19. In the Lion's Jaws
For the second time in as many days Ronicus thought he was dead. Wished he was dead. His chest was in agony. I feel like I hugged Sol.
He saw the Masked Warrior fighting Shegovia, knocking her unconscious. Then he saw his friend raise his spear for the kill. Neither had ever done that before. Does he think I'm dead? Is it vengeance? He opened his mouth to save Shegovia's life.
Then he saw the elephant grab his friend from behind. Every fear he had of the great beasts was confirmed as the Masked Warrior was tossed about and thrown to the ground to lay helpless beneath the massive foot. He wanted to scream.
There was no mistaking the man who climbed down from the tower. Hannibal walked around to the front and knelt by the Warrior, pulling off the vambraces and setting them aside. Now he was going for the helmet. Don't have to guess what will happen once the Mask is off.
Ronicus could see MW's spear. He ignored the pain as he jumped up and started to run for it. Then someone lifted him up from behind.
"Think we had forgotten you?" Drakko held his sword up to Ronicus's throat. "Now stop struggling, or things will go badly for you."
"Dude, I was about to get trampled by elephants—elephants! How much more bad can it get?"
"He's got a point, cuz. Yea, verily."
"Well, well just stand still! We're about to learn the identity of the Masked Warrior."
Kim was still too stunned to resist, even though she knew that she would not live long after the mask came off. Show no fear. You're a Possibillis, you can bear anything.
The helmet was straightened. It started to lift. Wadeamedes's voice box fell out. She could feel the helmet sliding along the back of her head.
Ronicus could see the helmet lift. He saw Hannibal holding it in his hands. Red hair spilled down past the shoulders. Even at this distance he could see those eyes, those green eyes that had welcomed him a thousand times. Oh, gods, what a fool I was!
"KIM!"
He struggled in Eddorix's arms. Drakko held his sword up, then drew it back in alarm as Ronicus ignored it, even as it cut into the flesh of this throat. His eyes were wild. Drakko was in awe. "So the witch was right."
Hannibal's one eye widened. He was shocked.
"A GIRL? A GIRL? ALL OF MY PLANS, MY BEST WARRIORS, ALL FOILED BY A GIRL?!"
"Told ya." Shegovia was rubbing her jaw as she sat up. "So, what are you waiting for? A little shy about crushing the life out of a girl? Well, that what barbarian witches are for! Surus.."
"Stop! I will do this my way." Hannibal looked into Kim's eyes. His voice was soft, unbelievably so for the stuff of so many Roman nightmares. "What is your name, child?"
The shock of the attack had passed. Kim mustered all of her pride and defiance. She had to do this right.
"I am Kimora Possibillis, daughter of Caius Possibillis, Senator of Rome, and Olivia, Priestess of Minerva. I am the friend of Ronicus Stoppabullus, and enemy of Carthage."
"And you are now my prisoner." Hannibal pursed his lips. He appeared to be weighing things in his mind.
"Ronicus must stay with me, that is the nature of war. But both of you do not have to die. The oracle was misunderstood. You are not the key to Ronicus, anymore than he is the key to you. He is like the bow, the source of stability. You are the string, the dynamic tension which guides and propels the arrow. Together, you are a mighty weapon. But just like the bow and its string, destroy one, and the other is well nigh powerless."
"Since I do not have to destroy you both, I will not. And I offer you more than merely your life." He unfastened the lion's head cloak pin, and laid his purple cloak down beside her. "Find any one building in Rome, tie this to the door or hang it out the window, and all within will be spared along with you. Use a great mansion, a temple, I do not care. Save your family. Save his. You can preserve a portion of Rome from what is to come."
Kim shook her head. "No. I will not desert Ronicus."
Drakko and Eddorix had brought Ronicus closer so that they could all hear the exchange between Hannibal and Kimora. All this time I thought I was defending you from him. Instead I was following you as you faced him. I even had stupid dreams of you fawning over Ronicus the Hero. I've been ready to die for you ever since we first heard that he had crossed the Alps. I will not let you die for me.
