Chronicles of the Brittany Kings Chapter 37

 37

 

While Hengist took command of the land that was once Briton, The Anglo-Saxons took over London to York, and then Lincoln to Winchester leaving a trail of looting and destruction. There was no or litter resistance and without the Lords to command the army, the Anglo-Saxons swept the land.

“Where is our King?” The call went out but no one came to their aid. Instead, Vortigern sat looking forlorn at his fate then. He was a puppet King with no one to command and the people resented him. He found no comfort with his lover and decided to leave the castle.

“It held too many memories for me,” Vortigern told those who will listen to him. “I need to go away.”

“Where will you go, my King?” Vortigern was asked. The mention of the King’s rank sounded hollow to Vortigern.

“I … To Cymru.” Vortigern made the call. That name was soon to be known as Cambria and then to its current name Wales. The journey to Cambria was long and tedious for the King was exactly welcomed by the people there. He soon arrived at the eastern part of Cambria. He stopped at a hill and looked at the surrounding. It was a rocky and wooded hillock with the river seen nearby.

“What lies over yonder?’ Vortigern asked.

“The trail toward Snowdon.” There was a local guide accompanying the King. ,

“We are in-lands here, far from the sea, and …” Vortigern thought of his cities occupied by the Anglo-Saxons. “The cities are further away. Who trades here?”

“Far lands that the people trade their wares.” The local guide replied. “We are afar from the Anglo-Saxons here.”

“I saw some stones….” Vortigern enquired about the formations he saw on his journey.

“You will be telling of Castlerigg near to Keswick.” The guide cut in. “We have many of such stones. That was the oldest to my knowledge. There are the others at Siwnside and Birrigg.”

“What does it …”

‘We …Does the druids use it there for their rituals? Not true. The locals will tell the newcomers, but in reality, it existed before the druids. It could have been many things; a trading post, a place of gathering, or perhaps a sign created for the Gods” The guide explained. “We don’t know its creation but its’ there and will be for a long time.”

“You are well versed in the land, guide.” Vortigern was impressed by the other. “What else do you do?

“Aye, I do many things. I also foretell the future.” The guide smiled. “I am also a druid.”

“Your name, druid?” Vortigern asked.

“Myrddin of  Emerys or Merlin if you have difficulty calling me.”

‘”Merlin? Did we meet before?” Vortigern was intrigued by the one named Merlin he had met was aged and held a long beard.

“I doubt it. I was here.” The guide cum druid replied. “I will leave you now.”

“This land is great with its long history. I will build my castle here.” Vortigern called to his advisers. “Build it to face the sea.”

“What is this place named?”

“Dinas Emrys.” Vortigern was told. He then turned to his advisers.

“We shall build the castle here.” 

The builders were called on but many locals declined the works.

“My Lords, the hill is with the spirits. Nothing can be allowed to build there.” The advisers were told but the offer of coins soon spurred them to do. They cleared the trees and dug at the ground but when they returned to the hill, it was back to its original look. The builders continued on and with more masons, they even constructed the foundation of the castle. The walls were seen by dusk.

When it was dawn, the walls had crumbled.

It was put to fault the masons and more were hired but the result at dawn was crumbled foundation, The frustrated King called on his advisers to work on the reason for it.

“It may need some sacrificial act, but we know not what.” The advisers advocate the myths of the land to the King.

“Find me the druid.” Vortigern called out.

Merlin was called on and finally, he arrived. He visited the site and then informed the King.

“This is the dragon’s lair,” Merlin explained his findings.

“There are no dragons in the land.” Vortigern cut in. “Tell me of any myths and you will be beheaded.”

“Let me tell you a tale.” Merlin approached the King. “Hear me out or forget your castle.”

“There was once a dragon; red was its shade. A fierce one and it held its lair here. One day, another dragon arrived. A battle to show their supremacy. Both the dragons fought for a long time with no sight of victory.”

“The King then, long before even Constantine, was baffled by the tales from locals that a hideous scream could be heard. It was during the rule of Lludd when the King was told of the scream each May Eve. The locals claimed it caused infertility, panic, and mayhem. Llefely the brother of Lludd was consulted. The brother studied the concern and soon told the King of the cause.”

“There are two dragons residing there, and in conflict, they fought. In the end, Llefely managed to confine the two dragons in a cauldron filled with mead. The dragons were transformed into pigs and were buried in the ground under the hill.”

“If that a tale to astonish me, I had heard n=beeter ones.” Vortigern look at tge druid. “Off with his head. I am tired of the excuses given.”

“Hold your action, my King.” Merlin struggled against the set of hands that were holding him,

“I am telling the truth. Come with me to see inside the hill. You will find a pool where two cauldrons are submerged in there.”

“Druid, you told me earlier of dragons and mead inside a cauldron.” Vortigern called out. “Now you say two cauldrons. Will there be may there be three dragons?”

“There are two dragons; one red and the other white in the shade,” Merlin clarified his words. “Dig at the foundation and you will find the pool.”

“I have enough.” Vortigern turned away but Merlin spoke on.

“Will it be enough to show you the fate of the Britons against the Anglo-Saxons?”

“Do not speak to me of the Anglo-Saxons, druid.” Vortigern turned to look at the druid. “I am Vortigern. I know …”

“Would you want to know?” Merlin looked at the other. “The answer is there.:”

Vortigern was intrigued and commanded the masons to dig the hole then. The work was carried out and soon enough water seeped from the ground, and a pool was formed.

“What is this?” Vortigern asked. He looked at the druid and then at his advisers.

“A well, my King. The groundwater seeped out when we hit the level where it resides.” One of the advisers voiced out. “It’s no …”

“Tell him of the double cauldron there.” Merlin pointed to the two containers seen in the pool of water. “Taste the water. It’s not any water but mead.”

“Deny the druid. It’s sorcery.” The adviser cautioned the King but Vortigern was not convinced. He grabbed hold of the adviser and tossed him into the pool. The adviser landed in the pool howling about being drowned.

“You won’t drown, old man. You are covered to only your groin.” Vortigern told the old man, “Taste the water now.”

The adviser took a sip of the water, and told the King it was indeed mead.

“The druid did sorcery to make me think it's mead.” The adviser spat out the mead. “Listen to …”

”Reach in and take the two cauldrons for me.” Vortigern todl Merkin. “Show me your dragons.”

Merlin was released and stepped into the pool. The adviser had jumped out in fear. The druid approached the two cauldrons. He stood over it and then recited some incantations for all to hear.

“Behold, the creatures in the wait. Your time to leave here is now but fight no more lest you be imprisoned once more.” Merlin struck with both his hands on the cauldron.

Nothing happened then.

The skies were still clear,

There was no lightning or thunder.

But the pool of water whirls in circles lifting the cauldrons to the level of Merlin’s face. It hovered there before it cracked open from the top lid. The sides crack apart and wisps of ghostly appeared from it, The wisps were of two shades; red and white. It rose above the pool and then the red spirit was seen to rise above the white one before the white one flew away. The red spirit then followed suit.

“What you witnessed was the Britons seen as the red spirit have risen above the Anglo-Saxons which was the white spirit,” Merlin explained the event.

“I saw no dragons but …smokes. The irate adviser pressed on with claims of sorcery.

“Old man, if you were confined for that long, all that remains will be similar to them.” Merlin looked at the adviser.

“Don’t be rude, druid. I have tasted more salt than you of meat.” The adviser confronted the druid.

“The age of the tree does not tell you what it knows of the forest but the young bear that traveled far will pick up more.” Merlin snapped back. “I have seen more than your lifetime.”