Arthur II Book IV Chapter 23

 23.

Jaseth will not be a part of the gathering to be with Mordred. He was not keen to serve any King including Arthur but recognized the latter for he was liked by the people and his conquest of the land. Camelot had to be peaceful even when the King was away and then the young knight made the call to take over.

“Arthur is dead. I am the new King.” That was Mordred claimed on the throne.

“Is it true?” Jaseth heard the clarification asked by the others. He was in the corner drinking at the tavern

“I doubt Arthur is dead. This young knight won’t remain long when Arthur returns.” It was Molly the tavern owner who supported Arthur. It stirred up some arguments among the patrons and Jaseth took his leave. He rode off back to the hut where he had taken abode and saw Mordred waiting for him at the door.

“It’s late, Mordred.” Jaseth dismounted then and approached the pretender to the throne.

“Master…” Mordred was cut off by Jaseth when he called the other master.

“I am not your master. I was never one to the one who betrayed his King. It will be no different to that of a demon.” Jaseth did not mince his words then. “I am sad that the one I had entrusted my identity and faith had to be you.” 

“Well said, Jaseth.” Mordred had changed and the figure of Morgan had surfaced. “I wanted to hear from you that you have disowned your only son.”

“He is not my son. He is, maybe yours but he will never be mine.”

“Then why don’t you remove him as King? He held my bloodline and it should be evil in him.” Morgan asked.

“I …”

“You are his father and you know that. You won’t kill your bloodline.” Morgan snapped in. “However, I am his mother and I need him to be King. As you did not stop him, I will spare you. But if you do, I will not hesitate to kill you.”

Morgan then dissipated off with the winds. Jaseth stood there fuming with anger and then remorse in his action. He should have stopped Mordred but how could kill his son. He sighed and stepped into the hut he had taken refuge.

“Who are you?” There was another person in the hut. “How did you know of this place?”

“My name is Friar Tate. I have my friends to reveal to me who and where you may be. You called on them for news of demons.”

“Yes, the house of faith is the place others seek the help of such,” Jaseth said. “And what of yours that I can do to help.” 

The request was simple.

“Battle Sir Lancelot. He is a recluse now and needed to rekindle his skills. None will challenge him for he is still feared.” Friar Tate looked to the Green Knight. “He needs a challenger like you to be his opponent. He needs to refine his skills.”

“Our last meet was unsettled and more to it, he may not take to me kindly anymore. We MAY end up in a death duel.” Jaseth looked at the friar.

“No more than what he is today. He was with the Queen and yet she is not with him. My Sire is dead in life except in misery.” The friar looked at Jaseth. “You are the same. Your son…”

“Hold your tongue, Friar. Or I may remove it.” Jaseth glared at the other. “How did you know?”

“Well, I can’t speak if I held my tongue.” Friar Tate mocked the other. “But I shall speak. The order of mine moves in many ways and many followers. We hear many things from confessions to gossips or even what was uttered during the throes of lust.”

 “You may not kill your son but he may do you. He had sent knights after you. You can wait here or seek Lancelot to battle, and if the outcome can be delayed, join forces to join Arthur for his comeback. He may be going to Camelot as we speak.”

“You are a strange one, Friar but your words may make sense. I will seek Lancelot and then let the outcome be determined then.”

“One more thing Sir Knight, may I take refuge here?” Friar Tate asked.

The refuge was ever in Arthur’s mind when he sailed back to his land from Normandy. He was told that Mordred ruled on his throne and he was offered to stay at Normandy as an exile.

“Exile? Am I to be here? I came here to fight the King and since I have won, I will not take refuge here.” Those were Arthur’s words. He sailed back with less than half his army; a hundred-odd knight, fifty-foot soldiers, and a dozen mercenaries. Some of the later have returned by themselves with their loots while the dozen has only joined Arthur.

“We are home, Arthur but I feared you cannot take on Mordred with your small army,” Merlin told him when they disembarked from the ships that sailed them there. “We are to recruit more knights and allies.”

“Where do we do such action?” Arthur asked. He felt helpless then.

“Antoinne Wall,” Merlin told him.

At the wall, Centurion Marius Giles pondered on the situation up North. He had news that Arthur or rather the Prime Pilus Artorius had perished in battle and a new King had taken his throne.

“King Mordred…” Marius sighed. He had his rank battled by the Legatus when told that the death of the Marcellus and Augustus was placed on his negligence to protect the Roman interest. He wanted to lash back that it happened after the wall and he was not to be blamed but bickering with the Legatus and the Senate members will only place him in more peril.

“Centurion, the news I got is the Prime Pilus is back. His campaign at Normandy was a success. He is coming to Wall.” The bursar reported to the Centurion. “Perhaps he brought coins for us.”

Coins were the issue at heart for the Centurion. His Ninth Cohort of Legionnaires is at unrest that the mercenaries are paid better than them. If not for the fear of discipline and the Legion, they would have bolted to the North. He holds adequate coins to pay them from the Chiefs and even the nobles but with the new King, some had shifted allegiance to the North.

“To assemble the legionnaires today. Tell them the Prime Pilus will be coming for an inspection. I want to see the Cohort standards and colors unfurled then.” Marius told his aide. “The Ninth Cohort will be at its best.”

So was Mordred then when more knights came to his call. He soon had Camelot filled with many visitors and some came with a request to sought lands.

“Yes, the Sarmatians settlement will resume back. Sir Lamorak will be paid a levy for his loss.” That command hurt Lamorak for he felt that he was cheated of his land and given an aid that was said to favor a cripple. He sought Belvedere but the latter was away with Arthur. He was alone then. He then rode on a cart to visit the Centurion at the wall. At least he will be with the Legion.

