Chronicles of the Brittany Kings Part 2

 2

“My King, the siege will be over soon, and victory ours.” King Constantine seated upright on the saddle over his mare looked towards the burning castle. He had laid siege there on the renegade Lord Brian who had withdrawn support to the King on his campaign against invading Saxons.

The King clad in the fighting armor and bucket design headpiece then prodded his mare to move forth toward the castle followed by his loyal retinue of Lords. His army was triple the numbers compared to the besieged castle, and his siege tools were effective. The catapults tossed the boulders onto the castle ramparts while burning oils were hurled at the defenders.

“What is the fate of Lord Brian?” The King asked.

“He barricaded himself in the main hall. We have breached the doors but held back on your command not to harm him.” The Lord overseeing the attack reported to the King. “He stands with his remaining knights there.”

The King rode on and was soon entering the compound of the castle. He saw the damage at the castle and the lying dead there. The surviving defenders of the castle were huddled to the side and kept under guard. He saw some familiar faces; knights that once before fought by his side and then joined the renegade Lord had faced defeat.

“Sir Higgins of York. You are a sore sight to be seen today.” The King stopped his mare and turned to look at the defeated knight standing there with his left shoulder bloodied.

“Aye, King Constantine. I am a sore sight but never to yield to your cruelty.” The night replied defiantly at the King.

“I mentioned that you are a sore sight and should have been dead in the battle. It’s always an honor to die in battle than to be executed after defeat.” The King then prods his horse towards the castle building. The Lord that coordinated the attack had motioned to the guards to remove the errant knight to be beheaded.

The King rode up the steps and into the main hall. It was a grand hall with walls adorned with the portraits of the previous Lords detailing their feats, and the drapes on the windows were of good quality materials. He looked to the arrangement of the beautiful vases that lined the walls and was greeted by broken ones; damaged during the battle. His guards, including archers, had formed a line surrounding the main hall leaving only the throne area where stood the errant Lord and his few loyal knights. The Lord stood there with his lady and three knights.

“Lord Brian, I see you are in good health…. or rather still with it.” The King took off his headpiece and smiled at the Lord. The Lord then was covered with blood from his wounds; fatal but he stood there in defiance.

“You are a good knight and brave warrior. This moment would not have come if you only agree to ride by side as we had done in many battles. I truly missed your fighting ….”

“Say no more, Constantine. I am no more your vassal.” Lord Brian called out. “Your arrogance has led me to revolt against you. It’s the lack of faith in my allies that led me to be singled out in battle.”

Lord Brian had conferred with some of the others and had initially secured their alliance with him to topple King Constantine but the hands of fate soon changed when the others abstained from the alliance. He then stands alone and paid the cost of defeat.

“You are the arrogant one, Brian. I have fought with you and your brothers for years and even took many wounds for you but now you stand before as a defeated foe.” King Constantine looked at the other. “I cannot have you with nor against me. Your fate is doomed.”

“Kill him.” King Constantine gave the command. Archers in the lineup of the guards released their arrows toward the Lord and his knights. They went down alongside the lady with the arrows embedded in them.

“Behead the Lord outside and have his head hung over the rampart for all to see. I want the others to be staked out there along the path to the castle. Burn the castle and removed the treasures if any.” King Constantine turned to ride out and then stopped.

“Where are the brats of the castle?” King Constantine asked of the two yearlings of the Lord. “They must be killed too.”

“We will find them, my King.” The Lord who commanded the armys spoke. “We are still searching the dead to find their bodies.”

“Their missing bodies tell me that they are alive somewhere. Find them now or you will join their father here.” King Constantine then rode out. The guards were sent off to check the castle and the dead bodies turn over to identify them. The sad news was told to the King later.

‘They have escaped. They left during the siege and were said to be in hiding at a monastery nearby over yonder by the hill.” The guard shuddered in fear awaiting the King’s displeasure.”I have dispatched the ….”

“There will be no such need. I will look for them there.” King Constantine had then taken to his mare and rode off.  He rode not far and soon found the monastery. He was still in his armor suit but without his headpiece. His retinue of guards and knights gathered around him.

“Stay here all of you.” The King spoke to them. “I will approach the young ones.”

The place of worship was a place of sanctuary to many who had to escape tyranny and punishment. He had taken refuge in these abodes at previous battles. The King walked up to the monastery and was greeted by the monks there. They stood before him, but not a voice was spoken. The King knew that the monks had taken an oath of silence. He was offered a robe to put on but he had to remove his armor. He did as he was required but kept hidden the dagger under the robe.

The King was then given passage to go into the house of worship but he motioned with his hands that he will step in alone. He entered the hall and was greeted by the silence of the hall, with the bare furnishing of wooden benches and the simple altar of worship in the front. He saw the fleeing boys prostrated before the altar. He walked up and then prostrated on the left side of the two boys. He bowed and offered his prayers before he looked toward the two boys. The expressions on the boy’s face were anger and defiance. King Constantine knew then, that the threat if not curtailed then will be the wrath to come.

“Forgive me, my Lord. I cannot allow this to torment me when I am frail and aged.” King Constantine spoke in his mind toward God.

A short while, the King exited the hall; his hands were bloodied and the robe was with blood stains. He walked past the lineup of silenced monks; who were without a voice to what had transpired. One among the monks ran into the hall and soon exited with tears from his eyes but his voice remained silent.

The King stepped up to the gathered guards and knights. He mounted his mare and then spoke.

“They did not scream. They died bravely.” The King told his knights. “Their scream will be mine tonight.”

That night the King in his chamber back in his castle screamed out for forgiveness from God. He knew then that he was forsaken by God for his action. His screams echoed through the castle heard by all; feared by many, understood by the few, and yet only one will take action to exact forgiveness for him.

“The King is mad. He has to answer to God for his sin.” Those were the words of one named Gildas; the one who ran into the hall at the monastery and saw the carnage left by the King.