Arthur II Book 2 Chapter 6

 

6.

 

The arrival of the Optio with the reinforcements was celebrated by the Prime. He met the reinforcements in the yard. The reinforcements will boost his strength to the full First Cohort numbers and his Optio was there. The Decurion was backed to strength.

“The First Cohort is back in full.’ Artorius called out to the cheers of the men. He then called for a celebration with his officers.

“Castle Gurnion is a good location. It should be manned to safeguard the people here.” Artorius looked to his men. “I want to propose that Belvedere be stationed here. You and the Auxiliaries will be here.”

“I will arrange for you additional coins and you may collect from the peasants with a share of their harvest.” Artorius looked at Belvedere.

“I am honored, Prime.” Belvedere stood up to receive the accolades given by the others. “For Wales.”

The Welsh among the Auxiliaries roared in unison. Artorius approached Belvedere then. He handed the ‘scuit’ given to him earlier.

“The ‘scuit’ will stand as the symbol of your castle here,” Artorius told the other. “Keep it well and defend the land.”

“I will return to Camelot soon.” Artorius voiced out. “I will take the Legionnaires with me.”

Later at the feast, he asked Merlin about the whereabouts of the Ghost.

“He was not in the battle at the castle. Did he abandon us?” Artorius asked.

“I doubt so. He is in the forest.” Merlin replied.

It was true that Lawnslot or the Ghost was in an abandoned prayers house in the forest. He had stepped away from his men and made his fireplace. He heard some cries near his campfire. He stood up to look and saw two figures approaching with their weapons. He saw them dressed like the Anglo Saxons. He figured the two fleeing for he heard the battle was won by the Romans but there was something in the way those two moved. Those movements of the two were unlike a real man.

“Immortuos…” Lawnslot muttered in the other language which he was proficient at; Latin taught to him by the monks. He had not seen such figures in the battles and on the land for a long time. They were the undead raised by the witches to do their bidding. It was a long time ago. He drew out his sword, Arondight. He will cut that undead and send them back to the underworld.

“Die, you spawn of the devil!” Lawnslot charged into the two undead warriors. The sword held by Lawnslot slashed downwards and cleaved off the head from the shoulders. It was the only way to kill this undead. He then kicked at the headless figure before he turned his mount to charge at the other. He did the same to the others.

It was the sound of fighting that drew his men to rush over.

“Ghost, I have seen those …. Undead before. They are …can’t be killed.” One of the warriors uttered a prayer.

“Take their heads off and they will remain dead.” Lawnslot saw the men were all too scared to move. He was not surprised at that. They are warriors when faced with a mortal enemy but rarely did they fight the undead.

“The rest of you returned to Joyous Gard. I will see it to the druid. He will give you protective spells.” Lawnslot then rode off to see the druid.

At the wall, Centurion Marcus was plagued with disputes by the local landowners. They have heard of the new Centurion on the wall and have brought their conflicts to him.

“Quiet! I say quietly.” Centurion Marius Giles called out to the gathered in the yard of the Roman camp. He counted about twenty of them, and he had requested some legionnaires to guard him. He was unsure who was to be trusted among the gathered for he was new there.

“I am sure we can resolve…” The Centurion's voice was cut off by another.

“There won’t be any dispute on my claimed rights.” It was from Antonio Marcellus. The Centurion recognized him for he had met the other before they reached the wall. The Roman was escorted by five mercenaries as guards.

“Master Marcellus, I was not aware that…”

“I am a landowner too, Centurion. I came in to place forth my rights.”

“The rights of Rome are not enforceable here. We are in Britannica and nor your Rome.” A local landowner shouted his protest.

“Britannica is a part of Rome now.” Antonio Marcellus challenged back. “I stand for Rome.”

The Centurion signaled his legionnaires to be alert. He expected more trouble unless he quelled the matter.

“Stand down, all of you.” The Centurion looked at the Roman Noble. “I will stand fair for all. Now return to your homes.”

The landowners dispersed and the Roman Noble was invited inside the Centurion’s hut. He was offered a seat by the Centurion.

