Dante Book 1 Canto VI Scene 1

 Canto VI

The Third Circle; Gluttonous

Scene 1

 

“Mother, the Book says in Proverbs 13:25 says a righteous man eats until his heart's content or eats enough to satisfy his appetite. God's desire is not for us to just eat enough to curb our appetite. He wants us to eat until our heart's content until our bellies are satisfied and full.” Dante was the age of ten when he retorted to his mother. “Well, I am full now and would like to leave. Others await me at the Forum.”

“'Every person must respect his mother and his father' (Leviticus 19:3), and it says, 'God your Lord you shall respect, Him you shall serve' (Deuteronomy 10:20). Here the same word, respect.” Dante’s mother still had on her cooking apron replied to her son. “If you do, finish your meal. It's not that I have to feed you for there are others outside who need the food.”

“But Mother, if I were to take another bite, I would be considered as a glutton. You may feed what remains to the others.” Dante told his mother. “Charity starts from the home.”

“If that is a wish, my Lord. You may also share your bed with others. I see no reason you shall sleep alone.” The mother handed down her judgment which Dante was to object and was saved by the arrival of his father. He was let off with a simple reprimand then and the father had to soothe the agitated wife.’

“Dante will one day be a learned person. He values his lessons of life more than the food you may serve but I am an exception. Serve me his food and I will ever be pleased.” That was the thought of Dante on his father before he was awakened.

Dante found himself in the mire; soggy ground of mud and dirt.

“I sink in.” Dante found himself immersed in the mire up to his pelvis. “Help me, Virgil.”

“I am here, Dante.” Virgil appeared before him but he was not immersed. He was only covered at his heel.

“How come…” Dante asked.

“It maybe I am a dead soul and you are a living one.  And I think we are in Third Circle of Hell.” A stinking slush fell from the top and landed near the two of them.

“Is that what I may think was?” Dante had an image of the sewage of the cities and with the billions of inhabitants, food may be scarce but not the excrement of it.

“I won’t know but we will soon know.” Virgil saw the slush was set on by a group of naked bodies all covered in it until a huge creature appeared there. It was given a name by those who have read of it.

“Cerberus!” The naked souls all retreated from the huge creature where it stood barking. The creature was often referred to as the hound of Hades, is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. He was the offspring of the monsters Echidna and Typhon and was usually described as having three heads, a serpent for a tail, and snakes protruding from multiple parts of his body.

The hound turned towards Dante. It growls with the fangs seen at the jaws.

“I think we are its next meal.” Dante slowly back away but his body was half immersed. It was Virgil who acted to scoop the mud and tossed it into the hound’s mouth.

“Here you go, mutt. Three feeds for you.” The hound swallowed the mud and by the grace of the Gods, another chunk fell from the top at a distance away. The hound took off in a gallop towards it.

“Thank you, Virgil. How did you do that?” Dante asked.

“I used to feed the hungry canines near my home. All they want was some affection.” Virgil replied.

“No, how did you pick up the mid? You are supposed to be…”

“Dead. I guess what belongs here can be ours.” Virgil smiled. “Now can we affirm our location or move on?”

The poets make their way across the swamp, walking occasionally on the shades, which seem to have no corporeal bodies. They saw around them were naked souls swimming or plodding on the soft mire either in escaping the hound or looking for new spots to lounge at.

“Gluttons they all looked to me,” Dante called out in frustration. “Lazy souls to be wasted here. Get a real life.”

Dante Alighieri, who are you to judge us, and the names you say of us is insulting.” Dante turned to look at the one who was challenging him. The soul laid in the mire seen with only its legs seen bent at the knees and the shoulders with the appearance of the head.

“Giacomo of Florence. I ---” Dante was stunned by the sight of one he had not befriended but merely acquainted by reputation.

“Come on, Dante the Poet, or was it the Preacher.” The one in the mire raised his right arm as if to make a gesture of taking a speech. “You are finally here. I am not without company but to have one as irate like you will be a blessing in disguise.”

“Giacomo, you are still the Ciacco the Hog to me. You deserved to be in the mire.” Dante snapped back. He turned to Virgil. “Ciacco here is a …man of many repute trades, and he eats too much. I thought he shall be trapped in the winds of Lust but here he is…Where are we, Ciacco?”