Or whatever there is left.

As for Lancelot, his lonely stay was long and boring, and he felt that Guinevere may have made her mind on the refuge there. He had not donned his armor since he took shelter there, and Arondight had hung on the wall there. He felt not the urge to battle or even keep at his skills. Daily, he looked at the Nunnery but Guinevere remained unseen. He was however sent food from there but the nuns will not speak to him.

Lancelot thought of Elaine and felt regrets. He should have told her but then he will not ride to see her.

“Take care of Joyous Gard, Lady Elaine,” Lancelot uttered out.

At Joyous Gard, three ladies sat to discuss their future there.

“I can’t do much for you, Lady Enide. Your lover, Sir Erec is powerful now. I am without my Lord, Sir Lancelot.” Elaine looked to the other lady and then the third one spoke.

“We appreciate you allowing us to refuge here.” Lady Angharad said to Elaine. “We are at a loss here. I do not know what possessed Sir Erec that he will want me to.”

“Man…” Elaine sighed. She felt the pain in the two ladies. She was not far from their pain when her lover favors the Queen. Or rather ex-Queen.

“You will be safe here. Joyous Gard is still the stronghold of Lancelot although he is not here. His knights, not many but those who are here, they stayed loyal to him and will defend Joyous Gard and also us.” Elaine took on a smile. She then uttered a prayer for the return of Lancelot.

“I can still be your refuge, my Lord.” Fear have a way of invoking the desire of love.

 

Story Write Compilations Volume 2 Stories 4

 I shot the Captain.

 

Author's Note: This is a tale of a crime with a touch on same-sex involvement.

 

Contests rules:

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It was a tense moment outside the operation theatre. I was there with the rest of the non-duty squad members. It's not that we do this every time one of us is in there, but this time it's different. She is the Captain and we ain't going to let her do this alone. We are one family and we take care of each other. She has been in there for over two hours and there is no update on her condition. This is unbearable and I need to do something. I got up from my seat and walked to the Senior Detective Thames.

 

"I am leaving now. Let me know when she is out." I turned to walk but he grabbed me by the arm. It's a tight hold and I stopped to listen to him.

 

"Sal, she is in there. She would not want you to leave. She would not if you were in there." I shrug off his hold on my arm.

 

"Thames, let me go. She is a bitch and the only reason I am here is that you called me too. So I came, I saw and now I am leaving." I pulled off his hand and walked to the lift. I can hear the others telling the Thames to cool it. One even said I am a cold bitch. I do not care as I am walking out. I can't see myself doing much here. I have to out there to find her shooter. The son of a bitch shot her four times in the chest, and she is lucky to be still alive now.

 

I drove the car to the place where they said she was shot. It's in front of her favorite bakery. She stops here to buy the rolls before she goes back. I met Matteo, the owner and he claimed he saw nothing as she was shot leaving his shop. He was the one who called the ambulance. I offered my thanks to him and he gave me some rolls. I took it with me to the drinking hole. There I met Benny, the bartender who is also my informant on what and who is on the street. He told me he does not know who shot the Captain. But he would let me know when he comes across anything. I thanked him and he gave me a bottle to go home with. It's nice of them to remember the brand she likes. My next stop was the pharmacist; Greene. He is an old man who prescribed those drugs to ease the pains. I told him about the Captain and he went pale. He told me, she just told him yesterday to increase the dosage as the pain is getting worse. He was crying for her and hope she makes it. I thanked him too for his concern. Next, I stopped at the convenience store and picked up two cartons of milk. It's for Milly, the cat that the Captain keeps at home.

 

I parked the car in the basement of the apartment block. I checked my phone for messages.

 

None, so she must be still in there. She is a fighter and she has to become Captain. She kicked those men who were vying for the rank and she won it hands down. I used to joke if she sleeps with anyone to get there, but she said no. They just slept next to her. We laughed about it. She has a great sense of humor. Unlike me. I am more grim and nasty. They called me the Cold One at the squad room and I am one cold bitch of a detective. All my collars end up with some bruises or worse a keel-over stance from my front kick. The Thames used to say, you bow to Sal, or she will make you do it with your balls.

 

I opened the door to the apartment and walked in. The place is dark but I know my way around. I walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge door. It lighted up the area and I placed the pints of milk in there. I left the rolls on the table alongside the bottle. Then I remembered the cat. I took out the saucer and placed it on the table. I opened the fridge and took out the milk to pour into the saucer. I poured it there and placed the remaining milk into the fridge.

 

"Milly, come and get your milk." The darned cat must be sleeping. I walked to the bedroom and discarded my clothes off my tired body. I took out my revolver and checked the safety. It's on and I checked the chambers. Two left of the six. I must reload it later tonight. I don't sleep without a partially loaded gun. It's like sleeping without your partner. It never feels the same. I took my shower and washed off the grime and dirt from my body. Once I completed my shower, I stood in front of the mirror. I checked myself off the mirror; all the parts are still in place and supple. She likes them supple and upright. I remembered that well. Bitch always has her ways to compliment me.

