Chapter 26: Chapter 26 The French
A Hippogryph is a hybrid animal that has the head, front legs and winged features of an eagle, and the rear end of a horse, complete with a tail. Their beastly extremely territorial fearsome predators, that like to reside in the highlands and mountains. The average hippogriff is between 2,7 and 3,6 meters long, with a wingspan of around 6 meters, and weighs 500 kilograms on average.
Taming such massive, fearsome beasts was no easy task. Back in the day's of old the hippogriffs were weary few in number. Lord's would hire desperate and foolish peasants to go capture young hippogriffs or the unhatched egg's from their nests. With promises of great riches if they managed to return alive. Other more daring and brave nobles would go catch them their selves.
Once captured they would be raised to be their loyal lifelong mount's and companion's. Nowadays the hippogriffs have become much more common mount's as the Dukes and some lords of different regions of France keep them as pets in their tall tower's, feeding and breeding them amongst others of their kind.
Seeing such awe striking creatures coming, all the men on the mountain felt their courage return and a fire be lit in their hearts, pushing them to fight on.
With a renewed vigor Jesus stepped In front of his men and yelled. " Come on men! Let's wipe these rats off the slopes of this mountain! "
" Yeah! Kill them all! " The men cheered as Jesus led them in a charge down the mountain slope.
Even the rat's were affected by the hippogriffs appearance. They became unsure of what to do, the rats shook in fright releasing the musk of fear. Some panicked and ran, while others stood there frozen in the dark.
In the darkness of night only lit by moonlight, Jesus charged with sword in hand. His upper body was bare only covered by blood and sweat. With great force, he gripped his sword hard and flexed his muscles as he cut into the rat lines with force and precision.
As the remaining men along with Jesus charged rat necks were cut and heads went flying, as bodies were pierced by blades and turned into mush by hammers and flails. Horrible, sickening smells filled the once-clean mountain air as blood flew and flowed down the mountain slope. Then Jesus saw it a Rat-ogre coming towards him eagerly, until from the corner of his eye emerged a hippogriff.
Fast like a hawk swooping down to catch its prey it came. With it's razor-sharp claws it dug in deep into the ogres flesh and with it's massive Wings lifted it into the sky. There the rat-ogre struggled as the hippogriff ripped it's flesh with its beak and the rider thrusted his long lance into the ogre.
In awe, Jesus watched as the rat-ogre was torn into shreds with ease. As this was happening he could see other hippogriffs swoop down into the rat swarm. With their sharp claws, they cut through all armor with ease and with their massive weight crushed the rats into bloody messes. Once on the ground they hopped and changed all around savagely ripping everything apart as the riders skewered rats with their Lance's.
Sophie cut through the rats with great skill and speed using her newfound sword and shot a few rats with her handheld crossbow. Next to her was the lovestruck, ever-vigilant Bragi keeping a close watch on her. Like a living shield attached by a rope, he defended her from all harm, never leaving her side.
Ledo and Karl followed Jesus as they wiped out the rats on the mountain. With nowhere to go since all the underground holes were closed, the rats were left stranded. Now they ran into the forest and under rocks to hide from the humans merciless onslaught.
For hours upon hours, the slaughter went on, During the slaughter some rats fought back and killed the humans but in the end, it was futile.
***
As the sun started to rise on the mountain whatever men remained treated the wounded and searched for anybody still alive amidst the piles of corpses. Some men and women mourned for their loved ones and comrades in arms. Some just sat there with tired expression's and some slept uncaring of the horrible smells and piles of courses, for they were too tired to think of such things.
While in the end they had won, the price had been too great. Of the 74 thousand, only some 24 thousand remained. There was no cheering, no laughter and no happiness amongst the men. At most, they were just glad to be alive. King Uther was dead and many noble lords and Dukes along with him. Price Antonio was missing, and nobody knew where he had disappeared amidst the chaos.
