Note: As I worked on Traitor's House, this story also came to me. I didn't want to add it to what I was writing already, as I felt I wanted the focus of Traitor's House should be the present and not the past. But these scenes begged to be written. So I wrote them.
Royal Passions
Chapter One: The Escape
Twenty One years before the fall of Thundera….
It was pouring rain and Brutus whipped the reins on his beast, pressing him into a faster gallop. He had to get out of Thundera as soon as possible! The tiger rode through the market place stalls, dodging this one and that one. Even before sun rise and in this weather, the market was bustling with shopkeepers, clerks and workers. Brutus cursed his luck as a porter, a dog with a basket on either side of him, walked out in front of him. He gritted his teeth, and kicked his beast's sides, plowed through the porter. The dog screamed as he was run over, and Brutus felt his beast's footing stumble and lurch for a moment. He heard the scream of a female, a shop keeper, as she ran to assist.
"Call the doctor!" a female cat screamed. "Someone's been run over!"
"You there!" a fat shopkeeper shouted to Brutus. "Stop! Stop!"
But the tiger did not stop. He did not give anyone even a passing glance, not even the dying porter he left in his wake. All thoughts and his whole being were bent on one goal: to make it out of Thundera alive.
He left the market place behind him and the screaming of the dying citizen and yelling merchants. He thought he heard the sound of soldiers arriving, but they would loose too much time. There was no way they could catch up to him, and he was a fast rider. He thanked his ancestors. He just might make it.
He just might.
Brutus saw the north east tunnel that lead out the city as he rode towards it. But there were no guards stationed at their post. Not one. His heart leapt at the sight. For always the entrances to the city were heavily guarded. But not tonight! Yes! The great Tygus had remembered him in his hour of need! He would be free! He would escape the cat city with his life!
Brutus kicked the beast's ribs again with his heels. The exhausted brute lurched forward for a few moments, then lost its footing and stumbled. It screamed as it slammed onto the cobblestones, skidding. The tiger leapt off his steed before it hit the ground. But he heard the sickening crack as his ride fell. He looked to see its left back leg was broken: a death sentence.
Brutus hesitated a moment. He had this beast since he was a cub, and it served him well. He knew the decent thing would be to finish it off. A sword thrust in the neck would put it out of its misery. But there was no time. No time! Brutus frowned in distaste, and then bolted towards the gate. He gasped for air, he felt his heart pounding like a war drum, but he was almost there! He would make it! He would! But Tygus he would!
Brutus entered the tunnel that lead to the outside gate, almost delirious with hope. But that hope died in him, as he froze in his tracks. There standing in the tunnel was Claudus.
But the lion was not wearing his usual royal garments. He wore no claw shield, cape or diadem crown. His right paw was extended with a sword waiting in it. But it was an ordinary warrior's sword, not the mythical sword of omens. However, despite the shedding of these trappings there could be no doubt; it was the king of Thundera. Yet there was a darkening of his features, the like of which no cat had ever seen. And his cheeks bore the stains of many tears.
Thunder growled in the sky. Horror crept over Brutus as realization came over him. Claudus had been waiting for him! Waiting for him all this time!
"You!" Brutus growled. "This was all a trap wasn't it! The guards aren't here on your orders!"
"I sent time to patrol the south wall, and gave orders no one was to come here until sunrise." Claudus said. His voice was cold as steel. "I stand before you now not as your sovereign, or leader, but as the lover of the Lady Rowena. She died in agony because of you! And by Thundera you will not pass until you have answered for your crime!"
"So you're going to cut me down here?" Brutus demanded. "Without a trial? With no witnesses? How like a common thief you are, Claudus!"
"You shall have a trial by combat." Claudus snarled in disgust. "Freedom is behind me and my guards are no where near by. If you have the courage to cut me down, then do so! Unless the house of Tygus is a den of cowards as well as a house of traitors!"
This last insult made Brutus roar with rage. The tiger raced towards the grieving king, unsheathing his blade. He leapt upward and thrust his blade down in a heavy stroke. Claudius met it with an upward strike of equal raw fury. The cats leaned into each other, face to face.
"You made Rowena a whore!" Brutus yelled.
"Don't you even dare speak her name!" Claudus growled savagely. He pushed out with his massive power thrust and sent Brutus back. The king's eyes were far from calm and stern eyes he had when attending palace affairs. Here in this moment they were feral and full of bloodlust. He was not the king and former prince of Thundera at this moment. He was only Claudus. And he wanted the tiger dead.
Brutus swung his sword again and again Claudus met it. Brutus told himself tonight he would not hold back. Tonight he would kill the king, and put an end to the house of Leo once and for all!
To be continued…
