The Leopard Stratagem (Leopard King Saga Book 2)

by T. A. Uner

  I haven’t seen him this blissful since I arrived at Hradack’s stead months ago, Tullus thought. I suppose I would act the same way if I lived the sheltered life Caltus had.

  Later that afternoon Neptune’s Fury reached the halfway mark of their journey. Tullus was resting in his quarters, Celestra curled up next to his pallet. They slept for the better part of the day until Tullus was awoken by commotion taking place outside on deck. Tullus fastened his sword belt around his waist as Celestra followed him out on deck. He saw Caltus leaning over the railing staring out into the distance.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Look,” Caltus said, pointing off into the distance. Tullus squinted, eyeing the dark outline of another ship in the distance. He cast the Oculus spell and soon he could make out the markings of the other ship. It had a red sail with a large black raven sewn on it. On its deck, men ran back and forth as its oars picked up the pace. Even without guessing Tullus knew the ship was gaining on them. He made his way to the quarter deck where Sharkus was standing.

  “I see we have company.”

  Sharkus nodded and scowled. “Toras Merulas.”

  “Who is that?” Tullus asked.

  “A pirate…and my nemesis,” Sharkus said.

  “I thought you said all the pirates were wiped out?” Caltus asked.

  Sharkus gritted his teeth. “For the most part yes, but Merulas manages to evade capture. He and his band of cutthroats prey on merchant vessels. Not to worry though, I haven’t lost a shipment to him yet.”

  Soon Merulas’ ship came into full view. A vicious battering ram was affixed beneath her prow.

  “That’s Merulas’ ship, Wind Raven,” Sharkus said. “She’s a fast pirate ship, and her crew is ruthless.”

  Behind the deck railing of Wind Raven, Merulas’ men were jeering at them from afar, while waving their weapons in the air: spears, maces, swords, dirks, flails. As Wind Raven closed the distance, a few well-placed arrows were launched towards them, landing on the deck of Neptune’s Fury.

  “The wind has betrayed us and disappeared,” Sharkus said. “We cannot outrun them, so we must fight.”

  Wind Raven closed in on them. “Sextus,” Sharkus yelled, “arm the men, tell them we’re being boarded.” Sextus nodded and rushed below deck carry out his orders.

  Tullus drew LeopardClaw. “Stick close to me,” he told Caltus who looked eager to fight.

  More arrows whistled past them. Most bounced harmlessly against the shielded railings on Neptune’s Fury. Soon Sharkus’ men began appearing on deck, armed with swords, shields, and axes.

  Wind Raven pulled alongside them before Merulas’ men threw grappling hooks. Most found their mark before a row of archers fired another volley of arrows at Sharkus’ men. A few men fell, but otherwise their shields protected them.

  Sharkus drew his sword while Tippy scurried away. He raced up the rigging and found refuge in the lookout nest. Having secured herself to Neptune’s Fury, the Wind Raven scrapped against the side of Sharkus' ship before the boarding bridge, the corvus, landed on the main deck. Moments later, a mass of pirates rushed the deck like a raging flood.

  Seadog Sextus was firing arrows like a madman. The rate at which he nocked arrows from his quiver was amazing.

  Along with Sharkus Tullus charged the oncoming pirates. The deck was slippery with the blood of fallen men. That, and the scent of their enemies made a pungent combination.

  “Watch your back, Tullus,” Sharkus yelled and Tullus ducked to avoid the sharp sword of an oncoming opponent. Tullus swiveled around and brought LeopardClaw down on the pirate’s shoulder blade, slicing off the man’s arm. Waves of pirates continued to crowd Neptune’s Fury deck. Tullus looked around for Caltus and Celestra. The Leopardess was chasing down two pirates who decided they had had enough fighting for one day. They both jumped overboard and began swimming back towards Wind Raven.

