Story Write Compilations Volume I Stories 44

 

The Man and the Witch

 

Author's Note:

An inspiration from Bram Stoker's "Lady in the Shroud". Need I suck more of your blood to make you feel it?

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I never thought that one day I will be staying back in the old castle perched over a low cliff overlooking a small bay. It's my inheritance as the last of the family who survived the war. A gift not of love but of family tradition that I am needed to continue to administrate the wealth of the family heirloom which unfortunately includes this castle in its will. If not for the former, I would not be standing here on this balcony looking at the incoming drift of the mist from the sea.

 

"Master James, you must come in. The coldness of this land is not of that in London or Glasgow." My two previous place of abode of my young and then adult age. Jenkins is the caretaking of the Castle and has been in his family care for four or three generations now. He is in his sixties and yet he chooses not to procreate the next generation for reasons he never disclosed. But despite his age, his bones still permit him to mount the steps and walked the corridor of this place without much of a complaint. But my family faithful servant does not wait for my answer as he pulls me in and closes the Victorian glass doors.

 

Victorian design in an old castle? Surely, Jenkins. This is out of place in this castle and only this room." I walked towards the glass of whiskey set by the older man for me alongside a beautiful crystal glass bottle. I took a swig of it as I looked to my servant who is latching the glass door now.

 

"Aye, a refinement which your father did for your mum's stay here. She was of the London society and she vainly needs the feel of her old scene when she married your father. So without hesitation, your father took to task on the works. They are brought from London at great expanses but your father's love for your mother would have spared all the pennies for her comfort. Her favorite room was here as she will knit her scarfs for your father while waiting for his return by boat from his trips to London." I remembered those scarfs she did for my father as it was her only pleasure then besides waiting for him. He does tend to lose them at sea or where he was, as he is clumsy with his things. I remember when I was young, Mother used to rock me by the cradle as she knit. It was not long after that we moved back to London on the news of my father's untimely death at sea. It never crosses my mind then that all my forefathers have perished at sea including my father.

 

"Jenkins, you been with us all your lifetime. Tell me more on the rumors I hear from the local folks; 'Lady of the Sea'. Indulge me please, Jenkins."

 

"Bah! Those are words of the idle chatter. I would strongly be asked you to refrain from partaking in these talks. All it does is to bring the weird and curious to the place." Jenkins looked nervous as he moves to collect the things to take to the kitchen. "I best be going for my bed, and you too, Master James. The weather may be chilly but the bed is warm and comfortable."

 

My good servant has left me now. At last, I am free. I unlocked the window latch and pushed open the window. I took my glass of liquor and take my seat by the window. My wait may be short as the clock chimed its bell.

 

You waited long, James?

 

"No, I just sat down. Jenkins was the one who kept me waiting for him to finish up. But he is gone now and you are here." I stood up and embrace my newly found love since I came here three months ago. She is my new love, Georgina or better known as the Lady of the Sea. She is dressed in her white gown and her long hair braided to hang over her shoulder. She is not of us but a sea witch who resides in the nearby bay overlooked by the castle.

 

"I do miss you very much, Georgina." It was painful for me, as I have known Georgina when we were young. She used to play with me by the Bay in the evenings before I am called back for supper. We grew up together then and it was to be a painful day when I asked to return to London with my mother on the death of my father. I bid her goodbye that evening and I promised I will come back for her. But now with the death of my mum, I am free to come back and reclaimed my inheritance. But Georgina and myself are all grown to adult and yet she answers my call when I came to the Bay. I saw her float up from the water and laid her dainty feet on the sandy beach at the Bay. She was the most beautiful lady I have yet to see and I knew then I was in love. Initially, we will meet and talk about the old days and then on the current day. But as we complete our talks on the days, I find myself asking her more about her coming future.

 

It was then she told me that she waited for me for this day when I would return to be her friend. She said life in the Bay can be lonely at times as most of the other sea witches have left or become Sirens. But she waited for me and I have fulfilled my promise. I remembered the new pledge I made on that evening to serve and cherish her as my life partner for the days to come. She looked at me and I told her that the pledge is sincere and real. I would seal my pledge with her as I would seal my lips on her.

 

It was our first kiss and more was to come when we meet nightly at the chime of the clock. From the sandy beaches of the Bay, I brought my life partner to the walls of my castle and towards my room. There we consummate our love with the passion of a lifelong wait.

 

James, I think you ought to know. I may be with our child

 

"Oh, my love. It's the sweetest words that I heard today and I hoped to hear more about it." I hugged her closer to me as the child is the testimony of our true love.

 

But James, there is something you need to know. Our child is not any child but a child of both worlds; yes and mine.

 

"I see no harm in there. It's still our child. I would love the child as if it's of any world." But what she had to say make me cry with sorrow.

 

In my world, the child at birth is given to the Queen for her to take care of as her subject. I cannot defy my Queen. Please understand.

 

"No, it can't be. I am his father and I shall be his master of where he stays. How can your Queen decide for my son? Even my King cannot decide for me." I stood up and walked to the window. I looked at the Bay and I mumbled my curse at it. How can they do this to us? We are in love and our love is the child that has been conceived. I will not be allowed this. I turned to face my life partner who was to lay on my bed but she is not there. I turned back to the window and I see her floating outside.

 

Forgive me, James. But the Queen rules me. The child will come back to your world when ready. Farewell, my love.

 

"No, you can't leave. I beg of you...." But she is gone. I took my coat and I left the castle for the Bay. I held up the lantern to light up the water.

 

"Georgina, please come back. I love you and I cannot bear to without you. How can you do this to me now that you are also with my child? Are you as heartless as the stories I heard?" I sobbed on my knees as the Bay water comes in with the tides. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked over. Its Jenkins.

 

"Master James. It time we leave. She won't be back. It's the way of their life. They used you as they had many of us before. They need us to pro-create their kind. We are the fools to sway by their beauty and charm. Come home, Master James. You are still young and you may one day forget her."

