The Brotherhood of Merlin

by Rory D Nelson

  His father turns around and tears glisten in his eyes. His face is ghostly white and he has a look of shocked incredulity on his face. This scares Dante even more.

  After what seems like hours, Father finally sees Dante. “Boy, what are you doing up?”

  “What is happening, Father? Pray tell.”

  His father approaches him, bends down on one knee and pulls Dante closer to him. Dante is dead weight. “You know how much I love you, boy.”

  “As I do Father!”

  “No matter what they say about me, no matter what they tell you, know that. I always loved you and your sister and mother. We were happy once. I will not let him forfeit your life.”

  “I don’t understand Father! You’re scaring me tripe, so you are!”

  What he does next only adds to Dante’s consternation. He removes a necklace around his neck and hands it to him. On the necklace is an emblem with a pentagram and the figure of a knight in the middle along with a giant wolf. Much like his Merlin, the figure on the emblem has two high caliber revolvers.

  “You are the protector of this family now. I know it’s a lot for you to handle, but there is no choice. I must leave now. When you least expect it, I will be there for you, at a time when you are completely out of options. I know not how and under what circumstances.”

  Tears glisten in Dante’s eyes and he is unable to stop them from cascading down his face. “No Father, don’t go! Don’t go!”

  Despite Dante’s pleas, Lucian cannot stay. He risks more sanctions if he does. The boy hugs him fiercely in a vain attempt to make him stay. Forcefully, Lucian unclasps Dante from him and walks out the door. Dante tries to follow, but his father puts up a hand. His eyes change from blue to a black with orange rimmed hue. The metamorphosis frightens Dante so much he backs up.

  “Shut the door boy! Now!”

  Dante complies. Mitz emits a frightened whimper. He does not like this side of Father. Looking out the large picturesque window, Dante can see what transpires that fateful day.

  Lucian walks out to the Archangel he once called Brother. Michael’s arms are folded across his breastplate in an intimidating manner. His furious eyes try to bore intimidation into the fallen angel, but Lucian continues to hold his gaze and does not waiver. Signs of weakness will not help him here.

  “Lucian is it now?”

  “I know why you are here, Michael.”

  “Do you have any idea what you have done? You have offended God in the most egregious way. There will be repercussions and they will be dire.”

  “Grant me a stay, Michael. Ten years. I’ll do anything you ask. Just please allow me to stay for ten years. These are the children’s formative years and they are in need of guidance. “

  “Your arrogance continues to surprise, Lucifer! Are you attempting to bargain with God? He does not negotiate, nor does he grant bargains from one so fallen from grace.”

  Tears began to glisten in his eyes. He bends down on one knee and takes Michael’s hand. “I am begging you for leniency. Give me five years and I will abide by any sanctions you wish to impose on me.”

  Michael is inexorable. “Begging will do you no good Lucifer. You are forbidden from laying with a woman. Such an indiscretion could have been overlooked. But you have procreated with one and married one! You beguiling miscreant! God is angry! You should be glad he will not lay you to waste. “

  “Michael, I called you Brother once. See my family to safety. They have done nothing wrong.”

  “God does not punish the innocent. He will see them into ascension. As for this realm, their lives are forfeit. You will never see them again. That will be the first sanction. There will be others to follow, as our maker sees fit.”

  “Please! Please! Not them. Take me! Take me!”

  Michael snaps out his foot, catching Lucifer in the face, sending droplets of blood from a laceration in his face. The move is imperceptibly fast and the human eye could not have witnessed it. Seconds later, all traces of the assault are gone.

  “I would be in Hades soon, were I you.”

  From the window, Dante is stunned into silence. Michael billows out his massive wingspan and in the next second, he is gone. His father turns around and looks at him once more. That look seems to say everything. “I’m sorry.” But to clarify, he mouths the words to Dante.

  Astonishingly, two large wings from his back appear and began to beat preternaturally fast and his father takes off like a bullet. And in the world’s most ironic twist, all hell would break loose as Lucifer exits Dante’s world.

