13. The Rise of Rongamesh
Kim ran from the Convention mixer carrying Ruffio in one hand, her sword in the other. She fought back tears as she heard a roar behind her. It was the kind of sound made by cruel men and women when pain was inflicted. If anyone hurts him, hurts him at all, they'll pay! By all the gods they'll…
Wham! She ran into something unyielding. Looking up, she saw the stern face of a Carthaginian swordsman, one of a dozen.
"Woman!" He demanded. "Was Ronicus in that building?"
Doom stared her in the face. Kim tried to work up her defiance, but found only tears. "Yes, but, but…they CAPTURED him!"
Surprisingly, the man nodded sympathetically. "I feel your pain, woman. That was one sweet bounty we all missed out on. Come on, men; we may still be needed!" The troops rushed past a stunned Kim and Ruffio.
"Remind me, Ruffio. When Ronicus builds that Temple to Fortuna, I need to pay for a column."
They lost no time going to the room. Her purchases were still in bags. She grabbed a pair. "I'll need a disguise or two." In minutes she was a stately, if slightly disheveled, young woman. Before any pursuit could leave the Convention area, she and Ruffio were lost in the market crowds.
SPQR
The Mercenaries' and Assassins' Convention meant that the inns were booked solid. That was probably for the best, anyway.Tthey were certain to be checked by Hencharion's men. There were other places, places which would not assist the police under any circumstance, nor ask any questions, another vital concern at this time. Kim would have to swallow all propriety and go to those.
An outfit from Dido's Delights (bought when Ronicus was distracted by the novel rotisserie of a kebob vendor) would work as a disguise. A white sash over the shoulder gave the message of 'currently unavailable, taking appointments'. Mother would have been appalled, Father would have wanted the city burned for seeing his daughter this way, and Nana most likely would have chuckled.
She took a small room with the understanding that she would give the owner a percentage of any fees collected. I have plenty of coin to keep her quiet. She poured some water for herself; the snacks at the mixer had dried her out. Ruffio, on the other hand, was eager to dive into some cheese she had picked up.
"We need a plan." Kim looked at her diminutive companion. Then she heard voices in the hallway.
"So it's him, eh?"
"Aye, Rongamesh himself! He thrashed Hencharion's men, and then tore through those aliens until their leader bowed before him! It was AWESOME! The Great King of Uruk, here! Hencharion wasn't lying…this is the best convention ever!"
"We may have to stay for a few extra days and see what he's up to. There's a man with ambitions I bet! Now on to tonight's entertainment?"
"Ho ho ho! There are a lovely set of twins, Egyptian. I hear a red headed goddess showed up today. Not available for now, though. Pity."
Kim shook her head. This was not the sort of flattery she appreciated. And the new development, was it clever acting, or had Ron actually lost his identity?
"Could he really think he's Rongamesh? That blow was almost as bad as the one Eddorix gave him. And he was deep into those sagas. I wish I had picked those up; they might tell us what he'd be up to."
Ruffio raised a paw to his head and tapped it knowingly.
"You memorized the sagas?" The nod gave her hope. "What did they say?"
The little white mouse took a deep breath. "In principio Enkidu…"
This is going to be a long night.
Nova Carthago: the Citadel
Early the next morning Lord Elefist walked down the hallway to where the 'Great King' had set up his throne room. The giants Baxes and Arabaxes stood before the door. The bruises on their faces showed the price for winning the bodyguard competition.
"The Great King is expecting me."
Baxes looked at his brother. Arabaxes nodded. The door opened and the Han warrior stepped inside.
The room was in shambles. Shattered wine and beer jugs were everywhere. A chair was elevated in the center of the room. Before it, a mound of furs stirred. He could see shapely arms and legs sticking out. Guessing a head had to be close to one hand, he nudged the fur with his foot. The hand drew it back; a scarred blond woman looked up at him languidly.
"I seek Rongamesh."
"Don't we all?" she asked sultrily. Laughter came up from another spot. A new face, dark, with the aquiline features of the people of the Ethiopian highlands, now peered at him.
"I thought it was sacrilege for a man to touch you."
