Arthur: The legend and myth Chapter 14

14.

Arthur had gathered the men together to hear out the breaking news on the so named invaders. It was soon after a week when they had begun on the defenses.

“I had sailed here quickly on seeing the fleet.” The weary fisherman took to explain his flight of freedom. “They are about two day’s sail from mine.”

The fisherman had returned from the nearby coastal excursion to trade. He had seen the invader’s fleet and rushed back to warn the others.

“I counted not more than ten boats with the evil dragon head on the helm. They were heading for the Bismouth village there.” The fisherman tale drew gasps and concern among the villagers. Some had turned to leave for home to pack for their escape to inlands. Peter had stepped up and stopped them from leaving.

“I though you said the invaders was from the inlands.” Arthur asked the villagers. They all drew blank expression. It was Peter who explained.

“The invaders are many and some do come from inland. These are from the sea and they are fierce warriors.” Peter had then turned to Arthur for more guidance. He shared the concern of the villagers.

“You claimed to come here and protect us.” Peter looked at the assembled warriors. “Now our invaders are at the horizon and we await your replies.”

Arthur looked at the distraught villagers and fishermen who were all looking at him. He stepped up and declared his support once more. He asked for the strength of the fleet.

“It’s a smaller fleet than we expected. The last invasion was with the double the strength and they came in from both sides. Nevertheless a boat holds twenty of them.” Peter replied. “Their warriors are worth five of us with their barbaric strength and ferocity.”

It was then Arthur asked on the preparations for the defenses in the bay. The replies was mixed in expectations.

“Our pits are ready but we have yet to place the stakes in.” Lamorak spoke of the twenty pits that were dug.

“The twenty men I trained are adept at their nets and trident but the real weapon of using the gladius remains to be effective.” Sir Kay bellowed out. “It takes time to train them.”

“We got the front wall up and the stakes are in place.” Gawain was proud of his brothers and their assigned twenty men who had done the tedious task. “We can hold them on the frontal attack.”

“Aye, my pit is ready and I had them covered. The enemies may ride into them and be removed with punity.” Lancelot spoke of his own achievement.

“I have seen the new bows and arrows made by the ladies. It’s not many but we hold sufficient numbers to fight.” Arthur had brought with him ten bows with their quiver of arrows when he arrived here but the ladies made another dozen with more arrows. The work was crude on the bows but it will suffice for the men to shoot at close distance.

It was then Arthur turned to Merlin.

“I am ever ready to fight.” Merlin smiled. With the affirmation, Arthur then looked to Peter.

“Peter Bedyr, whom among you will stand with us?” Arthur asked on those who were still there. He had seen many had shied away during the talks. They are the ones that stood a distance from Arthur but they were a handful of men that stood before him. He looked to the ones that had shied away. He was to speak when their leader of the nearer group stepped forth. He was tall person with the tanned features and working muscles that were horned by the toils on the sea. He was wearing a simple tunic that reached his knees and his head was covered with the dark cloth to protect from the sun.

“I speak for them. I am Durant and my words are theirs too.” The tall man spoke. “We heeded Peter’s words earlier and were expecting more of your men to reinforce here but we counted seven then and still only seven remained.”

“We are not warriors and our killings to date have been the catch we gathered from our nets. We have not harmed any creatures of the two legged ones yet. We flee from the bears that wandered to the village. How can we do what was asked now when we are fisherman and farmers.”

“Cowards!” Sir Kay lashed out but he was restrained by Galahad and Gaheris. Arthur intervened to calm the raging gladiator.

“Durant, you may stay on and watch your friends get …bullied?” Arthur lashed back. “Well we won’t. We will fight them. All seven of us.”

“Eight.” Merlin voiced out from the rear. With that, a few more voices roared out but the number was less than ten.

“You may not have long to wait. I have sent out words to them. They will be here sooner.” Durant replied coldly. ”Leave us to our fate.”

Peter charged out with the fishing trident at Durant but the other was prepared. Durant drew the sword he hid behind his back and deflected the trident. He turned his arm to swing the blade at Peter but Percival had stepped in to block it with the gladius. In turn Percival used the block to deliver a swing towards Durant. He slapped the flat side of the gladius onto Durant’s face.

“Fight not us but the invaders.” Percival warned Durant. He then turned to ones he had trained. “Stay or leave but we are here to protect your village.”

With that Percival turned to walk back towards Arthur. Durant displeased with the attack then lunged at Percival with the sword in his hand. Percival from his year of battles on instinct turned his body to deflect the sword and then did an inward cut into Durant’s left ribs. The gladius cut in deep just below the under arm. Durant cried out in pain and then fell to his knees. Percival with his horned use of the gladius had withdrew it from the ribs and was poised to follow through with a slashing cut on the neck of the kneeling fisherman but he stopped just before it. Durant did not look up but fell to the ground holding his wound. Some of his friends rushed forth to assist him but he was dying from the cut. They looked at Percival but Arthur intervened once more.

