Dante Book 1 Canto IV Scene 2

 

Scene 2

 

The walk was long across the listless terrain as if like a walk in the vast desert without the sun as a guide but a worn-out path. Dante saw many souls that had taken to rest or rather stop in their walk and sat by the path. They were just lazing there and without a sound or expression as to their next move.

“Yes, some just could not believe in themselves to move on and decide to stay here.” The new Virgil explained. “It's not easy to get on the path in Limbo if you are … without faith in your path. Let me recite you a poem much after my generation and long before yours.

As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air;
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherits, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind: we are such stuff
As dreams are made of, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.

William Shakespeare, from Tempest.

“That was Shakespeare's poem from the Tempest. I don’t understand the relevance here,” Dante said.

“These are the weaker of the once-living flesh. They claimed to hold their faith in themselves and it wanes by their view, they are listless here.” Aeneas told Dante. “They are the unsure souls of where they truly want to do or have no real faith.”

“You mean they were not given the choice of faith. Unbelievers?”

“No, unexposed to any will be the word. They knew no Gods but themselves, or hold no true faith in any. They think life is a reprieve to living, and once it was over, they slipped onto sleep once more maybe to awake later or never. They were in limbo then and will be here.”

“Then why they were not at the abyss before we reached the river? The ones with the Angels that held no sides in the War.” Dante questioned back.

“I don’t know but when you do have that answer, do tell me. I am as eager to know that. After all, I am like many parts alike them.”

“Were they ever redeemed? God is ever forgiving.”: Dante expressed his belief that God was kind.

“Is there God? I won’t know but I heard that some were taken up at some places but I was not here long enough. Do let me know. That is my second question.” It was then Virgil then led Dante to what appeared to be a small clump of trees. It may appear as trees with the leaves but the trees were dull as if it was man-made. It was lifeless like everything in Limbo.

“We are near my home here but we have some friends to meet here. Do join us there.” Dante was led to a gathering nearby. “Here you will find more questions. These are all …. Revelled persons when alive for their inquisitive minds. They are searching for answers and till here, they strive in it. They have their faith in what they could interpret and none of not what. Some did in their way.”

“Meet the revelled ones. Anyway, they were then, and in here, they are lost, souls.” Virgil introduced Dante to the gathered. “Gentlemen, I bring you, Dante.”

There were four seated there, dressed in the plain frock, and sandals. All of them were untidy and like Aeneas, their hair unkempt. One of the four stood up and approached Dante.

“I am most pleased to finally meet you.” Aeneas had bored me with your so-called arrival and finally, you are here.” The figure offered his right hand towards Dante. “Yαῖρε” (chaîre)” (It was the way the ancient Greeks greet the other.). Dante took hold of the hand and smiled.

“I am Homer. You may know me for I am told you are a learned person as I was told.”

Homer, presumed the author of the fabled poems Illiad and Odyssey. It was the two epics that marked his fame but little was known of him. The two poems however formed the basis of knowledge for mankind's study from then till the early age of Christianity. It was too influenced the learnings of scholars to the age of the Renaissance in Italy. The text of the poems was an ancient source for morals and at times the guidance to the perception of life.

“Meet my friends, Horace, Ovid, and Lucan.”

Quintus Horatius Flaccus or Horace as known to many, was a lyric poet, satirist under Emperor Augustus. His famous works were the Satires’ documenting Octavian’s challenges of restoring traditional morality, and other attempts on the displacement of ranks. The Satires often exalt the new man, who is the creator of his fortune and does not owe it to noble lineage. 

“I am honored.” Horace steps forth to embrace Dante. “My other counterparts and geniuses in their life too.”

“It's a kindness that the mind can go where it wishes.” Ovid or Publius Ovidius Naso wrote “The Poems of Exile: Tristia and the Black Sea Letters”. Do call me Ovid. I am ever at your service.”

“You wrote Metamorphoses or the Books of Transformation consists of fifteen books, and over two hundred and fifty so named myths chronicle the history of the world from its creation to the deification of Julius Caesar. It was to inspire the works of many others in the age.

“The works surprised even me. I once wrote “or that writing a poem you can read to no one is like dancing in the dark.” (The Poems of Exile: Tristia and the Black Sea Letters.). “Alas, I was wrong. There are many readers of my poems.” Ovid smiled. “Here is my other friend.”

“I am Lucan or rather my name is Lucian but call me Lucan.” The last of the gathered approached Dante. “I am no famed poet but more of a satirist. I tend to be witty and critique in my works.”

“I read your words. Your satire on the Gods was amusing.” Dante recalled the poet that wrote the Dialogues of the Gods. “I am Dante….”.

“A learned person, we are told with a penchant to question ancient texts and interpret their works despite the advancement in the learning given the tools then in your age, but the mind maps its understanding. Wonderful anatomy of creation, and yet we used only a nominal part of it in our journey.” It was Lucan who then smiled. “Pardon me for my rendering to your introduction but I am after all a satirist and I take every view with a ‘pinch of sale’.”

“Homer, we are far too long here and our meeting with the ones after our generations has widened our pick of words. Even here in Limbo, we are still expanding our mind.” Lucan laughed.  

“None at all. I am. I am intrigued… No, I am flattered to meet the four of you.” Dante humbled himself.

“And you wished to know why are we here?” Homer added to Dante’s words. “We are not lost. We are rather not ready yet to move on unless we learned of our true purpose inside what transpires in our soul. You, however, may go on. For the Empress, I am told. For the love as I could feel in the telling. For yourself, for I can see that you are like us, searching for the … knowledge. I had the needless war between the Gods and its worshippers.”

“Rage—Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles,
murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses,
hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls,
great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion,
feasts for the dogs and birds, and the will of Zeus was moving toward its end.”

(https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/iliad/quotes/)

“I…” Dante was again lost for words.

“Don’t be, Dante. You are up against the master of words. All of us have written more words than you ever understand.” Lucan smiled.

“I do have a question for Homer.” Dante looked to Homer. “What …How do much do you know of the Underworld? You wrote on it. Or rather what inspired you? Yet you are deprived of sight, what did you see?”

“There is nothing alive more agonized than man / of all that breathe and crawl across the earth.”
― Homer, The Iliad.