On a pile of rats and men's bodies, Jesus sat tired and bloodied watching the mountain slope In front of him with emotionless tired eyes. Just a moment ago he had slain his last foe and now he felt like falling asleep right there and then. As he closed his eyes and started to feel exhaustion take him to Dreamland. Suddenly heavy footsteps that crushed bodies and turned metal armor into scar metal could be heard, and then came a deep manly French voice from his side. " Magnifique! Is it not, to see such young innocent love shine even in the darkest of places? Truly love is a powerful thing. Don't you agree? "
Opening his eyes in confusion, Jesus turned to look to his right. There he saw a hippogriffen with a magnificent looking knight dressed in blue with his helmet in his hands looking at something. The middle-aged man had short silver hair and a fancy mustache on his femininely handsome face. " What do you mean? " Jesus said in confusion.
" Open your eyes and look there. " He said pointing somewhere down the slope.
Looking at where the man was pointing he could see Bragi and the warrior nun sitting next to some slain priests and nuns. The woman was crying as she pressed her head into his chest, while Bragi soothed her. Gently he patted her back and pulled her closer with his other hand. Then he could see her teary eyes look at him as she said something that Jesus could not hear.
Then suddenly Bragi grabbed her by the back of her head and throat and brought his lips to hers in a heated passionate kiss. Jesus was shocked to see him do such things to a nun. The woman protested his actions but after a few seconds melted into the kiss and like that, they stayed for a while.
" And so love claim's an other Nuns heart. " Said the French man.
" But that's against the church's code of celibacy. She will be cast out from the church and all her possessions will be confiscated. She will become homeless a woman with nothing. " Jesus said in concern.
" Hahahaa! But what do such things matter, when you have love? In front of love promises of celibacy mean nothing, for while it is believed that the church should follow Sighards chaste way of life, I think that is wrong. For while Sighard might have been a chaste man, it is the all-mighty creator that created man and woman and gave us the ability to love and create life. I believe that is something to be celebrated and valued above all others. " Said the French man.
Looking at the man Jesus smiled smugly and said. " Those are some heretical words you speak. But who am I to judge, I too fell in love with a woman of the church. Hehe. " He laughed awkwardly.
Hearing this the French man raised an eyebrow and curiously asked. " Ohh, really. Might there be an interesting tale behind this love story of yours? I am always interested in good tales of love. If you don't mind, could you tell it to me? "
Hearing his words Jesus smiled and turned to look towards the north and said. " I am too tired to tell you the whole story and it's not that interesting anyway, but to summarize it. Well, it happened there, up North 16 year's ago. In the snow-covered lands of Denmark during the northern crusade's. Just like here, there was a great battle, but this one was between the Norsemen and the United armies of the West. The battle lasted for a day and it led to the decimation of both sides. We had managed to reclaim back the mainland of Denmark but we had lost many good men. My mentor and master died there fighting alongside me like so many others. I somehow managed to survive but I was gravely wounded and left alone to die on that snowy corpse-littered battlefield. As I felt the coldness of winter start to overtake my body and my consciousness faded. That's when I heard it, an angelic voice yelling at me from a distance to hold on. As I got up to see where the voice was coming from, that's when I felt her small soft delicate body embrace me. Like a loving mother, she ran to me and with all her might lifted my bigger body up from the ground and dragged me to a nearby cave, all the while as she kept encouraging me to fight on and not to give up. As my senses returned I found myself in a cave lit by a small fire and I was wrapped in furs. Laying there wrapped in furs I felt warm and comfortable, my body was no longer numb as it had started to heat up. But as I looked around my surroundings I couldn't find any traces of that angelic being anywhere. But as I lay there in the quietness of the cave, I suddenly realized that there was a second heartbeat close to mine and something soft accompanied it, and brought warmth to my naked body. As I lifted the fur blankets I finally saw her there sleeping peacefully naked against my body. She had used her own body temperature to keep me warm throughout the night and saved my life. That's when I decided to dedicate my life to making her happy and mine. " Then Jesus smiled happily, remembering what happened afterward in the cave, but he didn't dare to speak of it to this stranger.
