16. Big Issues

The ride to Hannibal's position was terrifyingly short. Ruffio did not have time for even one 'paene advenimus?' before they could see something looming in the predawn sky.

They pulled into a small grove of trees to await more light.

Kim looked at Ronicus. Neither had spoken the entire time. He was clearly distracted; she sensed he had almost refused to come. She had been nervous, too scared of the likely answers, to begin conversation. But I must know.

"So, what did she say?"

"I never got a chance. You know, saving Rome can really interfere with your social life."

"This is just a recon mission. We'll be back in Rome this morning."

"I'd almost as soon face Hannibal as her family."

"Why?" Kim was glum. "I hear the Ptlomies are pretty forward looking."

"The Ptlomies?" Ronicus was confused. "Why would I talk with Monique's family? It's Kim that I love."

"Really!? You love—her?" Kim edged closer to Ronicus, her heart was slamming in her chest.

"I always have. I always will."

"But after all that's happened. The way she jilted you at the Ball…"

"That wasn't her. I should have known from the beginning, it just hurt so bad. I couldn't face her Father, so I took it out on her."

"Well, she should have stood up for you. Stood by her friend. But, what are you going to tell her?"

"What?"

"What are you going to say?" Kim edged up next to him. "We could—practice! Role play! I can be Kim, and you can tell me what you plan to tell her."

Ronicus drew back slightly. "MW, this is a bit—awkwierd. Two guys, talking about feelings, one wanting to pretend to be a girl."

"Sorry. You really love her, though?" She was desperate to hear it again.

"Love her? She's the first thing I think of in the morning. I've rushed through a thousand breakfasts at home so that I could get over to her villa in the morning. Had to keep her parents from talking matches. The walks to school were our time—it's like being a god! Alone with the most beautiful girl in Rome! The world! And Veneris, Veneris used to be our night. Maybe it can be again. Monique swears Kim loves me, and that her Mother wants us together! I swear by Fortuna that if she'll have me, she'll never regret it."

"Oh, man, that sounds so corny! Like a bad greeting scroll."

"Ron. She'll treasure every word."

"Thanks, and Masked Dude."

"Yes, Ron?"

"You're holding my hand."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Kim hated to let go.

Ronicus looked up. The sun was just rising. Something stood in the field. It appeared to be draped with sewn together sails. The Lion and Palm faced Rome's western gate.

"Cover me, MW. I'll get a look under the canvas, and we'll see what Wadeamedes wants to do next."

"I'm here for you, Ron. I'll always be here for you."

She looked into his eyes, her own going wide. For a moment Ronicus drew closer, then shook himself.

"I'm off. Once we get this done, I'm going to see Kim. If she says 'yes' I'll build Fortuna a shrine!"

He hefted his shield at was off. Kim watched, bow notched and ready to draw. She did not feel the ground she was kneeling on. It was as if she were resting on a cloud.

He loves me! He loves me!

Ronicus quickly made it to the mysterious structure. He went around to the back. He's so fast, so good at this. We're going to be fine. Just fine.

YAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She had heard this cry once before. It was when they had just begun training last year. Ronicus had reached around a corner in the Tombs, and had pulled out a very large and hairy spider instead of a javelin. Then she saw him come out from behind the shrouded thing. He slung his shield over his shoulder. He was running like never before. She could hear him wail in fear.

"RUN! ELEPHANTS! EL—E—PHANTS!"

Kim was bemused. "Elephants? Oh, Ron, they're just animals. It's no……big."

The earth shook. Six great gray beasts, so large that there were towers on their backs, rounded the corner and headed for Roniucs. Even in the half dark Kim recognized the lean figure in the lead tower.

"Mago!"

He was laughing as he tossed javelins at Ronicus. "Remember me, Ronicus? You made my tunnel fall in last year. Han's been calling me 'Rat Boy' ever since! You get the new nick name today. You're going to be FLAT BOY!"

Kim raced to the chariot. The horses were already nervous. Got to stay down wind. Father says even the smell of elephants can drive horses mad with terror. She lashed the reins, and shot out from the grove.

Mago and the others were intent on their prey. No one noticed the chariot that stayed a respectful distance away. Kim watched the rhythm of Mago's elephant; seeing the movement of the forward strap holding the tower in place. She drew out one of Directoria's arrows, a sickle bladed one.

Diana, guide this! Save my love.

