by T. A. Uner
“He murdered my friend, Paullus Gabinius.”
“I’ve heard what you did to Kletus Spearthrower at The Moaning Maiden, stranger,” said Uxius, “what you seek is vengeance for your murdered friend. That type of foolery will get us all killed.”
“What I seek is justice,” Tullus replied. “Camus Scorpio is a disease that has infected Rome. I agree with Lady Eliana, but our methods differ. Where she uses law to combat Scorpio I say we use force against force–that is the only language Camus Scorpio understands.”
Eliana felt her control over the meeting slipping. While she had no desire to discredit Tullus, this was her constituency. She turned toward the assembled merchants. “Do we now abandon all that we’ve worked for? You’ve trusted me this long; did my words carry so little weight?”
Worlius the musician stood. “We haven’t given up on you dear lady but we are a desperate lot. Please allow us to hear what the stranger proposes.”
Filius the blacksmith stood up. “I agree with Worlius, let us hear the stranger’s plan and see if it merits our support. What say you stranger?”
Tullus descended the wooden platform, Celestra by his side. “My plan is simple, we make Camus Scorpio hurt where it would sting him most–his coffers. Me and my allies plan on taking the battle to him.”
Worlius stood again. “What if you fail? What will happen to us? We have families to feed. What will happen to them after you declare war on Scorpio? Won’t they face retribution from his footmen?” A few of the other merchants voiced their agreement.
“I understand your concerns, dear friends, but I was once an officer who served under the eagles of Rome, and my experience in warfare, plus the combined might of my allies will prove decisive against Camus Scorpio and his footmen.”
“But what if you fail?” Eliana said in an assertive tone. “Then all of what we have worked for will have been in vain.”
“I will not fail you,” Tullus said to Eliana before turning to face the merchants. “If you have doubts about my intentions I say that you vote like Romans to decide your fate. Either continue with Lady Eliana’s plans, or let me take up your struggle and let Camus Scorpio know how it feels to be our enemy.”
Poxius stood up. “The stranger is right, we should vote. All those in favor of continuing with Lady Eliana’s plan raise your hands.”
A few hands sprung up. Eliana felt disheartened that Tullus’ sudden appearance could cause her to lose her place as the voice of the merchants.
“All those in favor of following the stranger’s plan, raise your hands.” This time a vast majority of hands flew up and they chanted: “Victory! Victory! Victory!”
Eliana raised her hands and slowly the chants slowly died down. “I’ve led you since we first started this movement. But I hope that in embracing a new path to your salvation you do not come to ruin.” A few of the merchants in the audience lowered their heads, while others looked at Eliana with abashed faces.
Celestra growled and nuzzled her head against Eliana’s leg while Tullus raised his palms to get the merchant’s attention. “I accept the role as your champion, but will do so on one condition.”
“Which is?” asked Mattius Nomlar.
“That you continue to recognize Eliana Clodia as your rightful leader, and allow me to do what I know best—make war upon our enemy, Camus Scorpio.”
The merchants rose to their feet and cheered. Soon they were chanting: “Eliana Clodia! Eliana Clodia! Eliana Clodia!”
Eliana smiled at Tullus. “You really should take up a career in politics.”
Tullus chuckled. “Politics is the main reason I left Rome.”“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Eliana whispered into Tullus’ ear.
“I hope so too.”
Yeshiva raised his hands for quiet and the chanting subsided. “I propose, in addition to our continued support of Lady Eliana, we also agree in case of emergencies that I shall have the authority to light the old signal beacon outside the city to summon our new ally: and also, to assemble and discuss any important issues that may arise.”
“Agreed,” Filius said. “But first, what is your name, stranger?” he asked Tullus.
Mattius Nomlar stood up. “I too wish to know your name.”
Soon the other merchants were clamoring to learn Tullus’ name.
Tullus drew LeopardClaw from its sheath, and raised the greatsword above his head. Shafts of moonlight filtering through the window shutters blanketed LeopardClaw, illuminating the Leopard sigil etched within its polished blade. The merchants looked up at it, awestruck, and chattered excitedly.
Tullus smiled. “I am called…The Leopard King.”
