Arthur II Book 11 Chapter 28

 

28.

 

Aubin Knur pulled at the reins of his horse to halt it on its run. He was with the other riders hunting the Anglo Saxons after the victory at Mount Badon. They had joined in the battle from the right flank and swarmed up the hill. The legionnaires were at mid-hill to meet their leader, the Prime. He had fought with First Cohort since the river at Glein. He admired the Prime for his strategy and leadership.

“We have them cornered at the clearing.” It was Boron the Brave who told the Sarmatians leader. Aubin pulled himself higher on the saddle to look at the clearing and saw the group of five there. He looked to the surroundings and saw there were thick trees at the right and left with a small hill behind the clearing.

“Ride with caution, brother. I sensed they are not retreating but lay in wait.” Aubin cautioned the other. He looked to his rear and saw three other riders have joined them.

“We are equal to their numbers. I say we ride.” Boron roared out. He was a great warrior with his scimitar skills but he also held the brash mode of his youth. He held the round shield in his left hand. He has a small curved dagger on his waist.

“Hold your ….” Aubin's words were drowned by the roar of the riders when they rode towards the clearing.

“Fools!” Aubin knew that he had to join in or they may all die there. He had known Boron for many years and does not want to lose his friend that day.

“They are coming!” The call was by one of the five Anglo Saxons there. “We will…”

“Stay your position, idiot. We need to draw them in.” The leader of the five Anglo Saxons called out. He looked to the left and saw the other three hidden there. These two were with pikes and one archer.

Baron was the first to reach the Anglo Saxons. He leaned over and slashed with the scimitar. He cut the Anglo Saxon on the right forearm who had raised the sword to block the scimitar but Boron had twisted his hand and swung the blade on the side. The cut was deep to have the other dropped the sword and Boron rode past before he did a quick turn on the horse. He went back to attack the others on the flank.

“Gather round!” The leader of the other three called on them. “Draw them in!”

That was the signal for the archer at the tree to release the arrow at the Sarmatians. The two pikemen charged out with the long handle pike and stabbed the riders in the chest. Two riders went down on the pikes and the arrow took out one rider in the face.

“It’s a trap!” Boron called out to Aubin who had reached the clearing. Aubin pulled his horse towards the pikemen and slashed with his scimitar. The man with the pike was trying to dislodge the pike and presented the back of his neck to be cut. The pike was a weapon of length and given the proximity of the fight, it was cumbersome and its weight hampered the need to change swings.

Aubin dismounted and faced the other man with the pike. He used his shield to deflect the pike and went in with the scimitar on a wide right swing at the head. The blade cut onto the face side and into the nose. The man dropped the pike and went down on the knees.

“Die you, oaf!” Boron cut the leader of the group across the chest. He turned to Aubin and smiled. “We live another day.”

It was then the archer’s arrow stuck at Boron in the throat. He dropped his scimitar to clutch the throat but he was already gagging in his blood. Aubin turned to the archer who had fled into the tree lines. He then approached Boron.

“Boron, hold on there.” Aubin knew his words were meaningless. The other was dying and reached out to hold Aubin by the arm.

“Is he dead,  Leader Aubin?” Aubin heard the voice of his men who had arrived. He looked up and saw five riders there.

“He is dead. He died…” Aubin could not find the words. He had let the battle there with the Romans for the weight of the coins. He felt remorse then. He could have told them to go back and be farmers or traders but he brought them there. Every battle has taken his friends and he wondered if it was the right move.

“Hello, old warrior. Do you remember me?” Aubin looked and he saw himself no more at the clearing but back when he confronted the Syaitan with Galahad years ago. The same demon headless stood there yet it speaks from its chest although no mouth was seen.

“Your Roman friend and you were the ones responsible for my demise then. It took me years to regain my form and now I am here to kill you.”

“Syaitan, I will kill you as I did then.” Aubin roared out.

“I don’t think it will be that easy. I am now with the one you called a friend. My blood was on the blade you handed to him. He is mine to possess.”

“No!” Aubin called out and found him still cradling the dead Boron, and yet another dead will come soon. He looked to the concerned five riders who stared at him.

“Leader Aubin, you screamed out. Are you fine?”

Aubin lowered the dead friend and walked to his horse. He needed to warn Galahad or take back what he gave. Unseen by the Sarmatians, a solitary figure dressed in white

“Morgan le Fay, what are you doing?’ Morgan looked to her rear and saw Morgause. “You were never the …”

“I was bored. And looking at you exerting your misery upon them, well, it will be fun for me to do my part.” Morgan smiled. She was the silent one and of late, she had watched her sister challenged the others and even the miscreant druid. She was intrigued by the one named Arthur.

Who is he? And the lady Guinevere? Morgan had to seek for herself. She saw the warrior on his horse that fought with Excalibur.

Excalibur? Morgan had never concerned herself with the artifacts. Her pursuit of the dark spells was most appealing till then. She came to the battle, watched it, and then followed it. She tried her spell to conjure the demon that had plagued the mercenary. His reaction was interesting and she wanted to see where it may lead.