  Chapter 3: Time to Strike

  Close to the volcanic ashes of Mount Maldoon, Morgana is watching the proceedings with palpable excitement. Under normal circumstances, her visions would not have extended so far, but Lucifer is an extremely powerful angel, albeit a fallen one. The sulfuric vapor is so powerful it surely would have killed a mortal; she is immune. The vapor does however, induce visions in her. At times, it is hard to decipher whether the visions are present, past or future. She knows resoundingly this scene is present. Herod must be alerted.

  She exits out of the mountain side and calls to Caius Cassius to return her to Lord Herod’s castle in Ruth. She grows frustrated when she ventures out and cannot find the imbecilic boy. He possesses none of the fortitude, intelligence and ambition of his father, only an affinity for cheap whores and snake wrangling.

  “Caius!” She yells and waits for several seconds before calling again. “Caius!” This time with a bit more urgency. Finally, the stupid boy emerges. Because of the length of time needed to induce the visions, he grew bored and got a little drunk on his tin flask of apple bourbon and passed out.

  “I cry pardon my Lady.”

  “You are a fool, Caius!”

  “Noted.”

  They make their ten-mile journey in about forty minutes, sans conversation. To Morgana, Caius has hardly more status than a stable boy. And she would not deign to speak to those of such status unless it were necessary.

  From over a hectare away, they can see the castle. It is large even by Kingly standards. Menelaeus’ castle may well have been larger, but it is far less luxurious than Herod’s and does not begin to compare to the level of technological advances of Herod’s. The steel drawbridge which connects the castle across the moat is steam powered and works four times faster than the standard drawbridge. Six Gatling guns stand atop the parapets to thwart the attack of some would be invader. It fires over two hundred rounds a minute and only requires two soldiers to work it.

  Two crenellated towers opposite each other provide an even greater view for sentries, who man the towers continuously.

  Land mines are situated atop the drawbridge to further impede invading forces. At present, they are disabled but with a small crew, they can easily be activated. Nothing is left to chance. Over two hundred of the finest cavalry, mounties, sharp-shooters and speed shooters are present as well. Herod makes it a requirement as well. His men are proficient in sword play because once bullets are spent, it is often you must defend yourself.

  Herod is a master swordsman himself and speed-shooter, who could outgun nearly anyone, save for the Round Table knights, of which he was rejected, a source of deep contention for him. Any group should choose to reject him from their circle is ludicrous to him. An abomination he would never forgive but rectify at any means possible.

  Upon seeing Morgana and Caius Cassius, the orders are given to lower the drawbridge. In its descent, the metal produces little sound as the bearings and gearshifts are oiled routinely, kept immaculate, and free from rust. When maintaining his image, no expense is spared.

  After tethering their horses, they make their way into the large vestibule, one festooned with numerous tapestries so detailed they nearly jump out when you walk in. A marble staircase spirals up to the third story landing. When looking up at it, one feels small and inconsequential. Perhaps Herod had that in mind- everyone should feel small in his presence.

  Morgana, always succinct, c
omes right to the point. She does not bother with a greeting. Anyone else would have been berated for the insult, perhaps even beaten. “I have news my Lord. Great news. The day of reckoning is close at hand. You will soon be able to assume your mantle of supreme dictator. The King’s advisor has left his post.”

  “Lucian may be gone but the man is always close at hand,” cautions Herod.

  “Not this time, my Lord. Lucifer has been exiled, permanently so. He shan’t return, not ever. Now is the time to make our stand.”

  Herod looks at Morgana with a fair amount of incredulity. “You speak truth?”

  “Sever my tongue if I don’t.”

  Herod walks around and rubs his chin in a pensive manner. He closes his eyes and sighs. “Too long have I been relegated to the shadows. “He looks at Morgana, an obstinate glean in his eyes.

  “You must act quickly my Lord. Time is of the essence. There is a small window of opportunity here. This window will not remain open for long.”

