Apes Chapter 5

5.

At Level Twenty-Six of the inhabited Tower Three of Park Lane Five Tower, Lance leaned against the wall with his hands holding the sonar rifle close to his chest. He heaved his breaths with his heart thumping loudly. He looked to the side and saw the other officers had taken their positions. They were looking at the adjacent tower which was Tower Two of Park Lane Five Tower. They were there to subdue the raging gorilla in the yard shared by five towering structures around it at Level Twenty-Five.

The call came shortly after the announcement of the rioting by the servants at Park Lance Tower. It went widespread on the five towers and the officers went into action. Fifty officers per the task team took to the towers. They were armed and wore protective armored chest shields.

“We got reports of mischief at the units above. The team will break into units of ten and proceed to move upwards.” The order was relayed.

“Another team will assist from the top.” The top was the rooftop of the towers at over seventy levels.”

Lance was part of the Tower Three assault team with the other nine officers. He had with him two other snipers and their task was made harder by the evacuating inhabitants. At each level, they have no hesitation to bring down any servants deemed hostile. Most of their encounters were the raging servants of the gorilla types who were tearing the furniture but there were some of them hurting their owners. They were brought down to their hinds with the sonar blast that impacted with intense pain but no casualty was recorded.

They soon came across the uncontrollable ones that were hurting the human inhabitants.

“Can we take a shot now?” Officer Judd or Judd Galania; Officer Molly’s replacement leaned over to peek at the Silverback gorilla standing on the balcony of the unit at Level Twenty-Five on Tower Two. It was an elderly one which probably served the last twenty years without a whimper or protest but something activated the gorilla that day. It began by tearing the furniture and then with a leap it had landed on the outside yard from the second level.

It had the misfortune of meeting an officer rushing towards it to control it. The creature was in a rage and when it was prodded by the electrical rod, it reacted with violence. It grabbed the officer by the right forearm before it tossed the officer to the ground. The impact was so hard that the officer went into unconsciousness. It then the gorilla did a series of slamming of the body with its huge arms onto the ground until the body was reduced to globs of flesh with broken bones seen. The gorilla then crouched over the dead officer with its chest-thumping while hollering out on its victory.

Lance sidestepped the other officers and approached the gorilla with his sonar rifle activated. He pressed the trigger and aimed at the gorilla. The sonar force from the rifle was powered from the rear pack and it was designed to stop the gorilla without hurting it. The silverback was thrown back to the far wall. It laid there for a few seconds and then crouched up. Its right hand went for the sore point on its left shoulder before it roared out a challenge to Lance. The later took on a second shot but the aim was to hit its left arm.

The gorilla fell to its face but it was not immobilized then. It was in pain but the rage of the ape was heightened by the pain. It charged at Lance from that fall. It ran towards Lance but before the later could fire the third shot, a series of shots rang from the sides. Those were not sonar rifles but deadly projectile shots. Five projectiles tore into the gorilla and caused it to fall sideways on its back. The silverback tried to roll over but it was unable to move. It gave out a whimper from its bloodied mouth before it died.

Lance stood there still holding the sonar rifle was in a state of shock at the gorilla’s behavior. He had never seen these creatures in that state but he was more taken aback by the action that was then happening. The whole yard reverted with the shrieks and roars of the gorillas of differing breeds from the adjacent towers as if in moaning for the dead one. Then several household items were tossed onto the yard and followed up by screaming human inhabitants.

“Move it!”  Officer Judd ran past Lance to go into Tower Three tower. The later than was shaken from his stupor and swung into action. He ran towards the nearest doorway and almost crashed into a falling flower pot. He took to the stairs and mounted to the upper levels. He saw there the officers had moved in and started shooting at the raging servants while comforting the human inhabitants. There was no mercy on the officers; they used their sidearm or rifle to shoot without any concern on where the shot landed. He saw one gorilla shot in the face then toppled over the railing. The drop of over twenty-five levels was bound to kill the creature.

Lance then saw Officer Judd at the level facing an open doorway. He joined her and was faced with a chimpanzee holding a crying infant with the distraught human mother on the far corner.

“Put the baby down!” Officer Judd had slung the sonar rifle and had on her hands was the side arms. It was a projectile designed weapon and held six shots.

“Don’t make me do it!” Officer Judd called out. The mother was seated on the far corner in a state of shock. Lance stepped in and then also slung the sonar rifle. He had dealt with apes since young under the care of his uncle but never had he been so confused like that of the chimpanzee then. The creature was cradling the infant as it was coached but its eyes showed a different personality. It was wide open and shifting between Lance, Judd, and the mother. It was unsure of what was to be done. It was also snarling at the officers.

“Hold!” Lance motioned to Judd. “Do not…”

It was then the sounds of shouts and screams of the creatures were heard. Some of the officers were overreacting or forced to shoot at the creatures. It was creating a panicky situation then and before Lance could calm down the frightened chimpanzee, one came crashing through the doorway. It ran to the other holding the child and grabbed the infant by the right arm.