“In Gluttony of course. Next to ladies of dubious repute, I am at my best with the feast of food. I can and will eat anything and nothing repulse me of it. Not the looks or the taste as long it can be consumed.” Ciacco boasted of his feat. “Unfortunately, I had succumbed to the ills of food and then the Gods took me here.”

“So, this the Second Circle. It’s Gluttony.” Virgil smiled. “First time here though.”

“Tell me, Ciacco. When I last left for the war as a volunteer, Florence was in turmoil. The so name faction of the Dark challenged the Clear? How did it fare there? Were you ever there?”

In Florence, amid the Civil War II, another battle was in the ruling elected leaders, designated by the shade of Dark and Clear for the political influence.

“And what of the honest men who stands not with them?” Dante asked. “What of Farinata?”

“It shall come to blood; Clear shall rise over Dark. And rout the dark lord’s force, battered and shaken.” Ciacco told Dante. “I will borrow your words that you may

have read.”

Then it shall come to pass within three suns
That the fallen shall arise, and by the power
Of one now gripped by many hesitations

Black shall ride on White for many years,
Loading it down with burdens and oppressions
And humbling of proud names and helpless tears.

Two are honest, but none will heed them. There,
Pride, avarice, and envy are the tongues
Men know and heed, a Babel of despair.”

Canto VI; https://infernobydante.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/canto-vi/

Dante sighed. He recalled then some of his friends that were involved in the revolution.

“What of Farinata, Tegghiaio, Jacopo Rusticurri, Arrigo, Mosca… all good me who had set their hearts on doing good? Do you know of them?”

“Seen them went by here. They lie below in the darker lair. They may hold heavier guilt that had drawn them to greater pain. It was what I am told. Do descent more and you may see them.” Ciacco told Dante with a serious tone.

“How does it feel not to be your friends there? You ought to be ---” Dante was cut off by the other in his query.

“Well, it ain’t much to look at but we are well fed.” Ciacco laughed and then grabbed a handful of the more. “It ain’t the best of Florence but it’s a feast. You have to be careful if the hound gets here. I do sink into the mire and remained quiet.”

“For eternity?” Virgil asked.

“Not that long. We get the call up by the Gods to leave now and then. Your name gets called up and you are taken away. I did not go for I hid then. I was told that they will send us to the abattoir and get you to know what.” Ciacco mimics the action of being slaughter with a swipe across his neck. “Me, I ain’t going to be dead twice. Never say die again.”

“How do you know when they will come?” Dante asked.

“It was not the Tuscany Orchestra but they have their music with the huge trumpets in play and then the Judge; the Almighty Judge with the book of names. It was supposed to name the ones that were to be saved and to the fires of Hell the others. Some called it the Last Judgment well I guess it was on us who are here. Last call to salvation or be burned in Hell. I had not my name called yet so here I am.”

It was then a huge chunk of mire fell on Ciacco from the top.

“I guess he got his final judgment,” Virgil added on. “He will move on now. So must we too.”

“I won’t be so sure.” Dante saw the right hand reached out over the top of the chunk. “Ciacco held a great appetite than most of us. If anyone can survive the feast, then it's him.”

Virgil looked at the hand that waved at them and decided to move on. The two took their slow walk in the mire, with each step, Dante felt his mind searching for an answer to what he had seen. He had dislike Ciacco but to see the soul sunken into the mire was disheartening. It was then he wished the other some relief to his sins. Dante then recited the words from the poem in his mind.

“When the great clarion fades, Into the voice of the thundering Omniscience,
What of these agonies? Will they be the same,
Or more, or less, after the final sentence?”

And he to me: “Look to your science again
Where it is written: the more a thing is perfect
The more it feels of pleasure and pain.

As for these souls, though they can never soar
To true perfection, still in the new time
They will be nearer it than they were before.”

https://infernobydante.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/canto-vi/

Tell me, Dante Alighieri. What had you evolved to be? Are you still the poet who narrates the situation without emotion, or the preacher who sermons on the situation?”

“Why do you question me?” Dante asked. “I don’t know either now.”

“Probably do you good then. Keep that mind open, and we may just learn more answers.” Virgil chuckled to himself.

Soon, they came upon the edge of the mire and solid ground felt by their feet, Dante saw the deep crevasse at the edge.

“Guess we are into the next circle now,” Dante spoke to Virgil.

“It may be so but we have another to evade if we reach it,” Virgil told Dante. 