  Morgana looks at Herod in an instructive manner, much like a teacher would look at a pupil when trying to imprint an important point on their conscious. “To assume the mantle of one so powerful as he, you must eradicate his seed. There is no other way. You will find them in the Siemen Valley.”

  “Of course. See it done.” He says this casually as if he were merely deciding on what mare he would take on a hunting expedition.

  “Caius!”

  “Ai, my Lord?”

  “Make yourself useful. What loyalists do we have out in the Siemen Valley?”

  “Bonaveer and the Reindeer Men. They are expert assassins. Bonaveer is getting on in age a bit but is more than sufficient to do the job.”

  “See it done.”

  “Morgana. Tell my son all he needs to know.” He looks at his son in a condescending manner. “That is, if you can handle that?”

  “The family is located in the Siemen Valley in the tiny town of Coifen. Their home is located where a meadow meets the tree line adjacent from the small river of Perine. You cannot miss it. Sophia is an exceptionally beautiful woman. The entire family must be eliminated, especially the woman. Even now she is with seed,” says Morgana.

  Caius bows. “Glad to be of service to you, Father.”

  Herod dismisses him with a casual wave of his hand, as if he were shooing away a fly.

  Chapter 4: Valiant Neighbors

  Before Lucifer leaves, he visits his most trusted neighbor Arkin Van Scantertoot, a noted and retired Plebian who has served in the King’s courts for many years. He has a small parcel right next to Lucifer and dotes on his family in a grandfatherly way. Lucifer must be extremely brief. Michael will not tolerate more than brevity would allow. He appears before Arkin in all his celestial glory, pale white, almost alabaster skin. The pulsing veins throb in an almost protuberant manner. His black and orange eyes appear more preternatural in contrast to the whites. He looks unnatural, other-worldly. He prudently retracts his wings. Arkin is frightened speechless. He hopes the man’s heart won’t give out for this task.

  “Lucian, is that you?”

  “Ai, Sage. It is I. Know well how much you care for my family, so I’ll ask you this only once on their behalf. Their lives are in great danger. Mortal danger. Will you see them to safety? It will be the last thing I ask of you, the most important task I can ask of any man.”

  Arkin looks at Lucian as if he has lost his mind. Now he is beginning to believe he has lost his own. “Can you tell me why?”

  “There is no time to explain. You wouldn’t believe me even if I did.”

  From Lucian’s groveling and forlorn countenance, Arkin cannot deny the man. He is more than curious to know what this is about; but he loves his family more than his own, who passed many years ago.

  “Set your mind and warrant it done, Advisor. Your family is my own, from this day on. I will see them to safety or die in the process. You have my word.”

  “I pray it won’t come to that, Sage.” Lucifer massive wingspan billows out and he lifts off, much to the shock of Arkin.

  Despite his befuddlement, he makes haste and takes off on Misty to the Commodes’ cottage. He hopes he will not be too late. He pricks Misty with his stirs and sends her into full gallop. On his way to the cottage, it dawns on him they do not own a fortified wagon in which to travel through volatile roads. His neighbor Latimer does have one. The trip is a bit off route, but it would be worth it to have the retired General in his steed.

  Besides, Arkin doubts the family possesses any iron- shooters or swords, nor the ability to use them with any proficiency if they did. Latimer certainly possesses both. He will be needed should they run into any trouble. And Arkin has a hunch trouble is brewing. Lucian’s warning is quite dire and the man is never inclined to fanciful tales.

  Naturally, numerous questions abound, but he cannot give them much thought at the moment. An entire family’s life is at stake.

  As Arkin enters Latimer’s property, his two shepherd bulls bark out a warning, but once they see who it was, they wag and run to their friend. Shepherds or sheps are a rare breed and much coveted by the military. The speed at which Arkin comes into his neighbor’s property instantly sends off alarm bells in Latimer’s mind and he knows at once something is wrong.

  With no time for pleasantries, Arkin merely blurts out, “Trouble brewing at the Commodes’ cottage. We need to get the family to safety. Can you help? Will you?”