  Caltus was struggling to defeat a fearsome-looking pirate with a matted beard. Tullus felt concerned for the youth but his thoughts were interrupted by a pirate carrying a spiked club. His opponent swung the weapon, it smashed against LeopardHide’s boss before the pirate seized the initiative and head butted Tullus, who stumbled backwards and lost his footing. The pirate brought his club down on Tullus, who evaded the blow. He retaliated by landing a kick into the side of the Pirate’s hip, before rising to his feet. The deft pirate produced a dagger from inside his boot and launched it at Tullus. Using the Contego spell, the dagger bounced harmlessly off of the energy shield as the pirate cursed his luck, apparently having never witnessed the power of Elemence. Counterattacking his opponent, Tullus plunged LeopardClaw into the man’s gullet before retracting it. A volley of blood greeted the pirate’s tunic before he collapsed. When Tullus located Caltus, he was relieved to see him still alive, having defeated his previous opponent, and now fighting a different pirate.

  Merulas’ men were being driven back by Sharkus’ crew. Above the battle, Tippy was pelting sharp rocks at the pirates from the lookout nest. If they weren’t locked in a struggle for survival, Tullus might’ve found it funny.

  He rushed back to the quarterdeck. Below on the main deck the battle continued while Sharkus’ men kept pressing the main force of pirates back. He took deep breaths and poured his Vigor into the Ballista spell. He eyed a tall man who wore a captain’s hat and a black flowing jacket adorned with gold buttons standing on the deck of Wind Raven. Two large swords dangled from his waist. Tullus figured this for Toras Merulas. The pirate captain was watching the battle from afar using an eyescope, while his men fought his battle for him. Tullus looked for Celestra amongst the battle and let out a shrill whistle. She looked up at him from the main deck before bounding up the steps, knocking over two pirates attempting to gain access to the quarterdeck.

  Tullus cast the Ballista spell, blue Vigor projectiles exploded from his fingertips and scorched the main sail of Wind Raven. It caught fire before smoke rose from it. Next, Tullus aimed for the main mast. A second volley of blue Vigor projectiles flew toward it, causing fresh blue flames to rush up the mast.

  Celestra followed Tullus' lead and concentrated her attack against a different section of the opposing ship. A loud explosion rocked the Wind Raven before blue fires erupted beneath the mizzen mast. It collapsed onto the main deck in flames, sending a group of Merulas’ sailors diving from the rails to escape being burned alive.

  Tullus, summoned the Aqua Duo spell. The face of an Elementus appeared upon the water between the two ships and rose to greet its summoner. Tullus ordered the Elementus to push Wind Raven away from Neptune’s Fury to prevent its consuming fires from spreading to Sharkus’ ship. Within moments the powerful arms of the water Elementus pushed the burning pirate ship away from Neptune’s Fury. One by one the grappling hooks snapped under the stress caused by the Elementus’s Vigor.

  Tullus could hear Sharkus’ men cheering after they had pushed the last of the defeated pirates into the sea. Sharkus was loudly praising his men for their efforts, the loyal Sextus Seadog at his side.

  After the Elementus had pushed the Wind Raven a safe distance away from Neptune’s Fury, Tullus saw small lifeboats being lowered from the burning pirate ship. Another explosion rocked the Wind Raven, sending more pirates diving into the sea as they struggled to swim toward the handful of lifeboats that bobbed above the sea surface like wine corks. The Wind Raven resembled a giant floating brazier as it listed away from the lifeboats, a giant mass of blue flames, smoke, and burning wood.

  The clean-up on Neptune’s Fury began immediately, as crews of men began dumping pirate bodies overboard, while others rinsed the bloody decks and gathered up their wounded colleagues. Tullus found Sharkus in his cabin receiving treatment, the ship’s Medicus busy sewing a gash on the great Brit’s forehead.

  “I’ll live,” he told Tullus.

  “How many of your men were killed,” Tullus asked.

  Sharkus took a deep pull from a wineskin and exhaled. “We lost four brave
souls, and twenty-seven wounded. I consider it miracle more weren’t slain. The blood count would’ve been higher if it wasn’t for your abilities, Tullus.”

  Celestra growled at Sharkus. “Ohh, I’m sorry…thank you too cat.” Sharkus let out an explosive fart. Celestra shook her head and waved the foul air away from her. Sharkus shot Tullus a curious glance. “What are you? A wizard or a warrior?”

  “A little bit of both,” Tullus replied curtly. “Have you seen Caltus?”

  “Aye, he’s bellow deck with Sextus. Helping wrap the wounded before we bury them. He fought well for a young pup.”