The arrow was straight and true. She saw the strap give way. Mago gave a yell of surprise as the tower began to turn, slide over. The elephant stopped as the tower hit the ground. The other elephants stopped to see about their comrade.

Ronicus saw none of this. He dared not look over his shoulder as he ran. Panic had only begun to recede. The bellow behind him caused him to slow as he risked a look. Then he kept running.

"Ron! This way!" Kim had to make a great loop to keep away from the elephants. She saw him look back, and had hoped he would run to her. Why is he still running?

Then she heard the rumble. Three Gallic chariots, light and nimble, were closing in on him. She shouted for her own horses to run faster. They would soon be in javelin range.

This time she selected a 'V' arrow. Her first shot pinned a charioteer's reins to the pole. Without guidance, the horses continued to go straight ahead, carrying them away from the action. Another 'V' gathered the reins of another team just below the bits, bringing them to a screeching halt, turning the chariot over.

She was now close to the next one. The second man threw a javelin. It struck the side of Kim's chariot. This time she went back to the sickle arrow. The driver found himself holding a pair of useless straps.

"Ron! I'm coming! I'm…"

There was a fearful flash behind her. Kim fought back fear as she saw a wagon, a horseless wagon, coming up fast. Shegovia stood on it, firing her strange bolts.

"The Lion will have mutton for breakfast!"

Kim loosed an arrow, a real battle one this time. She gasped when it simply disintegrated in a flash of green. Shegovia's hands went wide as a great green globe expanded between them. There was no way she would miss with that.

Kim dropped her bow and grabbed a javelin. Shegovia paid no attention as the throw was so obviously low. But that was Kim's intention. It passed through the spokes of a wheel, throwing the wagon onto its side. There was a great flash of green, and a cry of anger and frustration.

Still the danger was not over. Two more Gallic chariots were ahead of Ronicus, now he was coming her way. Something caused her to look to her left.

"Give it up, Red! I've got the horses all over you! Yea, Verily."

Eddorix and Drakko were closing in with a huge, gaudily painted chariot. Four horses pulled it toward hers. She saw Eddorix pull something down, and great scythes emerged from the axel. Drakko hefted a javelin and let fly.

Kim felt it slam into the back of her cuirass. She reached for her bow. Drakko caught the arrow on his shield. She looked ahead, and saw Ronicus and his pursuers coming straight for her. A plan formed, her eyes narrowed, she smiled behind her mask.

Eddorix and Drakko were directly behind her. All was where she needed it to be.

She extended her hand. "Ronicus! Now!"

They were so close. She saw his hand come up. Instinctively she grasped, and came up with what he had tossed as he ran by.

"Ruffio?"

Ronicus's pursers saw disaster headed for them. They turned to their outsides to avoid the oncoming Roman chariot. It passed through. Then they jumped to avoid the scythes which shredded their vehicles. Kim could hear Drakko curse, and Eddorix exult. "I told you they would work! Hey, nonny nonny! Yea, verily."

"But those were our chariots, you nitwit!"

Ronicus had leapt over the scythe and stopped to catch his breath. The chase had been wild he hoped it would be over soon. He had to get back. He had to see Kim.

Kim was turning the chariot. "I need a greater reach! Do I have…"

Ruffio climbed up in front of her, a rope in his teeth.

"The gods bless you. Let's save Ron!"

Kim was closing the ground between her and Ron. He grew closer. She could see his eyes. His hand was open. He would be with her soon.

Then the great chariot passed in front of her. Drakko was at the reins. Eddorix leaned forward with his club. He touched Ronicus on the head, almost lightly.

"RON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

He tumbled over and over. Had Eddorix not withdrawn the scythes, he would have been cut in half. The Gauls swept by. Kim had one more chance. She had a loop in her rope. She could still get him before they could turn around.

Then came the green glow. Ronicus was lifted from the ground, deposited into the chariot that was speeding away.

"Pluto take you, NO!"

And now the elephants had returned. Kim could feel the panic in her team. She turned. She planned to loop around them again, get back up to Eddorix and Drakko before they reached the Carthaginian camp. But the horses had gotten a nose full of elephant. They ignored her pulls and cries as they made their way at full speed toward the safety of the passage under Rome.

Kim held on, unable to see for the tears. Ruffio had an equally forlorn look.

Today I learn that he loves me, and today I've lost him.

Notes

Paene advenimus?—Are we nearly there yet?