 

I looked at the older man who is pulling me to go home. To what? An empty castle? An empty bed? And an empty life? I would prefer to die than to live in misery. I got up to my knees and want to join her in the depths. But the world went dark and that was what I know.

 

"You awake, Master James." I opened my eyes to see Jenkins looking at me as I laid in bed. It's morning and the back of the head hurts. I reached for it with my right hand and felt the lump.

 

"A prerequisite of the needs at that time. If I had not clobbered you then, it would be a wet grave for your body and soul. I would suggest you take this chicken soup and refresh your body. She is gone and would be forever. But you are here and you still have to live on." Jenkins pulled me to sit against the bedhead.

 

"You knew then, Jenkins." I took the spoon offered.

 

"Aye, Master James. But nothing stops them from doing it to your family for generations now. Your dad was one and so was your granddaddy. Now you understand why your mum took you back to London. But it runs in the family, You Baldwin's got to do your donation for them before you do for your own family. And we Jenkins has to be good with the club for that one special night. You can be called it a curse or as my family calls it; a long time employment benefit. So sleep after your soup. Then we can go to the village and rouse up some eligible lasses for your pickings."

 

"You must be joking, Jenkins. I just dump mine to Georgina and you asked me to do to another? Have you no integrity or shame." I am startled at the simplicity thinking of my servant. Surely he does not think I am a stud in the barn.

 

"Shed no tears for her. She got what she wanted. Now you do your bid to get the Baldwin's going, and by George, my son would find his training at the club not wasted. Anyway, besides your family fortune, you got some more fortune down there to contribute to your new love."

 

Somehow then chicken soup did not taste as good as before. The poor hen was slaughtered for it.

 

 

Arthur II Book III Chapter 15

 15.

 

Percival rode from his father’s estate leaving it to the care of the remaining witches. They have lamented that they are weaker without Adriane, to make up the numbers but the knight had ignored their pleas.

“I leave you the lance and may it never be used again.”

“Sire, the lance is yours. And only you can wield it now. Even if we gold the lance…” The witches have said.

“Hold as guards, and not to wield it. That is my command.” Percival looked at the remaining eight witches. “All of you were ten in the numbers and withered to nine, yet you commanded the estate like a kingdom. Now that you are eight, you will serve the King which I am here on this land of Efawg. I am the apex of your line. Do as I bid or suffer the consequences of your action like Adriane.”

The witches cowered to the far corners without a whim. Percival then rode off without a second look His heart bled for his parents and also for Adriane. Even though she had held back on her mother’s death and then his father, he still loved her as his stand-in mother.

Percival saw the lady ran out of the forest. She looked distraught and he rode towards her. He offered her to piggy ride on his horse. She got up and they rode from the forest. He turned and saw the four riders in pursuit. He reckoned that they cannot outrun the riders and decided to make a stand. He halted the horse and dismounted.

“You ride on. I will fight them.” The lady remained quiet and rode on. Percival drew his sword and held the shield with his left hand. Three of the riders stopped and looked at him.

“Ride on, Knight. We hold no fight with you.” One of the riders said to Percival.

“I am Percival. I am here to protect the lady who is in distress.” Percival replied. “I cannot stand aside on that.”

“Let me tell you to that the lady is Lady Angharad. She had run away from her wedding to the Lord. We are to return her but since you are to be her champion, we will fight you.”

“I will fight all of you,” Percival replied.

“We are fair to you. I will fight you alone. I am Owain of Edwin.” The knight dismounted in his armor and held the sword with the shield. “I fight like a lion. No quarters will be given.”

“I am Percival of Camelot. I will fight the dragon with my men.” Both men clashed with their swords and shields on the field. They were equal in skills and the battle was without any victory to be seen. Percival saw his horse had returned with the lady and led by the knight that had pursued her.

Percival withdrew from the fight and looked at her.

“Are you well, my lady?” The lady only nodded.

“Sir Percival,” Owain addressed him by that name. “I will end the fight now. I am not giving up on the fight but said we are equal and I respect that. For that, I will return to the Lord and tell him of our failure to retrieve the lady.”

“Lady Angharad, I will take my leave of you. You may go with Sir Percival.” Owain bowed to her. He then mounted the horse and turned to leave. The other three riders did the same. It was then Lady Angharad fell from the saddle but the knight had grabbed her from falling to the ground. He carried her to the nearby shade under the tree. He laid her on the ground and then retrieved his horse. He took the water container and dabbed some water on her face. It was the first time he studied the lady that was unconscious there. She was beautiful, young, and looking serene lying there. He sat next to her and looked to the horizon. There were the trees in the forest and the white clouds on the skies. Both shades were different yet they seem to blend in well. He marveled that we see them daily and yet we do not know what they mean to us.

Percival had never rested ever since he joined the Legion. He had focused his life on it; training and fighting with his riders. He had ignored the merriment of the riders with the ladies. It was not that he was not interested in the ladies but he was a puritan inside. He had the strict training of the nine ladies who taught him how to respect the others, despite the revelation that they had been involved with the killing of his parents. Maybe that was why he did not terminate the witches. Adriane was a move that he did not anticipate.

Lady Angharad woke up later at dusk to the smell of the roasted meat over the campfire. She saw the man who had saved her. She sat up and looked at him. He was older but looked haggard.

“You are awake. Please take a drink and some food. The others have not returned.” Percival told her. “Sorry, my name is Percival of Camelot.”

“Camelot? King Arthur’s Camelot?” The lady was surprised.

“Yes,” Percival replied with coldness in his voice. “Arthur’s Camelot.”

“I am Lady Angharad. I was to be wedded to the Lord which I had taken over my land. He had my parents and brothers put to death.”

“Who is he? I will put him to death.”

“No, Sire. No more killing. I have enough of it. If an eye is to take another eye, then we will all be blind to the world.”

Blindness ruled us most times.

