toward the two creatures and they both looked up from their game. The gorilla grunted at Hradack while the sun bear rolled over and licked The Leopard Master affectionately. “Plato! Socrates! Where are your manners! Why don’t you welcome Tullus to your home?”

  The gorilla grunted again and lumbered over toward Tullus. It studied Tullus intently before offering its hand. Tullus extended his hand and shook it. “This is Plato,” Hradack said.

  Plato grunted at Tullus before turning around and returning to the table.

  “And this is Socrates,” Hradack said as the sun bear barreled over toward Tullus and wrapped its arms around him. Its grip was powerful. But it understood its own strength and kept the embrace brief. The playful Socrates licked Tullus' face affectionately before returning to the table.

  Hradack sat down on an old whicker chair and hunched forward, leaning on his staff while its carved, wooden, Leopard head watched the dice game. “I found these two years ago. Abandoned. Probably from some circus. They weren’t as worldly as they are now. Despite being Incantra they acted more like common beasts.”

  Plato grunted at Hradack.

  “You know I’m right,” Hradack said to the gorilla, “don’t try to deny it.” Hradack turned his attention back to Tullus. “Plato can be touchy at times.”

  “It’s amazing how human-like they are,” Tullus said.

  “If you treat an animal like an animal, you get an animal. If you treat an animal with respect, you make a friend. Besides, we’re all born animals. The goal is to become human before you die,” Hradack said.“These two have become as humanly possible, and they’ve both mastered Fortis V spells as well.”

  “That’s above my level of proficiency.” Tullus assumed the lotus position and watched the two creatures play dice. “I wish my friend Decimus was here,” Tullus said, grinning, “he wouldn’t believe his eyes.”

  They left the two creatures to their game and wandered back toward the stead. “So do those two just play dice?”

  “No…no, of course not,” Hradack replied. “They read, act as Sentries and perform chores. But they also pursue their own interests, gambling happens to be one of them.”

  Before reaching the house Tullus stopped. His head felt as if he had running in circles. He place his fingers on his temple and tried to control the images that flooded his mind.

  “Tullus?” Hradack said concernedly.

  “The visions,” Tullus said, “they’ve returned.”

  “What do you see?”

  Tullus saw the blue grotto again. Then Capri. Then…?

  Hradack raised his wooden staff until the carved Leopard head touched the front of Tullus’ forehead.

  Tullus struggled to contain the Visio spell. His senses were trying to warn him. But what could be so dangerous on a resort island where emperors vacationed? What awaited him there?

  “I see the images,” Hradack whispered. His eyes were closed.

  Tullus snapped out of his trance. Around him the world was a blur. He felt Hradack grab his arm as the Leopard Master struggled to keep him standing.

  For an old man Hradack was surprisingly strong, Tullus thought.

  He felt worse than he did after suffering the effects of the Wolfguard’s bite. Finally, the dizziness abated. Tullus shook his head.

  “Did it pass?” Hradack asked.

  “Yes.” Tullus rubbed his temples. “But I need to find answers.”

  “We’ll find those answers together,” Hradack said before he led Tullus back to the house.

  {III}

  Artia was glad that Yeshiva and Masego were feeling better; but she was still no closer to learning how to destroy the Door. After her experience in the forest, she had concocted a potion that broke Yeshiva and Masego out of their trances. To her credit they had recovered quickly. But she still couldn’t figure out why she had collapsed. The visions. They were telling her something. And who was the snake man? She had issued a warning for everyone to refrain from descending into the basement out of concern for their safety. Only she was to venture down there. Vulcan wasn’t happy about her edict, and had finally convinced her that he would join her. The German was stubborn, but he was also brave.

  Inside a room, Yeshiva had assigned her within his warehouse, Artia flipped through her father’s parchments to seek answers to her questions.

  “I must destroy the Door,” she told herself. “I must rid the world of its evil.”

  “You won’t do it by abusing yourself like that.”

  She looked up from her notes and saw Vulcan standing in the doorway. In his hand was a trencher filled with food. Beef with onions and baked vegetables. It smelled good. She couldn’t remember the last time she ate. Hours? Days?

  “I asked not to be disturbed,” she said irritably.

  “I know,” Vulcan answered, “but still, you must eat. Your body needs Vigor.”

  He placed the trencher on a chair and cleared the desk before placing the food in front of her. She wanted to tell him to take the food away, to leave her to her studies, but it smell
ed so good. She lifted a piece of bread from the trencher. It was still warm and felt wholesome in her hand.

