by T. A. Uner
They placed their trenchers on the table while the guard watched them suspiciously. Eliana and Lorien did their best to stall for time as they tidied up the room.
“How much longer will you be?” the guard asked.
“Only a few more moments,” Lorien replied. “This room is filthy, it needs cleaning.”
The guard sighed. “Well, hurry up then.” He turned and left the room.
Eliana eyed her image in the cracked mirror. It was the first time she had seen herself with her new hair color, and it felt strange, like having a different person stare back at her.
Myrrdin approached her and whispered into her ear. “I’ve managed to probe into his mind.”
“And?”
“It’s much worse than we thought. This Afaa is quite powerful. It will take some time to break the spell.”
Caligula stirred in his sleep, deliriously calling out for Drusilla, that was enough for the guard to return to the room. “You mustn’t wake the Emperor,” he said before ordering them out of the bedroom.
“Of course not,” Eliana replied as they all shuffled out of the bedroom. They headed for Eliana’s quarters. After checking to see that they weren’t being followed, Lorien closed the door.
“Did you learn anything else?” Eliana asked.
Myrrdin exhaled. “I was able to read most of his thoughts. In addition to eradicating our people, this Afaa has also instructed Caligula to make war against Britain.”
“This is alarming,” Lorien said.
“Many of our people are still located in the British Isles,” Myrrdin explained. “But I also extracted another name…someone named Serpentus.”
“Serpentus?” Eliana said. “Who is that?”
“I do not know,” Myrrdin replied, “but it appears he is intent on killing the Leopard King.”
Eighteen/Duodeviginti
“You are making a grave mistake, Tullus.”
Inside the main stable, Tullus continued loading his supplies onto Bruticus’ saddle. “I’ll come back, Hradack. I promise!”
“We do not know anything about this Serpentus! You could be walking into a trap.”
Tullus paused for a moment to face Hradack. Cornelia entered the stable and looked at him sadly.
Her sadness made his heart feel like a rock in his chest. But he couldn’t get Artia’s image out of his mind. “If I don’t go, and my friends are killed, I will not be able to live with myself. Besides, you heard it what he intends to do. I cannot allow him to use the Door.”
Hradack shook his head. “Let us draw up a plan of action, it might take a few days, but we stand a better chance of defeating this Snake Lord with an organized plan.”
“I’m sorry Hradack but I cannot wait any longer.”
“A rushed decision often spells doom,” The Leopard Master warned. “Remember Zedion Firmitas!”
Tullus expression remained indifferent. “I cannot allow this Snake Lord to harm my friends.”
“Tullus, please,” Cornelia urged, “listen to Hradack, he’s faced the Serpent Cult before.”
Tullus embraced Cornelia and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you for your hospitality, I had almost forgotten the taste of freshly-cooked meals.”
Cornelia’s eyes welled up with tears. Celestra brushed up against the old woman’s leg and mewled. She stroked the Leopardess’s back. “I see you are both intent on leaving.”
Tullus nodded. “I’m sorry…there is no other way.”
Caltus and Vespillo arrived as Tullus was mounting Bruticus. Caltus handed Tullus Leopardhide, and he inspected the shield. “I wish I could be going with you,” Caltus said.
Tullus smiled. “Where I am going is no place for you. At least not yet. Keep practicing with Cutter, when I return, we’ll continue improving your swordsmanship.”
Hradack sighed. “Since you insist on going, head for Genua. There is a port there. Ask for Sharkus Maximus. He’s the Captain of Neptune’s Fury, the fastest ship around these parts. Tell him I sent you. And, one more thing Tullus.”
“Yes?”
“I hope I don’t regret saying this but…you should take Caltus with you.”
Everyone stared at Hradack in awe. Tullus looked surprised. “I don’t understand.”
“Caltus is familiar with the roads. He can guide you to Genua.” Hradack turned to face an elated Caltus. “After your parents died, I did my best to protect you. But I have realized you are not a child anymore, you’re a young man and I cannot keep you from the real world forever. Now, let me have your sword.” Caltus handed Cutter to Hradack, who took it in his hands and blessed it. “In case you run into enchanted opponents.”