“Durant was reckless. We are Legionnaires and fighting is our lifetime training.” Arthur covered for Percival. “We will do what is needed here. Do you yield or flee?”

Durant friends carried the dying man back to their huts while some choose to flee with their belongings. In the end, only twenty men stood there with Arthur and his knights. Arthur called on the knights with him to arm themselves with the bow and quiver of arrows while he brief the others.

“Peter, tell me of the highest spot which I can cover the village and also the bay.” Arthur looked to the other. “I need three volunteers to man it and tell me where the invaders are coming from.”

“There is the outcrop at the bay which we can see both the village and the bay.” Peter described the area. It was more than an outcrop for it was a jutted part of the cliffs with the stones belong it holding firm on the ground above it. The area was narrow but it was enough for a sentry post with the mound of dried branches. Once the invaders are sighted the sentries there will light up the branches

“There we have the view of the bay and the boats have to sail by there. The other side of the bay has a shallow bed and it was filled with boulders beneath the water surface.” Peter highlighted the nature of the area “The invaders will have to land there and made their way towards the village inland.”

“The path they will take will pass the fishing boats and the extended jetties.” Peter explained on. “They …”

“Why don’t they land at your jetty?” Lancelot asked.

“That place of ours held many corrals which the passage in is narrow. The invaders like to land en masse. They always go for there.”

“Tell me of the path towards inland.” Merlin asked then. Peter described that the path will pass the net drying area and then into the narrow pass out of the bay into the farming lands before the village. Arthur then looked at the bay once more. It escaped his observation on the layout until then. The bay was like a pincer of the hills on both sides although one side of the cliffs was lower. The one with the jutted end was with the higher cliff to the right on facing the sea. He studied the terrain there and noticed that it held the firm foundation made of stones. The hills there flatten out into a plateau before it reached the steep drop onto the farmlands and the forest.  He was told that on those cliffs was the nesting for the dragons when it used to roost there.  The hills on the left side were lower and it stretched out along the beach but it sloped on the inside towards the farmlands. The pass through the hills to the bay was in between the two stretches of hills.

“So the pass is the narrow passage to the inlands.” Arthur mumbled to himself. He had prepared his defenses on the farmlands where the terrain was flatter and difficult to defend. He sighed on his oversight or lack of focus on the details.

“The pass will be the first defense line.” Percival remarked. “We can barricade it and hold them back. If they are through, we will fight them on the farmlands among the pits.”

“They are not riders but infantries like us. The pits are no match to them.” Lancelot voiced out. “We were expecting riders there.”

“Then we will fight them here.” Lamorak pointed to the bay. “I am fine with either arrangement. My bitches are raring to smash.”

Lamorak was ever proud of his battle axes.

Arthur; The legend and myth Chapter 13

13.

Sir Kay tossed aside the spear in frustration. He was coaching ten of the villagers in the art of fighting with it. He walked away towards the make shift shelter by the side. He took a gulp of the water there in the jug before he sat down on the available stool. His breath heaved in hard not from the hardship but of his emotions.

“We are not gladiators, Sir Kay.” Peter spoke on behalf of the group. “We are fisherman and these spears are heavier in weight.” 

Peter placed the seven feet in length spear with the iron head where the edges were sharpened. It was not their weapon but acquired from the discarded warriors in the arena. Sir Kay looked at those men who were seated on the hard ground ignoring him. His frustration was not of their skills but their reluctance to be with him. In the arena, comradeship matters for it will mean one less to kill. He may have fought them in the arena but in the end, they saluted each other for their comradeship. Then at the village, despite his rough handling he tried to be with them. After two weeks, they still regarded him to be a stranger among them.

“It takes times to be a friend and easier to be their trainer.” Percival had joined Sir Kay there. “I have been training the Legion for years, and trust me, nothing build up comradeship than the actual battle.”

Percival took a drink himself and then leaned on the pillar of the makeshift shelter. He then continued on.

“I have trained them harder and even force them to share my meals but the real bond came in battle. When we are against the enemy, we became one.” Percival smiled and then picked up the spear. “Its heavy and they may not be used to it. Work with their preference. That way they might fight better.”

“I am used to the trident and net.” Sir Kay replied.

“And were you not taught by the trainers in other weapons? The gladius? The dagger? Or even the axe? Teach them what you know.”

“And what of your side?” Sir Kay asked.

“Me? We only trained with the round shield. They will use their own weapon to kill but I will teach them first to defend.” Percival laughed. “They may last longer in the battle.”

Sir Kay sighed. It was a tedious two week when Arthur had taken on the advice by Merlin that they needed more men to fight. So the suggestion was to train the villagers was given to Percival and Sir Kay for both were former trainers. The others with Arthur were assigned to the reinforcement of the village. He then approached the ones he was to train.

