Chronicles of the Brittany Kings Chapter 53

 53

 

“Sire, you need to assist the Britons at Menevia.” King Estregales heard the call from the advisers but he chose to ignore it. He remained seated on the throne with his mind to other matters.

“Sire, I…”

“I hear you, Adviser. Lest you bother me or you won’t see the dawn of next.” King Estregales cut in on the adviser.

“Sire, You …” The adviser called out. “We cannot suffer the wrath of the Britons.”

“Silence, Adviser. Are you the commander of the Army? Do you know of the Irish army? Or that of the …what his name…another bastard son of Vortigern there.” King Estregales roared out. “Let them fight and be content that whoever wins the battle may leave here to crow their victory at their land.”

“They …What if they turned toward us?” The King was asked.

“If we are to take sides, they won’t come for us. We should stay away from their battles.” King Estregales sighed. “Why won’t …what his name land far away? We are not a huge kingdom. Wealthy? We are not. We trade with all.”

‘Sire,… “

You are dismissed, Adviser. I will see you when I do want to, and until then, stay away from me.” King Estregales then looked to his commanders. “Secure the walls and our gates. I want the castle to be closed to all. Move the extra warriors to the hills. Unless someone attacks me, no army of mine will march.

That did not augur well for Uther.

“Where is the army of King Estregales?” Uther during the march was told that he will be reinforced by King Estregales but as he approached the Menevia, he was told, otherwise.

“We are alone in this battle?”

“I am afraid so,” That came from Duke Ufius, the Duke of The Vale and Sheriff of Silchester. He was considered the hardworking baron in Logres, working tirelessly there, and was a good friend of Uther.

“Alone but not weak,” Merlin assured. “We need to them catch before they disembarked. The sea shall be our ally.”

Uther looked at the druid and the other explained.

“Many times, a hunter may use the forest as its weapon to trap the animal. With the push toward the valley or to the edge of the cliff, the animal is trapped. We need to be there when their army is still on the ships. I can see the weather will assist us.”

Uther agreed and made his columns march. He was a hard person when it comes to what he wanted.

Back at the castle, Eopa did his ministrations. He attended to the weakly King. It was a challenge to win the trust of the King then, but he did it. He got the King to be better.

“I am better.” King Aurelius sat on the bedding. It was a miracle seen by the other healers.

“It’s miraculous.” The healers praised Eopa and he was given free access to the King. Unknown to all, Eopa did sustain the King’s health but the effect of what he had administered was to take effect soon after. He needed the distraction from the other healers when they were doubting his skills. Once he was cleared of the healers’ attention, he began his real ‘healing’ to kill the King.

“The King is fighting the illness. His body has turned weak.” Eopa told the healers soon after the King lapsed into pain. The overnight change in the King’s condition had the healers in confusion but they were relying on Eopa who was seen to be in the lead.

“I will do what I can,” Eopa told the healers and continued his treatment. He needed the illness to be seen as taking the King’s life and not his works. It will clear him of any treachery accusations.

“Uther must be told. He is …” The Lords were also in the confusion and asked that the other was to return.

“Uther is in battle. He cannot be recalled now.”

Pascentius was upset at the Gods for the stormy weather that was lashing at the ships. The oarsman was pulling hard in their effort to steady the ships with the high waves. The weather was slowing the ships from landing at the beach.

“Get the oarsman to heave harder. We need to land or we will lose the advantage.” Pascentius cursed at the skies. He was concerned that his renewed invasion was to be disastrous. His scouts on the mast reported that the enemies were at the beach.

“They have lined the beach.” The report reached King Gillomanius, He approached Psacentius.

“I think we abandon the landing. Let us find another spot.’ King Gillomanius told Pascentius.

“No, we will land here. We are twice their numbers. We can defeat them. If we delay the landing, the Britons will be reinforced.” Pascentius was pushing his intention.

“You told me that King Estregales has declined to fight with Uther.”

“Yes, King Gillomanius. That King Estregales have remained out of the battle, but the other Lords may be marching to join Uther. We cannot have that.”

Cannot or not, that was the fate of King Aurelius. He was found on his bedding with the bedding covered over his face. Initially, he was thought to be at rest but the servant wanted to wake the King to take his meals.

“The King dies!” Those words echoed in the castle.

“Find Eopa.” That was the follow-up call, but no one could find the healer.

It was a different call on the beach. Some of the ships had breached the waves and landed there. The invasion army was met by the Briton’s defense. Waves after wave arrived and were met by the Britons.

“Kill them all!” The battle cries sounded and Uther was on his mount rallying the defenders on the sandy beach. While he rode, his sturdy arm with his grip on the sword was slashing at the enemies.

“Do not let them get off the beach!” Uther shouted to the defenders. “Let no one flee with from here.”

At the rear, Merlin was watching the battle there. He had counted six waves of landing and the defenders were still holding well. The sporadic landings of the enemies hampered by the waves reduced their numbers against the defenders.

“Druid, I bore dire news.” The Lord approached Merlin. “King Aurelius is dead. Uther must be told.”

“No!” Merlin stopped the Lord. “Uther must not know now. He needs the focus on the battle.”

“I must tell him. He is the …” The Lord was to ride ahead but Merling stopped him.

“You will not do it.” Merlin used his wand to strike the Lord in the face. “Move and I will…hex you and your family.”

“Druid….” The Lord looked at the battle scene. “Pascentius is battling Uther.”