The Rise of Pendragon (ToA #2)

Settlement

For Death. For Glory. For them, it was plain survival. Elijah handed both Botulf and Haans a small dagger to use as a defending tool. He quickly fastened his belt before giving a wolf whistle signalling the start of the battle. Haans lay down on the sand, unable to move due to his stomach. Botulf closed his eyes and visioned. Visioned that he would get out of this hellhole. But first, he had to face the son of Hell whom he would have called an angel just a year ago.

"I find this all amusing," the cloaked man said to Maar-Ko-Link. "What, the fight?" he responded. The cloaked man shook his head and took his mask off. "I was saying that what I find amusing was that you spend all this money on security and the number one most wanted comes waltzing into this room, killing you!" "Huh?" Maar-Ko-Link asked as he turned around with bread in his hands. The man pulled out his poison tip dagger and plunged it straight in between the eyes of his enemy. 

"Hey, Maar, how am I doing?" Elijah called out to the other King. Obviously he could not be heard over the cries of joy from the crowd so Elijah repeated it in sign language. When Elijah turned around to look again he saw Mordred, his ex right hand man waving at him. "STOP THE FIGHT!" Elijah yelled. At once, the crowd fell into a silent freeze. Their eyes turned towards the Kings podium only to find Maar-Ko-Links fat body falling down a small flight of stairs; dead. "Seize him!"Elijah roared. Botulf quickly picked up Haans and attempted to mingle with the crowd. Unfortunately a nearby guard guessed what he had been up to and pointed his spear at him. "Nice try," the guard said as he spun the spear in his hand. 

"Hey guard, what does one do to bribe you?" Botulf whispered to the jail keeper."A trip to this so called Camelot would do me wonders. I'm starting to disagree with this Elijah figure. Would you know where to find someone who could take me there?" the jail keeper responded. He threw the keys at Botulf who quickly caught it then opened it silently. "Has Cordain changed in these past six months?" Botulf asked. "Not at all, except you know where the beautiful church was?" "Yes," Botulf responded. "Its now just a pile of rubble," the guard responded. "OK then, let's go to Camelot!"

"Today is the official day we announce the death of High Knight Mordred of the Druid Family. He has been missing for roughly six months now but he has not yet been recognized. For those who cannot remember the war and those who are trying to forget, Mordred led each and every one of us here in spirit. He stayed back in hope of stopping our rogue King but sadly we have heard from scouts that he has peacefully passed away somewhere on the Avalon shoreline. We will send scouts there eventually to find his remains but for now, we say thank you to all the Gods," Takeza said sadly. "To Andes, God of the life. To Freya, Goddess of freedom. To Mars, God of War. To Satan, God of caring and finally to Gaius, God of the Gods for keeping Mordred with us until this time. I would like to invite Sir Ryder whom High Knight Mordred tutored." Takeza stepped off of the stage and into the large crowd as Sir Ryder made his way to the top. He stared down at the many faces who were deeply sorry for the loss of Mordred. "Firstly, I would like to thank Mordred for everything. He has been there since I was a child. Although I wasn't listening to his lectures half of the time," Ryder managed to get a few laughs from the crowd, "I still listened to the important bits. And that is why today, I am one of the Knights of the High Table. I would also like to add one more thing." Ryder stared at one person in the audience. An old man with a cloak over his head. Suddenly Ryder shook his head and said, "The time for Gaius is arriving. Prepare yourselves. Prepare for the battle. Prepare for the..." In a flash, Ryder fell to the floor knocked out.

"Saxons," Ryder muttered. "He's awake!" Sandretta the nurse rushed over beside Ryder and beckoned for the other Knights. "What the hell is going on here?" Ryder asked as he pushed himself off of the bed. "You were delivering a speech and then suddenly you started talking about the downfall," Takeza breathed heavily. "The downfall of what?" Ryder asked slowly. "You said that Gaius will return to Earth in our time." Ryder shook his head and walked to the nurse. "Any news of my wife?" he asked. Sandretta looked terrified and said, "I forgot to tell you Sir, you are going to be a father."

"Push!" Irwin screamed at Ryder's wife, Jenie. "I can't do it!" Jenie moaned. Irwin held Jenie's hand and hoped for the worst. She gripped onto his hand like it depended on it. "Do not worry, Ryder will come soon." Jenie reminded herself. Exactly that point in time, the wooden door came swinging open and Ryder rushed in accompanied by the rest of the High Knights and Sandretta, the nurse. "Stand away Irwin, all women must experience this for themselves," Sandretta instructed Irwin. At once he stepped out of the way and did a little prayer. "I think you boys had better step outside," Sandretta told the Knights. "I came to see my wife!" Ryder yelled as he pushed against the nurse. In a few moments all the Knights were outside, even Ryder although he had considered knocking down a wall to help Jenie. Then they could all hear a very loud scream followed by a long moment of silence.

Ryder punched the door open to find the most horrific scene which cannot be described properly and truthfully. His wife was face down on the floor and Sandretta was rocking the newborn baby with her hands deeply coated in fresh blood. There were also blood stains on the rock walls behind the bed. "Jenie?" Ryder asked softly. But he could hear nothing save for the Druid song sung by Sandretta to the baby.