“Tell me of your weapons?” Sir Kay asked. Peter stepped up and smiled.

“We are fisherman. We hold no weapons but we have our fishing tools. You spoke of the trident and net. We have that in our boats.” Peter called on his friends to bring forth the net and trident. The trident was lighter and short but its edges were sharp with the serrated cuts. The fisherman then demonstrated the use of it. The target was twenty feet away and with one throw, the trident hit on the center.

“Do the fishes bite back?” Sir Kay asked.

“Only if they have serrated teeth.” Peter replied with a smile. “Then we use this one.”

In Peter’s right hand was foot long serrated curve blade. He demonstrated the use of it with a series of slash and then the final thrust on the target. He then looked at Sir Kay.

“Pardon the moves but we took offence to stiff target.” Peter kicked at the tree trunk that was used as the target. “More so when they place the Picts face on it. We are on friendly terms with them. We marry their sisters and killed their mothers.”

That drew some sick laughs from the others and even Sir Kay drew a smile himself. He nodded to Peter and then told him to get more of those weapons. He watched the others joined Peter to retrieve their weapons.

“Are you sick? Those Picts are also ….” Gawain spoke when he stepped next to Sir Kay.

“Picts are Picts. If you have spent time in the pits, you will see it my way too.” Sir Kay looked at the other. “Tharcian, Turks, or even Welsh; it does not matter to me. They are all dead when I am through with them.”

Gawain stared at the ex-gladiator. He regretted having vouch for that man. He shook his head and moved back to his own tasks. He then saw Percival standing some distance behind. The former Roman Legionnaire stepped up.

“You have not been long in battles like myself and even Sir Kay. Once you have seen it like we did, you will understand his thoughts.” Percival replied. “And mine too.”

Gawain walked past the other and rejoined his brothers. They were building the village defenses on the village edge. It was to be a high wall to protect the villager. Gaheris was holding the long pole in his hands and was looking upset. Galahad was seated on a pile nearby with the same exasperated look. Gawain walked up past the group of villagers who were to assist the brothers.

“Where is my wall? “Gawain in his upset mood ranted on at the brothers. “We were to build a wall and not play fencing with each other poles.”

“Gawain, we have not the poles we need. These are not…” Gaheris motioned to the poles at his feet. “These are not poles. They are branches.”

“They are not the poles which you are used to. These are their poles given.” Gawain glared at his brother. “These poles will do for the defenses we are looking to build.”

Gawain picked up the pole discarded on the ground. It measured ten feet in length and was shorter than the ones they were used to in the last village. He looked to the group assigned to the wall.

“We will build the wall low but reinforced. It will hold back the enemy.” Gawain spoke up. He then looked to Galahad. “Add on some stakes.”

“It’s a good idea.” Gawain heard the encouragement from the one he regarded as the leader. He walked over to speak but Arthur had moved on. He was joined by Gaheris.

“Gawain, what kind of stakes do you want?” The elder brother looked to his other sibling.

“Sharpened and hard. You are going home with me and Galahad.”

Arthur walked on.  It was a long walk to the bay but he was actually looking for Lamorak The giant was there in his naked form with the other strong villagers. He was shoveling the ground to create pits.

“Dig in deep!” Lamorak hollered to the five others digging with him. He was standing deep to his waist. He looked around and saw the five other pits they had dug behind them towards the bay. It was dug in a random position and the ones dug will soon be filled with tar.

“I had seen it done by the others. They will set it on fire when the riders get trapped in there.” Lamorak told Arthur. “I will dig more of them that you can stop a Legion.”

Arthur studied the pits and frowned. In the Legion, the riders are known as the auxilia. They formed the wings on the Legion movement, and could range from five hundred to seven hundred. The riders were armed with the round or hexagonal shields and their long lances or kontos. Not all the riders carries the kontos; some prefer to be archers instead.

“Lamorak, I think the depth needs some digging. The horses could easily jump up.” Arthur added his two bites of comments.

“Ye, they could but besides the tar, we will inlaid it with wooden stakes.” Lamorak laughed. “I ain’t dense in the head but smarter than some.”

Arthur nodded and then continued on his walk. He saw then Lancelot digging up one of the pits. The later looked up and smiled while wiping the sweat off his face.

“Why are you digging alone?” Arthur asked. Lancelot looked up and smiled.

“No one wants to join me. I have been digging the same pit when we started. They done up to three pits but I am still here.” Lancelot smiled. “But my pit deeper and lengthy.”

Arthur looked at the pit dug by Lancelot. It was not rectangle but elongated like that of the serpent movement. Arthur measured the distance mentally, and it was about twenty feet. The depth was at about four feet and the slope steep.

“Why is your pit different?” Arthur asked.

