The Leopard Stratagem (Leopard King Saga Book 2)

by T. A. Uner

  As for Tullus, The Leopard King, he was gone. So was the young neophyte swordsman who had foolishly attempted to duel him. Serpentus looked down into the ravine where he could hear the water rushing. Tullus must have hurled himself down towards the water and taken the boy with him. Serpentus suspected his opponent’s waning Vigor during battle. Tullus would not have had the Vigor to cast Fuga and transport himself and the boy out of the caverns.

  No matter. He would use Sea Viper to track Tullus down. Caligula had given him six naval warships to do with as he pleased. There would be no running from him.

  He made his way out of the cavern and eventually found his way back to Sea Viper. Smoke was rising from its stern as Skeleton Marines were extinguishing the last of the flames.

  Serpentus climbed the gangplank and found Afaa speaking with the Captain, Nauticus Bones.

  “What is happening here?”

  Nauticus Bones saluted him. “The ship suffered a minor attack, Sir. But the fire is under control.”

  “What caused it?”

  “Insurgents Sir. It appears they set fire to the ship before they escaped. Shall I order the garrison commander executed?”

  “There is no need for that,” Serpentus said, “I’ve already seen to his punishment.”

  “Did you kill The Leopard King?” Afaa asked.

  Serpentus shook his head. “He managed to escape.”

  “Maybe that issss for the best, we have other pressing matterssss to attend to, my student.”

  “But I will have my revenge, Teacher,” Serpentus retorted.

  Afaa placed a bony hand on Serpentus’ gauntlet. “We must not lose sight of our true mission, my Student. In case you have forgotten there issss a Door waiting for ussss back in Rome. We have an army to recruit in Kaotika.”

  Serpentus did not like the fact that Tullus, masquerading as The Leopard King, was still out there. As long as Tullus lived, he and his friends was a threat to their burgeoning Serpent Cult. But he did not wish to anger his Teacher. Not now. The old Cultist had been his greatest benefactor during his darkest hours. If it wasn’t for Afaa he would still be hopelessly wandering the North African desert, or worse, dead.

  “Yes, Teacher,” Serpentus said. He turned to face Nauticus Bones. “Set a course for Ostia Antica.”

  Bones nodded and barked orders to the skeleton crew, who readied Serpentus' flagship for departure. After all moorings were retracted they were underway. Sea Viper then pulled out of dock and departed Capri.

  {VI}

  Neptune’s Fury continued trying to outmaneuver the Roman warships but it was a losing battle as the six warships grew dangerously closer. Sharkus knew he’d have to make a decision.

  The young woman, Artia, had come up on the quarterdeck. Next to her was the tall German, Vulcan.

  “Captain Maximus,” Artia said, “we must go back for Tullus and Caltus.”

  Sharkus shook his head.

  I wish I could lass.

  “See those ship?” He pointed at the fleet of incoming vessels gaining on Neptune’s Fury. “The best I can do is skirt the shoreline. If I don’t see them soon, we’re getting out of here. Keep in mind I have all your lives on my conscience.”

  “But you can’t just leave them behind.”

  “Perhaps you could deposit us and we can go looking for him on Capri,” Vulcan added.

  Sharkus shook his head. This is hard for me too.

  “Not enough time,” Sharkus replied. “Besides, we’d never be able to break the blockade if I did that.”

  Artia and Vulcan shot Sharkus morose glances before walking toward the starboard railing. He knew how they felt. He had once left someone behind, my beloved brother no less.

  Sextus Seadog clambered onto the quarterdeck. “Enemy ships closing, Captain.”

  “You don’t say,” Sharkus said irritably. Tippy’s tail twitched above his shoulders.

  “Orders?”

  Sharkus sighed. “Make for open sea, flank speed, we’re leaving.”

  Forgive me Tullus. Forgive me Caltus.

  Sextus Seadog nodded, looking glum. “Aye.”

  Before Sextus could pass Sharkus’ orders down to the oarsmen bellow deck, Sharkus noticed Artia and Vulcan pointing at a large cluster of island rocks cluttered around Capri’s shoreline. He called out to Sextus to delay his order before rushing over to the rail. He traced their glances to the largest rock and saw two figures clinging resiliently against its side.