Arthur II Book IV Chapter 26

 26

Be is about of skills or strength, Jaseth found himself losing to the other who was improving in the battle. Lancelot himself in his short exile had lost the thirst for battle then found his skills back. Arondight familiar once more in his hands lent to his blows and soon Jaseth was on his back twice that bout.

“I yield, Lancelot.” Jaseth smiled while laid to his back, with his halberd dropped to the side.

“You have to, Green Knight for I am back in form.” Lancelot drew his sword from the chest plate of the other. “If you had not, I will have you a wound that you may not heal from.”

“We have battled for three days and my mind remains the same. I will not ride with Arthur. He had done me many damages that I cannot redeem from him.” 

“Lancelot, he was your King.” Jaseth had then sat up.

“Let me tell you a tale of mine with Arthur. We had different names then. He was a Roman then; Artorius the Prime Pilus by the name and I was Lawnslot the Ghost. Both of us were on opposing sides, and we fought until the Anglo Saxon’s threat made us allies. We became friends but not for long. We were taken to task n our love for a lady, and she chose me for her lover in the flesh and him in her protection. The latter he had failed for I had to rescue her several times for him while he was King. We became allies and no more friends like before. When he tried to burn her at the stakes, I became back his enemy.”

“The Queen…. Guinevere?” Jaseth was speechless. “I know not of …love for I was raised in the monastery and then a life of serving the people.”

It was between those words, that Jaseth thoughts reverted to Morgan whom he was supposed to father a child, and yet he knew not of how. That child was to be the King now.

“You are spared life’s misery, my good friend.” Lancelot laughed. “The pains of the lovers is not in the making but the aftermath of it. If we are not we may be shouldered with the burdens of a lifetime.”

“Like a …family? A child you do not…” Jaseth looked to words to hold his speech.

“Yes, a child can be a blessing or a burden.” Lancelot smiled. “I was hoping for one. With both my lovers, I have none. I may just die alone. Like you.”

“I…You are right. We are both lonesome.” Jaseth replied. “I must go now. Arthur needs me. We are battle soon.”

“Ride with safety, my friend. I shall not join you.” Lancelot stepped away to retrieve his mount. He mounted the horse and then looked at Jaseth. “Lancelot bid you farewell. If we meet again, call me Lawnslot.”

“You are a fool, Lancelot. That will remain your name for a lifetime.” Jaseth had stood up then replied. He watched the knight rode off and then retrieved his own.

“Horse, we are all fools.” Jaseth held the horse by the rein and mounted it. “We ride now.”

Fools were they then the thought on Lord Bors’s mind when he remembered his brother, Lord Ban. He was shackled to the wall, and tortured by the King’s men on the whereabouts of the sword. When he returned the sword to Vivianne, he had asked her to remove his memory of it.

“I do not want to reveal the sword's whereabouts. Please help me.” Lord Bors had requested. “I will not have the blood of another on my hands.”

Lord Bors wish was granted thus him ending up at the dungeon. He scoffs at his predicament. He recalled his younger days with his brother riding freely and pillaging when they need to. It was a life of freedom and despite their father’s plea to return to manage their family land. It was only upon the death of their father, did they return and was soon conferring with the Elders on the land and other matters. It was the other matters which intrigued them for it involved also pillaging and in some incidents, the death of the others.  They led on their life under Lord Pendragon, and soon later with Arthur. It was a good life until he betrayed his brother on the advice of the Elders.

“Ban is a threat to you. He wants to take on what is yours for Bern.” Bors was without a child, and Bern was his nephew. “Remove him and all is yours.”

Bors did that but regretted his action. He confronted the Elders on it.

“You did act on our instruction for we knew both of you were planning to remove us. Now that you killed your brother, and if you do us all, Bern will be told.” Bors was warned. “You killed Bern’s father.”

Lord Bors had wanted to end the Elder’s lives but he did not. Instead, he rode to see Arthur seek redemption but was surprised by the quest laid out. He volunteered to join in to cleanse his sins. It was a long journey and longer still was his stay at Sarras where he was given the light to the pathway to see redemption from God. He repented and offered to return to clear his name. Instead, he was imprisoned. Every form of torture was used on him and yet he will not tell. All he ever uttered was the words he had learned at Sarras, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).

“Lord Bors, it's me. Friar Tate. I am here to help you.” Lord Bors heard the words but with his pains, he understood little of it.