Hearing this story the French man nodded in satisfaction and spoke. " Indeed the northern crusade's were quite a tragic thing. But I am glad to hear that some good other than a little bit of land came out of it. But my apologies sir, for I have yet to introduce myself. I am Duke Bugatti Leonard of Aquitaine, please to meet you. "
Hearing his title Jesus got up and bowed to him while saying. " I'm Captain Jesus Colombo. And the pleasure is all mine. Without you, I don't think we would have made it. "
Duke Bugatti was surprised as he asked. " You are the father of Marino Colombo? "
Confused Jesus nodded.
Smiling he continued. " Ho hoo! You are a really lucky man. Your so is a true gift from the star's. Please give your son my regards and tell him that you are all welcome to come visit Aquitaine anytime you wish. The dresses and the beauty products your company makes are truly magnificent. The women's beauty in my lands has more than doubled in recent times. No longer are their hair and skin dirty and teeth crooked. And oh ho hoo, those dresses that bring out all the curves that a man could ever wish to see. Truly magnificent! " He said as he sent a kiss to the sky imagining something sinful.
Hearing this praise Jesus was a bit taken aback not expecting the French to enjoy his sons products that much. Then he asked. " I appreciate your invitation, but I must ask what is it that brought you here to begin with. "
Stretching his mustache in thought he answered. " Well, we had heard of your struggles here and wanted to come help. But as we were making our plans for sending assistance here the ratmen attacked our lands as well. Actually, the entire Western world has heard of your fight here right now. But it was as if a massive beehive had been angered. I have heard reports of Ratmen swarms attacking all over Europe, or in every mountainous region to be exact. So us 18 Dukes were all we could muster to come help you here. The rest of the lord's are fighting off the rat swarm up north. But where are the leaders of this army, surely you are not the only one left alive. "
Hearing this news Jesus was troubled, no longer feeling any fatigue at all, as he spoke. " The King of Andalusia is dead and the Prince of Aragon is missing, I do not know where he has gone. And many of the lords and Dukes of the real are dead. " With a sigh, he continued. " I guess we march north then. "
Frowning the French man spoke. " Well, that is not good news. I suggest you gather your men Captain Jesus and try to make it up North as fast as possible. In the meantime, I will fly ahead and do my best to stop the ratmen. " As he was about to say his goodbyes and leave. Suddenly Ledos voice could be heard.
" Wait! Father! Take me with you! " Ledo yelled as he ran In front of his father's hippogriff.
Jesus looked in surprise as the Dukes questioned his son. " Ohh, you think you are ready to become a hippogriffen knight and lead men into war? "
" Yes, father. Jesus has taught me many things and I believe myself to be ready to lead men and spread his teaching's to the French people. I believe there are many gifted people in our lands who are just waiting for somebody to come and guide them to their deserved destination. " Ledo said pleadingly.
Stepping in-between them Jesus halted their talk and spoke. " Wait wait, explain yourself to me. Are you really his son? "
Blowing to Jesus Ledo spoke. " I apologize for not telling you this before master but yes I am Ledo Leonard of Aquitaine. And I came here to learn from you and to prove myself worthy to my father, for I am to inherit my father's position. "
Touching his chin in thought Jesus spoke. " I feel no lie in your word's. If this is truly what you desire then go forth and enlighten those capable of connecting with the force. I will remain here and continue as I have. "
Then Karl ran next to them and spoke. " I heard what you said about those rat's. If true then I must also go and help my people. Please take me with you. "
" Karl you also? " Jesus asked in surprise.
Nodding Karl said. " Yeah, I might not be a noble like Ledo. But with your teaching, I think I can do a lot of good in Albion and help my people. "
Looking down the slope of the mountain towards where Bragi stood still hugging his woman, Karl continued to speak. " While it saddens me to leave you behind and that I never got to hear Bragis tail count. I believe that this is for the best. Just tell Bargi to loosen up some more, the world isn't as bad of a place he thinks. "
With a smile, he patted their shoulders and said. " I am truly proud of you both. While I wished our time together lasted longer. But who am I to judge if this is what the force wants to happen? I wish you good luck and may the force be with you always. "
Bugatti watched this scene in wonder not knowing what this force was that they spoke of, but then again he didn't know much about the Iberians and their strange ways anyway. So with a simple gesture, he invited them to hop on the hippogriffs back.
With all their parting words said Jesus watched proudly as his students left for their own adventures.
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