Part II
War
21
The building of Camelot was soon taking structure with the foundation done with the inlaid stones. The twin towers were not done but the foundation showed its stump. The main Hall was almost ready with the roof missing its cover. The round table had been relocated to the hall and Merlin still laid it thick with his drawings.
“Damn the masons” Merlin cursed at the ones who were helping him. The wealth of the seized lands have helped to pay for of the workers but with over a hundred of them on the ramparts and make bridges of planks, Merlin found his attention was spanned too wide. He was working to the late nights and up at dawn to oversee the workings. The changes to his drawing have been wide but he retained the main design. On that day, he was concerned with something that baffled even him.
“The caves are for the dragons.” The one who spoke was a local and known as the man who knew much of the dragons. “I have lived here long enough. My father and his father used to feed them.”
“Issac, you are also an inventor of tales. I have enough of your fables.”
Issac was past his youthful age and during the last battle, he spent time sharpening the arrows. He was blind in one eye but his hands were firm. He was still climbing the cliff to feed the birds nesting there. It was a wonder he did not fall but that was what the masons had wished.
“Then hear not my fables but the truth.” Issac defended himself. “Your …”
“The tunnel we dug led us to a small cavern. You know it and yet you denied it.” The mason intervened. “It will be reinforced with pillars to uphold the castle foundation.”
“Which was not needed.” Issac was getting upset. He then looked at Merlin. “Believe me. Go there and see it for yourself.”
It was what Merlin actually did. He took the climb down the wooden steps and soon found himself the cavern beneath the castle foundation. It was a small cavern but it held some adjoining tunnels. The tunnels were small but accessible to the ones which were smaller. Merlin studied the tunnels and then he remarked out.
“They are large enough for a child and none of us are.” Merlin smiled. “Or a dwarf.”
It was then a voice roared out.
“I am not insinuating anything but can I try.” The voice belonged to Durant Merley. “I am half your height but my mind worked like most of you.”
Merlin smiled at the man who many had considered as less due to his genetic makeover. The man was one of the fighters in the battle as an archer. He had later joined as a carpenter.
“I can crawl in there.” Without an answer, Durant stepped into the tunnel. He crouched there and then picked up some dark materials. “Oops! It’d their dropping.”
Durant climbed in and took himself by the tunnel. It was not all mud but there were layers of stones there to hold the edges. He could feel the roots of the deep rooted vegetation and then there was the sound of the birds. He soon chanced on the broken shells but that was not all he found. There were creature bones there and marks of paws. He crawled on and found the tunnel opening narrowing but it was still enough to squeeze through. He pulled at his tunic and then went ahead. The stones there scraped his skin but he went on. Soon the tunnel opened up and then he found himself able to stand. The next he knew was the tunnel was no more there. It opened to a narrow opening that resembled a doorway with no doors. The space of the opening was narrow at about two feet. Durant looked over the edge and it was a long drop. He was to step back when an eagle flew at him. He raised his hands to cover his face but the eagle clawed at his body with the talons. He crouched back into the in the tunnel and then back to the cavern.
“Get the man some herbs.” Merlin saw the wounded man crawling out and fell on to the ground. He was bloodied at the back and on his lower limbs. Merlin was still there for he was inspecting the cavern. The men there assisted Durant and then placed him up. Durant later told Merlin of the opening and the eagle. He then produced the bones and handed it to Merlin.
“These are not ordinary bones. The creatures bones are smaller but these are larger.” Merlin examined the scales. “I have not seen these for a long time. There were some then seen in the jugs of the old masters.”
“Are you saying these are dragons? You are cracked. Dragons were not seen for generations.” Durant voiced out but Issac soon rebutted back.
“You have not seen the dragons and how can you deny it?” Issac hit back. “My grandfather fed them and so was my father when he was younger. He stopped when the dragons stopped coming back. That was all I know.”
Merlin then cut in and had the whole cavern cleared. He then had the cavern sealed. He then took to his horse and rode off. He rode hard and fast into the forest and then cleared it to the far side. He was upset and then dismounted. He stared at the trees there. There was the oak tree and the cherry trees with the bushes of assorted growths. He looked on and saw the flowers from the leaves. The daffodils and the lilac were bushes apart but they seem in motion to get together. Merlin then reached into his tunic pocket and pulled out the pendant on the chain. The design on the pendant was simple. It was the motif of two dragons facing each other. One dragon was red and the other was blue. “Небото ги исполнуваат морето на хоризонтот и од таму суштество ќе се состанат за да работат на судбината.” That was Merlin words chanted in Macedonian. (The skies meet the sea at the horizon and from there the creature will meet to work on the destiny.) He learned those words from an ancient master but that was another tale.
“El destí del món estava en l'arc de Sant Martí i amb ella els colors encegarà als quals no vould veure.” The flowers spoke in ancient Catalan. (The destiny of the world was in the rainbow and with it the colors will blind those who could not see.)
“Mae golwg ar y llygaid nid yn unig yno ond o fewn y Coryn .” The trees replied. (The sight of the eyes is not only there but within the orb.)