Caltus smiled as she sheathed Cutter. “Thank you, Grandfather.”
Hradack looked at Tullus. “I’m holding you responsible for his safety.”
“I accept the responsibility. No harm will come to him.”
Celestra growled her assent. Mithras approached her and the two big cats licked each other’s faces.
“Get your supplies together and let’s go,” Tullus said.
“My horse is already saddled and ready to go,” the young man replied sheepishly.
“Then, let us be on our way.”
Hradack raised his staff. “May the spirits of the Elders protect you both.”
“Thank you, Hradack. I promise, I’ll return to complete my training.”
“There is one more thing.” Hradack handed Tullus a small vial.
“What is this?”
“It is called the breath of life,” Hradack said. “Something I concocted. It should give you extra Vigor. You’ll be needing it against this Serpentus. But be warned, use it sparingly, for if you do not, the consequences could be fatal.” Hradack looked at Tullus and Caltus wistfully, like a father watching his sons go off to war. “Always remember, difficult situations are often thrust upon those who often have the power to influence events.” Hradack turned toward Tullus. “I believe you would’ve made a fine Air Paladin.”
“Thank you, again, Hradack.” Hradack nodded before Tullus and Caltus rode off, Celestra followed.
Hradack wrapped his arm around his wife and sighed.
“You should’ve told Tullus the truth,” she said sadly.
Hradack’s face was solemn. “He already has enough on his mind, no sense adding to his burden.”
{II}
The Bloody Ripper waited. He could smell his prey. The voices in his head told him to wait. He’d listened to them countless times and they’d never deceived him. After witnessing the battle between The Leopard King and Wolfsbane’s forces he realized that he stood little chance in defeating the combined might that opposed him. But he still had guile, and knew how to use it. After purchasing a horse from a nearby trader, he set up camp outside Hradack’s stead and waited. Now was his chance. The Leopard King and the boy had left the stead. He mounted his horse and rode ahead.
His knives were sharpened and ready. He could hear the hooves of the approaching horses. His horse was restless and he tried to calm it to prevent giving away his position. Now his prey would come to him. He drew his knife and waited. Then, right when they rode by he stirred his horse and barreled at his opponents. The knife flew from his palm and barely missed The Leopard King’s head. His opponents were momentarily dazed. Behind them a giant spotted cat appeared. It growled at the Bloody Ripper. But he was ready for it. He reached into his side pocket and launched a dart at the cat. Its poison tip would kill it on impact. But, before it could strike the creature disappeared.
Where did it go?
He urged his horse forward and pulled up alongside the boy’s steed, head-butting the youth who fell from his saddle, but managed to land on his feet.
Now he pressed on toward the Leopard King.
But he had disappeared, too.
He turned his horse around and scanned his surroundings. Nothing.
The youth had drawn his sword and approached him. “Where are your companions, boy?” The Bloody Ripp
er asked.
“Here!”
He felt something slice through his arm. Then a numbing sensation overtook him and his arm was skewered upon a great sword. Its golden Leopard Head pommel stared at him angrily.
But he wasn’t defeated yet. He slashed at The Leopard King with his free arm. The knife nicked his opponent’s Leopard Print scarf. A small red patch of blood appeared.
He felt something bite into his ankle. When he looked down from his saddle, the spotted cat had reappeared and had gotten hold of his ankle. Moments later he was dragged off his saddle. His plan was imploding. He wasn’t accustomed to being outwitted by prey. He felt the pain from his ankle wound surge through his leg, and realized now that his ankle was gone. In its place lay a mass of glistening tendons, his blood leaked freely from it.
For the first time in his life, The Bloody Ripper screamed in pain.
{III}
Tullus stood over the fallen body of the foiled assassin. It resembled a man in the throes of his last moments on Earth. “Another one of Serpentus’ assassins?”
The smiling face stared back at him. “It doesn’t matter, Leopard King,” he said, in between short breaths. “I died doing what I do best…hunting people.”