 

Aargh! I had to press on my navel. It's the pain. I reached up for the medicine case and opened it. There is my cure to this sharp pain that is now coursing through my body. I opened the medicine container and poured in a few of those relieving pills. It will help me to ease my pain. I had to sit down but the darned cat is in it. I pulled the dead carcass out and threw it into the shower area. I sat down on the seat while waiting for the pain to subside. It's been a long day but it will end soon. Just like Milly. She was the first I killed today. I grabbed her by the head and slammed her against the wall. I threw her body into the flush and let her drown. Once that was done, it was to wait for her owner. I shot her four times from the car window. She did not see it coming. She never did. All she ever knew was I am there to pick her up every evening. Then we would go for a drink and then back here to feed the cat. And then on to a hot shower together before we licked each other wetness off. It's the same nightly as the next day at work, we would never know if we would be able to do it again. The crime rate is high and this month alone, three of us in the squad have been shot dead. Another one lies in a coma. Today, she is in the operation theatre sent there by me.

 

Yes, I did. I did it because of all the things we did together; never once she asked me on my medical report. The one thing I was afraid to tell her with all the medicine I have been taking. She procured them too for me, but she never questioned my health. I am dying, Captain. I have been told I got three months or less to live. But you never asked. I never told you. I would if you have asked. But you are too preoccupied with your career and my body. You never once asked if I love you. Well, I do and when I die; you would be there when I arrived. That's why I shot you. But you could not just die. Like your career, you had to fight hard to get it. You are fighting now for your life. I hope you never make it.

 

The phone rang. I picked it up.

 

"Sal, Captain's ......dead. She did not make it. But we got the bullets for CSI. We would get the bastard who shot her. I promise you that."

 

"Thanks, Thames." I hung up.

 

Bastard is one helluva of a bitch.

 

 

 

Story Write Compilations Volume 2 Stories 3

 Lady in Black.

 

Author's Note: This is a tale base on the movie "The Woman in Black". This is the ending part. It's not a contest.

 

Contests rules:

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This is the last ending scene where Arthur Kidd grabs his son from the incoming train which was going to kill his son. He jumped and he grabbed hold of his son. The scene stops then.

 

This is what happened after then. It's between dimensions as Arthur Kidd still holding his son faced off the Lady in Black to dare her to snatch his son. He has recovered her son and brought the body to the house. He has tried to reconcile the two to stop the curse. He has done more than anyone in the village ever tried to do. Now he is standing here with his son's life to be taken by her.

 

"No, it won't be the same. You have taken enough of these children. They are innocent and you do not have the right to take them away from their parents. Your perverted love for your lost child caused many others to lose theirs. If you truly love the child you gave birth to; you would know what it's like to lose one who was in you. I am his Father, and I lost my wife giving him life. I shall not permit you to take his. Answer me, lady. Tell me why I must forego my son for your vengeance."

 

The Lady in Black does not answer him. She stands there with her black veil over her expressionless face, and her hands lay loosely at her side. Her dressing in black does not add any to her character other than that of a silly lady who haunts this village. If she thinks by dressing in such, she would be viewed as a mourning mother but in fact, she looked more like a wretched witch. Even her son would turn away from her if he would to see her.

 

"Tell me, Lady in Black. What vile thoughts are on your mind? My child to join the rest which you have taken. Do you know each of them has a parent who loved them dearly? You took away their love like what you assumed of yours. But yours was not taken away. It was given to your sister. You gave him away from your free will. He did not have a say in the matter. Have you considered asking him before you did the vile act? No, you did not. But now you come back to reclaim him. He was dead by then, and you blamed all those here for not bringing his body back. But did you asked yourself; who not yourself to do the task? Did you try it? Or you just acted like a distraught mother with tears to flow and hoping sympathy will come. My lady, I did it not for you. I did it for my son, so he will not be taken by you. I did what any parent would do; try their best. Just as I tried to save another child which was in the fire. You made her burned herself. You killed her and all the children as well as your son's. Do you hear me, Lady in Black?"

 

The Lady in Black stood there and not a word could be heard from her. But in the years since she has been back, she felt something in her soul. It does not hate nor love. Its remorse as she has caused many deaths for her selfish side. She felt that even if she continued, her son would not come back to her. He is the son of her sister now; by love and devotion. She turned her back and disappear from the scene.

 

"Arthur, are you awake?"

 

Arthur opened his eyes to find himself back in London. Standing before him is the man who helped him to break the curse. "My son..."

 

"He is well. He is in the other room. Are you okay?"

 

"I think so. Where am I?'

 

"You are in London. You hurt yourself jumping onto the track. Why did you jump? There was nothing there. Thank God the train was late that evening."

 

"I jumped? I thought..." But Arthur paused in his words. "I must have slipped. I am so sorry to have made everyone concerned about me. Who treated me?"

 

"She did. Mrs.Moore. There she is now. Just came in from her sister's funeral. It could have been yours if there was a train."

 

Arthur looked up and saw the Lady in Black in the room.

 

 

Story Write Compilations Volume 2 Stories 2

 Please, Mummy, I am afraid.............

 

Author's Note: This is a tale base on the TV Series Walking Dead Season Two Episode One. I was to select a character from the series and I chose Sophie. This is my tale of how she felt when she was alone. For info, in the series, after she ran away from the 'walkers', the group could not find her until much later. She has turned to become one herself. She was shot dead to rest in peace forever.

 

Contests rules:

 

"Mummy... Mummy...I missed you." I cannot see her in the dark. I need to move in closer so they cannot find me. It's not Rick's fault; I ran when I saw the walkers moving towards us. I thought I could run for safety but I did not know how and why I ran so far. I could hear the shots but I just ran. I had to as I don't want to be bitten. Just like I did when Ed came for me in the middle of the night. I kicked out and screamed for Mummy. She may not come at times, but that put Ed on the defensive. I used that to run past him and out of the door or window. Either way, I need to get out... Ed would do those bad things Mummy said never to allowed him to do. I don't care if he is my father, I am Mummy's girl. She said so many times.