“Sister, my conflicts with the ladies are mine alone. I had never wanted to involve you. You left with me from the Lake was on our blood ties but you were never wronged. They can take you back. You were the pure one among us two.”

“I was pure and still am but my purity in my soul is now filled with dark spells. I have learned much and it’s time to explore my might over them.” Morgan Le Fay told her sister.

“Why, Morgan? You …” Morgause looked at them once silent sister.

“Because we are blood ties. And you cannot battle them alone. I will join you now. Together we are stronger.”

That oath was felt by Vivianne in the Lake. She shuddered in fear on the vision. The other ladies rushed to the chamber where Vivianne was.

“We felt it. The vibes are strong.” Nimue voiced out.

“The young one had…” Niniane was cut off.

“It was a matter of time before Morgan Le Fay was to act. She had remained silent but her learning of the dark spells has never declined. She was studying it through the dark corners of the dimensions.” Vivianne said.

“For the two are now together, they are formidable but we can still challenge them. More to it, Arthur holds Excalibur and Lancelot Arondight. Both are powerful artifacts and may challenge the sisters.”

“Two of them are not complete. They may need the third.” Niniane voiced out. “Who may that third be?”

“Stop your idle thoughts, ladies. There will be no third one. We will stop that from happening.” Vivianne knew of the curse of the three and its power.

“Even if that is…” Nymue spoke but was cut off by Vivianne.

“Even if it’s one of us, and …. The druid, we will prevent it.” Vivianne stopped herself from mentioning the name of Merlin. He was a strong candidate for the third witch in the power of three.

“I will destroy him.” Vivianne declared to the ladies. “Now be gone. We have much to do.”

In the hut in the forest, Jaseth latched on the metal greave on his left arm. He had donned the green armor and looked to himself on the broken mirror.

“The armor fits you.” The lady who offered him shelter told him. “Your skills are better.”

Jaseth was practicing with the sword. He felt familiar with it even though he only wielded it a few days ago. He had used it to attack the wooden block where he marked the possible locations of the body parts. He felt for the amulet and knew that his skill came from it.

“You are uncomfortable with the sword. Your weapon was the staff. Maybe this might help you?” The lady handed him the halberd. “It belonged to my old father. He was a warrior once before.”

The halberd was like a pike but instead of a pointed iron head, it was a steel blade there.

“You could swing it like a staff but its blade will cut like the sword.”

 

 

 

 

Arthur II Book II Chapter 27

 

27.

 

“Who are you?” Lancelot heard the lady whimpered from the dark corner soon after he unlatched the door to go into the dark chamber.

“I am Lancelot, sent by Arthur to rescue you.” The knight introduced himself. “You are safe now.”

Lancelot reached out with his right hand towards the distressed lady. He could not make out the lady for she remained huddled there.

“It's fine now. Your captors are …. taken care of.” Lancelot assured the lady. “Did they harm you, my lady?”

Lancelot had heard no response and stepped forward.

“Come any closer and I will kill you.” The lady spoke of her intention. “I am …. With a dagger.”

Lancelot withdrew back and then crouched down to look at the unseen figure.

“I am Lancelot. Arthur sent me to find you.” Lancelot voiced out once more. “I meant you no harm.”

“Give me your sword.” The lady beckoned. Lancelot hesitated and then decided to hand over Arondight then in its scabbard. The lady’s hand reached out and took the scabbard. She drew the sword out and leveled it at Lancelot.

“Lady, the sword is …” Lancelot stepped aside to avoid the sword aimed at his chest. He was cut slightly on the left arm in his move.

“Argh….” Lancelot reacted to the cut and then he lunged at the lady. He grabbed her arms and wrestled the sword off her. They fell onto the flooring and Lancelot rolled over on the top of the struggling lady. He held her down with his arms and legs.

“Stop fighting me. I am here to help you.” Lancelot called out. His loud voice may have worn off her fear or was it the exhaustion from her ordeal, the lady laid back in surrender. Lancelot had his face near her’ and spoke calmly.

“My name is Lancelot. Can I have your name?”

“Hold me…... please.” The lady pleaded with her voice. Lancelot consented and held her into his arms. She laid her face into his right shoulder and cried. He felt the fear in the lady was released by her tears then. He did not move from her for some moments until she stopped her crying.

“Guinevere. That’s my name.”

“Guinevere, we met before.”The knight replied. It was then he felt the warmth of the lady and felt uncomfortable. He pushed himself up and picked up Arondight.

“I am sorry, Sir. I did not mean to…” Guinevere saw the wound on the knight’s arm.

“No harm was done. It’s just a cut and will heal.” Lancelot turned away to adjust this tunic. He felt embarrassed that he was aroused by the lady. She was not his but Arthur’s. He did wonder why he volunteered to rescue her. He had not owed any favors to Arthur and yet he volunteered without hesitation.

