by T. A. Uner
Celestra stared at the gold with disbelieving eyes and turned to look at Tullus.
“Ohh, Paullus,” Tullus said. He placed the gold bars back inside the drawstring bag and walked past Gansu and out of the tent.
“Did you find what you were looking for?” Gansu asked.
Tullus ignored Gansu and headed for the baggage train. Ahead of him stood Masego.
“Tullus? What is wrong?” Masego exclaimed. He looked worried.
Tullus pushed his way pass Masego and drew LeopardClaw. The two spear sentries guarding the baggage train attempted to block his way but Tullus swung LeopardClaw at them and they moved aside to let him pass. He climbed up onto the baggage train.
Tullus slashed through the restraining ropes and peeled away the wool covering of the baggage train’s contents: revealing rows of sparkling gold bars.
“Tullus. Stop what you are doing. You are violating Paullus’ orders,” one of the sentries said.
Tullus ignored the sentry’s plea and knocked over bars of gold while a small crowd of freedmen gathered to watch him. After clearing the baggage train of gold, a pile of gold bars littered the ground in a half-circle. Underneath, a thin wooden crate lay undisturbed. Tullus pried it open with LeopardTooth. His eyes were greeted by pieces of thick, twisted metal coated with dark finish. He pulled out one piece and stared at the strange runes inscribed upon it. The metal piece felt cold in his hand and a foreboding sense rippled through his body.
The inscriptions weren’t written in archaic or modern Latin. It was an alien language Tullus had never seen before. Carved upon its metal surface were serpents coiled around nude women; strange-looking armored riders grasping spears and sword-like weapons riding fiery steeds; other pictures depicted strange creatures with horns protruding from their heads wielding whips and dirks. Winged serpents danced above their heads carrying armored riders into battle.
There were other sections to the door inside the wooden crate. Most looked too heavy to pull out. It looked as if someone had disassembled it long ago. Tullus felt his spirit dampen as his eyes scanned the dark pieces.
“Paullus…what have you done?” Tullus said. He sank to his knees. When he looked up, Celestra and all of his friends were gathered around the cart, staring at him. He climbed down from the baggage train and stared at them with contempt. “You all knew, and you didn’t tell me?” he said before stomping off. Celestra followed him to his tent. Inside, Tullus buried his face into his palms and sighed before Celestra nuzzled her head against the cold skin of his leg.
{V}
Anna’s death was felt by all. On a cold winter day hundreds came to pay their respects to the young Belgian woman who had entertained the countryside for years. For the second time in the past few months, Tullus felt a part of himself die. The first occasion was when Paullus had died. But Paullus had lived the majority of his life, whereas the Gods had taken Anna’s while she was in her prime. Tears filled Tullus’ eyes as he thought of the zesty young woman who had loved him. A part of him felt guilty he could not return the same love she felt for him. Perhaps he did not deserve Anna. The worst part was Tullus would never hear Anna’s wondrous laugh, which always filled him with resolve.
Anna’s body was laid to rest in a cairn under a laurel tree where she and Tullus had spent many happy moments. Her death is my fault, Tullus thought. If I hadn’t pushed her and the others to avenge Paullus, none of this would’ve happened. Behind Tullus, Renfrus’ wife, Matildus, sobbed. After the funeral Tullus walked toward his tent, Celestra trailing him. The Leopardess had fully recovered from her wounds inflicted during the battle against Scorpio. But
Tullus’ wounds ran deep, and he wondered if they would ever heal.
What do I do now? Now that Anna was gone nothing remained for him here. But he knew he couldn’t abandon the Troupe so soon after her death. He was still their leader and he needed to act like one. Even if his position encumbered him, he needed to think of the others.
Tullus lay down on his pallet and pulled the blanket over him while Celestra curled up beside him. Her body warmed the coldness inside his heart.
“Tullus?”
Tullus looked up. Vulcan was standing in the entrance of his tent. In his hand a flagon of wine, a circular shield strapped across his back.