“I wrote that in Iliad but did my sightless makes me any …or rather unable to write?” Homer smiled. “Not many have tried to learn of my origin, had queried my blindness. Maybe being blind, gave me an insight unseen by the others. In the journey of life, we hold onto our five senses to learn yet when we are down without any, we believed them to compensate with the others. What if there were none, does that mean we are …. dead? I explore those that were in me, living, and question death. Did it all die too?”

“Arrogance of the living to make assumptions. Well, I did not but explore my senses. There are more than five senses.” Homer smiled. “I sensed the other things that we failed to do. I sensed life in its total existence, and that includes the afterlife. I dictated Odyssey for it was a good start to knowing life. The wholesome….”

Homer laughed.

“It was truly wholesome; Zeus had his children taking sides and battling like the kids they were, or still was. The Greeks have a fascinating imagination.” Homer paused and they motioned to Lucan. “His influence had got into me.”

“Yes, the Greeks were fascinated with the creation of heroes and heroine revealed by many for ages. I took on my part of the tale to give my insight into living and after living was a part of it. If one had read it miraculously in its true words, you will learn life lessons.”

“Tell me more. I want to hear it.” Dante said.

“Not on this journey, Dante. We have a journey to take. I can’t leave you here with them. It will take an eternity to know what they have to talk about.” Virgil pulled Dante away. It was Homer who then invited Dante to the abode where the great minds lived.

“I must see them.” Dante was excited. The four poets then led Dante and Virgil on the new path.

 

Dante Book 1 Canto IV Scene 1

 

Canto IV

The First Circle; Limbo

Scene 1

 

Dante woke up and hearing the loud thundering noise. He found himself on the ferry, among the other souls that were there on their journey to the Underworld. He reached for his chest vest and noticed that it was emptied of its content except for Virgil which was silently hidden inside. He then turned to look and saw the ferryman. The ferry was a narrowboat that resembled the ancient Viking boat, with the high helm carved with the image of Cerebus, the three-headed canine beasts of the Underworld.

It was Phelygas.

Dante joined the Ferryman at the stern. The latter was holding the long oar to steer the ferry.

“Stay down, living one. It's hard as it’s for me to steer on this fast-flowing water.” Phelygas called out while he moved the oar to the left to steer the ferry off on the new course. “The river is a nasty one; its water rapid like that of the wild winds, and the huge boulders in its track, makes one wonder if Hell does not like to invite the souls here.”

“I thought they have paid their passage.” Dante clung to the boat side while he sat next to Phelygas. He saw for himself the fast-flowing river as if in rage that was only seen in the scorn of a lady when in anger. The water splashed onto the ferry and made everyone seated there wet.

“What happened to me back there? I remember …”

“Virgil killed you. He made you die then. When you are dead, you get to be ferried across. I am doing what…is my task.” Phelygas sighed. “Virgil, Anneas, and some you will meet later there when we land. All of you are truly mad.”

Dante had then looked at the river. They were sailing at the edge of a waterfall to the deep abyss and the ferry was diagonal to the flow of the river. And it was not a river of water and there were souls that he saw in it, reaching out with their hands to the ferry.

“We are sailing across the river flow. That what makes these trips dangerous but needed. Only Charon knows the smoother sail path.” Phelygas told Dante when he saw the other looking at the flow.

“There are others…” Dante’s words were swallowed by the huge wave that swept the ferry over the bow. A few of its occupants were swept overboard.

“They…”

“They are swallowed by the river. It's the nature of the river to take some souls on every trip. It fills the river with their souls, hence the rage in it for the souls will be doomed here for eternity. That’s why you must cling to my legs so that you don’t get pulled off too.”

True to Phelygas’s words, the next wave came and Dante was covered by the water, or rather he felt hands tugging at him to pry him off the ferry. He had wrapped his arms around Phelygas’s left leg and prayed hard to survive the ordeal. The water was soon washed off and Dante was still on board.

“Bloody good, I was activated.” It was Virgil. “I gave them selfish souls a blast into their souls. The sonar works well in the water.”

Dante breathes in a sigh of relief and it was then Phelygas called out.

“We are here. Everyone to disembark.”

Here was a lifeless, or rather a dull place. It was a small jetty and there was nothing there, but the souls disembarked. It was a vast flat terrain with nothing of any interest except for a well-trodden path.

“Well, it ain’t the yellow brick road but takes it for it will lead you to Hell,” Phelygas told the souls there. “Your ride is over now.”

The remaining souls took the walk on the path to the flat horizon beyond, but not Dante.

“Where are we? Dante asked Phelygas.

“Fifth level of Hell, or rather the first circle of Hell. They called it Limbo. Don’t expect much and you will be fine.”

“Circle? First? What do I do here?” Dante asked.

“Find your love then. Consider it like the huge world you lived in before. You are now in the first spot of your adventure. Now proceed.” Phelygas said. “Virgil, wake up and guide him.”

Virgil activated and then replied.

“I can’t or rather won’t be able. I have not been here this far in the Underworld. Aeneas left me before the river trip. It’s all new to me here.”

“Then, the two of you ought to have ….some adventure then. I have to be off. My stopover is only temporary and like the two of you, I have not ventured beyond this point.” Phelygas then board the ferry and rowed off. Dante looked at the then hovering orb.

“What do you see?”

“Nothing. All emptiness.”

“Perhaps not.” That voice came from the right side of Dante. “Virgil, you took your time. I was thinking that you will not return after all.”

It was Aeneas.

Or rather the soul of Aeneas.

“Creator, you are here.” Virgil hovered over. Aeneas looked to Dante and then told him what was to happen.

“Virgil will be in…the passive mode while I will lead up from here. You may address me as Virgil as it was my mind that created the orb and now I am the orb mind. I will lead you to Limbo.”

“Wait! You made …--- no, it selected me here?” Dante asked.

“Yes, in a matter of logical selection based on your inquisitive mind but my selection was also influenced by the Empress. She asked for you. Her exact words were that you will find her in the next dimension. She believed in you and whatever you have with her will transpire through forever.” Aeneas replied. He appeared in the figure dressed in the plain frock and sandals as if he was at rest in his home at ancient Greece. Aeneas looked older than Dante; more into his eighties of age, and his hair on the top of his head was creamy white and the beard on his chin was unkempt. It was his eyes that kept Dante’s focus; sunken and staring with the gleam that only the inquisitive person will hold when in focus on a task.

