RONICUS ET LEO

Kim Possible and related characters are the property of Walt Disney. As for Hannibal, Scipio, Masinissa and the rest, they belong to the ages.

1. Sorrowful Day, Joyous Day

202 B.C.

Carthage

In the Admiral's Tower, the Lion stood alone.

Hannibal watched the fleet making its way to the city. A hundred ships carried an army. His army. They moved with the assurance of a maritime race. One had already broken away from its escort, as it had a decade ago. Things had been so different then. He was the terror of Rome. His army was invincible. And she had stood beside him.

In his mind's eye he saw her on the beach in Italy that day, her hand on the silver necklace he had given her. Did she still wear it? His thoughts turned to her increasingly now. She was right; Italy is such a dreary place. Is she still in Egypt? I'll find that out later. I never erred as a General out of pride, why did I do so as a man?

The lead ship was nearing the naval docks of Carthage. A fleet could issue from them all at once, directed by the Admiral from his post in the Tower. As for now, the Admiral had allowed Hannibal some privacy. His one eye could see the trireme clearly now, only one thing was different from ten years past: the Lion and Palm on the sail was covered by a broad band of sack cloth. The right eye showed no emotion, while tears pressed against the patch covering the ruined left eye.

They were close now, so he took the flight of stairs to the dock. An honor guard awaited him. He nodded as they saluted him with their swords. The ship had banked its oars and slipped into the dock with the same skill it had pulled ashore ten years ago when the gods were Carthaginian.

Men quickly tied the ship off. A gangplank went into position, and men marched down to the dock. Officers from Carthage and chieftains from Gaul and Liguria formed up before the great general. Their leader, Hamilcar the Samnite, stepped forward.

"We have returned, General."

Hannibal nodded. "Carthage thanks you for returning at her hour of need. The enemy is close, sacking our cities, enslaving our citizens, fomenting rebellion. It is time to deal with them. With your veteran warriors, that is now possible."

An officer stepped up behind Hamilcar, handing him an object wrapped in a purple cloak. He handed it to Hannibal; the Lion's face was grim as he beheld the slashing sword.

"Your brother's sword…it required considerable cleaning."

"It will need more cleaning soon." Hannibal replied grimly. "I thank you all again. There will be a briefing tonight after dinner. The guard will take you to your quarters."

The officers saluted before leaving. As they left, Hannibal's gaze returned to the ship. A figure stood at the top of the gang plank. He was huge. The gang plank creaked beneath his step. His eyes were the same deep blue as his tunic and trousers, and his hair matched the black patches of those garments. Hannibal reached to the money purse at his belt; he had dealt with the Govi before.

"Put away your money," the man said, "I do this out of loyalty to Mago. Once I have finished here, I return home in hopes of rallying the people against the coming Roman invasion."

Hegovis spread his arms and brought his hands together. The noise of their meeting was like a distant thunder. They glowed blue and the fire spread up his arms, engulfing his massive body. When he opened his eyes again, they were entirely blue. As he spoke, Hannibal would have sworn he heard his brother's voice.

"Hannibal, beware of Ronicus."

Tunis

The men had stood at the docks all morning once the lookout had announced ships on the horizon. They were still too far away to identify. Rome had promised additional reinforcements and supplies, but the Carthaginian navy had rediscovered its courage these past months, once Hannibal had been recalled to defend the city. Instead of aid, this could be a raid, even a counterattack.

"Eagles, sir! They're Roman!"

A cheer went up from the men. Their armor was elaborately decorated, but then they were equestrians. And this was an important day, especially for their leader. His leather cuirass was oiled and polished to perfection. Prominent ears protruded from either side of his plumed helmet. Brown eyes shone with anticipation. He could not keep the smile off of his face, though the comments from his men caused his cheeks to redden.

After an eternity the first ship pulled up to the docks. Grizzled troopers debarked to the cheers of their comrades. They quickly went to the dock where other ships would deliver their horses. The young prefect greeted their commanders, the last of whom gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder.

"We can talk about war later, Ronicus. Right now I think you have other things on your mind."

Not things. Ronicus looked up the gang plank at the next passenger. A stately figure stood at the top of the gang plank. Bronze armor glowed in the sun light. The spear rested easily in one hand, while the other supported an owl. His heart skipped a beat or three when he saw the green eye wink.