 

"They can't smell you, but they can hear you. So be quiet." That's what Rick said when I first wanted to scream when I saw the walkers once. I don't know why I wanted to scream. I used to but now I learned to crawl and hide or jump and run. Nobody holding me down and laying their teeth on me, not even Ed. I won't let him then nor would I let them do it to me now. I squirmed my body deep into the uprooted tree base and tried to blend in with the soil like the roots. I won't move unless I have to. I used to sleep in the cupboard in the attic at times when Ed is in his mood. I can hear him thrashing Mummy but I won't move. She tells me so. Don't ever move. Or you are dead.

 

Something moving out there, but I can't see it as it's dark. It's moving towards my hiding place. Oh, God. Make it go away. I don't want to die tonight. I want to live to see Mummy. She is all I got. Oh, please. I see it now. It's coming to my roots. Oh my God. It's a rabbit. It sniffing the air as it smells something different. Of course, it's different. I am Sophia, and I am here. It may have caught my scent and it's hopping away. Should I chase it? I don't think so. There could some of those out there. They may catch me. I won't move.

 

I looked at the stars. It has been two or three nights now, but I am not sure. All I know is I ran and got lost in here. I must have been walking in circles and getting nowhere. Every time it gets dark, I find cover. If I could I would climb the trees but the ones here are all too tall for me. I remember seeing some hole in the ground and I slept there last night. Or was it the night before? It came by me in the morning and stepped on the bush I had over me. I did not scream; I just bit my lips from crying out. I was dreaming of Mummy that night and then it came. But it did not stop as it tumbled down the slope up after stepping on me. I waited for it to come back but it did not. I got up and I ran in the other direction, not looking back. But that is over for now. Tonight I need to sleep. I am very tired.

 

It was the sound of the movements when I woke up. I opened my eyes slowly and I see a horse in front of me. There is a person on it and it looked like a girl. I wanted to call out, but she has ridden away. I pull at the bushes cover away from my body and got up. I shouted but there is no sound in my throat. It's dry from thirst and I have neglected it. I looked and I see her already far from me. I would follow her. She may be a survivor and there could be more of them. I ran after her trail. It's tiring as it has been days since I have eaten anything but I must find her. She is my only hope now. To get back to my Mummy and Rick.

 

I come to a clearing and I see the houses. It's a big house with some other smaller ones near it. I see the girl dismounting her horse. I am so tired but I must see her. I must tell her I am alive. She would help me to find my Mummy. I dragged my legs to move faster so she can see me. I raised my hands to wave at her. Oh, God. Please help me. Don't forsake me at this moment. Don't make them shoot me like them. She saw me and she ran into the house. She is going for her gun. I just stopped her. I am alive. Please don't shoot.

 

No, she is not. She is bringing help. There are two of the men with her now. I see them and I walked faster towards them. I can be saved now. Thank God. I can see my Mummy again. Thank you.

 

They put some rope over my head. Why? Are they worried I become one of those? The noose is tightening and I can't pull at it. It does not hurt but it's uncomfortable. I used my fingers to pull open the noose but it won't loosen. They are pushing me with the rope attached to a long pole. They are saying something, but I can't hear. What are they talking and where am I going.

 

I see it now; the barn. One of the men is unlocking the locks on the door. He's opened it and I am being pushed in. It's dark inside. The noose is loose and I can feel it taken off my neck. They close the door again. But why? Why put me in the barn? I am like them so why locked me here. Then I see them. Those whom we are to be scared off. Those we shoot in the head to make sure they die. They put me with those walkers. No, it must be a mistake. I am not of them. I am not dead. I am Sophia. I am alive. I would show them. I dragged to one of those walkers. It just ignored me even though I pulled at its sleeves.

 

Am I like them? It can't be. I am Sophia. I am alive. Mummy, where are you? I need you now. I am all alone now. Mummy...... Please don't leave me with them.

 

Mummy.....

 

 

 

Story Write Compilations Volume 2 Stories 1

 The return of Lucifer

 

Author's Note: This is a continuation of a short tale from a previous author. It's a tale of a Demon Controller named Bellatrix who tortures her subjects as she fears anarchy is brewing among them. She whips and tortured them for the information. The tale ends with Bellatrix walking back to her chamber when she stumbled on another Demon in her way.

 

From there, I wrote my tale/

 

Contests rules: The contest calls for blood and more gore. I was commented that the following tale of mine lacks the gory details as expected.

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"Enough of this, Demon. None can question me for my throne lies higher than the clouds and am I not the 'shining star'. Bow before me, the one name Bellatrix for I am your rightful Demon Controller, Satan-Staniel. Or you know me better as Lucifer." The physical self of the unknown Denxia guard split at the seams to reveal a winged demon with horns on his forehead and the lower limbs of the goat. But no man can match his height as he towers over them. With a motion of his hand, the Dominatrix was pinned face down to the far wall above the closed door which she just came in. Lucifer took his rightful place on the throne that was his in the first place. He motioned with his hands again and the other three angels of his appearance in the Hall.

 

"I am gone for a period from this abyss of Hell, leaving the four of you to govern my kingdom. What have you done to it during my absence that even the minions of this place seek my presence to make an early comeback? Tell me, my angels, whom I have designated as the Four Horseman." The true Demon Controller sits on the high back seat of his throne and faced his three new arrivals. "Look no further for your fellow demon. She is pinned to the wall to await my punishment. Yours will be mine to delivered upon your answers to my question."

 

The three 'horsemen' bowed before their Lord, and only one dares to speak.

