The Serpent and the Crown

by Sam Puma

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “About what?”

  “The day we met. Why am I apologizing? It wasn’t my fault. Anyway I felt bad about what happened to you. I want to show you something.”

  She walked down the hall. He had planned to go directly to Altamont, but she compelled him. He followed her into her chamber and inhaled the enticing scent. On top of an elaborate wooden dresser sat the box that Anhael crafted.

  “Come here. See?” Jankaro recognized the box. He stood next to her as she opened it to reveal the fan Anhael made with the tail feathers of the blue bird.

  She turned and looked into his eyes, taking him by the hand. “It was such a beautiful moment that we shared with that bird. Titus came along and destroyed it. He was destructive. He pushed me and hit me and yelled at me. He had other women. Why come and provoke you?!” Her eyes were red with tears as she poured out her feelings. “I’m not glad he is dead, he was a great warrior. When the Cruxai invaded Falconcrest, my parents and my brothers were killed. Titus rescued me. For that, I loved him. But three years of war passed and our love went bad. I’m not glad he is dead but I am glad our marriage is over.”

  Jankaro reached out and embraced her. He pulled her to his chest and hugged her.

  “There’s something else I want to tell you.” She held him for a moment and released him. She pulled the fan out of the box and held it up, running her fingers across the feathers. “This fan protects me. Titus didn’t want to have it around. He made me take it to Calixo. It protects the one to whom it is given.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “The bird came to me in a dream. She told me so. She is related to the macaw. Birds speak to me in my dreams.” Her eyes brightened and she smiled up at him.

  “I had a dream about Ixtlayo once.”

  “Oh…”

  “I’m sorry Valera, but I must go.” It pained him to leave her but he could sense Ixtlayo suffering without a paw, waiting for his help. “I must return to him.”

  A surprised look came over her face. “One more thing, Jankaro.” She took his hand again. “Oranos wants me to lead the people if Calixo is lost. I don’t want that to happen. Not everyone knows, but I know. There is hope.”

  She reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He touched her waist with his hands and a macaw in the corner suddenly flapped its wings five times in rapid succession. Valera broke off the kiss with a smile and took a step back.

  For a moment they held each other’s gaze. He was so elated he didn’t want to leave.

  Maximus met him outside the castle. “Whoa.” His eyes widened and he gazed at the silver medallion.

  “I need to go see the blacksmith.” Jankaro strode toward the gate that led to the commoners’ section of the city and Maximus followed. “How is Ixtlayo?”

  “Janesa did some surgery on his front paw to stabilize the claws that were about to fall out. It’s bandaged and she made him a shoe he can wear to protect it while it heals. She cleaned the stump, aired it out for a little while, and wrapped it up in a new bandage. Franco changed his chamber pot.”

  Jankaro smiled. They were approaching the gate when Maximus handed him a sword. “Here, it’s your sword. It’s dull now. The blacksmith will exchange it for a sharper one, worthy of a man of your status.”

  “Thanks. We all could use a sharper sword.”

  Jankaro strode through the gate and the guards looked at him with raised eyebrows. When he passed to the other side, everything changed. The air was hot and thick. He could hardly breathe. His skin was cold. People gave him strange looks. He forced himself to ignore the strange sensation of being covered with the serpent’s slime. He shook the feeling away, and strode toward Altamont’s forge. The people seemed different to him. Some of them shouted and argued with each other. Children cried. People muttered things about him that he could scarcely hear. He wanted nothing to do with any of them.

  A man came from behind and grabbed him. He wrapped up his arms and picked him up, pulling him out of the street and through a doorway. In a swift motion he flung him against the wall and stole his sword. Jankaro turned around hoping someone was playing a joke on him, but found himself looking into the eyes of an angry and desperate man. The man was bigger than him and looked like he knew how to use a sword.

  “So you’re the new boss,” the man said through clenched teeth.

  “Give me back my sword,” said Jankaro, trying to sound cold and threatening.