“Friar, who are you? Did God send you?” Lord Bors asked.

“No, I was sent by Molly from the Tavern. She heard of your imprisonment and told me to do the rescue. I will do so, and you will be kept at her tavern.” Friar Tate replied. “I had bribed the guards and those I could not, I left senseless with the barrels of wine. We will leave now.”

It was how Lord Bors was rescued and took refuge with Molly. He was not told of Arthur’s return then.

Merlin knew of the Le Fay’s sisters' return though from Vivianne. She met him at the fabled forest where she met Ronin, and Merlin was summoned.

“I am banished from the lake but I held the Balin’s sword with me. We can battle the sisters with it.” Vivianne looked at Merlin. “With their defeat, I can claim my rank back.”

“Lady Vivianne, the Le Fay’s sisters are powerful in their spells. They were once the ladies of the lake and learned much of its secrets. They also have Camelot in their hands. And I was told that the dragons that were once the guardians of the land there have returned. They were banished by Merlin when he tricked them with Gorlois.” Ronin spoke up. Both Merlin and Vivianne looked at him.

“Well, we have the news via the magic vibes, and I guess neither of you is on the lines.” Ronin sighed. “We cannot battle the sisters alone but needed new allies.”

“Where are we to find allies now?” Merlin asked.

“We came on request from Ronin.” The voices came from behind Merlin. It was the Centaur; dozen of them armed with the bow and arrows with the long sword on their waist belt. They were not alone; the dwarves were there, a small group of seven dressed in the chain mails for armor, and held their picks and axes. They arrived with what was to be named the ballista cart

“We were told there are dragons to flay and where there are dragons, are the hoards of gold.”

There was also the arrival of the hand-sized pixies with their tiny spears that stung on contact. There were the five huge ogres with a single eye, standing twice the height of Merlin and held the cudgel.

“The others are not too worried about the affair of Man.” The Centaur leader spoke for the new arrivals.

“And he may be right but we came because of the fabled forest.” Ronin was surprised by the arrivals of his clan from the elves, with their swords and shields. He rode with two dozen of them.

“Lord Elfin, I did not expect…” Ronin bowed to his Lord.

“And you did the unexpected. You brought in Man into the forest and offered them sanctuary. Now you offered to battle with them, and risk the fabled forest to be destroyed should you be defeated. We will not battle here but in the place of our selection.”

“Where will that be?” Ronin asked.

“At the lake and also at Camelot. As we speak now, the dragons are back at Camelot, and the lake is under attack by the Le Fay’s sisters.” Lord Elfin replied. “I have with me a dozen soldiers to assist me.” 

Arthur II Book IV Chapter 25

 25.

“I feared then if we are not ready to battle the sisters it will be the end of our role here.” Vivianne looked at the ladies. “We have not a crisis like this since Lady Madeline.”

“I doubt Lady Madeline deserved to be dragged into this. She left the Lake on her own accord and was not banished.” Vivian cut in with her remarks.:” I am more concerned about your leadership here. You have handed over our powerful artifacts to others.”

“I stand …” Vivianne was stunned by the accusation.

“I am challenging you, Vivianne.” Vivian took to the fore and faced the other lady. “We will all challenge you today.”

Vivian stood with Ninianne, and Nimue. Only Nymue had taken to stay away from the conflict.

“A fine time to battle me when we are to face a bigger threat from the Le Fay’s sisters.” Vivianne snapped back. “Are you all mad?”

“We are not but you are for you have sided with Merlin and Camelot once too many times. You have given away what was ours to keep. We cannot have you as our leader no more.” Ninianne voiced out.

“You were the silent one, Ninianne and now you speak of defiance on me.”

“I had to, Vivianne. You led us to this moment today.” Ninianne defended her action. “Nymue being the youngest dare not defy you nor us, and stand at the side.”

“What did I do to deserve this revolt?” Vivianne asked.

“Balin the Sword. You gave it away like Excalibur.” Ninianne hit back. “You knew the sword was cursed.”

“I …Yes, I did. It was to assist in the retrieval of the Grail. The Holy Grail.” Vivianne looked at the others. “Do you not desire that?”

“Vivianne, the Holy Grail was not ours to keep. There are some artifacts best left alone and not to be treasured by us.” Nimue looked hard at the lady.

“Yet, it was kept away and if we can have it, no one will ever dare to question our role here.” Vivianne looked to the others. “Don’t you know its priceless value? It will be monumental to what we hold here.” 