“Yes Vulcan, what is it?” Tullus wished his friend had not disturbed his solitude. But there he was, and he could never turn a friend away.
“May I come in?”
“Of course,” Tullus said. He stood up from his pallet. Celestra rose from her spot, and, using her head, pushed a chair towards Vulcan.
Vulcan thanked Celestra and seated himself.
“I heard about the door. What do you plan on doing with it?”
“Hide it so it cannot be found again.”
“Have you found a safe place?”
“Yes.”
Vulcan nodded.
“Have a little wine.” Vulcan poured two cups and handed one of them to Tullus.
“It’s a fine vintage,” Vulcan said, taking a sip. Tullus had no desire to drink, but did so out of courtesy. The wine tasted like bile in his throat. He swallowed it and stared blankly at the ground.
“I don’t think I’m cut out for this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Leadership…look at where I’ve led us. Anna’s dead and I don’t think Paullus would’ve been happy with me if he’d lived to see the mess I’ve made.”
Vulcan sipped his wine. “Anna knew what she was doing Tullus, she was a grown woman. She put her trust in you and died fighting for something she believed in. That’s as honorable a death as anyone can hope for.”
Tullus shook his head in dismay. “There is no honor in death my friend, only finality.”
“Perhaps you should seek the wisdom of a man who can enlighten your outlook on life. Maybe even help you develop your newfound powers.”
Tullus looked into Vulcan’s friendly grey eyes. “And where would I find such a man?”
“The same man whom Paullus often confided in…his name is Hradack.”
Tullus recalled the name. Paullus had mentioned Hradack to him on two occasions. “The Leopard trainer?”
“Ohh…he’s more than that: he’s known as The Leopard Master. How he came by that name I do not know–but his wisdom is renowned.”
Tullus stood up and rubbed his eyes. “I don’t know Vulcan. I mean, I don’t even know this man, or where he lives.”
“I hear he’s quite amiable; and, as for finding him, maybe I can help you with that.”
Vulcan took a quill from Tullus’ desk and drew a map on a roll of parchment. “Here, take this,” Vulcan said as he handed the map to Tullus.
Tullus looked it over. “How far is Hradack’s stead from here?”
“It’s a five day journey on foot.”
“What about you, Gansu, and Masego?”
Vulcan smiled. “We’ll be fine, I think we all need time to ourselves. Besides, we’re in no condition to perform right now. Go Tullus. Seek out Hradack. He is one of the few remaining lawful magic-users alive today. Perhaps he can help you see things from a different perspective. I’m sure that’s what Anna would’ve wanted.”
Tullus looked over the map again and nodded.
“In that case, I better start packing.”
“Before you do, I have something else for you.” Vulcan pulled the shield off of his back and handed it to Tullus. “I finished making this shield for you earlier today–it should prove useful.”
Tullus studied the shield. Its round steel surface sparkled like silver while its gold-plated boss was forged in the shape of a growling Leopard head.
“It’s beautiful, I’ll call it Leopardhide,” Tullus said. Celestra stared at the shield intently.
“I’m glad you like it. May it protect you in future engagements.”
Tullus had a feeling it would.
{VI}
Eliana awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of footste
ps inside her room. “Who is it?”She called out brazenly.
“Eliana, it’s me, Tullus.”
She lit an oil taper and Tullus appeared in front of her.
“Tullus, what are you doing here? And how did you get in?”
“I came to say goodbye, Eliana.”
She rose from her bed and slipped on her sandals. “What do you mean ‘goodbye’?”
“I’m off again. It seems we keep saying goodbye to each other.” Tullus stroked the side of her cheek and she reveled in his touch.
“Tullus, you don’t have to go. My betrothal to Norbanus has been annulled.”
Tullus smiled. “It seems Norbanus lost more than his position as Tribune. Now that he’s been banished from Rome, I don’t think he’ll be troubling anyone for a long time.”
Eliana wrapped her arms around Tullus’ neck. “Stay,” she insisted. “We can be together again, like we used to, before you left Rome.”
