Arthur II Book II Chapter 15

 

15.

 

Merlin stood by the lake himself. He had left Arthur to think of his destiny. He shuddered on his shoulders what he told Arthur on Guinevere.

“You were always a good liar, druid.” Merlin turned to look at the person who spoke. It was Morgause in the splendid white gown that reminded him of her role as one of the ladies of the lake.

“Morgause le Fay. You dare to be here.” Merlin looked at the lake. “They may not be so accommodating on you. Or towards Morgan.”

“Oh, please don’t intimidate me. I do not fear them as much as they do of me.” Morgause stepped up towards Merlin. “You do look…”

“Older? Why shouldn’t I be? I have aged with the realities of the realm. It’s not liked the time had stopped here.” Merlin looked from the lake towards the castle. “We are mortals here.”

“Yes, I know. I am the mistress of the dark spells. I lived in its realm now. It has its appreciation towards me. It lent itself to preserving my beauty.” Morgause replied. She looked at the lake. “They can’t see me unless I want them to.”

“As you did with the alluring scents onto me then when I was …” Merlin was interrupted.

“When you were smitten by Vivianne.” Morgause laughed. “You were so fallible then. Your lust overcame your magical instinct then. Your defenses were down then. And I was attractive then and now.”

Morgause swept her gown aside and stood there naked to the sight of the druid.

“Be away, witch. I will not be tempted by you anymore.” Merlin raised his hands to call on the spell of banishment but it did not happen. Merlin was baffled why the spell had failed.

“You lost your spell, druid. I can’t say you feel helpless.” Morgause laughed. “Morgan, show yourself.”

Morgan Le Fay appeared then before the two of them. She was still as young; naïve in the looks, and dressed like Morgause, in the white gown. The other lady was ever silent with her presence.

“Morgan had learned some counterspells from me on yours.” Morgause smiled. “She had your banished spell dis-spell.”

“You will not win, Morgause.” Merlin reached into his shoulder bag. He drew out the wand made from the maple tree twig. “I hold the Dragon wand.”

The foot-long carved wood design was to behold the red dragon that was entwined onto the twig.

“I fear that…” Morgause feigned a retreat but later laughed. “Merlin, your sorcery acts are pre-dated and should be left to seduce ladies. I heard of no dragon wand.”

Merlin raised his right hand holding the wand but a loud voice stopped him. He looked to the lake and saw the approach of Vivianne. She was as always in the white gown.

“Stop it, Merlin. These two ladies are mine to handle.” Vivianne sailed over the lake water surface and then stopped before Morgause.

“You have intruded on the lake.” Vivianne looked at the other two ladies. “You will be punished.”

“Punished? I think not.” Morgause called on the demonic dark spirit with her right-hand fingers. The demons appeared in their dark forms and streaked towards Vivianne. The latter held up the palm of her left hand that dispels the demons’ attack. She then lashed out with her right arm at Morgause. The sweeping blow from the spell sent the latter off her feet and to the rear.

“Morgause, I am not without the defense to your spells. I suggest you depart before I vanquish you.” Vivianne cautioned the other. “And covered yourself. You look like a slut.”

Morgause and Morgan fled the lakeside. It was then Vivianne turned to look at Merlin.

“When will you return the wand? How come I was not to know it was missing.”

“This is a fake. I thought I scare her.” Merlin replied.

“You are a fool, druid. As you were then and also now. You could have been killed.” Vivianne was upset at Merlin.

“And you still care for me, Vivianne,” Merlin replied. “And I still …”

“Our past does not matter anymore. You have taken too much of my generosity. You build your castle so close to the lake. I shall call on the dragons to re-take their lair.”

“Hold on that. I will convince you and the others of Arthur.  He deserves to be judged.”

Vivianne did not reply and sailed off like how she arrived. Once again, Merlin was left alone there.

It was the same for the Prime as he sat on his high back chair looking forlorn. He had battled for over several seasons; not that he was unused to it. He had done it at Gaul, Spain, and lately at Britannica. He was elated than when he was new to the Legion with all the battles and bloodletting acts that made him climb the ranks but he also lost friends and above all, his lover. He was not there for her and even at her near death, he was not at her side. He felt lonely and then saw the round table.

There was once a round table at his home where his own family dined daily. His father had brought it back from a woodcutter who told him that he felled a huge tree and from it near the base of the trunk he crafted the tabletop.

“It won’t fit my home. We needed was a long table. I got the kid the length of my arms.” The woodcutter told him.

“I got mine around me and one more in the mother.” Artorius’ father had replied.

“Good for you. Then you shall have the tabletop. Make it good sturdy legs and it will stand forever.”

“Round?” Artorius’ father looked at the table.

“Round as in everyone on it holds an equal view of each other, and they may speak their mind.”

“And I won’t have peace in my home.” Artorius roared in jest.

“True, but it’s the truth you sought from them. The voice at the table will be there’ to not only you but all that will be seated there.”

That was how Artorius had that table in his house, and his other table in his tent to Camelot was also rounded.  

“Yes, I will not be lonely. I will get a bigger round table. I will have myself with my friends…. And knights. I will be with a Queen.”

At that moment, Lady Igraine woke up from her dreams where she saw the death of Lord Pendragon. She saw in vivid detail how the Lord was killed by the Black Knight. She shook herself to the then surroundings. She was still in Camelot but the walls felt as it was constricting around her.

