Arthur II Book IV Chapter 20

 

20. 

 The Corbenic was not much of a sea vessel; it was more like a boat used in coastal fishing. It was moored at the jetty at the coast.

“The Corbenic at last,” Ferrin called out. “Only the invited can see the boat. Come with me. We can board her now.” Ferrin invited the trio on board with Percival still holding onto the wrapped Grail. “Do be careful when you step on. Some of the planks may be loose or missing. It had been years since we last sailed.”

“Will this …. boat take us to Sarras?” Lord Bors voiced his concern. “I have traveled…”

“On bigger boats that this but the Corbenic may be different to them in many ways. It was built by King Solomon and it sailed on its path.” Ferrin walked to the helm and looked to the double sails on the boat. The sail cloths were still folded up there, and the crow nest was what it was; filled with bird droppings. He approached the steering wheel rather large for the boat and felt the accumulated sea salt and dust.

“You had been idle for far too long, my dear. We are to return to Sarras now. Be ready, my dear.” Ferrin gripped the wheel and the boat then vibrated at the touch. The vibration spread throughout the boat from helm to stern and then into the hull before it went up the double sail poles and the sails unfolded. On the sails was the sign of the holy cross.

“We sail then to Sarras,” Ferrin called out.

“We have not stocked up the food and drinks and ….” Lord Bors called out but the boat had left the jetty.

“Don’t you worry about that, Lord Bors We will reach there in a short time.” The boat took to the sea and then a portal appeared on the surface in front. The portal was a shimmering field that soon engulfed the boat into it. Inside the portal, the journey was not on the surface of the water but afloat inside a myriad of shades and designs with huge faces that looked at them.

“The first Apostles of Jesus are looking at us. They are curious to know about you. You are the first trio to hold the Grail after so many years.” Ferrin smiled. “They know the heart. Grail well, but you will only when it reached Sarras.”

“Ah, there is Judas. He is forgiven for his actions but not his sin. Thirty silver coins he was given and now he remained forever counting the coins in his possession. He may reach twenty-nine and then he will forget the count and resumed again. It’s his penance for his sin.” Ferrin explained. “Why twenty-nine and not another number, you may ask.”

“Like all Man, we harbor more than what we are given. It will be our nature to ask for more, demand for it, fight for it, and even kill for it but when will it be ever enough?” Ferrin smiled. “We are all God’s creation but in Man, he took out that virtue.”

“I thought it was the apple that made us greedy. Adam and Eve were contented until the Serpent induced them to do it.” Lord Bors spoke of what he was told. “I am of the faith too.”

“Typical of Man to place the blame onto others when he held no control on his failings.” Ferrin smiled. He saw the annoyed look at Lord Bors. “Unfortunately, so do mine. We have our dark sheep too.”

The Corbenic then shuddered in its sail and the portal soon emerged for them to emerge at sea once more.

“Welcome to Sarras, Knights,” Ferrin called out. The sight that befalls the knight was a huge city by the coast with towering structures and the array of ships there at the port. The Corbenic docked at the jetty and then knights disembarked there. A solitary figure wrapped in the layers of silk and gold approached the knights and Ferrin.

“Welcome to Sarras. I am your Ship Inspector. You will pay your docking fees, the …Here is the list before you come in.” The Inspector handed over the list. “Don’t hurry, for we have a feast going on. The Minotaur King will not be delayed.”

“Minotaur King?” Ferrin was taken aback. “What happened to the House of God? And the faith?”

“Halfling, you are either mad or a rebel. The House of Gods had ceased to exist for a long time. We are now in the era of the Pagan Gods. We worship the Minotaur and the Dragons. Now, pay or leave. And if you stay, stay quiet on your words of God. Our God exists in what we call them now.”

It was at Camelot when Arthur rode his horse to be at the helm of the army he was to lead towards Normandy. He counted fifty over local Lords and Chiefs with an army strong of over two thousand soldiers, including knights.

But among his trusted knights, only Belvedere and Tristan faced him. He looked at the druid who explained to him then.

“The others are away. Percival, Galahad, and Lord Bors are still on the quest.”

“And we bear no news yet?” Arthur asked. The druid shook his head.

“Lancelot….” Merlin was cut off.

“Lancelot is no more my knight. He is banished.” Arthur said. “I am told that Master Meleagant rides for me to hunt the two for their sins.”

“I will plead with you, Arthur. Do not fight Lancelot. He may be your savior to the realm.” Merlin looked at the one he made King.

“Don’t be the fool here, Druid. This realm was made by me. No single knight can claim to it as long as I am King. I need to ride. My realm will expand to across the sea.”

“Then there are the other knights…”

“The Green Knight and Mordred will guard Camelot. Mordred will be my assigned liege during my absence. And do ignore Gawain. He is a coward, unlike his dead brother. Lamorak is ill and will be resting.” Arthur looked to the army. “Have them clear the Sarmatians on my return.”

“Arthur, it’s unwise to hold another war here when you are not around,” Merlin said.

“I am the King, and the knights will defend Camelot should there be war,” Arthur told the druid. He then called on his army to march to the coast.

His departure was seen by Mordred from the wall opening at the castle in Camelot. The young knight walked to the round table and looked at the seats there.

