Arthur; The Legend and Myth Chapter 31

31.

Arthur had ridden out ahead with the other part of his army. He was met by the scouts that told him of the success at the castle of King Carados. He was to send out his scouts to Percival to meet at Bedgraine. He sent out other scouts to Lancelot to meet at the same place. 

“Bedgraine? Why there?” Merlin on his mount was riding beside Arthur. He then looked at the foreign knights from Normandy who had pledged their loyalty to Arthur riding by them. He had served with the foreigners from across the channel. They are decent folks and it was their magic he wanted to learn then. He had run in the forest with the ones named as gypsies.

“Bedgraine? Well, I knew that King Carados to meet the King of Scotland there.” Arthur replied. “It’s not any tricks of wizardry but judgment from years of battle experiences. It’s the midway point for both of them to meet and more to it, King Urien there. The land there was part of King Urien’s.” 

“We are riding into the enemies land for what? To be delivered to them with our heads on the palate.” Merlin snapped back. “I am of the view that we turned back. Or meet with Pendragon for more knights.”

“Hush your voice!” Arthur stared at Merlin. “I will not ask for more of his assistance than what is provided. It’s the same with these foreigners who rode in and declare their alliance to me. Both held a reason and one which I believed may tax upon me or my land when they are done in this war. Or even my knights.” 

Merlin was to continue their conversation when he saw two knights approaching Arthur. He recognized them as King Ban and Bors. The former was a huge figure in the armor and carried a long spear. He was mounted on a dark mare. The other King Bors was equally huge and carried a long spear. He also carried a long handle mallet on his back.

“We need to speak, Arthur of Camelot. I may have a plan.” King Ban voiced his intention. Arthur was taken aback by the request and then agreed to speak. He was told to ride with the two foreign knights to the nearby tree line. Merlin watched the three was in deep discussion then, and before he do anything he was met by Gaheris.

“What is Arthur doing with those two?” Merlin merely shrugged his shoulders and rode on. He was to ride alone for Arthur was soon to rejoin him but Merlin saw the knights under King Ban and Bors were riding off towards the tree line as if they were leaving. Merlin turned to look at Arthur.

“They are leaving?” 

“Yes.” Arthur was abrupt with his reply. “We will continue on without them.”

To the west of Arthur, Lancelot adjusted his sitting then on the saddle of his horse. He had not dismounted for over three hours and it was getting uncomfortable especially with the armor. He looked back to the hundred knights who rode with him. They have ridden for a day and then the long wait there in the forest. It was then they saw the group of riders approaching across them in the plains below.

“I counted fifty.” The knight next to Lancelot but the later had driven for the group. Lancelot rode hard to the group. He galloped hard and drew out his sword. The other knights drew their weapons and galloped hard with Lancelot. The sight of a hundred knights with their weapons drawn was intimidating when the other riders were not prepared for it. Some of the knights of the second group then turned back and began withdrawing. Their leader at the fore shouted to the knights to close ranks but the group was dispersing. It was then Lancelot crashed into the leader with his horse. He swung his sword at the leader and cut at the neck. The leader fell from his horse with the blood gushing from his wound. Lancelot then rode over the leader’s dead body and then he called out to the other knights. 

“Stop the fight!” Lancelot then swung his horse to intervene in between the fights. He stopped the battle then but there were casualties. He ignored them and rode on among them. He kicked at a knight who was still fighting. 

“I am part of your group.” The knight was upset that he was stopped but Lancelot had ignored the other. He rode on and then the battle stopped. He then rode to the open area and looked to the knights, both from his group and the others who had not fled.

“I am Lancelot. Today, I am offering you a truce. Duke Eustace is no more here with you. He is dead.” The Duke held a smaller force and was to join King Carados before joining up with King of Scotland. All of this was made known to Lancelot by Merlin. The other will not disclose how he knew the information. A group of dissenting knights from Lancelot group approached him. They were led by the earlier knight who was stopped by Lancelot.

“Why are we offering a truce? They were going to battle us.” The knight stated his stand. “We are to fight them or we will withdraw.” 

Lancelot looked at the knight and the others. He has to be careful with his words then. He collected his thoughts and then he spoke.

“We are the same people here. If we are to fight everyone when the King says so. We are not his servants. We are his people. His people….his…” Lancelot mumbled on and then his voice faded away. He had his sword down and then took it up. “Who are with me? We got a battle to stop the war. A war which most of us may regret.” 

“Crap!” The knight who was in defiance openly cut in. “I am riding out.”

“No, I am joining King Carabos.” The knight took to his horse. “At least he will pay in coins.” 

Five more knights rode out with the defiant one. The others were shuffling their limbs when Lancelot moved on. He mounted his horse and then rode on. He was not to speak then and wanted to move on. He was behind his time schedule. To his surprise all the other knights rode with him. 

It was then the knights encountered the new group.

The group of a hundred knights led by the Black Knight charged at them. They were in the rear and evaded the earlier battle. They came when Lancelot was riding off. The Black Knights and his group charged into Lancelot at the fore. The later crashed in there with their spears and swords. Lancelot drew his sword and blocked the spear thrust at him. He turned his right arm and swung the sword into a tight twist to cut at the attacking knight in the left thigh. He pulled the sword out and did an upward cut at the armpit almost severing the arm. He then charged the horse forward and then saw his adversary. 

“The knight named Lancelot. I am rejoiced to see you.” The Black Knight sat upright on the saddle. The figure was all in black from the head gear which was conical in shape but it held two horns on the top side. The metal chest piece and the arm greaves were all dark in shade and so was the scabbard on his waist belt. His horse was also dark in shade with a wide streak between the eyes. 

“I am Lancelot. Who are you?” 

“My name is not for you. I am better known as the Black Knight. Your reputation as a fighter precedes you.” With that the Black Knight charged at Lancelot. He did not draw the sword but held a steel ball on a chain with the short handle. Lancelot ducked on the swing that was aimed at his head and moved his horse pass the Black Knight. He then used his legs to turn the horse. He held his sword Arondight in both hands and then dropped from the horse. He was going to fight the Black Knight on foot. The other took the challenge and drew out his sword. 

“The fight is mine to win.” The Black Knight tucked the chain ball on the chain onto his belt, and then drew out his sword and faced Lancelot. He charged at Lancelot with the sword swinging. He swung at the other’s left arm and at the last moment the sword went downwards aimed at the waist. Lancelot saw the move and stepped back to avoid the swing. In the move, Lancelot had his sword to block the swing and then he turned his body to do a round house swing at the Black Knight. The Black Knight anticipated the move and move to the left and then blocked the attacking move. 

“You have improved.” The Black Knight complimented Lancelot. “You must hide…

”

“Hide my muscle? Who are you?” Lancelot stepped back and braced himself for the fight and the Black Knight charged. The attack was fierce and with Lancelot then partially confused tried to block the attacks. He backed out and then found himself tripped over. He looked up and saw the Black Knight sword at his face. 

“You are pathetic.” The Black Knight then called on the battle to cease. He got his knights to withdraw. He then looked at Lancelot. “You are to fight me another day, Lance.” 

The Black Knight then mounted his horse and rode off. Lancelot was offered assistance to get up but he refused. He called on his knights for their casualties listing. He found the other side was only wounding them and none were killed at all. However he was with twenty knights wounded. The Black Knight was more formidable than what he was made to know. 

That was not all that Lancelot was concerned on. 

The Black Knight knew his moves and called him Lance.

Not many had outfought him and fewer called him Lance. 

“It can’t be.” Lancelot sighed on his ride. The group of knights rode on in silence. The defeated never get to celebrate.