It was then Officer Judd fired her weapon. The projectile hit the newly arrived chimpanzee in the back of the head and exit on the other in the chest. The infant was tossed up by the chimpanzee at the nearby window. The infant hit the window frame and dropped back onto the flooring. The infant had stopped crying when Lance reached it.

The infant was dead then. Its skull had cracked on impact.

“Bastards!” Officer Judd fired her weapon into the two dead chimpanzees. Lance stepped away and left the unit. He stopped at the corridor before he leaned onto the wall. He heard the gunshots that were reverting then in the tower but he made no effort to move.

“Move it!” Lance sidestepped when others ran past him on their way to more killing.

Across the city, Doctor Lanceston could only then stared at the dead pile of gorillas that were on the far corner. There were gorillas and chimpanzees alike. He was in a state of shock at the killing but there were no replies to the decision then. He then felt the chimpanzee that climbed up his legs and reached for it.

“Whoa, Astrid.” The researcher cradled the chimpanzee who was holding onto him then. He patted it to assure the chimpanzee that it was in safe hands.

“It’s not your fault. It’s them.” Doctor Lanceston looked to the officers who were pulling the dead gorillas by their limbs towards the pile. Astrid the chimpanzee was leaning with its face to the rear then looked at the other chimps. It gave them the silent signal to seek out their masters or mistresses who were stepping into the yard.

Go back. The time to act is not now.

The others then followed suit with the command given by Astrid. Those whose owners were not there began whimpering until their owners arrived to collect them. It was then a wounded gorilla roared out at the sight of the chimpanzees and was given a projectile shot into the face.

“Stupid ape!” Officer Bernice then lowered the sidearm. She then felt her left forearm grabbed from behind. She turned and faced her superior officer.

“That was not necessary, Officer. I want you to attend the wounded.” Leader Officer Shelley told off her subordinate.” I will not have killers among my officers.”

Officer Mary Shelley then stepped away leaving the officer fuming with rage. The senior officer was an experienced officer with over twenty years of service. Officer Bernice was still in rage at being reprimanded and used her left foot to stomp on the dead ape’s face.

In the yard, Doctor Julius searched out another research officer who was in his team. He found the officer examining the dead gorillas. He reached down to pull the officer upwards.

“Doctor Molly, go back to your lab and remove the program to designate Rome now from the consoles.” Research Officer Doctor Molly looked to the senior researcher and then ran off back to the lab. Doctor Julius then reached for another officer and whispered the instruction.

“Ian, make sure all designate specimens Rome are purged or destroyed their chips. I do want anyone to check those chips. Keep only the five involved under Group One. Tell the others.” The officer in question then passed the instructions on to the others.

Project Rome involved twenty-five gorillas out of the one hundred there in the research area. They were re-programmed to think outside the core program with specific commands to activate aggression.

“Doctor Julius, there is a call for you.” Doctor Julius reached for the communication unit passed to him by the Enforcer. He knew who was calling then, and his reply was short.

“It’s a temporary issue. We will resolve it. Rome will not fall.”

On the other side of the line, the caller closed the communication unit before he took up the breathing apparatus to resume his intake of oxygen. He was dressed in the expensive tailored suit but behind the high back seat were the frame decorations of a distinguished military officer. He was seated then there than in the huge library with his collection of books and stuffed creature trophy. He looked at the assembled there before him. Five statesmen and officers who had more than two hundred years of civil and military services between them sat there in the seats looking at each other. They shared one common objective; the superior mankind in the world.

“I am distressed, Members of the Senate.” The named caller then had removed the oxygen mask when the addressed the assembled. “Rome will not augur us well. We lost a closely guarded sample of the servants. We will need to tread carefully or our works will end sooner than expected.”

“We hear you, Julius.” The reply came back to him. “We will be careful.”

Lone Ranger Chapter 54

 54.

“Stifling for your taste, ain’t it?” Lance was asked by his host. They were ushered into the so-named Drawing Room which was bigger than expected. “In Hades, everything is in perspective and then none.”

“It’s Maamon at your service but you may address me as Mister Maamon.”  The figure was a short person dressed in the padded blue dressing gown that reached his knees thus hiding his inner dressing. He had on a red cravat at the neckline with a studded diamond in the middle. His expression was that a smudgy look and resonated with the thick cigar at his lips. It was unlit which made him look as if he was sucking it than smoking. He saw Lance’s focus and smiled.

“Smoking kills you.” Maamon removed the cigar and then motioned to the duo to take the seats there. The room was as described huge with the one side of the wall lined up with shelves of books, and the other side was adorned with paintings of various frame designs. The taste of the collector was however if maybe quoted ‘unrefined in the brutish look’. It was all of mayhem and killings. The furniture in the room was the long table that seated forty-nine with seven chandeliers laid on the table.

On the side of it was the low cabinets with the assorted collection of guns and weapons but there was one of the baseball bats. It was a newly discovered game then popularized by one named Alexander Joy Cartwright; a volunteer firefighter and bank clerk. He was to form the rules that govern the game until today. Tonto had reached for one of the bats to examine it.

“It is not your typical cricket bat but I loved this one. It’s handy to hit and could deliver a deadly swing to the head.” Maamon spoke up on the bat held by Tonto. “It will hold its place there shortly.”