“Guinevere!” Lady Igraine called out. The younger lady rushed in with the servants in the tow.

“Dismiss them all. I need to speak to you …. alone.” Lady Igraine waved the servants off.

“I must have slipped off to sleep and I have this dream. It was Lord Pendragon. He is dead. Killed by the one named the Black Knight.” Lady Igraine told Guinevere.

“Without your father here, you are …. vulnerable. More so, when we told the others that you are Lord Pendragon’s daughter. You will be hunted.”

“No…. It can’t be. My father… Lord Pendragon is all-powerful, and yet he rides with his aides, Lord…” Guinevere went into sobs of tears.

“Never trust those that may be allied to you unless they share…. No, not even your blood.” Lady Igraine looked at the young lady. “The sins of your father are upon you like the sins of mine shall be but I am deprived of any children…. Except you whom I regarded as mine.”

“Forgive us for we have sinned.” Lady Igraine sighed. “I should have done more to protect you.”

“No, Lady Igraine. You have done more than anyone had.” Guinevere replied.

“Yes, there is one other thing that you need to know. There is a knight named Green Knight. He will be your trusted aide and protector. Only he can vanquish the demons that will hunt onto you.”

“I heard of the Green Knight but he is a recluse. He…”

 “The Green Knight had taken the task to do so. Trust him and you may be fine. More to it, Guinevere. You must believe me. Your safety can be assured if you are well protected. Wed with the Prime for he is like the King. His men will protect you.”

“Wed the … Artorius? I … I can’t…” Guinevere tried to sort out her reply.

“Can’t or won’t but you have to. Only he can give you the comfort of a Queen and the protection of the kingdom. Lady Igraine looked into the other’s eyes. “We are the weaker creatures among them. We have not their strength but they have their weakness for us. We need to use our weakness upon them.”

“I need to think,” Guinevere replied. “I have to …”

“Go back to your home. The one where you were brought up. When the time comes, the calling will be upon you.” Lady Igraine looked at the departing young lady. She then turned to her bedding to shed her tears.

“Truly the circle of the events had returned.” Lady Igraine heard the familiar voice. She looked up and saw Morgause by the wall opening.

“The lake looked splendid from this view.” Morgause then stepped away to look at Lady Igraine. “I must not stand too long there. The sunlight will darken my skin.”

“Go away!” Lady Igraine told the other.” I want to be alone.”

“Alone? We are always alone. Men cannot be trusted. Men cannot be … shed tears for. They are the weaker creatures of the realm. Without us, they would have ceased to exist.” Morgause smiled. “Your Lord Pendragon is indeed dead. Killed by the Black Knight who in turn was killed by Lancelot.”

“Lancelot? He lives on.” Lady Igraine despised the name.

“Very much so. So, you’re telling the girl to sacrifice herself to that older man. Was it noble or selfish on you? As you did then with Lord Gorlois?”

“Leave Lord Gorlois out. He was …” Lady Igraine snapped back.

“An older man whom you wanted his protection and yet you lust for another. And another.” Morgause laughed. “Our weaker nature was that. We are never to know to whom we shall lay in bed but unfortunately, the men are too drunk to know if they were the first of the many.”

With that, Morgause left the lady there in tears.

 

Trojan War Chapter 10

 

10.

“I salute the winner of the race. It’s to the Olympians. Ares won the race. Troy had lost their winning streak.” That was the announcement. “I can see the winner in the arena.”

It was then the video transmission was restored. It was not without its wrecking trail for many viewers have reacted with anger. When the winner was announced, the wrecking expanded among the Worlds. The enforcers were called in to quell the unrest.

It was unlike at the winner rostrum of the race.

“I am proud to lose to you, Lord Ares.” Paris of Troy approached the Olympian. “It was a great race.”

“And I am honored to win today.” Ares stood there in his dark armor and the headpiece was with a face cover shielding the wearer to the cheeks before the nose bridge and there was a slit for the eyes. The top of the headpiece was the feather flume that reached to the rear.

“Sad to speak of your bull, young Troy.” Ares motioned to Paris’s bull which had lasted till the last stretch before it was gored by Ares’ bull. Paris looked at the track and saw the carnage of bulls that did not make it to the finish line. Some of the bulls, including the Macedonian, were seen lying dying on the track. Although the bulls are protected by the armor, the battle on the tracks was intense and with the bulk in them, the armor was as best flimsy on impact.

“My bull had its run for some races. I won’t have bred it if it was not to die on the tracks.” Paris replied. He had worn the simple tunic with sandals to the race. He was inconspicuous in this dressing and blended with the common viewer.

“I protest.” The Macedonian stormed to the rostrum. He was a huge man with noticeable biceps. “My bull was cheated of the race. How can that bull are armored with ….”

“My Lord, I did not notice you.” The Macedonian was taken aback to see the Olympian standing there. “I do …”

“Miscreant, remove him.” Ares was not one to be offended and his guards stepped up to grab the Macedonian.

“Please, my Lord. I ask for your mercy.” The Macedonian struggled with the guards.

“Imbecile!” Ares reached out with his right hand and a stream of laser energy from the built-in laser at his arm greave shot out. The laser beam impacted the Macedonian in the face killing him instantly.

