Arthur II Book IV Chapter 22

 22.

The battle at Normandy was long that it dragged from dawn to sunset, and the valley was soon filled with dead soldiers and the blood coated the grass there. The pleas of the wounded sounded there while the survivals staggered back to the safety of their lines.

“Did we win, Arthur?” Belvedere limped over towards Arthur who stood there next to his horse. He had pulled off his helmet and loosened the strappings on his armored chest. He was leaning on Excalibur thrust into the bloodied ground.

“I believe it so,” Arthur replied. He looked at the battlefield and recalled that day at dawn.

“Knights and the army of Camelot. We are here to quell a rebellion by the one named King Lot. His army is yonder and needed to tame.” Arthur roared to the army that he had gathered. He was with Excalibur and the shield loaned by Belvedere.

“We marched now.” Arthur turned his horse and rode down the slope. He looked to his left and saw Tristan up to his role as the commander of the left-wing. He had the mercenaries overtaken him with their fierce battle cries eager to fight. He knew them well; they are bet as the fore for they will fight hard but if the tide of the battle was against them, they may run first.

The army of King Lot had sent their knights on horseback to the fore. Arthur saw some of the footer soldiers were at the rear and their paid mercenaries missing. He sensed a trap and looked to the sides. He saw then the other mercenaries were converging from the left to push them into the middle. His army was a narrow band and the sides were weak.

“Tristan, your left. They are attacking there.” Arthur called out. He had to work out his new battle plan. “Knights on the mount to the left to take those mercenaries.”

“Archers to the fore and shoot at the riders.” Arthur knew that he had to slow the mounted knights of King Lot. He saw Tristan had boxed up the left and they were holding back the mercenaries. He turned and saw his mercenaries were among the mounted knights of King Lot. The mercenaries were without any plans in their attack but they were fierce soldiers. He saw a mercenary slashed ay the horse limbs to topple the knight. It was vicious but effective.

Arthur rode towards King Lot’s knights with Excalibur swinging. He charged at the mounted knight as if in a jousting tournament, but instead of lances, it was the clashing of swords and shields to block the sword. Arthur halted his horse and took another swing with Excalibur. His blow was blocked but a mercenary had stepped in and thrust the spear into the knight’s belly.

Arthur rode on and slashed another knight in the back before he rode on up the slope. Arthur saw then Belvedere and his mercenaries have reached the hill. They mounted their attack at the flank on the foot soldiers. It seems that only a small number was there to guard the flank.

Arthur turned his horse and rode down back to the valley. Once he was there, he called out to the archers.

“Archers, aimed at the foot soldiers at the slope on the right.” The foot soldiers on the slope were helmed between the mercenaries fighting the mounted knights and Belvedere’s attack. It was confusion and Arthur pressed on the attack. It was not Roman’s testudo but Tristan had got his men boxed in and they moved in bulk.

“King Lot is leaving.” The call was heard by all. The enemies soon retreated and the battle was over.

“Yes, we won.” Arthur sighed in that victory. He had lost many good soldiers including knights because he was without his trusted knights.

“Bastard!” Arthur cursed at the thought of his when he remembered Lancelot. The other was a better strategist than him. And so was Lamorak and Percival.

“You won, Arthur.” It was Merlin who sounded his victory. He looked at the druid who had brought him the sad news that Camelot then held a new King. He had not questioned the druid then for the battle was to begin.

“Tell me of Mordred now, Druid,” Arthur said. He sensed then that the battle was to draw him out and for his win but he will lose half his army. Arthur’s army was crippled then. He sighed.

At that moment, Mordred sat at the seat reserved for Arthur and eyed the other knights seated there. He remembered some of their names well.

Sir Erec who sat at Percival’s seat.

Slaine of the Sarmatians at Galahad’s.

Sir Octavia Meleagant of the Meleagant family at Lancelot.

Lord Bern, the son of Lord Ban who had died earlier. He was placed there by the Elders to replace Lord Bors who was away.

Sir Owain of Edwin. He met Percival when he pursued Lady Angharad in the forest. He was encouraged by Sir Erec to partake at Camelot,

“Knights, we are five today but we will be more by end of the season,” Mordred told the knights. “I am promised more knights by King Lot who had withdrawn half his army to sail here. He will join us here. He had sent half his army to battle Arthur there.”

“Mordred…. My King, you claim that Arthur is dead. How can you show us proof of that?” Octavia asked.

“I will show you.” Morgan Le Fay approached the round table.

“My… adviser and … from the Lady in the Lake, Morgan Le Fay will tell you.” Mordred introduced the lady.

“Behold, knights. I give you Arthur’s death.” An image was shown of Arthur lying wounded on the battlefield. His face was disfigured but Excalibur was seen.

“Arthur died in battle,” Morgan said. The knights there sat in silence until Mordred raised his right hand to call for meads to be served. Mordred then excused himself when the drinks were served and he approached his mother.

“How…”  

“Don’t ever question me, my dear. Just be the King of Camelot and I will take care of things of the other matter. That includes the Green Knights and Merlin. And also, Lancelot.”

Mordred walked back to the table. He looked at the knights and told them of the tasks.

“Lancelot and the Green Knight are renegades on this land. I want them hunted and removed.” Mordred looked at the knights for any reply. He knew that they feared Lancelot more. Octavia had volunteered earlier but he had done little of it.

“I will assign two knights on each task.” Mordred made the call.

“I will go with Sir Meleagant.” Sir Erec offered to partner Octavia. “We will bring Lancelot’s head to you.”

“The Green Knight?”

“I guess that leaves me and …. Sir Bern. We will hunt that knight.” Slaine spoke up but Bern protested.

“I will hunt by myself. I will not side with the Sarmatians.”

“Bern, I …” Mordred was cut off by Bern.

“I am here for my people and not that of the others. I will stay with my decision or leave the table.” It was a hard call by Bern, a younger knight, and displayed his father’s courage.

“So be it.” Mordred relented to their calls. He cannot have the knight revolt now. He will need to have his patience until King Lot arrived. Then he will act on these errant knights who will question his authority.

“Each King will need time to consolidate.”

So, it was with Lancelot who then rode with Guinevere to a nunnery they came about in their journey. It was far to the West and looked isolated. Guinevere had requested to see the Mother of the Nunnery. The silent nun went to fetch the Mother Superior.

“We are few in numbers. We have a sworn oath of silence here and the only one permitted to speak is me.” The Mother Superior told Guinevere. “You can stay with us but to join us as a member, you may need to prove your worth.”

“I will, Mother Superior,” Guinevere replied. She was then taken into the Nunnery and Mother Superior spoke to Lancelot.

“Sir, I will accept her but will she accept us will depend on her. As for you, please be assured that she will be taken care of. We are far from the villages and only I could leave the place to seek food.”

“Mother Superior, if I may. I would like to stay nearby and see that she is well.” Lancelot asked.

“You may. There is a hut by the forest. You may stay there but in no circumstances are you to come here.” Lancelot was given permission and he handed over Guinevere’s horse. He rode there on his own and made his home there. He took down his saddlebag and saw the whip he had used before. He took it out and then sighed.

“My penance will not be with you. I will stay here and speak to God my way.” Lancelot tossed the whip away.