“Honestly, I don’t understand that reasoning but many couples do and I am not one. I was never engaged in the realm of love.” Aeneas continued. “I am here to see for myself the new realm or dimension, but I died. Hence, my soul had my other plan in place and I was hoping it will work which it did. You are here now.”

“A living soul in the dimension called the Underworld.” Dante mumbled and then he asked.

“Is Beatrice dead?”

“Very much so in the other realm but here I am not sure here. You could find out.” Aeneas told Dante. “And do call me Virgil.”

“Shall we walk then, Dante? It’s a long walk but one worth taking. I was told we have to pass through nine circles where the sins of ours are punished.’

 

 

 

Arthur II Book IV Chapter 19

 

19.

Guinevere was not allowed to speak and she could not for she was gagged with a cloth. She had not seen Arthur present her argument but was led to the chamber. She was latched inside it. She called for the King and even the druid but no one responded towards her.

At dawn, Guinevere was released but led to the settlement. She was gagged and taken there to the hastily stake with the pile of woods. She struggled to break loose but her guards held her tight. The gathered saw the stake and assumed it was a witch but they were momentarily shocked when they saw it was the Queen.

“Witch!” The chant went out and then the tossing of the rotten vegetables and fruits. The King had forbidden the stones but some were thrown. It was not the same inside the Hall at Camelot.

“Arthur.” Belvedere had ridden through the night to arrive there. He wanted to make it to see if Arthur was sane. “The Queen is loved by her people.”

“And I am the King. I will not be made a fool.” Arthur sat at the round table. The seats remained empty but there were knights there.  He looked at the gathered.

Belvedere stood there impatiently waiting for some others to speak...

Tristan who rode there with Belvedere stood there too.

Gawain and Gaheris stood there too.

The Green Knight and Mordred had just arrived but Lancelot was not there.

The others unnamed stood at the walls or the doorways.

All the knights were in their armor.

“Why are all of you in your armored suit? Do you all fear Lancelot? Well, I am not in your group.”

“I do not fear him.” It was Mordred who spoke. Jaseth held out his hand to stop the young knight.

“Well spoken, knight but you have met him once, and he wounded you, Does the wound still hurt? Arondight does that. So do Excalibur.” Arthur looked at the seats. “Please be seated.”

None took the seats.

“Shall we see to the Queen then?” Arthur got up and walked out. He did not wear his armor then but he has Excalibur on his belt waist. The walk was long for the pace they took was slow but when they settled, they saw the Queen tied to the stake. She stood high above the gathered. Guinevere saw Arthur and struggled harder. Arthur saw her predicament but he ignored her. He turned to address the gathering.

“The lady here had betrayed my trust and my ascent of her standing to Queen. She was discovered to practice witchcraft. She may have hexed me with it. She is in works with a knight named Lancelot. They were the closest to me yet they betrayed my trust.”

“The lady will be …” The gathered was distracted than when the shouts of the Black Knight. The knights surrounded themselves on Arthur. The Black Knight rode up to the stake and then demanded that the lady be brought down.

“No! She will burn,” Arthur called out. “Lit the fire now.”

The woods were set on fire and Lancelot drew his sword. He was met by Tristan first. They exchanged blows but Lancelot was in a hurry to stop the burning. He dismounted and then swung his sword at Tristan which the other had blocked but Lancelot was quick to twist the blade and slapped Tristan’s right wrist.  Tristan dropped his sword.

“Be off before I removed your head,” Lancelot told the knight. He then sidestepped when he saw Belvedere rushed at him. He retreated but his attention was on the burning fire.

“For the sake of the Queen, stop the fire.” Somehow Lancelot's call was heeded. The fire was smothered then by an unknown cause.

“What happens to the fire?” Arthur called out. It also distracted Belvedere. It was then Lancelot charged at the knight. His body slammed into the huge knight at the right shoulder. His slam pushed the huge knight off. Lancelot knew his mode of attack was to unbalance the knight. It had worked before and it worked then. He had his sword at Belvedere’s chest closed to the heart.

“Desist or die.” Belvedere knew that he was defeated.

“Death will be yours.” Lancelot retreated once more when he felt another attack was imminent. The Elf sword had barely missed him. He looked at the attacker.

“You are the young one. I see that you have improved.” Lancelot attacked back with his sword. Mordred retreated while blocking the attack. His leg ached and he limped backward. Jaseth saw his retreat and rushed to aid the young knight but Gaheris was ahead.

Gaheris rushed in with his sword. He saw the opening and took it. The move by Gaheris was fast and impacted Lancelot’s left arm. Lancelot retreated in pain and looked at Gaheris who caused him pain.

“You will pay for it.” Lancelot looked at Gaheris, He attacked hard at Gaheris. The latter retreated and was tripped over on the wood there, He stumbled and Lancelot attacked. The move was swift and Arondight plunged into the knight’s chest.

“Gaheris!” Gawain saw the attack on his brother. He rushed forward but the whole commotion moved to the stake then.

“She is free.” The gathered called out. Guinevere had climbed down from the smoldering woods.  She grabbed the reins of Lancelot’s horse and mounted it. She called to Lancelot to join her. He did as request and then they rode off. Gawain had reached his brother but the latter was dying.

“Seek Galahad. He will know what to do.” Gaheris told Gawain in his dying whispers “And tell Elaine, I do love her.”

Arthur had stormed back to the hall at Camelot castle. He was enraged and saw the druid there.

“You stop the fire, druid. Why?”

“She does not love you anymore but to burn her like a witch. It was undeserving.” Merlin looked at Arthur. “You are irrational in your mind.”

“I loved her. I made her Queen. She was liked by the people. But she betrayed my love for my best knight. The latter stood by me at my side in this Hall and battle. Why did they do it?”

“I don’t know. I never know the ladies.” Merlin replied. He had bad experiences with them too.

“Forget it. I am leaving for war tomorrow.” Arthur told the druid. “Take care of Gaheris.  He is a good knight.”

“I will.” The Druid accepted the task.

Arthur II Book IV Chapter 18

 

18

Percival held the cloth that was wrapped in the Grail in his left hand. He had wanted to unwrap it but he dared not do it. He heard that the Grail was a goblet; some said it was a wooden crafted one with no design on it. And another said it was a golden chalice.