“Dispose of the body and annihilate his offspring. None will carry his name in the world. And all his bulls.”

Such was the might of the Gods.

Ares then turned to look at Paris who had remained calm during the commotion.

“You are also a brave man, a young Trojan. Why won’t you stop me?”

“Lord Ares, the Macedonian was out of line and did you respect. I will not fight for one like that. It’s a sad waste of effort.” Paris replied. “And above it all, I am here to race my bulls. And since I lost, I am to accept it.”

“Such nobility in your words, Young Troy. I am impressed. Do join me for the victory feast” It was how Paris met Ares and soon became friends. They conveyed to the feast hall where lavish dishes of foods of the twelve worlds were presented and the wine flows freely.

“Tell me, Paris of Troy. How have your worlds fared without the conflicts with the …” Ares was cut off.

“Archaeon. Sparta, MacedonianOur conflict had never ended.” Paris replied. “With the Olympians as our custodian, we have peace on the surface but beneath it all, we are still rivals for the planets and of each other.”

 “You do not think the Games have erased their hostility toward each other?” Ares pushed the conversation forward. “We have tried to parley for all of you.”

“What is the purpose of the Games is well known but does it replace the bloodletting calls and the need to kill another? None whatsoever for it served nothing to us all. We still have our fleets of ships and armies if not to fight then to do what? Keep peace? It’s a mockery to their purpose.”

“You speak wisely, young Troy. Do tell me of yourself.”

Paris then recounted his tale from birth to the current state.

 “A noble birth man. I admire that from you. Have you seen your father, King Priam?” Ares asked.

“And has he seen me?” Paris laughed. “I am his bastard… I do apologize. I am not one but his son but he disliked me. Even bastards get better recognition than me.”

“I agree. In Olympia, even bastards get better attention than those of us who are the children.” Ares strengthens the statement.

“Lord Ares, tell me of the Gods?” Paris looked to understand others.

“There are fourteen of us alongside Zeus. He is the leader with his siblings, Except for Poseidon, Aphrodite, Hera, and Hades, the others are the children of Zeus. I am for one but we may not all share the same mother.”

“What is a woman rank among us?” Paris displayed his arrogance at it.

“Do not underestimate them, young Troy.” Ares cautioned the other. “The women are seen to be weakened but in many considerations, they are stronger than us. Let me give you the history of the Goddess to the ancient days when my father, Zeus was not a God then.”

“It was Uranus who founded the pre-Olympian worlds. He was a warrior that fought off the others on his planet. His conquest of them soon united the planets and formed the first united Titans.”

“Lord Ares, then you are the true embodiment of him the Lord Uranus.” Paris heaved on the praise towards Ares.

“I am not. He was a harsh ruler. He banished his children to the dark dungeons. I am more like Cronus the son who overthrew Uranus. I won’t hesitate to kill and with me, I won’t banish my children to the stasis confinement. I would have terminated them and not to be rescued by others or even by my father, Zeus.” Lord Ares continued.

“It’s the dark narratives of the tale that many shudder to tell.” Paris cut in. “Many of us heard of it in tatters but none dare speaks of it.”

“Well, it was true the lineage of our family was not of glamour but backstabbing. It does not surprise me when you said the Worlds still harbor conflicts despite the Games. Whether we were the Titans or the Olympians, we are destined to endure conflicts and wars will be waged.”

“Gaia…Rhea…. It’s the lure of the women again.” Paris sighed. “We can leave them and yet we can’t live without them.”

“Never underestimate the women of their strength and determination.” Ares looked at Paris. “I will tell you of the ones I knew. Only the ones that matter to me.”

Arthur II Book 2 Chapter 14

 

14.

 

There was not much the lady known as Elaine could do in the manor. She was without the companion of the brothers Gaheris and Gawain. She was restless that even the Green Knight was unseen. She pranced on her horse around the lands owned by her father with her escort of two guards within the distance of her. She chanced on the visit to the settlements, the Shire. It started with to huts and since then, several more were built and a market square was created. The peasants brought their harvest or reared animals to be sold there.

“A pleasant day, Lady Elaine.” The lady was startled and turned to look at the one who greeted her. It was Young Meleagant who had visited the village.

“Young Master Meleagant, I am honored to meet you here,” Elaine replied. The young man had grown in the year and was dashing to look at despite his fine drapes of silk linens over his tights and clad on shoes with the camauro headpiece normally worn during winter. It was cold then but the young man did have some poor taste for the shade. She was herself in the dark khaki riding suit with the short cloak over her white blouse and dark loose skirt with boots. Her headpiece was the embroidered piece that covers down her side of the head.

“I am honored too. It’s not every day I come here.” Young Master Meleagant bowed towards the lady. “I came…”

“To the small village here. Surely, the Shire may not be your place to buy things. Perhaps Londinium or Lancaster will …” Elaine was cut off.

“I don’t travel much South.” Young Master Meleagant smiled. “Father wouldn’t allow me.”

“You are a man already.” Elaine blushed at her blunt statement. The other blushed and covered his front with the knee-length coat that he draped over his shoulders.

“Octavius is my name.” The young man introduced himself. “Octavius Meleagant. My grandfather was once a noble from Rome, named Goorin. He was…”

“I am sure he was. If you were to excuse me, I am in need to find another friend. We agreed to meet here.” Elaine shot off in a hurry leaving the young man standing like a fool. Young Meleagant then turned to his horse and rode off. He was followed by the three guards assigned to protect him. He reached back the manor and stormed to his chamber. He closed the door and sat on the high back seat.