Tullus spit on the ground, inches from where the assassin’s detached ankle lay. “Then I have done the world a service by ridding it of you.”
“Yes…you felled The Bloody Ripper.”
“Is that what they call you?” Caltus said.
The Bloody Ripper nodded. “Yes…I’ve killed many.” He paused for a moment. “I was once a man you know, with a promising future. In another time, another place, before I started killing. But now, I’ll die in the same manner I’ve killed others.”
“The price you pay for the life you’ve lived,” Tullus said.
The Bloody Ripper attempted to lift himself off of the road. Celestra growled at the beaten murderer. “For some reason I had a feeling today might’ve been my last day…it appears my chance at salvation has…expired.”
The sanguinary clouds stretched out across the yellow sky as the last vestiges of daylight began its journey toward darkness where the soul of The Bloody Ripper would spend eternity.
Tullus strung the mangled corpse of The Bloody Ripper from a tree branch. Using a sheaf of parchment borrowed from Caltus he used the Bloody Ripper’s blood to write the following message in Latin:
Here hangs the body of the murderer known only as “The Bloody Ripper”. May the innocent souls, whose blood was spilled by his hands, now find peace.
The Leopard King
13 June 38 A.D.
After posting the parchment on the bark of a tree, they rode off toward Genua, leaving the corpse hanging from a thick branch. It was scarce consolation for the lives the killer had taken over the years, however many that might be.
A cloud of crows flew toward the dangling remains of the man once called The Bloody Ripper. They eyed it greedily and greeted their newest meal with a cacophony of squawks before commencing with their feast.
Tullus whispered a silent prayer for those souls as they rode towards Genua.
“Where do the souls of people go when they die, Tullus?”
“A philosopher asking a soldier that question?” Tullus couldn’t help but revel in the irony of Caltus’s question. “I don’t know lad, but that murderer lost his soul long ago when he embarked on a campaign of bloodshed.”
“I wonder what drove him to that lifestyle? He said he once had a promising life.”
“Only the gods know,” Tullus replied. “Best leave it at that, Caltus.”
They arrived in Genua as the night sky asserted its presence across the sky. Both Bruticus and Caltus’ steed, Antonius, were lathered from hard riding, so they left the horses with two stable boys and found the tavern that Sharkus Maximus was supposed to frequent. A wooden sign hung over its doorway where the words, The Glorious Griffin, were stenciled in gold paint above the logo of a Griffin holding a mug of mead in one talon and a sword in the other.
Inside the tavern, the din of customers greeted Tullus’ ears. Celestra was met with surprised glances by the innkeeper.
“I’m afraid your cat will have to wait outside, dear Sir,” he said politely. Tullus smiled at the man and tossed him a gold aureus. The innkeeper’s eyes widened as the golden head of Caligula shone from the coin’s surface. “But I’ve been known to make exceptions for my guests.”
Celestra growled her thanks.
“Could you point us in the direction of Sharkus Maximus?” Tullus asked the innkeeper.
“Why yes, dear Sir. Look for a drunken Brit hunched over that table in the corner,” the innkeeper pointed toward a large, black-bearded man with a mane of black, stringy hair that hung past his shoulders.
They found Sharkus Maximus asleep. Celestra eyed the Captain and growled. Sharkus stirred briefly, but continued sleeping, light snores floating past his lips, while the scent of mead and fish greeted Tullus.
Tullus did not wish to wake Sharkus, but they were pressed for time.
“Captain Maximus?” Tullus gently rubbed Sharkus' back before the sleeper’s head shot up. He looked at Tullus and Caltus before rubbing his eyes.
“Ahhhhh! Can I help ya mates?” he asked groggily.
“We need to hire a ship to take us to Capri,” Tullus said as he and Caltus seated themselves across from Sharkus. “Hradack The Leopard Master said you have a fast ship that can get us there.”
“Hradack? Been a long time since I’ve heard his name spoken.” Sharkus paused a moment to pour some mead into his mug. “Aye, he’s right about my ship, mate,” Sharkus replied. “She’s the fastest there is in these parts and beyond.” He gulped down his mead before emitting a raucous belch.
