by T. A. Uner
“When we got lost in the blizzard, Celestra and I found shelter inside an abandoned Paladin outpost. One thing I found puzzling was, after we entered it, the stones set in the wall immediately began generating heat. How is this possible?”
“Yes, what you are referring to are the enchanted Star Stones. The Air Paladins used to harness their power back in the old days. The ones you encountered were used to provide heat during the winters and keep its occupants cool during summers.”
Cornelia entered the kitchen. Her emerald eyes smiled at Tullus, and, for a moment, they reminded him of Eliana.
“Feeling better Tullus?”
“Quite well, thank you.”
“What were you two talking about?” she asked before removing two cups from the cupboard and placing them on the table.
“I was telling him about the old days, Cornelia, about the Combat Griffins.”
Cornelia’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you go starting up that talk of the old days, Hradack. This poor boy has already been through enough as is. Let him rest and fill his hungry belly with some good, home-cooked food.”
She brought over two plates of boiled eggs, bacon and a large piece of bread which she placed in front of Tullus and Hradack. Soon Tullus was munching on hot eggs while mulled, spice wine was poured into his cup. Cornelia sat at the table where the two men were enjoying their food. Hradack chewed his food politely and wiped his mouth with a napkin after each gulp of wine.
A silence descended upon the table except for the quiet enjoyment of food and Celestra mewling for her own meal. Cornelia apologized to the Leopardess and brought her a plate filled with hot eggs and thick strips of steamy bacon.
Finally Tullus decided to ask Hradack his burning question. “Why do they call you 'The Leopard Master'?”
Hradack paused eating and smiled. “An old nickname given to me by my father when I was a youth. My parents were wildlife trainers who supplied animals for circuses. Back then, it was more affordable for circuses to have the animals pre-trained before entering circus life. My parents made sure the creatures would be properly cared for and not abused or maimed like the ones used in arenas and gladiatorial fights.”
Tullus wondered what this had to do with the old man’s nickname but patiently listened to Hradack’s story.
“Well, when I became old enough my father decided that it was time for me to learn the family trade. The first creature I trained was a male Indian Leopard. My father was impressed at how quickly I had grown into my new occupation that he started calling me ‘The Leopard Master’; the name stuck.”
Tullus nodded and chewed his food as Cornelia watched him, and smiled warmly.
“That Leopard pelt you wear, Tullus, belonged to that first Leopard I trained. I kept it all these years to honor his memory. Then, when I met Paullus, I gave it to him as a gift. And the pelt you saw me wearing earlier belonged to that great Leopard’s mate. I wear it to honor her. You see, both were murdered by poachers.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, but it happened long ago. We must make peace with the past, so it does not interfere with the present.”
“That makes sense,” Tullus replied.
“More things will make sense once you’ve spent enough time here, Tullus. But there is no rush. Become familiar with your surroundings, get a feel for the land and this family. For now you and Celestra are part of it.”
Tullus nodded, happy to be already considered part of the old man’s circle. Celestra licked her plate hungrily before pushing it toward Hradack’s feet. He smiled and looked Tullus. “Don’t you feed her enough?”
{IV}
After spending one night in Capua, Norbanus was eager to continue his journey to Rhegium. The Via Appia branched off in a south-easterly direction, which merged with the Via Popilia. The air grew warmer as he headed south and he hoped his misfortunes were behind him. The Five Fists would be rewarded for their loyalty but when? Norbanus still had no plan. He couldn’t return to his father. The old stone would probably put him to work in some government job as a lowly aedile or worse, Norbanus would have to do manual work to earn his living.
The thought itself was odious.
The bright sky above lit his way toward the cityport which lay sprawled across the horizon. He focused his eyes on his next destination and wondered what awaited him there. He needed money and power to recruit more allies. Kronus had given him a pouch stuffed with denarii, but that wasn’t nearly enough to secure the forces he needed. Perhaps he could gamble his way to fortune.
