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Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Carvillius did not know how long it had been since he had seen the outside world other than the dreaded walls of the dungeons of Fort Tamesas. He had lost count after 12 days. Cassibellanus had routed his men, captured him and killed any other survivor of the battle. He had hauled him to Fort Tamesas where Carvillius was now imprisoned.
He sighed and looked at the single window in the entire jail on the far side of the Fort dungeon pavilion. Voices were erupting there. Perhaps this was a good sign? Perhaps Herne had succeeded and entered the fort? His hopes were dashed when he saw Queen Bodica of the Iceni walk towards his cell with Emrys Catuvellauni in tow.
Emrys looked tired and his eyes were red, probably from crying. Crying for what or who, Carvillius knew not. He looked at the Queen of Iceni Bodica who was looking at him in stony silence.
Carvillius decided to break the silence. “Lady Iceni, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“The end of this war it seems Lord Carvillius.” Bodica replied. Her previously pregnant stomach was no longer as such, Carvillius nodded. “I see your body is back to normal. Is it a boy or girl?”
“That is none of your concern.” Bodica bit out. “The matter is, you have been imprisoned for 6 moons. And now we need to know what to do with you.”
Carvillius blinked. 6 moons, by the gods had it been such a long time? He sighed and looked at the queen. “And, what has the High Council decided?”
“Death by sacrifice.” Emrys snarled.
Carvillius sighed and rubbed his eyes. Well, not the most glorious or painless way to go, but at least his body was being cleansed of its sins before going to Arawn. “Where is Cassibellanus? I would like to talk to him one last time before my untimely death.”
“Father is dead. I am the New Lord Catuvellauni. Lady Iceni has been elected High Queen of the Confederation.” Emrys bit out.
Ah, that explained the puffed out red eyes. “How did he die?”
“In battle, against Herne. The man was too cowardly to attack in a frontal assault. He sent an assassin and killed Cassibellanus. The next day Herne was killed by Finian Creel in the Battle of Brygrin’s Heights. The Silures and Brigantes are now suing for peace.” Bodica replied stiffly.
“Ah….so even Herne is dead.” Carvillius muttered. “Very well then, let me speak to Segovax before being sacrificed. That is my last wish.”
“Very well.” Bodica replied. She informed a messenger to bring the now King of all Ceint to the dungeons. A few minutes later Segovax stumbled down the stairs to the dungeons.
Bodica propped a chair for Segovax on the other side of the cell and together with Emrys left the dungeons to give the two men privacy.
Segovax sat down and looked at Carvillius with cold eyes. “Why?”
Carvillius laughed softly at the question. He looked at Segovax and said “Did you really believe Segovax that this confederation would last?”
“It is still standing.” Segovax countered.
“Today yes. Tommorow maybe. But the future is fickle old friend. This confederation will not last.” Carvillius muttered.
“It will not.” Segovax agreed. “It wasn’t meant to last.”
“What do you mean?” Carvillius asked surprised.
“Cassibellanu’s wished to maintain the confederation for a good few generations. By then he surmised, that the old enmities would die out and all of our kingdoms could unite into one kingdom displacing the old confederation. The Confederation was meant to be a stepping stone.” Segovax replied in a murmur.
“Then he was a bigger fool than I thought he was.” Carvillius sneered. “Do you really believe that all the other kings of the High Council would allow themselves to become second fiddle to the High King who would undoubtedly become the King of this new kingdom?”
“No you are the fool.” Segovax shot back. “The Kingship of the new Kingdom according to his plan wasn’t to be hereditary. It was to be an elected Gavelkind monarchy. All the Kings on the council would be ‘Low Kings’ and when the King died one would be elected from the Low Kings. It was to be a fair system with equal opportunity for all.”
“Huh. It would still end in failure. You forget one thing, old friend.” Carvillius muttered.
“And what is that?” Segovax asked with a snarl present on his face.
“Human nature. It is not within our nature to be subservient and it is within our nature to be envious, greedy and the such. This confederation or this new kingdom or whatever, will eventually fall to Human Nature sooner or later Segovax.” Carvillius stated with a cold smile on his face. “Perhaps not in your generation or not even in Emrys’s generation. But after that, it is anyone’s guess old friend.”
“You overestimate such things, Carvillius.” Segovax replied with a slight trepidation entering his tone.