“Vivianne, what I see before me is greed. For that, you are to be imprisoned until the Lake decides your fate. Surrender now, Vivianne.” Ninianne made her statement then. “Desist and we will retaliate in force. Do you yield?”

Vivianne looked at the others before her. She was their elected leader and kept the realm of the lake safe until the arrival of Merlin. Her feelings got over her action, and then with the departure of the Le Fay’s sisters, it all crumbled with her. She could battle the ladies with the return of the Balin’s sword, but it will mean more destruction to the realm.

“I yield but only after I defeated the Le Fay’s sisters.” Vivianne called on the spell to sent her away from the realm. Nymue wanted to follow but was stopped by Ninianne.

“She may be defeated.” Nymue protested but was overrode by Ninianne.

“Vivianne is not without allies out there. We will see to her needs from here.” Ninianne made her words heard by the others. “Let us prepare the defense of the realm. Le Fay’s sisters may attack us too.”

Attack was on the mind of Mordred who given the report that Arthur had raised an army at the Antoine Wall. He stood in the Hall looking at the knights on the round table. Sir Erec still, harbors vengeance on Percival, Slaine for his people's humiliation, Octavia for his lust of the Queen, Lord Bern led by the Elders to serve his father’s role, and Owain, the one whose oath was to Erec.

“Arthur is without his knights; Sir Kay, Lamorak the disables, those are Percival, Galahad and also Lancelot all in exile, Gaheris with Gawain dead, Lord Bors in the dungeon and also Lord Ban dead.” Mordred looked at the knights there. “Belvedere, Tristam, The Green Knight and himself whom I was told was wounded in Normandy.”

It was then Mordred felt the wound that he was inflicted by Lancelot. He grim his expression and then spoke up once more.

“We are twofold the army he holds now. And double his knights. The Lords are also with ..” Mordred was interrupted by Sir Erec.

“My King, some of the Lords had left our sides to join with Arthur. They favored him as their rightful King.” Sir Erec voiced up. “I heard about two hundred rode with them to meet Arthur at the Wall.”

“Not an issue to concern on. I have a new ally. King Lot may have been defeated but his defeat held hatred among his surviving knights and they will ride with us.”

“My King, they are Normandians. We cannot accept the enemy of ours to ride on the land…” Octavia snapped out. He recalled the tales of Normandy by the Romans who fought them. “They are savages.”

“Savages? Are we not savages here? You sit with the Sarmatians who are considered as barbarians, and savages bought in by the Romans, and yet they fight for us now. They are no more the barbarians but the rightful defenders of the land that they plow and grew their harvests. Some of the harvests were served at your dining table.” Mordred glared at Octavia.

“More to it, I hold another ally whom you may have met.” Mordred beckons toward the door. At the entrance stood a northerner warrior.

“Behold, the emissary of Anglo Saxon; Lord Alfred Cnut. He will ride in with two hundred soldiers. His emissary, Adam here bears the new alliance to us.”

Adam dressed with the animal felts and armed with the heavy long sword at the waist. His headcover was the metal round cup design with two horns on the side.

“I will not battle with them.” Slaine stood up. “They were once my enemy and …”

“You were paid to kill them.” Mordred reminded the other. “They are no more the invaders than you are the landowner. They came to claim not our land but the right to battle Arthur. And after they will leave or left their blood here.”

“I am the emissary of Alfred, and am here to regain my people’s honor.” The Anglo Saxon emissary stepped up to the round table and seated at where Sir Kay used to seat. “I claim my right here.”

“Where are the wenches?” Adam made himself at home.

Not only was Adam making himself at home, Guinevere tried to claim her right as Queen to see Mordred that he stop his foolishness but her journey was misled to imprisonment once more by Octavia. The latter was to meet her at the chambers in his manor.

“I beg of you, Octavia. Let me go to see Mordred. He cannot battle Arthur. He is loved by the people.” Guinevere pleaded with the other.

“So were you and yet he chose to burn you on the stake as a …witch?” Octavia hit back. “That man held no love for anyone.”

“Yet, he is loved.” Guinevere sobbed.

“And do you love him?” Octavia asked. It was a question that he never could bear to raised till then. “You were ravished by him, imprisoned, made to sit by his side, and when you ran, he took you back a captive, and last not least to burn you.”