"A man, yes." She answered with a smile. "Rongamesh is a GOD!"
Elefist was beginning to lose patience. The flesh was the second thing he had renounced (the first being pity) in his pursuit of the Power. Now to see his only rival doing this. "God of what?"
"God of Looove." Rongamesh stood in the rear doorway. He wore a green kilt decorated with several lines of gold fringe. A wide belt circled his waist. Elefist's eyes went to the hilt on the left hip.
"God of war!" The Great King of Uruk walked over. "God of Chaos, Pain." He stared Elefist in the face. "God of Death! Anything else you need deified?"
Rongamesh noticed Elefist's glance. "No, you want this." He patted the hilt of Blood Drinker. "Here it is, why not take it?"
Elefist's eyes narrowed. "Don't worry. I won't call the Body Guard, or the Guard Bodies." A chorus of giggles indicated the owners of that title. "Just you and me, Elefist: speed and skill against speed and skill."
He took his hand off the hilt and lifted it to the side. Elefist trembled in anger. Such arrogance! The drunk cannot stop me! Elefist's hand flew down toward what had for so long been the object of his desire. Only the Master had ever been able to stop him. What chance would the latest doomed champion have?
Rongamesh had his hand before it could even begin to reach. The grip was like Death. Far above the ground, neither could call upon the Power. But Rongamesh's eyes had a faint green glow behind them. He leaned into Elefist's face, and the startled man would have sworn the teeth were changing, becoming fangs…
Just as suddenly Rongamesh let him go. "BOOYAHAHAHAHA! Try again another day! Now, you said there was an enemy we had to deal with?"
"Yes, the Romans; a savage, uncouth tribe. They have a considerable force which will soon strike at this city. It will be our task to hold the city until your vassals can come and trap them against the walls."
"And what forces do we have?"
"Hencharion has one thousand mercenaries. The city militia numbers two thousand. The Convention could yield us hundreds more; men and women eager to follow the Great King into battle."
Rongamesh nodded solemnly, followed by a blood curdling grin. "And they shall. The sacrifice of thousands will please her greatly."
"Her, sire?" Lord Elefist had returned to the role of respectful lieutenant.
"Tiamat, the Great Dragon of Chaos! She is the source of my strength. This coming battle will aid her in her return from the Abyss. It will be a far different world when she can pull her body together again. And who will be more favored of the goddess than he whose sacrifices return her to life?"
"Now, all we must do is watch for the barbarians to come into our trap and wait for Lord Gisgo?" Elefist nodded. "Simple enough. Now, it is time to seek out other amusements."
SPQR
Kim yawned. Her fears, large and small, had been confirmed. It had been a long night. Ruffio's recitation stopped only when the mouse's voice gave out, and then she was able to rest only until he regained it. And what the sagas said…
"Rongamesh sought to restore the Dragon Tiamat?"
"Certo, Tiamat detesta matribus."
"And so the Third Saga ends with Enkidu going to face Rongamesh in Uruk. And it was to be to the death?"
The mouse nodded sadly. "Ad ultimum."
"Ruffio, we have got to save Ron! I just wish we had some help." She yawned again. "And some rest. Maybe we should try to sleep. Given my disguise, it would be less suspicious to be seen in the evening. A little sleep and we'll be just fine. Ruffio!" She smiled. "I didn't believe that at all myself! The lantern has worn off. At least one thing has gone right."
They settled down, but neither rested well. Each feared the possibility that they would have to end the saga as it was no doubt intended: with the death of Rongamesh.
SPQR
The Great King of Uruk surveyed his city from the tower. His eyes were drawn to the lagoon just north of the city. He watched the level of the water. It looked like it was falling. For some reason that seemed important. Why?
A sound reached him: the laughter of a woman. He looked down into the courtyard and saw a couple seated under a tree. The man warranted no attention, but the woman…
"Lord Elefist, bring her to me!"
SPQR
Zeta looked up at Junuris and laughed. They had returned from another ride out in the countryside. Once the Carthaginians had determined they would not try to escape, they saw no reason to deny them horses whenever they wanted to view the lands around the city. After all, the ultimate goal was to turn these future leaders into faithful subjects. A light hand was best in such circumstances.