Elaine stood upon the strike of the hour. She threw on the cloak over the new sleeping gown that was laid on the bedding. She knew not who placed it there but it was alluring and felt good to her fingers. She had put it on and waited then. With her cloak on, Elaine took the steps into the corridors and then towards the chamber she knew was Lancelot. She paused at the door.

“Should I?” Elaine muttered to herself. The door opened by itself then. She stepped in and the door closed. The chamber was lighted by the single lamp at the table. Beyond the table was a man named Lancelot lying on the bedding fast asleep with heavy breaths. She approached him and saw he had slept naked with the bed covers below his knees. He was shivering to the cold night air and yet he had not covered himself. She was drawn to look at the man there with her eyes roving from the face to the knees. She did peruse the groin with a fast glance onwards. She had blushed even though she had seen some before. She blushed when she thought of the tasks she had performed, and rubbed her hands on her silky gown.

Lancelot stirred in his sleep while his left hand reached for his groin. He held himself there before his fingers moved then. Elaine looked away and was to leave when she heard him muttered.

“Love, I am here.” Elaine turned to look and saw the man still in his dreams was stroking himself. She somehow felt the urge to hold him, and she did. She sat down on the bedding and rubbed his belly. The man moved his body towards her, and then before she could stop it, he had her lain down next to him. She felt him turning towards her and then his lips were on her. She responded and her hands held his face.

“I love you,” Lancelot muttered. Elaine felt his breath on her neck as his lips trailed down to her bosom. It was too fast but she gave no resistance to his kisses. She felt that she was his.

And soon she was when he mounted her.

He was her Lord then.

Soon, the union was over and the two slept as lovers. 

It can’t be said much for Arthur for he slept uneasily on his side of the bedding. He laid there on his side facing the night table while Guinevere had done the same towards the other night table. Since his return, he had lain with her but found his desire devoid of the need. He was thinking of the old crone at the Chief’s hall whose words had stung him deeply.

“How could I mistrust her?” Arthur asked himself. He had questioned the servants and they told her she had not left the castle. And if she did, she was escorted by the maid and two guards. There was no feast held there in the castle and neither were their tournaments.

“Why were there no tournaments?” Arthur had asked. “How could those fools remembered how to fight?”

“We have no worthy knights to join, my King. Lancelot, Percival, and even the Black Knight were not seen.” The servant told him “Neither does the Queen enjoyed the battles.”

Arthur sighed then from his side of the bedding. He felt the Queen of his stir in her sleep from his sigh but she did not attempt to soothe his woes.

“Alas! Arthur thought to himself. Now he knew what they said of cold nights with the frosty lady. He used to laugh at the drinking sessions with the men when the wedded ones spoke of their lovers when they have not returned for a long time.

“She laid there like the frost-covered ground with the tiny crack at the creek.” One cracked the nut on the subject.

“Tiny? I thought it was the well but it held icicles inside.” Another will be laughing aloud. “I had better dips in the doe of the forest.”

“You are a pervert, Marius. Never share my tent with you.”

“It’s not the tent but the gap where you may sleep from him.” Normally the session will end with a brawl but the men were united as lovers on the battlefields. They fought with love for each other against their enemies.

Arthur wide awake then wished he was back with his Legion.

 

Arthur II Book III Chapter 14

 

14.

 

The return of Arthur was hailed by many although Camelot was under no siege then nor was its land invaded by any. He had ridden in hard and ignored the garlands of welcome by his people to go past the huge gates of Camelot. There he dismounted and rushed to the Hall.

“Where are my knights?” Arthur roared out. “Where is Lamorak? Lancelot? Percival?”

“They are neither here, Arthur except for Lamorak. He does his regular patrols on the castle and around Camelot.” It was Merlin the druid who replies to him while the other servants cowered in fear. Lamorak rushed in with hurried paces to see Arthur. He had feared that the King was wounded or was being pursued.

“I am here, Arthur. What ails you?”

“How did Camelot fare in my absence?” Arthur asked. He then looked at his servants. “Where is my drink now that I am back?”

A goblet was offered and then his armor was removed. Lamorak waited for the other to speak then but he did not. He only quenched his thirst. He then stormed off to his chamber.

“What had happened?” Lamorak said. He felt annoyed for he was responsible for Camelot.

“All I did was stepped to the lake.”

“Calm yourself, Lamorak.” Merlin offered his voice to ease the tension. “Arthur is not the same as before. He will tell us soon enough.”

“Bah! For an adviser that holds the King’s ears, you sounded more like the jester or minstrel with old songs long overdue to change.”

“Be calm, my dear…” Merlin was cut off.

“I am calm and above all, I am not your friend. You took my Prime Pilus to this King notion, and by the Gods, I will see that you pay for it with your life should he die for it.” With that Lamorak walked off from the Hall.

Arthur made his way to the chamber where he shared with Guinevere. He found it latched and knocked hard on it. He roared his name to her.

“My King, I did…” Guinevere had unlatched the door to let the King in. He walked in and searched the chamber of any hiding spaces.

“What is the concern, my King? I was asleep just now.” Guinevere was in her sleeping gown and her hair was disheveled from the sleep. Arthur found no one and then turned to Guinevere.

“Is there anyone with you?” Arthur stepped towards her.

“What? I am asleep. Why would…” Guinevere got annoyed. “You thought I latched the door because I was with someone.”

“Gracious me, my King. I had to take my bath and was naked.” Guinevere glared at him. “Or you will prefer that I leave the door open and walked like this.”

Guinevere pulled at her sleeping gown and walked around the chamber. Arthur rushed to close the door and faced her.

“Perhaps you want to shoot the crows too. They have been flying close to the opening there.” Guinevere pointed to the wall opening. “Who knows what they saw and tell?”

“I am sorry. It was a long ride.” Arthur sounded apologetic. “How are you?”

Guinevere retrieved the sleeping gown to cover herself. He felt silly and at the same time, wanting his Queen. He had seen her in her glory and his thoughts went back to the earlier rendezvous with the other two ladies.

“I am back and I …” Arthur felt silly with all the thoughts that went through his head. He was the one to be guilty and yet he looked at it from her.