“Would you need me?” Young Meleagant heard the request of his loyal and personal servant, Adois. The servant was a younger lad from Gaul and toughened over the years of being a slave. He handed the leather cane to the young Master before he bent over the table with his tunic raised. Without a word, Young Meleagant lashed at the servant on the back. Adois hissed the screams of his pain through his clenched teeth on every lash. He was used to it and more so with the young master’s tantrums.

“Begone. I require rest.” Young Meleagant dismissed the servant. Adois staggered out and back to the servants’ quarters. He was by his mother, Gwent who immediately administered the soothing salve on her son’s wounds.

“He is unreasonable of late.” Gwent lamented on her son’s sufferings. “Must we take his wrath when he is ill-tempered?”

“Patience, Mother. Our time will come when we could fight back.” Adois lying on the front felt the soothing balms that eased his pain.

“Soon will be when?” Adois’ mother cried. “I fear you won’t be around then.”

“Soon, mother. We are not in Gaul but out here, we can still avenge our family.” Adois later fell asleep on the comforts of his mother's ministration on the wounds.

Physical wounds are curable but some fatal. Lord Pendragon stepped back with the sword still in his hands. He was wounded in the left shoulder and his right knee. It was a long ride and then the horse stumbled over the twine of roots that were laid across the path. The rider went over with the horse but Lord Pendragon knew how to roll his body on the fall. It was his age that made it difficult. He crouched up with his right knee hurt and saw the ambush was laid by his paid enemy.

“Black Knight, we meet again.” Lord Pendragon drew his sword. “How did you fare these years?’

“No better than you, Lord Pendragon. You were a branded traitor and I was to kill you but the fees to do it never arrived. I don’t do for free.” The Black Knight replied. “You may be worth the wait although the purse is lighter.”

“Was I branded a traitor? Who were they? The Elders I had known.”

“Trust not even your most trusted friends.” The Black Knight replied. “They are the ones that may plunge the dagger into your back.”

“Ban and Bors? Impossible, you dark evil demon. I have known them for years…” Lord Pendragon defended his two allies.

“As you had with yours?” The Black Knight removed his headpiece. He stood there with the half-burnt facial and the bald head. “I am your brother, Utter.”

“Merrick Pendragon. It can’t be. You died in the …”

“In battle than with the Picts. I had stormed the cave to battle them while you and the others were to join me but none did. I battled it alone inside, wounded, and was captured. They held me captive for days and I was tortured. I had sent for the ransom to be paid but none came. Instead, I got was your reply…”

“I did not know. I swear if I did…” Lord Pendragon lowered his sword. “It was Ban and Bors who told me that you died. How was I to know?”

“I escaped and it took some seasons to return to fight. I covered myself with the shade of the dark soot and fought for coins. My services were taken for I was merciless. I would have served Lord Gorlois but you had him killed. I swore to kill you but you were banished. I stayed on as a mercenary and waited my time. Your return was timely. Your Elders have betrayed you now.”

“I know of that. I am to the Romans to seek their help.” Lord Pendragon looked at his brother. “We can do it together.”

“There will no more of us. So, swear the Black Knight.” Merrick placed back the headpiece over his face. He pulled the long sword from his scabbard at the waist. He charged at Lord Pendragon who tried to deflect the swing and was slashed on the left shoulder. The knight side steps and swung the sword at the wounded knee. Lord Pendragon screamed before he fell to the side. The blade of the sword had caught him with its flat side on the knee.

“We ought to stop the fight, Merrick.” Lord Pendragon looked at the Black Knight.

“Merrick no longer exists. I am the Black Knight.” The knight stepped up to Lord Pendragon. “Die, you …”

“Not today!” The Black Knight was knocked off his feet by the blow to the back of the head. He fell on the side and when he turned he saw his attacker had dismounted from the horse.

“Lancelot…” The Black Knight staggered on one knee to face the other.

“It’s I, Lancelot. I have come to challenge you once more. I lost to you then due to my haste and inexperience.” Lancelot had drawn his sword. “I held with me Arondight to battle you.”

“The fabled sword? I heard that it’s your possession but I am not a demon to be vanquished by it. I am mortal flesh and my right arm could still wield the sword to kill you but…. I have a bounty to collect. Lord Pendragon is my target.”

“I have my dues with the Lord. He had my father killed.” Lancelot glared at Lord Pendragon. “Lord Gorlois was my rightful father and send to be raised by King Bon and then to the Ladies in the Lake.”

“You have many guardians then, Lancelot.” Lord Pendragon laughed. “I had hunted for you soon after the death of King Bon but you were never found. I should have known that you have changed your name to Lawnslot.”

“Stand aside, Lancelot. Lord Pendragon is mine.” The Black Knight swung the sword at the fallen Lord but the blow was deflected by Lancelot. The clash of the blades caused a ripple to the one held by the Black Knight.

“What the… My sword rippled...” The Black Knight was stunned by the ripple.

“Your sword had taken on too many innocent lives that it has taken its host with the demonic vibes. Arondight will break its hold on it.” With that Lancelot swung downwards with Arondight on the other’s sword. The blade of Arondight broke the other sword into two pieces.

