Arthur II Chapter 19

 

19.

Merlin was not one to speak freely other than being consulted or in the 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.” Lawnslot had snapped back when they met before the visit by Hengist. “I was with those fools and they are already in talks to hold an alliance with Anglo Saxons. Are we all mad?”

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

“Many forms of invaders. The Anglo Saxons, the Picts, and also the Scots when they fancy a trip down. Not forgetting the sea invaders Vikings. They used to raid at the seashores and of late; I heard they have moved inland. They are the … No, they are all the same. Merciless…” Lawnslot 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. I do not favor feasting with traitors at the meet.”

“So, the gathered have rejected Hengist’s offer.” Merlin smiled.

“Not a wise choice. Hengist holds more warriors alone compared to my gathering. It’s pathetic how the local peoples cannot be united at such time.”

“That was supposed to be mine.” Merlin reached for the item in Lawnslot’s hand. 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.” Lawnslot took another bite.

“The people here needed a King. Too many Lords and so-called Chiefs have undermined their desire to unite. They have failed to see the real outcome anymore.”

“Just like the so-called move by you for us to ally to the Romans. The Romans, bah? Tell me, Druid. Are you equally mad…”?

“Nuts? Mad? You have said them all. No, I am neither. I am Merlin the Overseeing Druid. I can see them …. 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 Anglo Saxons.”

“The invaders are also the Romans. Why allied to them and not the …others? We might as well do it with the Picts.” Lawnslot 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 soon.” 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.” Lawnslot 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.”  Lawnslot 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.” Lawnslot moved on with the subject.

“The Ghost will do it,” Merlin replied.

It was the same question raised by the Prime Pilus Artorius.

“My … friends are not that open…” Prime Artorius had invited the druid to outside the tent after an intense discussion. It was there when Merlin reflected on his decision to stop there to meet the Romans. It may seem to be a folly move by many but Merlin has 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 others as oceans apart.” Merlin replied. “I know for the truth of it, you can’t fight the invaders and the local peoples 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 has proven to be a strong adversary.”

“You are well informed, druid.” Prime Pilus 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 the Prime. “Are you able to be King?”

“Me? I am the Prime of my legionnaires. The First Cohort answers only to me.” Prime Pilus Artorius replied. “However, I do answer to my Legate which is the post is vacant now. We will await the Emperor’s decision and I may not be the one for I am the Prime Pilus. Why do you ask?”

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

“Ghost? He may be one for the local warriors considered him as their King but I doubt so with the other Chieftains.” Prime Artorius 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 Prime in the same tent they were discussing earlier.

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

“Well, it’s in a way. There are 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. It’s not easy and this is only the Cohort. We are smaller in the numbers.”

“Five or fifty or five hundred, if they like you, they will fight for you.” Prime Pilus 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 Prime 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.” Prime Pilus Artorius looked to the other. “Why the questions? Are we or am I questioned my …leadership?”

“No. I am only talking to you. After all, I am the druid of the local peoples and am entrusting them to your lives. Do they die because I trust in you or their trust in you, either way, will weigh on me? We are, after all, leaders. Not born to lead but made to lead from training and experiences. 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.” Prime Artorius took the direct approach.

“Who am I? Or who was I?” Merlin looked to the skies as he did when he was younger. His memories surfaced then.

“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 Gilead, 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 Trees 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 visions 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 Trees 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 Gilead, 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 was then impatient to lay his words before the Elders. “I am …”

“Merlin of the Dark Trees Forest, your name will not be mention by the Council after this moment. You are banished. Leave now.” Master Gilead commanded him. It was the last when Merlin saw his mentor.

The 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 the construction of a castle.

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

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

“Need not concern yourself over it. Be off, vagrant.” Merlin has been called names like that. “Move on. I got works to do.”

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

“Are you here to work or else leave?” Merlin saw it was the person standing there in the red cloak and satin blouse with the gold embedded belt on the waist. He reckoned the figure to be the Lord of the uncompleted castle. It was also unmistakable by their manners; arrogant beside 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 the 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 a gift for your new bride.”

“How did you know of my name?” Lord Gorlois confronted the druid.

“The name of Lord Gorlois is well spoken of in his land. He builds the castle for his coming wedding to Lady Igraine.” It was what Lord Gorlois had wished for.  His wedding was due soon and without a castle. He will be laughed at by the others. He needed that but the darn castle will not come up. Every time they set the foundation on the sea walls; the walls 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 defense. 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 motion 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 movement and formed an image of a huge lion. It roared at the guards causing them to retreat before they turned to run.

“Fools!” Lord Gorlois turned to look at the druid. “Are you brave enough to admit defeat if you cannot get the foundation up?”

“Would you admit defeat if I win?” Lord Gorlois stood his ground despite his shifting look at the lion which soon dissipated. The Lord himself nodded to the druid.

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.

“Be one and leave here. Stay on with the Lake.” Once he has done that, Merlin made his way out. He was met by the guards with their swords leveled 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 shape the lives of the few others. “You are a druid. I disliked the 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 was that one he met that day with Lord Gorlois.

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