“You needed a bath, My King.” That came out with a cold stare from Guinevere. “I will send the servants.”

Guinevere then retrieved her gown and left. Arthur was once more enraged not at her but himself. He stepped to the wall opening and looked to the lake.

“Why won’t you teach me to handle ladies too?”

Those were the same thoughts on Lancelot while he sat by the creek looking at the water. He has a guest uninvited by him and has told the servants that she was sent by the Queen to visit him.

“Queen? Guinevere?” Lancelot sighed. The lady won’t leave his mind ever since he returned her to Arthur

“How could I love her?” Lancelot felt the pain in his heart.

“Whom may I ask?’ Lancelot heard the voice and turned to face her.

“Pardon me if I was intruding. I like to come here too.” Elaine Augustus stood next to him. “May I sit?”

“Yes, please do. I do apologize for lack of mannerism.” Lancelot moved to give her space.

“You don’t have to move. The space is adequate for both of us.” Elaine smiled. “Are you fine?”

“Yes, I am,” Lancelot said. “It’s just … my past.”

“Our past is the past. We looked to the future.” Elaine said. “Who is she? The one you loved.”

That question posed to Lancelot was too abrupt for him to reciprocate immediately.

“Who?”

“The lady you loved?” Elaine pressed on.

“It does not matter. I need to leave now.” Lancelot stood up and then bowed to the lady before he left. Elaine watched the knight mount his horse and then rode off. She sat there looking at the water in the past. She had come to Camelot to seek her champion and found none. She was then sent to Joyous and all she did see was more disappointment. She stood up and was to walk to her horse when she saw the lady standing there by her horse.

“Who are you?”

“I am Morgause. I am …. Or was rather for we had not been together for so long.” Morgause said.

“Are you his lover?” Elaine had her defenses up.

“Lover? No, my dear. I was his caretaker. I saw him grow up. We used to chat and play together. You could say he was like a child to me.” Morgause word of the child tinged with sadness. She had just seen her sister stepped into the other dimension leaving her alone there. She could have followed but who will satiate her desire for vengeance.

“You …” Elaine tried to match the two and Morgause laughed.

“Too young? I am older than you… No, then your mother but I guess I was born to stay young.” Morgause smiled. “Do you love Lancelot?”

“I think…”

“Lady, be steadfast with your feelings of love. There is so much to lose in love. More if you are a woman.”

“Yes, I do,” Elaine called out.

“Good, then I will help you. Now be gone, my dear. At the night at the stroke of the hour, leave your chamber and to his. His door will be unlatched.” Morgause smiled. “And drop that gown. You need more finesse on how to dress.”

Gawain looked at the green armor after the exorcism ritual. He was relieved it was over but also felt silly that he had volunteered himself then.

“Yes, Sir Knight. You have the aura of innocence on you. You can be the anchor to his soul while we remove the demons.” The friar had told him. Next, he was to hold the other man by the ears seated behind the head.

“Hold tight and close your eyes. Whatever you may feel, do not look with your eyes. You may do so with the mind but resist the voice that will call upon you. Hear nothing and see nowhere, but feel the man’s soul. The two of us will be linked from then on.” The friar told him and before Gawain could protest, the ritual had begun.

Gawain closed his eyes and then heard the voices calling him. He heard his mother and then his brother, Gaheris. He ignored them all and finally he heard the voice of Elaine. She was calling him to her.

“Hear me, Gawain. I love you.”

Gawain wanted to reply but a part of him told otherwise. He left Camelot because of her. He fought with his brother because of her. He would have killed anyone if she had asked.

“Elaine is bad.” That was he eat thoughts. “She tormented me in my life. All I ever wanted was her love.” Gawain shook his head. He then saw Jaseth with Morgan. It was like peeking at them from where he stood. He saw the act and felt the urge but it was not Elaine.

“I shall not be seeing this. It’s wrong.” Gawain searched in his mind for the salvation of those lewd scenes but his mind made him see more. He saw Elaine then on top of him.

“No… It did not happen. I was not that …”

His rejection of the image then made him see another. That time it was Molly with Lamorak. Gawain felt the tense grip of his fingers but he told himself that Molly was genuine towards Galahad.

“She is brother’s …”

“Sire, you have done well. You may let go now.” The voice of the Friar assured the knight. “Thanks to you, the man will live. He was released of his demons.”

“Who is he?” Gawain had asked but they don’t know. He had then seen the green armor and leaned down to touch it. He felt the vibes on the armor. He then saw the halberd. Its blade had chipped off the edge and it was heavy to be held.

“Sire, there were tales of the knight they called the Green Knight. Maybe he is the one, but even with his power, he was overcome by demons.”

“Aye, we lived in uncertain times now. We are faced with demons and man foes and to which would we succumbed will never be known until it happened.” Gawain then took leave of the monastery to continue his ride. He has his demons to cleanse inside him.

Gawain headed on the road south.

 

 

Arthur II Book III Chapter 13

 

13.

 

Jaseth sat by the campfire for in his journey, he held not castles or home to seek shelter. He had sought his shelter in the temples and monastery but in recent events, he had avoided these places.

“I am ready.” Jaseth heard the lady’s voice at his rear.

“So is our supper. I hope you do like the pheasant meat better.” Jaseth had turned the roasted bird over the fire.  The lady laughed while she sat down opposite him. She had changed into a simple knee-length tunic with the belt around her waist and her feet covered in straw sandals.

“You are pretty,” Jaseth said. They have been together for a few days, sharing the same fire and meals with both of them talking and laughing. The lady had no issue of sleeping under the star although Jaseth had built a shelter for her. She had asked him questions on him but seldom has she spoken of herself.

“I have to wash my other gowns and left this to wear.” The lady who called herself Morgan Le Fay explained herself. “It’s not often that I traveled far. And long.”

