Honor of the Tarcuins

By Katarina Tkachova

This story takes the reader into the ancient and mysterious city of Velzna in Etruria of the times of the reign of the Kings Tarcuins.
Laris, the adopted son of the King Gordianus Tarcuin, trying to fulfill his fervent secret with to be a King, becomes a traitor and works with the Greek and Babylonian spies, being part of their conspiracy to overthrow the King Tarcuin. His undercover agent’s nickname is “Honor of the Tarcuins”.
At that time Gordianus appoints a new Zilath, the chief judge of the League of the Twelve Cities of Etruria, whose goal is to discover and to foil the plot of the foreign spies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483518503

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Iunius, two days before Nones

The morning awoke and with every minute became more powerful, bright and splendid. The warm and a bit stuffy air was filled with the rich odors of the soil, the grass and the greenery. The rose buds began to open, releasing their magnificent scent. The clear turquoise sky lightened in streaks of pink, yellow and orange.

The Prince Laris Tarcuin, frustrated by his secret anxieties and worries, slept badly and woke up with the first rays of the morning, when the palace was still enveloped by the serene tranquility of the peaceful rest. Having stealthily slipped out of his cubiculum, the Prince Tarcuin quickly and furtively ran across the atrium like a black, ominous shadow and disappeared behind the doors of the throne hall.

I've already learned by my own unpleasant experience that it is not so easy to get into Diana's cubiculum in the evening, because she's inside then, he mused, carefully surrounding the huge, solemn, majestic hall with his searching, inquisitive look in an attempt to find out some massive object, which could serve him as a good hiding-place, I've no other choices left, but to wait until she will go away from it for some time.

His attention was attracted by a graceful, white, marble statue of Aplu that was standing in a majestic posture on an impressive, high rectangular pedestal just in front of the throne hall doors. It took Laris only a couple of seconds to recognize the benefits of such an observation post and the Prince jumped noiselessly to the statue and squatted behind the massive pedestal. Peeking between Aplu's marble legs, he commanded the view of that fragment of the atrium, where were located the doors of his own and, what was very important to him, Diana's cubiculum. The fragment of the atrium loomed in front of his penetrating gaze like a huge picture, surrounded by the door jamb of the throne hall.

Is this that life, which I've expected to have? musingly asked Laris his own innermost self, I'm forced now to spy in the evening and then, having just woken up in the morning, continue to perform the task, which I haven't finished the previous evening. Heh! He promised me a luxurious life of a crown Prince, but in reality I have to lead the life of the last wretched plebeian! But what can I do? This Belshazzar is damn persistent like…like a sticky resin, and he threatened to tell everything to my step - father if I don't bring him Diana's bulla that is stored in Gordianus' trunk. The key of it is hidden somewhere in this accursed collar, which is so deuced difficult to steal from Diana's cubiculum. But what will I achieve even if I manage to steal this collar? he shrugged his shoulders, Not much, I guess. The key is situated in a secret compartment, and I don't know how it opens…This was a real luck that I've instantly found the certificate of my adoption, which was stored on the shelf in the tablinum together with the other documents of my step - father Gordianus. However, he frowned and rolled his eyes to the ceiling, recalling the events of the previous evening, What was that shadow that crossed the arch of the tablinum when I was taking the document from the shelf? Has someone noticed what I have been doing? the unpleasant chilly creeps ran down Laris' back, he shuddered and fidgeted in his hiding place, Well, well… I've no choices left but to continue to carry out my secret task, otherwise this unforgiving Belshazzar will beat me again, sighing heavily, the Prince rolled his tunic and looked at the purple scar on his leg - the vivid mark of Belshazzar's whip - which he had received on the day of his recruitment.

The door of Diana's cubiculum opened and the Princess, dressed in a white chiton with golden clasps on her shoulders, stepped into the atrium, but Laris was so deeply absorbed in his gloomy thoughts that has nearly missed this highly coveted moment for which he'd spent all morning sitting crouched behind the pedestal of the statue of Aplu. A beam from the morning sun, which fell from the compluvium, flared on one of the clasps of the Princess' chiton and its reflection playfully tickled the nose of the Prince. Laris gave a little start, waking up from his reverie, quickly glanced in the atrium and in an instant became focused and alert again, ready for the active part of his secret task. Having got out of his hiding place, the Prince crept noiselessly to the doors of the throne hall. Diana meanwhile crossed the atrium and disappeared into the tablinum. Without wasting any precious time Laris rushed into the atrium. In a few log, noiseless jumps he reached the door of his wife's cubiculum. Having grabbed the handle, he roughly jerked it, slipped in the narrow crack and shut the door behind him, kicking it with his heel.