“Are you going to hold it for long? We must return to Camelot.” It was Lord Bors who told him. “Arthur will expect us.”

“No, it must be returned to Sarras,” Percival told Lord Bors. “We will do it now.”

“No. It will go to Camelot. It was requested by Arthur.” Lord Bors snapped back. “Have you forgotten your task?”

“My task was to find the Grail. I did that and now my task is to return it to Sarras. It was loaned to my family and now be sent back.” Percival explained. “We need to find a ship to sail to Sarras.”

“Not any ship. It must be the Corbenic.” Adrine had approached Percival. “You will find the ship moored at the coasts. Sail there to Sarras. The Corbenic will know the way.”

“Why the Corbenic?” Percival asked.

“The ship was constructed by King Solomon years ago with the wood from the tree that his lover had planted here. It’s the only ship to sail there.”

“Isn’t Sarras a port that many ships may have sailed to?” Lord Bors asked.

“This ship is the only one that could dock in the assigned area of Sarras,” Ferrin said.

“How do you know so much of it?” Percival asked.

“I was the earlier ones to sail with Joseph here on it,” Ferrin replied. “I am its Captain.”

“We will leave now,” Percival told the others. Galahad had not spoken a word followed but Lord Bors was all upset. He was not to challenge the two knights nor was he to see the Grail unwrapped.

It was Morgause then who have opened the package given by her sister, Morgan. It was a dark suit sewn by the Elves and it was body-hugging from neck to legs. For her feet, she had on leather boots to knee height. She was given a hat with foot-long double horns on the forehead with the tail that trailed down her back.

“It fits you, Sister.” Morgan smiled. She had on a similar suit and boots but her shade was crimson red, and her hat was a fan above her head above her by a foot in a radius like a sunrise.

“We been here for on one season and on the other side, it’s only …. a few days that passed there. “Morgan told her sister.

“And I am given a lifetime of punishment on the ladies of the Lake. I will enjoy that.” Morgause smiled. “I am fully recovered. I am also imprinted with many new spells.”

“Remember this, Sister, Vivianne is mine and mine alone. I will deal with her my way but you can have Merlin. He is a small one to handle.”  

“Kill whoever you want but don’t hurt two I wanted to be protected. He is the Green Knight and Mordred.” Morgan said.

“So, he is the ….” Morgause was hurled to the rear by the spell thrown by Morgan. Morgause picked herself up and then stared at Morgan.

“If you ever do that again, I may forget that you are my sister,” Morgause said.

“Just get ready to leave here. Arthur is leaving Camelot for another of his war. We need to prepare. When Arthur is away, we will act.” Morgan turned away. She does not fear Morgause. It would be Morgause to fear her. The potion she administered in Morgause will take time but the antidote is with her and it's needed repeatedly.

Just like sex, when you are young, it can be more frequent. Or none.

“Are you spent?” Elaine asked herself. She sat up and then looked at the knight lying next to her. They had been at it for some time and efforts were time-consuming.  

“I need the mead now.” Gaheris sat up and smiled. “It was good. Thank you.”

“Did you solve the killings?” Elaine asked.

“Yes, I found them,” Gaheris replied. “They are done for.:”

“Then our arrangement is over. You go your way and I will be on mine.” Elaine stood up and in her naked from she walked to her clothes. She grabbed the gown and wore it.

“Are we over then?” Gaheris stood up and retrieved his tunic. He discovered his gladius missing. He looked around and then saw Elaine holding it. She did not hesitate and thrust it at him but he sidestepped and grabbed the sword. He pulled it off her hands.

“It was not how I will end our relationship.” Gaheris looked at Elaine. “Why the sudden change of mind? Was it the love or the killings?”

“It was …. both. It’s all over between us.”

“Did Lancelot return? He may be joining Arthur in the new war. I am to go but I have declined.” Gaheris told Elaine. “Lancelot may not be going to. I will have him removed. I know where he is hiding and with whom. Will that pleased you to know?”

Elaine looked at the knight. She drew on a smile. She then pulled her gown off before him. She may just enjoy the love there.

Enjoyment was ignored and forgotten by Vivianne when she felt the vibrations that went up to her spine. She knew of only one that may do that to her.

“Morgause is back,” Vivianne called on the other ladies. They gathered there in the chamber and Vivianne need not share her concern. They all felt Morgause return.

“No one is to be alone. We will stay together and be vigilant.” Vivianne looked at the other ladies to one is to come here.”

“Vivianne, Merlin is calling for you,” Nimue told her. “He has been calling for you.”

“I know but I ignored him,” Vivianne replied. “He has been the cause of all this.”

“He may be but he may be the only one that could help us.” Nymue cut in. “He can be our first contact with her. Morgause will seek him first.”

Lancelot had rushed to seek Guinevere. He had words from the friar that they were discovered. If he knew then Arthur will know sooner.

Or he did.

Guinevere was not there. She had not arrived but the friar was seen rushing towards Lancelot.

“I heard that the Queen will be burned at the stake tomorrow. They also sought you too. You are to hang for treason. Those were the orders of the King.”

“Get me my Black armor. I will ride to claim her for …. Sir Lancelot.” The knight told the friar.

Vivianne was shocked that Merlin told her about the Queen.

“The Queen to burn at the stake? That punishment is for witches and the Queen is not one. But why then trouble me with it?” Vivianne looked at Merlin.

“The Queen is not herself. Can you offer her sanctuary?”

“What? Here in the Lake? Like what I did for you? No more, Merlin. I will not offer her sanctuary. She can find it with her lover.”

“You knew of her rendezvous then.” Merlin looked at her.

“I do but I am not to get involved in the affairs of …… such nature,” Vivianne told the Druid. “I am above them now.”

“Look to your humanity, Vivianne. Please I beg of you.”

“No more, Merlin. I had enough of you. Leave me for I have the Le Fay sisters. They are back.”

“I know and that is another reason I am here. We need to work together to battle the sisters together.” Merlin pleaded.

“Don’t plea with me. You have Excalibur also Arondight. Use them.” Vivianne told him.
 

Arthur II Book IV Chapter 17

 

17.

Percival replaced the case on the fireplace at the Hall and then turned to look at the two knights that rode with him. The eight sisters of witches stood a distance away.

