Arthur; The legend and Myth Chapter 83

83.

Arthur sat high on his saddle and looked to the formation of the enemy before him. He was familiar with their moves for he was once a Legionnaire. There were at shallow valley and the Romans were at the other side. Governor Frollo had formed his legionnaires into a ‘wedge’ formation with the main force concentrated on the middle. Arthur smiled for he was sure that the Governor had every intention to split his force and then from the wings, the cavalry will sweep from the wings and formed the pincer to pick on the enemy flankers. It was a good formation on assumption the enemy was moving to fight them but Arthur had other plans.

Arthur had not intended the war to happen despite the Governor earlier threat. They had met once more in a more private area where Arthur entertained the later.

“Our right on the land was before that of Lord Pendragon.” Arthur placed his claim forth. “He was the overlord of King Faramon then.”

“A claim which he was not entitled to it anymore given that Rome had taken Gaul.”

“Most of Gaul but not all of it. The missing stretches are these.” Arthur argued. “I was one of you and I knew the battles.”

“And you disregarded the oath to Rome now that you are the King.” Goveror Frollo cursed at Arthur.

“I am a free citizen and I chose my own to be with.” That was the last words they spoke before the battle.

“Sir Kay, bring forth the mercenaries to the fore with the foot soldiers at the flanks. They will bear the brunt of the enemy while we will ride form the wings to defeat the cavalry and then moved in with the pincer move to surround the legionnaires.” Arthur looked to the knights. “Percival will lead the right while the Black Knight on the left. I will be with the mercenaries with Tristram and Lamorak.”

“You are mad!” Lamorak cried out and then added. “Madness had always been in me.”

“No, Arthur. I forbid it. If they do form the testudo, you may be wounded.” The testudo was the Roman defensive move alike to the turtle with the packed formation covered with shields on the front and top. The spears or pilus will then appeared from the gaps in the shields to harass the enemy. The legionnaires were trained to move in unison on the command and hence the shield walls with not break in the movement.

“I know of the formation and its with my command they will be broken by us.” Arthur looked to the knights. “I am needed there for them to fight gallantly for us.”

With that command, Arthur took to the fore with the mercenaries and marched onto the enemy. He paced his march with slow trod on the mount while watching the enemy took full steps to meet him. He saw the Centurions giving out their commands while driving the legionnaires to rush up. It was a good move on the plains but in a sloping valley terrain, it was a death trap. The legionnaires reached the bottom of the valley first and then began their climb towards Arthur. Each legionnaire carried on his body the armour and weapon which was more than fifty lbs in weight. 

“Move forth on my command.” Arthur called when he picked up the pace. “Move the spears forward.”

The command was relayed to the mercenaries and then to the foot soldiers. The later rushed forth with two men each carrying the long spear made for the battle. It was an idea from the jousting. The spearmen thrust their lengthen spears into the gas between the shield. With their combined strength, they pushed the spear into the shield. Every time their thrust was deflected they pushed on. Then the call came.

“Raise them!” Arthur called out.

The spearmen then moved their aim towards the legs of the legionnaires. They struck there below the shields and the opportune moment came. The spear thrust into the leg then shattered the legionnaire formation. The testudo was undone The undone action shook the others and that distraction offered opportunity.

The first testudo unformed and the foot soldiers rushed in, and the other testudo became undone. It was what happened before.

“Form the line!’ Governor Frollo called out but the disciplined legionnaires were in the retreat then. He saw his defeat was on hand and retreated with his own command. He rode off to a grand city to seek refuge. From the walls of the city, Frollo saw his escape was blocked by the army that belonged to Arthur.

“Governor, we are not prepared for any siege?” Governor Frollo glared at the city defender’s leader. It was not a report but a plea to him. He was not wanted there.

“For the city’s sake…” The Governor looked away from the defenders to the army that have besieged the city

“Prepare my horse. I will fight Arthur by myself.”

Back at Camelot, Merlin was making progress with his research on the lions. He had taken the remains of their bones and with much tedious works he had used spells to conjure up their spirits. It was lessons he learned from the Egyptian priests on one of the soul searching trips.

“Come forth the floating spirits. Cross the dimension that separates us and be in one with us.”Merling scattered the grounded dust of the bones into the large bowl where he had placed the talisman to control the spirits. He pranced around the small table where he had placed the bowl. He then continued with his chanting on the rites of living and dying before he placed his hands into the bowl. He held onto the talisman and then felt his body quivered before it broke into a state of trance.

“You are brave for a mortal to call upon us.” The image slowly unfolded before Merlin. It was a figure of a human and yet its head was that of a lioness. “I have not invoked in any ceremony or called upon since the days when huge beasts roamed the land. They called upon me for bravery and courage in their hunts. I rewarded them the deserving ones with such qualities but the age of hunt was over. I have lain in the dark for far too long.”

“Long have you been forgotten, my …Lady. I am Merlin…”

“I heard of you and your long enduring journey here. You are one of the ancients who fell from the skies as I once did. We were of a different era but we served the same purpose. We studied and taught them to be what we were but only part could we teach. The fulfilment of ours cannot be full with them although they are …inventive and at best their curiosity led their mind.” The Lioness figure replied. So tell, Merlin as you are now named, what ail you to do call me when you once defeated the kind of mine beneath the castle.”

