by T. A. Uner
Six red lights appeared before her. Havoc had brought reinforcements.
{III}
Caltus did not have the faintest clue where to find Tullus. He drew Cutter and stopped at the end of the corridor. He heard voices. He walked closer toward the entrance of the room until the voices grew louder. He took a peek and saw two skeletons in the room. One was sparkling gold with red eyes, the other grey bone. They were at a table conversing. Behind them sat two suits of armor on a rack. Caltus took a deep breath and listened.
“I don’t understand what all this is about,” the grey skeleton asked.
“It’s all been planned out by the Snake Lord. Put trust in our new leader, Oomus,” Gold replied.
Oomus sighed. “I’d trust him more if he’d tell me what in Reptokk’s name is going on.”
The other skeleton’s voice became softer. Caltus had to really concentrate to hear its words. “Well, I’ve been sworn to secrecy by Serpentsong. But I guess I can tell you Oomus.”
“Tell me what, Vulpus?” Oomus asked.
Vulpus grinned, “The Snake Lord’s got a surprise planned for the Leopard King.”
“What kind of surprise?”
The gold skeleton laughed. “He’s captured the Leopard King’s friends to lure him here, and when he does he’ll take care of him too. It’ll be like skinning two Leopards with one knife.”
“Makes sense,” Oomus replied. “I was wondering what those humans were doing in the cell. After all, it’s been a while since we’ve had prisoners. They never tell us marines anything. You command skeletons get to hear everything.”
“It’s not my fault you weren’t chosen for a command.”
Oomus eyed a dial on the wall shaped like a skull. “Well, I wonder what happened to Timux? He still hasn’t returned. He was supposed to deliver the meals to the prisoners.”
Caltus heard one of the chairs creak backwards. This was his chance to ambush Oomus. He waited until the skeleton passed through the doorway and with one quick motion took the Skeleton’s head off. Its body dissolved into dust while its spear and shield clattered to the ground. He rushed Vulpus, who was still sitting in his chair. The creature’s red eyes stared at him acrimoniously before it went for its sword. Caltus detached the skeleton’s arm bone at the elbow causing it to dissolve into thin air. Vulpus fell out of his chair and eyed his smoking arm.
“Shit,” Vulpus said. “Curse you human! That was a blessed sword you used on me!”
“I’ll make quick work of the rest of your bones if you don’t help me,” Caltus said.
“Who the fuck are you?” Vulpus said, cradling his burnt-off arm.
“You’re going to take me to the Leopard King.”
The skeleton stared at him and scowled. “Now why would I do that?”
“Because my patience runs thin.” Caltus pointed Cutter at the Vulpus’s neck bone.
“Alright! Alright mortal, I’ll take you. Just keep that sword away from me.”
Caltus allowed Vulpus to stand up before escorting him out of the room.
“Tell me about this trap Serpentus has planned for the Leopard King,” Caltus said.
“Wait.” The skeleton looked at Caltus alarmingly. “How could you know about that?”
Caltus smiled as he pushed the skeleton in the back. “I was listening to your conversation.”
Vulpus turned his skull towards Caltus. “It’s a two-pronged plan.”
“Explain.”
“First, the Snake Lord is sending his serpent to divide the Leopard King from his pet. Then, he’s sending the armourer and Serpentsong against him.”
“Is that it?”
“That’s all I know. There could be more. They divide up information, so if one of us is captured we cannot betray the entire operation.”
Looks like you’ve just done that, Caltus thought. “Take me to Serpentus.”
Vulpus looked at Caltus as if he was insane.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“That’s not possible,” the skeleton stammered. “Serpentus is heavily guarded. Even if we did find him, he deals in Serpent Eye. That’s not magic you want to fight against.”
Caltus remembered what Hradack had told him about Serpent Eye. The skeleton was right. Even with Cutter he stood little chance of defeating Serpentus. But if he could find Tullus before Serpentus did, maybe together they could bring him down.
It would be the adventure of a lifetime. Songs would be written of him, The tome-loving boy who helped the Leopard King defeat Serpentus.