“I liked this design. It reminded me of the dragon.” Lancelot smiled. “The one I would like to slaughter.”

Arthur smiled at the other and rode on towards the bay. He was more concerned on there for it was handed by Merlin.

Sir Kay looked at the departing Arthur standing at Lancelot’s pit. He was not against the other but Lancelot was to him an untrusted ally. He had seen the likes of Lancelot with their fighting skills. Once in the pit, they are not your allies anymore but the dreaded foe. He was once betrayed by one and held the scar on his chest for it. The betrayal had paid for it with a severed left upper limb.

“Sir Kay, I know that knight.” Peter voiced out. Sir Kay looked to the fisherman. The other spoke on about Lancelot.

“Aye, he was a Roman; the son of a Senator. His father died from self-poisoning to preserve his honor, and Lancelot was ostracized soon after. He rejoined the Legion and planned his vengeance. Marius Theodilus died in combat where Lancelot also served as Centurion. It was rumored that he killed the other but it was not proven. Lancelot soon served his notice to leave the Legion. The Senator could not kill Lancelot although there were attempts.”

“You know a lot for a fisherman, Peter.” Sir Kay remarked back. “Tell me are you one of the assassins sent to do the task?”

Peter laughed out and then shook his head.

“I am a poor fisherman. All that I knew was from my cousin who once served as house servant to the Senator. His mouth was sealed then but his ears remained ever vigilant.”  Peter smiled. “He returned to us once many moons ago, and he spoke of it.”

Sir Kay looked at Lancelot who was back at the digging while Arthur rode on. So the other was a killer and like all killers, they have no reservation to kill anyone. He will be a worthy foe one day in the thoughts of Sir Kay.

Merlin was hard at work on the bay. He was among some fishermen who was carting over some loads to Merlin. The loads looked to be some foul items which emit strong stench. Meanwhile Merlin was seen concocting some potions in a large pot. He was stirring the potion with a large spoon and muttering some incantations which sounded strange to Arthur.

“Tell me, soothsayer. What are you cooking there? Some dead frogs with severed limbs of the insects perhaps? The stench of it could reached the far noses of the villagers.” Arthur mocked him. Merlin looked up from his stirring and frowned at the one he had chosen to serve with.

“The Legions fought with strength and discipline but of the soothsayers, we fought on their fears. I am making my powerful potions to fright the enemies.” Merlin smiled. “The potion will bring forth their fear.”

“God invoking spells? I like that. Make sure you do not carry the devils over. I heard they loved soothsayers more than warriors.” Arthur mocked him once more.

“Away you be off, disbelieving patron. I am risking my life for a noble cause.” Merlin snarled back and then returned to his task.

“Druid, where do you want this?” A fisherman with a basket load on his right shoulder queried Merlin The later asked the basket be lowered and examined the content.

“Salt peter? I am impressed. Where did you find so much?” Merlin asked.

“In the common area where we placed the droppings of the creatures. It’s also used for farming.” The fisherman replied. “We preserved them well.”

“Ye, it’ s good. That will mix well with sulfur and coal.” Merlin instructed the fisherman to place the load nearby. The fisherman could not curb his curiosity and asked of Merlin.

“What foul concoction is that?” The fisherman referred to the pot. Merlin stopped his stirring and looked at the fisherman.

“It’s the foul material that will invoke your ancestor’ to battle for us.” Merlin replied. And then he added.

“I can call on your father if you want me to.” That made the fisherman took to his heels.

Preview of the new ..... Team of Seven Heroes

I done Arthur up to 60 Chapters and taken a break there for a refresh view. I decided to take on a new tale after being away on  grueling business trip over 48 hours stuck in the car and then in the meeting office and then back in the car...... Life boredom hours.

Okay here's to my weekend interlude.

Its modeled after watching Magnificent Seven and then Predators (rerun) and then Ghost in Mars, and then.....You are getting it. Hotel rooms are boring when ....

Never mind that last line.

Here's to the new preview.

Team Seven of Heroes

Jimmy Loong

19/11/2016

0.

The gas light on the pole at 7^th Street East was blinking as if the supply was erratic. It caught the attention of the constable who was patrolling the area. His name was Thomas Burton and he won’t let the fifteen years of service go wasted when he was due for his promotion. He heard the reports of the killer that roamed the street and kills prostitutes by defiling their body with the innards removed. He had read the reports that there were nine victims but the suspects were wider than his arms spread out. The constable was burly in the frame flexed his muscles and then reached for the night stick on his waist belt. He was armed with it and with life saved many times. The truncheon was named Smithy by him was his toll to crush the bones and skulls of many deserving ones.

The scream came and the constable rushed forth with the truncheon pulled out. He ran past the gas light and then he saw the shadow. It was all he saw then before he was whisked off his feet. He thrust out with his truncheon but then his right arm was torn off from the shoulder socket. He screamed out loud but his cry soon ended when his head was severed.

