Kim Possible and related characters are the property of Walt Disney.
My thanks to the reviewers: BlueEyedBrigadier, MrDrP, screaming phoenix, CajunBear73, Katsumara, Shrike176, bigherb81, King in Yellow and all the readers.
Chapter 3: The Power of Desire
Blaring horns announced the end of another day at Cirta, capitol of the newly united kingdom of Numidia. Guards began their task of shutting the gates prior to collecting their day's pay and going home or hitting the taverns and pleasure pits. They also levied tolls on the last few wagons entering the city before sunset.
The Captain of the Night Watch took his post for the evening. Camp fires dotted the ground before the western wall. People felt safe again now that Masinissa was in full control of the area. Merchants no longer pushed themselves and their teams to reach the gates before sundown. No more were bribes offered to the guard to keep them open just a little while longer. Some missed those profitable days but not he. He had made his money; now he hoped to live to spend it.
A lone wagon caught his eye. Most merchants camped in groups, for company and protection. Even with things settling down there were always thieves and raiders. This person was either reckless or very disagreeable. The Captain watched the two guards at the fire.
"Their risk, not mine." He said as he began his first circuit of the city walls.
A figure stepped out of the lone wagon to join its guards. Her black hair, pale skin and glittering green eyes matched the mood of the moonless night. She shifted a pack at her side and looked to the Gauls.
"I've got everything I need. I'll be back before dawn. Everything had better be all right when I get back."
A man with spiky black hair, blue face paint and a scar bridled at her tone. "When has it ever been otherwise?" Drakkus Maximus asked.
"Yeah." the man's partner, an enormous blond warrior with a horned helmet and fierce mustache nodded. "We've always taken care of Green's stuff, yea, verily."
"Look, I'm just saying I'll be gone for a while." The Ligurian snapped. "Be careful."
"Don't worry; we're one big evil family. We'll take care of things here." Drakkus drew his sword for emphasis.
"See you around dawn." Shegovia turned and began to walk down a small rise away from Cirta. The familiar green glow started at her hands and enveloped her body. Darkness returned and a lioness padded around the small rise and reversed her course.
"Oh, man! Green casts a spell on me every time she does that!" Eddorix hooted. "That's one serious babe, yea, verily."
Drakkus snorted. "You're still carrying a torch for her? That explains all those baths."
"If you want action at your stall, you've got to show your wares. Yea, verily."
"You better hope those lioness' ears didn't pick that up or you'll get some action from those claws!"
Eddorix held his arms out. "Hey, all I'm saying is, with this around, she'll forget sooner or later. Yea, verily."
"Cousin, you're a fool." Drakkus shook his head. "There goes Hannibal's second greatest victory…the other one he let slip through his fingers."
SPQR
The great green eyed lioness moved silently toward Cirta. A city? Bah! Compared to Alexandria, Antioch, even Rome it was a hovel. Still, the surest route to her prize lay through Cirta or, more exactly, through a certain area outside its walls, an area off limits to people, but haunted by any number of animals including lions.
A purr rumbled from her throat as she reveled in the power and grace of her leonine form. He had been in Carthage when they had passed by the city. She had thought of entering his camp as a black cat with green eyes. The Lion had always welcomed cats in his camp: they kept rodents away from the grain and it made such a statement given the Romans' fondness for pet mice. In her fantasy she would lie purring in his lap after he had finished with the day's duties. She would wait until he moved to put her down and then the purring would stop and the female in his lap would no longer be feline.
Shegovia closed her eyes as she remembered their last night together. After kissing at the table he had lifted her and carried her to their bed. Her body remembered his muscles pressed against it. The only thing soft about him was his heart. When they were spent he held her in his arms until his aides came for him before dawn. He had whispered something in her ear as he pulled away. She had been half asleep and did not hear…
The lioness stopped in her tracks. Her head pulled back. A mournful cry carried to the city walls, chilling all who heard it. The creatures of the night retreated from that sound, their every instinct telling them that swift death would come to any who crossed the path of the thing that cried like a lion yet hurt like a woman.