“Shall we leave here now?” Lancelot asked the lady. She reached out with her right hand towards Lancelot's left hand. She gripped it hard while he led her out. Soon, she was outside with the dusk light on them. She looked at her outfit and noticed her bodice strings were undone and half her bosom was exposed. She reached with her hands to cover herself before she looked at the knight. He had just turned away his stare on her.

“I am sorry….” Lancelot apologized.

“It must … It's okay.” Guinevere found her words to reply. She reckoned the bodice had loosened then in the chamber for it was warm there. She tightened the strings and looked to her gown. She saw the tears but she was still decent.

“We will stay here tonight. I will set the fireplace.” Lancelot told the lady. “I have food and drinks on the saddle.”

Guinevere insisted that they camped a distance away from the place of her capture. She then settled down to ease her hunger while the knight tended the fire with the collected twigs. It was then she studied the knight in detail. He was no taller than Arthur but his frame was slimmer. He was younger but older than her. He had removed the mail chain chest piece and strolled only in the tunic. He had bounded his wound with the herbs and covered with the thick leaf. She saw his legs in the bright lights of the fireplace and was embarrassed. It was like when younger she stood at the full-length mirror to admire herself in the nude. She laughed then at her silly thought.

“Did I do something funny, my lady?” The knight turned to her.

“No, Sir. You did not. It was just …... a passing thought of mine. A long time ago memory.”

“Well, my lady. If you were to excuse me, I have personal needs to do.” Lancelot stepped away and took to the nearby tree. There he raised the hem of his tunic and eased himself there. He felt the pressure on his body relaxed but he also aroused. He knew he does at times, and there were the wenches he could satiate within the settlement but out there, he was a lonely person.

“No, not alone. I am with a lady.” Lancelot reminded himself. He cannot be walking back to camp with a raging hard-on. He thought of the fights and the long rides but his mind kept on slipping back to the lady.

“Guinevere…” Lancelot mumbled to himself. He recalled the softness of her body under him. He did stare at her bosom. It was not that he had not seen one before but she was different. He had seen Morgause but never had he felt like with Guinevere.

“Guinevere…” Lancelot knew it was not right. She was Arthur’s lover. He can’t betray that trust.

“Help!” The call came from the lady. Lancelot rushed back and saw her fending herself with a twig against a hedgehog.

“It came from there.” Guinevere ran to the back of the knight. “Is it deadly?”

The creature was intimidated by the new arrival and scooted off. Lancelot assured the lady of her safety and offered to sit beside her while she rested. Soon, she was asleep and the knight kept vigilance on her. He could not resist looking at the lady then. She was different from the others. Even the younger and inexperienced ones that he had were so different from Guinevere.

“Guinevere!” Arthur called out from his sleep. Merlin who was nearby his bedding at the tent rushed over to hold the other down.

“Do not move, Arthur. You will open up your wounds.” The druid cautioned him.

“What happened? Did we win?” Arthur looked at the druid.

“Yes, we did. The Anglo Saxons were routed from Mount Badon. As we speak now, the remnants of the Anglo Saxons are scattered to the colder northlands.” Merlin replied. “You were an inspiration to the battle.”

“I …. I can’t remember much. I know…”

“You fought hard and well. You rode towards the enemies and chased them to the top. I was not all there in the battle but the men who were there said you must have vanquished hundreds of them. They ran to retreat on seeing you and Excalibur.”

“Excalibur? Where is my sword?” Arthur asked the sword.

“Here it is, Arthur. Excalibur will not leave your side.” Merlin handed the sword towards Arthur. The latter grabbed the sword and held it close to his chest.

“And how fared my lady Guinevere?” Arthur asked.

“I fear I bear no news. It may not…” Merlin was cut off.

“You are a druid. Can’t you see the future? Or the whereabouts of her?”

“I am a druid but seeing into the …. Whereabouts are vague to me.” Merlin sighed. “I hold no such skills. I could foresee destinies and …”

“Bah! Then you are no use to me.” Arthur dismissed the druid. Merlin left the tent and met Lamorak outside.

“Is he well?” Lamorak had asked.

“Arthur is feverish but he will recover,” Merlin replied.

“What about his delusion as Arthur? We are Legionnaires and not …. Knights.” Lamorak held onto his identity as the Optio. “He could be …”

“Bewitched? He is not. He is just tired.” Merlin defended Arthur. “Do not question his destiny, Lamorak. Arthur is to serve that.”

Merlin stepped away to look at the hilltop. The Anglo Saxons were defeated but they exact their vengeance to burn the hilltop of its structure and even the supply stores. It was a hard battle but they won the war.

“I hope it was worth the sacrifice,” Merlin muttered.

Story Write Compilations Volume I Stories 13

 

Twelve Hours to Christmas

 

Author's Note:

Most of us said that is the time we rush for our last minute's shopping and hurrying for home. Have you ever considered the ones who may be still working at the shops and offices?

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Ever felt miserable on Christmas eve; well I did as I was to manned the call desk on that day. My other colleague has to call in sick or stuck in some non-moving traffic. As I was living within a block of the place, I ended up in the store doing the dreaded work of listening to moans and groans from dis-grunted customers.