“What…” The Black Knight called out but then Lord Pendragon had plunged his sword into the former at the left ribs.

“Die, Merrick as you should have years ago.” Lord Pendragon twisted his wrist and pushed the sword in. “Die!”

By the instinct of his action as a warrior, Lancelot swung Arondight at Lord Pendragon to behead the latter. He then stood there while the blood of Lord Pendragon drained into the ground.

“Lancelot ….” The Black Knight called out weakly towards Lancelot. “I have a request for you.”

Lancelot went down on one knee to his once time adversary.

“The Black Knight has sinned for a long time. It was not meant to be. I became the Black Knight to avenge my sufferings. I fought off the unjust and I …. May killed some innocents. I won’t deny it.”

“Say no more, Black Knight.” Lancelot tried to comfort the dying knight.

“Take my armor. Fight the wrong as I had done.  Hide your identity as you were the Ghost or… Lawnslot. Be the knight not seen on the face but fight the unjust. My squire, Alain will assist you. He resides at the castle. Give him my sword and tell him my request.”

It was how Lancelot was to don the amour of the Black Knight.

 

 

Trojan War Chapter 9

 

9.

Agelaus took a respite from his climb up Mount Ida. It was the cold season there and despite his warm clothing, Agelaus step on the mountain was with great reluctance. He was given a task by his King, Priam of Troy.

“Destroy the child for me.” That was told to Agelaus.

“My King, I am a herdsman. I am not even a hunter or warrior. How could you ask me to kill a young child?” The herdsman had pleaded to the King.

“Agelaus, have we not been friends for years, lie not to me, my old friend. We had once wielded the swords and fought on the battlefields. How many have you killed and where are your wounds of then?”

“I was a warrior, King Priam but now I am a herdsman. I tend the herd and nurtured the young. I wield no sword anymore except to spare the cows of pain.” Agelaus displayed his hands covered with the bandages to protect it from the cold. “I could not swing the sword as of then.”

“I am a herdsman now, King Priam. Spare me…” Agelaus words were drowned by the King.

“Have I not deemed you fit to tend my herd? Did you not kill the wolves that prey on my herd? I hear you stood against the pack of wolves fearlessly.”

“Aye, I am obliged to protect what was yours. I cannot kill a child …. Not only of yours but of anyone else. Life is scared, my King.” Agelaus pleaded. “Heed its cries, my King.”

Priam stood there at the Great Hall of Troy ignoring the cries of the child in the cradle. He had barred his Queen, Hecuba to visit the child since birth.

“Why, my King? Has the child done you wrong? Or to whom that you follow their wishes?”

“The child is cursed. The child ….. it will soon bring the downfall of Troy.” Priam bellowed out with pain in the heart. “My child is cursed.”

“So, it’s true. The rumors spoke of the cursed child. How was it to be yours?” Agelaus fell to his knees and looked to the King. “To whom did you listen to?”

“Aesacus, the Soothsayer…” King Priam was cut off.

“And old fool I had met. He had asked me for milk from my herd and drank without a coin to reply to them. I will not serve that imbecile and believed him not anymore.” Agelaus spat the mucus from the throat to the flooring.

“Heed not him but me. I command thee. Kill the child.” King Priam gave the command. So, it was then that Agelaus had taken the task to kill the child but each time he raised the sword, he had felt the burden to do it. Finally, he relented and carried the child to the tip of the mountain.

“Gods and Goddess, I am too old to save myself most times but my life prevails stubbornly. Now my task had been burdened to bring forth the child that was foretold to destroy Troy. I cannot bring myself to kill the child. I have brought the child here and let the elements decide or the wild predators feast on it. Should it die here, then you will bear witness to it.” Agelaus sighed. “I can’t do that.”

With that Agelaus left the child at the snow-covered top and proceeded down the mountain path.

It was not known how the child survived but the tales spoke of a beat that came across the crying child. Instead of killing the child for food, the bear nurtured the child with its milk and warmth. It was said that the bear was dying then but it kept the child alive for some days. Meanwhile, the herdsman just as his steps up the mountain was heavy, his down step was heavier. He could not clear his conscience on the child and decided to return there. He reached the top once more and to his surprise he found the child still alive next to the dead bear.

“It’s truly a divine sign.” Agelaus retrieved the child but he removed the bear’s tongue to be sent to King Priam as proof of death. The herdsman then took on the child as his own and was named Paris.

Paris grew up under the care of Agelaus and turned out to be a fine man, who had learned the trade of herdsmen. He tended to the herds but his other ventures were to have prize bull competition. The prize bull is a huge bred bull twice the size of the bulls bred by the other herdsmen, and aggressive towards any other creatures. The bull was fitted with the armor over its frame and armed with the horns on its armor. It was a form of sports event that was created by the Gods of Olympia to compete in the arena as a form of replacing war killing but the sports event has become so brutal that the casualties of the bulls soon mount up.

The event called for the bulls to race around the arena and whichever reached the finishing line but due to the special breed of the bulls, the bulls tend to clash on the tracks hence the armors and horns. The bulls may challenge each other instead of racing and the carnage that soon followed suit was the highlight of the event. The prize bull event soon spread to the other worlds and major events were organized. It was from here that several bulls were maimed or killed or later sacrificed on winning rostrum to appease the viewers.

