by T. A. Uner
Jarkos lifted himself from his throne and descended the dais. Blackheart’s Snow Wolf, Whisper, scuttled into the room and stood next to his master. Wolfsbane stared at the cold grey eyes of the wolf.
I had given him the wolf as a gift years ago. Wolfsbane thought. It still serves him well.
Wolfsbane called out to his guards. The shaggy Wolfguard returned, spears and shields in hand the torchlight glinted off their red shields and highlighted the black wolf’s head crest of Wolfsbane Manor.
“I don’t care if this Leopard man can shit fire,” Jarkos replied. “I want him brought here. I will question him, then, make him suffer in my dungeons before he dies a nightmarish death.”
“A most ingenious plan,” said a velvety voice. “But my master also seeks the Leopard King.”
“Who is that?” Wolfsbane called out.
The Wolfguard sought out the voice, grunting and snarling like unfed dogs while clomping around the throne room floor with their spears at the ready. When they couldn’t find the source of the voice they looked at Wolfsbane confusedly.
“I ask again,” Wolfsbane said irritably, “who dares encroach upon my Alcazar without invitation.
A cloud appeared above Wolfsbane’s head. Two red eyes appeared upon its billowy surface. Wolfsbane said. “No! It cannot be.”
“Yes,” the cloud said, “it is.”
Wolfsbane said: “An Erebus Demon.”
“Here?” Blackheart said. Whisper growled at the cloud, moments later it had formed into the shape of a shadowy man as it hovered near the ceiling.
“I am Maelstrom,” the demon said. “I come bearing greetings from my Liege, the great Snake Lord, Serpentus.”
“Snake Lord?”
Did they still exist?
“What brings you here?” Wolfsbane asked as he re-seated himself on his throne. More guards poured into the throne room. They were grunting and pointing at Maelstrom who looked at them with disinterest before turning his attention back to Wolfsbane.
“I assure you, Lord Wolfsbane, all these guards are unnecessary.” Maelstrom moved closer to the Wolf Lord and handed Wolfsbane a coin. “As for the reason of my visit, I am here to tell you, Serpentus is willing to grant you any wish of your choosing, provided that you do him one, simple favor.”
Wolfsbane didn’t like to be indebted to other men, especially ones he did not know. But, maybe this Serpentus could help him locate this Leopard King.
“Very well, I am listening.”
For now.
“Serpentus requests your presence.”
“Why?”
“He shall explain when the time is right. That coin in your hand will allow you to be summoned by him.”
“No one summons Jarkos Wolfsbane.”
Maelstrom bowed politely at Wolfsbane. “I take my leave,” he said before transforming into a cloud and dispersing.
“I don’t like this,” Blackheart said. Whisper growled.
“Neither do I, but I am curious about this Serpentus.”
Tiranus entered the throne room. “What is happening, father?” he asked. Behind him was his Wolfguard dressed in full armor.
“We had a visitor.”
Tiranus cocked his eyebrows. “Whom?”
“An Erebus Demon.” He handed his son the coin. “Says he serves a Snake Lord.”
Tiranus studied the coin. “This was minted during the time of the Serpent Wars.” The young man paused. “So…some of them survived.” He handed the coin back to his father who pocketed it.
“It is of no consequence. We are Wolfsbane, strongest of all the Lycore clans.” The painful memory of his younger son’s death reminded him of his sworn duty to find the Leopard King. “We shall play along with this game as it suits us.” There was a long pause as all eyes in the throne room fell on Jarkos Wolfsbane. “Then, when the time is right, I shall execute my own plan.”
“Which is?” Tiranus asked.
Wolfsbane smiled and cracked his knuckles loudly.
{VIII}
His mission complete, Maelstrom flew back to his master with news.
The ones he had located were the best his senses had detected and he hoped Serpentus would be pleased with his efforts.
The Earth passed beneath him. A spectrum of colors. He flew over mountains, cliffs, oceans, stream and forests. Tundra. Deserts.
But his senses made him stop. An image appeared in his thoughts.
No. It couldn’t be.