  “Let me tell you something. These people need to be fed. We’re hungry. My children are hungry. You greedy people up there dine on chicken and fish while we can barely get a bowl of rice.” The man waved the sword around menacingly, ready to slice Jankaro if he tried to make a move.

  As the man was about to continue with his tirade, the door flew open. Maximus jumped forward and brought his sword down on the man’s sword. Jankaro had to keep out of the way while they dueled. Luckily, Maximus overwhelmed the man and knocked his sword to the ground. He held the man at bay while Jankaro recovered it. “Don’t ever do that again,” he said to the man as he followed Maximus back out to the street.

  “I thought something might go down,” said Maximus. “People have been acting crazy. That man spent his last dime on wine last night. Don’t believe a word he says.” Maximus whistled a few notes, imitating a bird call.

  “What was that?”

  “We have friends around here. They can help if there is any more trouble. You better not spend too much time down here in the common area. It’s not safe.”

  “There was desperation in his eyes.”

  “There are those who feel that all is lost. They are living each day as if it is their last. In some people this brings out their best. For many others it brings out their worst.”

  “These are the people I must unify to fight.”

  “How will you do that?”

  “By parading Ixtlayo through the streets.”

  “What makes you think that will work?”

  “Come on, I see Altamont’s shop up there. Let’s get this project started.”

  “It’s good to see you again, Jankaro. I heard stories. You’ve become a legend. The Ashtari rider. I can’t believe you are commander now… under tragic circumstances.” His pride turned to sorrow as he looked at him. “Some say you were a coward, some say you were wise to run. But as more and more stories come out about that battle, most people say it won’t matter anyway.”

  “Altamont, I need your help.”

  “Let’s see here, I think I’ve got a sword for you…” He turned around and surveyed his collection.

  “No, not a sword. Well actually I could use a sharp sword.”

  “Here you go. I was making this for someone else but he died. This is the best one I’ve got.”

  Jankaro took the sword and set the dull one aside. It was razor sharp, and the right weight.

  “And one for your companion.” Altamont handed Maximus a sword.

  “Thank you,” said Maximus. He admired the blade for a moment, then resumed his watch at the door.

  “Altamont, I have another friend who needs your help.”

  “Let me see, I’ll send you with another one.”

  “No, this is a special project.”

  “A shield? Helmet? Anything you need.”

  “An Ashtari paw. With sharp claws.”

  “Oh…” Altamont rubbed his chin pensively.

  “Come to the arena with me. I want you to meet Ixtlayo.” Jankaro moved to the door and stepped outside.

  Altamont handed him another sword, and another to Maximus. He carried two on his own. “You can help with the delivery.”

  They walked up the street together while Maximus kept a watchful eye. “Your lessons and the armor you gave me served me well, Altamont. If not for you I would have died
on the front wall of Dorfin.”

  “Looks like the training they gave you has taken you to a place far beyond what I…”

  “Commander!” A woman cried from up ahead and to the left. She held the hand of a young child at her side. “Please commander. Help us. There is not enough to eat. Open up the granaries in the castle so that we can eat.”

  “Come on,” said Maximus as Jankaro slowed down to listen to the woman. “We best keep moving.” He put the flat side of one of the swords on Jankaro’s back and gently pushed him forward.

  “Please commander!” A cry came from a woman on the opposite side of the street. “We are hungry.” Her voice sounded desperate. Jankaro was concerned and wanted to help.

  “He’s right,” said Altamont. “We better keep moving to the gate. The city has been growing restless, and poverty has spread with the inflow of so many refugees.”

  “What about the market down by the gate? There was so much food when I was here last.”

  “Commander!” A man called out with spite in his voice. “How can you dine on fresh fish from the sea when the common people try to live on spoons of rice?”

  “The end is near,” an old man with a wandering eye mumbled in passing. People began to move in closer and follow them as Maximus urged him to pick up the pace.