“There’s nothing more I would like Eliana, but much has happened to me recently, and I need time to think. I’m headed north to locate a wise man. Perhaps he can help me find the answers to the questions I seek.”
I don’t understand Tullus, Eliana thought. I thought you loved me. “When will you return?”
Tullus removed Eliana’s hands from the back of his neck and kissed them tenderly. “I do not know, but when I do I will find you.” He leaned over and kissed her lips, causing Eliana’s spine to tingle. “I must go now,” Tullus said.
“Let me come with you,” she pleaded. She didn’t want to lose him again, not after all they had been through.
“Where I am I going I must go alone. But you will always be in my heart. I promise, once I finish my business up north, I shall return for you.”
He kissed her lips again and disappeared from her bedroom like a ghost.
After Tullus left Eliana sighed before picking up the taper and throwing it against the wall. The heart-shaped flame inside the taper flickered angrily before fading into darkness.
{VII}
Tullus left Eliana’s villa and found Celestra waiting outside near the baggage train which was
hitched to a pair of yoked oxen. After checking his backpack provisions, Tullus took hold of the reigns, urging the beasts forward while Celestra took her place next to him on the wooden bench. The darkness in the night sky receded, creating a light pinkish glow that stretched across the heavens, while the rising sun coated Rome’s building tops with thin shafts of light. After dawn broke the stars faded from the sky, except for a quarter moon, which decided to linger.
After leaving Rome behind he looked back at the city, wondering if he would ever see it again. Celestra growled anxiously as they made their way toward Ostia Antica and Tullus turned his thoughts to the door. He felt better knowing it was secure in Yeshiva’s warehouse. The merchant had sworn an oath of silence not to mention it to anyone, and insured Tullus it would remain hidden until they could figure out how to destroy it.
They found Jonga and his people waiting down by the wharf.
Tullus halted the baggage train and climbed down from the bench while Celestra followed.
“Our Leopard God and his dauntless Leopardess honor us with their arrival,” Jonga said. He and his people gathered around Tullus and Celestra. Tullus removed his backpack and took out the drawstring bag containing the three bars of gold he had found in Paullus’ chest. He handed the bag to Jonga who looked at it curiously before opening it. After Jonga pulled the first bar out of the bag two old women peered around his arm to catch a better glimpse of the gold.
“What is this?” Jonga asked.
“Your freedom; use it to buy passage back to your homeland. There’s more inside the
cart,” Tullus said before handing the oxen reigns to a young man standing next to Jonga.
Jonga’s people let out a boisterous cheer before he handed the bars to the two old women who chattered excitedly amongst themselves.
“Ours Gods have delivered us,” Jonga said. “They sent you to give us back our freedom–how can we ever repay such a wondrous gift?”
Tullus smiled. He was glad the gold would be put to good use. “No repayment is necessary; live your lives, and be free.”
Another cheer exploded from the crowd before Jonga embraced Tullus. Then, after bidding farewell to Jonga and his people, Tullus and Celestra started their search for Hradack.
{VIII}
That afternoon a cold chill descended across the land as Tullus and Celestra trekked along the cobblestones of the Via Aurelia. Light snow started falling around them, and by midday, a thin layer of ice blanketed the fields. It was the first snowfall of winter and Tullus laughed as he watched Celestra catching snowflakes on her tongue. Tullus wrapped his cloak tighter around him as a gust of cold wind descended from the north. He was anxious to meet Hradack; to expand his knowledge of Elemence, and, learn more about his Soultrail. Whatever it was, it sounded grandeur.
A familiar golden eagle circled above them, its great wings carrying it higher as it glided effortlessly through the misty clouds. Despite the past few sorrowful days, the eagle’s appearance lifted the weight from his conscience and Tullus looked to the future with renewed vigor. The hope of a fulfilling life began flickering inside his chest like a newborn ember that warmed his soul; and, for the first time, Tullus felt free. He looked at Celestra and smiled. The Leopardess purred when he stopped to scratch the spotted fur between her ears.