Morgan has a horse of her own and her bags were on it. She does hold some weight there and like most ladies needed her private moments. Jaseth found himself drawn to her like the moth to the fire. He felt the amulet on his neck vibrating but he dismissed that as she was a witch. She said so herself when they met.

“I have scouted the area today. We are clear of any goblins that may harm you.”

Morgan had told Jaseth that she was being pursued by a trio of goblins and feared for her life. He had never met goblins but he felt the lady despite her role needed protection. Jaseth offered her a piece of the pheasant meat which she gleefully consumed.

“I have not often spent time talking to ladies, and lesser to serve them,” Jaseth admitted his lack of mannerism. “I was raised in the monastery.”

“So, had you said much earlier?” Morgan replied. “I was much like you.”

“You stayed in the …” Jaseth tried to find the word.

“No, it was more of a huge home but there were many …. Sisters with me. I was the youngest.”

“You came from a big family.” Jaseth cut in. “That’s nice for mine was all grumpy elders.”

Both of them laughed and Jaseth looked to the dark skies.

“It’s late and we ought to rest. Maybe tomorrow, we can find your new home.” Jaseth said. He then excused himself and walked to the other side of the fire and rested his body on the blanket. He was used to Morgan having to sit there and murmured the lullabies that made his sleep better. It was alike to listen to the heartbeat at the mother’s bosom.

“You are taking a long time to act, sister.” It was Morgause who appeared in the embers of the fire. He was dressed in a black tight-fitting suit with matching boots.

“And you talked too much, sister,” Morgan replied. “I need him, and his power. He is young and inexperienced.”

“On that, I know but what of you. I have never seen you talked so much in our length of life compared to your voice with him.” Morgause hissed at her with the sparks from the embers flashing.

“I am taking his life soul and that of the weapon. The halberd held much power in its killing of demons.” Morgan said.

“You could bloody just snuff his life out. Your spell had his protective amulet in the void anyway. It can struggle to warn the youth but nothing will come to heed.” Morgause hissed on. It was true that Morgan could have killed the knight and takes his weapon but she felt some attraction towards him. Even her voice found a new life to speak when with him.

“Oh, please, my dear sister. He is the first man you met and you are all for him. What did he do that I did not see? Raise his tunic and waved at you?” Morgause lament on the young sister at her silly thoughts. She knew that Morgan had come of age to notice the men but with their pursuit by the other ladies, they were not the time for any frolicking. Or worse, if she was still at the Lake, she would be eating daffodils to curb her urges.

“Leave me now. I will complete the task tonight. We will meet at the enchanted tree tomorrow.” Morgan dismissed her sister with the wave of her right hand. She was getting more powerful in her spells than Morgause but played it close to her heart.

Moran walked over to the halberd and stared at it. She called on the spell that will invite the demonic souls on the blade to come forth and be in her. It was an old spell that she had learned while at the Lake. The ritual needed time and patience to perform. Once she was done, Morgan looked to the young knight. He was still asleep as he would be with her spell over him. She felt the urge to reach out to him and reveal her real intentions. He will be hurt by her then, but she couldn’t do it. She turned to walk away when she heard him call her name.

“Morgan…”

Morgan Le Fay stopped and turned to look. He was turning in his sleep. It was an effect of the spell. It may kill him. She rushed over to him and stood there. She called on the reversal of the spell but it was too long in him. He was struggling to breathe then. She sat astride him and leaned over to lay her lips onto his. She blew her breath into his lungs while she inhaled the dark spells out. She did it for some moment until he could breathe on his own. She raised her head but lingered close to his face. He looked so innocent in the sleep. His lips moved as if they were to speak but no words were heard. She lowered her face and kissed his lips.

It was not a kiss but a longing for life.

Morgan was drawn to the young man.

Maybe it was love or whatever they may term it.

Or lust for some.

It could only mean one reason; they needed each other.

Lips to lips.

Heart to heart.

The union of two pure souls with the exchange of love.

There are no sacrifices in this love.

Only another life will be created.

Out of their union, and love.

“Jaseth, I love you. I will raise our child by myself. Do not be burdened by it.” Morgan Le Fay took leave of the knight. 

“You are a fool, sister!” Morgause had confronted the sister at the enchanted tree where they agreed to meet.

“You can’t be with his child.” Morgan heard the sister and with the wave of her right hand, she sent the sister sprawling to the ground.

“Do not stand in the way of my child.” Morgan glared at Morgause. “I have my reason. And I will live with it.”

“How can we hide when you hold the child in you?” Morgause got up to her feet. “We are now being pursued and you hold another burden. He may grow up a bastard.”

“Mordred will not be a bastard for while his mother lived.” Morgan held her hands to her belly. “He will grow in the hidden dimension nurtured with love and when we return, even Arthur will fall to his knees before my son.”

With that, Morgan Le Fay stepped into the enchanted tree as if it was a gateway to another dimension.

“You can’t leave me here. I am your sister.” Morgause cried out but her voice was not heard by anyone. It was not to be heard but the hurt in the heart was the father of the unborn child.

Jaseth rode far and wide tirelessly to look for the lady but she was not to be seen. He felt drained by her and soon sought his refuge at a monastery. The friar there took him in his exhausted form and laid him to rest on the straw bedding. The head of the monastery felt the knight’s body life and then asked that he be removed from his armor.

“He is weighed down by dark spells. We need to exorcise him.” The head of the friar spoke to the gathered twelve monks there at the monastery.

“He needs an anchor this realm. We need a man of righteousness and purity. Do not look at me with concern, Friar Gates. Your soul, heavenly protect here but inside of you, it rots with your vices.” The head of the Monastery glared at the other. “Even my soul cleansed with the prayers and fasting I have performed will not suffice.”

“We could do the flagellation on him.” Another monk had suggested.

“No, he needs…”

“How may I assist, Friar?” It was the voice of the traveler who had sought refuge there. “I am Sir Gawain of Camelot.”

 

 

Trojan War Chapter 47

 47.

