Arthur II Book II Chapter 23

 

23.

 

“I don’t want how you feel now but look to your mothers and sisters. They scared if you do not hold the bastion.” Hengist roused the gathered Anglo Saxons and their remaining allies there on Mount Badon. He wielded the sword above his head with his voice roaring. Cedric the Big stood to the rear of him resting his arms on the big ax that was his weapon.

“My sword had taken many of their blood and it will do today.” Hengist looked hard into the gathered. They were in the numbers of two thousand strong, dwindled by a few hundred which were the mercenaries including the Picts.

“Don’t look at the ones who had ditched us here. They may be once your friends or brothers but now they are cowards. They retreated with their weapons left behind. It will serve our cause.” Hengist called out when he saw some of the gathered had looked to the direction where the ones who gave up may leave unpunished. The words were relayed that those who choose to leave can do so but without their weapons. Their families could follow them then.

“What is a warrior without his sword? His pike? His spear? A useless one. A peasant at least held a fork in his hand and these cowards marched out with only their furs and families whom we have offered food and shelter.” Hengist looked to the pile of discarded weapons.

“Are they your friends? If so, then tell them they are no more.” Hengist picked his words there. He feared that if he asked them to emulate the others more may leave.

“How many of you have fought the Romans here? How many of your wounds are inflicted by them? Look at mine.” Hengist then lowers his arms to remove his tunic. His chest was with the marks of the cuts and wounds.

“These are mine. They were done by the Romans. I have lain in bedding many times near death but the Gods have given me the strength to return every time. I will return once more.” Hengist roared his loudest. Somehow the stirring words of his got the gathered to cheer with him. He felt the touch on his left shoulder and saw it was Cedric.

“It’s my turn.” Cedric took over while Hengist stepped back to quench his thirst with the honey added meads.

His aides stepped up to him and whispered to his ears on the Romans that had besieged them.

“They used the forest to hide their true strength but the legionnaires could be seen forming the main assault line.” Hengist nodded. He had sent scouts but not many have returned. Those who did were mostly unsuccessful in their tasks.

“They have the locals to assist them. Most of them are hunters, and they laid in wait for us.” The aide told him. “We have also of the Welsh and the mercenaries.”

“Any of our own defected ones?” Hengist asked.

“None, I was told. The ones that used to be with us were ostracised and sent on their way.” Hengist nodded. The Romans were either cautious or formidable. He wondered how many were hidden in the forest.

“Send more scouts,” Hengist told the aide.

It was the same for Arthur then. He sat in the command tent with the gathered leaders of his army. All were there except for the Decurion.

“Lamorak,” Arthur avoided the use of ranks and decided on their names. “How do we stand?”

“Four hundred strong knights, Arthur.” The Legionnaires were called the knights. They do resemble the knights in their armor and pilum.”

“I stand with my knights of two hundred strong.” Belvedere declared. His army was mostly Welsh but they have been trained hard to be on par with the legionnaires.

“And I have over a hundred with my recruits.” Aubin gave his support. “Half of them have horses. We can be your Equities.”

The Equities without their Decurion was left behind at Camelot.

“Aye, we are stronger now. Three hundred will march with me.” Lancelot reported

They were stronger but still outnumbered by the enemy.

“What has happened to Lord Ban and Bors? Why are they not here?” Arthur asked. “They held an army of eighty knights on horses.”

“They are camped outside of our camp. They won’t be seen with mine. We are the peasants while they are the noble Lords and Chiefs, if not the distinguished knights.” Lancelot spoke up.

“Bah! Rivalry at this stage. I am …” Arthur spat his words instead of saying it.

“Perhaps this will brighten your mood.” Belvedere offered the shield that was hung at the castle at Gurnion. “It’s the shield you will need in this battle. May it offer you the protection as it did at Gurnion?”

“Teribus ye teri odin.” Belvedere called out.

“The shield is yours and belonged to your people. I can’t …” Arthur declined.

“You fight for us as well as them. Our strength is in you. You will use the shield to fight with us. You will lead us with the shield.” Belvedere said. “The shield will unite us all.”

“Thank you. I give the shield its rightful victory.” Arthur accepted the shield.

“Arthur!” It was the druid who stormed into the tent. He was not invited for he was no leader of men.

“I bear bad news.” Merlin approached Arthur. His eyes shifted towards Lancelot and then back to Arthur. “It’s Guinevere. She has been taken.”

“Guinevere has taken? Who dares?” Arthur roared out.

“I am not sure but she was not in the wagon. Your…”

“You mean Percival was to shadow an empty wagon?”

“No, Arthur. It seems that the lady had taken a different route under the false influence.” Merlin tried to explain.

“Speak the truth, druid.” It was Lancelot who cut in. He was still upset at the other for the revelations in the forest.

“Morgause…” Merlin uttered the name.

“Morgause? Who is she?” Arthur was getting annoyed. “Tell me or I will have …”

“Let me handle it, Arthur. I know of the name.” Lancelot stepped out. “I will …. Know how to deal with the lady.”

“Who is she, Lancelot?” Arthur concerned on Guinevere had forgotten all about the coming battle there.

“She is …” Lancelot was interrupted by Merlin.

“An acquaintance of Lancelot. She may be of help to Lancelot.”

“Then assist me, Lancelot. We await your return before us ….” Arthur was distracted then.

“No, Arthur. Do the battle. My men will march with you. And yours to command.” Lancelot then pulled at the druid’s left arm. “Come with me. We have more to talk about.”

Lancelot dragged the druid out to the nearby clearing. He then glared at the druid.

“Speak or your tongue will be removed.” 

“Morgause has her. How? I don’t know but she may have drugged or …” Merlin said.

“Where?” Lancelot asked.

“I cannot tell but I can guide you. The creatures and the trees will tell me.” Merlin said. “We must go in haste. I don’t know what Morgause has in mind for her. Or why?”

Lancelot grabbed his armor and then mounted his horse. He saw the druid standing there.

“I don’t have a horse.”

“Imbecile.” Lancelot retrieved a horse for Merlin.

In the tent, Lamorak looked to the distracted Arthur. The other was standing at the far corner facing the tent wall.

“Arthur, do we ride?

“Yes. Now we will attack.” Arthur called out.

“Arthur, we hold maybe four hours of sunlight. Is it wise?’ Belvedere raised the issue.

“Four hours will be sufficient. I will have them by their knees before dusk.” Arthur declared.