 

Oops! There is the line coming in.

“Good afternoon, this is Sarah at the Store. Merry Christmas to you and how can I help you?” Here it comes, the tirade of complaints by another disgruntled customer. She bought a microwave to heat her meals for the coming dinner but it's not working. She is living out of the city limits and she is not driving in to get it replaced. And she wants an answer now. Okay here comes my cheesy ‘I am your every helpful servant’ smile although I am smiling at a switchboard instead of an irate customer over the counter. I guided her through the steps in the installation manual and we ticked the items as we walked through it.

 

“Oh, I forgot to push the plug back to restore the power to this socket. The last time it blew up ‘Harvey’, it shut off the current automatically.” She must be blushing on the other side of the phone line.

 

“Who is Harvey?” I had to ask. It's called being personal to your client.

 

“Harvey was my previous microwave. He served me well for five years. He died so I had to get this new replacement with all the new switches. Thank you, it's working, and Merry Christmas. By the way, what is your name again?” I told her and she said she will call this new contraption Sarah from now. I am ever pleased to be named after a microwave.

 

The clock just clicks 1:00 pm. That’s eleven more hours to midnight. And the hour dragged on.

 

Buzz... Buzz... I must have slept after that onion burger lunch. “Good afternoon, this is Sarah at the Store. Merry Christmas to you and how can I help you?”

 

“Oh, hello Sarah. Do you know the way to Jake’s Hardware? I need to get there before he closes. I am at the junction of 13th and 18th.” Oh, I become the GPS lady now. Okay, since it's Christmas, I will lay it out for her. That call took more than ten minutes and three bad turns but she made it. But Jake’s closed by then. So I told her to take two more turns and parked in our carpark. We are open till 10:00 pm today. She said thank you, and have a nice Merry Christmas. I wished her well too. I pull down the earphones and reached for my cold coffee.

 

The clock just clicks 2:00 pm. That’s ten more hours to midnight. And the quarter-hour dragged on.

 

“Mum, it's me, Ben. Did you wrapped up my toys for tonight?” I told him, yes, and it's hidden away. I am doing it here now, as I just bought it before I started work. Single mother woe’s but it's nice to be reminded on this day that despite it, my kid loves me. But how do you explain to him, how Santa brought the toy down the chimney when we don’t have one. I guess it's time to improvise. I will tell him Santa brought it to the store’s chimney for me to bring it back.

 

The clock just clicks 3:00 pm. That’s ten more hours to midnight. And the half-hour dragged on.

 

“Oh, thank you.” Charles is my manager and he is working today too. He just brought me a cup of hot cocoa with a layer of cream on top. He is here as he’s single and he has no place to celebrate Christmas this year. So he volunteers to manned the shop. I did offer him to come to my place but he said he will let me know. I guess he is shy or I am coming on too strong. His cocoa is strong in flavor; I liked it that way too.

 

The clock just clicks 4:00 pm. I have a rubber hammer nearby and I wished I can knock it to go faster.

 

“Sarah, it's mum. I am at the train station. I was told by Ben that you are at the store. My goodness, darling. It's Christmas eve, and what are you doing there? Did it get burned down or bombed by some terrorist? If it's not, I would. Come and fetch me and we will celebrate together?” I told them I can’t and she is only a block away from my pad. “Please go home to Ben. I will be fine. I will be back tonight. Love ya. And don’t bomb the train station.” We both had a good laugh. She surprised me this year as most times she is at home hundreds of miles away with Silvie, my other sister. Oh, I forgot Silvie got married and she has gone to her beau’s family home for Christmas.

 

5:00pm. Is this the Spanish Inquisition time? It's so slow.

 

“Good afternoon, this is Sarah at the Store. Merry Christmas to you and how can I help you?” The phone hung up. And then it rang again. I announced my usual greeting, and it hung up. I waited and it rang. “David Bradley, you hang up one more time, I will come over to your place and tear it to pieces. Do I make myself clear?”

 

“Hi, Sarah. I just..... thought I .... speak with.... you.... but ..... the words..... could not....come ....out. .... I am .... so sorry.” David is a nice kid with an infatuation for me, and he suffers from a medical condition known as stuttering. He is a nice kid and he just wants to talk to someone. And I happened to be the one on the phone who is nice and pleasant, but on some occasions, I do yell. But for today, I spent over forty minutes talking to him on his fifteenth Christmas celebration with his own family. We said goodbye at about 5:55 pm.

 

Charles pop in at 6:05 pm asking if I wanted dinner. I said yes, and then he went off without asking me what kind of dinner I want. I guess it's an onions burger again with diet coke. But he came back with Chinese and holding a mistletoe on the other hand. I point at that and he said. “I am fixing that but this is an extra,” I told him to fix it over my console. It will nice to have someone kissed me here. He did fix the mistletoe but he did not kiss me then.

 

Darned it. The clock just clicked 7:00 pm.