 

"Bellatrix, sent us on missions to other places while she governs on yours. We know not what was happening until you have summoned us." Caspian speaks for all as it's his selfless nature but this is not the time to be generous for the misdeeds of others.

 

"Begone, Caspian. Like your nature, you care not for inside the kingdom but to war more for it. You see not governance but more war. I put no fault on you as you do what I command of you." Caspian, also known as the War Horseman fades to his frontier where wars are constantly fought.

 

"Tatiana, you speak on none, for I know you were in your chamber with the new pestilence you called disease. Your selfish devotion to the dark arts excused you too." The one who is Pestilence Horseman was gone like a wisp of smoke.

 

"Thorax, you are the one I am most disappointed with. A demon I gifted with visions, and you saw not the action of hers. Come now, my demon. Say your piece. But lie not as I am all-knowing." Thorax kept his head down as if he is next on the hangman's list. He is the Famine Horseman, and he is now needs to be starved. "Perhaps I may answer for you. You disregarded your role and share your time in her chamber to fan your famine. You fanned on her yours and she fed you well to ignore her works here. Thorax, for once among the four of you, you allowed yourself to be conquered by one of them. I am very sad about your action. Shall I punish you or release you?"

 

"My Lord, I saw it coming but I could not avail myself of the outcome. Please punish me for my lust." Thorax looked up to his Lord for the plea of judgment.

 

"So shall it be?" The figure of Thorax replaces that of Bellatrix on the wall and she is now bowing before her Lord. " You will not be fed for a year. Prepare to starve till then."

 

"Bellatrix, my dear horseman of Conquest. You lived to your name well. In my absence, you strive to overcome my rule here. I praise you for that, but you forget one thing. I am Lucifer and I see all. You spoke of anarchy, and you seek my minions to be punished for it. If I spared you, I would have allowed the 'anarchy' you claimed to be a revolution. That I cannot permit in my Kingdom. Your punishment would be here soon."

 

The doors of the Hall opened to admit in the one who was earlier shackled to the chains; Harai the Demon. He walked in with his body still dripping the blood from his wounds from the whip. But now he wields his whip. He bows before the Demon Controller.

 

"Harai, your reward for informing me of this petty issue is the service of my demon, Bellatrix in your household for a year of labor. She would be removed from her gifts and she is like any minions now. Be gone with your slave, Harai. I have other matters to discuss." Both Harai and Bellatrix have swept away like the dust in the wind, but the echoes of Harai's laughter and Bellatrix's cries can be still be heard. But not for long.

 

"Aiden, step forth. You will rule in my stead while I roam the lands below. Do me no action that I need to come back too early or the next seat would be lined with your skin on it."

 

"I understand, Demon Controller."

 

 

 

Arthur II Book IV Chapter 22

 22.

The battle at Normandy was long that it dragged from dawn to sunset, and the valley was soon filled with dead soldiers and the blood coated the grass there. The pleas of the wounded sounded there while the survivals staggered back to the safety of their lines.

“Did we win, Arthur?” Belvedere limped over towards Arthur who stood there next to his horse. He had pulled off his helmet and loosened the strappings on his armored chest. He was leaning on Excalibur thrust into the bloodied ground.

“I believe it so,” Arthur replied. He looked at the battlefield and recalled that day at dawn.

“Knights and the army of Camelot. We are here to quell a rebellion by the one named King Lot. His army is yonder and needed to tame.” Arthur roared to the army that he had gathered. He was with Excalibur and the shield loaned by Belvedere.

“We marched now.” Arthur turned his horse and rode down the slope. He looked to his left and saw Tristan up to his role as the commander of the left-wing. He had the mercenaries overtaken him with their fierce battle cries eager to fight. He knew them well; they are bet as the fore for they will fight hard but if the tide of the battle was against them, they may run first.

The army of King Lot had sent their knights on horseback to the fore. Arthur saw some of the footer soldiers were at the rear and their paid mercenaries missing. He sensed a trap and looked to the sides. He saw then the other mercenaries were converging from the left to push them into the middle. His army was a narrow band and the sides were weak.

“Tristan, your left. They are attacking there.” Arthur called out. He had to work out his new battle plan. “Knights on the mount to the left to take those mercenaries.”

“Archers to the fore and shoot at the riders.” Arthur knew that he had to slow the mounted knights of King Lot. He saw Tristan had boxed up the left and they were holding back the mercenaries. He turned and saw his mercenaries were among the mounted knights of King Lot. The mercenaries were without any plans in their attack but they were fierce soldiers. He saw a mercenary slashed ay the horse limbs to topple the knight. It was vicious but effective.

Arthur rode towards King Lot’s knights with Excalibur swinging. He charged at the mounted knight as if in a jousting tournament, but instead of lances, it was the clashing of swords and shields to block the sword. Arthur halted his horse and took another swing with Excalibur. His blow was blocked but a mercenary had stepped in and thrust the spear into the knight’s belly.

Arthur rode on and slashed another knight in the back before he rode on up the slope. Arthur saw then Belvedere and his mercenaries have reached the hill. They mounted their attack at the flank on the foot soldiers. It seems that only a small number was there to guard the flank.

Arthur turned his horse and rode down back to the valley. Once he was there, he called out to the archers.

“Archers, aimed at the foot soldiers at the slope on the right.” The foot soldiers on the slope were helmed between the mercenaries fighting the mounted knights and Belvedere’s attack. It was confusion and Arthur pressed on the attack. It was not Roman’s testudo but Tristan had got his men boxed in and they moved in bulk.

“King Lot is leaving.” The call was heard by all. The enemies soon retreated and the battle was over.

“Yes, we won.” Arthur sighed in that victory. He had lost many good soldiers including knights because he was without his trusted knights.