Paris was one of the successful breeders of the prize bulls. His fame soon reached the attention of the off worlds and then to Olympia.

“Paris of Troy, huh? I heard of that name.” It was Ares of Olympia who muttered the name. He was a prize bull breeder and with his reputation, he sent his bulls to such events, and rarely does he ever lose until he met Paris of Troy.

“And the bulls are lined up. We have twelve this round from different breeders from the Worlds. Wait, there is a new update. The latest info we have is bull from Olympia is on the track. It’s from the pens of Ares. Will the Olympian bull win this round? Paris of Troy holds his prized breed there.” The commentator roared on the communication links that were heard by many at the arena and also in the comforts of the video feeds viewers.

“I am told that even the Gods are watching today.” Indeed it was for Ares had taken an interest in the event. “Will the Gods be toppled?”

That comment spurred the betting to a high record with many punters from the worlds placing their faith into the champions.

“Troy will win.”

“Who could defy the Gods?”

“I think the Macedonian will win.”

“The bulls are off!” That was the last call by the commentator.

The silence in the arena was eerie then. The only sound heard was the pounding hoofs of the bulls. And then never in the event, the unforeseen had to happen.

“We lost video transmission, viewer. Give us time and it will be resolve. Meanwhile, we still have sounds.” That was transmitted across the world.

 

 

Trojan War Chapter 8

 

8.

The feat of kidnapping Helen boosted the courage of the two warriors that they planned the next abduction of the one named Persephone.

“Persephone will not be easy for she is at the Underworld and that is also the domain of Hades,” Theseus explained to Pirithous. “We have to plan carefully here.”

“I will suggest we visit the Underworld. There is no better plan than to be there.” Pirithous shared his impatience.

“Brother in the arm, I shared our urgency but Persephone is not a child. And she is attached to Hades. And more to that, she is Olympian.”

“Excuses, Theseus. You had yours done and now you will delay on mine.” Pirithous reacted in anger. “I shall have to partake in the mad scheme of yours. Now the twelve worlds are hunting us.”

“The twelve worlds hunt for a missing girl and they know who the captors were, or our doors to this place would have been broken down.” Theseus looked at Pirithous. “All I asked is more time.”

Theseus heard of the tales that Hades had taken Persephone by deceit to the Underworld. Persephone was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. The tales differed from there that Persephone was forced to be with Hades, and some said she was persuaded after having spent time there. It was all rumors but the part that no one questioned was why Zeus did not protest or punished Hades for the deed. Theseus knew the answer for, among the worlds including Olympia, the womenfolk is deemed below that of Man. Even though they are Goddess but they do not rank equal to the Gods.

“If Hades can abduct, why not oneself do the same deed? We can abduct her back and maybe earned the praise of Zeus.” Such was the rationale for Theseus then when he spoke to Pirithous.

“You did the same on my herd and I sought them back. We clashed but …. I won in the end for I have my herd back.” Theseus smiled.

“So, we will do it then?” Pirithous return the smile.

The Underworld was not as expected. Despite the term Underworld that was foretold as the place of the dead, was the living dead, or rather the banished people of the worlds were sent there to serve for eternity as slaves. The Underworld has thus created below the surface hence the name; Underworld, with that harsh conditions and was guarded by the Furies; the droids which were given the flight capability and sharp claws as weapons. Each set of the worlds have their Underworld, be it a mining colony or a hard labor environment. The survival rate was near zero after a short period.

It will then be brought forth the question of how Persephone can bear with such conditions. Persephone is regarded as the personification of life and death, with the initiated that upon death, a more enjoyable re-birth will follow on. It was her persona of life after death when the dead will be given a new chance at life.

“Pirithous, why do you favor Persephone?” Theseus looked at the other. “You were wedded once. You know how troublesome women can be?”

“I was but Hippodamia was not any woman. She was kind and yes, at times demanding but we got along.” Pirithous smiled at the times he was with his lover. “She told me…”

“Brother in the arm, the women are all the same. They are to bear children and not be spoken in great length. We are Man and deserve more. It’s good riddance that she had left you.”

“Don’t say such a thing of Hippodamia. I liked her.” Pirithous snapped back. Pirithous did not bother to reply for they have arrived at one of the entrances to the Underworld.

“There are several entrances; the major ones known to the worlds, Tenaro at the end of the peninsula known as Mani, or the Necromanteion of Ephyra on the river Acheron, as well as Alepotrypa on Mani. There are many smaller entrances but we shall go to the one at Tenara.” Theseus told Pirithous.

“Whichever, for I am keen to find Persephone.” Pirithous walked ahead. They came soon to the cave assessable by the sea at low tide. They borrowed a boat from the nearby fishing village at low tide. The distance from there was short but they were cautioned by the fishermen to avoid the cave. It was not taken in by the two who sailed there.

“Hold the oars, Pirithous. I will steer the boat by the sail.” Theseus had taken hold of the sail and directed the boat by the direction of the winds. There was a strong gust but Theseus grip was firm.

“The winds deterred us but we will make it.” Theseus steered the boat hard while Pirithous saw then the emergence of Sirens which swam close to the boat. The sea deities reached out with their hands to lure the two men. Pirithous grabbed the oars and hit it on the reaching hands.