It was then Maamon held up one of the bats and did a swing with it. He smiled and then replaced the bat to its place.

“The Devil asked us to trace you and above all, terminate you. So do tell, Mr. Lone Ranger, what makes you tick with the Devil?” Maamon continued. “I was not in the picture when your name came up. I heard that your brother was one and so was your father. What was it? A family obligation like the one reputed to be the Phantom of the Darker continent.”

Lance glared at the demon which addressed him. He felt the loss of his guns and then recalled that he had other hidden weapons of his own.

“Your reputation had irked the Devil but I prefer to know more before I…. sent you to inner Hades.” The last words from Maamon came out with a snide smile before he stepped towards the glass window overlooking the lawn. “Do amuse me? After all your presence has tarnished my lawn of its greenery.”

“Who were they?” Tonto asked.

“Those? They … I reckon could be from Lilith or Asmodeus. Any of the other five would love to claim on your death.” Maamon replied. “I for one however prefer to give you some …breathing space.”

It was then the room rocked on its foundation and some of the decorated fell off the walls and shelves. It rumbled for a while and then stopped.

“Darned trembling! Hades is not the same anymore.” Maamon muttered out. “Damn Lucifer with his return here. I wondered if he is at the core trying to free those ogres. He would fight the war with us.”

Maamon then stopped at his mutterings and glared at Lance.

“I have no patience, Lone Ranger. Tell me why you must die?” Maamon then grabbed the bat and faced Lance. “Tell now or I will bash your head in. By Hades, I will do it.”

It was then Lance recalled his other gifts. He called on the Noir Spikes. It went out like dark spikes to strike at the demon holding the bat. The spikes struck out like long nails that pierced the demonic figure there. Maamon fell back and shrieked out in pain. Lance had then grabbed the dropped bat and held it for a swing at the other.

“Hold your arm, Sir.” The voice was from the butler who had stood in the far corner since they arrived. “Please do not harm him. I will take you to Lucifer.”

Lance turned to look at the butler who made him an unusual offer. It was Tonto who sprang into action when he grabbed the bat to swing it at Maamon. The blow knocked the demon into a state of sleep.

“Damn! It does work! I say old boy you may be creating a fad there.” Tonto then tossed the bat aside and confronted the butler. “Our real weapons please.”

The butler motioned to the case near him which must have been placed there recently.

“It just arrived.” The butler motioned to the case. “You best hurry for Maamon may wake up soon.”

“So, where is Lucifer?” Lance asked while Tonto rummaged the case for their weapons.

“Nearby, Sir. We are in Hades. And nothing is what it seems to be.” The butler replied and then reached for the lapels on the neckline. The lapel came apart and with it the butler suit. It revealed a lady figure in a tight white suit with a thick belt around the waist and the knee-length boots. The then lady had a new facial with the short-cropped hair. Her eyes were outlined with darker shades and the lips glisten with red shades.

“I am Lilith and I will be your new guide in Hades.” The lady spoke up. “How do you find my alternative looks?”

“Wow!” Tonto exclaimed out. “That’s a fast way to strip down. It beats off shoulders blouses.”

“It does, and the strappings are easy to come on or off.” The lady figure replied. “I have a lot of practice with it. The full name is Lilith 49. I was sent here to await your arrival.”

“49? I don’t get it.” Lance asked.

“Now is not the time for questions. We need to leave now. Those dead outside will have alerted the other named the Leviathan. They will be here soon.” Lilith 49 replied. It was just in time then for the sound of shots and explosions reverted in the room. Lance rushed over the window and saw the commotion outside.

There were several vehicles outside there with guns built into it and it was attacking the mansion. The vehicles were huge with the double tracks on the side, and the front of the vehicle held the single cannon that were firing projectiles at the mansion. There were four of them outside there and on the side of the vehicle was the sponson with the multi-barrel gun firing away.

“Leviathan is here. He was always for the grand entrance.” Lilith 49 then pulled the duo out of the drawing-room into the corridor. From there, it’s looked like a long corridor with the doors on both sides. It stretched far and long but then it was occupied by the emerging guards of Maamon rushing to protect the mansion. The figures were rushing to the rooms and ignoring the trio standing there. A doorway was then blown in by the explosion outside and it tore down part of the wall there.

“How big is the place? Lance asked the lady.

“Nothing is as it seems. You may perceive to see a mansion out there but once inside, you could be in a palace with hundreds of chambers or a labyrinth of rooms.” Lilith 49 replied. “In Hades, there are illusions and dimensions. I thought on the boat with Charon you would have understood.”

Lance shook his head and then was asked to follow Lilith along the corridor. It was confusing for their run was a long one and in some stretches, they saw the rooms were blown apart and inside the guards were engaging the invaders.

Unlike the guards of Maamon, the invaders were dressed in army fatigues and armed with rifles too. Lance felt pulled into one of the rooms they were passing. He hit back with his legs and then confronted the snatcher.