"What is so funny?" Junuris smiled.
"You." Zeta could not lie. "You make such funny faces. She contorted her face to resemble his. "I have talked with some of the other girls. They think you are hopelessly in love with me."
"Father taught me that nothing was hopeless." Junuris rose to the challenge. "That time when the mountain pass was blocked in the Alps, we shattered the stone with fire and vinegar. Anything can be overcome with courage, intelligence and effort."
"Not love." Zeta teased. "You are mine, Junuris! Mine! Mine! Mine!"
"If I was, then I would not be able to draw away from you." He leaned down toward her lips; she pushed up ever so slightly to meet his.
"Ah, so charming, pastoral even." Lord Elefist stood with a few of his men. "Lady Zeta, someone wants to see you."
Elefist's men walked over and lifted the young woman to her feet with the minimum of respect. Another pair stood near Junuris, just polite enough to not make a direct challenge. What did they care of the feelings of foreigners?
Zeta looked confused as she was led away. Junuris turned to Elefist.
"What is going on?"
"Nothing that need concern you." Elefist smirked. "Indeed, the experience the girl gains today could prove most appreciated by you later. Now, do be a nice lad and stay out of trouble."
Junuris stood alone in the garden as Elefist left. He seemed to be weighing matters in his mind. Abruptly, he headed for his room.
SPQR
"Two days hence?" The merchant asked the young woman as he gave her a coin.
"Agreed." Kim restrained herself as the bargaining ended. She had never, ever dreamed of anything like this happening. Several men and the representative of a respected matron had approached her this evening. She would not have to use her own coin to keep her landlady happy. She also now had a definite time limit before she had to rescue Ronicus. Honor or not, I will not meet these contracts.
Someone sat down beside her at her table. She began to put on her smile when she recognized the woman. Am I in trouble now.
"'allo, luv." Amyaravix smiled as she set down a jug and a cup. "Care to share a cup with a not so old friend?"
Kim wanted to say 'no', until she saw a couple of men give the table a wide berth. "Sure." Amyaravix smiled as she poured beer into Kim's cup. "I hope nothing happened to you last night."
"Oh, 'ow could it?" Amyaravix waved Kim's worries off. "Can't get a 'angover from this stuff. It's like gettin' stabbed in your coracle…bleedin' close to water!" The Brigante warrior laughed heartily. Kim allowed herself to smile at the unfamiliar reference. Those around them saw two members of different professions sharing a joke.
Amyaravix leaned closer. "I'm sorry 'bout last night. I din'na mean to give your little man that wallop and knock his mind loose. That 'encharion'll pay for ruinin' my Pretty Butterfly! Wait until 'e sees me 'appy Bunny." She hefted her new maul. A rabbit was on either side of the head. Kim could read inscriptions under each cute figure. Did I do that? That is going to hurt!
"I'd like to make it up to ya. I know where they're 'oldin' 'im. They're real careful not to get 'im angry. Your man's quite the fighter!"
"So, he wasn't hurt last night? After your maul, that is?" Kim needed confirmation of what she had heard earlier.
"'urt? 'im? Why I got all the details from a couple of Allobroges. They never laid a finger on 'im! The lads were most impressed! I was told the men had to fight each other to see who would be his bodyguards. As for the women…"
Kim's relief evaporated. "Women?"
"Oh, maybe I shouldna' told ya that. Too late now. There was a different contest for the female bodyguards. More of a beauty pageant, I'm told."
Kim's cup shook in her hand. Ruffio looked up at her and made a striking motion to the side of his head, then staggered around a bit. That's right, just remember, this isn't Ron doing this. This is a character brought to life by a concussion. It better be, anyway. If he remembers any of this, I pray he has the intelligence to not tell me, and I have the wisdom to never ask. "I could use some help getting into the citadel."
No one paid attention to the two women as they planned.
SPQR
Zeta found herself in another, smaller courtyard. Two massive Gauls stood by the door. Three women, an Ethiopian, a blond Gaul and a dark haired Thracian, came to her, took her behind a screen, and began to change her clothes.
"What is going on?" She demanded unsteadily.