  “Bring me an eyescope,” Sharkus called out to Sextus.

  Sharkus grabbed the eyescope and focused it on the two souls clinging to the rock.

  His heart flipped in his chest.

  It was Tullus and Caltus.

  After hurling himself down the ravine Tullus held onto Caltus tight. He felt his entire existence flow past him as if he were traveling back in time. He did not know where he found the resilience to keep his sanity and hold onto Caltus. Perhaps remnants of The Breath of Life were still active within his body. Not knowing when the water would break their fall, and not wishing to take a chance at drowning, Tullus summoned the Contego spell. The energy shield formed a shell around them, so when they finally struck the surface of the current beneath them, it broke their fall. The grey water cradled the shield and tossed it around like as child’s ball, carrying the duo through an underground cavern. The shield protecting them as the current violently hurled them from one spot to another. Finally, Tullus saw a glimmer of white light ahead.

  The current spit them out of the water tunnel and Tullus and Caltus drifted along with the currents. Soon they had cleared Capri, and Tullus could see a clear blue sky above him. He felt his heart sing as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight. The currents finally mashed them against a larger rock. The impact shielded them from death and caused Caltus to stir from his unconscious state. His lip was still bleeding badly and needed medical attention. Tullus grasped the side of the rock, while keeping Caltus’s head above water.

  “Caltus, can you hear me?”

  Caltus shook his head as his eyes slowly opened. “Where are we Tullus? Where is Serpentus?”

  “Forget about him, grab onto the rock.”

  Caltus gripped the moss covered surface of the rock and lost his grip. Fortunately Tullus grabbed his hand and kept him from drifting away. Tullus climbed the side of the rock and Caltus slowly followed.

  He heard the sound of seagulls above him as they fluttered around the rock. When Tullus turned his head around, he felt a wave of relief wash over him.

  Neptune’s Fury was heading toward them.

  “Try and get us as close as you can to that rock,” Sharkus yelled at Sextus Seadog who, in turn,barked the command below deck to the oarsmen. Much to the skill of the oarsmen, Neptune’s Fury pulled up beside the rock. Two crewmen threw a rope ladder over to Tullus who grabbed it. Caltus grasped Tullus’ shoulders as the crewmen, joined by Sextus Seadog and Tullus' friends, hauled the two men up alongside the hull of Neptune’s Fury. After Tullus and Caltus were safely aboard. Sharkus oarsmen set a course for open sea.

  Tullus breathed easy once he was back on deck of Neptune’s Fury. He handed Caltus over to Gansu who looked happy to see them both. Quite a response from the taciturn Easterner who took Caltus below deck to stitch his lip.

  Tullus’ eyes fell on Vulcan and he felt relieved to see his old friend again.

  Then he saw the woman next to him and his eyes widened.

  The woman read his expression and smiled. “Hello Tullus, I am Anna’s sister, Artia.”

  Tullus tried to the find the words but none came to his lips. His head was overwhelmed with questions.

  “We can talk about it later, after we get out of this mess.”

  “Easier said than done,” Sharkus said, pointing toward the distance.

  Tullus saw the six Roman naval warships closing in on Neptune’s Fury.

  “I’ve been in a lot of tight spots but never this tight,” Sharkus said.

  “Can’t you outrun the
m?” Tullus said.

  Sharkus stared at the sails. “Alas, Tullus the wind isn’t blowing kindly today. And we cannot overtake six warships. They’re in a position to outrun and ram us. This isn’t like fighting one pirate ship with a corvus. Once they’ve disabled us, they can pull up alongside Neptune’s Fury and use their harpago, a more-effective boarding device, to flood our decks with seasoned Roman troops.”

  Sharkus pointed at the beaks of the oncoming ships. “But looks like their initial strategy is to ram the fucking shit out of us. Sorry, Tullus,” Sharkus said. “I’m afraid I couldn’t fulfill my end of the bargain. But Neptune’s Fury will not go down without taking down some of those bastards.”

