Arthur II; Artorius; The Legend and Myth Chapter 21 & 22

Allies and Enemies

Historical News

The Battle of Badon was believed to be the main battle that define Arthur’s fame and the victory over it, deterred the Anglo Saxon from invading the isle for some years.

21.

Merlin was not one to speak freely other than being consulted or in needs of the time. He had explained the strategy to the Romans and why they need the alliance of the local people but not all was agreeing to it.

“You are a fool, druid.” Lancelot had snapped back. “I was just there with those fools and they are already in the alliance with them. Are we all mad?”

“We are ….not all mad. We are just desperate.” Merlin was then at his spot by the pond when Lancelot rode in with frustration in his mind. “The land had seen …”

“Many forms of invaders. The Anglo Saxons , the Picts and the also the Scots when they fancy a trip down. Not forgetting the sea invaders Vikings. They used to raid at the sea shores and of late, I heard they have moved inland. They are the .,…No, they are all the same. Merciless…” Lancelot had brought the sack of wine and food, and he was indulging in them. He took a major chunk of the cheese in one bite. He saw Merlin staring at him. “I am hungry. They did not serve food or drinks there at the meet.”

“That was supposed to be mine.” Caerphilly was a hard crumbly white cheese from the namesake in Wales. “It’s home made and ….”

“It’s not yours anymore. I am eating it.” Lancelot took another bite. “Just like the so called move by you for us to allied to the Romans. Are you…”

“Nuts? Mad? You have said them all. No, I am neither. I am Merlin. I can see the ….coming events with clarity. And that cheese will survive us all.” Merlin looked to the dwindling cheese. “It may however not survive if we leave ourselves vulnerable to the invaders.”

“The invaders are also the Romans. Why allied to them and not the …others?” Lancelot snapped off another chunk. “Damn, am I hungry or this cheese is good?”

“You are both. We need both. The Romans are the better bet. They are already leaving our land.” Merlin finally voiced out. “I saw the…..”

“Your vision of the future? Yes, I have heard of them. And assuming that, then we will be freed of them.” Lancelot placed the cheese down. He had then woofed down a chunk of bread. “They leave and we are….”

“Arthur will unite the lands.” Merlin laid that line as if it was the next prophecy.

“Arthur….Who is this….Oh, yes. You did mention that. He is the Roman leader. That part baffles me. How could a Roman be here when the Legions is leaving us soon.”  Lancelot reached for the bottle of wine. “Red? I like that.”   

“I have told him that Arthur will be the one who will unite us.” Merlin sighed. He disliked speaking to the ungifted and more so repeating himself.

“And assuming I go with your plan, how could I convince the others to see your way.” Lancelot moved on with the subject.

“The Ghost will do it.” Merlin replied. It was the same question raised by Artorius.

“My … friends are not that open…” Artorius had invited the druid to outside the tent after an intense discussion. It was there when Merlin reflected on his decision  to step there to meet the Romans, It may seems to be a folly move by many but Merlin have faith in his visions.

“Your officers are expected. I was with the Ghost and he held the same views. We are …only seas apart and yet, we see other as oceans apart.” Merlin replied. “I know for the truth of it, you can’t fight the invaders and the locals alone. The Legion is already leaving back for Gaul. The Emperor feared the Gaul for they are kept apart by a mountain range. They could cross it, looking for the mountain trail or sailed down the coasts. More to it, the Gaul have proven to be strong adversary.”

“You are well informed, druid.” Artorius looked at the elderly figure. “Perhaps the tales were right. The druids held special powers.”

“The druids are also King makers and advisers to many great Kings on their empire.” Merlin looked to Artorius. “Are you able to be King?”

“Me? I am the King of my legionnaires. The First Cohort answers only to me.” Artorius replied. “However I do answer to my Legate and then to the Emperor. So that makes me….a Lord or Baron if I was in the other lands. Why do you ask?”

“Brittanica needs a King.” Merlin looked at Artorius. “There are many Lords and namesake Kings but not one that could rule them all as their King. I am looking at that King.”

“Ghost? He may be one but I doubt so.” Artorious shrugged his shoulders and then looked at Merlin. “Do you know of one?”

Merlin looked away. He was not one to give it away unless the taker was willing. He trusted his vision and it needed time. He looked to the legionnaires camped there. Many of them were surprised at his arrival; an elderly figure dressed in the tatters and having those designs on his body walking without a care. He ignored them all and none challenged him then. He had approached the Primus in the same tent they were discussing earlier.

“Primus, is it hard to be a leader?” Merlin asked of him.

“Well, it’s in a way. There are the responsibilities to the ones that served you. You can’t be too ….extreme on all matters or they will retaliate in other manners. I have to see their welfare, the training and above all, their loyalty to me. Its not easy and this is only the Cohort. We are smaller in the numbers.”

“Five or fifty or fiver hundred, if they like you they will fight for you.” Artorius took the time then to reflect on his leadership. “I have maintained the same fairness to all.”

“Fine quality but what about handling the equal ranks or the one above you.” Merlin asked. “I am ever curious.”

“It’s a fine art to handle the equal. As the Primus of the First Cohort, I do get resentment from the other Centurions. We may be of the same Legion but we do hold our grudges or at times, envy for the others.” Artorius looked to the other.

“Why the questions? Are we or am I questioned to my …leadership?”