Then ended the life and career of Constable Lestrade.

Constable Lestrade would had felt proud if he only knew that his sacrifice was heeded by a group of men armed then with more than truncheons. Inspector Morse clenched his fist on seeing his man getting the life torn off. The middle aged officer held in his right hand then the pistol he was assigned for the night. He was fidgeting the trigger on the pistol but he knew that the fire power of it was not effective against whoever was there. He looked to the others standing next and before him. They were not from his constabulary but were regular army recruits despite their casual wears but their boots were their giveaway. And so were the Enflield rifles loaded with the .303 cartridge in a ten round box magazine. The ten men detail held the forty nine inches length rifle close to their chest but their fingers held close to the trigger. They were led by the man who stood at over six feet and held a chest width wider than most and so was his smile beneath the thick moustache.

“Inspector Morse, we will follow the creature now.” The Inspector heard the huge man who had taken off with the others. He had known the other as Mycroft Holmes. Mycroft was introduced as an officer of His Majesty. Morse took on his own heels with the group. He was told to observe then. Their pursuit was hard with the low light and thick fog then. He could barely make out the chimney tops from the darker clouds or the sharp corners where he may slam into it. He tried hard to follow and soon his view that of the river Thames.

“I guess we lost the creature.” Mycroft finally admitted his failure. “I am to report to the Minister on this. Maybe I am outclassed here. A better man will do. Or a few more better men than me.”

1.

The streets of London was inflamed by the fire spurting outlets that was placed facing upward where the emitted gas was burned off while the engines powering up the four wheeler rolled the wheels to carry the seated passengers on their journey and greeted by the constant blaring of the horns to clear those in their way. The four wheelers were a menace and intimating on the horse pulled carts and the more unfortunate pedestrians who had to walk the length of cobbled roads. The flames of the four wheelers lighted up the streets alongside the open torches by the turned off gas light poles. It was rumoured that in the event of any danger, the move was to toppled the poles and light up the gas pipes to create a bigger fire. It was the only thing that may protect them from the flying creatures.

“The fire of Hades they feared.” That was the words then on the streets.

There were the idealist that what the fire may not worked the cold steel would suffice. The ones who could afford the huge bows with the steel arrows mounted on the balconies and rooftop. It was new scenery besides the taunting chimney tops and the extended towers that reached up. The narrow towers were not of watch purposes like that of the castles for the sentries but the towers design here were of mushroom design. The upper wider and flat platform was rigged with large stout rings. The rings were designed to hold down the ropes that will be tied there and secured with the locks. The ropes were thicker than the arm were not dangling down but held taut upwards to the wooden carriage that formed the wheelhouse and compartments for the passengers on one level and the upper platform was the engine area where the multiple cylinders containing hydrogen were secured and channelled to the turbines that fed it upwards to the huge rounded balloon above it. Each carriage may hold from twelve to fifty passengers but the larger carriages held by bigger balloons were restricted to the upper level of the skies and allowed to dock at the bigger platforms outside of the city limits or by the rivers.

The morning activities were picking up then with the dawn workers lumbering their wares to the business outlets or in the move towards theirs. The carriages then were mostly the horse driven ones with the hoofs clamping the cobbled streets with the occasional droppings which were picked up the odd children to sell as dried manure or fire place materials instead of wood. The more intense areas were the markets where the daily produces were marketed to the house servants who plied the place then. Among the people there, the words were out on the poor constable which was killed last night.

“Was his body found?” The replies were the same.

“There was none but they found the head. Constable Lestrade it was. And the night stick of his. Thank goodness, it was not up his aft." 

Mrs Hudson had shit her ears to it and took her morning purchases back home at Baker’s Street. Funny they still it Baker’ Street when it housed was two rows of fine homes of three flights of stairs and the dimensions that in the shadier parts of the city would had held nine families and yet in Baker’s Street it was to distinguished families on the upper levels and the esteemed offices on the ground level except the one that Mrs Hudson retained. She had the ground level to herself, housing the remnants of her personal life while she leased out the upper two levels. The middle levels was to a certain gentleman by the name of Holmes and the upper level, it was leased by another who prefers to be known as Mr. Q. It does not matter to her how they were named as long as they were honourable gentlemen and pay their dues on time.

“I am coming.” Mrs Hudson heard the doorbell soon after she had placed the morning purchases onto the kitchen table. She reached for the apron which held the Webley pistol in the pocket. She put it on and walked to the door. She opened to a familiar face and smiled when the later handed over to her the bouquet of flower.

“Thank you, Mycroft. He is upstairs.” Mrs Hudson stepped aside for the huge figure. He was her charming admirer always with a bouquet of flower on every visit. She felt happy inside for her late husband was never one with the flowers although he was a staunch defender of her during his living days.