  Tullus studied the incoming ships two had broken off from the main attack force and approaching Neptune’s Fury from opposite sides. They meant to crush Neptune’s Fury between them like a grape.

  “We’re not finished yet,” Tullus said. He squeezed three drops of The Breath of Life down his throat and swallowed.

  “What in Mercury’s name do you mean?”

  Tullus smiled. “Just the god I was thinking of.”

  Tullus ran down the steps of the quarterdeck, his limbs energized. He wondered what Hradack would think if he knew how often he had used The Breath of Life.

  “Use it sparingly,” The Leopard Master had said.

  Tullus raised his arms to the sky and focused his attention on the clouds.

  “Whatever you’re going to do, do it fast,” Sharkus yelled. “Those two warships are coming in fast.”

  The excessive dose of the Breath of Life revitalized Tullus. The doubt he had felt after Celestra’s disappearance faded. He had never felt this way before. Elation filled his heart, leading to confidence that only gods could boast of. The wounds sustained during his extended conflict with Serpentus and his allies healed within a matter of moments.

  “Order your oarsmen to retract their oars,” Tullus told Sharkus.

  “What? That is foolery, Tullus?”

  “Just do it.”

  He heard Sharkus bark orders to Sextus, who relayed them to the oarsmen down below.

  Neptune’s Fury ground to a halt. Artia, looking alarmed, eyed Tullus intently.

  “Are you about to do what I think you’re going to do?” she asked.

  Tullus nodded once and focused his thoughts on the Ventus spell. It was a fifth level Fortis spell. A challenge for a regular magic-user blessed with Gift, but he cast it with ease.

  “Ventus!”

  Once he summoned the spell, he felt his heart stop in his chest and the breath from his lungs drain. Every ounce of Vigor he had felt like it was being channeled into the clouds above. In the background, he could see the two lead Roman warships closing. Their ramming beaks smelled blood in the water belonging to Neptune’s Fury.

  The wind picked up around Tullus and he wondered how everyone on deck was not blown off by the force of nature that had encircled them.

  One of the clouds high up in the sky descended over the main sail of Neptune’s Fury. Tullus saw a face appear on the cloud.

  “Who has summoned me?” it asked.

  “I, Tullus Acilius Ulixes,” he said. “I command you to create wind to propel this vessel and deliver us from our enemies.” Tullus then pointed to the small fleet of Roman ships.

  The Elementus eyed the ships and nodded. “So it shall be done.”

  It expanded its cheeks and blew on Neptune’s Fury, filling her sails with wind and launching her like a rock from an onager. The great ship creaked, but she held firm. Tullus watched as the Roman warships disappeared from view, until they were only small specks dotting the surface of the sea.

  Its task completed, the Wind Elementus reduced power, its face upon the cloud disappeared, before beginning its ascent toward the heavens.

  After witnessing Tullus' power, cheers erupted from the deck of Neptune’s Fury. Tullus smiled, clutched his stomach, and collapsed onto the deck.

  {VII}

  Since Myrrdin’s revelation of Serpentus’ plan to kill the Leopard King, Eliana started worrying about Tullus.

  But where was Tullus? Eliana had no way of knowing how to reach him. He had told her, before he left Rome, that he was off to seek out a wiseman who could help him answer questions. But Tullus had never returned for her. Despite her disappointment, she could not shake off her concern for him. He was in great danger.

  Through Claudius, they had obtained detailed information about the identity of Serpentus. A former Tribune of the Praetorian guard, he had been banished from Rome last year during Caligula’s purge. This had occurred at the same time when Macro had been disposed as Prefect of the Praetorian Guard. This Serpentus was also rumored to be allied with a Cultist. How this could be was anyone’s guess, since magic was forbidden. For Eliana, there could be no mistake about Serpentus' true identity. Norbanus had returned to Rome, even more dangerous than before.

  To complicate matters, Caligula had appointed five killhires called The Five Fists to serve as his military advisors alongside the Praetorian Guard. These men were rumored to be working for Serpentus. Cassius Chaerea had taken this as a snub and had told her to steer clear of any risky activities until he could figure out a plan to combat the Serpentus menace. Claudius had also been lying low. Eliana knew he also had problems of his own, mainly his wife, Messalina.