“The Lone Ranger? Come with me to see my Master.” The one who spoke was in the army fatigues and held a rifle. It was a Man underneath the fatigues and tin hat. “I will shoot you if you resist.”

Lance was to reach for his guns when he caught the fleeting shadow of the figure that attacked the snatcher. Lilith 49 had taken the leap and using Lance’s left shoulder as a springboard, she had lashed out with her two legs. The crisscrossed legs delivered a series of hard kicks that downed the earlier lady. Lilith 49 then straightened up and pulled Lance into the corridor. They rushed on and then stopped at the doorway marked ‘private’. Lilith 49 opened it and stepped in. Lance and Tonto followed suit and found themselves on the lawn. The mansion was at their rear to the right and it looked like the defenders are winning. Of the four vehicles, only three were seen to retreating.

“Wow! Can you do that but lead it to the bathroom please?” Lance asked the lady but she had ignored him. She pulled at his arm and then ran to the nearby tree lines. Once they reached the tree lines, Lilith stopped at the tree trunk. She pulled down a branch and then tree trunk opened up to reveal a set of stairs descending.

“Wonderland?” Tonto muttered but he was soon following the lady down the stairs. It was dark inside and soon they found themselves once more at the side of the pit among the structures.  Lilith 49 then led them on the tracks by the structures avoiding the traffic of carriages and among others, walking pedestrians like themselves. She then later pulled them into a structure that resembled a shop serving pastries. The place was named the Mad Baker.

“Tea party anyone?” The lady behind the counter shouted out.

Lone Ranger Chapter 53

53.

If there were words to describe the city behind the wall, it was madness. The city was built down into a huge series of pits that had fumes spurting out. The train tracks will plummet down the side of the pit into the depth losing its need for electrical assistance. It defies gravity how the tram cars could be running on the tracks but it remains then. Not all the tracks went down the same pit for there were numerous others it could take. Once the train scaled-down the pit, the tracks will level up and then formed a series of spins as it plunks downwards. You could describe it as riding a roller coaster but the speed of the tram cars was exceedingly fast. Lance sat firmly on the seating with his limbs shackled onto the seat and flooring. He felt the pull of gravity as the train spiraled downwards, with his cheeks drawn taut by the pressure and his heart having to move upwards towards his throat. Bile taste surfaced inside his mouth and then he looked at his partner seated across him. The other was in a deep trance of sort for he was immobile and only moved when the car jolted on the tracks. His hat was tucked into the waistband of his pants and it was obscene to the impression that he was huge.

“Ton…” Lance voiced out and regretted it for his mouth content had taken its course toward the other’s front vest. “I am…”

“Speak no more, Kemo-Sabe.” Tonto struggled with his speech when his tongue was mostly hovering just above his tonsils. “I forgive you.”

It was then the tram car stopped and the duo found their abrupt stop had its implications of a sudden jolt that pained the flesh where it was under restraint. There was no moment of respite for new wardens have arrived to unshackle them and dragged them by their shoulders to the next part of the journey. Lance took the trouble than to study his captors which were dressed like the ones on the docks.

“Pinstriped? It does look nice.” Lance muttered to the warden dragging his bruised body. “I like mine plain with….”

“Silence!” Lance was cautioned but he cared not. His next part of the journey was on an open carriage that powered by the steam engine contraption. It sat six in the carriage with two guards facing Lance and Tonto while another pair stood on the side of the carriage holding onto the side for balance. The carriage was driven by another at the far front dressed similarly. The ride was uneventful but the scenes that greeted them were. They drove past structures that were built into the wall and scaled downwards. It was after all a pit and the carriage tracks ran along with it like spiral tracks or in some corners, it was a deep angle drop to the next level.

On each structure was seen the inhabitants of the pit forthwith their daily routine as if it was like any city seen in the physical world. There were taverns and shops of essential needs. The inhabitants were dressed in a simple tunic and loose pants, unlike the guards. Their journey came to an end soon at the large structure that was built jutting out of the wall and it held some levels below. The open carriage turned off on the main tracks and then towards a high gate with sentries standing there. The gates were flung open when the carriage arrived and then the scene there changed.

It was a huge and wide lawn with the planted rows of trees and even the path they were traveling on was inlaid with fine cobbles of stone. The side of the path was the border with the flower beds of roses of assorted shades. There was the open sky above with the scattered clouds.

The carriage then came to stop at the huge whitewashed walls of the mansion. It held two levels with the frontage displaying the four huge columns that formed the main façade of the mansion. Lance counted seven high glass entrances on the ground level and twenty windows on the upper level with four attic windows at the rooftop. The mansion borders have rows of flower beds and there was a cobbled yard for the carriage to pull over.  They were met by a figure dressed in the butler dark suit complete with the white gloves and polished shoes. He was huge in the frame with the Adonis features that were complemented with the bald look on the top.

“Master Maamon awaits you in the Drawing Room.” The appearance of the butler bowed his head and motioned to the main doorway into the mansion. Lance took to the cobbled yard with Tonto next. It was then the shots rang out. The casualties were the two guards on the side of the carriage. They had fanned out on the side of the carriage holding vigil on the open yard. The assailants were hidden on the lawn with their camouflage cover and unseen by the unobserving eyes. Then more shots rang out. The shooters were armed with rifles and had crouched up to continue their firing. There were six of them there. 