Somehow Ronicus constrained himself as Kimora walked down the gang plank. The squadron dropped to one knee as the Priestess of Minerva placed her foot on the dock. After she pronounced the goddess' blessings, she turned and handed her owl to her acolyte. The prefect barely had time to rise before she threw herself into his arms.

"Ron!" Her helmet was pushed back on her head and his left his face open to allow the horseman a clear field of vision. The men around them cheered as the kiss went on and on.

Kim's eyes gleamed mischievously as she opened them. "How's that for Patrician propriety?"

"De…de…de…"

A trooper turned to Ronicus' second-in-command. "Hey, Spurius, didn't we see him look like that once?"

"Yes, when Sam stopped to avoid a serpent and Ronicus crashed into a wall."

Ronicus took a deep breath in an effort to regain his dignitas. It did not work. "Kim!" he babbled. "It's great to have you here! What are you doing here? We have a family now and…"

"And we still have a duty to Rome." The auburn haired priestess reminded her husband. "Young Ronicus is under the 'renti's ward and no doubt being spoiled in a most un-republican manner."

"Momus didn't take him?" Worry flashed across his face. "Is she sick?"

"No, she's attending to business in Sicily. Once she gets back, she'll take her grandson for a month and they'll swap out until we get back." She reached into a fold of her chiton. "I've brought someone else as well."

"Ruffio!" Ronicus brightened at the sight of his old friend. He immediately reached out and Kim put the little white mouse in his hands. Gods, you're so light. The fur also felt stiff in his hands. But there was no denying the delight in the beady eyes.

"Ave, Prefect."

"So you just couldn't stay away either?" Ronicus laughed.

"Finis coronat opus."

"We have one more passenger." Kim broke into the conversation.

Ronicus followed her hand to the man descending the gang plank. He was short with a stocky build just beginning to thin with age. Short sandy blond hair was bleached by years in the sun, contrasting with the deeply tanned arms. The face never let go of its composure even as he walked down to the deck as quickly as decorum would allow.

"Dadus!" Ronicus gasped. Hurriedly he handed Ruffio back to Kim. The Prefect cried as he embraced his father, whom he had seen only once in the past thirteen years.

"It's all right, son." Falco Stoppabullus patted his son on the back. "I told you it was all a matter of waiting."

"But we had waited so long." Ronicus sniffled. "And when Scipio said that there were larger squadrons to take from the exile legions I was…"

Falco interrupted his son before he could use the word 'afraid'. "Things work out, son. You took Scipio's selections too personally. I knew he'd need more horsemen before he was done."

"I don't understand how you take things like you do." Ronicus wondered.

"Son, some day you'll understand that success and failure are imposters, both the same."

"Stoic." Ruffio squeaked. Falco rubbed the rodent's chin.

Ronicus had an arm around his father, and the other around his wife. His troopers had not seen a grin like this since the great victory of Illipa, when the battle was the last thing Ronicus had on his mind.

"I hope everyone's hungry…we feast tonight!"

SPQR

Scipio's repeated victories in Africa had convinced many farmers and vendors to, if not side with Rome, then to at least be willing to bring their wares in for sale. Ronicus was able to provide a lavish feast for his entire command, all of it purchased with proceeds from his family fortune reviving invention; the pocketus.

While over three hundred troopers enjoyed their commander's generosity in special tents in the city square, a more private party of Ronicus, Kimora, Falco, Ruffio and the Prefect's senior officers went on in an upper room of the former residence of a Carthaginian official. From her couch beside him Kim marveled as Ronicus spoke of the long and brilliant African campaign of the former rival for her affections.

Ronicus took a sip of wine before continuing. "We were beginning to think we'd never be rid of those two. Every time we'd win a battle, Gisgo and Syphax would come up with another army! That last one had four thousand Celtiberians! If those two had waited and trained up their other men, I don't think we'd be here."

"So the Celtiberians are all that?" Kim asked.

"They put the 'fight' in 'fighter'." Ronicus nodded. "Scip was brilliant like always. We hit them with the Hastai like normal, then he had the Principe and Triari move out and attack the levies on the flanks. They caved. The Celtiberians just stood their ground and went down fighting. Guess they don't like to run."

"Scipio and Masinissa aren't the only ones who deserve credit for our victories." Spurius looked at his commander.