"Kim! Take the cloak, go! You've got to save our families! With it you can save enough of Rome to rebuild. Brennus could not destroy Rome, neither will Hannibal if you go."
She looked up at him and smiled warmly. You are Roman. I know that you have dreams and ambitions, but you have always subordinated them to what was best for me, the Masked Warrior. Even though it meant that your family would remain disgraced. Never once did you falter while we fought side by side. I will not desert you now.
"I can't leave him, General." The smile grew joyous. "How could I? I love him!"
Never had Ronicus heard anything so beautiful. "You, you do?" It was more than he had dared hoped for, the stuff of dreams brought to earth. "I love you too, KP! Well, you know that, given that I told you yesterday, even if I didn't know it was you."
"If you truly love me, then you know that love is something that you cannot leave behind." Kim looked up at Hannibal and touched his arm.
"Please, whatever you must do: leave us close enough—to hold hands."
The Lion's one eye glared, then it misted over.
"Mago!" he barked hoarsely. "Two horses, an olive branch, and Ronicus's panoply."
"Coming right up. You old softie." Mago smiled before he bounded away.
Shegovia was aghast. "You've got the war in your fist! And you're just letting them go?"
"I've beaten them today. I can do it again. Right now the army is scattered, the weapon destroyed, killing two children would add sin to error." He looked over to Surus.
"Surus, up!"
The elephant lifted her foot. Hannibal helped Kim to her feet.
"Please understand that I can do this only once. Should either of you fall into my hands again, there will be no chance of rescue."
Kim nodded. "It will never happen." The defiant tone made Hannibal smile.
"You sound like Has'. Ronicus is more like Mago. Drakko, Eddorix, release your prisoner."
Kim and Ronicus ran to each other. He managed not to gasp from her fierce hug.
Mago returned with the horses and Ronicus's gear. Though his eyes watered as he put it on, Ronicus felt whole again.
Kim vaulted into the saddle. Ronicus was a little slower. Hannibal handed Kim her vambraces, then walked over to Ronicus.
"If you disappoint her, you will answer to me."
Kim put her helmet back on. "Don't worry about Ronicus. He's just what I've always wanted; it just took time to realize it."
She reached out and took his hand. They urged the horses onward, and gave their cry.
"Victory for Rome!"
"Victory for Carthage." Hannibal answered. "Though I think only love triumphed today. Come, Shegovia, there are new plans to make."
The witch shook her head. "Sorry. I play Cassandra for no man, no matter how rich or good looking. It's one sure fire, can't fail plan per customer, I can't help it if you let them go."
"Besides, I'm tired of Italy. The east is the same mess it's always been, and I hear that Antiochus-I-call-myself-the-Great has a generous compensation plan for top talent. I believe that I've earned a good letter of recommendation."
She came up to him, a little uncertainly. "No hard feelings?"
"Towards you? Impossible!" Hannibal gave her a smile. "Demetrius, prepare a glowing letter of introduction for Shegovia. Be sure to include that she will be given an additional talent of silver as per our contract for 'services exceeding all expectations.'"
"You've always known the right thing to say."
"I have another bonus for you." He tilted his head slightly. "Would you like a Gallic escort?"
Shegovia followed Hannibal's eyes. She brought a finger up to her lips. "I think I can come up with a few uses for them." Drakko shrank back from her eyes.
"Uh, Master?" Drakko looked uncertainly at Hannibal. Eddorix was ecstatic.
"You hear that, cuz? We're the Green Girl's road crew! Hey, nonny, nonny! It's the big time! Yea, verily."
Shegovia lifted her hands, they glowed. Drakko slumped. "Oh snappeth."
The wagon had come up, and Drakko and Eddorix flew into it. The later hooted, the former screamed.
A pair of soldiers lugged a small chest to the side of the wagon. Hannibal signed a scroll, sealed it, and handed it to Shegovia. She sighed.
