Devils Own ( Steampunk and Mystic ) 5.8

5.8

“Attila the Hun”, Merlin narrates the life of one warrior in the history annals. They were on the way by coach drawn by horses on their journey to the so named Bastion. The horses were winged like the fabled Pegasus, and they flying across the skies. The coach had a top cover of a flexible design to be folded back when desired. There was a screen of leather to intercept the water spray thrown by the heels of the horses. The driver sits on a perch; elevated and with side boards. “He was the ruler of the Huns from 434 to 453 when he was supposed to die from the hands of his own wife.”

Merlin paused and then corrected himself.

“I apologies for that last statement.” Merlin cleared his throat. “The worlds we are in differ from the one which you came from. Attila did not die from his wife’s hands, but he actually disappeared one night. Neither the body nor his death was ever verified but some had claimed he had ascended to the skies.”

“Attila had come to the rescue of his people in their greatest needs. It was claimed that he that held the sword of Mars given to him by the God of War, Mars. He had given the sword to his son, Prince Csaba who ruled after his death. The Prince was also said to inherit all his treasures, and rumors that one of it was the Ark recovered from the vaults of the Roman. After the death of Prince Csaba, the Huns people were without a formidable leader. The enemies of the Huns invaded their lands. When the Huns were close to defeat the enemies taunted them with the words, that none will come to their aid. The legend said that the skies opened up with the sight of the stars appeared and the new army of Prince Csaba appeared. He appeared not once but three times to save his people. Since then the Huns had dispersed and then came the legend that some had moved to a Dacian area called Erdely.”

“There the Huns changed their name to that of Szekely and soon occupied the land with the migrating Saxons. They soon build the seven cities that was to ringed the area and be named the Seven Fortress.”

“That could be our Bastion.” Merlin concluded.

“Father, on our world the Seven Fortress was the lands of the Blood Prince.” Irina spoke out. She recalled the rumors that the land there was forbidden to strangers, and many visitors have not returned on their visits there. For those who were there, claimed that the people of that area were cold and unfriendly. Even King Richard troopers shunned the area, and only patrol the outer borders.”

“But not here.” Calvin added in. “Here, Richard II had invaded that land. He had conquered the cities, but not during the people. They rebelled during nightfall, and they are winning but like all battle front, they are losing a lot of warriors.”

“Thank you, Calvin.” Merlin took over the conversation. Calvin was his own apprentice, and was planted with Ian as his spy. He knew of Ian’ treachery but he had tolerated it until then. He was not exposed to any physical intimidation until his recent imprisonment changed his mind. He had underestimated Ian, his own son.

“Father, what made you think you are right this time. The Seven Fortress had been occupied and you still believe it’s

there.” Irina sat back on the caravan seat.

“There are recent rumors that the Seven Fortress was not built in isolation, but it had a complex underground network below. The fables told of the Eight Fort lies below it. It was the mausoleum of Attila. Prince Csaba kept all his father’s treasures there. I did tell Ian and for that he invaded the land.”

“So now the new link to the Sword and Ark.” Kassius sounded out in sarcasm. “Merlin, I want to believe you but you made us look like fools. You send us here to a trap, and we ended up rescuing you.”

“No, Kassius. I did not send you to a trap. I created a trap within a trap to imprison you. I wanted you be caught, so that you could get in. If you had come in like the others, you might have been killed by now.” Merlin smiled at the assassin. “I opened up a portal for us, and invited some friends to help us. Is that offering too little for your faith in me?”

 “Master, we are there.” Calvin called out. “And its dawn below.”

Then Calvin continued on.

“I think we have some more issues.” Calvin pointed to the clouds below. There was a dirigible below, with the emblem of Richard II. It was a frigate model and it was shelling the city below.

“I thought there was no such ship here.” Kassius complained.

“I may be a sorcerer, but I am not the soothsayer.” Merlin rebuked. “But I am always prepared for any eventuality. Some of the time.”