“Hector, we are been pursued by two Motherships and one destroyer.” Hector heard the pilot. His fleet of two Motherships, five destroyers, and ten frigates was halved by the Archaeon combined fleet.

“We have crippled or destroyed two of their motherships, and ten destroyers, ten frigates, and many more stealth fighters but they have maintained out of range from our cannons from the surface.” The pilot gave the readout. The pilot was right to say that the surface cannons on Troy One had assisted them in the battle. The projectiles with the new firepower had taken off one of the motherships before Agamemnon pulled the fleet back. 

“Pursue the fleet. We can choke off the stranded stealth fighters.” Hector called the command. The Trojan fleet too aim at the stranded stealth fighters and vaporized them.

“We got another one hundred of them. That is a hundred and five now and they are being reinforced by the three destroyers. It’s the Archaeon Five and Eight, and Macedonian One. They are well equipped to retrieve the thousand stealth fighters here.”

“Send the mothership, and our destroyers to counter then Archaeon ships. The others picked up the stranded and take no prisoners.” Hector gave the command.

The two fleets clashed with their cannons and missiles firing. The shields of the ships were holding up.

“Re-route to the front shields.” The pilot gave the command. Just as the command went off, a concentrated burst of cannons and missiles from the three destroyers at one of the Trojan destroyer. The ‘T’ design like a hammer on the fore of the destroyer was blunted by the combined impact and with its shield focused there, it was not able to return fire. The Trojan destroyer shield collapsed and within a split second, the Trojan destroyer was sheared in half from the ‘T’ design.

“Hector, we lost the Trojan destroyer. We are compensating now.” The Trojan fleet downed the left destroyer of three with concentrated fire from the Trojan fleet.

“Focus on the other two.” Agamemnon gave the new order but the destroyers were retreating leaving the other stealth fighters. Hector was then given a surprise.

“Hector, the stealth fighters are fighting among themselves. The Argos, Macedonian and the others are battling there in space. I wonder why?”

“It’s their signature of death. The Spartans held that belief that death was preferred to defeat.” Hector reflected on his understanding. “They knew that they are defeated.”

“Hector, we have a transmission from an Archaeon ship. It’s not of the fleet but a newly arrived one.” The pilot reported in. Hector consented. 

“This is Achilles of the Archaeon fleet. I have come to do a duel with you on the nearby moon. We will do it like the ancient warriors.”

Hector landed with the shuttle on the moon's surface. He wore the armored suit and was armed with a curved sword and shield. The shield carried the sign of the Trojans. He saw the lone warrior standing there in the golden armor suit with the semi-sphere headpiece. It held the Achilles emblem.

Achilles was armed with the sword which was a broad sword and the rectangle shield. He rushed at Hector while the other spread the wings on the suit and took to the height. Hector leaped high and then used the wings to fly in a wide circle. He was circling Achilles who took up the flight with the jet boots.

Achilles flew towards Hector with the sword leveled at the other. He moved his shield to protect his frame. The sword impacted Hector’s shield but with the force of the flight, Hector was thrown backward. Hector somersaulted to slow the toss and then he swung out with the wings drawn backward to increase the speed. He did the sharp turn towards Achilles.

Hector swung the sword on Achilles and it was deflected by the shield. The Trojan landed on his feet and exchanged blows with Achilles.

Hector made an impact on the shield and shattered the shield. It was then with the subsequent swing, Hector managed to cut through and did damage to Achilles suit. The latter retreated and then discarded the shield. He held the long broadsword with both hands. He rushed at Hector and swung hard. It was the move seen as an opening by Hector and he swung the curved sword.

The blow created more damages and Achilles felt the mortal pain that one felt when the flesh was hurt.

Achilles stepped back and Hector pressed in. His next move was at Achilles' headpiece and shattered that. Achilles fell on his back gasping for air. Without the headpiece to provide the needed air, Achilles was dying. Hector reached the other and offered him an auxiliary air piece but Achilles declined. He was to speak but in the void of space, the vocal tones were deaf.

Achilles took his last pull of breath.

The death of Achilles was met with disdain by Odysseus. He stood on the bridge of the mothership watching the return of Achilles by the shuttle. He was more upset that the dead one was not Achilles but another friend, Patroclus.

“How did he get your armor, Achilles?” Odysseus looked at the hologram of his friend who had appeared haggard in appearance. “Where are you, Achilles?”

Trojan War Chapter 46

 

The siege on Troy

 

46.

King Menelaus' trouble was not over yet then. He was met by Hector in his private chamber. The latter was accompanied by Polydorus.

“My King, we bring grave news,” Hector said. “Polydorus was in patrols on the borders. He reported that the Archaeon fleet is en route towards Troy. They are going to do the final attack on us.”

“Then have the fleet of ours to meet them.” King Priam told the warrior. “You hold the first half at Troy Two and while I command the other. We will fight them to the death.”

Hector worked out the numbers he had always commanded.

“Two Mothership, five destroyers, and ten frigates. I am up against their First Task under Agamemnon. That will be a fleet of Archaeon fleet of ten motherships, and twenty-five destroyers, fifty frigates, and a thousand stealth fighters. I will be outnumbered.”

“And only the single mothership held the new loads of projectiles moved from Troy Three,” Polydorus added in. “Your fleet of two Mothership, with no destroyers and four frigates, and three thousand stealth fighters here? I will defend with Chariots.”

“And you will be faced by the Second under Palamedes. He took over from Achilles. A combined fleet of nine motherships, twenty destroyers, and forty frigates with over four thousand fighters from the Argos, Babylon, and the Macedonian.”

“What of their last task force that was under Odysseus?” King Priam asked. “I remember that he held the combined fleet of the Dardanes, Cretan, Phoenicia, Carthaginian, Parthians, and Barbicans... The Dardanes will be keen to hit us after losing their destroyer.”

“He guards the home planets in case we sneak behind.”

“And the Telemon have withdrawn?” King Priam inquired. “
“He was close to Achilles too.”

“No, they are still here. Telemon is the missing fleet. I have no news of the twelve frigates fleet.” Hector sighed.