“The Grail is not in there. Only my parent’s ashes. They burned my parent’s head and kept the ashes in it. Even that is gone now, scattered to the winds.” Percival sighed. “Only the case remains.”

“I want to see it for real.” Lord Bors stepped up and Galahad stopped him.

“I believe Percival’s words. Do not add misery to his memory.” Galahad said.

“No, Galahad. Let him see.” Percival then looked at the sisters while Lord Bors peeked into the case. It was empty.

“Tell me, witches. You may know where the Grail is.” Percival looked at Adrine. “Do it to be released of the oath you may have with my family.”

“It’s in the knoll wrapped in the cloth that was used on Jesus when they recovered his body. It may not be unwrapped here but in Sarras where it came from. The curse that carried with it as if it’s unwrapped here, the Grail will be lost…. forever.”

“Why Sarras?” Galahad asked.

“It was said only the worthy person will able to hold it there.”

“Then fetch me the Grail. I command you.” Percival called out.

“We can’t just go there. On our last journey there, we had to battle them to get the spear. They won’t welcome us no more.”

“Then take me there. I will speak to them.” Percival said.

“And we will all go too.” Lord Bors added in.

The trip to the knoll was not by road or trail through the forest but by the dimension portal. The three knights with the eight witches found themselves transported there. It was a small mound on the clearing with a single tree rooted there. The fairies were there; buzzing and flying around the tree. Percival counted like a dozen of them and hen more appeared when they saw the new arrivals.

“Go away, witches. You are not welcome anymore.”

“I am Percival of Efawg. I come for the Grail.” Percival stepped forth.

“Welcome the lineage of the Efawg. I welcome you here. I am Ferrin the Fairy. We are the fairies of the knoll. This is the Tree of the Knoll. It’s our home.” The fairy was less than a fifth the height of Man and held a slim frame but it held the small sword in its right hand.

“That is an Elf blade.” Percival saw the sword.

“Yes, made for us by the Elves, but they won’t come here no more. They feared us now.” Ferrin replied.

“And what would that be that they feared?”

“We have broken the sword made by them for our King. He had died fighting Fisher King and the blade broke. It won’t mend back despite the help of the Elves and even the dwarves. The sword is now cursed. And no one will mend it.”

“If you can mend it, we will be grateful, and what if your request will be granted.” Ferrin looked at Percival and called for the sword to be brought out. The fairies brought the sword placed inside the case. Percival looked at it. He was not a blacksmith but he had seen how they mend broken blades.

“Do you know how to mend it?” Galahad asked Percival.

“No, I am not sure,” Percival replied. It was then Galahad placed his hands on the blade to place it together. He did not know why he did it or how but the blades soon merged. The blade became whole when Galahad had held it up.

“The sword is whole once more,” Ferrin called out. The other fairies all cheered.

The cheering was there too for Arthur when he called for arms on the knights from the steps of Camelot Castle. He told them they have a week to get ready. He then sends out words for the knights to find the Green Knight. He then retreated to the Hall. He sat at the round table and looked at the vacant seats. He saw then the arrival of the druid.

“Thirteen knights of Arthur. And all we have are empty seats.” Arthur motioned to the druid. “Please take a seat. It won’t matter which one. They are not here.” 

“I prefer to stand,” Merlin replied.

“I am in mixed feelings, Druid. Do you think I made a good King?”

“Why did question yourself? You have done well. You had taken the land and ruled it well.” Merlin commented back. “And you feel left out. It’s called Kingship. It’s a lonely task there.”

“And where is my Queen?” Arthur asked.

Merlin did not reply. He just walked off. If only it was that simple to walk away when someone asked you questions which you may wish to reply.

Gaheris turned to the tavern owner whom he was told knew some of those who were killed at the Augustus home. He walked into the tavern and saw it was unoccupied except for the owner behind the counter. He had avoided the tavern ever since Molly threw him out of hers.

“You are Matt the …” Gaheris asked.

“I am and you must be the knight looking for answers.” The owner replied. “Show me the coins and I will offer you a drink. It helps to keep the tongue wet.”

Gaheris handed the coins and the owner spoke.

“I knew Ian and his brothers. They were killed there on that day. I knew them to be rabbles but they were good people.”

“Maybe you were wrong.” Gaheris cut in.

 “They were the guards there. They died fighting the killers. Well, not then but later from the wounds.” Matt told Gaheris. “Before Ian died. I was there by his side. He told me that he saw Lord Ban and saw the Lord was killed by two mercenaries.”

“And ….” Matt stopped there. Gaheris knew what he had to do and handed over more coins.

“Ian told me that Lord Bors told the two to kill Lord Ban. It was a baffling moment for they were like brothers. Ian told me….” Matt paused.

More coins were handed over.

“One of them lives here. His name is Stephen Innes. He …” Gaheris got up when he heard the name. He knows of one named by that. His coins paid off and then it was to confront the other. He knew Stephen was a butcher at the settlement and also a hunter. He was not there. He was out on a hunt.

Gaheris then tracked the hunter and found him in the forest.

“Stephen, were you involved in the Augustus attack?” Gaheris got his reply with the arrow missing him in the face. He had moved when he saw the arrow was released at him. Stephen took to the run and Gaheris gave chase. He tackled the hunter in a back tackle and they rolled on the ground. Gaheris landed a punch on the hunter and a few more to stop the fight.

“Were you there?” Gaheris asked one more. He got his answers and then was how to tell Elaine. He decided to end it then. He stuck the pugio on his belt into the hunter’s heart. No one will need to know about the attack.

Matt met his end that night in his sleep. He did talk more about his life. He told Gaheris more things that he was not expecting then but since he talked too much, Gaheris had to silence him.

Death was to end it.

 

Dante Book 1 Canto III Scene 3

 

Scene 3

 

“I will be darned. Your name ain’t listed. Are you sure you are dead?” The Administrator glared at Dante. “I am telling you if you are before your time to die, you are considered a stowaway.”

“I … I am …” Dante tried to explain his way.

“C’mon, love. You may have his name spelled wrong.” The Corporal cut in. “Let me see the name list.”