“I do believe he just came back before dawn. I knew it was him despite his best to hide his footsteps.” Mrs Hudson told Mycroft when he passed by her to take the stairs. He had then brushed past her arms and it sent warmth to her lonely heart. Mycroft took the steps with the vigour of the youth and then stood by the doorway to his other self of mysterious antics.

“Come in Mycroft.” The voice greeted Mycroft when he was to knock the doorframe. Mycroft reached for the door knob to turn it anticlockwise as advised by the occupant. He was told that if he did it the right way, he would be given a jolt of electricity. Electricity was then a newly acquired power which was channelled to the affordable homes through the coal burning power houses. It did disrupt the chimney emission but the low cloud then was a permanent feature.

“Do sit. Mrs Hudson will be coming with the tea at precisely seven past the hour.” Mycroft saw his brother had not shelf his desire for the early morning smoke although its smell was not of sweet fragrance. Mycroft stared at his brother then in the dressing gown and slippers with the well combed hair that was swept back to the ears.

“Sherlock, I do implore once more that you give up the habit of yours. Cocaine or whatever you may be told it was may not be favourable to your health.” Mycroft took his seat before he reached for the metal case which housed his rolled cigarettes. He had laced his tobacco with some spices to give it the staunch after taste. Sherlock had then moved to the cupboard where he kept his costumes and disguises.

“I do have my habit but I doubt you are here to discuss that.” Sherlock then closed the cupboard door and stood to listen hard on the steps which were resounding up the stairs. “I believe the doctor is in the house.”

True to his guess, the door to the unit soon admitted in a figure dressed in the tweed suit and then holding the long wooden cane. He was shorter than the Holmes brother and his frame was thinner with the left leg limping due to a bullet just below the thigh missing the thigh by a short distance.

“Watson, Mycroft was here to discuss with us on the killing of the constable last night.” Sherlock had then disposed himself on the arm chair by the window. His tall and lanky frame was engulfed by the thicker cushion requested by Sherlock for his chair. He then reached for his bended pipe and placed it on his lips unlit. It was one of his morning antics when he needed to keep the fingers busy instead of thumping on the chair side. He sat there with his legs crossed and the right slipper dangled loosely by his toes.

“Do continue on, Mycroft.” Sherlock had deduced that his brother had come bearing that news for it was on the morning crowd lips and it was not the first to happen then. There twelve killing then when Mycroft was called on the task and soon he recorded more than twenty of them but they were kept from the press for national security concerns.

“Yes, please do. I am here to assist.” The man named as Watson was an army medical officer who got hurt in the Last Frontier War at the range of the tall mountains. The limping doctor placed the walking stick next to him by the arm chair he was to take. That was the last of the arm chairs there and Mycroft has to settle for the cushioned chairs reserved for guests.

“I am here to talk on the murders. It was crackling fun case of murders but the King was concerned on the matter now. It had become not a national issue but one of international level.” Mycroft was not a man of many words and he had very little patience. “The Prime Minister had asked me to assemble a team of …..warriors if I may termed it as that. You are ….”

“Warrior? Me I am not one. Watson was not one and yet he got shot.” Sherlock looked at Watson who was then giving him the disapproval look. “It’s elementary, my dear Watson. We are investigators and not warriors. We are not his idea of those bond-ed trained spies with the license to kill.”

“Watson, you yourself were only license to cure and …” Sherlock was interrupted then by Watson who preferred to be known otherwise.

“I have killed many who were due.” With that Watson displayed his other prowess with the scalpel. It was thrown with the twist of the left hand that reached for it beneath at side of his waist belt and landed in the coat hanger left handle.

“Watson, have I told you many times, I needed that handle for my hat.” Sherlock groaned on the scarred handle. “I am going to confiscate your …side arms in future.”

“Gentlemen, we are after all here to discuss my case.” Mycroft cut in on the rivalry of the pair in their demonstrative arts. “I …”

“It’s elementary, Mycroft. You need me for investigative skills and Watson for his …cutting skills.”

“Most precisely, my dear brother. I need something else. Do you still have my cricket bat?” Mycroft asked then. “I need to do some battling now.” 

Arthur; The Legend and Myth Chapter 12

12.

The village named Bedyr lies at the bay which were shadowed at it sides by the high cliff protruding like a set of horns of the bu. The village however was two miles inland with only the small port at the bay. The elderly of the villagers have spoken the reason why they were so far from the bay.  

“The water once rose closer to the lands here and the village was filled with many. We have peace then but we had to appease the sea dragon that provided us the fishes in the bay and nearby sea.” The wounded man named Peter had recovered enough to recount on his village. He told them they were a hill away. Just when Arthur was to ask on the sea dragons, Peter had rushed to the peak and then exclaimed his view of the village below.