“Bastard!” Arthur cursed at the thought of his when he remembered Lancelot. The other was a better strategist than him. And so was Lamorak and Percival.

“You won, Arthur.” It was Merlin who sounded his victory. He looked at the druid who had brought him the sad news that Camelot then held a new King. He had not questioned the druid then for the battle was to begin.

“Tell me of Mordred now, Druid,” Arthur said. He sensed then that the battle was to draw him out and for his win but he will lose half his army. Arthur’s army was crippled then. He sighed.

At that moment, Mordred sat at the seat reserved for Arthur and eyed the other knights seated there. He remembered some of their names well.

Sir Erec who sat at Percival’s seat.

Slaine of the Sarmatians at Galahad’s.

Sir Octavia Meleagant of the Meleagant family at Lancelot.

Lord Bern, the son of Lord Ban who had died earlier. He was placed there by the Elders to replace Lord Bors who was away.

Sir Owain of Edwin. He met Percival when he pursued Lady Angharad in the forest. He was encouraged by Sir Erec to partake at Camelot,

“Knights, we are five today but we will be more by end of the season,” Mordred told the knights. “I am promised more knights by King Lot who had withdrawn half his army to sail here. He will join us here. He had sent half his army to battle Arthur there.”

“Mordred…. My King, you claim that Arthur is dead. How can you show us proof of that?” Octavia asked.

“I will show you.” Morgan Le Fay approached the round table.

“My… adviser and … from the Lady in the Lake, Morgan Le Fay will tell you.” Mordred introduced the lady.

“Behold, knights. I give you Arthur’s death.” An image was shown of Arthur lying wounded on the battlefield. His face was disfigured but Excalibur was seen.

“Arthur died in battle,” Morgan said. The knights there sat in silence until Mordred raised his right hand to call for meads to be served. Mordred then excused himself when the drinks were served and he approached his mother.

“How…”  

“Don’t ever question me, my dear. Just be the King of Camelot and I will take care of things of the other matter. That includes the Green Knights and Merlin. And also, Lancelot.”

Mordred walked back to the table. He looked at the knights and told them of the tasks.

“Lancelot and the Green Knight are renegades on this land. I want them hunted and removed.” Mordred looked at the knights for any reply. He knew that they feared Lancelot more. Octavia had volunteered earlier but he had done little of it.

“I will assign two knights on each task.” Mordred made the call.

“I will go with Sir Meleagant.” Sir Erec offered to partner Octavia. “We will bring Lancelot’s head to you.”

“The Green Knight?”

“I guess that leaves me and …. Sir Bern. We will hunt that knight.” Slaine spoke up but Bern protested.

“I will hunt by myself. I will not side with the Sarmatians.”

“Bern, I …” Mordred was cut off by Bern.

“I am here for my people and not that of the others. I will stay with my decision or leave the table.” It was a hard call by Bern, a younger knight, and displayed his father’s courage.

“So be it.” Mordred relented to their calls. He cannot have the knight revolt now. He will need to have his patience until King Lot arrived. Then he will act on these errant knights who will question his authority.

“Each King will need time to consolidate.”

So, it was with Lancelot who then rode with Guinevere to a nunnery they came about in their journey. It was far to the West and looked isolated. Guinevere had requested to see the Mother of the Nunnery. The silent nun went to fetch the Mother Superior.

“We are few in numbers. We have a sworn oath of silence here and the only one permitted to speak is me.” The Mother Superior told Guinevere. “You can stay with us but to join us as a member, you may need to prove your worth.”

“I will, Mother Superior,” Guinevere replied. She was then taken into the Nunnery and Mother Superior spoke to Lancelot.

“Sir, I will accept her but will she accept us will depend on her. As for you, please be assured that she will be taken care of. We are far from the villages and only I could leave the place to seek food.”

“Mother Superior, if I may. I would like to stay nearby and see that she is well.” Lancelot asked.

“You may. There is a hut by the forest. You may stay there but in no circumstances are you to come here.” Lancelot was given permission and he handed over Guinevere’s horse. He rode there on his own and made his home there. He took down his saddlebag and saw the whip he had used before. He took it out and then sighed.

“My penance will not be with you. I will stay here and speak to God my way.” Lancelot tossed the whip away.

 

 

Arthur II Book IV Chapter 21

 The return of Arthur.

21.

The life on the run was a hard one for the couple; one who was saved from the fire. Lancelot looked to his lover since the rescue had remained quiet most times and demanded to be alone.

“Leave me be.” Guinevere had retreated to her misery after the long hard ride from Camelot. They had ridden north and the west into the unexplored land. It was a miserable cold land but they found their refuge in the disused hut. Lancelot had set up the fire and hunted a boar which he had roasted.

“I had looked for you at the ….” Lancelot tried to strike a conversation.

“Leave me be. I regret we ever met.” Guinevere looked at her own hands while seated by the fireplace. “I regretted, even more, agreeing to marry Arthur. It was all Lady Igraine’s fault.”

“No, Guinevere. You can’t blame the past. It’s the time to come that we need to think about.” Lancelot looked at her. “You are free now. You can go anywhere you want to be. I will be there to protect you. We don’t …”

“I was a Queen. I was bowed to by everyone who meets me. I was served as a Queen. Now I am a ….” Guinevere cried out her tears. “I am not anyone now. I am no different from the person I was when in captivity.”

“Do you know what was it like then?” Guinevere looked at Lancelot. “You worry about every step you take or what they take upon you. I was ….”

“Be afraid no more, my love.” Lancelot rushed forth to hold her but she pushed him away.