Heh! he grinned in self-satisfaction, At last, I've got in successfully!

Without wasting the precious minutes Laris quickly stepped towards the dresser and began to examine different objects that were scattered there, hurriedly pushing aside a beautiful mirror with gilded handle, a two-sided comb and Diana's golden tiara, decorated with precious stones.

Ding! Tinkled protestingly a thin, elegant, glass bottle with a rose perfume, which the Prince had carelessly grazed with the tiara.

Well,…frowned the Prince, having ransacked the whole dresser without finding the collar, Where, I would like to know, can this deuced piece of jewelry be?! he slowly, carefully, searchingly surrounded the cubiculum with a piercing gaze of his hazel-brown eyes and, inspired by some new, fresh thought, rushed to the closet, which was situated in the corner of the bedroom.

Flinging the doors open, he began rummaging in a series of boxes, which were attached to the doors. The necklaces, collars, earrings, pins and bracelets rustled like angry snakes, unhappy that a stranger's hand had invaded their rightful habitat.

Damn! muttered Laris groaningly, glaring fiercely at a golden pin with the image of a cobra, which had dug painfully into his finger.

Having fished it out of the drawer, the Prince carefully began to move each piece of jewelry with its tip.

Tink! Jingled loudly a wide bracelet with rubies, revealing a magnificent golden collar that had been stored under it.

A deep sigh of relief escaped from Laris' lips, which have been twisted into a sly, satisfied smile. The sparkles of triumph glittered in his hazel-brown eyes. He slowly, accurately dragged the collar out, using the long tip of the pin and without hesitation thrust it in his tunic pocket. It was, however, too narrow for the massive, rigid, circular collar, and a part of it stuck out, gleaming and glittering treacherously with flaming golden sparkles. In addition to this the exquisite piece of jewelry was too heavy to be worn in a pocket and painfully struck Laris at his leg with every step. Muttering some barely audible curses in Greek, the Prince pulled it out of his pocket.

Well, go to your rightful place, if you are such an inconvenient, incommodious to carry little junk! grunted the Prince through clenched teeth, fastening the collar at his neck.

The stolen piece of jewelry flashed and glittered at Laris' neck, giving off wonderful golden highlights, for the cutout of his tunic was too deep to cover it. Realizing that to appear in the atrium in such an attire and to confess his crime to every inhabitant of the palace would mean one and the same thing the Prince hurriedly rushed back to the closet, jerked open the doors and in a desperate frenzy began to ransack Diana's clothes, searching something that would hide the magnificent collar from the eyes of others. The chitons, the bright-colored, embroidered stolas and satin ribbons for hair flew onto the floor in a chaotic pile. Finally Laris grabbed a beautiful stola of heavy silk, shimmering with all shades of pink and adorned with a golden border. Snatching it eagerly from the closet, he wrapped it around his neck in the manner of a lacerna and was about to jump out of the cubiculum, but at that moment the distinct rustle of approaching footsteps reached his strained ears. For a second the Prince stood motionless, as if riveted to the spot, listening intently, and then, having jumped back to the closet, hurriedly, higgledy-piggledy, in a state of most desperate frenzy began to push with his shaky hands the clothes back into the drawers. Meanwhile, the footsteps stopped at the entrance of Diana's cubiculum, and the handle squeaked quietly under the pressure of someone's heavy hand. Laris slammed the doors of the closet and was about to dive under the bed, but at that moment the door of the Princess' cubiculum opened, and King Gordianus appeared on the threshold.

Oh, he quietly gasped in surprise, looking at his daughter's things, scattered all over the floor, and at Laris' small figure with Diana's pink stola on his neck. He slowly and menacingly scrutinized the Prince, who stood in the middle of all this unimaginable chaos.

Gordianus frowned even more, until his eyebrows almost met, and his eyes flashed with the green sparks of anger. He slammed the door and sternly, inexorably advanced to the Prince.

Was this you who have scattered all those things here?! he asked in a deep, guttural voice, reddening and fiercely blowing the air through his nostrils, Who has given you the right to touch Diana's things, you bastard? whistled the King through his teeth, watching Laris attentively, and his bright eyes coldly sparkled like sharp blades, And how did you dare to put on your dirty neck my daughter's favorite stola?

Quickly stretching out his hand, he grasped the edge of the silk garment and pulled it towards himself. The loose folds unwrapped, and the fabric, shimmering with all wonderful shades of pink, slid off the Prince's neck and fell to the floor at his feet. The stolen collar treacherously glinted with golden light on Laris'neck. Tightly grasping the Prince by the collar of his tunic, Gordianus pulled him closer, and gave him a resounding slap. Laris flew off to the farther end of the cubiculum and, having absolutely lost his balance, fell there on the tiled floor like a heavy bag.