Poverty. What a pathetic existence. He hated having to rely on others for charity. His hatred for the poor had intensified in him with every passing day now that he had become one of them.
By the time he reached Rhegium, the sky was darkening above him as he rode past the main gates. Fortunately the guards did not ask him what business he had here. Had he arrived half naked and starving, they might have questioned and detained him. He breathed a sigh of relief, once again grateful for encountering the Five Fists.
He found a stable next to an inn and told one of the grooms working there to clean and feed his horse. In need of relaxation, he entered the inn. Inside he was greeted by the noise of people talking and singing near the bar.
Plebeians.
Their name said it all. Baseborn commoners with no etiquette. Men and women who picked at their food, grease dripping down their fingers. It pained him to think that a few days ago he was doing the same thing. Him, a once-powerful Praetorian Tribune and the son of one of the wealthiest families in the Roman Empire. But they looked so happy, frolicking and singing to the music that was played by a small quartet of musicians. He forced himself through to the bar and squeezed himself between two oversized men. He slammed his fist on the surface of the wooden bar.
“Service!” he called out to a kindly-looking barkeep who shuffled over to where he stood.
“Ow’ may I ‘elp ya, Sir?” the barkeep asked.
“Wine.”
The man scratched the top of his head and sighed. “I’m sorry Sir, but we only sell ale here. Might I interest ya’ in a mug?”
Norbanus seethed. It’s bad enough I have to lower myself by being seen in such a place. They don’t even serve wine. Typical.
“Fine, ale it is, then,” Norbanus said. He only wished to get drunk.
The barkeep smiled and brought over a frothy mug which Norbanus took. He paid the man and found a quiet corner to drink. The ale tasted sour, unrefined. Having drunk the finest wines in the world had that effect on his pallet. He wondered what his father would think if he saw him here–socializing with common folk.
He would probably hit me for that as well.
Norbanus finished his ale and motioned to one of the serving wenches to bring him another. The girl brought him over a fresh mug and smiled. “Haven’t seen you around here before, Sir,” she said, licking her teeth. “You some sort o’ merchant?”
“Only passing through,” Norbanus replied. The girl reminded him of Camus Scorpio’s bar wench, Marissa. He had spent many an evening between her thighs.
“That’s too bad,” the girl said. “There’s a lot to do here in Rhegium if one has the proper friends.”
I am sure of that, bitch. You’re talking to a man who used to hump women like you.
“Right now I’m a bit short on currency,” he said. Which was true. And no idea how to earn it.
“Who said anything about money,” she smiled. “Come to the back of the bar after we’ve closed.” She winked at him and sauntered off to tend to her customers.
The next morning Norbanus awoke next to the girl. He ran his finger down the crevice in her back as she slept. She moaned and turned over while her breasts wiggled. “Did you sleep well, Norbanus?” she asked sleepily.
“The best I’ve slept in weeks,” he replied. And it was true, ever since his arrest by the Urban Cohort back in Rome he had not been able to enjoy sleep; trudging along the hard, unforgiving roads of the em
pire didn’t help either.
“So you live here? Above the tavern?” Norbanus asked. He rolled out of bed and slipped on his undergarments.
“Yes, the innkeeper lets me live here. It’s a decent job and the food is free.”
Norbanus smiled as he dressed. He had no desire to spend more time here than necessary.
“Would you like some breakfast, love?”
“No, I must be leaving.”
I didn’t even ask her her name, Norbanus thought. Ohh, well a common habit I cannot seem to break.
“So, soon? Will you be back, Norbanus?”
“I’ll be in the city for a few days,” he said as he gathered up his possessions and made for the door. “I’ll be sure to stop by to see you again before I leave.” He left the inn and paid the groom before taking possession of his mount. As Norbanus rode his horse through streets lined with bits of refuse, he wondered which of his talents could enable him to quickly win back his livelihood and reclaim the power he once held.
His stomach churned angrily and he regretted not taking the girl’s offer of breakfast.
I’m always in a hurry. I need to slow down and enjoy life more. That was what father always told me. Rakish, that’s what he called me.