"Right, Laelius has done some bene-diggitos work too."

"We aren't talking about Laelius, we mean you." Another officer snorted. "Who did Laelius entrust with the lead elements of his cavalry. If you hadn't brought us up so quickly, Syphax would have finished Masinissa off for certain at Citra."

"That wasn't me that was Sam. A bee stung him."

"It was much more than that." A third officer joined in. "You've trained us like no Roman horsemen have ever been trained before. The enemy actually fears us now."

He raised his cup. "To Ronicus!"

"To Ronicus!" A dozen cups followed in the toast. Kim smiled as her husband blushed.

Ever the modest man. Manulus is right; your introduction of techniques you learned from the Master has made all the difference in Scip's cavalry. So much of his glory is yours as well.

"Well, I'm just glad we have Spyhax out of the way." Falco said as he watched a servant fill his cup anew. "I was so sure he'd come back over to our side once Scipio landed."

"Scip did too." Ronicus nodded. "We went to see him. Turns out we arrived the same day as Gisgo did with a delegation from Carthage. Talk about awkwierd: Spyhax put those two at the same table!" His eyes lit up as he recalled that strange dinner. "Scip promised Spyhax Rome's eternal friendship, security for his kingdom and centurions to train his infantry like his father had done for him the first time he allied with us."

"What did the Carthaginians offer?" Kim wanted to know.

"Gisgo's daughter Sophinisba."

Falco grinned. "From what I hear, that was some offer. Word of her beauty reached us in Sicily. Was she, as you kids to say, 'all that'?"

"Venus had nothing on her! She was one smoking,…" Ronicus caught Kim's smoldering look and stopped. "I…mean, smoky! Yeah," he rubbed the back of his neck. "Smoky and dark in that room. Hard to see anything from the junior officers' table."

Kim burst out laughing. "All right, Blindicus, I had something to give you, but since your eyesight's gotten so bad I guess I'll read it to you myself." She motioned to her acolyte who brought over a scroll bearing her father's seal. After she broke it she sat up to read.

Ave, Pater.

Greetings from your son, Young Ronicus. Each night I pray to the gods for victory for Rome and for your health and safe return. As your son I need you to return home to answer my request.

I, Young Ronicus, demand a baby sister. My friend Marcus has one and much prefers her over his elder brother, Little Brickus. Grandfather is transcribing the letter for me and has just informed me that as Mother is taking this message to you in person, that you could make the arrangements while she is there. Please do so at once.

Ronicus' eyes bulged as he looked at Kim. All around them the other officers roared with laughter. Spurius literally fell off of his couch. Kim was glad she could hold the parchment up high enough to hide the fact that her cheeks were now much redder than her hair.

"Go on." her husband shrugged. "It can't get any worse."

Grandfather assures me that Mother would be most amenable to my request. So do both Grandmothers. Even Aunt Bonillia thinks that Mother would jump at the opportunity. Actually, I think she said it differently; Nana thought what she said was most amusing. If it is so simple a thing, I do not see why you have not done so already. Please secure me a baby sister at once.

"You were, saying, Sybil." Kim cleared her throat and continued.

All here hope for a great victory soon. Now that Italy is ours again and Iberia no longer in the enemy's hands only one thing remains. Father, please defeat Hannibal and come home. I am tired of only seeing you at night. I want to see you in the daylight and to hug you as I did the time you came to visit before the invasion of Africa. Soon I will be old enough to learn how to ride a horse. I want you to teach me how.

I send you my love, and please tell Mother I love her too. Now get me that sister!

I am your loving and obedient son,

Young Ronicus.

"The young have no respect for their parents!" Manulus joked.

"Little tyrants all of them, that's why we me fight the wars!" Spurius agreed. "Mothers are far better at refusing them. Especially when it is a daughter who's asking."

"You men had better be careful. The Priestesses of Minerva are trained in the arts of war." Falco sided with his daughter-in-law. Spurius and some of the other men from the Iberian campaign nodded to themselves, remembering a certain slightly built, but highly dangerous Masked Warrior of Mystery.

"Perhaps we should call it a night." Ronicus stood. "This party could become more dangerous than the one Syphax threw."

His officers rose to salute their commander before leaving for the tents and wine outside. Soon only Stoppabulli remained in the room.

