83.
Arthur sat high
on his saddle and looked to the formation of the enemy before him. He was
familiar with their moves for he was once a Legionnaire. There were at shallow
valley and the Romans were at the other side. Governor Frollo had formed his
legionnaires into a ‘wedge’ formation with the main force concentrated on the
middle. Arthur smiled for he was sure that the Governor had every intention to
split his force and then from the wings, the cavalry will sweep from the wings
and formed the pincer to pick on the enemy flankers. It was a good formation on
assumption the enemy was moving to fight them but Arthur had other plans.
Arthur had not
intended the war to happen despite the Governor earlier threat. They had met
once more in a more private area where Arthur entertained the later.
“Our right on
the land was before that of Lord Pendragon.” Arthur placed his claim forth. “He
was the overlord of King Faramon then.”
“A claim which
he was not entitled to it anymore given that Rome had taken Gaul.”
“Most of Gaul
but not all of it. The missing stretches are these.” Arthur argued. “I was one
of you and I knew the battles.”
“And you disregarded
the oath to Rome now that you are the King.” Goveror Frollo cursed at Arthur.
“I am a free
citizen and I chose my own to be with.” That was the last words they spoke
before the battle.
“Sir Kay, bring
forth the mercenaries to the fore with the foot soldiers at the flanks. They
will bear the brunt of the enemy while we will ride form the wings to defeat
the cavalry and then moved in with the pincer move to surround the
legionnaires.” Arthur looked to the knights. “Percival will lead the right
while the Black Knight on the left. I will be with the mercenaries with
Tristram and Lamorak.”
“You are mad!”
Lamorak cried out and then added. “Madness had always been in me.”
“No, Arthur. I
forbid it. If they do form the testudo, you may be wounded.” The testudo was
the Roman defensive move alike to the turtle with the packed formation covered
with shields on the front and top. The spears or pilus will then appeared from
the gaps in the shields to harass the enemy. The legionnaires were trained to
move in unison on the command and hence the shield walls with not break in the
movement.
“I know of the
formation and its with my command they will be broken by us.” Arthur looked to the
knights. “I am needed there for them to fight gallantly for us.”
With that
command, Arthur took to the fore with the mercenaries and marched onto the
enemy. He paced his march with slow trod on the mount while watching the enemy
took full steps to meet him. He saw the Centurions giving out their commands
while driving the legionnaires to rush up. It was a good move on the plains but
in a sloping valley terrain, it was a death trap. The legionnaires reached the
bottom of the valley first and then began their climb towards Arthur. Each
legionnaire carried on his body the armour and weapon which was more than fifty
lbs in weight.
“Move forth on
my command.” Arthur called when he picked up the pace. “Move the spears
forward.”
The command was
relayed to the mercenaries and then to the foot soldiers. The later rushed
forth with two men each carrying the long spear made for the battle. It was an
idea from the jousting. The spearmen thrust their lengthen spears into the gas
between the shield. With their combined strength, they pushed the spear into
the shield. Every time their thrust was deflected they pushed on. Then the call
came.
“Raise them!”
Arthur called out.
The spearmen
then moved their aim towards the legs of the legionnaires. They struck there
below the shields and the opportune moment came. The spear thrust into the leg
then shattered the legionnaire formation. The testudo was undone The undone
action shook the others and that distraction offered opportunity.
The first
testudo unformed and the foot soldiers rushed in, and the other testudo became undone.
It was what happened before.
“Form the line!’
Governor Frollo called out but the disciplined legionnaires were in the retreat
then. He saw his defeat was on hand and retreated with his own command. He rode
off to a grand city to seek refuge. From the walls of the city, Frollo saw his
escape was blocked by the army that belonged to Arthur.
“Governor, we
are not prepared for any siege?” Governor Frollo glared at the city defender’s
leader. It was not a report but a plea to him. He was not wanted there.
“For the city’s
sake…” The Governor looked away from the defenders to the army that have
besieged the city
“Prepare my
horse. I will fight Arthur by myself.”
Back at Camelot,
Merlin was making progress with his research on the lions. He had taken the
remains of their bones and with much tedious works he had used spells to
conjure up their spirits. It was lessons he learned from the Egyptian priests
on one of the soul searching trips.
“Come forth the
floating spirits. Cross the dimension that separates us and be in one with
us.”Merling scattered the grounded dust of the bones into the large bowl where
he had placed the talisman to control the spirits. He pranced around the small
table where he had placed the bowl. He then continued with his chanting on the
rites of living and dying before he placed his hands into the bowl. He held
onto the talisman and then felt his body quivered before it broke into a state
of trance.
“You are brave
for a mortal to call upon us.” The image slowly unfolded before Merlin. It was
a figure of a human and yet its head was that of a lioness. “I have not invoked
in any ceremony or called upon since the days when huge beasts roamed the land.
They called upon me for bravery and courage in their hunts. I rewarded them the
deserving ones with such qualities but the age of hunt was over. I have lain in
the dark for far too long.”
“Long have you
been forgotten, my …Lady. I am Merlin…”
“I heard of you
and your long enduring journey here. You are one of the ancients who fell from
the skies as I once did. We were of a different era but we served the same
purpose. We studied and taught them to be what we were but only part could we
teach. The fulfilment of ours cannot be full with them although they are
…inventive and at best their curiosity led their mind.” The Lioness figure
replied. So tell, Merlin as you are now named, what ail you to do call me when
you once defeated the kind of mine beneath the castle.”