The merchants erupted into cheers again. Their war was about to begin.
Part III: War of The Leopard King
{September to December, 37 AD}
“Fiat justitia ruat caelum.”
“Let Justice be done though the heavens fall.” -Latin phrase
Ten/Decem
Tullus and Celestra espied their quarry from a secure vantage point: located behind a thicket situated upon the ridge of a low hill overlooking the countryside. Their targets, a column of war elephants, made their way along the Via Salaria: headed for Rome.
According to Mattias Nomlar’s report–obtained through the drunken ramblings of Kletus Spearthrower in the Salty Wench–the elephants were transporting vast riches to Camus Scorpio. Luxuries likely obtained through the misfortunes of others, Tullus thought.
“Are they within striking distance?” Anna asked. She and the others huddled next to Tullus and Celestra.
Tullus turned toward Anna inside the dense foliage that concealed their party. “Not yet, but soon.”
Despite her reluctance to avenge Paullus’ death, Anna had accepted Tullus’ idea of helping the merchants. Vulcan, Gansu and Masego had also thrown in their support which had pleased Tullus. His friends had proven to be loyal charges, no doubt a testament to the faith they had in Paullus’ decision when he made him their new leader. Masego passed around a waterskin while they waited.
While Tullus was grateful to have the full support of his Troupe and the merchants, a part of him still felt uneasy how his sudden appearance in Yeshiva’s warehouse had usurped Eliana’s authority. He knew the merchants were anxious to find a worthy champion who could take the fight to Scorpio, and fate had bequeathed him their troubles. Eliana’s plan, in hindsight, was noble, but her righteous attitude concerning the plight of the merchants reeked of naïveté. Despite this, Tullus had a feeling Eliana’s strong will would not settle for a figurehead position during his tenure as the merchant’s new champion.
The elephants’ path brought them under the forest hill where Tullus and his companions lay in wait. Two scouts on horseback preceded the convoy, while Tullus eyed the howdahs strapped atop the backs of the large, wrinkled creatures. Behind their massive heads sat their drivers, called mahouts. Dressed in strange black tunics were armed foot guards flanking the large beasts, a few carried spears, others, large bows in their hands and quivers filled with arrows strapped to their backs, while daggers and swords dangled from their belts. These men were mercenaries from faraway lands, paid handsomely to ensure these luxuries were delivered safely to Camus Scorpio.
“I’m going down for a closer look,” Tullus said.
“Don’t be foolish Tullus, we’re coming with you,” Anna said. Celestra growled her assent. The others were grumbling amongst themselves before Tullus raised his hand to silence them.
“Last I checked I was leader of this Troupe.”
“Yes, and we’d like you to remain alive so you may continue your duties,” Anna said. “But what if you’re caught? I doubt those men will even bother to question you. They’ll shoot first and then feed you to their elephants.”
Tullus smiled. “Elephants are plant eaters, Anna.”
Anna’s face twitched irritably while the others chuckled around her, all except Gansu.
“I know you’d like to see me alive a
gain, so I may continue to warm your bed,” Tullus said into her ear, “but I don’t plan on getting killed.” He turned toward the others. “Wait for my signal before you attack.”
“What signal?” Vulcan asked, battle-axe in hand.
“A shrill whistle; listen for it.” Tullus turned toward Celestra. “C’mon girl.” The Leopardess followed him down the hill. As they descended, thickets of rhododendrons pricked Tullus’ costume. Celestra fared better as her spry reflexes helped ease her passage down the shifty terrain. “Sometimes I wish I was a Leopard,” Tullus told Celestra. They reached the side of the road where the convoy would pass through. A salmon sky dotted with ashen clouds painted the heavens as the morning sun’s aura clutched the horizon.
The two scouts on horseback approached Tullus and Celestra–who barred their path–and when the riders saw them, they reigned in their horses, causing their brown coursers to whicker loudly. Both scouts were dressed in strange clothing with scarves and headdresses that covered their faces, except for the olive skin surrounding their dark pupils. One of the scouts called out to Tullus in a strange tongue, while the other scout drew a scimitar from an elaborate scabbard.
“I don’t know what you’re saying, but it doesn’t sound friendly.”