“If I may be allowed to defend myself. I did not defeat the dragons as the words of many have sounded but merely borrowed their lair to erect a King that was to be powerful. He had united the lands but his reaches were limited. I have now found a more notable King to do what was never completed. King…”

“King Arthur as you may considered a worthy King, and with him the wishes of the fresh water guardian, the Lady in the Lake deemed fit to hold the esteemed sword of theirs, I am sadly not impressed by him.” The Lioness figure replied with a sigh. “Arthur may be of your doing, coaxing the man to reach out with his lust towards one who was pure in the blood. You stepped in to deliver the child into a warrior who will nurture him with the skills required of a King, and then bring him forth to his so named legacy and rejoiced in his ascent as King.”

“Truly Merlin, are you that powerful to carry on your wishes for the next King? Did you see him for his flaws as I have ignored in mine when I impart my skills to those then. They were brave and courageous but were they wise and fair in their approach.” The Lioness looked at Merlin.  “Were we when we arrived here? We were superior and in many ways more knowledgeable but wiser we were not. We created a world in our image and with them we gave them the knowledge but the wiser thought of our mind was never imparted for we had little then. Those we created populated the lands and removed their challenger. We even assisted them and placed ourselves as heroes to be looked upon. Idols to be worshipped on and from their mind, we evolved to what they termed as God beings.”

“But are we? Or merely their sanctuary for the righteous of their action. In God, they waged wars. In God, they lay their life for the King. In their King, they believed he is the one who will save them. In them, who will save them when they become spirits like me?”

Merlin was taken aback by the words that were spoken by the lioness which he had called upon.

“Spirit of the Lioness, I did not come to be taught the lessons of … I merely wanted your blessing to protect the King whom I believed could do more for the land here.”

“Merlin, you betrayed yourself in your own words. Greed was your needs. You needed to have a leader placed there by yourself so that when you move on, the people may continue to look upon you as the King maker. As the true saviour of the land for you brought in not one but on this land, two great King that had united the people.” The Lioness roared. “Hail, Merlin the Great! It was Merlin who the one who resurrect Kings. Tell me, Merlin, how many have you resurrected in your journey? Ten of dozens and what of their reign?”

“I do apologies for they may not be named for they were not done by one named as Merlin. Was it other names you had then? Why not Merlin and those other names? Yes, I recalled now. Your ego stood so long as the reign was there from its rise to its setting. Once it had set, you moved on and be into your other new ego”

“It’s in your flair to do that with multiple egos of your true self. I wondered if your brethren who came with you from above. They stood well as the Fallen but you could not be associated with them for to be considered as a Fallen intimidate your mind. You disassociate yourself from them, and yet they introduce a lot of inventive items like fire but for you, the fire is you. You will light up their lives and from the cinders you will move to light another fire.”

“Enough!” Merlin shouted out. “I came for your blessings, and not to be reminded of my ….journey.”

“It’s sad to be a minion among them, Merlin. You were the youngest and weakest but your determination made you survived so long. Fear not, I will not reveal your presence. I will bless your King for the people needed one to be united but I cannot pledge my qualities to him for he is with others. He will not be perfect but he will be one that will be remembered as you were.”

“A myth or legendary but never proven to exist.” Those were the words of the Lioness.

It was just then, when Arthur had his sword pointed at the Governor’s chest. It was the command of the Governor Frollo that he faced Arthur alone in combat. He took leave of the city and rode towards the enemy. He faced Arthur and called out his challenge.

“Fight me in a duel that was of this land. We will joust with the lances and then complete with the sword. The loser shall take leave of the land and never come back.” Arthur was reluctant for he was not adept at the art of handling the lance. He was to decline when he heard the roar of the knights before him. They have cheered that the King will duel in the battle of the lance.

“Held the lance firmed and when you are sure, pushed it hard for the impact. If you are unsure, ride wide and avoid the lance.” The Black Knight advised Arthur when he was getting ready for the duel. “My horse will hold you in the saddle.”

Arthur noted the extra straps that will keep him on the saddle. It also almost took his life then. The lance held by the Governor creased his left thigh on the amour plate and Arthur fell back on his saddle. He would have fallen off if not for the straps but it also tore his left leg muscles at the shins. He cried out but by then he had ridden past the Governor. The Black Knight rushed up to Arthur but the King then was astride on the saddle. He glanced at the Governor on the far end and without a mumble then, he rode out with the lance steadied. He was in pain but the greatest pain was that he may be bested in the game he enjoyed watching. He rode hard and the clash took place. Arthur deflected the lance with his shield and with it, he slammed the shield into the Governor’s right shoulder. The blow shaken the Governor but Arthur had turned his horse then to swing the lance at the other’s back. It was an unknown move but the second blow threw the Governor off the horse. Arthur then signalled his servants to open the extra straps.

“King Arhur, you did a foul …” Arthur ignored the other and drew his sword. The Governor did the same and they clashed with it. Arthur was in rage then and he attacked with heavy blows. The Governor was in retreat then and eventually he tripped. It was then he saw himself looking at the sword at his chest.

“Let it be known that I will defend this land for I am the King.” Arthur told the Governor. “I will fight if need be the Roman Empire to defend it”

The Governor nodded and then he withdrew the Roman Legions from those lands.

“The King was reckless.” A knight among the others whispered to another.

“No, it was not the King but his ego.” The other knight replied “It’s what made him a better King.”