“Ah, but I hear doubt in your voice already old friend.” Carvillius stated with a smirk. “But, oh well, I failed in my endevour to bring this confederation down. It is still standing after all. And of all things…..you people elected a woman as High Queen? Where is your dignity?”
Segovax shot him an angry look. “She proved herself in mind, and body to be as worthy of the title as all of us.”
“Ah body~” Carvillius swooned. “Did she give herself to you for one night, old friend, to all of you kings in the council? Is that why you voted for her, because I will freely admit she does have a…..very passionate body if I say so myself.”
“You disgust me.” Segovax retorted with anger rumbling his voice. “Where is my old friend Carvillius? What have you done to him you bastard?!”
Carvillius’s swooning face dissipated into a ferocious snarl. “He grew up that’s what Segovax! Something that you apparently forgot like the idiot that you are!”
Segovax looked at him with despair abundantly present in his face. “Carvillius, do you remember the old days……?”
“Of course I do.”
“When we fought against the Ordovices, the Trinovantes, the Belgae and the Cornovii…..There were five of us…..five of us against the world, do you remember?” Segovax mumbled with melancholy.
Carvillius leaned back and murmured. “Yes, of course I do.”
“We plundered, looted received women. Then we settled down. Then when the Romans came we banded together again. We fought together for more than two decades, and you threw it away, for nothing…” Segovax mumbled sadly.
Carvillius huffed and said “I did not throw it away for nothing. On the contrary you will find I did it for us. But you and Cassibellanus simply grew too soft in these recent years to see reason.”
“Perhaps, but is that so wrong?” Segovax asked back.
“Yes. I do not recognize you now Segovax. I remember the old bloodthirsty King of East Ceint, not this old lackluster and somber King of Ceint.” Carvillius retorted.
Segovax closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. “Why did you call me here Carvillius? To dredge up old wounds?”
“No. I asked you to come here to ask you for a favor.”
“A favor? After all you have done?” Segovax asked with incredulity.
“Yes. My daughter, how is she?” Carvillius asked in a smaller voice.
“I do not know.” Segovax answered back. “She apparently fled your palace before we could apprehend her. She is probably hiding in plain sight as we speak.”
“Good. Good, at least she is safe. What of my family??” Carvillius asked. “Do not sugar the words, I want the truth.”
Segovax flinched and nodded. “Your mother and father were impaled. Your brother tied to a rock and stampeded by three horses. Your wife…..taken advantage off by some men before being gagged to death.”
Carvillius frowned slightly before sighing and leaning back. “I want you to find my daughter and take her in safely Segovax.”
“Why?”
“In the name of our old friendship that’s why.” Carvillius muttered.
Segovax looked at Carvillius for a few quiet few seconds before sighing. “Fine.”
“Swear it on Lady Morrigan. Swear it on your honor.”
“I swear it on Lady Morrigan and my honor, I shall find your daughter and take her in and keep her safe.” Segovax replied. Carvillius relaxed himself. He looked at Segovax and said “thank you old friend, thank you.”
Segovax said nothing.
“I am ready.” Carvillius mumbled.
Segovax nodded and stood up.
***
Carvillius was wincing in slight pain as the armed men dragged him up to the platform. The druid dressed in greenish black looked at him impassively. He then turned to the men gathered and said “This is a religious night! We have a human sacrifice today for the gods!”
The men and women cheered as mead and wine passed, splashed and sloshed all around. Carvillius looked at the far end of the small temple where all the kings and the High Queen were seated. They were looking at him impassively.
The armed men dragged him and placed him in front of the statue of Morrigan. They chiseled portions of the statue looked down upon, perhaps in disdain.
The Druid started to stoke his blade in the fire. The heat radiating off the fire was enough to make Carvillius wince. He was dragged upwards and tied to a pillar by one of the men.
“Oi. A warning would be appreciated.” Carvillius groused. The men simply ignored him.
The Druid looked at him and said “Carvillius, King of West Ceint, this sacrifice shall cleanse you of all your sins, and you shall depart this world clean, unless of course you deny this sacrifice. Do you accept this sacrifice?”
Carvillius felt a lump build up in his throat. He looked at the figure of Segovax in the distance. They locked eyes. Segovax nodded at him just slightly, but enough for Carvillius to see. Relief flooded his heart. Carvillius jutted his chin out and looked at the Druid in the eye.