 

I can just imagine the people gathering at the homes now and sharing a drink or two. The roast is in the oven and the table is laid out with the silvers or the china’s pieces. And I can picture mine; with the plastic spoons and the rectangle box with cold noodles. But Charles made it nicer with the cold diet coke. If only he would share it with me. What is beauty without the beast; it's like the spoon without the fork.

 

I threw all the leftovers at 8:00 pm.

 

“Good afternoon.... sorry it's evening, this is Sarah at the Store. Merry Christmas to you and how can I help you?” It was my boss, Mr.Fredrick's and he is calling to check on the store. I told them it's still intact and the people are still coming in despite the late hours. They came in for the heat as outside is cold, but no harm telling him half the truth. But he told me he is adding in half a month of bonus for me. I thanked him for his generosity. Bloody Shylock, half a month for the only day I wished I was at home with my kid. But beggars cannot be choosy. He hung up at precisely 9:00 pm.

 

Finally, the clock struck at 10:00 pm and I am grabbing my stuff to leave. I bumped into Charles at the door as he was also leaving. He offered to drive me but I told him I have to pick up a late dinner at the all niter down the street. Well, he just waved to me and left, while I am still standing there with my pouting lips out. Must be the last of the Neanderthal mankind; yet to evolve to become a stud like my ex-boyfriend.

 

I made it there just before 11:00 pm and old Navin was nice to have it all packed hot for me to go. I was to leave when I bumped into Jessica who was coming in for her meals. She insisted I sit down and talk to her, as she has just broken up with Charlie for the fifth time. She is one emotional wreck then, and I sympathize with her. We sat down and chat while she poured out her woes to me. I will be darned honest, I sat there so I can see the clock over the door. Thank God, it stuck at 11:40 pm and HE sends him to her.

 

“Jessy, Charlie is here. I suggest you makeup and fight another day after New Year’s perhaps?” Jessy turned to see Charlie standing there with his open arms. She went for him and I had to pry myself out of the shop doorway so I could go home to Ben and Mum. I reached the door when the old clock struck midnight.

 

“Merry Christmas everyone....” but the place was dark. My whole pad is all dark and without any lights. I know it without light which is why it's dark. I reached for the switch and a hand grabbed mine.

 

“Let me do it.” I know that voice.

 

The lights came up and I am looking at a decorated pad with Ben and my Mum safe and sound. Mum does look silly dressed as Santarina. But who cares when your hand is held by the man you claimed to be backward Neanderthal mankind.

 

“Look, Mum. Mistletoe above you.” It's there and it's shining bright to the lights. It was also then Charles grabbed hold of me and kissed me for the first time. That was my best twelfth hour on Christmas Day.

 

“Charles, do you remember the first time you kissed me?” I looked at the man who shared my bed for over forty years now. He just mumbled about needing his sleep. He is still my Neanderthal man as he is sleeping on my side when the clock struck midnight to announce the new Christmas day. Ben and his family are away in their own home and we are here in ours. The mistletoe still hangs over our door but it's a distance to walked from our bed at this age.

 

“Merry Christmas everyone.....”

 

 

 

 

Trojan War Chapter 34

 

34.

The refugees from the Outposts arrived at the five Trojan worlds on the available ships. They were met by the authorities who offered them the needed assistance. King Priam had formed the committee to address the concerns and listened to the hardships.

“We were overwhelmed by the onslaught. There were the Archaeon, Argos, and Macedonian ships that attacked us before they send in the warriors.” The survival of Outpost Two reported on the attack there. “We have no frigates or destroyers but our stealth fighters went out to meet theirs.”

“My King, we were outnumbered from three to one.” A hundred stealth fighters were positioned at the outpost but they were of the older models and stood no chance against the mass of stealth fighters that came from the combined forces of Archaeon and their allies.

“Our stealth fighters were outdated and some had no missiles affixed to their launchers.” The surviving pilot of the fighter that went out to engage the enemy reported back. “Where are the modifications promised?”

King Priam had wanted to deploy the newer models of the stealth fighters but due to the limited resources, he had the funds channeled to build the new cores to fortify the defenses on the inner ring of worlds. The refurbishment was to take many more years but the incident with Paris escalated the works however it was to be the focus on the inner ring of worlds.

“We were building it but the declaration of war was too quick for us to deploy it.” King Priam had replied.

“My King, is it true that we created the war. I was told that we kidnap a citizen of Sparta and held her here.” The words of the survival of Outpost One resonated towards the King. “We were at peace with the other worlds for a long time. Prosperity and friendship had been established with my peers across the worlds and now we are enemies again with each other.”

King Priam had refused to reply and gathered his leaders to discuss the next action.

“I have initiated the action.” Hector who had returned from Outpost Six told the King. “I have a plan with Queen Belladina of the Thracians. We will attack the Archaeon’s allies.”

“I cannot stop this as I cannot prevent this war now. We will regroup but you can buy us time.” King Priam looked at Hector. “Go with your courage.”

