Lone Ranger Chapter 47

47.

In Greek mythology, there was a boundary from Earth and the Underworld was separated by a hidden realm that resembled a barrier. If one was to travel the realm, you need to traverse the connecting rivers there but the journey on the rivers is not without its perils. The other name for Underworld was Hades or in the throes of pain, it was ‘Hell’. In Hades, the main river that was used by many was named Styx.

It was claimed that the River Styx encircled the realm nine times but that river was not the only river journey there for there were three others; Phlegethon, Acheron, and Cocytus. These three rivers were perilous in their path for it may flow underground or over wild rapids to deep drops. Besides the above main rivers, there are some other less known waterways, Lethe, Eridanos, and Alpheus but the rivers were not used for its perils. All the rivers however flowed to the one final resting place; pardon the pun here, which is a marshland.  The River Styx was managed by one named Charon who plied the river on a regular schedule. It was reputed Charon used an old derelict boat on the river. It was believed that Charon was the boatman to sail the departing soul to the Underworld or Hades but it came with a price.

A gold coin will suffice. It may sound easy but to acquire on when one was in Hades tend to be difficult if you were not prepared. Those without it had a long wait and compared to proper Hades, it was unbearable there at the edge than inside. That was seen by the earlier reception that greeted them at the plateau.

The river Styx was more than a river to enter the Underworld. It was supposed to hold miraculous powers in its water. The Greece tale of the formidable Achilles was created when his mother dipped him in except for the heel held by her. That was the weakest point in his power. Even the Greeks Gods were said to avoid the river for drinking its water may cause them to lose their voices for nine years, and then being exiled from the council of gods for nine years. It was a long wait for the Gods then despite their immortality.

“Falstaff, I am sure the dressing may suit your times but we are in Hades,” Lance commented on the other.

“Hades? I have been a part of it for some years now if one can fit it into the cavity of time. My better years were when I served for the King then as his loyal soldier. I can assure you that the English Pikemen were known for their bravery and above all, them as a formidable figure in the ground soldiers.” The rather rounded figure had armor of the rounded helmet, the breastplate that customized fitted, backplate that looked more picturesque than the other, a missing gorget that will fit the tripled layered neck and the other customized thigh defenses named the tassets. All of that won’t weigh what the other clucks of fats added to the frame. It was the pike that impressed Lance. It was sixteen feet long, tapered towards the end which had a sharp steelhead with long steel cheeks or langets that were strips of steel nailed to the pike to reinforce it.

“We fought hard then in the English Civil War. The one war that happened when you were still nudging your mother for milk.” Falstaff smiled. “We formed up in six ranks, shoulder to shoulder. We held the pike leveled at shoulder height, holding the last few feet and march forwards to thrust the pike into the enemy. It was known as the push of the pike. Sometimes we braced the end of the pike against the right foot and almost kneeling, leveled to the horses’ chest.”

“I am glad for your tales but do you happen to have any gold coins?” Lance asked the other while he shuffled his feet at the river banks. They were waiting for Charon, the rower on the River Styx. They had arrived there on the similar enclosed chamber that jolted them most of the way and then ended up in a what may appear to be a huge chamber with a row of manned counters.

“One way River Styx. Three occupants.” Falstaff had acquired the passages. That accounts for the lack of need to pay the rower. It was explained then but the gold coin gives you a more imminent arrival on time to Hades instead of waiting for the next available sail. It was on Lance’s question that Falstaff produced his bag of wealth.

“I got enough guineas here for our journey.” Falstaff smiled. “Pays well for the rum when I needed it most.”

“Aye, we could use some of that now.” A voice was heard from the unlighted sides and then they appeared. There were eight of them, and their dressings were stranger to the expectations of Lance. Their dressings were akin to those of pillagers of the high sea.

“Captain Silver, I see that even Hades does not hold well for you.” Falstaff acknowledged the other. He then turned to Lance and explained. Lance studied the figure there. It was a stout frame with the left leg stump lengthens by the wooden piece. His outer dressing was the knee-length the overcoat and beneath it, was the simple tunic and the dark pants. It was his headpiece which amazed Lance.

“Prussian Pickelhaube,” Lance muttered out. He had seen those helmets in the darker continent worn by the Germans there. They took pride in the design; hardened leather, glossy black finish, reinforced with the metal trim and included a metal spike at the top. Despite its sharpened edge, it was hardly used as a murderous weapon.

“Right on there, mate. Wolfgang had given me this as a farewell gift. It won’t sink with him in the river so I had it placed here as a tribute to him.” The one named Captain John Silver. He was then flanked by another who whispered to his ear.

“The Lone Ranger, I presume.” Captain Silver spoke up. “Your reputation precedes you here. Are you here to hunt the Devil?”

Lance was taken to reply but Falstaff stopped him. The other held out his pike and then cautioned the others.

“Silver, my old pal. Your mutterings to veil your mates to attack us.” It was then Lance noticed the other three associates of Silver was on his right and the others to the left. He reached for his guns but Falstaff had swung his pike in an arc.

“The pike has more than a nasty deep wound. It does cut sideways.”

Captain Silver held out his hand to stop his mates. He then voiced out his real intentions.

“We would like to go on ahead to Hades. Inner Hades but we lack the guinea or shall I say the pieces of eight. If you are going to do what I think you may, you will need a bigger crew.”

“Let me ask Hawkins. He has a lot to speak of your crews.” Falstaff replied but Lance cut in.

“We will pay your passage but you will assist us there. Can we agree?”

That was how Falstaff was to lose another eight guineas. It was Charon’s turn to surprise Lance.