You, villain! snapped the King, frowning with contempt, You are a little thievish creature! Ugh! He spat with feeling of disgust, Listen to your heart, Laris, he spoke then in a soft, insinuating voice, in which lurked something threatening and severe, slowly advancing to the Prince, Does your heart say to you something now, does it whisper to you something serious ? Ah, Laris?

While Gordianus was approaching him, the Prince, making inconspicuous, instinctive movements, climbed further and further into the corner, as if trying to hide in its depth.

Tsk, tsk, tsk! clicked the King the corner of his mouth reproachfully, I've cherished some hope…Tsk, tsk, tsk! So, you don't realize that by stealing my collar, which you tried to hide under Diana's stola, you have committed a crime, and I can give you now, handcuffed, to the polissooses, who will take you to the Magistrate's Court?!

Laris loudly sobbed, sniffed and pressed his back against the wall of the cubiculum.

What are you getting at? he murmured, licking his broken, covered with blood lips and looking askance at the King.

I'm not getting at anything, he-he, said Gordianus, and his voice was raspy with anger, Don't even think about any hidden meaning, heh, heh, heh, I'm just explaining to you, silly boy, how I can punish you for your misbehavior. You'll know that now, he-he-he-he!

A marble-white pallor covered the Prince's haggard face, and the strong, almost panicky fear, which slowly grew into horror, shone in his dark eyes.

Get up! commanded the King sharply.

Trembling with fear, Laris slowly climbed on his feet, but his legs were immediately captivated by Diana's chiton, which have been lying on the mosaic tiles like a carpet. Laris lost his balance once again and fell on the floor.

Get up! roared Gordianus with the distinct threat in his voice, Turn to the right! March in the atrium quickly ! And do not even try to run away from me! Got it?!

I've got it in the neck! thought Laris, feeling how his soul became filled with chilling fear, But those are the orders of this damned Belshazzar! It's all his fault! And I will now have to answer for his misdeeds! ran the dreary thoughts in his head like frightened rabbits, So it turns out that I've robbed Peter to pay Paul, but I cannot say anything about it to Gorgianus, because if I do this, my other, far more serious crimes, will come forward. Eh, let be damned that ill-fated day, when I encountered this Belshazzar for the first time! This dirty dog has promised me the crown and the power, but in reality he has thrown me to the wolves instead of this! Pride goes before a fall!... What is Gordianus going to do with me? ...

Having stepped out into the atrium, the King took a double flute out of the pocket of his tunic, raised it to his lips and played a short tune before Laris had the time to understand anything. The Prince instantly realized what this all meant and with an impulsive, panicky movement rushed to the right, to the vestibulum, but Gordianus' strong, tenacious hand immediately caught the sleeve of his tunic.

Where are you going? inquired the King sarcastically in a venomous tone that made Laris' flesh creep, Have I not told you that all your attempts to escape are futile? So, quickly step in the middle of the atrium without your silly tricks!

The Prince slouched, even bent his back somewhat, bit his lip, and with an expression of pain, which was clearly visible in his dark eyes, made his way to the specified location.

Male and female slaves, who were coming from the andron and the tablinium, surrounded soon the entire atrium. Five minutes passed, and the whole huge hall was filled with people who stood in two rows.

An expectant silence filled with stress reigned in the atrium. People looked with surprise, concern, inquiry and curiosity at Laris who stood near the pool with slouched shoulders and arms tightly pressed to his sides, as if trying to become less noticeable. His small hands were shaking, and his body was trembling with fright.

Ianitor! called the King in stern, imperious voice.

Yes, Sir! the line of people wavered, then parted, and a tall, broad shouldered gatekeeper stepped forward from the second row.

Bring here the handcuffs! commanded Gordianus briefly.

Ianitor slightly bowed his head in obedience and disappeared in the tablinum. A few minutes passed. Then an unpleasant sharp creak of a door broke the fragile silence followed by the sound of footsteps on the stone floor of the gallery of the peristylium and the servant appeared in the atrium again. A pair of handcuffs ominously gleamed in his hands.

Hands up! dryly ordered Gordianus, addressing to Laris.

Your Majesty, please …, whined the Prince like a naughty child.

Silence! shouted the King, Stick 'em up! his voice rolled through the atrium like thunder.

Laris sobbed and slowly, hesitantly, as if hoping that Gordianus was about to cancel his command, held out his small hands, which trembled with fear.

Click-click! clanged the handcuffs,