“Barry Matthews put your hands on my table once more, and I will stomp your sorry arse back to …”

“We have done that, love. You did a good stomp then. I could hardly feel my jewels for weeks. Bloody drained me like a gutter pipe.” The Corporal laughed and then turned onto Dante. “She was an Administrator in a Museum before she took the late train here. She is good at the wax and I will be darned, she could dig out your boner to the marrow.”

“Barry Matthew, leave us or I am dragging you to the next ferry that lands here.” That made the Corporal took to his heels and left Dante alone.

“Now, Mr. Dante Alighieri. Please advise your time of death.” The lady asked. “Be quick. It’s not like waiting for Hell to freeze over.”

“I…” Dante was saved by the arrival of the ferry which docked there and the rower approached the Administrator.

“Administrator, I am done. Tell Charon to take the next row. I am going to rest now.” The rower declared to the Administrator.

“Hold on there, Phelgyas.” The Administrator stood upheaving the grand two orbs to drop with a shattering noise onto the tabletop. It even caused a couple of jaws to strike there to chatter off.

“This ain’t the ‘do as I may’ ferry. And the Union never said you can rest until I said so.”

“Well, Administrator. I am up to my aches with the rows. I have done my share and if I was not Greek, I would have a complaint that you prefer Charon to me.” Phelgyas spoke out.

“Come here, you imbecile soulless. Charon is the rower appointed by Zeus and if he held the privileges to stop whenever he wants. Or row when he feels like it. You are different. You are assigned to it and do your task or be tasked.

“Okay one more trip and I am done.” Phelygas surrender to the argument. He then looked at Dante. “You paid your dead fare?”

“Phelgyas, he is not going anywhere in Hell or Heaven, for he is not dead.” The Administrator cut in. “I am calling in the Enforcers to take him away.”

“Hold on there, Administrator. There is the Union rule that says the ferryman determines who he will row. I am going to check on this poor soul if he deserved to ride with me.” Phelygas then looked back at Dante. “We will discuss over there.”

“Hey, Phelygas. Don’t you take too long? The jetty is already bursting at its seams.” The Administrator told the ferryman.

“I saw that, and it won’t need gravity to tell me much.” The ferryman took Dante aside to talk.

“Now, tell me what is the right mind will go to Hell? I am assuming you ain’t a living being so the what instead of who. Am I not right, Virgil?”

Virgil hovered out and then lit up.

“Hello, Phelygas. I thought I could evade you.” Virgil then turned to focus on Dante. “Phelygas had sighted me with Aeneas then when we arrived. Like Aeneas was alive but while here, waiting for the opportunity to explore further, he died from natural causes. To be exact, he died of a lingering illness that stopped his heart. I was sent back by Aeneas to initiate the backup plan which involves yourself.”

“Tell me, Virgil. Are they more things hidden from me? I am beginning to doubt my journey here was what I had been told.” Dante was furious. “Above all, is Beatrice dead?”

“Tell him, Phelygas.” Virgil motioned back to the other. “Dante had lost his faith with me.”

“Yes, the one mentioned has passed here. It was Charon to ferry her. I was away then.” The ferryman told Dante. “Soon after, Aeneas appeared in desperation to see her but he died. I was to take him. He was dead and paid his fare.”

“Where did you go to?” Dante wanted to know.

“Fifth Level of Hell.” The ferryman replied. “He was assigned there”

“Was Beatrice there too?” Dante had to know.

“I won’t know. It was Charon who tools Beatrice. I knew of her for she was different from the others. She arrived here and yet she was different as if above them all here. No one was to take her except for Charon.” The ferryman smiled. “The rare occasions when this happened.”

“What is Level Five? What is there in Hell?” Dante asked. “I need to know.”

“Hell.” The ferryman replied. “It’s the way to the Underworld but the first place is through Hell. Everyone goes through Hell, as I was told but maybe I am wrong.” The ferryman replied.

“I want to go. To where she went?” Dante asked.

“Not unless you are dead.” The ferryman told Dante. “The living cannot step onto the other side. Its madness. Try another river. Ask for a passage back to the living world. I will give you coins.”

“I can’t…I won’t…I need to see Beatrice.” Dante sighed. It was then Virgil spoke out.

"Thus, it is willed there, where what is willed can be done," Virgil focuses on Phelygas. The other knew what it meant.

“Do not mock me, unliving creature. There is no will here. Its ….It's pure madness.” Phelygas hit back. “He is not to proceed. Hell is not his destination.”

“And yet he must go there to get to where he belongs,” Virgil remarked back. “For one to reach Heaven, Hell will lay judgment. Is that not what you told him to go when you mentioned a different passage. Did she looked like he deserved Heaven? Where he came from was worse than Hell. Tormented by the love of his heart while his mind jilted by his faith…he is a person looking for salvation. Give him his passage, and his life journey.”

“Please I need to go there.” It was Dante who was to intervene when he was zapped by Virgil with the sonar blast in the chest. He collapsed there on the ground.

“What did you do?” Phelygas looked at Virgil. He felt for the vit al signs of the other and found nothing. “He is dead. He was not condemned.”

“I know. I made him die. It’s a controlled blast into his senses and they are now …dead. So, technically, he is dead, and can be ferried across now.” Virgil said. “Let’s go to Inner Hell now.”

 

 

Dante Book 1 Canto III Scene 2

 

Scene 2

 

“I may suggest that you have me hidden.” Virgil hovered before Dante. “This ain’t the best place to be seen out of the ordinary.”

Without waiting for a reply from Dante, Virgil slipped into the vest worn by Dante.

“What the…” Dante had yet to respond to the action by Virgil when he was pushed from the rear.

“Move on, you unclean heathen.” Dante has stepped aside and seen the group of uniformed men marching in past him. They were all dressed in the red jacket and white longs with the knee-high boots, and the headpiece was the mitre caps that was embroidered with the fine design of the Prussian Army designation. The five men were led by their leader, the Feldwebel. The squad of soldiers was without their weapons.

“Bloody Huns!” That was the sworn grumbling of another who was pushing through from the rear of Dante. The latter stepped aside once more to let the figure through. The figure was a diminutive man dressed in the army fatigue of the British Army circa World War I with the Pith Helmet. The man held a handlebar moustache above his upper lips and had a scar across his left eye.