  “Go on,” he said, “eat it.” Vulcan tore off another piece of bread and swallowed it before her eyes.

  “Alright,” she said before taking a bite. It tasted soft and delicious, and her body yearned for more. She couldn’t resist. She ate.

  After cleaning off the trencher she was full and her belly had thanked her for the nourishment.

  “See? That wasn’t so bad…was it?”

  “I suppose not,” she replied before pushing the trencher away. “Now you may leave.”

  “Are you always this rude?” Vulcan asked.

  “Only when I’m constantly interrupted.”

  “Have you found a way to destroy that thing?”

  She wanted him to leave. But he wasn’t the type to be pushed around. In a way he was a lot like her. “I think I’ve found one component that is necessary to destroy it.”

  “Clever girl,” he said.

  Her father used to call her that. She smiled.

  “What’s that I see? Could it be a smile?”

  “I was thinking about something,” she said, “nothing more.”

  “Well I’m glad I was able to make you happy, even if it was only for a moment.” He stood up to take his leave.

  “Don’t leave!” She didn’t know why she said it, only that it exploded from her mouth.

  Vulcan smiled and reseated himself. “Alright, I’ll stay.”

  “One of the components is chicory root. It grows in the countryside.”

  Vulcan scratched the side of his face. “I think Gansu and I can go find some for you. But you’ll have to be more detailed about it.”

  “I’ll be sure to do that.”

  Vulcan studied her intensely as she resumed her work. “It amazes me why such an evil thing like this Door was even created.”

  Artia looked up at him. “The Serpent Cult fashioned them, right before the onset of the Serpent Wars.” Artia paused and gathered her thoughts. “They recruited from Kaotika, that dismal world I told you about the other day. And, they almost won if it wasn’t for the Air Paladins.”

  “You’d think Romans everywhere would be happy that they did so,” Vulcan said. “Nobody even mentions it or pays tribute.”

  “There were a few who appreciated the Paladins. My father was one.”

  But now he is dead.

  Vulcan raised an eyebrow. “You never told me about your father.”

  “Yes, after the Air Paladins came under attack by Augustus’ armies, he was taken away. One day a squad of Legionaries barged into our home and arrested him. Suspicion of sorcery was the charge. I never saw him again.” Artia wiped a tear from her cheek. She didn’t want to break down in front of this behemoth of a man, but her emotions betrayed her.

  Vulcan pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it into her hand. “Tell me more about the Doors, what makes them so indestructible?”

  Artia understood that he wished to draw attention away from her sorrow. She found her respect for Vulcan growing every day. “They’re made from a substance indigenous to Kaotika. It’s called Demon Steel.”

  “Demon Steel?” Vulcan responded. “Never heard of it…and I’m a blacksmith.”

  Artia giggled.

  Wait! When was the last time I giggled around a man?

  “Of course not. All traces of Kaotika were destroyed by the Air Paladins after the end of the Serpent Wars.”

  He watched her as she continued to search for information that would bring them closer to destroying the Door. “Another way to destroy the Door would be to have two people skilled in Elemence, proficient in Fortis IV spells or better.”

  “Hradack is one,” Vulcan said. “But Tullus is still new at it, I doubt he’s reached that level yet. Can’t you cast spells?”

  Artia shook her head. “Like I said before, even though I’m blessed with Gift, I studied potions. Our best bet is to collect these plants and for me to create a potion that can act as a corrosive acid to destroy the Demon Steel.”

  “Then I better get started finding this chicory root.” Artia scribbled the plant’s description on a parchment and handed it to Vulcan. He looked at it and studied the words. “I’ll take Gansu with me. Masego is still not fully recovered.”

  “Who says I am not recovered.” Masego entered the room, a wide grin on his face. “I am as strong as a bull.”

  “Then you can accompany me to find the second item, Masego,” Artia said. “We’ll send Yeshiva and Ashi to collect the third component.”

  “So we only need three items to destroy this Door?” Vulcan said. “Sounds easy.”

  “No,” the potion mistress replied. “There is also a fourth item. We’ll need everyone to help locate that.”

  Vulcan and Masego stared at her with cautious expressions. “What is it?” Vulcan asked.

  Artia sighed. “You’re not going to like it.”

  {IV}

  Despite the uncouth working conditions, Eliana found the work satisfying. Claudius had found her a position in Caligula’s palace as an attendant. Using Messalina’s cosmetics, she and Lorien had both dyed their hair black. She still felt a touch apprehensive. If they were discovered, all would be lost, their movement crippled.