“I don’t…loved him but I …. Adore him as my King.” Guinevere muttered her heart content. “He is …He was not my lover in my heart.”

“Your King and yet you don’t …loved him. What mockery is that?” Octavia hit back.

“Arthur is not my love. Lancelot is the one. And will still be.”

“Lancelot….The bastard took you away from me too.” Octavia hissed the words at her. “What hs he that I am not?”

“Octavia, please remain calm.” Guinevere looked at the person that she grew up with. “Lancelot …”

“He will soon be dead. I have employed mercenaries to hunt and kill him. He will not live long.” Octavia looked at Guinevere. I will not hear of his name in this Manor. I must go now. I have a war to prepare for. If I die, you may leave. If I live, you ….will stay here till I die.”

Octavia then walked away.

 

Arthur II Book IV Chapter 24

 24.

“Lady Guinevere, I feared your stay with us may be over.” The Mother Superior looked at the lady. The other shuddered at the revelation of her name and the soon departure.

“Your heart and soul remain at unease even here. We have offered you meditation and prayers but we cannot quell what there is inside you.” Mother Superior then told her. “Your knight not far from us here made inquiries of you.”

“I do apologize, Mother Superior. I will take my leave here and will not disturb the peace here.” Guinevere stood and then bowed to the Mother Superior.

“Before you, let me tell you that Arthur is back. He is alive and reclaim on Camelot which was rightfully his.”

“Reclaim? I don’t understand.” Guinevere was then given the brief on the situation at Camelot. She was stunned by the outcome and offered to leave immediately. She left a request to the Mother Superior.

“Lancelot must not know of my departure. I will take the other exit and be on my way.” Guinevere's wish was agreed and she rode towards Meleagant’s villa near the wall on the return of her horse.

Just as then Arthur reached the wall and was greeted by the Centurion. He was given shelter and then they discussed what had happened.

“Mordred sat on your throne with Morgan Le Fay as his adviser. There is one other, Morgause Le Fay too.” Marius told Arthur. They were accompanied by Merlin and Belvedere.

“Witches they are.” Merlin cut in. “I must warn the Ladies in the Lake.”

“Hold your action, druid. Let me hear more.” Arthur looked at Marius. “Who rides with Mordred?”

The names were read and the alliance with the other Lords and Chiefs.

“So, the Elders are also with Mordred. What of Lord Bors?” Arthur asked.

“Lord Bors is with Percival and Galahad on the quest to retrieve the Grail, Arthur.” Merlin reminded the other.

“Yes…. Yes. He was sent. What of…” Arthur felt the reluctance to say the name.

“We have no news of Lancelot,” Marius said. “However, we have the Optio here.”

“Lamorak is here? He is unwell. How did you travel here?” Arthur asked.

“The Legion taught us many skills, and even in sickness, we can fight when needed. The Optio is a good legionnaire to hold in the rank.” Marius smiled. “He can’t walk but he can still wield the sword.”

It was a celebration for the Legionnaires’ leaders but not so for Jaseth when he met Lancelot.

“How did you find me, Green Knight?” Lancelot stood at the doorway to the hut. “I have not been out.”

“My name is Jaseth.” The knight had removed his helmet. “I came to meet you to return to Camelot.”

“Why should I? Arthur is not my King anymore.” Lancelot said.

“Arthur is not at Camelot. He is said to have died and Mordred took over but now the news that Arthur is alive. He went to Normandy to battle King Lot and had returned victorious.”

“Good on him then, and I am not returning to him. He can still be King…” Lancelot was cut off by Jaseth.

“You did not hear me well? Arthur is no more King. Mordred has taken over Camelot. Arthur had returned to battle Mordred.”

“Then I shall join Mordred as his knight,” Lancelot told Jaseth. “I will not serve Arthur anymore.”

“If you do that, you have to battle me now.” Jaseth dismounted. “We will fight on foot. Sword to sword or it can be a sword to a halberd.”

Lancelot stepped back into the hut and retrieved his sword. He had not carried Arondight for some time and then the familiar feeling came back to his arms. He stepped outside and faced the other knight. Jaseth offered him the shield while he held the halberd.

“I will fight you without the shield,” Lancelot said. He charged at Jaseth and the other sidestepped on the attack. Lancelot turned and swung the sword which Jaseth retreated to avoid.