The oak tree branches moved along with the cherry trees while the flowers flowed with the stalks moving. From the stalks moved and the tuiny figures appeared. It was later to be named as fairies but the ancient name was angel. Three angels emerged from the flowers and then they perched themselves on the leaves.
“We will speak in the language of the angels.” The oak tree spoke yet the sound was heard from its trunk. “You summoned us, Merlin. Speak out before we lose out desire to listen.”
“The dragons are here.” Merlin spoke out. He then spat out the mucuous from his mouth. “Why can’t they leave me alone?’
“Alone, Merlin? You knew of the dragons when you came here.” The cherry tree sounded out. “Peter of Bedyr may have mentioned of the dragons when you mocked him with your antics.”
Merlin recalled the fanfare he did with the orbs then. He knew the peasants loved a colorful show and he displayed it. He was to reply when the angels spoke.
“Merlin, who do you fear them? They were…” Merlin cut short the angels with his harsh words.
“Speak not of my legacy. I had turned off that part of my life. I am Merlin the Druid among the few I was with a name but I am not a ….dragon descent.” Merlin sighed then. “You were supposed to help me. I am helping you find a King for your lands. Your people and your forest.”
“We helped you. We hid the lake for you. We diverted the enemies from your village.” The cherry tree sounded out. “But we can’t do everything. Pendragon is coming back.”
“Pendragon?” Merlin was stunned. He was not expecting Pendragon to be back so soon. The Romans have withdrawn but the Scots are at the borders. Pendragon have ridden there with his army and was to be away for another harvest or more. Merlin knew that Arthur was not ready then. He need more time.
“Arthur is not ready yet.” Merlin looked to the trees. “Can you talk to the Lady in the Lake to give him the sword?”
“The sword? Arthur rejected it. The winds carried the news to us.” The oak tree then voiced out. “Now you telling us otherwise.”
Merlin was to made another plea when the angels spoke.
“Arthur cannot just sit there at Camelot. He has to build his own reputation wider. He must build up his knights. The table can seat twelve and he is at half the number.” One of the angels spoke. Merlin was getting agitated and then he spoke up again in a louder voice.
“Settle for me a sword. If Arthur was to be known, he cannot be carrying a gladius.” Arthur then stepped to walk away. “I will build Camelot for Arthur but he needed the sword to lead the knights.”
“There is a sword. It’s in the stone. Not far from here.” One of the angels replied. “I can talk to the stones.”
War
21
The building of Camelot was soon taking structure with the foundation done with the inlaid stones. The twin towers were not done but the foundation showed its stump. The main Hall was almost ready with the roof missing its cover. The round table had been relocated to the hall and Merlin still laid it thick with his drawings.
“Damn the masons” Merlin cursed at the ones who were helping him. The wealth of the seized lands have helped to pay for of the workers but with over a hundred of them on the ramparts and make bridges of planks, Merlin found his attention was spanned too wide. He was working to the late nights and up at dawn to oversee the workings. The changes to his drawing have been wide but he retained the main design. On that day, he was concerned with something that baffled even him.
“The caves are for the dragons.” The one who spoke was a local and known as the man who knew much of the dragons. “I have lived here long enough. My father and his father used to feed them.”
“Issac, you are also an inventor of tales. I have enough of your fables.”
Issac was past his youthful age and during the last battle, he spent time sharpening the arrows. He was blind in one eye but his hands were firm. He was still climbing the cliff to feed the birds nesting there. It was a wonder he did not fall but that was what the masons had wished.
“Then hear not my fables but the truth.” Issac defended himself. “Your …”
“The tunnel we dug led us to a small cavern. You know it and yet you denied it.” The mason intervened. “It will be reinforced with pillars to uphold the castle foundation.”
“Which was not needed.” Issac was getting upset. He then looked at Merlin. “Believe me. Go there and see it for yourself.”
It was what Merlin actually did. He took the climb down the wooden steps and soon found himself the cavern beneath the castle foundation. It was a small cavern but it held some adjoining tunnels. The tunnels were small but accessible to the ones which were smaller. Merlin studied the tunnels and then he remarked out.
“They are large enough for a child and none of us are.” Merlin smiled. “Or a dwarf.”
It was then a voice roared out.
“I am not insinuating anything but can I try.” The voice belonged to Durant Merley. “I am half your height but my mind worked like most of you.”
Merlin smiled at the man who many had considered as less due to his genetic makeover. The man was one of the fighters in the battle as an archer. He had later joined as a carpenter.
“I can crawl in there.” Without an answer, Durant stepped into the tunnel. He crouched there and then picked up some dark materials. “Oops! It’d their dropping.”