  “Set your mind and warrant it done, Sage.”

  “We need your fort wagon as well. You ken?”

  “Ai.”

  “How are you with the iron, General?”

  “Not quite as quick as I were twenty-five years ago, but I could shoot down about twenty armed men or so. Maybe eight good ones if their luck don’t run out, that is.” He smiles devilishly. For the first time in years, Latimer feels exhilaration. It’s true the man wasn’t what he used to be in his prime, but he nevertheless been diligent about maintaining his formidable abilities. He is well schooled in the art of warfare and retirement bores him.

  “Well to know, old friend!”

  Without further haste, Latimer readies his fort wagon and horses, some of the finest in the Republic, a parting gift for decades of exemplary service. They make haste for the Commodes’ cottage as fast as the horses will carry them. As they round the bend of the cottage, they observe a pervasive sense of urgency already filled the household. Sophia is barking orders at her children, while she tries to un-tether the horses for the imminent journey.

  Upon hearing her son’s dire demand to leave the place at once, she is at first incredulous and in denial. Surely the boy is mistaken, delusional. Yet, the sudden and inexplicable absence of Lucian confirms the boy’s assertions. Her daughter and her envisioned the same horrifying dream of a large-winged, menacing angel. This finally convinced her into believing Dante’s dire warning. They are in trouble.

  As Latimer and Arkin approach Sophia, a look of dismay appears briefly on her face. “Arkin, Latimer, what brings you here to us in such haste?”

  They remove their pine straw hats and nod as a sign of respect. Even with the need for expedience, they do not forget their manners. “The safety of you and your kin, my lady.”

  “I thank you Gentleman. How did you know?”

  “Your husband warned us.” She lets out a long, exasperated sigh.

  Before she can get a word out, Latimer interrupts her. “No need to explain Mais. If we survive the night, you can tell us about it. For now, let us make haste.”

  “Know well then we are in grave danger, do you not?”

  In unison, they affirm. “Ai!”

  She looks at Latimer. “I see you got a couple of piece shooters and a sword as well.”

  “Ai.”

  “Then you can add this to your arsenal to boot.” She produces a large pistol gripped revolver with an ivory handle. The pistol is heavy gauged and has twelve chambers. The caliber is smaller than the standard piece shooters, but the weapon
is expertly crafted, a lethal piece for anyone schooled in its use. Latimer stares at the revolver with a fair amount of bemusement.

  “Thank you, Mais.”

  After only a few minutes, the group rounds up only the most necessary items for travel. At the last possible second, Dante jumps out of the fortwagon to get some object he apparently cannot live without. He is disheartened to have left his game piece his father recently brought him. But for luck, he grabs the most prized possession of the piece- his Merlin. He also grabs the necklace.

  When he returns, his mother has choice words for him. “Dante Leviticus. Make haste, lad!” Mitz jumps in with him and they are off.

  Chapter 5: The Retired General vs. Assassins

  After scrutinizing the Leviticus’ property, Bonaveer determines the family has absconded. The tracks of the fortwagon indicate they are traveling south along the Rhine River downhill. The cottage has no spare parts or tools to maintain a fortwagon and so Bonaveer further surmises the family is not traveling in a wagon of their own. They are being aided by someone.

  Traveling by horse alone would have made their progress much quicker, but the wagon would inevitably slow them down. The advantage, of course, provides protection from an ambush. The fact they are riding reindeer would make it that much easier to intercept them.

  Judging by the size of the wagon, Bonaveer surmises there could be up to six in their party, not including the family, who are of no concern, at least as far as any counter-attack is concerned. Fresh, wet dung dropped by the horses indicates they could not have left more than a few hours ago.

  They will intercept the family and eliminate them by nightfall or sooner. Perhaps it will be more prudent to mount a night time attack, although an attack by dawn is what Bonaveer prefers. Shadows cast by the rising sun can wreak havoc on a counter attack, yet the aggressors will be able to see enough to strike quickly. The night time is a major disadvantage for both.