He loved me! Why didn't I see that? Why didn't I hear him? Pride. The same stupid pride that let me walk away from him!
She remembered his graciousness and generosity that last day. He hid his feelings well. What did you expect? A general's like any man only more so. There's no way he would have risked me saying 'no' in front of his men, so he just let me go.
And being like any woman only more so, she had left without a backward glance. She took the wagon, the silver, the Gauls, only later realizing that she had left her heart with the Carthaginian. All her efforts to fill that void had failed.
Antiochus Selecus certainly did not distract her. She quarreled with the brave, ambitious and headstrong fool and left Antioch within a few months. After Antioch she spent a memorable winter in Ephesus. Since then Egypt had become home. She divided her time between the broad bright avenues of Alexandria and the shadowed halls of Karnack. Those dark places offered wisdom not found at Ptolemy's Great Library. In moments she would put that wisdom to the test.
Feline eyes could see far better in the moonless night than any human orbs. The Numidians used Punic characters so she could tell by the inscription that she was at the right place. The warding was nothing: a pronouncement only made serious by the steel backing it. Claws made short work of the seal around the door and another transformation gave her access. Then she changed form once more.
Human again, she stood up in the room and took what she needed from her pack. Candles flickered shortly, providing the light needed for the tracing of symbols and circles. Sounds which may or may not have been words followed as she called across the darkness. For a moment the darkness deepened, threatening to overwhelm the candles and even the green glow of her hands. Only her iron nerves kept the night at bay.
"Are we done?" Shegovia asked mockingly. "Good. Now, if you'll forgive the intrusion." She moved quickly, not wanting to touch things a moment longer than absolutely necessary. When done she threw the object of her search into a corner and wiped her hands on a rag she pulled from her pouch.
"All better." Her voice was sing-song. "Well, not really, but definitely better than you were a minute ago. Why don't you sit up and take that old veil off, it really doesn't do a thing for you."
The Ligurian looked pleased with her work. "Before you ask me I'll tell you. I need your help. What, no? How about if I put it this way: your city needs you again. If you help me, you'll be getting back at Scipio, plus you'll be spending some quality time with your Masinissa. There, I knew you could be reasonable. It's been nice talking with you, but it's almost dawn and I need to get back before the help burns the wagon."
Shegovia retreated, taking care not to turn her back. When her back touched the door she transformed quickly and slipped away. In moments the lioness made her way back toward the wagon. A guard on the wall assumed the great cat was going home after a successful hunt.
SPQR
The Roman camp had just begun to stir in the predawn. Troopers packed up their tents and tended to their horses, which always ate first. Those near the command tent could see their Prefect grooming his large black charger. Few paid that any mind. Ronicus insisted on caring for his own horse, and Sam was notoriously insistent on having his master handle the brush.
What was unusual was the second horse and handler. Even now he was in full regalia, bronze armor gleaming and helmet pulled down. Men found any excuse to slip past so that they could see the figure, already a legend among the people of Rome.
"The Masked Warrior of Mystery. I remember when he and Ronicus saved the city from Hannibal and his infernal machine."
"Aye, I was still too young to serve then. And now he's here!"
"A good thing, my son turns seven this year. I'd like this war to end before he's enlisted."
The two soldiers hurried on when the masked face glanced their way.
Kim shook her head in amusement. "That makes twenty by my count. Maybe I should just walk through the camp and let everyone get a good look."
"Nah, someone would pay too close attention to those badicus flanks." Ronicus failed to duck the brush. "Glad to see you aim is as sharp as always. We're gonna need it." Sam snickered as Ronicus rubbed his head. "They've got Hannibal now, they're playing for keeps."
"That's why I'm here." The Masked Warrior went over to pick up her brush. She made the mistake of bending over rather than kneeling. Suddenly there was darkness and a swat to her rear. Arms encircled her as she turned. Her helmet was pushed back and Ronicus was kissing her.