“You are out of practice, Lancelot.” Jaseth mocked the knight when Lancelot resumed his attack. His moves were not clumsy but he was out of practice. Jaseth blocked the sword with the halberd and then took on the attack. Lancelot was retreating on the long reach of the halberd and then he stumbled to fall on his hunches.

“You are indeed out of practice.” Jaseth laughed. Lancelot stood up holding Arondight to support him. He felt himself out of breath and the sword heavy on his arms. 

“I will suggest a parlay on the duel. We can rest and resumed later.” Jaseth smiled. “I am also in need of some food and drinks.”

The news of the sighting on Guinevere soon reached the ears of Octavia Meleagant. He took to his horse to find her. He intercepted Guinevere at the forest.

“Guinevere, we were concerned about you. Where did you go?” Octavia asked.

“Tell me, who sits at Camelot now?” Guinevere made her question directly to the other.

“Mordred.” Octavia later told her the whole tale. “I joined in because I was concerned about you. If I was there, I would know of your whereabouts and even protect you there.”

“I have to see Mordred. He will listen to me.” Guinevere turned her horse towards Camelot but Octavia stopped her.

“Mordred may not. He hardly knows you.”

“He will I if I am to tell him that Arthur is not dead but back here on the land.”

The news of Arthur stirred up many allies to visit him at the wall at Falkirk. It was east of Carriden near Bo'ness on the Forth and to the west is Old Kilpatrick on the Clyde. It was where Marius had established his base to patrol the wall.

The fort held a small area with several buildings, made of stone and clay. There was the commander's house, the barracks, the headquarters, the bathhouse, and a granary. It was protected by the eighteen feet turf ramparts and surrounded by defensive ditches.

The news of Arthur’s return had sparked on the wall, and many had arrived with compliments and gifts to see for themselves the so-named King.

“Was he not a Roman leader before?” Arthur heard the comment and replied to them.

“I stand before you still as Arthur. I hold Excalibur in my oath to reunite the land.” Arthur looked to Marius. “The Ninth Cohort will be our ally too.”

It was agreed beforehand between Arthur and Marius that he will spare the Auxiliaries of over a hundred strong to Arthur.

“You will have them and you will pay them as well as feed them. I have no use for them.” Marius told Arthur. With that Arthur's strength grew and he had Belvedere to train them.

It was not good news to Mordred when he was told of that by his spies.

“Damn the Legion. How can they accept back Arthur when he turned his back on them?” Mordred was seated at the round table with his mother at his side.

“Do not fear, Mordred. However huge the army the Arthur could muster up, we will have the same strength to battle him.” Morgan said. She then looked at Morgause. “Am I not right, Sister?”

“Yes, my dear sister,” Morgause replied. She looked at the portal in the forest where she could visit the six soldiers that she had held command over. They were dead men but raise by her.

“Immortuos soldiers, do as per command.” The six undead soldiers took to their task. Morgause looked at Morgan. “I have raised a hundred of them. Dead soldiers of the past and their souls are still here. They will heed my command from the appointed six soldiers, and when needed use to battle our enemies.”

“They shall then.” Morgan smiled. “Assign them the task of deposing the Sisters of the Lake.”

“Yes, it will be our task.” It was then the servants called on the arrival of Lord Bors.

“I returned from Sarras.” Lord Bors looked at the King when he stepped into the castle. “Is it true that Arthur is dead?”

“I fear it is.’ Mordred replied. “And welcome back, Sir Bors. Did you bring back the Grail?”

“No, I did not.” Lord Bors. “I have failed. So did Percival and Galahad. They remained at Sarras.”

“What lies you speak, knight?” It was Morgan who cut in. “I can read your mind. You may not have the Grail but you held the sword that named Balin in your hands.”

“I do not have it anymore.” Lord Bors reached for his sword. He was then thrown back by the spell cast by Morgan. He struck the wall and fell.

“He does not have it and I can’t find it. It’s well hidden from my sight.” Morgan told Mordred. “Imprison him for now while I searched the sword.”

 

 

Arthur II Book IV Chapter 23

 23.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I …”

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

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

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

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

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

The request was simple.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Antoinne Wall,” Merlin told him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Or whatever there is left.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Story Write Compilations Volume 2 Stories 4

 I shot the Captain.

 

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

 

Contests rules:

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The phone rang. I picked it up.

 

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

 

"Thanks, Thames." I hung up.

 

Bastard is one helluva of a bitch.