  “The market is gone,” said Altamont somberly. “We live on what the king feeds us from the castle’s granaries. All the fishing boats report directly to upper Calixo. Traders trickle in from the jungle but it’s not enough to go around.”

  “What about the fields in front of the city?” People were drawing in close and Maximus brandished his sword, warning them to stay back. “Maximus, relax. They’re just people, not Cruxai. They’re hungry. We need to see if we can help them.”

  “Commander! Commander!” Fifty people gathered around, shouting and begging for food. A small stone flew through the air and struck Jankaro on his forehead near his eye. He grimaced and looked around angrily.

  “Let’s get through the gate.” Maximus continued hustling Jankaro along and the three of them made it through the gate. The people continued shouting behind them. After they made it through, he reached up and touched his face but there was no blood, only the pain of the misdirected frustration.

  “These people are desperate,” said Jankaro. “I heard one of them say ‘the end is near.’” He looked back at the gate and listened to the pleas.

  “Come on,” said Altamont. “You’re not here to be the governor. You need to focus on preparing your army to fight. Take me to the Ashtari.”

  Franco welcomed them at the entrance to the arena. “Here,” said Jankaro. “Take these swords and distribute them.”

  Franco’s eyes bulged in disbelief when he noticed the silver medallion hanging from Jankaro’s neck. “Yes, commander. Right away!” He took the four extra swords in his arms and headed for the barracks. The three of them proceeded inside and found Janesa standing with her hands on her hips, watching Ixtlayo as he hobbled around slowly, testing his paws and holding his stump in the air.

  “My God,” said Altamont with a gasp. “He is amazing.”

  “He is a shadow of his former self,” Jankaro said with a sigh as Janesa approached. “I don’t know if we can get him ready in time.”

  Janesa stopped five feet away from them and bore the same surprised expression as Maximus and Franco.

  “You? I thought surely he would pass command to Orion.”

  “Orion deferred to me. The king wants me to ride Ixtlayo through the streets and inspire the people to fight. But Ixtlayo is in no shape to do that, and the people just want something to eat. And if we don’t come up with a plan to take down Agustin, there will be no point to inspiring anyone.”

  Janesa’s face dropped and she mirrored the grim expression worn by Jankaro. “Well, now that we’re all here,” she clenched her teeth and drew a sharp breath in, “we best figure out how to make this one a new paw.”

  “Yes,” said Altamont, “a new paw that strikes fear in the hearts of the Cruxai.”

  Ixtlayo turned to face his new friend and roared his approval. “Come on over,” said Jankaro, and the four of them gathered around Ixtlayo. He reached up and stroked the Ashtari’s face. “Ixtlayo, this is my friend Altamont, he will make you a new paw.” Ixtlayo sniffed at Altamont as he knelt down by his other front paw to get a feel for the size of the bone while Jankaro spoke soothing words and scratched him behind his ear.

  Jankaro turned to Maximus while he petted Ixtlayo. “You still have those herbs that Anhael sent you to get?”

  “Not all of it but we brought along a small bag of all three.”

  “What do you plan to do with that stuff?” Janesa asked. “It’s dangerous.”

  “We’re desperate. We have to kill Agustin somehow.”

  “You don’t know the recipe.”

  “We’ll just have to cook them together and try some experiments,” said Maximus.

  “On who?”

  “We got scouts out there, right? Have them capture a few Cruxai scouts and we’ll try it on them.”

  Jankaro turned to Janesa, “Make it happen.”

  Janesa sighed and her eyebrows furrowed. “I will send Franco out. Franco!” He had returned from the barracks and was standing watch over the entrance to the arena. Franco came over to them, Janesa explained the orders, and he was off.

  “There’s a problem with your plan. What if you inhale that stuff and drop dead? You remember Anhael’s plan: to paint the courtyard with it, abandon Caladon, and all the Cruxai would camp out there and die. We were not to return for a year.”