  “I’m just glad no harm came to him,” Tullus said. “I promised his grandfather no harm would come to him.”

  Tippy scurried into the room and leaped into Sharkus’ lap. The Medicus scowled at the creature for interrupting his work. “Tippy, you fought well too,” Sharkus said as the vervet monkey took his place on his master’s shoulder.

  That night they buried their dead at sea and continued on toward Capri.

  Part IV: Onslaught

  {June 16th to 21th, 38 AD}

  “Ubi fumus, ibi ignis.”

  “Where there's smoke, there's fire.”-Latin phrase

  Nineteen/Undeviginti

  After its encounter with the Wind Raven, Neptune’s Fury limped towards Capri.

  Tullus spent the remainder of the voyage studying his Fortis spells and training Caltus in swordsmanship. Much to Caltus’ credit his skills in sword fighting was progressing with surprising speed. Tullus was impressed with the youth’s enthusiasm, and the experience the boy had gained fighting Merulas’s men had strengthened his confidence with a sword.

  After the sea battle Celestra had become somber. Tullus figured it was due to Mithras’s absence. He was not used to seeing her like this, and spent as much time as he could with her.

  It was two days into the voyage that Capri appeared in the distance. Tullus eyed the island, Celestra at his side. As Neptune’s Fury drew closer, Capri’s lush green scenery situated below jagged hilltops greeted them. It made little difference to Tullus. He was here to find his friends, and learn why this Serpentus was after him.

  Sharkus appeared. Tullus turned toward the Briton while Celestra continued studying Capri. “We’ll be docking shortly, Tullus.” He looked relieved they had reached their destination.

  “Good.” Tullus tied his Leopard print scarf around the lower part of his face while Sharkus eyed him intently. “If I am not back in two days you can leave.”

  Sharkus nodded sadly. “Aye. I’d hate to have to leave you behind, lad. Especially after you helped us against Merulas. But, I’ve got repairs to make anyhow. Can try and stretch them out to three days if yer not back in two. Would you like some of me men to accompany you onto the island? Sextus is familiar with Capri’s terrain. It’ll make your search go faster.”

  “No,” Tullus replied as he checked his gear. “Celestra and I will go together.”

  Caltus appeared. “I’m coming too.”

  “Stay with the Captain,” Tullus replied sharply. “This is something Celestra and I must do together.”

  “But I want to help.”

  “The best way to help is to stay put on the ship.”

  Tullus hated discouraging the boy, but he would only slow him and Celestra down. Besides, there was no telling what traps Serpentus had set on Capri.

  Caltus nodded.

  A quay came into view. Only one other ship was docked. A man dressed in colorful robes stood on a pier and waved at them. Next to him, a small creature wearing a brown tunic and breeches. Its skin was green and its ears pointed. Its dark eyes stared at Neptune’s Fury indifferently. A Goblen. It was the first time Tullus had seen one. It was likely a survivor of the Serpent Wars.

  “Welcome! Welcome!” the man in colorful robes said as Sharkus’ men tossed mooring over the side of Neptune’s Fury. The Goblen, despite its diminutive stature, expertly grabbed it and secured it to the bollards. “I am Matisse Watermark, Portmaster of Capri. Will you be needing provisions or touristic recommendations?”

  “Not today, thank you,” Sharkus called out, “but if ye have an alehouse, my men will be needing a stiff drink.”

  “Of course,” Watermark said, “Kitt Katt here will show your men where to get food and drink.”

  After Neptune’s Fury docked, Tullus said his goodbyes to Caltus and Sharkus, who both watched from the railing as Tullus and Celestra made their way across the pier to dry land.

  Casting one final glance at Neptune’s Fury, he turned his attention to completing his mission. They found a resort. Strangely, Tullus and Celestra encountered few people. The inhabitants they did encounter were only concerned with offering amenities. The more Tullus thought about it, the stranger the situation appeared. It appeared as if the inhabitants were all in a trance. He checked into an inn. Nobody seemed to recognize him, even in his Leopard King costume. Tullus had hoped his conspicuousness would attract attention, no doubt Serpentus’ spies were about, watching him.

  Let them come, he thought. I tire of this waiting game.