"I wish you'd told me you were coming, Dadus. It was short notice, but the servants are preparing a room…"

"Son, my place is with my command, especially since they're still serving wine outside. I'll just let myself out." He embraced Kim and then his son. Once he had Ronicus close he whispered. "Besides, your Mother would never forgive me if I interfered with your new mission." Falco gave Kim a knowing smile as she laughed at her blushing husband.

SPQR

Before the message from Rome announcing that the Temple of Minerva was sending one of its most promising young priestesses to help guide the army in its coming trial, the room of Ronicus Stoppabullus had been a model of Republican simplicity. An extra table was there now, carefully chosen for beauty as well as function. The finest brass mirror he could find rested on it. As he waited for Kim to emerge from behind the screen he found his eyes drawn to the most obvious difference; his field cot had been replaced by a proper bed.

"I'm glad you didn't try the old potestas bit when you heard the Temple was sending me." Kim said easily from her sheltered place.

"It was the will of the gods." Ronicus shrugged. "If my service frees me of Dadus' potestas, I don't see how Minerva can't do the same."

He walked over to the third table with its lamp and figurines. Some were in the images of the gods he prayed to. Three were ones he prayed for. Most who saw it mistakenly thought the lovely statuette represented Kim. Actually that was Venus. In the field he used an image of a warrior. One had to look closely to realize it was an Amazon. He picked up the small one beside hers. No one had to ask who it represented.

"So, how long has he known?" Ronicus asked. "About my visits?"

"He says he's always known." Kim's voice took on a child like tone. "'Ever since I was a little kid'. He's really quite clever."

"He gets it from you." Ronicus set the figure down. "I hope we can end this soon. We thought we had it finished, truce and treaty ready to sign, and they recall Hannibal. I was thinking I'd be home by this time, now it's back to wondering if I'll ever see home again."

"You will. I am sure of it." Kim answered with an assurance she did not truly feel. I doubt Hannibal has forgotten who stole his victory from him all those years ago. No mercy this time, he warned us. "And with your powers you can see home whenever you like."

"See home, even touch it a little, but I'm not home." He could not keep the frustration out of his voice.

"You were there the day Young Ronicus was born." Kim reminded him in a soft voice. "I would not be here otherwise. And I've felt your arms around me on many a cold night."

"There aren't any cold nights here."

"I know, that's why I've dressed appropriately." Kim stepped out from behind the screen. "The Venus look seemed in keeping with the season."

Ronicus thought he was going to choke upon his heart as she came over. Once she was within reach the rough and ready cavalryman in him took over. He wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her deeply.

"Booyah." He whispered.

"You know, we have a familial consultum ultum." Kim smiled. "A child is demanded of us."

"Let's not let the little guy down." Ronicus' heart soared as he lifted his wife and gently laid her upon the bed.

Notes

Finis coronat opus…Completion crowns the work. A saying of Ovid that King in Yellow was so good to remind me of when I was just starting out 'Ronicus ad Porta."

The Amazing Back and Forth Syphax…All of that part was true! Scipio's father had convinced the Numidian king to defect, sending a centurion to train his infantry. They got so good that Hasdrubal Barca was recalled to defeat the rebellion, which he did with the help of a young Numidian noble named Masinissa. Syphax reconciled himself with Carthage, and later was wooed by Scipio and Gisgo at the same time. Allegedly he made them sit on the same couch at one point. All sources claim that Gisgo's daughter tipped the scales in Carthage's favor. Unfortunately for the Numidian king, Scipio got Masinissa, and Masinissa was able to defeat Syphax with considerable help from Rome.

Success and Failure as imposters…I'm sure most of you have read at least some Kipling. That comes from 'If'.

Dadus' Potestas...While most people know (or assume) that Roman fathers exerted great social power over their daughters, I doubt many know that sons were also under their fathers' thumbs. While Caius gave his potestas to Ronicus, Ronicus was free from his father's authority only when serving the state (either in the military or in public office) and this would continue until his father died. That's right, died. It was a uniquely complete level of authority, but please understand that Roman society did everything possible to keep it from getting out of hand. So much so that Roman men scandalized Greeks by actually taking their wive's opiniions seriously.

Familias consultum ultum…No such thing, but there was a Senatus Consultum Ultum, where the Senate charged you with a mission and pretty much gave you the authority to do it. Everyone's pulling for those kids.