After purchasing some fruit from a street vendor, Norbanus rode over to the wharves situated with Rhegium’s quay and pondered his next move.
It seems that’s all I do nowadays.
As he passed an alleyway, he saw a billboard with a large poster written in Latin plastered across it. It read:
Tired of living in Poverty? Great riches can be found across the sea in Africa. A modest fee buys passage to untold riches. See Captain Scamios of the Sea Sparrow: Pier number IV
Norbanus could not believe his luck. Opportunity had poked him in the gut. He rode over to pier four and found the docked ship. It was a small vessel but well kept. She had Sea Sparrow etched across her hull in golden letters, while a green checkered foresail featuring the crest of a blue sparrow hung from her foremast. Norbanus inhaled the salty quay air while a group of seagulls sat on the dock.
“Can I help you?”
Norbanus turned around and saw a man with a ruddy face staring back at him.
“I don’t know if you can,” Norbanus replied, “but I’m looking for the captain of this vessel.” He pointed to the ship.
“Scamios? Ohh, well he’s onboard the Sea Sparrow. Let me take you to him. I’m Taurus, by the way.” Taurus extended his hand to Norbanus. They trudged up the sloped, wooden ramp and boarded the deck. Taurus led him to a cabin and down a series of descending steps which led to the ship’s hold. The dark hold was dimly lit by tapers and smelled musty. They found the captain inspecting a shipment of barrels.
“Captain Scamios, I found someone here who wants to talk with you.”
The captain looked up from his work and smiled at Norbanus. “How may I help you, dear Sir?”
“Yes, I saw your message posted in the city. I’d like passage to North Africa.”
The captain smiled. “Let us go to my cabin, there we can discuss the voyage in detail.”
Scamios led the way as they trudged up the steps and down a short corridor. Inside the Captain’s cabin, Norbanus was greeted by various maps posted on the walls. Lavish rugs and an ornate desk inlaid with carvings of birds sat in the middle of the room while a thick scroll case filled with heavy rolls lined one side of the room. A wooden stand with a perched, green parrot completed the room.
“Have a seat,” Scamios said as he led Norbanus over to a chair across from his desk.
Norbanus seated himself and marveled at the comfort of the chair. It reminded him of his old chair back in Rome.
Scamios seated himself behind his desk while the parrot squawked. “You’ll get your lunch, Roddo. Be patient.”
“Interesting bird,” Norbanus said.
“This no ordinary bird…he’s quite intelligent,” Scamios replied.
Norbanus eyed the bird and when its eyes sparkled like diamonds, a bitter memory resurfaced.
Its eyes! They shine just like Blackcat Barros’s panther, Terror.
“Is something wrong?”
Norbanus snapped out of his reverie. “No! No! I was simply admiring your bird.”
Scamios smiled. “He is quite pleasant to look at, is he not? Now, you say you seek passage to North Africa?”
“Yes, as I was saying earlier. Your advertisement.”
“Yes, well.” Scamios cleared his throat. “Riches are available in Africa for those patient enough to seek them. But is that all you are looking for?”
“What else is there?”
Scamios leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. “Most people who come to me are seeking passage to Africa to find instant riches. Some do accumulate vast material wealth and return to Rome to retire on their spoils. Others look for a change of scenery to supplant their drab existence; they think if they go someplace different they will find happiness.”
“Well…do they?”
“Some do, but it takes patience and hard work to change something within, only then can the exterior become what you wish it to be.”
This Captain seemed like a fortune-teller. It all seemed like foolery to Norbanus.
“So, do you still wish to secure passage to Africa? We’re actually heading to Tunis, it’s a fine city with a booming industry.”
Norbanus thought a moment. There was nothing for him here. Italy held little appeal for him now. And he was still determined to make good on his promise to The Five Fists. But he had to sell his mount to afford the voyage.
“How much will this voyage to Tunis cost?”
Scamios scratched his beard. “How much do you have?”