“You are mistaken, my King. I am not joining them. I will coordinate with her while she garners the others at the Frontier to battle back.” Hector reported back. “I …”

“Hector of Troy, you will be the Supreme Leader of the Trojan’s armies including its allies.” King Priam made the announcement. “Now do your worst.”

“I am working on it,” Hector replied.

At that moment, Queen Belladina was in her new destroyer; the New Bitch.. It was previously the Dardanes destroyer which was salvaged and hastily equipped to have it ready for battle.

“Bitch One and Two”, Queen Belladina called on her two destroyers that were in the fore to face the Macedonian fleet of five frigates that was in retreat near the Frontier’s boundary. They had ambushed the fleet hiding the moon and with the hunks of asteroids that blocked the Macedonian scanners. The two destroyers had surprised the Macedonian fleet then of seven frigates; five Macedonian and two Archaeon. The two Archaeon frigates were on the starboard of the Macedonian when it was hit.

“Two frigates down.” The commander of the Bitch One called in while the New Bitch remained behind the moon.

“Good. Pursue them. They will be retreating to the main fleet. I don’t want to meet it but just to know their location.” Queen Belladina communicated it on the comms. “Don’t engage.”

The five frigates of the Macedonian had taken evasive action after the destruction of the other two frigates.

“We got to lead them to the rendezvous point. The fleet will be waiting.” The commander of the Macedonian lead frigate relayed the command. They had planned the trip but it was sprung by the Thracians. “We lost two of our allies and I don’t intend to lose more.”

“Macedonian, we got you in the net.” That was the Argos fleet commander who was in the leading mothership of the Argos fleet with three destroyers and eight frigates. “We got them in the trap. But wait, there are only two destroyers. Our intelligence said that there was the salvaged Dardanes. Where is that?”

“Ignore the Dardanes ship. Tell the fleet to take them out.” That call came from Achilles who was in the vicinity with the Archaeon fleet of the single mothership and ten frigates. That fleet was the Mysian fleet; an independent fleet that came to the call of Achilles.

“We will sail for you only, Achilles.” The Mysian commander told Achilles when he called on them. “We are ready to serve you. I am in your debt.”

 “I was once the ally of the Trojans, and in battle with Achilles, he was wounded. He would have died if not for the kindness of Achilles to spare him and treated his wound.

“Why did you not leave me?” Telephus had asked. “I am your adversary.”

“I am Achilles the warrior, and you are one too. I respect that. Once we were allies and now adversaries. But you don’t like the Trojans.” Achilles had told Telephus. “And your fleet knew of the Frontier well. I may need your help to defeat them.”

“Why would I betray now the Frontier to you?” Telephus asked.

“Troy is doomed, and the Frontier will be the first to go. If you are with me as you once were, you will be spared.” Achilles laid down the outcome.

 

Telephus took that outcome and hence the Thracians fleet was the first betrayal.

“Queen Belladina, we are under attack.” The commander of Bitch One called out before the destroyer was hit by the missiles. “We are going…”

The same fate awaits the second destroyer. Queen Belladina was to rush in but her aides told her to pull back.

“We are defeated.” The commander of the destroyer went on. “I am initiating self-destruct on the ship. Goodbye, my Queen.”

“No, take us down too. Our controls are out.” The commander of the second destroyer called out. “We can’t be captured.”

“Affirmative, Bitch Two. We will initiate a collision impact. We are united in life and death. Ashes to ashes. With death, we will still remain..”

Four thousand crews; all women perished when the two destroyers collided. It took down one Argos frigate which was near the two destroyer collision.

“Take us to Troy then.” Queen Belladina saw the collision on the huge vid screen. Her emotions held in check from the years of losses that not a tear fell from her eyes. She reached for the right hand of the girl she saved from Outpost Six. “Be brave, Diana. We are not dead yet.”

 

 

 

Authur II Book II Chapter 26

 

26.

 

Arthur rode his horse towards the defense line. He was in the fore and found himself ahead. The cavalry of the Sarmatians riders was to the side. They were facing strong resistance there.

Arthur kicked at the horse and had his sword out. The horse lunged forward with its four limbs in sync leaping over the uneven grounds. Its hoofs took its grip on the surface and galloped forward. It may have seen the rain of arrows but its obedience to the rider was its untiring effort.

Arthur had seen the arrows aimed at it. He could not make out the archers but the threat was the arrow. Arthur drew on the shield and held it over his head. The shield gave out a cover that covered the rider and horse. He reached the first defense line and saw the Anglo Saxon there coming out from the trenches to fight.

“Kill the Roman! Avenge Hengist!” A group of Anglo Saxons rushed towards Arthur.

Arthur dismounted with his shield and sword. He saw there were four of them; two with swords and one with the mallet. The last was armed with the pike. He reckoned his battle will be by foot than on the horse. He did not wait for them and charged himself at them. He held the shield to cover his body and felt the mallet struck at it. He swung with Excalibur from the right at the unprotected waist of the attacker. He cut the fur coat and sliced it into the tender flesh.

