A Story in 26 parts - M

Merlin stopped.  He turned slowly (luckily there was a big enough gap between him and the charging Spartanites).
“STOP THERE” He commanded.
Aragog stopped in front of Merlin.
The Spartanites also stopped - their swords glinting in the sun.  The arrows stopped mid flight, then fell to the ground.

Bernice, Albert, Rashmir, Arthur and the hooded figure slowed and stopped.  They then turned.
Merlin was nose to nose with Aragog.

“Look at your comrades” said Merlin.  He pointed at the column of water, still swirling and bulging.  “You kill us, you will never rescue your comrades.  they will be trapped in the column of water until the Ices of Hades descend once more and cover this kingdom and freeze that water to slow it.  If you have a problem, I have found that killing people is not the solution; talking first is always a positive step.”

Aragog’s nostrils flared. “You are with him… and him.” Aragog waived at Arthur and the hooded man “They are enemies of Aragog.  They did not talk.  They stole the very precious things from me.  They killed my family. You say talk, but your friends don’t do that.”
Merlin turned to the two men “Is this true?”.  They both noded slowly.

Merlin turned back to Aragog.  “Aragog.  I cannot allow you to exact revenge on these two men… at this time.  I cannot allow you to mindlessly kill others… at this time.   We must proceed in proper fashion.  Under the rules from the Grey Book of Henthras we will hold court.” 
Aragog nodded and Merlin raised his hands.  Suddenly great columns of sandstone rose from the ground, joining up in arches  twenty feet in the air.  The grass and ground shook as within the columns sandstone benches and tables forced themselves through the earth.  Arthur and the hooded man found themselves standing in their own docks - Bernice, Albert, Rashmir felt themselves move to seats to one side of the circular stone court that had appeared.  to the other side, Aragog sat on a wide slab of sandstone, his warriors on tiered  benches.  Merlin rose on a sandstone column, about 2metres square.
“I, Merlin, Guardian of time and order, Keeper of the mysteries of this land, will preside over this court.  I will follow the rules written down by Centra into the Grey Book of Henthras which have been used since trees first appeared on this earth.  Justice and revenge will be passed down on this day.  Any disagreement on the sentence that I pass will meet with swift and just result. Aragog - please tell me your claim upon these two men.”

Aragog rose.  He explained that his family of three dragons had lived in peace on the lands to the West.  The land was peaceful with man existing with dragon for many centuries.  He explained that over the years, new men had arrived from other shores and had wanted to take over more of the Dragon Lands - forcing the dragons to occupy smaller and smaller lands.  Finally Aragog said, there just wasn’t enough space to live and hunt as they had before - so they started to push back.  The men had become angry and had killed the smallest of the family - the head being displayed on the castle wall.
“Those men had no reason to taunt us like that” said Aragog.  His wife had exacted revenge on the men that had killed her son, silently flying over the town and identifying the huts that the men had lived in.  She then flew in low and with strong claw had destroyed those houses.  Aragog was quick to say that no man had been harmed by his wife… except the old washerman who had seen the dragon fly in.  He was so frightened that his heart had given out.  This was the signal the men had used to kill his wife.  “THAT MAN” said Aragog, pointing at Arthur “That man had dealt the fatal blow.”

Aragog then went onto explain that in wrath and fury he had then exacted a full and comprehensive revenge.  His wife and child were both now dead - so he killed every man in that village.  Once the bodies had lain there the crows and ravens picked the bones clean.  Aragog said that he had then cleared a space in the centre of the town and had not moved from that spot for sixty years “Until he arrived” -pointing at the hooded man.  The hooded man had come across an empty town, and had moved from building to building, stealing what he could find - until he had arrived at the centre of the town.  By that point Aragog explained, he had started to find different spaces in the town to rest - and had decided to sleep in front of the Great Hall.  Aragog said that he had heard some movement and had opened an eye - but quickly shut it as an arrow struck the eyelid “Luckily dragons scales can withstand arrows”.  However, the hooded man then attempted to stick his sword into him.
“At that point I’d had enough.  I raised myself and roared.  This man ran off - and I chased him.  I just caught up with him here and now… and I coul only presume that he was with him - and that they had come back to finish the job”

Arthur stood up - but Merlin waved him down.  “You will have your turn” said Merlin. Merlin turned back to Aragog. “Aragog, from what you have told me and what I know already would seem to indicate that these are two separate incidents.  However, I promised I would be fair and just.  The story you have told requires me to hear from these two fellows - and then I will give my decision.  You -” said Merlin to the hooded figure “yours seems to be the more recent tale, so I will hear you first.  So I can pass proper judgement, you need to give me your name and your story”.

The hooded figure rose and drew back his hood…

[Note to Scouts wanting to join in on the thread, but aren't sure what to write:

At this point, imaging the Great Hall, one of the Spartanite soldiers, brought forward by Aragog. Sandstone columns and other warriors are all around you.  In front of you a court is being held - a strange court which seemed to be created from nothing.  The judge is a man of obvious power - although in Jeans and T-shirt it does seem a little at odds with that.

So, you're sitting and waiting.  What are you thinking about?  What's your tale? How did you become a warrior? Do you have a family?  Just remember, you need to start the first word with the letter "M"]