“If I may be
allowed to defend myself. I did not defeat the dragons as the words of many
have sounded but merely borrowed their lair to erect a King that was to be
powerful. He had united the lands but his reaches were limited. I have now
found a more notable King to do what was never completed. King…”
“King Arthur as
you may considered a worthy King, and with him the wishes of the fresh water
guardian, the Lady in the Lake deemed fit to hold the esteemed sword of theirs,
I am sadly not impressed by him.” The Lioness figure replied with a sigh.
“Arthur may be of your doing, coaxing the man to reach out with his lust
towards one who was pure in the blood. You stepped in to deliver the child into
a warrior who will nurture him with the skills required of a King, and then bring
him forth to his so named legacy and rejoiced in his ascent as King.”
“Truly Merlin,
are you that powerful to carry on your wishes for the next King? Did you see
him for his flaws as I have ignored in mine when I impart my skills to those
then. They were brave and courageous but were they wise and fair in their
approach.” The Lioness looked at Merlin.
“Were we when we arrived here? We were superior and in many ways more
knowledgeable but wiser we were not. We created a world in our image and with
them we gave them the knowledge but the wiser thought of our mind was never
imparted for we had little then. Those we created populated the lands and
removed their challenger. We even assisted them and placed ourselves as heroes
to be looked upon. Idols to be worshipped on and from their mind, we evolved to
what they termed as God beings.”
“But are we? Or
merely their sanctuary for the righteous of their action. In God, they waged
wars. In God, they lay their life for the King. In their King, they believed he
is the one who will save them. In them, who will save them when they become
spirits like me?”
Merlin was taken
aback by the words that were spoken by the lioness which he had called upon.
“Spirit of the
Lioness, I did not come to be taught the lessons of … I merely wanted your
blessing to protect the King whom I believed could do more for the land here.”
“Merlin, you
betrayed yourself in your own words. Greed was your needs. You needed to have a
leader placed there by yourself so that when you move on, the people may
continue to look upon you as the King maker. As the true saviour of the land
for you brought in not one but on this land, two great King that had united the
people.” The Lioness roared. “Hail, Merlin the Great! It was Merlin who the one
who resurrect Kings. Tell me, Merlin, how many have you resurrected in your
journey? Ten of dozens and what of their reign?”
“I do apologies
for they may not be named for they were not done by one named as Merlin. Was it
other names you had then? Why not Merlin and those other names? Yes, I recalled
now. Your ego stood so long as the reign was there from its rise to its
setting. Once it had set, you moved on and be into your other new ego”
“It’s in your
flair to do that with multiple egos of your true self. I wondered if your
brethren who came with you from above. They stood well as the Fallen but you
could not be associated with them for to be considered as a Fallen intimidate
your mind. You disassociate yourself from them, and yet they introduce a lot of
inventive items like fire but for you, the fire is you. You will light up their
lives and from the cinders you will move to light another fire.”
“Enough!” Merlin
shouted out. “I came for your blessings, and not to be reminded of my
….journey.”
“It’s sad to be
a minion among them, Merlin. You were the youngest and weakest but your
determination made you survived so long. Fear not, I will not reveal your
presence. I will bless your King for the people needed one to be united but I
cannot pledge my qualities to him for he is with others. He will not be perfect
but he will be one that will be remembered as you were.”
“A myth or
legendary but never proven to exist.” Those were the words of the Lioness.
It was just
then, when Arthur had his sword pointed at the Governor’s chest. It was the
command of the Governor Frollo that he faced Arthur alone in combat. He took
leave of the city and rode towards the enemy. He faced Arthur and called out
his challenge.
“Fight me in a
duel that was of this land. We will joust with the lances and then complete
with the sword. The loser shall take leave of the land and never come back.”
Arthur was reluctant for he was not adept at the art of handling the lance. He
was to decline when he heard the roar of the knights before him. They have
cheered that the King will duel in the battle of the lance.
“Held the lance
firmed and when you are sure, pushed it hard for the impact. If you are unsure,
ride wide and avoid the lance.” The Black Knight advised Arthur when he was
getting ready for the duel. “My horse will hold you in the saddle.”
Arthur noted the
extra straps that will keep him on the saddle. It also almost took his life
then. The lance held by the Governor creased his left thigh on the amour plate
and Arthur fell back on his saddle. He would have fallen off if not for the
straps but it also tore his left leg muscles at the shins. He cried out but by
then he had ridden past the Governor. The Black Knight rushed up to Arthur but
the King then was astride on the saddle. He glanced at the Governor on the far
end and without a mumble then, he rode out with the lance steadied. He was in
pain but the greatest pain was that he may be bested in the game he enjoyed
watching. He rode hard and the clash took place. Arthur deflected the lance
with his shield and with it, he slammed the shield into the Governor’s right
shoulder. The blow shaken the Governor but Arthur had turned his horse then to
swing the lance at the other’s back. It was an unknown move but the second blow
threw the Governor off the horse. Arthur then signalled his servants to open
the extra straps.
“King Arhur, you
did a foul …” Arthur ignored the other and drew his sword. The Governor did the
same and they clashed with it. Arthur was in rage then and he attacked with
heavy blows. The Governor was in retreat then and eventually he tripped. It was
then he saw himself looking at the sword at his chest.
“Let it be known
that I will defend this land for I am the King.” Arthur told the Governor. “I
will fight if need be the Roman Empire to defend it”
The Governor
nodded and then he withdrew the Roman Legions from those lands.
“The King was
reckless.” A knight among the others whispered to another.
“No, it was not the King but his ego.” The other
knight replied “It’s what made him a better King.”
No comments:
Post a Comment