“Pardon me, my good guy. Care for a cuppa of tea?” The Pith Helmet figure offered the ceramic mug held by his left hand. “I am not being rude but the Huns took my right one with their bombs.”

“No thank you. I am fine. To whom am I addressing?” Dante was amused to meet someone that seemed to be generations of age from his.

“Corporal Matthew, Barry Matthew. Former Adjutant to the Commanding Colonel Vernon Partridge, of the Maginot Line, at…” The Corporal was cut short by Dante.

“Dante Alighieri, Army Volunteer, Empire of the Nations….”

“What year will that be? I am bloody lost in the ones I had met.” The Corporal cut in. “Mine was 1916, and it felt like several lifetimes.”

“That was a joke, matey.” The Corporal chuckled then. “So, what was yours? 1970’s or was it the 90’s; seen some of your mates before but I lost them in the push and pulls.”

“Fun-loving era then.” The Corporal imitating the dance moves with the arms and legs twisting. “I dare say that in my time, it was the waltz or pain of the footsteps on each other toes. And the physical loving never stops although my time, it took us a long time to consent. So, when was yours?”

“To have sex? No, never did. I was…” Dante replied.

“Keeping it pristine, huh? Past my exams on that ages ago but I was only with the love of my life. So, what year are you from?”

“2166 to be exact,” Dante replied. “The Empire’s Fiftieth Anniversary.”

“Another into the future, I see. The bloody mechanism here is that we meet everyone from the creation date. I did meet one who wore green leggings and tunic and told me he stole from the rich to give to the poor. I say blimey me. I was in the Army because I was poor. Could not feed my mother and I joined the Army. Ended up serving the Officers in the Mess more. Bloody sods they were.”

“What is this place,” Dante asked.

“It ain’t the Dover Cliffs or we will be pushing them lots over to the sides. And it ain’t Dunkirk either. Was told by one who claimed to be my nephew that he survived Dunkirk to die at Coventry; run over by truck there. Bloody luckless of him.”

“This place, please.” Dante was keen to know where he was.

“Oh, we are the border. It's from here to Hell or perhaps Heaven. Here is the staging area. You wait your turn to pay the fare and they take you off. Or don’t for some won’t leave. It’s the, pardon me saying what’s life beyond concerns. Like when you get married and wonder if her dad knows that you had pregnant before the engagement.” The Corporal laughed. “My cousin, Ginny was one. Bloody good it did her. She was so good at it; she had a litter before she was twenty-five.”

“The place, please.” Dante was exasperated then.

“It’s named Acheron by the souls. What does that meant I have no idea?” The Corporal looked at Dante.

Dante searched his mind for the word.

Acheron.

There are five rivers encircling Hades or better known as Hell: the Styx, Phlegethon, Lethe, Acheron and Cocytus. In Homer’s poems, it the Acheron was described as a river of Hades, into which Cocytus and Phlegethon both flowed.

“It’s Styx.” Dante mumbled.

“Yes, it’s. And this is the area which we called the Beach but to me it’s, the staging area they … or rather I did like mine back at the port of Dover Cliffs. It was a board or be boarded in the jail.” The Corporal laughed again. “The dismay of the place is that they don’t plan the accommodation well and it's crowded now. I think some wars took the tally here too high and we are suffocating.” The Corporal laughed. “Bloody exaggerated as if we need air. We are all dead and the only intake I get is their flatulence.”

“You mean you are dead?” Dante looked at the Corporal.

“I bloody am.” The Corporal turned his back and showed the wound inflicted on his body. “Shot me in the rear in the lower spine, bored through to my liver and out the front. I’ll be blinked if they hit my scrotum and took my jewels.”

“Jewels? Oh, I know now. I am sorry.” Dante extended his apology.

“Bloody well accepted. That was why I disliked them Huns. Whoever shot me should rot here in Hell.” The Corporal laughed out. “Lucky for me, I had my cup with me. The mates send me off with it. Jolly fun of them. It was my love’s gift when I sailed to the front. So, why are you here?”

“I…I was eaten by a demon. Huge one it was.” Dante lied. He then moved the subject. “Tell me more of this place.”

“Here is the beachhead.” The veteran of the place told Dante. “Let me get you a place to rest your soul. That’s another joke, mate.”

It was then Dante laughed.

After a while of living at the beach, Dante had the rare view of life after death before they reached Hell or Heaven. The place was a congregation of souls, and there were several passageways to it.

“My last count was six hundred and sixty-six entrances, with an average of ten persons per day or night, who cares. We don’t have Big Ben here to tell the time.” The Corporal laughed once more. “There are many of us here; the Frenchs, Spaniards, Belgians, and even the Crimean. You could tell by their dressing. Or lack of it for some. Its bloody shame to die when you are in the sods with the other, but the same-sex tangled; that is worth a laugh.”

“We don’t have any segregation of the …. sex, but we do have communities of them by the preference.” The Corporal smiled. “I do wander a lot. Can’t help it since I have been here long or way too long.”

“Why don’t you take the journey on?” Dante asked.

“And missed all the fun here? Narry the concern of mine to rush into things. I told my lover then and we waited for the right moment but it rained that day out in the fields. Bloody London weather was unpredictable. When you needed the fog, they encased you with the mists.” The Corporal laughed.

“That’s a joke, right?” Dante did partake in the laughter.

“I can’t go on for I am without the fare. The ferryman wants his due for the rowing works. I am penniless and when I was shot, I was without a dime then. All my dues were sent back to home to my mother.”

“You could…” Dante was cut off.

“Borrow, take or steal? Not so practical here. There are blokes I could borrow or offer my services but it will scar my soul forever.” The Corporal sighed.

“I don’t understand.” Dante looked puzzled.

“You see most of them came with the coin or coins on them. Or at least one in the mouth upon death. I came without my liver and portions of my torso. If you want to earn one, you could see the ones who have it. I dare not, for the rich ones are all sodomites. I’ll be darned if I add another hole to my cavities.”

“Oh, I can see that.” Dante nodded then.

“Bloody well, you could for I don’t have a mirror here to see my own back.” The Corporal said. It was then Dante saw some familiar faces.

“Isn’t that Napoleon Bonaparte with Adolf Hitler and who is that one seated on the chest?” Dante motioned to the three figures seated in a small circle.