  He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the sea journey had been taxing, and he hadn’t slept in almost two days. As much as he wanted to press on through the night searching for his friends, he’d be no use to them exhausted. He and Celestra would rest for a few hours and recover Vigor.

  That night Celestra took the first watch in their room while Tullus slept. At first, his dreams were tranquil before the image of the blue grotto reappeared. They were quickly followed by a peal of laughter, then Serpentus appeared.

  “Welcome to Capri, Leopard King,” Serpentus said. “I hope you will enjoy the last few hours of your life.” More laughter. Tullus awoke and cursed at his foe. Celestra, noticing his distress, growled concernedly before licking his hand.

  “I’m alright Girl,” Tullus replied. “You better get some rest now. Tomorrow, we have a long day ahead of us.”

  The next morning Tullus asked for directions to the Blue Grotto. The female clerk was more than happy to oblige him. Tullus paid his bill and left.

  The heat outside was dry, but a gentle breeze made the weather bearable. They left the inn to continue their mission. They rented a small rowboat, and the oarsman took them to the entrance of the grotto. The low opening to the grotto prevented them from passing through so Tullus and Celestra had to lie on their backs while the oarsman rowed them inside.

  The air was cool inside. After clearing the opening, Tullus and Celestra returned to their upright positions. The sun rays passing through the opening shone across the water, creating a reflective light that illuminated the cavern. Tullus marveled at the sparkling, emerald water, and wondered how one as evil as Serpentus could stage his evil operations from a place of such beauty. The sunlight allowed the oarsman to guide the boat through the cavern as Tullus eyed the interior of the grotto, searching for clues.

  Soon, statues lining the interior of the grotto appeared: Jupiter, Juno, Venus, Neptune, Mercury. The boatman said, “Emperor Tiberius once used this as his swimming pool. He had the statutes erected. A rocky landing coiled around the interior, and Tullus’ eyes settled on a dark opening situated at its foot.

  Tullus pointed at the opening.“Where does that lead to?”

  The oarsman swallowed hard. “A tunnel, my friend. It is said to lead to a vile place.”

  Tullus eyed the dark entrance to the tunnel. It was impossible to see past its perimeter, the darkness reminded Tullus of a starless night when he was stationed in Syria. On that occasion, his patrol had come under attack.

  “Take us closer to the tunnel.”

  The boatman looked at Tullus and shook his head. “My friend, why would you wish to do something so parlous?”

  “I wish to get a closer look.”

  The boatman muttered a prayer to the Gods before the boat inched toward the foot of the landing. When they were within a hands length to the landing Tullus paid the boatman. “Don’t wait for me,” Tullus sai
d.

  “I do not understand why you put yourself and big cat in danger, but may the gods protect you Sir,” the oarsman said before rowing off. Soon the boat disappeared through the grotto’s opening.

  Tullus and Celestra entered the cave. Tullus summoned the Lucis spell and instantly a small sphere of light appeared above them. Tullus looked ahead into the black abyss. His instincts told him not to enter. But if he listened to them, his mission would end here and his friends would surely perish. He took a deep breath and entered the tunnel, Celestra next to him.

  Tullus wondered if this cave had been excavated during the Serpent Wars. Hradack had told him that Capri had once served as a base for the Serpent Cult. He snapped out of his thoughts as the tunnel branched off to the right.

  The tunnel passage turned into an incline which led to a chamber containing a mammoth staircase carved into the rock, coiling upwards. Seeing no other way but up, they climbed the steps. For a brief moment Tullus wished Aurumax was here to scout ahead. He could’ve cast the Oculus spell but decided to conserve his Vigor.

  They climbed until they reached another tunnel opening which led into another chamber. Large stalactites resembling coiled serpents hung from the ceiling. Tullus and Celestra passed through the room until a sudden peal of laughter echoed around them. It sounded different from Serpentus' laughter, but just as wicked.

  Tullus drew LeopardClaw.

  {II}

  Artia’s head felt like a rock was lodged inside her skull. After regaining consciousness, she noticed both her hands were shackled to a cave wall. She looked around. The others shared her fate. They were all unconscious, their heads slumped down on their chests. Her last memory was Serpentus' message to Tullus. After he had sent the message to Tullus, she and the others had been drugged. Most likely the meal they were served was the culprit.