"I'd ask you to come with me. The kingdoms we would conquer, the empire we could build! But I've seen those eyes before, Hegovis has them." She shook her head sadly. "Honorable men."
Then the smile returned. "You won't stay here forever. When you get out; look me up. I'll be easy to find: just follow the path of chaos and destruction."
She gave him a lingering kiss, forced herself to pull away.
"I better see you again, Hannidoll."
A flick of her hand and the chest was loaded. She climbed in without a backward glance. The wagon spun around and was off. Hannibal strained to hear her.
"If you like that color so much I could make it permanent, and all over. We need to work on your image. The name for instance: Drakko the Gaul, not that scary. Now, Latin makes anything sound worse. Drakkus! Has a dragonish hiss, don't you think? And why not go one step better—Drakkus Maximus! Tell me what you think. Oh, silly me, I'll have to release you first. Now, be honest…"
"I never realized how dreary Italy is." Hannibal turned to Mago. "I guess you need to get back to Iberia. You and Has' win one, all right?"
"Won't let you down, Bro'." Mago smiled. "You old softie."
"I guess it's back to you and I, Senioris. We have an army to reorganize, and then I guess it's back to trying to lift the siege of Capua. I've got to save that restaurant—it's all I have of her now."
It was late morning, but the sun was setting on Carthage and its Lion.
SPQR
They rode as far as they could holding hands. Kim soon had to take the hidden route, while Ronicus rode through the Western Gate and down the streets to their school. People lined them to cheer, this time cheering for life, not death.
He reached the school. Everyone was there. Centurion Barcus wore a smile, an actual smile. Ronicus dismounted and saluted his cadet teacher. Barcus returned it.
"Welcome back, soldier. Sometimes a treasure is right under your nose and for some reason you don't see it. I'd like to rectify that oversight."
"You may not know this, but my tour ends this year. It's back into the field. I have the authority to pass you over your senior year, secure you a commission. You could start your career giving orders—in Iberia."
"Don't let anyone fool you; this war will not be won in Italy. We can't drive Hannibal out, and he will never break Rome. To hurt the Carthaginians you have to hit them where they live. That means the money purse, and the strings are in Iberia."
"You'll like the commander. Senator Possibillis's old friend Publius Scipio the elder. He's adaptive, flexible, not afraid to look over his shield. And he's always on the lookout for hot-shot junior officers, men like you."
Barcus grinned. "It's the big leagues, on the 'A' team. It's Gloria, it's Fama, it's all the things that make life worth living."
Not quite. Ronicus looked at the crowd. Where was she? She should have been able to get here by now.
Then he saw her. Kim worked her way to the front. Her hands were clasped to her chest. She had a huge smile on her face. It was a classic smitten school girl pose, then she shot him a wink. He knew exactly what it meant.
I'm here for you, Ronicus, no matter where or when. Italy, Iberia, Africa, Asia. I'll be there, beside you, with you.
And how could I doubt you? After all, you were ready to step through the Gates of Tartarus with me.
"Ah, sounds good sir, but…"
Barcus looked at Kim, and smiled knowingly. "Stoppabullus, why the rush? There are exams to give, grades to compile, commencement to plan, not to mention organizing the expedition to Iberia. There's plenty of time for a wedding and—short honeymoon."
Ronicus smiled. Kim ran into his arms and gave him a kiss that far exceeded all bounds of patrician propriety. Even Bonillia cheered.
Ronicus Stoppabullus felt on top of the world. He had restored his family's fortunes, he had helped the Masked Warrior save Rome, and this time actually received some of the credit. And the most Badicus girl in the world had just kissed him in front of the entire student body at the mention of marriage.
A shrine? Fortuna, I shall build you a TEMPLE!
He raised a fist, and a cry escaped his lips. One that would become the Stoppabullus shout, to be heard across a thousand battlefields, arenas, and other, more intimate places.
BOOYAH!