Lance jumped for cover behind the carriage and reached for his guns. It was then he recalled that his guns were taken away when they surrendered. He looked at the others and saw two more guards went down before the butler joined Lance for cover.

Just when Lance thought they were done for, the high glass doorways at the mansion opened with a loud noise and figures appeared from behind it. The figures were armed with what appeared to be rifles and they return fire. The newly arrived figures weapon was able to shoot more bullets without the need to refill. The guns splattered like the Gatling guns with it repeated firing. The six assailants went down in the first hail of bullets.

“Pardon the interruption, Sir.” The butler then stood up and lent out his arms. “May we now proceed to meet the Master?”

Just when Lance stood up to follow the butler he heard the barking of the hounds and then saw the canines had attacked the dead shooters. He turned away from the carnage scene and stepped into the mansion.

Arthur II Chapter 11

The Land

11.

Lord Pendragon felt his mount reared its head while its tail swung when they climbed the hill. The rider patted the mount and then spurred it on. In his mind then the smell of the home grasses was always fresher. He looked over the hill and saw the castle. It was not much but it was a formidable place with its three towers and the high walls. In its better days, the castle could hold over a hundred warriors; archers and swordsmen with the twenty-five horses. During his return, he reckoned there were only about twenty with the household of servants there without its Lord. He looked back to his troupe of followers; fifty warriors of which half were mercenaries and ten servants with his loved one in the wagon. He had recruited the mercenaries during his ride there. His land was intruded on by the neighbors and the invaders when the Lord was away.

“My Lord, we have done our best.” The castle warrior reported to the Lord. They numbered about two dozen and half of them were without armors. “Welcome back.”

“I know you tried. I am grateful, Lord Ban. And to your brother too, Lord Bors.” The two Lords are Ban and Bors; not of the same mother but they are of the same father. Both were tall and slender unlike the other warriors but they are great fighters with the spears and shield. They had on the mail coat and their legs were encased in the leather lashing on the sandal.

“You may take a break. I am back. These are my new …. recruits. Get them into the barracks.” Lord Pendragon told the twins. “I got to take care of my love.”

Lord Pendragon saw then the twenty-five mercenaries had stepped aside to face him.

“With respect, Lord Pendragon but we are not staying.” The leader of the mercenaries named Bruce of the High, stepped up. “Our task was to protect you on your journey and that is completed. We would like to part with the balance of our coins paid today.”

Lord Pendragon looked to the mercenaries he had with him on the journey. He knew that they were not used to working as warriors in a castle. They are more suited for the war where the pillage and looting can be done. He was short of warriors and even offered them a better remuneration.

“Extra coins? We live to fight and it’s out there on the land.” The mercenary pointed to the north. “Here we may end up being …. With the servants. More so, the Anglo Saxons are paying well.”

Lord Pendragon heard of the Anglo Saxons. They are from the North and have been invading the south for some years then. That was one reason he came back to his castle. He has to defend it or lose them all.

“You will fight with the invaders?” It was Lord Bors, Lord Pendragon's aide, and friend. He was standing at the left side stepped up. The warrior was a seasoned fighter and has stood by his Lord for years. “I will kill you now.”

“I am not of your land. I cared not for your land. I only work for coins and the killings. Spare me your threats. We may meet one day.” The other leader replied in anger. Lord Bors had to be restrained by the others to avoid a fight then but the former was not giving up. He was a fighter and backing down was an insult.

“Fight me in the duel by the clearing at the sapling.” Lord Bors called out the challenge. “Tomorrow after the sun has risen to our eye level.”The mercenary nodded and then took to his men. Lord Pendragon called for his bursar to pay the mercenaries.
“Pay the men. They are leaving soon.” The bursar nodded to the Lord’s request. Lord Pendragon then turned to look at the mercenaries. “Ride north and you will not be welcome here.” 

Lord Pendragon’s words were ignored. He then turned to Lord Bors and told him the instruction. 

“Watch the walls for their return. They will be not welcome anymore.”

“It’s Bruce. I will challenge to death.’ Lord Bors replied. 

“Good, but bring the others back. We need them.” 

“If they resist?” 

“Let them go. But bring back our coins. I am short of it in the bursary.” Lord Pendragon told Lord Bors. Lord Pendragon was then distracted and saw his love alighted from the wagon by her. She had waited too long on that. She refused his offered hand and made her inside. She walked past the servants and into the Hall. It was not huge but it held a high ceiling and there was the long table to seat twelve, with the high seat for the Lord at the end to the wall. 

Behind it was the castle's crest; the double lion facing the crossed swords with the backdrop of the helmet that was the Lord’s. Below the crest was the words in Welsh; Y Llewod yr Amddiffynnydd Arglwy (The Lions the Protector; The Lord of the Land).