But it was.
Hadn’t they all been destroyed years ago? Shortly before his kind was purged from this world in defeat. Their cause in ruin. To confirm his suspicions…
He diverted his course to avoid maximum exposure to light. As he passed through the clouds, he delighted in the rewards his new Liege would bequeath him. To serve a Snake Lord carried the possibility of an Erebus title. Yes. Shokar. The ancient word still meant something to his people.
The dark hills rolled under him until he found it. It wasn’t whole, but it lay in pieces in a city called Rome. It was here. He could feel it. He sliced through the streets like a blade across skin. A Group of men carrying torches was up ahead. What were they called? Vigiles? The shadows concealed him from their eyes as he passed through an alleyway where a woman was fornicating with a man. Interesting. He resumed his mission as screams of pleasure rose from the woman’s throat. He moved through streets and sewers. Ducts and thatched roofs. He passed through a rat-infested alley, when he emerged from it he saw a wooden structure situated along a quay.
If he had a heart it would’ve beat faster.
The moonlight reflected off of the black water as Maelstrom drifted toward the structure. There was no activity around it. Only a few horses hobbled outside. He looked inside of it through a mirror. No one was inside. He passed through the wall and nearly gagged. Agghhh!!! What was that smell? Large wooden crates were piled up around him. He looked inside one and realized they were filled with various spices. They smelled worse than anything he could’ve imagined. He closed his nostrils and moved on. At least it was dark. After navigating past the crates he found a room where a dark-skinned human was resting. His skin had various abrasions stretched across his muscular arms. He muttered in his sleep. Yes. It was here, this human had been marked by it.
Maelstrom heard activity coming from a nearby room. He found a dark corner and made for it. His red eyes scanned the newcomers. One was a white woman with tired eyes, carrying a vial, the other, a man with slanted eyes.
These humans are interesting, he thought. They are members of the same race but have different exterior features.
“I am concerned about your health, Artia, you haven’t slept much lately,” said the man with slanted eyes.
“I am fine, really, Gansu,” Artia said. “Did you give Yeshiva the potion?”
Gansu nodded. “Yes, he is resting, now.”
Artia nodded. Maelstrom felt as if she knew he was here.
Why was that? Was she some sort of sorceress? Did she know Elemence? He continued listening.
“If we don’t destroy that Door,” Artia said, “more innocents will fall victim.”
Destroy the Door? No! He must not allow it.
They woman leaned over the dark-skinned man, she peeled back his eyelids and dripped a few drops of the liquid into his eyes. His eyes glistened as he slumbered.
“What was that?” Gansu asked.
Artia looked hopeful. “Some solution, to ease his nightmares.”
“So how do you propose to destroy the Door?”
“My potions and some Elemence should do the trick.”
So she was a potion mistress. This was getting interesting.
“I thought you didn’t know Elemence?” Gansu said.
“I don’t. But I have Gift. I can try and learn some spells.” The Easterner’s expression changed. He nodded.
This one has a disciplined mind, Maelstrom thought.
Artia’s eyes widened. She stared at him.
Does sh
e see me? He blended into the dark wooden wall and closed his eyes. Despite closed eyes, he could still see her.
“What is wrong, Artia?”
“I sense something.”
“What?” Gansu said as he followed her to where Maelstrom once stood.
“A presence.” She pulled out a potion and undid the stopper. A bright green light illuminated the once-dark corner where Maelstrom had hid.
Good. He had left in time.
“Nothing.”
Gansu looked perplexed. After a few moments, they turned around and returned to the dark-skinned man’s bedside.
“I must get started on a plan tomorrow morning,” Artia said. “I have much work to do.”
“I would like to help.”
“Yes, of course,” Artia replied. “You can monitor Yeshiva and Masego’s condition and report back to me.”
Gansu nodded. “How soon can you destroy this Door?”
“Hard to say.” They both left the room. Maelstrom emerged from the wall and darted along their surface. “I managed to recover some Elemence spells from the ruins of the Apex. I can read archaic Latin written by the first Elders who were sent by the Enlightened ones, but, it will take time for me to learn enough spells to destroy it. I also plan on concocting some potions to dissolve its components…piece by piece.”