“I am not afraid. I just dreaded those moments even up to my wedding to Arthur. He was old. And I was pure. He did not know what was really to love. He was a brute.”

Lancelot looked at her. He knew that she was upset. He stepped away and contemplated his position. He has a wedded lover in Joyous neglected by him. He had affection but it waned off him. He was in mixed feelings then.

“You must go back to Elaine. She needs you too.” Guinevere told him then. He was infuriated that she would say that after the length of time he had spent with her.

“What is with you, Guinevere? I have sac…. I have not been with Elaine because I love you. And I took the challenge to rescue you from a fiery death and here you mocked me to forego what we went through. How can you?”

“It’s not to forego but a foregone conclusion that we cannot be together. Much as I love you, we are not destined to be together. Not since that night at the creek. I was wrong. Or we were wrong.” Guinevere sighed. “I should have stayed away from Camelot.”

“I should have stayed away from you,” Lancelot said.

The silence between the two carried on through the night.

It was also silenced on the battlefield at Normandy, where Arthur and his knights camped on the hill facing King Lot and his army on the other hill. According to his scouts, Arthur was halved in strength compared to the other side.

“King Lot held double the mounted knights. And his mercenaries are more than a thousand.” The scouts reported.

“What of his foot soldiers?” Arthur asked 

“We have no sight of them and was repelled before we could see that strength.” King Lot having a mix of local knights and mercenaries from Gaul and the colder borders up North and his foot soldiers unknown but assumed in the thousand.

“Did you see Lancelot there?” Arthur had pursued the battle for he knew Lancelot was from Normandy and may return there. And if Lancelot was there, so would Guinevere.

“No, Arthur. He is not seen at all.”

“Then I am wrong. Perish the thought, we will do battle here.” Arthur knew that he was outnumbered. He sat at the small table, without his trusted knights next to him except for Belvedere to offer him advice. He felt the loneliness then without Percival and Lamorak to figure out the strategy needed for the coming battle at dawn. Tristan had joined him but the knight was too raw to plan and was assigned the task of checking the perimeters.

The battlefield will be the valley in between the hills, which was a low sloping terrain on both sides. Arthur held two hundred knights on horses which may be the ideal front attack galloping at the other but his scouts told him that the other side has also knights on horses. He thought of a frontal attack with the foot soldiers with their spears leveled as they did in the Legion. They will be backed by the archers whom he held about a hundred. The foot soldiers if met by the riders could form the testudo but his army then had not done that formation before. He could send the mercenaries recruited on the journey there; the few hundred soldiers were undisciplined and harder to control. Belvedere had brought fifty of his men but he told Arthur the local Chiefs are hard to rein in on their strategy.

“They are here for the loot, and not for Camelot,” Belvedere reported to Arthur.

“I would expect that from them. They are not at their borders. They are nothing to call theirs but what they can carry back.” Arthur looked at Belvedere. “We are no more the Legion.”

“Aye…” Belvedere sighed. He does miss the life with the Legionnaires although many are still in the army, they have lacked their cohesive feeling with individual knighthood driving their ambition.

“We will battle in strength. We move with the mercenaries as usual in the fore and then our knights to break the resistance before we slammed them with the foot soldiers. The archers will be lent support by harassing the flank of the enemy from reinforcing.”

“Arthur, you speak of an army thrice our size but we are now half a Legion.” Belvedere reminded the other. “We need to work on having a reserve.”

“We don’t have a reserve.” Arthur looked at Belvedere.

‘My men can be that. We can circle them and attack from the flank. We leave tonight.” Belvedere offered the option. Arthur thought of it and then agreed.

An agreement could not be reached between Jaseth and Mordred. They argued at the Hall in the castle at Camelot.

“How could you say yourself to be the King? Arthur had left you to be the caretaker and not the King or even in wait.” Jaseth confronted the young knight.

“Arthur is dead. He left Camelot to me.” Mordred looked at Jaseth.

“How… You have changed Mordred. You are not the one I once knew. You…” Jaseth looked away. “I …”

“Jaseth, he is our son.” Jaseth heard the voice that long remained in his heart. He looked up and saw Morgan standing there.

“Morgan…. How could it be? Where have you been?” Jaseth for the first time in public removed his helmet. “I had searched for you.”

“I was away. I had to … I was with Mordred. Our son….” Morgan looked at Jaseth and then towards Mordred. “Jaseth is your father.”

“He is…” Mordred was stunned by the revelation. The man he was with when he arrived turned out to his father.

“No…. I need to talk to you alone, Morgan.” Jaseth looked at Morgan. She nodded and they convened their talk outside. He walked with her outside to the balcony leaving his halberd leaning at the table.

“Morgan, tell me the truth now.” Jaseth looked at Morgan. She did as he had requested, without hiding anything back on her background. Jaseth was shocked at the revelation that he had fathered a child with a witch.

“You have placed me in a difficult fix. I have devoted my life to hunting demons and witches but here I am linked to you.” Jaseth looked at her. “You are a witch.”

“No, I am a woman for you. It’s who we are to each other that matters. This heart and soul belong to you. And from it, our son was born.” Morgan looked at the man she loved.

“No, I cannot accept that. You lied to me. You made me … you deceive me.” Jaseth looked at Mordred still in the Hall. “I have no collection of us …. being together.”

“You… were asleep.” Morgan looked down. “I …”

“You mean you bewitched me then. How could you?”

“I did not. You were truly asleep. You were tired then. I …” Morgan explained herself once more.

“Lies, witch. I cannot be… I must go now. I …” Jaseth took his leave of the lady. Morgan stood there with anger in her expression.