"Dear, you are going to meet the Great King." The Thracian smiled.
"Great King? The Carthaginians have no King, neither do the Iberians."
"They do now." The Ethiopian placed a necklace on Zeta. "For now he is a King worthy of honor, soon he will be acclaimed a god worthy of sacrifices!"
"What kind of 'sacrifice'?" Zeta's anger was growing. "My Father was promised that my honor would not be violated under any circumstance."
The Gaul placed a gold torque on Zeta's wrist. "This is no sacrifice! He was a great kisser three years ago, and he has improved with age."
They combed out her hair, rubbed perfumed oil onto her skin. The women took Zeta by the arms and brought her around the screen to stand in the center of the courtyard facing a doorway.
Lord Elefist and two of his men entered. The men stood to either side of the doorway. The Han drew himself up and intoned with great ceremony.
"His Divine Majesty, Rongamesh, Great King of Uruk! Slayer of the Beast of Sumer! Wielder of the sword Blood Drinker! Sacker of Ten Cities! The Nightmare of Men…the Dream of Women!"
Rongamesh walked in with an easy stride. He gave a predatory smile as he saw Zeta. He bowed slightly as he came up to her.
"Nicely done, Guard Bodies." Rongamesh touched Zeta's long hair. The young woman managed to remain still. "I also collect, my dear. I collect beauty! Gold, jewels, and of course, women. You are worth a sampling, I think."
"My Father…"
"Is no match for me!" His face turned demonic for an instant. He continued in an even tone. "He was promised your honor would remain intact. I offer you a greater honor…to know a god! And I will promise you the safety of your people! And as for you; to know a god is to taste Heaven."
Zeta stared at Rongamesh as he drew right up to her. He bent her head to the side and began to bring his lips to her neck…
"Stop this at once!"
Junuris was at the door. He wore a mail coat trimmed with silver. An elaborate Boetian helmet rested on his head. The tunic was trimmed in purple. His eyes blazed as he saw Rongamesh touch Zeta.
"You?" Junuris was confused. "Ronicus? I thought you loved Kimora."
"Ronicus?" Rongamesh titled his head to the side as he came out from in front of Zeta. "I do not know the man you speak of. Great is his good fortune if men mistake him for me."
"You will not touch her again, you beast!" Junuris drew his slashing sword and charged. The Gauls began to draw their swords, but Rongamesh shook his head at them. This fun would be his.
Zeta moved to stop Rongamesh, but the Guard Bodies grabbed her and pulled her away from the duel. Rongamesh made no move for his sword. He stood and smiled at the nearing Junuris.
The slashing sword whistled through the air. Rongamesh seemed to barely move as he ducked the blow. He lightly turned to the side to avoid the next swipe. A back handed blow sent Junuris tumbling across the floor. He looked up with his nose bleeding. With a roar he charged again.
Rongamesh knocked the thrust aside and struck Junuris in the stomach with his fist. The mail made no impression on Rongamesh's fist, nor did it provide Junuris with any protection from the blow. The Iberian doubled over. Rongamesh drove a knee into his opponent's face. The helmet went spinning and he fell over.
There was a snort of contempt. Rongamesh kicked the sword away from the trembling hand of Junuris. He turned the Iberian over to face him. "Are you quite finished, boy? It is death to face me."
"Father…said there were three things to be willing to die for." Junuris gasped. "The greatest of those is…Love."
With a smile Rongamesh drew back his fist. A dazed Junuris could only watch.
"STOP!"
Zeta ran over to Rongamesh. She fell on her knees. "Please spare him, my lord."
"And why should I?" Rongamesh's face was cold. "All you have to offer is mine to take."
"But such things are always better when given, and I will give them to you. Willingly, warmly, only spare the man I love!" She saw that she had his eye. Looking down, Zeta took her right hand and pushed the dress off of her left shoulder, exposing the brown skin. She moved her left hand up but he stopped her.
"Let us have a little mystery yet." He dropped Junuris in an unconscious heap. Baxes gave him a towel. He wiped Junuris's blood off of his hand and took Zeta's.