“Bedyr lies yonder.” Peter called out. The group of weary riders after having missed the comfort of soft bedding perked up towards it. Their first sight of it was the inland village with the rounded tops of the hut and the hastily constructed fences or corrals for the reared creatures. There were several raised platforms that were used to dry the fishes with sea salt to preserve it. There were a few wells there but located far from the sea to avoid contamination with the sea water. Arthur counted fifty such huts that looked as it was occupied but the others were in dire of repairs. The sound of the sea waves resounded on the land for the village was near it.

“Beyond those hills is the sea. There we have a smaller settlement where the livelihood was the daily catch. We sell the catches to the inland settlements.” Peter in his excitement rode on ahead while the others trod on with a lazy approach. They crossed the small stream and then arrived at the village.

“Hello! Where is everyone?” Peter had called out when he reached the village. When there was no reply, he dismounted and searched the huts but no one stepped from the doorways or ran from the nearby hills. It was still silence with the bolted doors and windows.

“I have brought you the descendants of Bedyr. They have come to protect us.” Peter called out once more. “The legend is real.”

Yet no one came out to greet the weary riders. It was Sir Kay who resented to be ignored dismounted and ran into the nearest hut. His mount was not a horse but a small wagon pulled by the mount. On the wagon were the daily supplies and the assorted weapons taken from the armory at the arena. He slammed down the door and then screams emitted from there before an elderly lady emerged. She was dressed in a brown tunic that reached her knees and with her greyish hair she was a fierce fighter for she had Sir Kay running out. The lady was holding a fishing spear with both her hands.

“Hold that crazy lady!” Sir Kay called out to Peter. “She is going to kill me.”

The elderly lady stopped when she saw the group of armed men. She stood there and glared at them. It was Peter who approached her with his arms extended.

“Lady Bella, it’s me. Peter the limp.” Peter hobbled over. “I have returned.”

“Aye, it’s you, Peter. What ails you to bring that half clothed barbarian into my home?” The elderly lady motioned to Sir Kay. “If he is thinking of ravaging me, he ought to think thrice for I have outlasted three of my lovers. Manannan takes me to the Otherworld before I took him for the next lover.”

With that the elderly lady smiled her toothless expression at Sir Kay. The others on hearing that laughed at the embarrass Sir Kay. The later in his arrogance on being made to look silly challenge them to a fight. It was Arthur who intervened and eased the tension. Peter have consoled the lady and asked on the fate of the others.

“They ran during the last moon to avoid the invaders. Everyone ran and was never to be seen.” The lady explained and then repeated herself. “None have returned.”

Peter looked with disbelief at the lady and then hobbled to the hut. He searched the place and later emerged with a defeated expression. He was gone for a season and they won’t wait for his news. He then fell to his knees with his arms reached to the skies.

“Aeron, please grant me the strength to fight alone against the invaders.” Peter called out. “Once I am done, I will take my place in the Otherworld with the fallen.”

Arthur was to dismount when he saw Merlin reached into his bag. The druid pulled out a few items that looked like mini orbs before he tossed it. Once the orbs were high up, Merlin clapped his hands and the orbs became projectiles that soared higher and cracked into loud noises. The druid then started rambling at the top of his voice as if he was calling the wrath of the Gods onto the land. It was all silent after that, and without a warning, the shriek sound came from the bay.

“It’s the dragon!” Peter called out. “They are back.”

It also called the return of the other villagers who were in hiding nearby in the hill sides. They came running to the village on hearing the shriek from the bay. Peter was soon overjoyed when he was surrounded by the villagers. They ignored the riders and congregated to speak of the dragons. Peter in turn approached Merlin.

“You have revived the dragon. We have not seen one for years.” Peter smiled at the druid. “We thank you.”

Merlin nodded and then rode towards the bay. Arthur followed behind and was soon next to the druid.

“What was that you did?” Arthur asked then.

“I called on the dragons.” Merlin looked at Arthur and then smiled. “The Bedyr needed a sign and I gave them one. It was a simple spell of mine. I created the fanfare with the orbs and then threw my voice as taught towards the bay to imitate the call of the dragon. Never knew one so I made mine up. It worked.”

“You are a …” Arthur snapped out.

“A deceitful person”, Merlin spoke out. “No, I am not. I am merely your servant to fulfill the prophecy of Bedyr. They needed the sign and you are to get the sword. Both will be satisfied.”

With that Merlin rode to the edge of the bay where the water rippled near. He dismounted and approached it. He looked into the waves and then smiled.

“You will be with your master soon.”

Arthur; The Legend and Myth Chapter 11

11.