“Do you like it?” Lord Pendragon looked at her. She did not reply and moved on. She looked at the garish curtains that were draped over the walls or was it the other way around. She looked at the line up of shields minus the swords. She had stopped wondering for a long time on it. She took off on her way to the stairs that led upstairs and saw the signs on each door to the chambers. They were there to protect the households and the Lord in particular. She knew the Lord was obsessed with the works of witchcraft. He had his encounters with them before. 

Lady Igraine reached the Lord’s chamber and stopped. She was reluctant to go in. She turned and moved to the chamber further down. It was her designated chamber. There was where she will rest. If he wants he can come there like what he did years ago. He had caused her pain. 

Her Lord was Gorlois then which she was wedded to as the young age was the rightful Lord but Lord Pendragon with the assistance of magic had forced his action on her; an intrusion on her. He had disguised himself as her Lord and climbed into her bedding. She was intoxicated by the herbs placed into her drink and recalled not much but the long night of pleasures. She was mystified by it but the news of Lord Gorlois' declaration of war against Lord Pendragon. 

It was a brief war and then died soon after killed her desire. She knew that her Lord was murdered by Lord Pendragon. He came for her soon after but she ignored him. She ignored him when he captured her several times. She ran away to escape from him and he still came. She was his to win eventually but the desire did not exist anymore. She turned from him most times.
“Take care of the Lady,” Pendragon told the maidservant. He saw then the lady that was to follow Lady Igraine. He had asked of her name but she will not tell him. He then asked Lady Igraine.

“It’s not of your concern, My Lord. She will serve me and only me.” Lady Igraine told the Lord. 

“She looked familiar to me as if I had known her.” Pendragon was never much with his own family except for his love for Lady Igraine, he had hardly known many ladies from the courts. 

Lord Pendragon went down to the Hall. He saw there were his trusted men; seven of them who had served him well and his father before. They are the Elders. And during those recent times, they have failed him.

“None of you stopped the land grabbing.” Lord Pendragon looked at them. “You were my custodian. And yet you failed.” 

“We did not fail, Lord Pendragon. We tried but were outnumbered and we are old.” The one elected named Lord Amish 

spoke out. “We are no longer young and our men are too few. We guarded what we could …. More to it. Lord Ban and Bors were with you. We were powerless.”

“Your own homes, and left my fields to take. You could have fought them, as one but all of you were selfish. You protected that is yours only.” Pendragon told them off. “From today, we are no more allies. We are on our own. I will protect my own and beware I will come for yours too for it was mine, to begin with. Now leave.”

“Utter Pendragon”, the elected leader named Lord Amish confronted the Lord by his given name. “I have tended to you since you were a babe. I will not …”

“As you would, Lord Amish. I am coming for you first. Now leave or surrender your land to me.” Pendragon was clear on his threat. 

“Lord Pendragon…. Utter. I am not begging but you are alone. We can still be your allies to help. We can do what you alone cannot do. We can rally the people to your name. We are still respected as the Elders.”

Those words rang deep into Lord Pendragon's ears. He knew the Elders though powerless still held an influence on the people. They will rally to the call if the Elders are seen with a stronger leader. He needs them still with the Romans on the wall. 

“So be it. You may keep what is yours. Return mine to me. Now leave us.” All seven Elders left him that day in the Hall. 

“My Lord, do you want us to double the sentries. I will recruit more men.” Lord Bors had stepped in to ask the Lord. The latter shook his head and then told him to get more warriors. 

“After you kill the bastard who challenged your brother. Then take his coins and recruit them others. They will join us.” Everyone needed reinforcements then. The Legion presence cannot be accounted for to fight his cause. He needed his warriors.

Arthur II Chapter 12

12. 

Master Meleagant looked at the wood mashed prints with the charcoal sketches. They were well drawn with some resemblance of dimensions and measurements. He studied the details and then frowned. He looked to the figure who was the mason to build the castle. He had wanted a villa but the mason told him, they only build castles and cathedrals. 

“And the occasional church.”

“Go ahead.” Master Meleagant nodded then. He then stepped away. The mason called on his apprentices to start away. He turned to look once more at the building that was to be his castle. It was not a complete build but a major repair over an older one. The main structures were still there; the four towers and the walls, the gates were a wreck, and so were the three building structures which were in a state of a derelict. The walls were made of stone and that will hold, but the flooring and ceiling with the roofs collapsed. Once all that was done, then the furnishings. He had arranged for the furniture from the homeland and the silverware from Gaul. He loved the design there and young Meleagant loved it.

“Master, we have sent for the recruitment of new warriors and guards. But we will be safe.” The leader of his guards, Belvedere reported to him. “I have the Centurion to stake on frequent patrols near our camp. We will be fine.”

“Have you contacted the one I asked for?”

“The Black Knight has declined your offer. I am looking at the others.” 

“It’s alright. We can do without the knight or whatever he called himself.” Master Meleagant told the guard. “We can go ahead. Where is the mason? I want a higher wall than that he had proposed. If I am under siege, I want that.”