  “Hmmm….” Jankaro rubbed his chin pensively.

  “Just wait until tomorrow before you start messing with it. I will journey with the Amoza tonight and ask for guidance from the plant spirits.”

  “Amoza…” Jankaro wondered if he had ever heard the word. It sounded familiar.

  “Have you ever used it before?” Maximus asked.

  “No. I sat with Anhael a few times when he used it. He said it wasn’t my time yet. But he gave me some. He said it was only for a time of need.”

  “It’s from the jungle?” Jankaro asked.

  “Yes, Anhael brewed it from a spiny fruit he found there.”

  “Hmmm…” He looked up at the passing clouds and Jorobai came into his mind. He wondered if his father or his uncle Rongo knew of the plant.

  “Okay,” said Altamont, rising to his feet. “I’ve got an idea what I want to do. I will head back to my shop and get started. I’ll be back tomorrow.” Ixtlayo lay down to rest and Altamont headed out.

  “Watch yourself down there,” said Jankaro.

  “It’s okay. They all know me. I’m a commoner just like them.”

  “See you tomorrow.” Jankaro turned to Janesa. “The people say they are hungry. What’s all this about a granary?”

  “The king has a stockpile of food. He makes sure his soldiers are well fed. If you want to talk to him about it, go ahead. He expects you at dinner this evening.”

  “Thank you for looking after Ixtlayo. I am going to the barracks to check on the soldiers.”

  “You will find their spirits are quite low.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about. We can’t allow that. They need to be ready.” Jankaro turned and stalked out of the arena, inspecting his new sword.

  A Recipe

  for Poison

  When Jankaro found Orion in the first room in the barracks, he thought morale might be good. “She helps me with the leg.” He nodded to his wife, then to the new leg they were tinkering with. “It’s almost done.”

  He flexed his fingers and demonstrated he could lock and unlock the leg. “She and the children will be on the boat if we lose.”

  “Don’t say that,” said Briana, slapping him on his real leg.


  “That’s why I don’t want to lose,” he said it to his wife and turned to meet Jankaro’s eyes. “You need to talk to your men. Go into the sparring chamber and take command.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Go in there and see for yourself.”

  Jankaro walked into the sparring chamber to see that some of the soldiers were sparring. He looked at them with pride. They were willing to fight, and they were preparing. But most of the others had lost hope. They were scattered around the stands drinking wine, gambling, eating steaks, smoking herbs, drinking potions and laughing with paid escorts.

  The sight of a female soldier fighting off an aggressive male soldier gave Jankaro a bad feeling in his gut. “Hey!” He called to the soldier and got no response. He kept swinging and sparring with her.

  “HEY!” Jankaro yelled at him with a tone of menace. They both stopped and looked at him, their eyes wide.

  “That can’t be right,” said the man, eyeing the silver medallion hanging around Jankaro’s neck.

  “From Oranos himself.” Jankaro glared at the man as his adrenaline surged. “I am commander now.”

  He raised his voice as he continued, addressing everyone in the large chamber. “It is time to rise up! Stop celebrating and start getting ready! We are going to kill the Cruxai!”

  “That’s what Titus said!” The man snapped at him. “Before the giant destroyed Caladon! And you’re not half the warrior he was! You jumped on your Ashtari and ran off!”

  “We have a new plan. We can’t run this time. We are making a plan to kill the giant. Leave the Jurugas to Ixtlayo. Kill the rest. You’ve done it many times.”

  “Look at us,” another soldier called out from behind a cloud of smoke. “One hundred left. We can’t handle them without Caladon’s defenses.”

  “The people will help us fight.”

  “The people want to kill us!” Another of them called out.

  “Come down here,” said Jankaro. “Let’s spar.”

  He put down his sword and picked up a sparring sword. He turned back to the man he initially confronted. “What is your name?”

  “I am Alacorn of Falconcrest. Been fighting this war much longer than you.”