Wales was mainly a mining colony for the Romans with its abundance mineral wealth. The Romans mined the land for gold, copper and lead along with zinc and silver. The old mines were at Doluacothi, Usk and Holt. The Romans divided the land into the settled farms and the other side the military zone. The Romans build camps to control Wales which were linked by the straight roads. The camps sprouted the nearby settlements and the influence of Rome soon was seen in the buildings and other structures. Unlike the outer limits to the farm lands, the old round tops huts still persist for the settlers. The languages of the land there were split between the farm dwellers who still spoke of Brythonicl; the language of the aristocracy and the in the cities were Latin. The Latin words soon were passed onto the people’s language. At that time during Arthur’s journey to the north west of Wales, the land there was under attack by the Picts, the Irish from the West and the Saxons from the East while Rome at that moment was under the threat of the Gothic forces of Alaric. The later hasten the migration of the Romans to strengthen Rome.

“Would you please tell me why are we taking this route?” Arthur asked Gawain of the diversion from the cobbled stones road made by the Romans. The later have been a generous guide to tell the history of Wales to the group during their rides and the lengthy fire place talks into the night.

“I am uncomfortable with the roads. They are always bandits there and more to it, we might meet your renegade Legionnaires out for the coins and food whichever was handy.” Gawain smiled. He then sat up on his saddle and smiled. “We are near now.”

Arthur found himself looking at what may be an amphitheater which he had seen at Rome but that one was smaller. It was made of wood the oval design with six rows of seats and the center was the gladiator’s arena. There were other structures next to the theater which probably housed the fighters and the other staffs. There was also adjacent lot which looked to be a circus but they were leaving from the looks of the caravan there. Arthur and his group rode towards the theater. There was no fight then but the outside the theater there was a personal bout with the wagers passed by the onlookers.

“Twllt din, you are fighting or dancing?” (English translation for an Asshole. I would had use ‘rosebud’ but that most of will reach for the dictionary then.). One of the wagers shouted out. In the center of the fighting area, two men stripped to their waist were facing each other. One was armed with the trident and the net while the other held a double sword.

“Cachu bant ti cachu mes.” (Oops, another translation needed. This one read as f**k off you sheep sha**er). Another replied to the former wager. “Let them fight.”

“Malu cachu! Watch the fight.” (It stands for Bullshit.). The fight started once more on the coaxing by the wagers. The spearman rushed in and feigned a toss with the net but held it back. The swordsman retreated and then went to the left to rush at the thrust the right handed sword into the net. The sword caught in the netting and then the swordsman went in low with the left sword on an inner swing to cut on the spearman at the right thigh. The spearman limped backwards but he lost his net. He held the trident with both hands to keep the swordsman at a distance. The right thigh was bleeding and the spearman hesitated when he saw the swordsman charged at him. At the last moment, the spearman stepped aside and the trident to block the right sword. He twisted the trident and managed to pry the sword off. Without pausing the spearman swung the discarded sword back at the swordsman. The sword tossed like a javelin stabbed into the other in the chest and ended the fight.

“Hail Sir Kay.” The wagers roared their champion who had double payout. The fighter dropped the trident before he staggered off the fighting area. He was cut in some places but it may not kill him. He stepped up to one without the ability to last a second in the arena but his hands held his other reason for being there. The one named Sir Kay reached out with his right hand to be handled a bag of coins. Sir Kay weighed the coins and then threw a punch at the other.

“I place my life on the fight and you dare to cheat me.” The fallen wager was soon blocked by two who appeared to be bodyguards. Sir Kay saw that and backed off. He knew the odds was against him and was made worse when he was tired and without a weapon. He stepped away and then turned to walk off. One of the bodyguards pulled at his sword on the waist but stopped when the arrow landed at his feet.

“I won’t do that.” The arrow came from Gawain who held the bow in his right hand. “He may be a bully but he is my friend. A far flung cousin to be exact from my mother side.  Thank goodness for that or we will be all fighting him.”

“Aye, he is my cousin.” Sir Kay saw the need to seek alliance than more enemies. He then turned to the bodyguard. “My cousin has a good eye on the bow.”

The two bodyguards then retreated on the reinforced numbers. Sir Kay was still in his arrogant mood; hollered after them.

“Next time I will not release you without your blood for my debts.” The body guards have marched on and Sir Kay looked to his savior. He was to speak when Arthur spoke up.

“Join me and be rewarded.” Arthur motioned to the other. “You are a gladiator and for what we are to do, you will find gold coins at the end.”

“Gold coins? I have plenty.” The arrogance of Sir Kay surfaced once more. “If your quest include killing, I am for it.”

“You are truly a cousin of mine from my mother side. You hold the qualities of their brawn side.” Gawain laughed. “I will vouch for him.”

It was Merlin who saw the amusement in the conflict.

“Arthur, I think you have your half table of knights. Seven is a good number to fight with. Your legend will soon grow.” Merlin smiled and then looked at Sir Kay. “I wondered if he will take a wager from me. However it will be paid when you are King.”