Celestra growled at the two mercenaries while their horses twitched nervously at the sight of the Leopardess. The first scout called out again to Tullus before his companion with the scimitar charged. Tullus drew LeopardClaw to parry the scout’s sword. A loud clanging noise broke the silence of the new day, while the rider grunted and circled around for another pass. The second scout drew his own scimitar and also charged Tullus. Celestra growled fiercely and ran toward him, evading his cut. She pounced on him and swiped his chest with her right front claw. Blood erupted from the front of the scout’s tunic before he clutched his mangled chest. After emitting a painful grunt he somersaulted off his mount, and onto the dusty ground.
The other scout, seeing his fallen companion, howled like a wolf and charged Tullus again. Tullus ducked to avoid the blade and with one swift motion hurled LeopardClaw into the man’s gullet. Blood drops rained down on Tullus’ Leopard pelt as the scout’s mount rode past Tullus and stopped suddenly, still carrying its dead rider. Tullus ran up to the horse and quelled the nervous creature before pulling the dead rider off the saddle and laying him next to his fallen comrade.
After observing the scout, Tullus realized the man was still alive. Barely. His neck a mass of bloody tendons that writhed like eels. Not wishing the rider to suffer further, Tullus drew LeopardTooth, plunging it into the man’s chest. Blood kissed the blade, while the scout’s body shuddered one last time before greeting death.
“Looks like we missed the party,” Anna said. Troupe members descended the hill behind her, clouds of dust trailing them.
“I thought I told you to wait until I whistled?” Tullus said.
“We heard noises and thought you were in trouble,” Masego said as he and the others noticed the two dead scouts, “but it appears you managed without us.”
Tullus re-sheathed both his blades and wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his wrist.
“These two were only scouts,” Tullus said, pointing at the corpses, “There’s still a small army of mercenaries to deal with.”
“Let them come,” Vulcan said. Masego nodded before drawing his dirks.
“You may soon get your wish my friend,” Tullus said. “Look.”
In the distance the first elephant in the convoy was closing in on them. In addition to the foot guards, a group of fresh riders now flanked the elephant.
“Did you count how many?” Vulcan asked.
Tullus squinted as he eyed the enemy. “More than us.”
Anna nocked an arrow in her bowstring and cut it loose; it streaked toward one of the mercenaries, striking the man’s ribcage. He fell from his mount and disappeared into the growing dust clouds the horses were kicking up. His fellow riders rode past their fallen comrade’s horse, their scimitars and long spears raised high above their heads.
“Well that’s one less rider we have to deal with,” Anna said.
“They’re almost upon us, prepare yourselves,” Tullus said. Everyone was armed except Gansu, who grasped his wooden staff and awaited the oncoming riders.
Masego looked at Gansu through perplexed eyes. “You mean to fight the enemy with that stick?”
Gansu shot the African a solemn glance. “Do not let your eyes deceive you; what you call stick serves many purposes.”
Masego shook his head before turning his attention back to the riders, who were almost upon them. “Only a sharp weapon can save you from their onslaught, Gansu. Stick close to me if you falter.”
Gansu smiled.
Tullus heard the mercenaries screaming their battle chants, before one of them hurled a spear in the Troupe’s direction. It thudded into the ground, only a few steps from where Tullus stood. Tullus drew LeopardClaw and took a deep breath, as all eyes of the Troupe shifted toward him. “Everyone! Charge the enemy! For Paullus Gabinius!” he said while they followed suit. Tullus sped toward the riders, Celestra at his side and his friends at his heels, feeling the battle fury surge through his veins. Soon the first rider was upon him as he hacked at the mercenary’s steed. LeopardClaw cut into the horse’s shoulder blade, as blood discharged from the wound. The creature toppled over but the rider managed to land on his feet. He snarled at Tullus. “Taste this sword,” Tullus said as the man drew his scimitar and rushed to meet Tullus’ challenge before LeopardClaw and scimitar greeted each other with a loud Cltanggg! Both men struggled against the weight of one another, their blades firmly locked, before Tullus withdrew LeopardClaw—the mercenary followed suit.