The siege on the young man’s mind was what prompted the journey to the nearby market place. Young Meleagant was then walking past the offerings at the nearby village’s market. He was never one to get involved in his father’s workings and held his own. He was not alone; his father forbidden him that and there was one guard with him. He looked handsome in his silk clothing and finery that he had adorned on his chest. He played along with the sellers there; flirting with the admiring ladies until the wares he was looking for were seen. He approached the blacksmith and looked at the iron manacles. He took drawings from his tunic and passed it to the skill master. 

“Make that for me.” Young Meleagant then handed over the coins. “Deliver it to …” 

“The wall? I know.” The blacksmith nodded. “Do you want swords and…” 

Young Meleagant ignored the blacksmith and approached a seated figure under the shed at the far corner. The figure was bearded like many others there and clothed in a torn tunic but he stood out with the runic designs on his limbs. 

“Are you a …” Young Meleagant question was challenged.

“Are you a Man or a noble with the coins in need of guards to accompany you?” The bearded man challenged back. “You may not be the Man for you would not walk alone. As for me, I am just the old man seated here.” 

“Are you a druid?” Young Meleagant asked again. 

“What is a …. Druid? I am just an old man seated here.” The bearded man replied. “Are you ...”

“I am a Man. I am also a noble. I have guards to…” Young Meleagant was alone then. 

“Well, you better be. Three warriors want to take your life.” The bearded one told him. He then motioned to the trio standing by the blacksmith. Young Meleagant reckoned the bearded man was wrong.

“Four, old man. There are four.” Young Meleagant replied to the old man. The trio stepped up and the blacksmith had stepped in with them. The blacksmith was armed with the mace while the other three held the short sword named the gladius. 

Young Meleagant retreated and stood before the old man. The market place was then in chaos with the patrons there clearing the area. 

“Noble one, you are not invited here. Leave now.” The blacksmith called out towards Young Meleagant. “Or we will drag you out in pieces. This is not your land.” 

“I ….” Young Meleagant was interrupted by the arrival of Belvedere. 

“Leave now!” Belvedere pulled Young Meleagant to the rear. “I will handle them.” 

Young Meleagant turned to run and was on the way out of the area when he turned to see Belvedere engaged the four men. The young noble ran past the huts and then into the open land without looking back. He heard the sounds of the hoofs and ignored it. If those hoofs are the trio’s horses, he will be dead soon. He stopped and turned to look once more. He was confronted by Legionnaires. 

“Are you well, young noble?” Young Meleagant nodded. He recognized the Legionnaire. He was Galahad. 

“You are outside your boundary. You need to get back. We can offer you a ride.”

“It can’t be. We are in Britannica. It’s our land.” Young Meleagant replied. “Father told me so.” 

“Britannica is by name. It’s still their land.” Galahad reminded the younger man. “Rome had conquered theirs but we have not convinced them of it. Due to that, we are unwanted like invaders.”

“They took my coins.” Young Meleagant snapped back. “I want it to return to me.” 

“Little I can do with it. Let your guard cover your escape. We have other works to do.” Galahad replied and then rode off. 

Belvedere stood there looking at the four locals who were trying to cheat the young Master. He was unsure if they were peasants or warriors. He thought more about them later. He held in his hands the gladius and round shield. 

“Best you leave now before I am a force to kill you.” Belvedere challenged the four locals. 

“It’s four to one, barbarian. We shall have you killed today.” The blacksmith called back and then charged at Belvedere. The later sidestepped to avoid the mace aimed at his right hand. He used the shield to hit on the blacksmith in the face and then turned his body to move his sword into the belly of the blacksmith. He then pulled out the gladius and faced the other three. The trio who were more of bullies retreated leaving the dying blacksmith on the ground. Belvedere approached the blacksmith work area. He scooped out the few swords and spear there. He tied them into a bundle and then walked away with it. He met the Roman riders and spoke to Galahad. 

“The coins are with the Blacksmith. Take it for he does not need it.” Gawain who was riding with the brother dismounted and approached the dead blacksmith. He took the bag of coins. 

“This will pay for the mess he created here,” Gawain called out loud before he mounted his horse. Galahad was a loss to the claim made by his brother. He soon followed the other who rode off. Belvedere laughed at the departing brothers. 

“Coins will be the rewards of us.” 

Unseen by the Equities, hidden in the shadow was a dark figure with the face masked. He was there when the three bullies reached the corner. 

“The man fought well. He killed the blacksmith.” One of the trios voiced out. “You have to pay us extra.” 

The dark figure stepped up to the bully and stabbed him in the neck with the dagger. He then pulled it out and stabbed the second one in the heart. He turned to face the white stricken last one. 

“No one demands of the Black Knight. Carry those words to others.” The dark figure saw the bully ran off leaving his sword. The dark figure picked up the sword. It was crude but it was a weapon. He picked up the other dead bullies’ swords and then looked for the Roman. 

“I will combat you one day, Roman. So, swear the Black Knight.”

Apes Chapter 4

4.

Astrid was dragged by its upper limbs by both guards towards the courtyard. Its eyes bulged out in fear of seeing the mass of its kind all congregated behind the barbed wires. It saw the frightened ones, the confused, the agitated, and then the deep resentment among them. There was nothing ever recorded by their masters. There may have been notes on such research to it but it was not considered that moment.