“We are near to it,” Theseus called out when the boat was caught in the strong current and drifted into the cave. The ceiling of the cave was low but with the lower tide, the boat managed to make it in but it lost the sail when it hit the ceiling. The walls on the cavern were dark and covered with layers of dark slime while the water inside the cave was murky but the sights of the dead were seen floating just below the surface.

“The oars, Pirithous. We need to row to the interior before high tides.” Theseus had then grabbed one set of the oars and to row it. Pirithous did the same and the boat sailed into the darkness.

“I can’t see anything,” Pirithous called out. Theseus ignored him and continuing the rowing. Soon he saw the light at the far end and rowed towards it. He came across the lighted area and stopped at the bank there.

“We are in now.” Theseus stopped the boat and then stepped off to the dry ground. He felt the sticky surface beneath his feet. With each step he took, he had to pull his feet over to the next step.

“What is this stuff, Theseus?” Pirithous had joined him. “I cannot walk well.”

“I don’t know. I have been to caves but those were night creature droppings. These are more like …. Flesh.” Theseus replied. “We need to move on.”

“I shall do that.” Pirithous struggled on and then saw the slab of stone in front of him which looked clean of the sticky stuff. I will rest there, Pirithous told himself. He did that and raised his legs to clean them. Theseus saw him doing that and followed suit.

“It was a relief to be seated here,” Pirithous told Theseus and it was then he saw the watching eyes that were on the dark walls.

“Theseus, we are being watched.” Pirithous motioned to Theseus. “They are on the walls.”

Theseus turned to look and saw the eyes. He shuddered and then told Pirithous.

“Move towards me slowly. Those are furies.” Theseus told the other. “They are the Guardians of the Underworld.

“The fabled droids?” Pirithous was alarmed by the presence of the droids. He had battled many preys but never one that he was told was compared to the Furies. He tried to get off the stone but found his body was stuck to the surface. He moved his hands to push out but the hands got stuck there.

“I can’t move,” Pirithous called out. Theseus himself found himself stuck to the stone too. It was then the Furies emerged. The Furies are mechanical droids designed with flight capability and were equipped with claws to enable it to snatch its prey or to slice the prey apart. It was like the birds of prey but the Furies are smaller in designs and they hunt in packs.

The Furies flew towards the duo and hovered over them.

“Go away!” Pirithous screamed at them while struggling to get up. The Furies were in communication with each other and established the duo were not of the Underworld. It then began to descent on Pirithous and slashed at the figure. Pirithous screamed out in pain at the attack but Theseus could not assist. He was destined to be next. He turned and saw the Furies were cutting pieces of the flesh and discarding it into the ground.

“Pirithous! God, help me.” Theseus called. It was then he felt someone pulling him off the stone. It was painful for his skin was torn during the pull but he was finally freed. He stumbled onto his knees and then looked up.

“Heracles? I am …. I thank you.” Theseus thanked the Olympian God.

“Save yourself, World inhabitants. I can’t do any for your friend.” Heracles carried Theseus onto his shoulder and ran. The strength of Heracles was reputable and he outran the Furies to deliver Theseus to the exit of the Underworld. There he lowered the wounded warrior and then looked at Theseus.

“What madness had you to go to the Underworld?” Heracles asked.

“Woman’s trouble.” Theseus sighed in his reply.

“They never end.” Heracles frowned. “Be without them, and your life is spared of anguish.”

It was the advice then by Heracles that Theseus returned to his mother and told her to send Helen back to her father.

“How could you take a woman like her for yourself? Have you no shame that she is still a child?” Aethra reprimanded her son. “If was my father, a war would have been waged ono you. Let me return her and explained her disappearance.”

Aethra had traveled with Helen to Sparta and took to explain to the King. She was also seen to be close to Helen and the King pardoned her with the condition that she remained to care for Helen.

“Woman, Helen is well behaved in your care and she will continue so.”

 

 

Trojan War Chapter 7

 

7.

Pirithous cradled the child in his arms, with his eyes teary towards the child’s mother who had died giving birth. The father of the child sheds his tears for he was there and unlike his father who was not seen or heard after birth.

“Hippodamia has moved on.” The healer told Pirithous. “She left you a son. Name him well and he will do your name proud.”

Pirithous looked to the dead mother laid there, cleaned off the blood from her hard birth. She had wedded the woman sometime back and even fought a battle with the centaurs to save her but she had to die giving life to their son.

Hippodamia was not an easy woman to handle or the better words to tame, even for a hardened warrior like Pirithous. She was herself a tamer of the wild horses, whom she rounded them by herself and galloped them to exhaustion before they accepted her as their mistress. She was no mare to him and he was no stud to her, but they were equal in their love. 

Pirithous himself had not known his father, he was raised by his mother named Dia who was a Goddess ranked to that of Olympia and was swift in her movements. She was swift that many had shunned from her but not the one who desired such a challenge; the almighty Zeus. The God had himself matched her speed with his and soon seduced her. The chance meeting of theirs was short-lived when Zeus had to return to Olympia. Dia brought up Pirithous by herself, and it from there, he learned how to tame horses.

Dia never sought Pirithous to seek his father but left him to survive in the world they were in. It was by chance that Pirithous was to meet Theseus, and then of similar childhood; deprived of a father when young. The two youths met Pirithous rustled the herd of cattle from Marathon, and Theseus set out to retrieve it. They clashed but in the end, they became friends and even ventured into adventures like the hunt for the Calydonian Boar.