“I am Lord Carvillius, King of West Ceint, Conqueror of the Cornovii. I accept the sacrifice and plead to enter the Otherworld clean so that Lord Arawn shall judge me favorably!” Carvillius stated in a strong voice.
“Then so be it child…..” The Druid murmured. “You have chosen wisely.”
The heated metal was slowly applied to Carvillius’s bare chest. Carvillius bit his tongue as he felt the pain course through his body. The priestesses started to sing as the knife and its metal was exposed to Carvillius.
Carvillius drew blood from his tongue as another metallic surface heated up by fire was exposed to his bare back as well. Blood invaded his taste buds. His breathing had gotten hard. However he would not scream. He would not scream. He would not scream.
The Druids withdrew the knives. The lead Druid looked at him with something akin to respect before nodding at one of the armed men.
A hulking figure around 6 feet tall walked towards him with a gaint axe in stow. The edge of the axe was shining, meaning that it had been sharpened recently.
Carvillius drew in a sharp breath as he saw the axe. The Druid looked at Carvillius and asked “Do you have any last words?”
The priestesses stopped singing at the question.
Carvillius spat some of the blood out of his mouth. He looked at the Kings and men gathered here. He opened his mouth and said “Long Live Cassibellanus the Great! Long Live Cassibellanus the Warlord! Long Live Cassibellanus….my Friend!”
The Druid nodded at his words and said “Now…..rest my child. Arawn awaits you.”
Carvillius clenched his eyes shut. He heard the man raise his axe into the skies. And then the swoosh of the wind. And then nothing.
He was free.
***
2 Days later
Segovax stood quietly as he looked at the four runestones depicting four graves in front of him. Cingetorix, Taximagulus, Cassibellanus, and Carvillius. Who would have known all those years ago in the midst of battle, that Segovax, the most least careful warrior among them would be the last remaining left. Segovax sighed. He took the dagger with which all 5 of them had proclaimed their friendship 20 years ago. He smiled with a fit of nostalgia. He placed the dagger in front of the runestones and left. He had a promise to fulfill after all.
Carvillius did not know how long it had been since he had seen the outside world other than the dreaded walls of the dungeons of Fort Tamesas. He had lost count after 12 days. Cassibellanus had routed his men, captured him and killed any other survivor of the battle. He had hauled him to Fort Tamesas where Carvillius was now imprisoned.
He sighed and looked at the single window in the entire jail on the far side of the Fort dungeon pavilion. Voices were erupting there. Perhaps this was a good sign? Perhaps Herne had succeeded and entered the fort? His hopes were dashed when he saw Queen Bodica of the Iceni walk towards his cell with Emrys Catuvellauni in tow.
Emrys looked tired and his eyes were red, probably from crying. Crying for what or who, Carvillius knew not. He looked at the Queen of Iceni Bodica who was looking at him in stony silence.
Carvillius decided to break the silence. “Lady Iceni, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“The end of this war it seems Lord Carvillius.” Bodica replied. Her previously pregnant stomach was no longer as such, Carvillius nodded. “I see your body is back to normal. Is it a boy or girl?”
“That is none of your concern.” Bodica bit out. “The matter is, you have been imprisoned for 6 moons. And now we need to know what to do with you.”
Carvillius blinked. 6 moons, by the gods had it been such a long time? He sighed and looked at the queen. “And, what has the High Council decided?”
“Death by sacrifice.” Emrys snarled.
Carvillius sighed and rubbed his eyes. Well, not the most glorious or painless way to go, but at least his body was being cleansed of its sins before going to Arawn. “Where is Cassibellanus? I would like to talk to him one last time before my untimely death.”
“Father is dead. I am the New Lord Catuvellauni. Lady Iceni has been elected High Queen of the Confederation.” Emrys bit out.
Ah, that explained the puffed out red eyes. “How did he die?”
“In battle, against Herne. The man was too cowardly to attack in a frontal assault. He sent an assassin and killed Cassibellanus. The next day Herne was killed by Finian Creel in the Battle of Brygrin’s Heights. The Silures and Brigantes are now suing for peace.” Bodica replied stiffly.
“Ah….so even Herne is dead.” Carvillius muttered. “Very well then, let me speak to Segovax before being sacrificed. That is my last wish.”