"Never forget what your Nana told you about flanks, especially around an equestrian." His smile gave her shivers of the good kind.
"Why Ronicus Stoppabullus, that was positively Hannibalic." She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a long kiss. He gasped when her hands went to his hips, promising to slip up under his tunic. Suddenly she shifted her hip and threw him through the closed tent flap. When he stopped rolling she was standing at the opening with her helmet pulled down.
"So was that. Why don't you see to your lovely wife while I finish with the horses?"
The shadow behind him made him swallow his answer. Spurius smirked in the predawn. A small figure on the man's shoulder made no effort to hide his amusement.
"Ah, amantium irae." Ruffio squeaked.
"Just a little predawn…training. And what's wrong with fighting if you make up afterwards?" Ronicus sighed. "I love the way she makes up."
Spurius helped his commander dust off. "I'm amazed at the little device in the helmet. The voice is so different."
"Hey, Wadeamedes is a genius. Is everybody ready?"
"Yes, Prefect. The 'priestess' has already read the portents for the day and we should make it to Scipio's camp by mid afternoon."
"One more performance for Regarus." Ronicus reached out his arm and Ruffio ran along it to settle in the fold of his cloak. "Good thing you're so good with the dice, Ruffio."
"Per gratia Fortuna." His old friend shrugged.
"Yeah, I guess you need to chip in for the Temple now. I've lined up the quarry and the sculptors. Once the war's over we can really get to work." The flap to the tent reopened and the Masked Warrior emerged with two horses fully saddled. Aides rushed to take down the tent. Kim let her hand linger as Ronicus took Sam's reins.
"Wadeamedes is at Scip's camp?" Kim asked as they led their horses to the waiting soldiers.
"He's working on a couple of ideas for the coming fight…and a trading concession or two. It'll be all of Team Warrior in one place again!" The smile changed, becoming more wistful. His voice grew husky. "I've missed you, KP."
"Hey!" a little voice squeaked in his ear.
"You too, Ruffio."
"Ditto." The little white mouse pulled his helmet from its hiding place in the cloak and assumed a commanding air. Kim and Ronicus grinned.
Soldiers cheered as the Masked Warrior of Mystery walked through the ranks alongside their Prefect. Ronicus jumped into his saddle and gave the performance of his life as he rode up to a waiting wagon and appeared to lean into the window for what the men assumed was a kiss. From the way Dorcas was laughing inside the wagon Kim knew Regarus had been anything but affectionate.
Ronicus blinked to clear his eyes and mind. The men were mounted up. He raised his arm and gave out the war cry. Three hundred men bellowed along with him.
"BOOYAH!"
Kim's eyes sparkled behind her mask as her husband rode easily to the front of the line. She came up beside him as he barked out the order of the day.
"We ride to Scipio, and victory!"
Carthage
At dawn the city gates opened to a literally barbaric spectacle. Five thousand men and a sprinkling of women marched out. A group of Carthaginian officers headed the procession, and at the very front rode a one-eyed man whose presence had revived the flagging spirit of his city, a city he had not seen since he was a boy.
"Melquart guide you, Hannibal!"
The corner of the Lion's mouth twisted at the blessing. Perhaps I've become too Greek from living in southern Italy for so long. I hope I never set foot in that temple again. Most of his other officers had shown no signs of revulsion, nor had many of the Gauls present; their religion was accustomed to such sacrifices in times of war.
The Ligurians were another matter. Their leaders had attended as expected, and had barely concealed their disgust. One man's emotions went beyond contempt, flaring into anger. His giant form made him most impressive as he rode beside the Lion.
"And they call your people civilized!" Hegovis did not care about the glares he received from other Carthaginians as he talked to Hannibal. "I was with Mago for a year and he never sacrificed anything but lambs."