“That’s Alexander the Great. They are all discussing the division of Europe if they ever do it again. Bloody good they will go far for they are penniless here. The coins are with Solomon over yonder. He guards them like a bloody terrier over the bone.”

“Bloody yanker! They are calling you over to the ferry. Your journey is on. Where is your fare?” The Corporal called out and then pushed Dante to the jetty where the ferry administrator was seated behind the table constructed from the bones of the human structure.

“Aye, you are new?” The administrator at the jetty asked. The Administrator was a huge brunette with then gender marked as females coupled with the heavy sags on her chest was dressed in the white shroud for cover, heavily decorated with the golden accessories that were hung from her neck to the wrists.

“His name is Dante Alighieri.” The Corporal announced to the Administrator.

Dante Book 1 Canto III Scene 1

 

Canto III

The Gates of Hell

Scene 1

 

“Who are they?” Dante first words to his lips once he had taken the descent into the abyss. He saw the steps that were there, well it looked like steps but on scrutiny, there were shoulders but without the head, and from the accumulation of dirt or the trampling, it appeared flat and sturdy to step on. He cringed on the steps he was to take and his hands kept away from the walls, for he was unsure what may have it been. Every step he took, he heard the scream of pain.

Virgil was hovering on the descent but kept paced with Dante and heard the question raised by the other.

“They are the uncommitted souls; the ones that held no beliefs in themselves and disregard all. They are not welcomed by the afterlife. Why should they when they have not accepted its inception?”

“I am one of them, or still have thoughts like them. Why am I not banished here?” Dante asked.

“You are not dead. You are still a living entity with the flesh and blood, with an open mind. That made you different.” Virgil told Dante.

“And they don’t? Their mind told them they are no Afterlife?” Dante protested.

“Which was why they are headless here; mindless, swarmed in the numbers, and melded into the surfaces including the walls. They are made to suffer here.” Virgil replied and it was then Dante saw the surfaces held bloated leeches that were worming into the flesh with blood seeping out. “Their blood leeched and secreted into other bodies.”

Dante turned his face to throw up the contents of his stomach that were that reached his throat. He spat out the acidic taste from his mouth before he wiped with his tunic sleeve.

“I will suggest not to do but since you have done it, ignore my remark.” Virgil hovered away after remarking. It was then Dante noticed the smears on the sleeve and retched out more of his inside contents.

“Take me out, Virgil. I can’t do it.” Dante leaned forward on the steps and his right hand reached to the wall for balance. He pulled his arm back when he felt the squishing feeling with his hand pulled in.

“Oh God, wherein Heaven could this place exists?” Dante called out.

“Neither, Dante. We are not in Heaven. Nor are we in Hell…well, not yet. We are at Ante-Hell if you want to name the place. Look up.” Virgil told Dante to look up. It was the sight above the abyss. “Do you see those perched like bats up there?”

“Those are wretched entities we knew as Angels, but they are the defeated Angels who had sworn not to believe in God and rejected the call by Satan to revolt. They are banished here in neither realm for their disbelief. They lost their right to be with God.”

“What are they doing there?” Dante asked.

“Clawing their way out but they won’t make it at all. To add misery to their plight, there are the swarms of wasps that sting them. Here they come now.”

Dante saw the dark swarm of whatever it may be hit the so named Angels. And some fell off their perched but regain their momentum to fly back to cling onto the wall. The fallen Angels looked as if they were shred of their flesh but no blood was seen on those wounds.

“They will grow back their flesh soon enough for the next attack. It’s their punishment to do so for eternity like Prometheus to be bound to the rock and have his liver eaten every day and yet the liver grows back after it was eaten. It's just punishment that only a God can do.” Virgil told Dante. “Hence All hope abandon ye who enter here.? These souls have lost their hope to go to …. Hell, or even Heaven.”

“How did you know so much, Virgil?”

“I was here. I have seen the torments of the few who here. I am without a mind, for I am a creation of one’s thoughts and held no mind that may generate thoughts. What I may say or perform is the logic that was programmed inside me to respond when the conditions are met.” Virgil explained. “I may be able to interact with you on the discussion, but my replies are driven by the stored responses.”

“I am without a mind. I am still a mechanical entity.” Virgil's red light dimmed. It then lit up again. “Do you still want to leave?”

Dante stood undecided with his sight onto the surrounding that covered the walls, to the top of the abyss, and then into the dark abyss below.

“It's not far below. The gateway ends there.” Virgil voiced out.

“We move on.” Dante resigned to the task he was to perform. His thoughts were on the souls there; was it unjust or it was another perception that he had to undergo to learn the journey of life.

“Then come along, we are to reach Hell.” Virgil hovered on below. Dante had wanted to know more of the fallen souls but the orb was far ahead. He took on the descent with careful steps, and finally, he heard the roar of water.

“River Styx?” Dante whispered the name of the infamous river named after the Greek Goddess from the era of the Titans, was not for its length or width but the river was the stream that divides the realm of living and death.

Styx was the daughter of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. Other accounts make her the daughter of Erebus, god of darkness & Nyx, goddess of night. She was the Titan of the Underworld river named after her and was the embodiment of hatred and detestation.

Styx represented and controlled hatred, and was the guardian of the Underworld. During the last battle of the Titan War, she chose to side with Zeus and the Olympians, giving her four children, Bia (goddess of force), Cratus (god of Power), Zelus (god of Zeal), and Nike (goddess of Victory) in her service. She was greatly rewarded for her allegiance. On the command of Zeus, the deities of the Greek pantheon swore all their oaths upon the river Styx. The river Styx was claimed to have miraculous powers which could make someone who bathed in the waters invulnerable. The Greek Hero, Achilles; his mother dipped him in the river during his childhood, and he thus acquired invulnerability, except for the heel by which his mother held him. Achilles was struck and killed during the Trojan War by an arrow shot into his heel by Paris.

Where the River Styx was mentioned, another character was to be in it. It was the ferryman Charon; the entity that will transport the souls of the newly dead across this river into the underworld. It was fabled that the further Charon’s journey, the more severe would be their punishment. For those who were to take the ride, the payment of the single coin was required as a token.

“What madness prevailed in this place?” Dante called out when he rounded the bend and appeared before what was the scene of the beach that before the roaring waters of the River Styx. It was filled with the souls that await their turn to board the ferry to take them to Hell.