Vulpus watched Caltus, as if trying to figure out his next move.
“How familiar are you with this base?” Caltus asked, maybe Vulpus could help him find Tullus.
Vulpus scratched his head with his remaining hand. “Very, why do you ask?”
Caltus prodded Vulpus’s ribcage with his forefinger. “Because I want you to help me find my friend.”
{IV}
Artia and the others hurried down the corridor. Only Vulcan was armed with his axe. Despite being unarmed, Masego looked angry enough to rip off someone’s head. Artia figured it was all the pent-up anger at having been detained. Gansu stopped suddenly when they reached an intersection.
“What’s wrong?” Artia asked Gansu.
Gansu closed his eyes and took a deep breath before pointing toward the left passageway. “This way,” he said.
They followed the easterner until they arrived inside a giant cavern where a large black ship was docked in a port. Artia recognized its markings as that of a Serpent Cult ship. If she could destroy it, they could cripple Serpentus’ plans.
Vulcan looked at her suspiciously. “What’s on your mind?”
“That ship.” Artia pulled a vial out of her harness. “I plan on attacking it.”
The German looked at her if she was insane. “What’s that,” he said, pointing to the vial.
“Acidblast. I always carry a little for situations like this.” She shook its contents and watched it bubble.
Vulcan’s eyes widened. “I’ve heard of this Acidblast. It was used by Firestarters during the Serpent Wars. Tricky stuff.”
He was right. But she wanted that ship sunk, or at least badly damaged.
“You take the others and go find Neptune’s Fury,” Artia said.
“We’re not leaving you,” Masego said. “If you stay, we stay.”
Gansu nodded.
Vulcan grasped Artia’s hand. “If you’re going to destroy that ship, have someone with a strong arm help you.” He handed the vial to Gansu. “You still have that impressive throwing arm, Gansu?”
The Easterner nodded. “Let us get closer.”
They edged closer to the ship, careful to avoid being detected by the Skeleton Marines. Masego broke away from the troupe to scout the fastest way out of the cavern so they could make their escape when the time came. They waited for him to return before making their move.
When Masego returned his muscular chest was glistening with sweat.
“What’s the word, Masego?” Vulcan asked.
“There’s a exit passage on the far side of the cavern. It leads down toward a wharf. A galleon called Neptune’s Fury is docked there.”
“The ship Caltus mentioned,” Vulcan said.
“If we’re going to do this it has to be now,” Artia said.
They moved closer to the dock, using stacked crates for cover as they approached the ship’s quarterdeck. Its moorings hung from the rails like thick serpents. On the pier deck, a skeleton armed with a spear and shield kept watch.
Gansu snuck up behind the skeleton guard and poured a drop of acid fire on one of the mooring ropes. A small, yellow flame raced up the rope, its acidic smell reached Artia’s nose.The skeleton smelled it too and spun around, pointing its spear at Gansu. “Halt.”
Gansu tiptoed away from the smoking ropes before the skeleton hurled its spear at him.
Gansu caught the spear in midair and turned to face the skeleton. It grumb
led, and drew a shortsword before advancing toward Gansu. The easterner swiveled the spear in front of him so that the spearhead was facing the skeleton before launching it at his opponent. The skeleton positioned its shield to deflect the spear. It ricocheted off the shield and the skeleton grinned at Gansu. Gansu smiled back and pointed behind the skeleton who turned around to see Vulcan standing behind it. Vulcan took the skeleton’s head off with one swing of his axe, launching its head against the side of the ship before it dropped into the water.
The decapitated body flailed around aimlessly until it fell off the pier. Splashing harmlessly in the water before sinking like a stone.
Flames licked the warship’s stern riggings and skeletons rushed to douse the fire with water buckets.
“Time to leave,” Artia said. She hoped the Acidblast would do enough damage, while masking their departure.
An alarm bell sounded as more skeletons rushed toward the burning ship. The troupe had reached the passageway when two skeletons appeared and blocked their escape.
“Invaders,” one of them said. They both carried dual scimitars and looked at the troupe menacingly. Vulcan swung his axe and cut a path for them.
