Arthur II Book IV Chapter 28

 28.

Ninianne called on the spell of shield to block the entrance soon after it was breached by Morgan Le Fay. The lake was under attack by the undead soldiers called on by the lady. She had led the soldiers to the lake. Morgan had called on the spell to split the lake water and then marched the soldiers to the domain beneath the lake surface.

The lake domain on the lake below was the huge half dome that was created by magical energy to protect the seven chambers within it. Each chamber was the personal dwelling of the ladies while the artifacts were kept was placed below the layer of seven chambers in a huge containment chamber.

The lake was not without its defense; the lake water was guarded by the huge sea creature that was soon to be named the Loch Guardian.  The huge dark creature with the elongated neck and the double flippers to its bulk and the flat tail at the rear. It remained at the lake ground and was roused to defend the lake.

“Ness of the lake, it’s me back here.” Morgan had fed the sea creature when she was there.”I returned to see you.”

Ness the sea creature took to its previous mistress but it reacted negatively towards the undead soldiers. It dived towards the soldiers and Morgan tried to stop it.

“No, Ness. They are my … prisoners to deliver to Vivianne.”Do ..”

Ness was past listening and attacked the undead soldiers. Morgan had to defend her ally and called on a spell that invoked the magical spear that pierced the sea creature in the heart. The creature swam away in pain but not before Morgan saw the offspring of the creature that trailed the wounded creature.

“I am sorry, Ness. I need them to battle the other ladies.” Morgan uttered her apology and then when she reached the entrance to the lake domain, she struck it down with another spell of hers. With the entrance breached, the undead stormed into the domain but was held back by Ninianne. Morgan stepped to the front and confronted the other lady.

“Ninianne, I came for the artifacts in the chamber. All of you have failed to guard it as when it was by the previous ladies. In the care of the current ladies, three swords are taken from it. Excalibur, Arondight, and the last, Balin.” Morgan glared at the lady. “All of you are failures.”

“Morgan Le Fay, you shall not have any artifacts from the lake. You will be imprisoned or laid to death by me. I hold the spells to defeat you.” Ninianne stood there.

“We stand with her.” It was the other three ladies who joined her. “We all have our strength to counter you.”

“Then all of you will suffer the same fate; a painful death.” Morgan hit back

At that same time, Octavia Meleagant stood on the rampart of Manor’s wall watching the rider approaching the gate. He was to ride out to meet his soldiers in the battle against Arthur, and the one he despised most had to intervene.

“Octavia Meleagant, I dare you to a personal duel now.” The voice belonged to one named Lancelot.

Lancelot had ridden in without his armor but he held the dreaded sword Arondight in the right hand. He stood up on the saddle and holler his challenge once more at Octavia.

“Fight me, kill me and then take my sword with you.” Lancelot mocked the knight cowering behind the wall. “I will promise you an instant death should you lose.”

Octavia hesitated and then called on his Manor soldiers to meet the other in battle.

“A chest of gold coins to the one who will kill the knight.” Octavia made the offer. Two of the soldiers rode out and faced Lancelot. One came at Lancelot with the spear leveled at the latter but all it took was a turn of the body and the gallop of the horse to ride past the other before Lancelot swung the sword in a backward swing to slash the warrior on the back.

Lancelot then pulled at the rein of the horse and turned the horse towards the other warrior. He ducked on the horse mane when he saw the thrusting spear aimed at his face. He had then plunged his sword into the warrior’s left thigh and rode to the rear. The warrior wounded on the thigh had turned his horse to face Lancelot. He tossed the spear at Lancelot, wounding the latter at the left shoulder.

“I am out of practice” Lancelot charged his horse at the warrior still on the horseback and plunged the sword into the chest. He then turned his horse and rode into the Manor’s yard. He faced a line of soldiers there armed with spears.

“Kill him. Lancelot is not invincible. He bleeds like you.” Octavia screamed from the rampart to call on his soldiers but none moved and then one dropped the weapon to flee. The others soon followed and leaving only Lancelot to face Octavia.

“I beg of you, Lancelot. Spare Octavia.” It was the call of the lady that he had laid his life. He turned to look at her.

“I beg of you. Octavia only wanted to protect me.” Guinevere approached Lancelot. “He meant me no harm.”

“No! I will not be favored by the lady onto you.” Octavia rushed down from the rampart. He was in full armor and wield the long sword. Lancelot pulled his horse from the lady and faced the charging knight. Octavia lashed out with the long sword and slashed on the horse’s neck.

Lancelot’s horse went down on its front knee and the rider had jumped off. Lancelot faced the heavy breath of Octavia while the horse laid in between them heaving its last breaths. Octavia did not pause there and attacked Lancelot with the high swing of the sword, but Lancelot had stepped back. He blocked the downward slash with both his hands on the sword. He staggered on impact from the wound on his left shoulder. He stepped back and deflected the next impact with a left-side swing.

Lancelot swung his sword on an inward right swing forcing Octavia to retreat.

“I can feel your strength is waning. You are no more the knight I once fought.” Octavia then proceeded to resume his attack with a left movement of the sword at Lancelot. The latter deflected the blow and use the momentum to push his body towards Octavia and land the right elbow into the face.

Octavia stumbled on the blow, and Lancelot turned his wrist to do a backward thrust into the other’s pelvis. Arondight plunged in past the armor and then the flesh it drew blood for its master. Octavia stepped back from the wound, and Lancelot twisted his wrist to slash across the wound.

“No!” Guinevere called out in pain. She rushed to the then fallen knight and cradled his head. She looked at Lancelot who stood there with the bloodied sword stuck into the ground where the blood was seen spreading.

“Why did you kill him?” Guinevere looked at Lancelot. “You could…”

Lancelot had come to terms with his relationship with the lady and turned away. He then mounted Octavia’s horse and rode off.

If it was that simple at Camelot, the dungeon guards will not have to suffer the painful death of being hungover on the castle walls with the crows feeding off their gorged eyes. The painful death was inflicted by Morgause on the guards who were careless to let Lord Bors escape. She had them hung on the castle walls as a display to the others.

“My Lady, Camelot is under attack.”