Norbanus emptied his pockets and money pouch onto the captain’s desk. “I can get more money from the sale of my horse,” he added. “Will this be enough?”
The captain sorted through the small pile of coins and nodded. “It’s enough.”
“When do we leave for Tunis?”
“As soon as you’re ready.”
Norbanus left the ship and took his horse to Rhegium’s market where he sold it to a trader. When he returned to the Sea Sparrow, Taurus and two other men were preparing the ship for departure.
“Do you have the rest of the money?” Taurus asked.
Norbanus handed him the coins.
“Good, let me take you to your quarters.”
Taurus led Norbanus down into the hull of the ship. “Here it is,” Taurus said. He opened the door and Norbanus looked into his new home for the next few days. He was greeted by a sight that made his stomach queasy.
Then, Norbanus vomited on his boots.
Three/Tres
“The first thing you must remember about Elemence is that any shred of negative emotion can ruin the best spell,” Hradack said.
“So am I always to forsake emotion?”
“No, of course not, emotions define our humanity, but they are too unpredictable in the higher thought required for Elemence.”
Tullus closed his eyes and focused his thoughts on one of the Fortis II spells, Visim, which Hradack had explained to him earlier. He relaxed his breath, and his heartbeat slowed, peace descended upon him. Celestra was also practicing the spell, but broke off when Mithras arrived. The Jaguar sauntered toward her and took his place next to her; Celestra eyed him intently.
“I see you’re quite adept at clearing your mind; that skill should serve you well,” Hradack said as he limped over toward Tullus, leaning on his wooden staff, its crown carved in the shape of a Leopard head staring.
“A friend taught me this breathing technique,” Tullus replied. “He’s from China, a strange fellow, but very wise.”
“Yes, the Chinese. A noble people who no doubt think us westerners strange as well.”
“Visum…Visum…Visum,” Tullus whispered. Trying to incite the spell. “How does this spell help me see the future?”
“It varies, the Visum spell ta
kes on the identity of its user. So if your visual senses are advanced you might see images. If your hearing happens to be superb you will feel the spell flow through you.”
Tullus broke off the spell. “Flow through me?”
Hradack laughed. “Why did you break off the spell? You were doing so well.”
“You said the spell flows? How?”
“Through the essences of the Elders. The creators who composed the spells.”
Tullus eyes narrowed.
“Sit down Tullus, I believe I once asked you if you knew about the Air Paladins. Perhaps now is the time to give you a brief history lesson.” Hradack led Tullus toward a supply shed surrounded by a coppice and they both sat down on a small bench. Moments later Celestra and Mithras joined them.
“Long ago, before the empire, before even the old Roman republic, there existed the age of the Ancient Roman Kings who governed the fledgling Roman Kingdom. This was during a time when large, reptilian creatures roamed the Earth: in a period called the Reptilian Era. These creatures were notorious for attacking early Roman settlements and soon became a threat to humanity. An ancient Roman King named Numa Pompilius approached the Enlightened Ones, a race of secretive magic-users, and asked for help since his own armies were unable to effectively combat these creatures. The Enlightened Ones were experts in Elemence, an ancient form of magic, that could harness the forces of nature. They chose thirteen of their finest representatives, or Elders as they were called, to journey back to Rome to challenge the reptilian threat. There, in Rome, these Elders assembled a council. They set out to find and train the finest men and women, ones with Gift, to serve as defenders against the reptilian threat.”
Hradack lit his pipe and continued, “The Elders instructed these men and women on the secrets of Elemence and physical combat. They also bred, and gave them fierce Griffins to ride into battle. These men and women would later be called Air Paladins, and with their advanced magical and fighting skills, they were ready to confront the reptilian creatures. After a series of battles, the reptilian creatures were defeated and exiled. Pompilius, out of gratitude, built the Elders an Apex and the Air Paladins an impenetrable fortress called The Paladus—which you already know of. After that, the Roman culture flourished. After the Reptilian threat was extinguished, the Air Paladins focused on protecting the environment from decay, and Incantra from poachers.”