Astrid was tossed over the wire but it landed on its limbs as part of its genetic makeup. It looked around and saw the staring eyes. It looked for the familiar ones and there was none. All of them were strangers to each other then. It moved forth on its hind legs with the upper limbs hanging loosely. It was a cautionary approach to access if they were to be any violence. As a female gender, it was unnatural for them to lead but Astrid was different. It was never in any group having been born in captivity. With the care of the doctor, it had been treated well, and later its position was seen to be of privilege. It gave the chimp some form of control over the others. And envy by the others.

Astrid saw the sneering and then the grunts. Those were the alpha males that it had ignored their signs when at proximity. If it was during the older times Astrid would have been no significant chimp but another in the list of others who were to serve the alpha male. That had changed with the presence of the master who was overlord to many. An Alpha male approached Astrid. It sneered at Astrid before it grunts the words formed in its mind.

Astrid, we are all the same here. You are no more the one.

Astrid calmly looked at the other. It was an unusual action by their breed but the following action reflected the change in the apes.

Iliad, you are not the Alpha Male here. There are no alpha males here. There are only our chimpanzees. We are one clan.

That call caught the other off guard but the most surprising move was the low screeching murmurings among the others. Iliad turned to look at them and singled out some others like itself but they were silent and unmoving. The females and younger males were moving into groups. They were forming new grouping but not by ranks. They were grouping with familiarity during their services, and Astrid group was huge and growing.

Astrid had been considered as their leader.

Astrid, what are you planning to do?

Astrid looked to the ones in its group. It gave the words out to stand down and wait.

Do not move.

It did not go well to the other group of chimpanzees. They were young males who have never seen how a group should act in such situations.

We fight them now. The call of the King must be heeded.

Astrid charged over on her four limbs and stopped short of the male. It confronted the young male which bellowed out the challenge.

That one who died was no King. It’s only his name but he was no King.

Astrid then lashed out with the right paw onto the other. It was an unusual move but it would have been the move done by the leader of the clan. The young male fell to the side and then jumped up but it stopped short of attacking Astrid. Its upper limbs were stretched open but it will not strike.

I am Astrid. Stand down.

The male retreated then. That scene did not go well down with the next pen of gorillas. They saw the male stand down and it was a shame to them. They began roaring and then the thumping of the chests with their upper limbs. The chimpanzees reacted with their sneering at the huge counterparts.

“Officer Lanceston, what is your assessment?” The younger officer looked to the Enforcer Leader under the Elite Sniper Section of the Enforcer Division. The officer referred to was Senior Officer Bernice Lanceston; lead sniper of the Enforcers and also the daughter of Doctor Lanceston. She was like her father; slim and if beauty calls for being slim was a consideration. She was dressed like the other officers in the blue overall and jacket but her uniform was filled out well in the curves. She wore a waist belt with the huge sidearm and the extra pouches for the ammunition. Instead of a dagger in her right boot, it was a small sidearm. She also held a heavy powered rifle that she could take down a five feet figure in a thousand yards.

“Where are the sonar cannons?” Bernice asked. The sonar cannons were the invention of her father, Doctor Lanceston. It was a weapon of deterrent and not of killing.

“They are not available.” Bernice was told. She then smiled at the reply. She knew then without it; she was free to use whatever force available. She picked up her comm unit.

“Shooters, I want those apes watched closely. The gorillas are yours to pick.” Bernice told her men.  She then saw the one chimp that was her father’s companion. The chimp was everything that she was not soon after her mother died. She was engaged in the training to be an Enforcer and later she went for the sniper course. She was not keen to return to her home without her mother there. She had never favored her father for his love for those infernal chimps that exceeded her love. She went to work on her role as the Enforcer. What was the cause of her hatred then? She had never liked the chimps when she was cornered by them when younger when a group of them escaped the cages. She screamed at being cornered and it was finally over when her father took them away. She was also blamed for going to the cages.

“Boss, we got some movement in the gorillas.” Bernice heard the shooter but her focus was on Astrid.

The other had just challenged the young male. It was an unprecedented move by a female chimp but getting them to be servants was also unprecedented. She focused on the chimp and then saw the stand down. That was also unusual but what was expected was the commotion among the gorillas. She turned to look and access the situation.

It was perfect.

“Shoot the one with the white fleece on the right shoulder.”

That shot triggered took down the raging gorilla and the others reacted in anger. The gorillas went into a rage and began moving towards the Enforcers. Another shot rang out and took down the leading gorilla. The machine gun setup there then took its deadly salvo on the gorillas. The wounded huge creatures charged the wires and leaped over their dead numbers but they did not make it far. The other machine guns nearby were moved to shoot at the gorillas. They opened up and the slaughtering began.

It was then Bernice looked to the chimpanzees and saw them all huddled to the side. They were not moving and Astrid was standing before them staring at her. She wanted to tell the gunners to shoot at the chimps but that will be considered as killing. She could not do that openly too.

“They are dead, Boss.” Bernice looked over and saw the threats of the gorillas were handled.

“Shoot the wounded and then round up the others. They need to be kept behind bars until we access the situation.”