Arthur II Book IV Chapter 17

 

17.

Percival replaced the case on the fireplace at the Hall and then turned to look at the two knights that rode with him. The eight sisters of witches stood a distance away.

“The Grail is not in there. Only my parent’s ashes. They burned my parent’s head and kept the ashes in it. Even that is gone now, scattered to the winds.” Percival sighed. “Only the case remains.”

“I want to see it for real.” Lord Bors stepped up and Galahad stopped him.

“I believe Percival’s words. Do not add misery to his memory.” Galahad said.

“No, Galahad. Let him see.” Percival then looked at the sisters while Lord Bors peeked into the case. It was empty.

“Tell me, witches. You may know where the Grail is.” Percival looked at Adrine. “Do it to be released of the oath you may have with my family.”

“It’s in the knoll wrapped in the cloth that was used on Jesus when they recovered his body. It may not be unwrapped here but in Sarras where it came from. The curse that carried with it as if it’s unwrapped here, the Grail will be lost…. forever.”

“Why Sarras?” Galahad asked.

“It was said only the worthy person will able to hold it there.”

“Then fetch me the Grail. I command you.” Percival called out.

“We can’t just go there. On our last journey there, we had to battle them to get the spear. They won’t welcome us no more.”

“Then take me there. I will speak to them.” Percival said.

“And we will all go too.” Lord Bors added in.

The trip to the knoll was not by road or trail through the forest but by the dimension portal. The three knights with the eight witches found themselves transported there. It was a small mound on the clearing with a single tree rooted there. The fairies were there; buzzing and flying around the tree. Percival counted like a dozen of them and hen more appeared when they saw the new arrivals.

“Go away, witches. You are not welcome anymore.”

“I am Percival of Efawg. I come for the Grail.” Percival stepped forth.

“Welcome the lineage of the Efawg. I welcome you here. I am Ferrin the Fairy. We are the fairies of the knoll. This is the Tree of the Knoll. It’s our home.” The fairy was less than a fifth the height of Man and held a slim frame but it held the small sword in its right hand.

“That is an Elf blade.” Percival saw the sword.

“Yes, made for us by the Elves, but they won’t come here no more. They feared us now.” Ferrin replied.

“And what would that be that they feared?”

“We have broken the sword made by them for our King. He had died fighting Fisher King and the blade broke. It won’t mend back despite the help of the Elves and even the dwarves. The sword is now cursed. And no one will mend it.”

“If you can mend it, we will be grateful, and what if your request will be granted.” Ferrin looked at Percival and called for the sword to be brought out. The fairies brought the sword placed inside the case. Percival looked at it. He was not a blacksmith but he had seen how they mend broken blades.

“Do you know how to mend it?” Galahad asked Percival.

“No, I am not sure,” Percival replied. It was then Galahad placed his hands on the blade to place it together. He did not know why he did it or how but the blades soon merged. The blade became whole when Galahad had held it up.

“The sword is whole once more,” Ferrin called out. The other fairies all cheered.

The cheering was there too for Arthur when he called for arms on the knights from the steps of Camelot Castle. He told them they have a week to get ready. He then sends out words for the knights to find the Green Knight. He then retreated to the Hall. He sat at the round table and looked at the vacant seats. He saw then the arrival of the druid.

“Thirteen knights of Arthur. And all we have are empty seats.” Arthur motioned to the druid. “Please take a seat. It won’t matter which one. They are not here.” 

“I prefer to stand,” Merlin replied.

“I am in mixed feelings, Druid. Do you think I made a good King?”

“Why did question yourself? You have done well. You had taken the land and ruled it well.” Merlin commented back. “And you feel left out. It’s called Kingship. It’s a lonely task there.”

“And where is my Queen?” Arthur asked.

Merlin did not reply. He just walked off. If only it was that simple to walk away when someone asked you questions which you may wish to reply.

Gaheris turned to the tavern owner whom he was told knew some of those who were killed at the Augustus home. He walked into the tavern and saw it was unoccupied except for the owner behind the counter. He had avoided the tavern ever since Molly threw him out of hers.

“You are Matt the …” Gaheris asked.

“I am and you must be the knight looking for answers.” The owner replied. “Show me the coins and I will offer you a drink. It helps to keep the tongue wet.”

Gaheris handed the coins and the owner spoke.

“I knew Ian and his brothers. They were killed there on that day. I knew them to be rabbles but they were good people.”

“Maybe you were wrong.” Gaheris cut in.

 “They were the guards there. They died fighting the killers. Well, not then but later from the wounds.” Matt told Gaheris. “Before Ian died. I was there by his side. He told me that he saw Lord Ban and saw the Lord was killed by two mercenaries.”

“And ….” Matt stopped there. Gaheris knew what he had to do and handed over more coins.

“Ian told me that Lord Bors told the two to kill Lord Ban. It was a baffling moment for they were like brothers. Ian told me….” Matt paused.

More coins were handed over.

“One of them lives here. His name is Stephen Innes. He …” Gaheris got up when he heard the name. He knows of one named by that. His coins paid off and then it was to confront the other. He knew Stephen was a butcher at the settlement and also a hunter. He was not there. He was out on a hunt.

Gaheris then tracked the hunter and found him in the forest.

“Stephen, were you involved in the Augustus attack?” Gaheris got his reply with the arrow missing him in the face. He had moved when he saw the arrow was released at him. Stephen took to the run and Gaheris gave chase. He tackled the hunter in a back tackle and they rolled on the ground. Gaheris landed a punch on the hunter and a few more to stop the fight.

“Were you there?” Gaheris asked one more. He got his answers and then was how to tell Elaine. He decided to end it then. He stuck the pugio on his belt into the hunter’s heart. No one will need to know about the attack.

Matt met his end that night in his sleep. He did talk more about his life. He told Gaheris more things that he was not expecting then but since he talked too much, Gaheris had to silence him.

Death was to end it.