"One can do that if they desire. They do so in Tyre the Mother City." Hannibal replied. "I do not know why my people choose to honor the old ways. After Cannae the Romans buried two couples alive in sacrifice, two Gauls and two Greeks. Apparently the veneer of civilization is rather thin."
"No good will come of this." The man's blue eyes flashed.
"Do the gods ever listen? Men do not win battles because of their favor, nor for such fine reasons as fighting for home and hearth, kith and kin. They win because there are more of them or they have better equipment or training or because their general is better." Hannibal shook his head. "And I have not one army, but three, and no time to train it to work together as the Romans do."
"I think you underestimate the importance of desire in battle." Hegovis countered. "We thirst to avenge the death of your brother, and to secure our homes from Roman invasion."
"And the Romans desire vengeance for a dozen defeats at my hands. And they also wish to prevent me from returning to Italy with another army." He looked away to the south. "Once we reach Hardrumetum you'll see what we're working with. Then you can decide on how far desire will take us."
The massive warrior was pensive. "The Govi know the power of desire. From what I've heard, you know that about us."
"Are you asking what my intentions were?" Hannibal smiled. "I'm sure Mago told you everything."
"Nothing I could not have guessed. Shegovia never was one to keep her feelings hidden." He sighed. "Liguria just could not keep her interest."
"Neither could Italy. She found it a dreary place. Or perhaps it was me."
"Mago said you discarded her advice. That would have been enough to drive away the sister I knew." The blue eyes were sad. "It has been twelve years since we've seen her. The last we heard she was in Egypt. Do you know any more?"
"No. She has never written. She is as lost to me as she is to you." They fell silent. As they rode the brilliant mind so feared by Rome considered something other than war.
She is lost to me. But what was lost can always be found again.
SPQR
Things went even better than hoped for. By mid morning they encountered the outermost patrols. Before the sun reached its zenith they could see a troop riding towards them.
"Some of Scip's Praetorians." Ronicus nodded at the coming men. "We'll tent in the main camp tonight. Good thing most of the army thinks you're sent by the gods, they don't expect you to pitch a tent." A leer touched his voice. "But they do expect to see Kimora in my tent."
"They do, huh?" Her brow arched in amusement. "Didn't know I had fans."
"Are you kidding, KP? You're a legend in this army! The beauty of Venus, the loyalty of Juno, the courage of Mars and the wisdom of Minerva all in one bene-diggitos package! When they heard you were coming there was an impromptu celebration."
Kim blushed behind her mask. "All I did was stand by my Ron, it was no big."
"By defying priests, your general and a god! They sing songs about you." He took her hand not caring that anyone could see.
"Glory is fleeting, Kim. Love is eternal."
Her eyes glowed. "Ronicus, beloved, tonight's paean will be to Venus."
"Booyah."
For most of the march they had ridden beside the wagon containing Regarus and Dorcas. Now that they were entering the camp they headed the column. The honor guard lined the way and idle soldiers stood behind their ranks and cheered. The Masked Warrior of Mystery waved to the admiring men. She could not help the thrill she got from the adulation. Despite dignitas and gravitas all Romans hungered for gloria and fama. So far the Republic had been able to channel that drive to serve the greater good.
No wonder kings begin to think of themselves as gods.
The command staff and wagon entered the enclosed area in the center of the massive camp. Officers and Praetorians snapped to attention as Ronicus, the Masked Warrior and company dismounted. They saluted the man who emerged from the command tent.
Publius Cornelius Scipio returned their salute. A smile crossed the handsome square-jawed face, reaching all the way to his smoky brown eyes. The rigors of campaigning agreed with him; his tanned body bespoke of strength and stamina. In every way he was a man in his prime.
"Still think he's hot?" Ronicus teased Kim as they walked forward.
"He may be hot, but remember I melt in your arms."
Ronicus did not feel the ground beneath his feet as they stopped.
"Ave, Scipio!" They saluted.
"Greetings, Ronicus, Masked Warrior and Ruffio."
The old mouse peeked out of his fold in Ronicus' cloak and saluted. "Ave!"