“Very well.” Bodica replied. She informed a messenger to bring the now King of all Ceint to the dungeons. A few minutes later Segovax stumbled down the stairs to the dungeons.
Bodica propped a chair for Segovax on the other side of the cell and together with Emrys left the dungeons to give the two men privacy.
Segovax sat down and looked at Carvillius with cold eyes. “Why?”
Carvillius laughed softly at the question. He looked at Segovax and said “Did you really believe Segovax that this confederation would last?”
“It is still standing.” Segovax countered.
“Today yes. Tommorow maybe. But the future is fickle old friend. This confederation will not last.” Carvillius muttered.
“It will not.” Segovax agreed. “It wasn’t meant to last.”
“What do you mean?” Carvillius asked surprised.
“Cassibellanu’s wished to maintain the confederation for a good few generations. By then he surmised, that the old enmities would die out and all of our kingdoms could unite into one kingdom displacing the old confederation. The Confederation was meant to be a stepping stone.” Segovax replied in a murmur.
“Then he was a bigger fool than I thought he was.” Carvillius sneered. “Do you really believe that all the other kings of the High Council would allow themselves to become second fiddle to the High King who would undoubtedly become the King of this new kingdom?”
“No you are the fool.” Segovax shot back. “The Kingship of the new Kingdom according to his plan wasn’t to be hereditary. It was to be an elected Gavelkind monarchy. All the Kings on the council would be ‘Low Kings’ and when the King died one would be elected from the Low Kings. It was to be a fair system with equal opportunity for all.”
“Huh. It would still end in failure. You forget one thing, old friend.” Carvillius muttered.
“And what is that?” Segovax asked with a snarl present on his face.
“Human nature. It is not within our nature to be subservient and it is within our nature to be envious, greedy and the such. This confederation or this new kingdom or whatever, will eventually fall to Human Nature sooner or later Segovax.” Carvillius stated with a cold smile on his face. “Perhaps not in your generation or not even in Emrys’s generation. But after that, it is anyone’s guess old friend.”
“You overestimate such things, Carvillius.” Segovax replied with a slight trepidation entering his tone.
“Ah, but I hear doubt in your voice already old friend.” Carvillius stated with a smirk. “But, oh well, I failed in my endevour to bring this confederation down. It is still standing after all. And of all things…..you people elected a woman as High Queen? Where is your dignity?”
Segovax shot him an angry look. “She proved herself in mind, and body to be as worthy of the title as all of us.”
“Ah body~” Carvillius swooned. “Did she give herself to you for one night, old friend, to all of you kings in the council? Is that why you voted for her, because I will freely admit she does have a…..very passionate body if I say so myself.”
“You disgust me.” Segovax retorted with anger rumbling his voice. “Where is my old friend Carvillius? What have you done to him you bastard?!”
Carvillius’s swooning face dissipated into a ferocious snarl. “He grew up that’s what Segovax! Something that you apparently forgot like the idiot that you are!”
Segovax looked at him with despair abundantly present in his face. “Carvillius, do you remember the old days……?”
“Of course I do.”
“When we fought against the Ordovices, the Trinovantes, the Belgae and the Cornovii…..There were five of us…..five of us against the world, do you remember?” Segovax mumbled with melancholy.
Carvillius leaned back and murmured. “Yes, of course I do.”
“We plundered, looted received women. Then we settled down. Then when the Romans came we banded together again. We fought together for more than two decades, and you threw it away, for nothing…” Segovax mumbled sadly.
Carvillius huffed and said “I did not throw it away for nothing. On the contrary you will find I did it for us. But you and Cassibellanus simply grew too soft in these recent years to see reason.”
“Perhaps, but is that so wrong?” Segovax asked back.
“Yes. I do not recognize you now Segovax. I remember the old bloodthirsty King of East Ceint, not this old lackluster and somber King of Ceint.” Carvillius retorted.
Segovax closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. “Why did you call me here Carvillius? To dredge up old wounds?”
“No. I asked you to come here to ask you for a favor.”
“A favor? After all you have done?” Segovax asked with incredulity.
“Yes. My daughter, how is she?” Carvillius asked in a smaller voice.
“I do not know.” Segovax answered back. “She apparently fled your palace before we could apprehend her. She is probably hiding in plain sight as we speak.”