“Let me hunt them, my King.” Polydorus requested then.

Unknown to the Trojan, Odysseus had switched command from the Third Task to the Second. He had requested to be on the forefront and placed Patroclus as his second in command.

“Patroclus is a famed warrior and once stood with Achilles in battle. I valued him to fight with me there.” Odysseus shunted the stare of Palamedes. “I asked of this to win the battle for Achilles. Patroclus is my next to Achilles.”

King Menelaus had listened to the leader. He wanted to ignore the request but he valued more of Odysseus than Palamedes. More to it, he was afraid to lose another leader like Achilles. If lose Odysseus, he may lose Agamemnon.

“I will consent.” King Menelaus agreed. “You will win this war for me.”

The insult remained on the emotions of Palamedes. He was sent back to cover the worlds while others get the accolades of victory. He had returned to the mothership of the task to gather his belongings. He was surprised to see Odysseus there.

“I have not moved my belongings out. Give me some time.” Palamedes had ignored the new commander.

“Palamedes, I had come over to confer with you. I,” Palamedes cut off Odysseus.

“I am not keen to talk about what happened in your world.” Palamedes knew that Odysseus still harbors anger on the incident there. “I did not want to hurt your ..”

“Hurt? You could have killed him.” Odysseus reminded Palamedes. He then pacified his emotions. “That is the past. I am here to tell him I am not taking your victory. I am pushing for it. And I will win.”

“Winning? Was it all about that? Do you know the Trojans? Or any of them before the war? I knew some and they were decent people. I stayed there once at Troy Five. I…”

“Palamedes, I do not care if you are a Trojan. I just want to end the war.” Odysseus hits back. “Now get your things out and I will return.”

That ended the reconciliation of two leaders.

That would have repercussions but not all were to be reconciled.

“Odysseus, your report is ready.” The one who handed to Odysseus was an Intelligence Officer named Sineon. He was Macedonian.

“Tell me what you have.” Odysseus looked at Sineon. He had a dislike for the Macedonian but he was the best at what he does with his skills. And then Odysseus felt he needed the extra edge. The sabotage of the fleet had raised concerns. He had narrowed it to their own who may have worked for the Trojans. It was not easy to conclude when you have eleven worlds with numerous races and species in there.

“Intel is what I need.” Odysseus had worked on that need. He had decided to work with the discard of the Intel teams.

Weekend Special Short Tales California 2.2 Chapter 15

 

15.

Esmeralda stood at the balcony in disbelief at what she was told. She had been brought up by the parents who had loved her as their only child and sheltered by the Community. She was not the ideal child to be raised with her many antics during her childhood. She had gone missing twice in her early years and had the whole Community look for her. The second time was she fell into the ravine and had to weep in the dark for two nights. That did not deter the growing child from many more antics and that included even leaping off the building with the ropes to glide her.

“You shall have been boy.” The Voivode had told her and she acted like one. The death of her parents was sudden and then came the man to be called her Padre. It may be called fate or karma but soon that Padre was said to be her real Padre.

“It can’t be. He can’t be.” Esmeralda had mixed thoughts on the revelation. She had never met the Archdeacon in person despite her attempts to get into the Dome but she heard tales of him as if he was the Devil incarnate. That being so and then he told her behind the mask, he was her Padre.

Not the stand in Padre who dropped by the Community to see her but the real blood and flesh.

“Your mother soon after your birth. She was a staff of the Dome; one of the outside who come by to help in the kitchen. I was young and she was young and we thought of nothing except ourselves. I did not know she was with you until it was too late. I had her kept away in the City and soon after, she killed herself. I had my regrets but the position was a novice then. I could take care of you so I handed you to the Community. You were raised there but I avoided you till some years back. I had to build my courage to see you. I am ashamed of myself.”

“Bastard”, Esmeralda hit out. “You should have stayed away. I am not your chey.”

“You may not be by …. Association but we did have that these few years. And more to it, you are of my blood and flesh. I have to provide for you.”

“I am of the Community. We take care of our own.” Esmeralda wept at her eyes. “I was fine.”

“Why did you keep on coming back to see the displays? What was it that you wanted to see?” Marcus had asked her.

“I…I have my reasons. There is a past in here for me.” Esmeralda did not want to reveal her intentions.

“Was it the Eagle?” Marcus called up the vid screen that displayed the eagle over the structure. “Hotel California.”

Esmeralda stared at it. It was no different from the photo version she was to have given by her mother. It was called a postcard; a rarity of the time then.

“It was where I went with your mother during the breaks. It was our hideout from the others. She had the cast of it done with her hands for our remembrance. I had it with me and handed it to be kept in the Dome.”

“I will show it to you but you must remain here.” Esmeralda was told and her reply was she needed time. Hence she was sent to the balcony. She looked to the forest and then at the City. Somewhere in the City was her Community and her home.

“Is it?” Esmeralda had questioned herself. She had known of her adoption by the two wonderful loving persons towards her. They told her some years back when they felt she was ready to know the truth. She was given the postcard.

“It was your mother. She had it given to your father who had given it to your grandmother.” It stunned Esmeralda then but she was told the Voivode had given her the instruction to keep it quiet.

“There are things that you do not want to know.” Esmeralda was told and she being herself had to know. She had tried to see the display that was said in the Dome but each time her attempt was failed.

“I have failed, mama. I cannot live with that…padre.” Esmeralda muttered to herself. She then climbed over the balcony and pushed herself off.

It was a factor of making the needed adjustments to the tension expected on the assessment of the weight.

I was at the end of the balcony and moved my movement on the rollers at the bottom limbs. I jet off on the anti grav discs and leaped off the balcony on a collision path. It was all about the physics quantum and I could not reach her in time. My assessment of the drag force and terminal speed gave me a grave result of less than twenty percent to reach the female.

I had to adjust my trajectory and a reach that needed to extend. My program kicked in and I extended two of my upper limbs to the maximum length to grab the female form, while their other two sets extend to grab the wall. It was to give me traction on my grip.

