Arthur II Chapter 12

12. 

Master Meleagant looked at the wood mashed prints with the charcoal sketches. They were well drawn with some resemblance of dimensions and measurements. He studied the details and then frowned. He looked to the figure who was the mason to build the castle. He had wanted a villa but the mason told him, they only build castles and cathedrals. 

“And the occasional church.”

“Go ahead.” Master Meleagant nodded then. He then stepped away. The mason called on his apprentices to start away. He turned to look once more at the building that was to be his castle. It was not a complete build but a major repair over an older one. The main structures were still there; the four towers and the walls, the gates were a wreck, and so were the three building structures which were in a state of a derelict. The walls were made of stone and that will hold, but the flooring and ceiling with the roofs collapsed. Once all that was done, then the furnishings. He had arranged for the furniture from the homeland and the silverware from Gaul. He loved the design there and young Meleagant loved it.

“Master, we have sent for the recruitment of new warriors and guards. But we will be safe.” The leader of his guards, Belvedere reported to him. “I have the Centurion to stake on frequent patrols near our camp. We will be fine.”

“Have you contacted the one I asked for?”

“The Black Knight has declined your offer. I am looking at the others.” 

“It’s alright. We can do without the knight or whatever he called himself.” Master Meleagant told the guard. “We can go ahead. Where is the mason? I want a higher wall than that he had proposed. If I am under siege, I want that.”

The siege on the young man’s mind was what prompted the journey to the nearby market place. Young Meleagant was then walking past the offerings at the nearby village’s market. He was never one to get involved in his father’s workings and held his own. He was not alone; his father forbidden him that and there was one guard with him. He looked handsome in his silk clothing and finery that he had adorned on his chest. He played along with the sellers there; flirting with the admiring ladies until the wares he was looking for were seen. He approached the blacksmith and looked at the iron manacles. He took drawings from his tunic and passed it to the skill master. 

“Make that for me.” Young Meleagant then handed over the coins. “Deliver it to …” 

“The wall? I know.” The blacksmith nodded. “Do you want swords and…” 

Young Meleagant ignored the blacksmith and approached a seated figure under the shed at the far corner. The figure was bearded like many others there and clothed in a torn tunic but he stood out with the runic designs on his limbs. 

“Are you a …” Young Meleagant question was challenged.

“Are you a Man or a noble with the coins in need of guards to accompany you?” The bearded man challenged back. “You may not be the Man for you would not walk alone. As for me, I am just the old man seated here.” 

“Are you a druid?” Young Meleagant asked again. 

“What is a …. Druid? I am just an old man seated here.” The bearded man replied. “Are you ...”

“I am a Man. I am also a noble. I have guards to…” Young Meleagant was alone then. 

“Well, you better be. Three warriors want to take your life.” The bearded one told him. He then motioned to the trio standing by the blacksmith. Young Meleagant reckoned the bearded man was wrong.

“Four, old man. There are four.” Young Meleagant replied to the old man. The trio stepped up and the blacksmith had stepped in with them. The blacksmith was armed with the mace while the other three held the short sword named the gladius. 

Young Meleagant retreated and stood before the old man. The market place was then in chaos with the patrons there clearing the area. 

“Noble one, you are not invited here. Leave now.” The blacksmith called out towards Young Meleagant. “Or we will drag you out in pieces. This is not your land.” 

“I ….” Young Meleagant was interrupted by the arrival of Belvedere. 

“Leave now!” Belvedere pulled Young Meleagant to the rear. “I will handle them.” 

Young Meleagant turned to run and was on the way out of the area when he turned to see Belvedere engaged the four men. The young noble ran past the huts and then into the open land without looking back. He heard the sounds of the hoofs and ignored it. If those hoofs are the trio’s horses, he will be dead soon. He stopped and turned to look once more. He was confronted by Legionnaires. 

“Are you well, young noble?” Young Meleagant nodded. He recognized the Legionnaire. He was Galahad. 

“You are outside your boundary. You need to get back. We can offer you a ride.”

“It can’t be. We are in Britannica. It’s our land.” Young Meleagant replied. “Father told me so.” 

“Britannica is by name. It’s still their land.” Galahad reminded the younger man. “Rome had conquered theirs but we have not convinced them of it. Due to that, we are unwanted like invaders.”

“They took my coins.” Young Meleagant snapped back. “I want it to return to me.” 

“Little I can do with it. Let your guard cover your escape. We have other works to do.” Galahad replied and then rode off. 

Belvedere stood there looking at the four locals who were trying to cheat the young Master. He was unsure if they were peasants or warriors. He thought more about them later. He held in his hands the gladius and round shield. 

“Best you leave now before I am a force to kill you.” Belvedere challenged the four locals. 

“It’s four to one, barbarian. We shall have you killed today.” The blacksmith called back and then charged at Belvedere. The later sidestepped to avoid the mace aimed at his right hand. He used the shield to hit on the blacksmith in the face and then turned his body to move his sword into the belly of the blacksmith. He then pulled out the gladius and faced the other three. The trio who were more of bullies retreated leaving the dying blacksmith on the ground. Belvedere approached the blacksmith work area. He scooped out the few swords and spear there. He tied them into a bundle and then walked away with it. He met the Roman riders and spoke to Galahad. 

“The coins are with the Blacksmith. Take it for he does not need it.” Gawain who was riding with the brother dismounted and approached the dead blacksmith. He took the bag of coins. 

“This will pay for the mess he created here,” Gawain called out loud before he mounted his horse. Galahad was a loss to the claim made by his brother. He soon followed the other who rode off. Belvedere laughed at the departing brothers. 

“Coins will be the rewards of us.” 

Unseen by the Equities, hidden in the shadow was a dark figure with the face masked. He was there when the three bullies reached the corner. 

“The man fought well. He killed the blacksmith.” One of the trios voiced out. “You have to pay us extra.” 

The dark figure stepped up to the bully and stabbed him in the neck with the dagger. He then pulled it out and stabbed the second one in the heart. He turned to face the white stricken last one. 

“No one demands of the Black Knight. Carry those words to others.” The dark figure saw the bully ran off leaving his sword. The dark figure picked up the sword. It was crude but it was a weapon. He picked up the other dead bullies’ swords and then looked for the Roman. 

“I will combat you one day, Roman. So, swear the Black Knight.”