15
The
death of Lord Anvil was held with great detail in the ceremony on the order of
the King. The funeral pyre was there with a pile of wood and garlands of
flowers. The other Lords were made to attend, with Lord Vortigern that offer
the words of the Lord. The ceremony was held near the castle of the previous
Lord. It was a grand send-off with the gathered an array of banners that were
lined on the fields displaying the support of the King. There were the gathered
servants of the Lord who stood on the edge of the field to offer their respect.
“Lord
Anvil was a …I will stand corrected now. He is a great friend.” Lord Vortigern
looked from the gathered toward the skies. “He rode with King Constantin and
me, fighting the raiders…the invaders and any enemy that was to cross into our
land. He fought alongside us; his arm holding the sword that protected our
back.”
The
gathered Lords held their heads low while some shook theirs. It was rumored
that the Lord was sacrificed to the Anglo-Saxons as a form of peace appeasement.
The mutterings were low but it could be seen as a sign of rebellion.
“I
and many of you heard of rumors that he was …. Trapped by the King to be killed
by the Anglo-Saxons.” The mention of the King hushed the mutterings.”I can
attest to all of you, it’s untrue. I …”
“May
I, Lord Vortigern?” King Constan stepped forth to speak to the gathered. The
young King stepped forth with his young figure, covered with the dark cloak
over the tunic and leggings.
“I
will stand before all of you, as also before God, Lord Anvil was not
sacrificed. He died as a loyal serving Lord to the kingdom. He died defending
the land. He died for ….his people.” That last mention was responded to by the
roar of the servants. “His death; truly remained as a sorrow in my heart, will
be avenged.”
“Down
with the Anglo-Saxons.” The gathered stirred by the King’s words roared. “Rally
us to fight now.”.
“He
shall.” Lord Vortigern cut in. He bowed to the King and then looked to the
gathered. “Bring forth the killers.”
A
group of Anglo-Saxons was herded in by the guards. The captured were covered
with wounds but silence prevailed in them. They were made to stand before the
King.
“The
ones who killed the Lord. He was on his way back from the border and was
ambushed by them. The Lord’s guards were few and tired from the battle that was
then, fought hard but they were outnumbered. They defended their …”
“Kill
them now!” The emotional cries of the gathered sounded out cutting Lord
Vortigern in his words. He held up his hands toward them and halted them from
killing the captured.
“Justice
will be served. Vengeance will be satiated…” Lord Vortigern called out before
he was cut in by the King.
“The
killers will be given due punishment for their sins.” The King interjected.
“They
are no followers of God. They worshipped Pagans.” One of the gathered cried
out. “God does not see them at all.”
“Whoever
they may worship, their lives are…” The King was then in return stopped by Lord
Vortigern.
“My
King, the call for vengeance outbid your prayer. The Lords here are …. Upset at
the death of Lord Anvil. If we stopped the … rightful punishment, we will have
a rebellion on our land. Please see to the reason for their anger.”
King
Constan hesitated to the request. He was then advised by the one he took as his
mentor.
“My
King, the bloodletting will end if we …let the punished be done.” Gildas looked
to the King. “It’s a harsh decision as when the angels threaded the world of
Man to cleanse the sins of the Fallen. It’s God's will that it be done.”
“I…
I have…” The King was hesitant still and Lord Vortigern gave the command.
“March
the killers to the pyre. They will die before your Lord there.” The captured
were taken there and were missed from sight by the gathered who wanted to see
the final killing. The King took his leave of the field to return to the
castle. Lord Vortigern had not moved from his position watching the King leave
while his ears listened to the roar of the gathered on the killing blow of the
guards on the captured.
“Lord
Vortigern, I can see the lain in the King’s heart, and he will heal from it.”
It was Gildas who spoke. “It must be a heavy act of yours to sacrifice your
trusted ally. I applaud your fiend’s act to sacrifice his warriors. The removal
of the tongue has been applied to many who are to be silent.”
“Monk,
you do sometimes make your presence as a gnat.” Lord Vortigern looked to the
monk.”I would have expected your departure after the death of King Constantine,
but he lingered on here.”
“Lingering
like a sore wound may not be the gesture I had been accused of. I am the guest
of the Kingdom and my words are for the King. Be it the old or the current one.
They need to be told what is the truth and with God’s guidance, they will be
better Kings.” Gildas smiled. “Unlike some of the Lords here, they lingered to
take the seat of the throne.”
“Treason
words, Monk. You could be …sacrificed.” Lord Vortigern smiled at the monk.
“Sacrifice
is not an act of fear for us but behold the ones who do to us will pay their
penance in Hell.” Gildas redirected the subject to the Lord. “Alas, not all who
claim to be with God in his heart held the same in his mind. The Devil sits
there like their Kingly wishes.”
“Good
day, my Lord,” Gildas uttered his departure. “Come, young Uther. It's time for
us to reconvene our lessons with God… The real God that will give us true
guidance.”
Lord
Vortigern turned and saw the youngest prince standing there. Uther took to
follow the monk back to the main castle. Uther avoided the stares of the Lord.
“Young
one, you are … still naïve. I hope….”
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