I got her on the left thigh and arm, but she is pulling me down. I had to tune my limbs to maximize the grip without hurting the female. Then I moved my anti grav to push for the maximum to levitate up. The anti grav disc mechanism pushed hard with the extra load.

It was all in the split of seconds, and I managed to cushion her fall onto the green lawn. I had my limbs retracted and then landed next to her. It was a clumsy landing and my anti grav discs were damaged by the push.

The female form had suffered some bruises but she will live.

“Stop the droid. She must not be harmed.” I heard the command voice of the Archdeacon from the balcony. I retreated while the other staff arrived to assist the female form. I then wheeled back to my charging spot to do damage diagnostics.

“Quasimodo, you are a fool. You are not a … Darn routines may be working. I am making you more of a human than a droid.” The Caretaker had looked into my frame.

“You may make me proud, Quasimodo.”

 

 

Weekend Special Short Tales California 2.2 Chapter 14

 

14.

Marcus held the connector to keep the data connection secure. It was the fault of the worn-out connector that he and Rival had used for some time then. They were younger then and credits don’t grow on the trees.

“Can you rush it? Father is waiting.” Rival looked to his brother who was more of the hardware guy while he does the software side. He looked at the data downloaded and saw it was working albeit too slow. He then used the organizer which he converted into a mini server and used that to update the needed routines.

“Are we done?” Rival heard his brother. He was already tethering at the edge of saying something stupid but held his emotions to focus on the program. It was not his fault but their father had given them outdated equipment and archaic programs to work on. The old man had said that the path to Excellency was to walk on the hard paths to feel the pain.

“Yes, it’s almost there.” Rival updated the last line to the routine and saw the speed of loading increased. He was elated that he had done the task.

“Let us go now,” Rival called when the upload was done. He unplugged the connector and stored the organizer. Rival was to stand up when the lights shone on him. He knew they were caught. It was Marcus who rushed like a bull at the one who had discovered them. Marcus was still a teen then and within seconds, he was subdued and given a broken nose.

It did not end there.

Stefan arrived to bail the two boys out but he had enough for one. He offered to bail out Rival and left Marcus in detention. He had told his elder son to be strong and powerful. Marcus was sent to the Reformed Academy to be a better person. He had learned hard there and earned respect from his peers during his stay there for ten years. Meanwhile Rival had joined the Truands to be educated on the street.

Stefan had died since then when he was killed by the authorities and their mother had forgotten the two sons until Marcus Luiz appeared at the Community some years back. He was carrying a young baby girl.

“Mama, I have a favor to ask of you. Take care of her. She is your grandchild.” It was a simple request. The Voivode had declined.

“You left me at a young age, and your brother joined the Truands. Now you bring back your blood to me.” The Voivode had looked at her long-lost son. “I cannot accept her.”

“She is our blood. Her mother is dead. She …killed herself after birth.” Marcus had lied. He was the one who killed her when he found out that she has his child. He could not bring himself to kill the child and decided to bring her there.

“I am a part of the Dome now. I got acceptance some years back. I cannot be seen with the child. I will be banished.” Marcus pleaded with the mother. “It will destroy both of us.”

The Voivode had remained firm on her decision but the baby cried for her feed. Her maternal instinct kicked in and took hold of the baby.

“She stays for the time but you must take her away.” By then, the baby girl was handed to a family without a child to take care of. That time was to be over a long time.

That long time was not all the mother had to endure. Without Stefan and Marcus, Rival had joined the Truands in their criminal activities. He was away from home but the authorities came to look for him in the Community.

“Rival is no longer with us. Leave us alone.” The Voivode shooed them off.

All was great for Rival till some years ago when he fumbled on the task. The head of the Truands had lost a team of programmers and analysts on the raid because of Rival’s mistake to leave a trail that led them there. Rival had met the Head at their hideout He was presented before the High Elders of the Truands.

“You caused a major dent to my operations.” The leader of the Truands called the King, had accused Rival. The head of the Truands wore a mask that resembled the double horn goat head and the snort. He wore a dark cloak over his uniform. “I have lost my best team due to your error.”

“It was … an unforeseen error. I had tried to rectify it but was too late.” Rival had heard the team at the data center was raided.

“You will learn that the Truands do not accept mistakes.” The King of the Truands shot Rival in the chest with the blaster he had drawn from the holster at the waist belt. He was to deliver the next shot when a member of the Truands stopped him.

“King, I asked that you do not shoot him here. Not yet. He has yet to reveal the works he had done. We need it to be continued by another.” The other was a member of the seven in the Council of the High Elders who makes and enforcing the rules in the Truands.

“Rival must…” The King had insisted but the other stood in defiance.

“He will die but before he does, we need the programs. He had carried on his father’s legacy and it’s needed.” It was how Rival then wounded was carried back to the data center where he was posted. He was asked to handover the programs.

“If you do so, I may be able to spare your life.” The Elder told him. They were alone there at the center. “Give me the key programs but not the entire works. The old backups will suffice.”

“I don’t understand.” Rival had said.

“You will continue your work on the programs but not here. You will be sent to a new place, held in disguise and you will continue your work there on your own. No one will need to know but when the time comes, I will seek you out.”

“Why are you doing this?” Rival had questioned.

“I have my reasons.”

Rival handed the codes which were the key codes.

“Now go. I will not be watching you. So, be careful. And take this. I will remember you if we do meet.” It was then how Rival escaped the Truands and his refuge was the Dome where he met his brother.

“Who sent you?” Marcus had asked.

“I don’t know. He gave me this.” Rival handed over the doll. It belonged to their mother. “He will come for it.”

The mother made three for their father and the two sons. Marcus still has his. Rival had lost his sometime back.

“The past will be your future undone in time, the pain inflicted will be yours to feel,” Marcus muttered the guilt in his heart.

“I have no intention to repay it in this life. Seek me out upon my death.” Marcus denied his retribution.