“Thirteen seats it was and the numbers have dwindled for those who are allowed to sit here.” Mordred smiled. “Do you agree with me, Sir Erec.?”

“I do agree, my liege.” Sir Erec stepped from the corner holding the goblet filled with mead. He took to the seat marked for Percival. “This table will once more be filled by knights that are worthy to serve….”

“Me as their King. I will be crowned King Mordred of Camelot. The one to depose Arthur.” Mordred roared.

“And you will need an adviser or two by your side.” The voice was feminine. Mordred turned to look and saw the two ladies; one in the dark shade and the other crimson red.

“Who are you? And how did you come in?” Mordred asked.

“I am your mother, Mordred. Allow me to raise the veil over your memory.” Morgan approached the knight. She chanted the spell and waved her right hand. Mordred felt a sudden push inside his head and then he held his hands on the table to steady himself. He then looked up and greeted his mother.

“Mother, it’s nice to have you back.” Mordred bowed to his mother. “And who…”

“Your aunt, Morgause Le Fay. We are here to protect you from the others.” Morgan looked at her son and then Erec. “Do you serve my son or ...”

“I am his to command.” Sir Erec bowed to the lady. “As I am yours.”

“Your mind spoke to me of your anger with Percival. You harbor ills feelings towards him for he is the knight of the table and you are not. You also felt that he had taken your lover too.”

“Yes, my lady. Lady Angharad is my desire and she loves him. I will kill him before I claim Lady Angharad.” Erec confessed.

“Love is an evil potion on many.” Morgause cut in. She looked at the round table. “You need knights and I know some who may be convinced to join you. Give me time and I will get your knights.”

Time passed when you are pre-occupied with the tasks. Percival and the others have found refuge in a House of Lord. The owner of the house covertly continued the practice of his faith.

“Our faith followers have dwindled over the years. When Joseph took the Grail to your land, it left a huge gap in the followers to stay with us. We had to explain that the removal of the Grail had nothing to do with them but there were the others who surfaced to move their hearts and mind. We have fought back for ages but without a symbol to hold their vision, we failed.” The owner of the house lamented on the failures. He was the fifth generation to stay in the faith.

“Why have they felt the loss?” Lord Bors questioned back. “My father and his father then, all had worshipped the Pagans but I was brought up to see the true path to God. Our vision of God was the cross in the chapel and at our home. You have it here too.”

“We do, but we needed a more visible tool. The Grail returned to Sarras may turn their faith back to the correct path.” The owner explained. “It’s the will of the people to see the miracle that was once here. May we see it?”

Percival who had never let go of the cloth then approached the small congregation to unwrap the cloth. He took the layers of cloth apart and it is never seen to end. The more he pulled at the cloth, the Grail remained hidden. He was baffled by it but the more he unwraps he saw not the Grail.

“Let me do it.” Lord Bors took over and the result was the same.

“Worthy Knight, you may try now.” Lord Bors referred to Galahad who had drawn the sword from the stone. “Show us the might, Galahad.”

“I am a humble knight, Lord Bors.” Galahad felt the hilt on the sword that he had drawn. Finally, Galahad took over. He held the wrapped cloth and looked at it.

“You are on your journey home but the people here in Sarras need your light. This was once the home of Joseph. Show us that light.” Galahad then took his turn to unwrap the Grail. With the flip of the hand, the cloth revealed the Grail. He held it up for all to see.

“It’s the Grail.” Everyone went on their knees.

Soon after, Percival stood on the jetty at Sarras to wish Lord Bors a safe return to Camelot. Lord Bors had stayed with Percival and Galahad for some time and reckoned his task was done.

“Someone had to tell Arthur of the events here. You may continue with Galahad in the quest to send the Grail on its final part of the journey back to the Holy Land.” Lord Bors bowed to the other knight.

“Lord Bors, I have spent much time here with you and learned that you have reformed as a Man. You are now ready to face your sins and repent from them.” Percival had during the stay learned more about the faith and had renounced his previous way of life. He had hidden the spear at an undisclosed location so that it will not be used again.

“I think you have yourself but I feel that among the three of us, Galahad is the worthiest of us. He was rightfully named the worthy knight for he now served a higher order. Galahad had himself like you. Both of you have found a purpose in life.” Lord Bors smiled.

“Yes, I will remain at Sarras as the protector of the City while Galahad will continue on the final journey to return the Grail to its rightful place. Percival said.

“I will return the sword he entrusted to me to the Lake, as promised” The sword from the stone was handed to Lord Bors to be taken back to Camelot.

“Please do. Sadly, the sword has brought him hardship. His brother, Gaheris dead by the sword and Gawain was also by the sword. He regretted stopping Gawain from taking the sword to avenge the death of his brother.” Percival sighed.

“Yes, a most unfortunate incident. He did not mean to strike his brother at all but the sword has its own life. Gawain will be the last life it will take.” Lord Bors had the sword from Galahad wrapped in the cloth that was once used on the Grail.

“God goes with you, and take care. Have it return to the Lake for the ladies to keep it.” Percival wished the knight one last farewell.

“Sire, the Corbenic awaits thee,” Ferrin told the departing knight.