11.
Wales was mainly
a mining colony for the Romans with its abundance mineral wealth. The Romans
mined the land for gold, copper and lead along with zinc and silver. The old
mines were at Doluacothi, Usk and Holt. The Romans divided the land into the
settled farms and the other side the military zone. The Romans build camps to
control Wales which were linked by the straight roads. The camps sprouted the
nearby settlements and the influence of Rome soon was seen in the buildings and
other structures. Unlike the outer limits to the farm lands, the old round tops
huts still persist for the settlers. The languages of the land there were split
between the farm dwellers who still spoke of Brythonicl; the language of the
aristocracy and the in the cities were Latin. The Latin words soon were passed
onto the people’s language. At that time during Arthur’s journey to the north
west of Wales, the land there was under attack by the Picts, the Irish from the
West and the Saxons from the East while Rome at that moment was under the threat
of the Gothic forces of Alaric. The later hasten the migration of the Romans to
strengthen Rome.
“Would you
please tell me why are we taking this route?” Arthur asked Gawain of the
diversion from the cobbled stones road made by the Romans. The later have been
a generous guide to tell the history of Wales to the group during their rides
and the lengthy fire place talks into the night.
“I am
uncomfortable with the roads. They are always bandits there and more to it, we
might meet your renegade Legionnaires out for the coins and food whichever was
handy.” Gawain smiled. He then sat up on his saddle and smiled. “We are near
now.”
Arthur found
himself looking at what may be an amphitheater which he had seen at Rome but
that one was smaller. It was made of wood the oval design with six rows of
seats and the center was the gladiator’s arena. There were other structures
next to the theater which probably housed the fighters and the other staffs.
There was also adjacent lot which looked to be a circus but they were leaving
from the looks of the caravan there. Arthur and his group rode towards the
theater. There was no fight then but the outside the theater there was a
personal bout with the wagers passed by the onlookers.
“Twllt din, you
are fighting or dancing?” (English translation for an Asshole. I would had use
‘rosebud’ but that most of will reach for the dictionary then.). One of the
wagers shouted out. In the center of the fighting area, two men stripped to
their waist were facing each other. One was armed with the trident and the net
while the other held a double sword.
“Cachu bant ti
cachu mes.” (Oops, another translation needed. This one read as f**k off you
sheep sha**er). Another replied to the former wager. “Let them fight.”
“Malu cachu!
Watch the fight.” (It stands for Bullshit.). The fight started once more on the
coaxing by the wagers. The spearman rushed in and feigned a toss with the net
but held it back. The swordsman retreated and then went to the left to rush at
the thrust the right handed sword into the net. The sword caught in the netting
and then the swordsman went in low with the left sword on an inner swing to cut
on the spearman at the right thigh. The spearman limped backwards but he lost
his net. He held the trident with both hands to keep the swordsman at a
distance. The right thigh was bleeding and the spearman hesitated when he saw
the swordsman charged at him. At the last moment, the spearman stepped aside
and the trident to block the right sword. He twisted the trident and managed to
pry the sword off. Without pausing the spearman swung the discarded sword back
at the swordsman. The sword tossed like a javelin stabbed into the other in the
chest and ended the fight.
“Hail Sir Kay.”
The wagers roared their champion who had double payout. The fighter dropped the
trident before he staggered off the fighting area. He was cut in some places
but it may not kill him. He stepped up to one without the ability to last a
second in the arena but his hands held his other reason for being there. The
one named Sir Kay reached out with his right hand to be handled a bag of coins.
Sir Kay weighed the coins and then threw a punch at the other.
“I place my life
on the fight and you dare to cheat me.” The fallen wager was soon blocked by
two who appeared to be bodyguards. Sir Kay saw that and backed off. He knew the
odds was against him and was made worse when he was tired and without a weapon.
He stepped away and then turned to walk off. One of the bodyguards pulled at
his sword on the waist but stopped when the arrow landed at his feet.
“I won’t do
that.” The arrow came from Gawain who held the bow in his right hand. “He may
be a bully but he is my friend. A far flung cousin to be exact from my mother
side. Thank goodness for that or we will
be all fighting him.”
“Aye, he is my
cousin.” Sir Kay saw the need to seek alliance than more enemies. He then
turned to the bodyguard. “My cousin has a good eye on the bow.”
The two
bodyguards then retreated on the reinforced numbers. Sir Kay was still in his
arrogant mood; hollered after them.
“Next time I
will not release you without your blood for my debts.” The body guards have
marched on and Sir Kay looked to his savior. He was to speak when Arthur spoke
up.
“Join me and be
rewarded.” Arthur motioned to the other. “You are a gladiator and for what we
are to do, you will find gold coins at the end.”
“Gold coins? I
have plenty.” The arrogance of Sir Kay surfaced once more. “If your quest
include killing, I am for it.”
“You are truly a
cousin of mine from my mother side. You hold the qualities of their brawn
side.” Gawain laughed. “I will vouch for him.”
It was Merlin
who saw the amusement in the conflict.
“Arthur, I think
you have your half table of knights. Seven is a good number to fight with. Your
legend will soon grow.” Merlin smiled and then looked at Sir Kay. “I wondered
if he will take a wager from me. However it will be paid when you are King.”
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