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.