“No. I am only talking to you. After all, I am the leader of the locals, and am entrusting them to you their lives. Do they die because of my trust in you or their trust in you either way will weigh on myself. We are after all, leaders. Not born to lead but make to lead. The fall and rise of our battles are upon us.”

“Then tell, Druid. Who are you? I have heard tales of you. Tell me of yourself.” Artorius took the direct approach.

22.

“Merlin, your inclinations towards those visions are unacceptable by us.” Merlin then younger of age stood there in clearing at the dark forest looked to the small fireplace where he was among the thirteen others being summoned for the meet of the druids. He was the youngest then at the fifth decades of his life journey and compared himself to the oldest then was over a hundred and ten in years. He stood there with his feet shuffling at the uneasy movements while his role as the druid was hanging in balance over his head.

“Master Gildad, I plea with three to release me of this offending ….”

“Offending, Young Merlin. We are here to discuss your role as our member of the Dark Forest. You have been offending the elders here with your visions. You have…” Merlin had to cut in then.

“Offending them when what I did was show them the visions. Those vision showed our defeat to the Romans. It was only fair that I share it with them and the people. Life’s could be saved if they are told early and leave for the hills or forest to hide.”

“Like cowards, Merlin? Do you take us for that? We the druids of the Dark Forest. We have led the nation of Gaul for generations. We taught them warfare and work on the weather to get them food. How dare you accuse us cowardice?”  

“Master Gildas, you are missing the point. I was talking of defeat to the Romans, and you talk of the Gaul as if I accused them of cowardice. I was not but we will lose.” Merlin then impatient to lay his words before the Elders. “I am …”

“Merlin of the Dark Forest, your name will not be mention by the Council after this moment. You are banished. Leave now.” Master Gildas commanded him. It was the last when Merlin saw his mentor. t banishment required him to leave the continent. During his journey out, he was sure that there were the spirits that were trailing him making sure he does not turn back. He reached the sea and crossed the channel. He landed on the other side and took his wanderings until he chanced on a construction of a castle.

“I don’t care. I want the castle built.” Merlin heard the argument on the sea wall. He looked at the departing figure and smiled. He then approached the mason. The later was agitable and did not bother to look at Merlin.

“Are you building over the sea wall? I know how it may work.”

“Need not concern yourself over it….. vagrant.” Merlin have been called names like that. “Move on. I got works to do.”

Merlin ignored the mason and proceeded to sea wall. He walked the wall and studied the sea waves. He looked at the wall once more and watched the waves hit the wall. He then smiled.

“Are you here to work or else leave.” Merlin saw it was the Lord. It was unmistakable by their manners; arrogant and the dressing.

“Are you the Lord that wanted the castle built?” Merlin looked at the Lord. The guards with the Lord stepped up but the Lord stopped them.

“Can you do something? You looked like a Druid.”

“There are a pair of dragons that dwell here. You are bringing conflict to their lair. They are not happy.” Merlin explained. The Lord laughed and then stepped away.

“Kill the vagrant. And tossed him into the sea.” The Lord instructed the guards. “Do cut out his liver. My hounds have not a feed as yet.”

“Hold on your …hound’s hunger. I can feed them bones later once I appeased the dragons. And you will have your castle.” Merlin replied. “Lord Gorlois. As gift for your new bride.”

It was what Lord Gorlois had wished for.  His wedding was due soon and without a castle. He will be laughed on by the others. He needed that but the darn castle will not come up. Every time they set the foundation on the sea wall, the wall will collapse within the week. He had changed masons on the tasks and lives were lost in the works. He was upset that his new bride was such a pain.

“Kill him.” Lord Gorlois voiced out. The guards stepped up but Merlin was not without any defence. He chanted a spell and then reached into his tunic with the right hand to pull out the wand. He swung it in a circular move and then pointed it at the guards. Unseen by the guards, Merlin had his left hand to the bag he had on his shoulder and removed the small vial. He poured out the content to the wind. The content took on its own movement and formed an image of a huge lion. It roared at the guards causing them to retreat before they turned to run.

“Are you brave enough to admit defeat if you cannot get the foundation up?” Lord Gorlois stood his ground despite his shifting look at the lion.

All it took was Merlin was to descend the sea wall to the lower area where the waves were snapping at the wall. He spotted the area earlier. There was a hole there and he descended there. It was a small hole but he was able to squeeze through. It was narrow but the distance to crawl was short and his emancipated frame made it easier. He was soon at the inner chamber. It was a small chamber carved out of the stones level there. Merlin pushed himself up and then looked for the items he was to find. He found it.

“Hello, my pets.” It was a cluster of bones. Two clusters to be exact. Merlin placed them together and did the unexpected. He stepped on the bones crushing the bones while he did the new chant. It was a unification chant for the dragons to unite. Once he done that, Merlin made his way out. He was met by the guards with their swords levelled at him.

“Tell the Lord it’s done.” Merlin then muttered a prayer for himself. He was then met by the Lord.

“I am Lord Gorlois.” A name that was to shaped the lives of the few others.

“You are a druid. I disliked them most.” Lord Gorlois then turned to look at his guards. He then motioned to his guards. “Lord Pendragon, you know that too.”

The younger Lord then stepped up and smiled at the druid. He had those named druids serving him before. He was the Lord with their help. They are useful and so were that one he met that day with Lord Gorlois.

‘Druids? I like them.” Lord Pendragon smiled.