“Good. Good, at least she is safe. What of my family??” Carvillius asked. “Do not sugar the words, I want the truth.”
Segovax flinched and nodded. “Your mother and father were impaled. Your brother tied to a rock and stampeded by three horses. Your wife…..taken advantage off by some men before being gagged to death.”
Carvillius frowned slightly before sighing and leaning back. “I want you to find my daughter and take her in safely Segovax.”
“Why?”
“In the name of our old friendship that’s why.” Carvillius muttered.
Segovax looked at Carvillius for a few quiet few seconds before sighing. “Fine.”
“Swear it on Lady Morrigan. Swear it on your honor.”
“I swear it on Lady Morrigan and my honor, I shall find your daughter and take her in and keep her safe.” Segovax replied. Carvillius relaxed himself. He looked at Segovax and said “thank you old friend, thank you.”
Segovax said nothing.
“I am ready.” Carvillius mumbled.
Segovax nodded and stood up.
***
Carvillius was wincing in slight pain as the armed men dragged him up to the platform. The druid dressed in greenish black looked at him impassively. He then turned to the men gathered and said “This is a religious night! We have a human sacrifice today for the gods!”
The men and women cheered as mead and wine passed, splashed and sloshed all around. Carvillius looked at the far end of the small temple where all the kings and the High Queen were seated. They were looking at him impassively.
The armed men dragged him and placed him in front of the statue of Morrigan. They chiseled portions of the statue looked down upon, perhaps in disdain.
The Druid started to stoke his blade in the fire. The heat radiating off the fire was enough to make Carvillius wince. He was dragged upwards and tied to a pillar by one of the men.
“Oi. A warning would be appreciated.” Carvillius groused. The men simply ignored him.
The Druid looked at him and said “Carvillius, King of West Ceint, this sacrifice shall cleanse you of all your sins, and you shall depart this world clean, unless of course you deny this sacrifice. Do you accept this sacrifice?”
Carvillius felt a lump build up in his throat. He looked at the figure of Segovax in the distance. They locked eyes. Segovax nodded at him just slightly, but enough for Carvillius to see. Relief flooded his heart. Carvillius jutted his chin out and looked at the Druid in the eye.
“I am Lord Carvillius, King of West Ceint, Conqueror of the Cornovii. I accept the sacrifice and plead to enter the Otherworld clean so that Lord Arawn shall judge me favorably!” Carvillius stated in a strong voice.
“Then so be it child…..” The Druid murmured. “You have chosen wisely.”
The heated metal was slowly applied to Carvillius’s bare chest. Carvillius bit his tongue as he felt the pain course through his body. The priestesses started to sing as the knife and its metal was exposed to Carvillius.
Carvillius drew blood from his tongue as another metallic surface heated up by fire was exposed to his bare back as well. Blood invaded his taste buds. His breathing had gotten hard. However he would not scream. He would not scream. He would not scream.
The Druids withdrew the knives. The lead Druid looked at him with something akin to respect before nodding at one of the armed men.
A hulking figure around 6 feet tall walked towards him with a gaint axe in stow. The edge of the axe was shining, meaning that it had been sharpened recently.
Carvillius drew in a sharp breath as he saw the axe. The Druid looked at Carvillius and asked “Do you have any last words?”
The priestesses stopped singing at the question.
Carvillius spat some of the blood out of his mouth. He looked at the Kings and men gathered here. He opened his mouth and said “Long Live Cassibellanus the Great! Long Live Cassibellanus the Warlord! Long Live Cassibellanus….my Friend!”
The Druid nodded at his words and said “Now…..rest my child. Arawn awaits you.”
Carvillius clenched his eyes shut. He heard the man raise his axe into the skies. And then the swoosh of the wind. And then nothing.
He was free.
***
2 Days later
Segovax stood quietly as he looked at the four runestones depicting four graves in front of him. Cingetorix, Taximagulus, Cassibellanus, and Carvillius. Who would have known all those years ago in the midst of battle, that Segovax, the most least careful warrior among them would be the last remaining left. Segovax sighed. He took the dagger with which all 5 of them had proclaimed their friendship 20 years ago. He smiled with a fit of nostalgia. He placed the dagger in front of the runestones and left. He had a promise to fulfill after all.
- Sārthākā
- Word Count: 2.1k