Their adventures came to a halt when Pirithous wed Hippodamia and life mellowed for the young warrior. It was her death that saddened him and Theseus appeared before him.

“Come, my brother in the arm. You had your stay of absence with a woman and the child is born. Have you named him?” Theseus had asked.

“No, I have not.” Pirtihous sighed. “I am saddened by the loss of Hippodamia. She was good to me.”

“Belly that, my brother in the arm. The woman is dead. Move on. Name your son well so that he will one day lead an army.” Theseus was getting impatient with the other. “We will find one that will replace the mother.”

“It will not be one but one for each of us.” Theseus continued. “I still desire Helen but we need to find one that will suit you too.”

“I am …” Pirithous sighed.

“Name him to honor her and be the man you were once was.” Theseus glared at the other.

“I… so it will be. His name will be Polypoetes. He will be a leader one day and lead a great army.” Pirithous declared. “I will have him taken care of by his caretaker.”

“And so shall we decide now. Who will soothe your heart? And desire?” Theseus roared out. “Let us rejoice to your son and then to ourselves. We were once the strongest men that Earth has bred, the strongest men against the strongest enemies, a savage mountain-dwelling tribe whom they utterly destroyed.”

It did not take long for the two to soon laugh and rejoiced before they thought of the nasty scheme of theirs.

“I desire Persephone,” Pirithous called out. “She will be mine.”

“You fool! She is with Hades. He will roast you on the brazier for desiring her.” Theseus mocked his friend.

“And I will halve Hades with the horses in every direction.” Pirithous laughed. Both of them laughed and the scheme of things was put into place.

“We take Helen first.” Theseus set the plan into motion.

“Helen of Sparta, I demand you return to me now.” The caretaker named Mindea called out for the young girl then of the age twelve to her. She had lost sight of the girl when they arrived at the town square. It was also a busy time then at the square with the traders plying their trades, and the dozens of women doing their purchases then. The traders operate on the hovering platform and will move around to accommodate the buyers hence there were so many movements there.

“Where is the child?” Mindea then of the later years heaved her heavier set body frame past the crowd. She had sent forth the three guards assigned to escort her and Helen to look for the elusive care of her’. Helen had not been an easy child to care for, for she was mischievous and at that age when her legs could spirit her anywhere.

“I can’t put up with her, King Tyndareus. Please have me replaced with others.” Mindea had pleaded with the King but her request was turned down. Instead, he had assigned three guards to escort her, and at that tender age, Helen was not to be housed in the palace. Helen desired to be out there and running with friends she may meet. It was not a chore for her, for everyone wanted to be Helen’s friend.

“Has she passed us yet?” Helen whispered out to her town friend who was on the lookout for her. She was hiding among the vases called the ‘amphora’ then. The amphora was a container that came with two handles and a pointed bottom and was designed to fit tightly in packages or stores.

“Yes.” The signal was given by the friend and Helen soon took to her legs to run towards the nearby alley and from there to the docks where she liked to look at the seafaring ships. These were rare for most of the transportation was by air on the huge freighter crafts.

Helen liked to see the ancient ships that still used water to move about. She will seat herself by the wall facing the sea and her legs dangling over the edge. At the tender age of twelve, Helen was given the simple Chiton’ a cloth wrap around the body with the double clasp on the shoulders to hold it up.

“Do you like it here?” Helen turned to look and saw the two men who had set beside her. They wore a blue cloak over their tunic.

“Are you Spartan?” Helen asked. She feared that they were for all of Sparta knew of her and will report her back to Mindea.

“No, we are from…. Macedonia. I am Theseus, and he is Pirithous. We are travelers and had stopped by here. What is your name?”

“Helen. I am the daughter of King Tyndareus and my mother is Queen Leda.” Helen replied. At the tender age, Helen was not taught many life’s issues and with her protected caretakers and guards, she was unwary of the real going on the outside, besides playing with her friends.

“Well, Helen. How would you like to know more about Macedonia?”

“Is that far? I need to be back before the sunset.”

“No, my dear. You will be home before then.” It did not take long for Helen to be flown off Sparta by air and by sunset, she was asleep in the comfortable compartment in the craft.

“Theseus, she is still young.”: Pirithous reminded the other.

“Yes, I know. I will send her to my mother to take care of it. She will be cared for until she is ready.” Theseus looked at Pirithous. Helen of Sparta was flown to Archaeon and taken under the custody of Aethra. The child was frightened but later assured by the elder woman, she soon pacified and stayed with her.

Meanwhile back at Sparta, the search for Helen was taking place with all the Divisions involved. King Tyndareus was furious and send the caretaker to the dungeon for her negligence.

“I want her found, or war will be waged on anyone suspected of holding her.” King Tyndareus made the threat. The search for Helen soon reached Olympia and Zeus was advised. He looked at the emissary who told him of the missing child.

“Send out words to the Worlds. I want her found or her captors surrendered to me.”

“My Lord, Olympia must not get involved in the matter of the Worlds or we will be dragged in more of their conflicts.” The adviser to Zeus cautioned him.

“I care not. Helen is …” Zeus lost his words then, and it was Hera who assisted him.

“Lord Zeus meant to say, we will do our needed.”