“I’m alright, girl,” Tullus said, grateful to have her along as a traveling companion, while above them a valorous shaft of sunlight broke through the overcast skies, lighting their way ahead.
Leopard King Notes
Decrius’ embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Numidian rebel Tacfarinas is factual and taken from the pages of ancient Roman history. I came across it reading Cornelius Tacitus’s The Annals of Imperial Rome. The actual location of Decrius’s defeat remains unknown (apart from conjectural reports the battle occurred along an ancient river called Pagyda). To add clarity to the story I chose the ancient Numidian city of Sifitas. The opening battle scene against King Atrabanus II’s Parthians is fact, but fractured historical records do not indicate an exact date, apart from the battle having been fought in the early months of 36 AD. The account of Caligula’s rise to power and the dramatic events that unfolded during the first year of his chaotic reign is drawn from historical records. Records of Gemellus’ and Senator Silanus’ executions are fragmented, but most reliable sources point to their involvement in an assassination plot against Caligula. I have included many historical characters from first century Rome. All other characters and events—including the backstory of the missing Roman gold—are exclusive to the Leopard King universe.
See you in the next Tome,
T.A. Uner
About The Author
A lifelong enthusiast of the sci-fi/fantasy genre and ancient Roman history, T.A. Uner attended George Mason University, where he earned a degree in Speech Communication while immersing himself in an absurd amount of history electives. An avid traveler, his love for history and adventure has taken him across North America and to various countries around the globe. He was a finalist in The 2010 Moonlight Mesa short fiction contest and his short story, “The Banker’s Wife,” was published internationally in an anthology titled, Award Winning Tales. Mr. Uner lives in Virginia with his family. The Leopard Vanguard is his first novel.
Acknowledgements
This Tome would’ve never been completed if it wasn’t for the support of these kind people:
My family, whose sacrifices enabled me to write.
My writing tutor, Ms. Alicia K. Padovich, and the great folks at the GMU Writing Center.
Last but never least, Dr. James B. Blitch Jr.
Spells of The Leopard King Universe
Elemence: (Thought-Based Magic)
Fortis VII Spells: Resurgo (Can resurrect the dead and heal advanced curses), Tempus (User can manipulate time & space)
> Fortis VI Spells: Damno (Banishes enemy to Kaotika), Incendia (Summons War Phoenix)
Fortis V Spells: Aranea (Creates energy web), Audio (Increases hearing accuracy), Ventus (Summons Wind Elementus)
Fortis IV Spells: Aqua Duo (Summons Water Elementus), Fortunatus (Increases luck), Veritas (makes subject tell the truth), Visum (Can foresee future events)
Fortis III Spells: Ballista (Launches destructive energy projectiles), Firmitas (Strengthens user’s mind against magical incursion), Fuga (Allows user to teleport), Rememdium Duo (Heals plagues; intermediate level curses and physical ailments), Saxum (Summons Rock Elementus), and Videor (Projects images across vast distances)
Fortis II Spells: Aqua (Creates drinking water), Compedis (Creates energy shackles to detain enemy), Curatio (Heals physical injuries), Harena (Summons Sand Elementus), Impedio (Immobilizes opponent), Loquor (Can communicate with creatures), Mentis (Allows user to communicate via telepathy & read the thoughts of humans and intelligent creatures), Rememdium (Protects user against poisoning; heals minor curses/physical ailments), Invado (Launches destructive energy beams)
Fortis I Spells: Fortitudo (Increases physical strength in user & others), Furtim (Makes user invisible), Lignum (Summons Wood Elementus), Lucis (Creates light), Contego (Creates defensive energy shield), Oculus (Magnifies vision), Periculum (Alerts user of danger)
Disclaimer
I have attempted to give the reader the most authentic feel of 1st Century Rome based upon available research. Any inaccuracies are unintentional, and solely my responsibility. Any perceived resemblances between fictional characters in this Tome and outside fictional characters are also unintentional. All work contained in this Tome is a product of the author’s imagination.