  Claudius had spoken with Chaerea, and the Praetorian Prefect had agreed to help them. Despite his squeaky voice, Chaerea was an imposing man who commanded much respect. He was, after all, one of the most powerful men in the empire. Eliana never thought she would hear how many jokes Caligula made of his Prefect’s voice. During the lavish banquets he would tease the Prefect. Lorien was privy to much valuable information. She had told Eliana that Caligula often used offensive passwords in Chaerea’s presence, regarding the Prefect’s injury, sustained during a campaign under the command of Caligula’s father, Germanicus. He would make squeaky noises and mock Chaerea’s lost testicle.

  Still, there wasn’t a day in which Eliana didn’t think about their betrayer.

  It could be anyone, she thought. She was glad to have won over Proudfeather, for now at least, but she still had to be cautious around the suspicious Griffin trainer.

  As she set the table she thought about Lorien and the kiss. Lorien had not made any more advances toward her since then, but it was always at the back of Eliana’s mind. Was Lorien in love with her? Sylvia had told her of women who only had sex with other women. It was a concept she had never thought of before. She had only been attracted to men, and only had one lover, Tullus.

  She was beginning to doubt that he would ever return for her. The thought was disparaging, but she had to prepare herself for the fact that he might never return. Eliana was a realist if nothing else.

  After setting the table with the other servants she retired to her quarters. Despite its modesty she was comfortable there. But she still missed the comfortable beds in her parents and Sylvia’s villas. And what of Sylvia? No doubt she was worried of Eliana’s disappearance. Everything had happened so quickly. She hoped that her absence would not upset her sister enough to endanger the baby. She decided to write a brief letter to Sylvia and have Claudius deliver it to her. As she began the message there was a knock at the door.

  “Come in.”

  The door opened slowly with a loud creak and Lorien’s head emerged. She smiled at Eliana. “I’m sorry to disturb you, dear,” the Dryadess said as she gently closed the door behind her.

  “I was writing a letter to Sylvia,” Eliana replied. “She must be worried sick about me.”

  Lorien shook her head ruefully and sighed. “I can imagine, with all the commotion of the past few days.” Lorien’s brown eyes looked at Eliana lovingly. She did not know what made her succumb to their glance. Perhaps it was all tied to the Dryadess’ enchanted lineage.

  “Have you heard from Arsis?” Eliana asked.

  “He’s now working in the palace stables as the new stable master. Other than that he has not relayed any pertinent information to me th
rough Chaerea.”

  Eliana resumed writing her message. “Perhaps he hasn’t learned anything valuable to pass on.” Eliana paused writing for a moment. “I don’t blame him; he doesn’t want to risk detection.”

  Lorien smiled. Those eyes again. “With all his complaining I’m surprised they haven’t made him out already.”

  Both girls laughed. It was a welcome relief from their tedious situation. Lorien stood up and moved over toward the table where Eliana was writing. “You have lovely handwriting, Eliana,” Lorien said. Her arm brushed against her shoulder. Eliana didn’t know if it was by accident or intentional. She turned back to her letter.

  “I’m scared Eliana, what if we’re discovered?”

  “Try not to think about it, Lorien.” Eliana didn’t want to alarm her friend any more than was necessary. But their situation demanded patience as well as calm nerves. “I met Drusilla,” Eliana said. “She’s as elegant and kindhearted as they say. But,” Eliana paused, “she seems estranged from her husband.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “Call it intuition. He is rarely around her and at dinner they usually sit apart.”

  “That doesn’t mean anything, Eliana.”

  “It doesn’t?” Eliana shot Lorien a confused look.

  Lorien placed her hands on Eliana’s shoulders began massaging them. “You’re tense,” she said.

  “I suppose I am.” She returned to her message, trying to figure out what to say to Sylvia.

  She couldn’t reveal her location. Perhaps she would write that she had left Rome for the time being. To think things over.

  The massage felt good. Lorien’s nimble fingers danced across her shoulder blades and caressed the small of Eliana’s back. She felt Lorien’s breath on her neck. She was scared, but only for a moment.

  “I love you, Eliana,” Lorien said into her ear.

  Eliana didn’t know how to reply. She turned around to face Lorien. But no words came to her lips.

  {V}

  Spring had arrived in Switzerland, but Decimus still felt cold. The morale in the fort did not fare better.