Maelstrom had heard enough. He left these two souls and followed the pulse of the Door through a barricaded entrance and down some steps. He saw another entrance. It too was barricaded. He smiled to himself and passed through it. Inside he felt as if he was home. He opened his eyes.
The Door.
As he feared, it had been disassembled. There were traces of Elemence in this room. It had been used to take the Door apart. Long ago. Pieces of the Door were stacked neatly in a corner of the room, covered by some strange human fabric. Maelstrom soaked up the darkness. It almost felt as if he was back in Kaotika. His home. Inside the Dark Void, his brothers around him.
Maelstrom muttered something in his own language.
Even disassembled the Door commanded power born from Kaotika’s gods. He would consult the old cultist for further instruction. After all, he was still new to this world, his senses were evolving.
“I must return to my master,” Maelstrom said.
Casting one more look at the pieces of the structure. Maelstrom left the room. The city disappeared beneath him. He rose toward the sky. A slither of moon greeted him. It was cold where he treaded, colder than the winter below him. His shadowy body became one with the night. But dawn was approaching, and knew he had to hurry back to Serpentus.
His master would be waiting for him. He would have questions.
But Maelstrom would have questions too. He was young and thirsted for knowledge. So he could serve his master better. So he could gain his title.
Much work remained.
Thirteen/Tredecim
Serpentus eyed the cloudless sky.
Capri. The early signs of spring were in bloom here as flowers had sprung from trees and shrubs, violet and blue. Now, it was the gathering point where his new allies would hear him out. Where he would begin the next stage of his plan. Weeks ago, Maelstrom had successfully returned from his mission, having located men who could answer his call. Then there was the Door. Afaa had told him more about this world called Kaotika. His teacher had been there. Lived there.
His power was growing. Under Afaa’s tutelage he had learned the first three Penumbras of Serpent Eye. He had practiced his new powers and found them to be indispensable. The Leopard King would fall before him. But first, Serpentus would make him suffer. His thoughts turned to that of the Leopardess, The Leopard King’s pet, Celestra was her name, if he remembered correctly.
“Let’s see if this spell works,” he said. He hoped that wherever the Leopardess was that his spell would find her and cause her harm. “Corvus,” he said. “If any Ravens should be near her they’ll find her.” He wanted to try one on the Leopard King, a more powerful spell, but first he had to increase his Vigor.
He turned around from the balcony view overlooking the bay. The clear blue waters rippled under the rays of the sun, ships dotting its surface. Chaos Spikeskull stood behind him. The armourer had been an indispensible ally these past few weeks. Creating his serpent armor and new weapons. His mace, Skull-Crusher, was a metallic serpent crafted onto a thick shaft. A skull pommel completed the weapon and Spikeskull had trained him how to use it. His scimitar, FireSkull, was even more impressive, but no less deadly. Along with Skull-Crusher, Afaa had cursed it to give it power and, at Serpentus’ command, its blade came alive with the fire of Kaotika. His serpent armor was cast from the strongest metals available. It cost a small fortune but was well worth it. Armor that offered defense and comfort. Spikeskull knew his trade well.
“When will the others be arriving, Lord Serpentus?” Spikeskull asked.
Serpentus saw his own reflection in the armourer’s spiked mask. He marveled at the craftsmanship of his helm. Shaped like the head of a serpent, four fangs flanking his face to offer protection and deflate his enemies spirits. His breastplate was inlaid with serpents that coiled around its surface. If it wasn’t so imposing it would be beautiful.
“Soon,” Serpentus replied. He had to be patient. Unlike his previous self, Norbanus, whose brash behavior had been his own undoing.
That part of me no longer exists.
Spikeskull nodded.
Afaa approached them. Cane in hand. The old cultist did not care much for the scenery Capri offered. “Have you summoned them yet?” he asked.
“No, Teacher,” Serpentus replied respectfully. “Soon.”
“The sooner you get your vengeance, the sooner we begin our quest to seize the Door.”