“Arghhh…” Arthur heard the other cried out when he ducked the swinging sword above his head. He turned to deflect the other swordsman with Excalibur and then swept out with his shield like a sword at the earlier swordsman. The shield sharp end cut at the other on the left forearm and then Arthur had regained his attack with Excalibur into the swordsman’s chest from the right. He was not spared when the remaining swordsman blade cut at his left forearm but the leather greaves there prevented the cut to go deeper.

“He bleeds!” The swordsman called out with glee with his arms raised. It was a wrong move to gloat for he left his chest unprotected. Arthur plunged Excalibur into the swordsman's chest and ended his calling.

“So, it you and me.” Arthur looked at the one who holding the spike had held back. The pikeman turned and ran back up the hill. Arthur then mounted his horse to give chase. He kicked the horse to jump across the trench to ride along with it. He slashed with Excalibur at the other defending Anglo Saxons. He also used the shield to block any Anglo Saxon trying to pierce him with their spears or pike.

“He is the trench!”

While Arthur was riding along the trench, he kicked at the pots of oil and then grabbed the torches. He tossed those at the spilled oil.

“He is burning the oil.” The defenders called out when the fire broke out. The oil splattered and with the lighted torch to flame it, the fire spread. Other things caught fire and the flames spread. 

“Clear the trench!’ There were calls for it from the defenders.

“Kill the bastard!” Some did call out but the fire had spread and the defenders were retreating to the next line. More arrows came down from the other line and the defenders in the earlier trench were caught by it.

With smoke billowing from the direction of the wind from downhill, Arthur rode over the second and third line. He saw the fire had spread on its momentum with some defenders aflame had moved to other lines.

“The Romans are here!’” The shouts distracted Arthur. He looked to the legionaries who reached the trench and were attacking the defenders there but the fire was also holding them back.

“Move around the fire!” Lamorak was seen giving the command. He was concerned about his Prime who had acted like a lunatic to charge ahead. He saw Arthur partly hidden by the smoke slashing and deflecting with his shield. Arthur was not stopping and rode hard uphill.

Down below, Lamorak cursed in his words.

“What has he done? He is riding like a lunatic into battle.” Lamorak roared out when he jumped the first line of defense. The legionnaires were swarming the line there.

“He is crazy. Look at him out there.” It was an inspiring view of the leader they named Arthur astride the horse brandishing the sword and shield.

“He looked like the God Mars.” Another called out.

“Do your task, Legionaries,” Lamorak called out when he had to use his gladius on an attacking defender. “They are not finished until we are done.”

Arthur at mid-hill rode on upwards. He was met by Cedric the Big who had come down the hill to meet the Roman.

“Cedric?” Arthur called out and dismounted once more. He can’t miss that giant with the ax. Cedric roared out and charged at Arthur. The latter dismounted and stood there with Excalibur. Cedric stopped near Arthur.

“Are you the Roman?” Cedric called out.

“Do I look like one? I am Arthur.”

“No matter. I saw you kill Hengist and for that, you will die.” Cedric called out. He rushed at Arthur with the ax but the latter had ducked and swung with the sword. Excalibur which could slice a wooden table into halves stopped the ax but it did not cut it. Both warriors held onto their weapon pushing with it.

“Your sword cannot cut my ax. Its wood is not of any but enchanted by the druids.” Cedric said. Just as he did the handle of the ax broke into halves and Cedric fell backward.

“What sorcery is that?” Cedric on his haunches looked at Arthur.

“It’s Excalibur and it will not be stopped by your ax.” Arthur looked at Cedric. “Say your piece before I kill you.”

“I think not.” Cedric rolled to the side and crouched up. He had then grabbed a sword that was discarded on the ground. “Cold steel will be a match to yours.”

“Fool!” Arthur rushed at Cedric. He swung Excalibur with anger at the other. Cedric took up his sword to deflect the swinging attack but found his sword broke into halves and Excalibur cut into his right elbow. He screamed out in pain and gave the opening for Arthur to plunge the Excalibur into the belly.

“Die, you ….” Arthur stopped in his words. He felt his anger and was regretful. He had fought like a raving madman without any concern for his safety. He pulled Excalibur cleared of the huge warrior and went down on one knee.

“I have fought with anger.” Arthur sighed. He knew why. “Guinevere…”

“Hold the line around the Prime.” Arthur saw the legionnaires have reached him and formed a circle to protect him.

“Are you well, Prime?” It was Lamorak, bloodied on his armor but he fought hard to reach the Prime.

“I am fine, Optio. Take the men to win this battle. I will join you soon.” Arthur told the other. He saw then his wound on the forearm was attended by the druid. He grabbed Merlin by the arm and faced him.

“Was it me or the sword? I fought….” Arthur looked at Merlin.

“You fought like a bear. A giant bear and like a King.” Merlin smiled.

“No, I felt …. Anger and power. It’s the sword that …. Did it bewitch me?” Arthur dropped Excalibur on the ground. “I cannot… I was not like this for a long time.”