“Master Marcellus…”

“Antonio will be fine. I am impressed that you …”

“I had done nothing for you. I did it for them.” Marius was annoyed. “I don’t know how the First Cohort handled the conflicts here but to me, the landowners have the right to their land. You will return the land and find your own in the North.”

“Insanity! My rights of claims told me that…”

“You can claim unclaimed lands not grabbed others. I will stand by those rights.” The Centurion replied.

“And I will see you get your rights removed by the Legion. I hold …” Antonio Marcellus was upset to be told off by the Centurion.

“Do it, Antonio Marcellus. I am without fear. Your Senate friends may know me better.” The Centurion told the Noble. “Now leave me. And take your filthy mercenaries away.”

The departure of Antonio Marcellus was reported to Lord Pendragon later in his castle.

“You have done well, Roman. You will be rewarded.” Lord Pendragon dismissed the spy hat he had placed within the Ninth Cohort. He watched the legionnaire took leave before he called upon the two attending Lords of his castle.

“Lord Bors, it looked like Marcellus may be a threat to us.” Lord Pendragon looked to Lord Bors. “How fares have you with the Augustus?”

“He is well guarded and hardly leaves his villa.” Lord Bors reported. “But I will do it soon.”

“I trust you will, Lord Bors. As for Antonio Marcellus, his greed may be the cause of his demise. See to that Lord Ban. I think to do in the Roman may be more an easy task.”

Lord Pendragon saw then the lady that was his guest and not attended to him. She had walked past the hall doorway. He rushed out and called on the lady.

“Lady Gentry! If I … If I may speak to you.” Lord Pendragon addressed the lady. The lady hesitated in her steps and then turned to look at the Lord. She did a curtsy bow towards him. Lord Pendragon then studied the young lady and found her attractive. She reminded him of Lady Igraine when he first saw her.

“I am sorry to startle you, my lady. I have not …” Lord Pendragon tried to find the words to speak.

“I have been unwell, my Lord. I was attended …” Lady Gentry was cut off by the arrival of Lady Igraine.

“She has been unwell. I had her rested and taken for short walks.” Lady Igraine stood next to the younger lady. “If you will excuse her, she is to take her medication.”

“Yes, please do. I will be … going back to my discussion.” That ended the short meeting between Lord Pendragon and the younger lady. He returned to the Hall and met the two Lords who were still waiting for him.

“Lord Bors, I met Lady Gentry. She …”

“Looked like Lady Penelope.”

“Penelope? It can’t be…. I mean it’s too …” Lord Pendragon stepped away. Lady Penelope was one of his lovers before he met Lady Igraine. It was a short affair then but when he met Igraine, he had ignored the other. She returned to Normandy and was never heard. He heard that she died some years later but never once he asked of her after that.

“You never asked of her, Lord Pendragon.” Lord Bors reminded him.

“No, I did not. We were not matched. We were young and restless then.” Lord Pendragon replied.

“As you were with Lady Igraine.” Lord Bors was direct. “She …”

“No, you misunderstand me. I was in love with Igraine although she was with someone else.”

“And a druid was to …”

“Do not ever bring that matter up. It was personal and it’s over. I will speak in the Romans now.” Lord Pendragon changed the subject matter.

In the chamber of Lady Igraine, she confronted the younger lady. They were seated at the table with the sunlight covering it from the open window.

“You were careless, Guinevere. Why did you leave your chamber without telling me?”

“I was …... bored. I took a walk but happened to be outside the Hall. I overheard the talks. They planned to …”

“The Lord talks are not for you. You are a lady and shall refrain from eavesdropping on talks. Promise you will not do it again?” Lady Igraine told the other. “I think you need to leave. I will …”

“Please don’t send me away. I will stay in the chamber.” Lady Igraine heard the plea. She knew what it felt to be restrained then. She nodded and dismissed the younger lady. When the younger lady had left, lady Igraine summoned her servant.

“Prepare me the amount. I need to see someone.”