Serpentus nodded. He cursed Camus Scorpio’s memory.
If you had not failed in your mission Scorpio, and brought me Paullus Gabinius, perhaps I would’ve been privy to its power.
They left the balcony overlooking the bay and stomped down a staircase that curled around the hill until they came to a large crag where a clearing was situated beneath it. Serpentus heard the waves of the sea crack against the rocks below.
I am anxious to see who Maelstrom has found for us. No doubt men who would sell their own mothers for a handful of denarii. I need men like those.
“The time is approaching,” Serpentus said. His heart rolled in his chest. Soon he would begin to unleash pain and suffering on the one who had bested him. Serpentus drew FireSkull. The scimitar felt good in his gauntleted hand as he twirled it around before activating its power. Instantly flames rose from its cursed blade. Ready to singe his enemies and send them to a fiery grave.
He sheathed FireSkull. “It is time.”
Spikeskull grunted. Afaa nodded his approval.
Serpentus focused his emotions on the spell to summon his new minions. As he gathered his buried hatred for the Leopard King, Havoc appeared and slithered up his leg before coiling around his shoulders. The King Cobra had grown larger in the past few weeks. Havoc’s red eyes glowed like embers; Serpentus felt his friend’s strength and drew Vigor from it. Havoc spoke to his thoughts.
“Command me, Lord; command me so I may crush your opponents.”
“Soon,” Serpentus whispered. He turned his attention back to his spell. They had all followed the instructions Maelstrom had given them, and whispered his name five times in the past at some point. Now it was time to bring them to him.
The first one who appeared was a giant wearing a bull-headed helm. He sat atop a fearsome-looking, armored steed that looked like it was born to trample all which stood in its path. Its rider wore a leather harness on his muscular chest above brown breeches and thick black boots. His arms were rippled with muscles, veins surged like thick earthworms under his skin. He drew his large battle axe and stared at Serpentus and Havoc.
“Where am I?” he said. This was the Minotaur.
The next one to appear was a creature dressed in a long flowing tuni
c. His pointed nose hung over a red scarf that concealed his mouth. Atop his head sat a strange-looking black hat. While he did not look as imposing as the Minotaur this one had eyes that could spot an ant from forty paces. He drew a long dagger and muttered, “Salvation?”
Serpentus read its thought. This was the one they called The Bloody Ripper.
Another formed before him. This one had two dog-like creatures at his feet. But they looked more savage than common curs. This man wore a headdress and carried a quiver while a long bow was slung over his shoulder. He looked at Serpentus through eyes that looked dead. But were filled with the resolve of a predator. Hyena.
Afterwards another appeared. This one’s dress consisted of strange armor with a helm fashioned in the shape of a Ram’s head. He lifted up his helm plate and stared at Serpentus and Havoc angrily from a disfigured face before drawing his sword and staff with a ram’s head on it.
Why had Maelstrom summon this one? There was no anger in his heart. Only sorrow. There must be a reason for his selection.
Another came. This one had a large creature at his feet. A large reptilian with a long snout and fearsome black eyes. He wore a spiked collar attached to a chain leash which his handler grasped. Serpentus liked this one. He had no fear in him and a streak of ruthlessness that rivaled his own. He wore a black helm that covered his head where two holes revealed vicious eyes. His breastplate was green and was forged to match the scales of the reptilian creature at his feet. Black breeches and boots completed his uniform. Two small dirks were sheathed on the outside of his boots while a menacing whip was slung over his broad shoulder. Serpentus saw two strange weapons holstered this one’s belt. They resembled two small ballistae, but made for a man’s grip. Perhaps the most balanced fighter of this group: Croctus Reptilius.
The last one appeared. Surrounded by hairy beasts that resembled wolves on two feet with arms that spoke of brute strength. They were armored and carried spears and swords. They parted to allow their master to step forward. He wore a circlet around his head and was dressed in thick animal skins. A long sword dangled from his hip. Beneath his skins Serpentus saw an elegant tunic and expensive breeches worn over sturdy leather boots.