“It’s not the sword, Arthur. It’s the new person in you. Excalibur surfaced it.” Merlin said. “When you were a Centurion, you risked your life on the front with the men. You fought with them side by side. You were a true warrior. Over the years, you were promoted and you did not go in front as often.”

“Druid, you are …”

“Arthur, as King you will fight some battles by yourself as you were a Centurion. There is no braver or mighty King than one who will fight at the front of his knights.”

“Enough, druid. I can still battle ...” Arthur staggered up to stand. “I need not …”

“Even a King needs his sword as he may need his Queen,” Merlin told Arthur. “Your legend as King will be told with that.”

“Now pick up Excalibur,” Merlin told Arthur. “Both of you are to be together as one. Hail, King Arthur.”

“I …. I am unsure.” Arthur looked at Excalibur. “I …”

“You were given the sword for you are to be King. Excalibur is not wrong in its selection.” Merlin looked at Arthur. “Do not deny your destiny. You and Excalibur are to be one.” 

Arthur leaned down to pick up Excalibur. He held it to his lips and whispered; “I am with Excalibur as it will be with me.”

“And Guinevere…” Arthur collapsed to the ground.

 

 

 

Story Write Compilations Volume I Stories 12

 

Little Mermaid

 

Author's Note:

The title says it well, but have you checked under the waves for other parts of this popular tale. Don't believe what you may read all the time.

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Under the ocean, there are thousands of creatures that we do not know about, and this is one of them them. They are all wonderful creations in this world with their own identities like us as a man. This is the story of one of them; the last mermaid.

 

So our story began.

‘Yo crazy, girl. You are a mermaid and now you want to tell me you wanna be a human. I meant you are half-human and fish, and that makes you a mermaid by definition. So why would you want to choose to be one of the other when you can be one’, spoken like a true fish; she is a Tinselfish; found at 1,000 meters deep in the ocean and rarely caught by the man. Her name is Gram, and she works as anchor news for the station.

 

‘But Gram, I am in mixed emotions. I am born a mermaid, and I had then friends with mermaids and fishes. Over the years, I find the mermaids are dwindling and now I am the last. But you fishes are still around, and okay, you lost some tribes, but as a whole nation, you are still around. And so are the humans, as the undercurrents tell me they are seen at this depth too. As for me, I am in in-between and belong to no nation of human or fish’, sigh the last mermaid named Jessie, whose size is of the size of the human’s palm, and her tail well covered with gleaming green fins. As for her upper body, she is a well developed young lady.

 

‘I been up the ocean and spied on the human. I saw one of those wooden crates, but this one is smaller than the one which we have on the seabed. On it was my sight of a human, and I thinketh he is a man as his chest is flat and has ugly hairs on it. I watched for a long time and the things he does. Some of it is disgusting but I think I am in love with him’, Jessie is always a ‘dreamboat’ in her days, probably due to the deep pressure here.

 

‘Yo in love? Jessie, you are out of your fins on this one’, exclaimed Gram as she swirled the currents to make she is listening well. At this depth, the plankton does get into your ears.

 

‘I think I am, and I am a grown mermaid, and can make my mind. I will see Mama Oct for advice. I hear she does this transformation for some mermaids, and they lived on as humans.’ Jessie is one messed up broad for sure.

 

‘Mama Oct? You are crazy for sure. She is bad vibes. The wiser used to said to avoid her.’ Gram was trying to swim sense into her friend, but Jessie was on her way to the darker depths. Now Gram was not able to let her friend go alone, so she followed with her prayers bubbles in the lungs.

 

‘Mermaid, your wish can be done, but let me warn you, there are conditions for the transformation. One, you will not be able to swim with the fishes. Two, you will be a dumb broad as we had not got that part right yet. Two plus, we could compensate with some silicone or plastics; plenty around from the dumping. Or you can look at the next package; we make you into a fish. And there are no terms and conditions to adhere to, except you lose your human looks. We do not offer silicone for fish though, it's too bulky. Your call, darling, and bubble me when you are ready. Now that will be three pearls for the initial consultation.’ So Jessie and Gram went to the counseling cave for some last minutes review of actions. And finally, Jessie emerged from the cave to bubble up Mama Oct.

 

One evening, a young lady of the small statute in body size was seen at the jetty waiting for her lover in the boat. There he arrived, and out he jumped onto her and kissed her passionately. He held out in his hand, a fishbowl with a Tinselfish in it.

 

‘I think you needed a companion’ he said to her, and she nodded as she was dumb. They both walked back to their house by the beach and carrying the fishbowl with the Tinselfish. Unknown to them, there was another Tinselfish which swam away beneath the jetty to be in time for her slot on the late news,

This was her report.

 

'Today, we have another friend lost at sea. Her name is Gram, and she is of the Tinselfish Tribe. We bid her all the best and thank her for the service she rendered on this channel. I am your new anchor fish, Jessie; signing off for the station’ We will now listen to this song to say our wishes to Gram'.

 

'You are not alone.......'