“That’s some axe you’ve got there,” Artia said to Vulcan.
“It was blessed by Hradack, years ago, I forgot how much fun it is using it.”
Artia heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and there were four more skeletons. She launched an entire vial of Acidblast at the Skeletons. They howled as the Acidblast dissolved their bones before they sunk to the ground, the yellow flames sputtered and died. Leaving piles of bone dust in its wake.
Behind them the commotion was dying down as the skeletons had the fire under control.
“We must hurry,” Artia said. “I didn’t think they’d have that fire extinguished so quickly.”
“We’re not free from the bones of death, yet,” Masego added as he pointed up toward a cavern shelf looming over them. A squad of skeleton archers had taken up positions raining arrows down at them. One barely missed Masego’s head.
Artia reached for one of her potions. She shook it and undid the stopper. Billowing smoke clouds erupted from the vial and she placed it on the ground. On the other side of the smokescreen, the skeletons looked at each other confusedly while their shot accuracy waned.
The troupe, led by Artia and Vulcan made their way toward the cavern passageway while wayward arrows landed around them.
Inside, the tunnel was cool and Artia was relieved to be free of the tepid cavern. They ran fifty steps before they heard noises behind them. She shot a glance backwards, and saw flashes of lantern light held by bony hands.
“Bunch of stupid bones,” Vulcan said.
Artia laughed. She had to admit the German kept his wit during times of distress.
The tunnel sloped downwards until they came upon a set of rocky steps that coiled around another cavern wall. Sensing freedom, the troupe picked up the pace.
At the foot of the rocky steps another corridor appeared, curling right. At the end of this passage a faint light beckoned.
Two skeleton Sentries appeared in front of them. Vulcan pushed Artia out of harm’s way and brought his axe down on the first skeleton’s ribcage. He spilt the skeleton in two before dodging a spear thrust from the other skeleton. Artia watched as the big German swung his blade again, this time taking off the second skeleton’s head. It landed at Masego’s feet before the African picked up the first skeleton’s dropped sword.
“Keep moving,” Vulcan said.
Vulcan’s actions had saved her life.
He risked his life for my safety.
They made it out of the cavern tunnel and found themselves overlooking a quay. The bright sun blinded Artia for a few moments until her eyes adjusted to the light. The white sun stood alone in a cloudless sky. Below the hill, she could see a wharf where a large galleon stood proudly over the pier where it was docked. Its shining figurehead sparkled under the sunlight.
Masego pointed to the galleon. “Neptune’s Fury.”
They found a cobblestone path that led down the hill. Sweat streaked down her cheek while her hair stuck to the side of her wet face. She pushed her hair behind her ears and ran.
Behind them she could hear noises. More skeletons had appeared.
{V}
The laughter disappeared. Tullus looked around and drew LeopardClaw. A shadow cloud appeared in front of him, transforming into a creature with dark red eyes that looked at him murderously. Two jagged wings spread from the creature’s back before two arms and legs completed its transmutation.
“We meet again, Leopard King,” it said.
“I remember your laughter, creature. Who are you?”
“I am Maelstrom, an Erebus Demon in the service of Lord Serpentus.”
Tullus swung Leopardhide off of his back and pointed LeopardClaw at the creature.
“Where is Serpentus?”
A shadow sword extended from Maelstrom’s hands, followed by a large square shield in its other hand. “I am curious to test myself against the great Leopard King, my Shadow Sword versus your LeopardClaw.”
Tullus eyed Maelstrom’s sword. No doubt in was imbued with magical properties. He had to avoid being wounded. He was far from Hradack’s medicinal healing.
He took a deep breath and waited for Maelstrom to attack. After a few moments, Maelstrom’s shadow sword darted toward Tullus like a mosquito, as sparks of blue and red energy crackled between the shadow sword and LeopardClaw.
Tullus grunted and tried to cut a slash across Maelstrom’s head but the Erebus Demon raised his shadow shield in time.