Durant climbed in and took himself by the tunnel. It was not all mud but there were layers of stones there to hold the edges. He could feel the roots of the deep rooted vegetation and then there was the sound of the birds. He soon chanced on the broken shells but that was not all he found. There were creature bones there and marks of paws. He crawled on and found the tunnel opening narrowing but it was still enough to squeeze through. He pulled at his tunic and then went ahead. The stones there scraped his skin but he went on. Soon the tunnel opened up and then he found himself able to stand. The next he knew was the tunnel was no more there. It opened to a narrow opening that resembled a doorway with no doors. The space of the opening was narrow at about two feet. Durant looked over the edge and it was a long drop. He was to step back when an eagle flew at him. He raised his hands to cover his face but the eagle clawed at his body with the talons. He crouched back into the in the tunnel and then back to the cavern.
“Get the man some herbs.” Merlin saw the wounded man crawling out and fell on to the ground. He was bloodied at the back and on his lower limbs. Merlin was still there for he was inspecting the cavern. The men there assisted Durant and then placed him up. Durant later told Merlin of the opening and the eagle. He then produced the bones and handed it to Merlin.
“These are not ordinary bones. The creatures bones are smaller but these are larger.” Merlin examined the scales. “I have not seen these for a long time. There were some then seen in the jugs of the old masters.”
“Are you saying these are dragons? You are cracked. Dragons were not seen for generations.” Durant voiced out but Issac soon rebutted back.
“You have not seen the dragons and how can you deny it?” Issac hit back. “My grandfather fed them and so was my father when he was younger. He stopped when the dragons stopped coming back. That was all I know.”
Merlin then cut in and had the whole cavern cleared. He then had the cavern sealed. He then took to his horse and rode off. He rode hard and fast into the forest and then cleared it to the far side. He was upset and then dismounted. He stared at the trees there. There was the oak tree and the cherry trees with the bushes of assorted growths. He looked on and saw the flowers from the leaves. The daffodils and the lilac were bushes apart but they seem in motion to get together. Merlin then reached into his tunic pocket and pulled out the pendant on the chain. The design on the pendant was simple. It was the motif of two dragons facing each other. One dragon was red and the other was blue. “Небото ги исполнуваат морето на хоризонтот и од таму суштество ќе се состанат за да работат на судбината.” That was Merlin words chanted in Macedonian. (The skies meet the sea at the horizon and from there the creature will meet to work on the destiny.) He learned those words from an ancient master but that was another tale.
“El destí del món estava en l'arc de Sant Martí i amb ella els colors encegarà als quals no vould veure.” The flowers spoke in ancient Catalan. (The destiny of the world was in the rainbow and with it the colors will blind those who could not see.)
“Mae golwg ar y llygaid nid yn unig yno ond o fewn y Coryn .” The trees replied. (The sight of the eyes is not only there but within the orb.)
The oak tree branches moved along with the cherry trees while the flowers flowed with the stalks moving. From the stalks moved and the tuiny figures appeared. It was later to be named as fairies but the ancient name was angel. Three angels emerged from the flowers and then they perched themselves on the leaves.
“We will speak in the language of the angels.” The oak tree spoke yet the sound was heard from its trunk. “You summoned us, Merlin. Speak out before we lose out desire to listen.”
“The dragons are here.” Merlin spoke out. He then spat out the mucuous from his mouth. “Why can’t they leave me alone?’
“Alone, Merlin? You knew of the dragons when you came here.” The cherry tree sounded out. “Peter of Bedyr may have mentioned of the dragons when you mocked him with your antics.”
Merlin recalled the fanfare he did with the orbs then. He knew the peasants loved a colorful show and he displayed it. He was to reply when the angels spoke.
“Merlin, who do you fear them? They were…” Merlin cut short the angels with his harsh words.
“Speak not of my legacy. I had turned off that part of my life. I am Merlin the Druid among the few I was with a name but I am not a ….dragon descent.” Merlin sighed then. “You were supposed to help me. I am helping you find a King for your lands. Your people and your forest.”
“We helped you. We hid the lake for you. We diverted the enemies from your village.” The cherry tree sounded out. “But we can’t do everything. Pendragon is coming back.”
“Pendragon?” Merlin was stunned. He was not expecting Pendragon to be back so soon. The Romans have withdrawn but the Scots are at the borders. Pendragon have ridden there with his army and was to be away for another harvest or more. Merlin knew that Arthur was not ready then. He need more time.
“Arthur is not ready yet.” Merlin looked to the trees. “Can you talk to the Lady in the Lake to give him the sword?”
“The sword? Arthur rejected it. The winds carried the news to us.” The oak tree then voiced out. “Now you telling us otherwise.”
Merlin was to made another plea when the angels spoke.
“Arthur cannot just sit there at Camelot. He has to build his own reputation wider. He must build up his knights. The table can seat twelve and he is at half the number.” One of the angels spoke. Merlin was getting agitated and then he spoke up again in a louder voice.
“Settle for me a sword. If Arthur was to be known, he cannot be carrying a gladius.” Arthur then stepped to walk away. “I will build Camelot for Arthur but he needed the sword to lead the knights.”
“There is a sword. It’s in the stone. Not far from here.” One of the angels replied. “I can talk to the stones.”
1 comment:
Congrats for writing blogs for 5 years! you have amazing creativity and writing skills! Keep it up!
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