Celestra growled and shook her head.
“Sorry,” Sharkus replied. “It appears I’ve drank a wee bit too much.”
“How soon can we leave?” Tullus said.
“Within the hour.” Sharkus dropped a few coins onto the table and struggled to get up. He staggered to his feet before tripping over his own boot. The big man collapsed to the floor before slowly rising. His face turned an unhealthy yellow, and he vomited into a large yellow pail in the corner of the barroom, while patrons stared at him bemusedly.
“Better make that two hours, mates.”
{IV}
Tullus and Caltus headed to the pier to get a first look at Neptune’s Fury. Its three, tall masts stretched up to the clear, blue sky while gulls danced around the rigging. The crew worked furiously on its deck, preparing Neptune’s Fury for departure. Tullus eyed the bronze figurehead of Neptune attached to the prow. It shined brightly above the turquoise water that splashed against the hull.
“Welcome,” Sharkus said. He stood on deck and waved at them. “Come aboard, we’ll be leaving shortly.”
They crossed over from the pier and walked up the gangplank. After they were aboard the crewmembers retracted it as they prepared the ship for departure.
“Clear all moorings,” Sharkus said. Moments later, below deck, the stern oars got busy propelling Neptune’s Fury. She scuttled through Genua’s port before unfurling its sails. Tullus eyed the giant sigil of Sharkus' ship stitched across it, a blue Dogfish
“What is our course, Captain?” the First Mate, Sextus Seadog, asked.
“Best speed to Capri, Sextus,” Sharkus answered.
Sextus nodded and went below deck to give new orders to the oarsmen. After they had cleared port, the wind picked up and filled the sails as they began their journey down the coast of Italy.
The salty air of the Ligurian Sea greeted Tullus as he and the others watched the city of Genua disappear behind them. After Sextus Seadog showed them to their quarters, they were invited to join Sharkus in his quarters for breakfast. The captain was anxious to hear about their travels. A cabin boy brought plates of fresh clams and oysters, and freshly baked bread to the table. After they had seated themselves, a tiny monkey appeared on Sharkus' shoulder a
nd began chewing on an apricot. The little creature wore a gold necklace with the name “Tippy” inscribed on it.
“How long till we reach Capri?” Tullus asked.
“No more than a day and a half. I’m carrying a heavy load so it may take two,” Sharkus replied before swallowing a gulp of wine.
Celestra eyed the monkey and licked her muzzle. The tiny creature squeaked nervously, as it eyed the Leopardess suspiciously.
Caltus said, “Captain Sharkus is there any chance of us running into pirates?”
Sharkus laughed. “Not a chance, lad. Pirates were wiped out by Pompey the Great decades ago before the Roman Civil Wars. No, we’re fairly safe from plundering.” Sharkus took another sip of wine. “Well, since you two are now passengers, you might as well know. I’m also in the smuggling business.”
Caltus’ eyes widened. “You don’t say.”
“I’m afraid it’s true, laddie.”
Tullus smiled. “Does the empire ever board you?”
Sharkus laughed, and when he did his stomach jiggled like a bowl of pudding. “Sure. I wouldn’t last a day in this business if I tried outrunning every Roman Warship I encountered. From time to time I do get boarded. I always manage though. I usually offer the Roman Captains a small bribe to get through blockades, it’s all part of the business.”
Tullus watched as Caltus listened intently to Sharkus’ sea stories. Later, Seadog Sextus joined them to give Sharkus a weather report. They would arrive at Capri tomorrow night if the current winds held. Then Sextus sat down and told them the story of how he and Sharkus met. They had once been gladiators who had won their freedom many years ago. With their combined savings from the arenas, they’d purchased Neptune’s Fury and gone into smuggling.
Caltus asked all sorts of questions and both Sharkus and Sextus happily answered the boy as they all consumed large quantities of wine. All except Tullus, who wanted to keep a level head. But he smiled as he observed Caltus.