"Return the boy to his room. In due time I will return his love; a much richer woman for the experience of knowing me! Such is the generosity of the Great Kind of Uruk! BOOYAHAHAHAHAH!
SPQR
Zeta fought the urge to tremble. She looked for weapons and saw none. She wanted to throw herself out of the window, but knew all too well what would happen if she did kill herself. Junuris would go to the tree. Best to keep your word, save your love. I only hope that…he will remember me as I was.
Rongamesh entered the bed chamber. He carried a pair of cups. "A libation is customary among my people. A woman's first time is a sacrifice, after all." He gave her a cup; she drank, wishing it contained poison.
"And is it not appropriate that your sacrifice will be accepted by a god?" He drained his cup and set it down. "A god most generous to his worshippers. I will make you grateful." His fingers reached to her shoulders.
There was a slight rustle in a corner. Rongamesh and Zeta both gasped as they saw a woman seemingly appear from nowhere. She had the same skin, hair and eyes as the soldiers of Lord Elefist. A gossamer gown left little to the imagination. The woman looked upon Rongamesh with knowing eyes.
"My Lord," the voice was light, yet seductive. "it is most pleasant to see you again."
"The pleasure is all mine; but I am willing to share." Rongamesh grinned. "Did Lilith send you? No, you have the look more of a priestess of Ishtar. Are you Elamite?"
"I am whatever my lord desires." Yori approached softly. "Should you not send the child away?" Yori looked at Zeta, giving her a sidelong look of encouragement.
"But my lord, our agreement…"
"I have spared your boy. Perhaps you will have the good fortune to catch my eye again." Rongamesh waved Zeta away. "Leave us now."
Unable to believe her good fortune, Zeta bowed and left the room.
"Now, the child is gone. What do adults do when left alone?" Rongamesh pulled Yori to him and kissed her fiercely. Yori bent her head back as he went from her lips to her neck. His lips were like fire, a source of pleasure almost painful in its intensity. The hands were as strong as she had dreamed they would be as they moved down her back. Soon he would make her his…
But no, I cannot be his. Ronicus-san belongs to Kimora-sama, most fortunate of women. And I have seen his eyes; this is not the man I love. A sham holds me. A shadow which must be stopped before he unleashes doom upon the world.
Yori had been running her fingers through Rongamesh's hair. He had growled with pleasure at her touch. Now she moved. With two quick motions she rendered him unconscious. She laid him down upon the bed, and shuddered at his breathing. It was a throaty growl; one could almost hear the fire in his breath.
She knelt beside him and whispered into his ear. "You will not desire the young woman again. You will tell no one of me. When I come back for you, you will come willingly."
Yori hated to leave him, but there was simply no way she could carry him down the wall without additional equipment. She had left the Master's Compound too quickly for that. But there is help.
SPQR
"So we have a plan."
Amyaravix nodded. The various cups and jugs served to make a map of the Citadel. Ruffiio walked among them, lost in thought. Amyaravix had proven far clearer in thought than Kim would have believed possible. It would be a desperate gamble, and some things would have to be resolved on the move, but at least she would not leave Ronicus to his fate.
A shadow came over the table. Kim saw a cloaked figure standing over her.
"May I help you?"
She gasped as a hand set something upon the table. It was a medallion from her cuirass. Looking into the cowl above her, alarm changed to relief.
"Yori."
Notes
In principio…in the beginning
Certa, Tiamat detesta matribus…Yes, Tiamat mother of horrors. Does not sound like a nice lady dragon
Ad ultimum…to the end, finish, whatever, not good if you like both guys involved.
Dido…Legendary Queen who founded Carthage. She supposedly killed herself rather than marry a Libyan King. The Roman poet Virgil in his epic on the founding of Rome claimed it was because she loved Anneas, but he would not stay (founding the future site of an empire can really bite into your social life), but not before she predicted war between her descendants and his. I would guess Kim's wearing something she picked out for her long awaited honeymoon.
Coracle…small boat made by stretching hides over a wooden frame. An Old World canoe
Boetian…different from the Corinthian style helmet most think about with the Greeks. It had a wide front, the face was exposed, but a horseman needs a full field of vision, unlike a man in a phalanx.