Scipio grinned and nodded before looking back to Ronicus. "I, of course, look forward to greeting your lovely wife." The playful glance to Kim was subtle.
"And I also greet your father." He clasped the man's arm. "Falco Stoppabullus, my father bitterly protested your exile; an exile that by any right I should have shared with you."
"What's done is done. We have both served Rome." Falco replied easily. "We only do our duty."
"Agreed." Scipio approved. "Now, if you would all come inside for the briefing, I have my officers, my spy master, and my priestess. Time to finalize our plans."
Kim walked in as slowly as she could, looking for a figure in the shadows. Her eyes widened when she saw him. The dusky, pudgy lad was now a strongly built young man. His hug could be felt through her bronze cuirass. "Warrior!" he shouted. "Kimora." He whispered. "Good to see you again."
"Wadeamedes!" Kim hugged her friend back. "We've missed you in Italy…"
Scipio called for everyone's attention. "My Praetorians are in place. Everyone here either knows or can be trusted with your secret. Warrior, it is too difficult to see in this tent with that helmet down."
Years of caution made Kimora reluctant to remove her helmet. Only a large hand on her shoulder belonging to a blond man with prominent ears and warm brown eyes put her at ease enough to do so. Despite the foreknowledge some men still gasped. Scipio gestured.
"Romans and Latins, I present Kimora Possibilis, daughter of Senator Caius and the Priestess Olivia, wife of our own Ronicus Stoppabullus and mother of his son, Young Ronicus, Priestess of Minerva and the Masked Warrior of Mystery."
"And don't forget Big Sister and Bathroom Hog."
The voices snapped Kim out of her embarrassment. A pair of men smashed into her before she could hiss the word, so she laughed it out instead. "Dweebini! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Sardinia?"
"We were." Answered Jimulus, his blue eyes shining. "It's secure."
"And boring." Temus joined in. "Wadeamedes needs help in the coming fight, so we're here."
Kim's breath caught as she looked at the brothers who had once tormented her. They were no longer the small mischievous brats but two tall strong youths with their father's hair and complexion and their mother's eyes.
Mother, Father, all of your children are here. All of us facing the Lion. You could lose all of us! How did you find the strength, the faith, to let me come?
"What's she doing?" Temus asked his brother.
"Trying to think. Can't you hear the wheels turning and breaking?" Jimulus snorted. He squawked when Kim grabbed him and his brother in her arms and pressed them against her.
"Ack! How long were you on that horse?" They gagged.
"Long enough, Dweebini." The men around them laughed when Kim released her brothers.
"Since we need no stretcher bearers for the family reunion, can we start?" Scipio asked jovially. "Everyone must be ready, now that we are at last ready for the final campaign."
The assembly grew quiet now as aides removed the cover to a map Scipio had hanging in the room. "Our campaign against the satellites of Carthage has finally achieved its objective; the Carthaginian Senate has all but ordered Hannibal to move against us. The final battle will be joined!"
Men nodded to each other approvingly. Ronicus and his father looked grim. Kim tried to hide her concern. The two brothers that she had once threatened with Hannibalic retribution were now within the Lion's grasp. No Roman had ever defeated Hannibal in battle and now they were facing the Lion in the shadow of his lair.
If he was daunted by the prospect of meeting Hannibal Scipio did not show it. "He now has the fragments of Mago's army, to unite with the rest of his command, but we will not give him time to fully incorporate it into his army."
He turned away from the assembly. "But I do have one concern. I shall let my chief tactical advisor explain."
Another officer entered, and rather short man who could affect an only somewhat military posture. He squinted as he entered. Kim could not believe her eyes.
"Legally Distant Cousin Larry?"
"Hello, Cousin Kimora." Larratio Probabilis smiled. "You make an impressive Amazon."
"Thanks, Cousin Larratio. You sound well."