Tullus focused on an attack spell. Invado. He fired a volley at Maelstrom. The blue energy beams passed through Maelstrom’s body. The Erebus Demon laughed.
“Your Elemence is useless against me. I am from Kaotika. Only a Grandmaster can harm me with Elemence.”
Tullus was confused.
Why didn’t Hradack tell me this? More precious Vigor wasted.
Two red beams shot out of Maelstrom’s eyes and struck LeopardClaw sending a vibration through Tullus’ arm.
If I cannot defeat it with Elemence, then only my weapons can save me.
“Taste my sword, demon.” He cut a fine slash across Maelstrom chest but the Erebus Demon disappeared, only to reappear two steps right of Tullus.
They fought for what seemed hours. Tullus felt his limbs growing tired as he continued to go through the motions of battle: swing, thrust, parry, repeat. Tullus' frustration grew as LeopardClaw could only inflict minor damage to Maelstrom. The demon’s speed made destroying it impossible.
“I tire of this stalemate,” Maelstrom said.
“Then, yield,” Tullus replied.
The red eyes studied Tullus copiously.
“No,” Maelstrom whispered. “My Liege has other plans for you.”
Maelstrom’s shadow sword and shield disappeared before his wings folded behind his back and he vanished. Leaving Tullus alone and short of breath.
{VI}
Sharkus was furious with Caltus. The boy had tricked him into a drinking game. He’d awoken from his drunken stupor only to find a vomit stain on his cabin floor and empty wine bottlesscattered around his feet. Now the boy was missing. Tullus had put him in charge of Caltus’s safety. What would his client think if he learned that a boy of twenty had outwitted a hardy sea captain. Sharkus' reputation would be sullied. Perhaps even damage his friendship with Hradack.
Sharkus knew lambasting his crew would serve no purpose, he was the sole one to blame. He ordered search parties to scour Capri on land for the boy. When that failed he ordered Sextus Seadog and half his crew to search the island’s coastline.
The watcher manning the lookout nest called out, “Captain Maximus, another one of our boats is returning.”
Sharkus hurried to the main deck to watch the search boat’s arrival. It was the last of the five he had sent out. He hoped they carried good news. The search boat pul
led up next to Neptune’s Fury. Waldo, the second mate looked up at Sharkus.
“What’s the news?” Sharkus asked.
“Not good, Captain. No sign of the boy.”
Sharkus scratched his head. “Fortuna isn’t with us today.”
Waldo climbed the rope ladder up to the deck before he came aboard. “It gets worse. I spotted Razor.”
Sharkus sighed. “Croctus Reptilius’ ship?”
Waldo nodded.
“Wherever that shitworm rears his head there’s bound to be trouble,” Sharkus replied.
“There’s more, Captain.”
Sharkus shook his head in anguish. “I really don’t want to hear this, mate.”
“Ghostwind is here too.”
“Wolfsbane’s ship?”
Waldo nodded again.
“Shit!” Sharkus exclaimed. He ran his meaty palm over his thick black beard and sighed. “This voyage is becoming more trouble than I bargained for.”
The watcher yelled again, “Captain Maximus, we have visitors.”
Sharkus hurried to the other side of Neptune’s Fury. Tippy appeared on the railing and began pointing towards the pier excitedly.
Sharkus’ heart nearly stopped in his chest when he saw four people running towards his ship. Behind them a hoard of armed Skeleton Marines, all heading directly for Neptune’s Fury. Sharkus turned toward Sextus Seadog who was watching from the main deck.
“Get the archers on deck, Sextus, we’re going to have company!”
Twenty-two/Viginti duo
After Maelstrom’s departure, Tullus prepared himself for the next confrontation.
His muscles were sore, and his limbs felt like they would fall off. He drank from his waterskin and sat inside the cavern. He did not feel like continuing, but his friends were out there, awaiting rescue. And then there was Celestra. He had to find her.
When he was a boy, new to life with the Legions, Decimus had once told him that he would face insurmountable challenges.
“Life is not all fun and games,” Decimus had said. “Challenges exist in order to make us stronger. Rome was built on blood and sweat, not comfort and depravity.”