“Jaseth, you will not leave me.” Morgan lashed out with the spell that threw the knight into the Hall. Jaseth crouched up and turned to look at Morgan.

“I am not whom you may call on,” Jaseth told her. He grabbed his halberd and then stood up. “I will return and when I do, prepare to battle me as the Green Knight.”

Mordred looked at the departing knight and then towards his mother.

“What did happen there?”

“I was mistaken. He is not your father.” Morgan replied. She saw the fear in the knights. She needed to assure them of her power.

“Behold, whoever commands Camelot, commands the dragons.” The twin dragon appeared before the knights. They were of two shades; one was red and the other blue.

“The dragons were the guardian of the ground where Camelot stands now. They were here long before the castle. They were subdued by Merlin through deceit and then they took to the lake. Now they are back here and will guard Camelot for us.” Morgause smiled. “I had the assistance of the Black Lord to send me the dragons.”

“Who is the Black Lord, Morgause?” Mordred asked.

“I will answer that in due time but right now, you have the battle to win.” Morgause ignored the question raised. She knew that more questions will be raised but the time to answer was not then.

However, more questions were raised when Merlin turned up at Arthur’s camp just before the battle.

“Why are you here, druid?” Arthur looked at the druid.

“Arthur, Camelot is in peril. Mordred had taken over your role. He is the King now.” Merlin told Arthur.

Weekend Special Short Tales California 2.4 Chapter 2

 

2.

 

The nurse had pushed the patient to the third level which was empty except for the gurneys and cupboards of medicine stocks. At the end of the hall, was the clean room which was to serve as the treatment room. Inside the clean room was more shelves that held the drugs and surgical tools needed for most of the cases treated there. There was the doctor standing there by the treatment table covered with the plastic wrap.

The clock there read as 2135hrs.

The gurney was pushed next to the treatment table and then the nurse and doctor gently moved the patient over to the treatment table.

“Remove his jacket and shirt. His wounds are at the chest.” There were two gunshot wounds; one at the left shoulder, and the another at the pelvis which was seen to be a penetrating trauma. That occurs when the foreign object like a bullet pierces the skin and enters the body creating a wound. In penetrating trauma, the object remains in the tissue or passes through the tissues and exits the body.

An injury in which an object enters the body and passes through is called a perforating injury. Perforating trauma is associated with an entrance wound and an exit wound. The space left by tissue that is destroyed by the penetrating object forms a cavity, and this is called permanent cavitation.

In addition to damage to the tissues they contact, medium- and high-velocity projectiles result in a secondary cavitation injury as the object enters the body it creates a pressure wave forcing tissue out of the way, creating a cavity. The tissues move back into place, eliminating the cavity, but the cavitation has already done considerable damage.

“Let me check the pancreas. Then I will do the liver to the intestines; it may be perforated.” The Doctor voiced out the methodology while the trained hands treated the wound.

“Read the time for me.” The Doctor called.

“2153hrs.” It was then the works began. The doctor was an elderly lady, in the white coat over the scrub suit. She was considered as elderly with the gray hairs and wrinkled face muscles seen above the face mask covering the nose and mouth.

“The liver is bleeding. The bullet is there. I need to remove it. Prepare me the blood bags.” The doctor gave out the instructions. “Prepare for surgery.”

The nurse did the needed while the doctor examined the other wound.

“It was a clean shot and no major arteries. I can stop the bleeding and then tend to the pelvis wound. Assist me.” The nurse did the needed and the surgical tools were prepared. The surgery was made complicated by the elderly man who was with a weak heart.

“Attach the new bag of blood. He needed it.” The doctor called out. It was the third call in an hour and the nurse ignored. The doctor had looked at the nurse. The second call was earlier at 2211hrs but the nurse did not answer. He was holding the scalpel for the doctor then.

“You could answer the call now.” The doctor looked at the nurse. “I am done here. And more to it, we are without any patients. We hold an oath not to ignore them in their medical needs. Tell me the time for the records.”

“2234hrs.”

“Good record. I am getting better or the man is just damned lucky. He may live to fight on.” It was the Artemis Oath to heal the needed from the criminal worlds. The criminals were at most times, fatally wounded and the available medical care was to be avoided for fear of arrest, therefore they have funded a medical facility with the doctor and nurse. The doctor given that task was no mean a medical specialist in trauma surgery with a troubled past. The record was impeccable with only five recorded deaths in the course of ten years, and those were already dead upon arrival.

No one including the patients had seen the doctor for they were under sedated all the time. If anyone were to ask if they had seen the doctor, they will claimed to have seen a figure in the white coat and wore a mask with the head covered with the bandanna. The doctor did not speak to them during the treatment or recovery. All the conversation was handed by the nurse.

And it was minimal.

“Hotel California is your new home. It will be the place that we do our best works. All patients will have their ID’s check. You are not to question the doctor or we will have you ejected.”

“And to ensure the safety of the Hotel, everyone affiliated to the criminal world has sworn to protect us and you. No one will battle in the establishment or they will suffer the wrath of the criminal world.”

It had been ten years and over dozens of patients who had walked in past the door of the hotel.

The phone rang then. The time was 2307hrs.

The nurse walked to pick it up. It was an outside line.

“Doctor, we got another patient.” The nurse called out.

“Move the patient to the recovery room.” The doctor gave the instruction. “Then tend to the new patient. I need a respite and put on the song. I am tense.”

On a dark desert highway
Cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas
Rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance
I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night

Songwriters: Glenn Lewis Frey / Don Felder / Donald Hugh Henley

Hotel California lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group.