"Africa seems to agree with me better than Italy. But I believe we'll have time to catch up on the family later." Larry put his hands behind his back. "We have no worry about most of Hannibal's infantry apart from his Italian Army. They'll outnumber us there but that's not our concern."
Scipio's Cavalry Commander, Gaius Laelius took his cue. "With the addition of the final reinforcement we have two thousand cavalry, a normal contingent. Hannibal can match that number with the Sacred Band of Carthage, two thousand heavy cavalry. Heavily armed and armored, highly trained every bit a match for us."
"So we have a Scenario Eye Vee: the cavalry must hold off the enemy's horse long enough for the infantry to defeat its opposition." Larry observed. "If that were all we had to deal with I'd say get ready for the Triumph. But we have another problem."
Wadeamedes now spoke up. "Masinissa is not in total control of Numidia. Syphax still has relatives and followers. Tychaeus has joined Hannibal with two thousand light horse."
Larratio shook his head. "That puts us at a Scenario Ex: heavily outnumbered on the flanks. Usually not much of a problem but this is Hannibal that upgrades it to a Scenario Ex Ex Vee, imminent threat of a swift double envelopment."
The atmosphere in the tent grew grim. Falco and Scipio both had been at Cannae. Every man and the one woman in the tent experienced a waking nightmare of what that would mean.
"Of course, we have a remedy." Scipio said reassuringly. "Masinissa has sworn to come to my aid in this fight. I have sent messengers to Cirta to remind him of his oath and our friendship.
"Ronicus, Warrrior, you knew I would have a mission. Here it is. Go to Cirta, do not return without Masinissa and his army."
"That should give us enough to give us a Scenario Ex Ex Ex, we hold the advantage on the flanks." Kim's cousin walked up to her with a smile. "I've always wanted to see the Masked Warrior in action."
"Are you coming with?" Her opinion of her cousin, while greatly improved over the past few minutes, she found she still had no desire for extended contact.
"No, my duty is here. We still have to put together a plan to deal with Hannibal's other threat."
"Other threat?" Ronicus spoke up now.
"Hannibal has been busy gathering more than men. He'll have at least sixty elephants at the battle."
"Elephants?" The Prefect managed not to squeak
"Don't worry, Ronicus, we'll come up with something." Wadeamedes put a hand on Ronicus' shoulder.
"I hope so. Horses can't stand elephants." Everyone in the tent smiled, mostly out of sympathy. Being tied to the ground watching elephants bearing down on you could give anyone issues.
Scipio cleared his throat. "So we all know what we'll be doing. Ronicus, Warrior, you will leave tomorrow for Cirta. The rest of you will continue to train your men for the coming fight while Larratio and Wadeamedes help me prepare a battle plan.
"And now, an army waits to greet its priestess." The smoky brown eyes smiled at the woman who was once the object of their affection. "Your acolyte awaits you with your gear."
Dorcas had her regalia laid out. Once she was dressed Kim walked out of the command complex with Scipio behind her and Ronicus at her side. The Praetorians parted and they came to the entrance of the command center. Scipio's tent was on a rise inside the camp.
Thousands of men cheered wildly at the sight of her. The ground shook when she took her husband's hand.
"I told you KP, a legend."
Notes
Amantium irae…lovers' quarrels.
Per gratia Fortuna…by the grace of Fortuna.
Melquart…Yes, like Moloch of the Old Testament, infants were sacrificed to the god. By this time the practice had been abandoned in Phoenicia, the home of those who settled Carthage, but Carthaginians still practiced it, much to the disgust of their neighbors and (especially) enemies.
Preatorians…Forget Hollywood, the name simply refers to the body guard of a leader (Praetor) the first such body was organized by a Scipio in 275 BC. It was important to protect the leader after all.
Exiles of Cannae…Scipio was at the disaster, why wasn't he exiled? Maybe it was because there was no question as to his courage, and he and some other men swore oaths after the battle to never surrender. His father and uncle were also doing well in Iberia, which would not have hurt. All in all, if this was a case of nepotism, it really paid off.