  So now they faced a battle on two fronts: Caligula’s desire to decimate the Dryads and Serpentus’ hold over the distraught Emperor.

  Eliana barely saw Caligula at dinner these days. He was rumored to be still wallowing in self doubt and had not recovered from Drusilla’s death. So, for now her presence in the palace with Lorien had taken a turn for the worse and she felt herself dangerously poised over a precipice.

  One wrong slip and she and Lorien could be discovered. She dreaded being discovered by Norbanus. Eliana had no doubt they would be tortured for information before facing a summary execution.

  She lay in her bed and stretched her arms out. Next to her Lorien slept peacefully.

  How she can sleep like a leaf during these times is amazing, Eliana thought.

  There was a soft knock at the door. Eliana rose from her bed and put on her robe. She opened the door and found Arsis Proudfeather standing there holding a lantern.

  “Arsis?”

  “May I enter lady, Eliana?” he whispered.

  She noticed a concerned look in Proudfeather’s eyes. Eliana nodded and moved aside to allow the old griffin trainer inside her room.“What brings you here at this hour?”

  Arsis placed his lantern on the table and rubbed his eyes before taking a seat. “My apologies, my Lady. I know I am taking a great risk by coming here, but I have more news.”

  “News?” Eliana seated herself across from Proudfeather. “What type of news?”

  Proudfeather said, “Grave news.”

  Eliana felt her chest tighten and brought a flagon of wine to the table. She poured two cups, one for Proudfeather and herself. The griffin trainer nodded his thanks and downed the wine. Eliana poured him another cup.

  “Let’s hear it, Arsis.”

  “I’ve learned that Serpentus is planning to use the Door.”

  Eliana took a sip of wine and swallowed. “What Door?”

  Proudfeather’s gaunt face seemed to carry a look of pain and defeat. Eliana gently took the old man’s wrinkled hand. It felt leathery and trembled under her fingertips. “A Door leading to another world, and evil world called Kaotika. He’s going there to recruit an army.”

  Eliana did not know much about the Serpent Wars. Augustus’ edict had seen to that. All remaining records of that era were destroyed after the Air Paladins were defeated during The Last Stand.

  “I’m not sure I understand,” Eliana said.

  “And here I was, all these years thinking that the Paladins had destroyed all of those gods damned Serpent Doors. But somehow, one managed to slip through our grip.”

  Eliana was completely lost. The words Proudf
eather was uttering meant nothing to her.

  “Arsis, I might be able to help if you could explain yourself.”

  “My apologies, my Lady. Years ago, after our Air Legatus, Zedion Firmitas and his Air Legions had defeated the Serpent Cult we were led to believe all of the forces of the Eye had been eradicated. Including the Doors.”

  “The Eye?”

  “They were the leaders of the Serpent Cult. The main antagonists of the Serpent Crusades.”

  Things were getting even more confusing. First the Dryads struggle for survival, then Tullus being hunted by this Serpentus. Now Rome’s darkest chapter, which had been buried for centuries had somehow returned?

  “If only we had Jobius Truthfellow here. He would know what to do.”

  “Who is that?” Eliana said. Behind her Lorien stirred in her sleep.

  Proudfeather spotted Lorien in Eliana’s bed. His eyes narrowed before he turned his attention back to Eliana. “He was head of the Elder Council, right before the fall of the Air Paladins. His Presage stated that a Reputer would return to resurrect the Air Paladins and bring light back into the world. How I long for his wisdom.”

  Eliana placed both her hands on Proudfeather’s shoulders. “Don’t give up on me and the others yet, Arsis. While these may be troubling times, light always follows darkness.”

  {VIII}

  Decimus eschewed his captive state. For the past few weeks the Germans had kept them locked up in cages like animals. But that was to be expected, outcasts in enemy territory, they were lucky to still be alive. As prisoners, they had been blindfolded many times and moved from one camp to another. Apart from the abrupt travel and mediocre food, they’d been treated reasonably well.