Tullus swung LeopardClaw at the man’s chest which the mercenary parried. The blades met again but this time Tullus shifted his weight towards his sword foot, straining the mercenary’s defensive stance. This was all Tullus needed as he withdrew one hand from LeopardClaw’s leather grip and unsheathed LeopardTooth with one swift motion. Moments later, his opponent looked down at his bloody chest where LeopardTooth was entrenched. The man fell to his knees before Tullus withdrew LeopardTooth from the corpse. Another rider was almost upon Tullus, who slashed LeopardClaw across the rider’s ankle, severing it from leg. The smell of blood filled the air while the rider howled in pain as his body twisted off the horse’s saddle before becoming entangled in the cinch. The horse raced off, dragging the rider along with it as it disappeared into a growing dust cloud. Around him, Tullus’ friends fared well in battle. Most of the remaining mercenaries were fighting for their lives atop their steeds, others, lay dead and mangled upon ground, their broken weapons and damaged shields lay strewn accross the dusty battlefield surrounded by scattered hoof prints. In the distance Tullus noticed the other elephants correcting course to avoid the battle. He sheathed both LeopardClaw and LeopardTooth and called out to Celestra, who was busy gnawing a horseman’s arm. She looked up at Tullus and released her hold on her victim. The man screamed as his mutilated forearm dangled from pink, bloody tendons.
Tullus charged the first elephant, Celestra at his side, as an archer inside the howdah got off a shot. The arrow whistled past his ear; the archer readied another arrow.
Tullus launched LeopardTooth at the archer. It split open the archer’s face, blood splattering the mahout sitting behind the elephant’s head.
Tullus ran up to the side of the beast and grasped the edge of its harness. He hauled himself up the side of the beast as it lumbered clumsily side to side. A stray rider caught glimpse of Tullus’ plan and charged at him, scimitar in hand. Celestra rushed toward the rider and leaped on him, front claws barred, swiping the side of the rider’s face, ripping out his left cheek and eyeball. The rider dropped his sword and clutched his ruined face before Gansu ran up behind him with his staff and knocked him off his steed. Now mounted, Gansu winked at Celestra before rejoining the other Troupe members. Tullus continued his climb u
p the side of the elephant before grasping the edge of the howdah. Expecting to meet resistance from the mahout, Tullus was surprised to see Celestra waiting for him inside the howdah, her claws atop the back of the mahout, who lay unconscious beneath her.
“What are you doing here?” Tullus smiled at Celestra before withdrawing LeopardTooth from the corpse of the archer. She looked at him sternly and growled. “Okay, okay. Thank you.” Celestra grunted before licking her bloody claws.
“Now we must find a way to steer this thing.” His eyes fell upon the dangling reigns below the elephant’s tusks. Tullus climbed out of the howdah while Celestra watched. He drew LeopardClaw before straddling the elephant’s large neck. Using LeopardClaw’s long blade he retracted the dangling reigns and took control of the creature. With Celestra peering over his shoulder Tullus steered the mammoth beast toward another elephant loaded with crates. The mahout steering the other elephant tried to turn away, only it was too late as the ivory tusks of Tullus’ elephant grazed the side of the opposing elephant, causing the creature to emit a painful roar that shook the air. The elephant lost its balance and crashed to the ground. More arrows surged past Tullus. A few found their mark as they struck the howdah. The opposing howdah archers now aimed their arrows at Tullus’ elephant, as the creature absorbed multiple hits across its hairy, wrinkled body. While arrows peppered the Elephant’s body, Tullus urged the beast toward the opposing elephants. Anna appeared, riding a commandeered horse, streaking toward the elephants in Tullus’ path. She was now directly ahead of Tullus. Anna fired off three arrows in rapid succession into the howdahs of the opposing elephants–killing the archers inside, while evading an incoming volley of arrows launched by distant foot archers. The remaining three mahouts, seeing their armed escorts bested, dropped from their elephants and ran.
With Anna’s help Tullus herded the elephants toward a grassy knoll. Using a coil of fibrous rope, they tied each elephant to one another before Tullus’ elephant led them back to where the rest of the Troupe was recovering from the battle while they watched the surviving foot archers retreat alongside the frightened mahouts.