The Descendants Book One: The Broken Scroll (52 page)

A thought occurred to Davin as they thundered a
longside the wall.  “People are going to hear all this noise we are making and let O’Hara know.  We’ll be found out,” he said over the clomping of hooves. 

Teague answered him, seemingly unworried.  “These walls keep the majority of sound out.  It was their intention when they were built and also the reason they are so high.  You could stand just on the other side and have trouble hearing us.”

“What of the City Guards on the wall or those farmers back there?”  Davin pointed back the direction they had come.  Farmers and field hands had watched them come. 

“We will be well into the tunnels when the next guard changes,” Druce assured him.  “And those farmers won’t find anyone important to inform before we are gone.” 

Davin didn’t feel completely satisfied that no one would notice them.  It looked to him that they were making quite a scene, but he rode on in silence.  Whatever came, he would be prepared for it. 

They passed the end of the wall and within another minute, came to a halt within the grove by the river.  The leaders dismounted, with the rest of the fighters doing the same.  Everyone waited for Teague to show them how to enter the tunnels.  He rapidly began looking around, whispering to himself. 

“The entrance is covered,” he explained at last, to a thoroughly confused group of people.  “There are ten boulders in this grove.  Their purpose is to be brought together in one spot, and their combined weight will break the seal on the entrance.  Then we will be able to enter.” 

“I can’t believe the army never knew about these,” said Druce, in awe.  

“They were reserved to move the Royal family to safety if capital city was ever taken.  Only a handful of my family’s personal guards and the king’s Advisors were ever told,” answered Teague. 

Teague showed the leaders a place where the grass was a little browner than the rest.  It was roughly circular in shape and about twenty feet in diameter.  Some of the fighters were instructed to move the boulders.  After a short period of deciding how many people were needed to push with ease and how many could realistically surround each boulder and still be helpful, the rocks were brought together. 

Underneath the rocks, the sound of cracking and splitting began.  It easily resembled the cracking of a broken bone.  This made Davin’s skin crawl.  He tried not to let it bother him. 

Everyone waited patiently, staring at the boulders for signs of movement.  After another minute, the ground began to shift beneath rocks and the boulders dropped slightly. 

“It is about to give in,” Teague said, and everyone took a cautious step back instinctively. 

Suddenly, the last of the wood snapped and the boulders dropped through a hole, slamming into each other at the bottom of the pit.  The resulting sound was that of fireworks exploding in the sky all at once, and left Davin’s ears ringing afterwards. 

Twenty feet down sat a stone opening in the pit that led in the direction of the city.  The pit extended farther downward for the space that was needed for the boulders to fill.  The top of the boulders met level with the bottom of the tunnel entrance.  No doubt it was a well-designed escape system. 

“There you are, friends.  This is one of the tunnel exits from the Capital,” Teague said, smiling in a proud way.  “There is a chamber not far into the tunnels that should be able to hold all of us.  It will be a good place to organize before we continue into the city.  I will lead the way.” 

“Let’s move then, I don’t want to be out in the open any longer than we have to,” said Davin, warily.  They had already made quite an entrance, and he still didn’t quite believe that they weren’t seen. 

“Yes, let us make this as quickly as possible, if we could,” Governor Seamus added, not sounding as confident as he had previously.  He turned to the crowd.  “We have arrived at the entrance to the tunnels, good people.  I request that you merge into a line so we can get underground as soon as possible.  These tunnels will not fit more than that at a time comfortably.  Once you are below, follow the tunnel until you arrive at a chamber.  We will gather there and plan our next move.” 

A man’s voice emerged from the crowd.  It was Brax.  “What does Davin say about this plan?”  Every eye fell upon Davin. 

He knew that some people from Lemirre were going to be stubborn about who gave them direction.  To them, Davin was their leader, not the governor. But once the fighting started, they would have to be willing to take commands from any of their leaders. 

He answered without hesitation.  “I agree with the other leaders.  This is the best plan.”  Brax said no more, so Davin accepted he was satisfied. 

Niahm spoke up.  “We should have the Descendants at the fore and the rear for protection in case we are ambushed.” 

“Couldn’t agree more,” said Egan.  He turned to Davin.  “Davin if you will head down with Teague at the front, I will come at the end.  Does that work for you?” 

“Yes,” said Davin, already on the move.  “Now, I’m not wasting any more time.  Teague, if you will join me.” 

Teague said nothing more.  He simply followed Davin as they dropped down into the pit.  The last image Davin witnessed above the hole was their fighters assembling into a thin line.

Teague led the way into the tunnel, which was swallowed up by darkness not far down the passage.  The tunnel was tall enough for them to stand without hunching and the walls were smooth.  Davin said nothing and they kept on moving deeper.  It wasn’t long before the darkness became absolute.  Still, neither of them said anything.  There were only the sounds of people moving behind them, probably as uncertain about the darkness as he was. 

After they had gone quite a ways, the level of darkness began to change.  Davin noticed himself able to see Teague and the walls around him clearer the move they moved.  Davin felt that his eyes were merely adjusting, but at last they arrived at the source.  A torch was lit at a three-way crossroads that spread light into the surrounding tunnels. 

“Halt here, for a moment,” Teague said. 

The torch provided enough light for Davin to finally get an image of what the tunnels actually looked like.  What he saw surprised him.  They were perfectly rectangular stone hallways running about ten feet high and four bodies wide, not mere tunnel passages carved out of the earth.  They did not shift in size or shape and any change in depth was gradual, not sharp.  They couldn’t have been much different than the castle’s hallways itself, with the exception the darkness and their relatively narrow nature. 

As Davin took in this place his eyes fell upon the wall symbols.  He stepped closer to them.  Each set of them were two shapes put together.  At this intersection there were a triangle and a circle indicating one direction, and a square and a triangle for the other.  Davin had no other how this would tell them where to go. 

Teague said, “This is the start-or the end, if you will-of the labyrinth that was created to confuse enemies that might have gained entrance to the tunnels.”  He pointed to the sign.  “The symbols only make sense to those who were to know of the tunnels existence.” 

“It is a good thing we have you along, then,” said Davin, genuinely appreciating Teague’s presence for his knowledge of this secret place. 

Teague nodded and continued down the left passage.  A short time later they arrived at another fork in which Teague went to the right.  Twice more they arrived at a crossroads where Teague led them left and then right again consecutively.  Over an hour had passed before Teague stopped completely again. 

Finally, they came to the opening of an empty chamber with dim torches lit all around it.  Davin’s first thought was that it was amazing a room of stone this large could have been built and maintained underground. 

“Incredible, isn’t it,” Teague said, as if reading Davin’s mind.  “Some of the Ancient’s magic is in the earth here.  It is the only way extensive tunnels like these could exist.” 

Davin and Teague stepped into the chamber and walked to the far side where two other hallways led out again.  That made four exits total.  Two on each side and all of which took off in different directions.  He really hoped Teague had the way out memorized. 

As the rest of their fighters trickled into the room timidly, a revelation came to Davin all at once.  He froze, and gasped as he realized where they were.   Egan and he had read the insane soldier’s mind in Habok. 

And that mind had showed them this place.  

Davin recalled a nervous looking group of soldiers standing where he stood, listening to the First Captain of the Grand Army. 

Davin flicked his head toward Teague and spoke tensely.  “This is not good.  I have a feeling these tunnels aren’t as secret you think.”

Teague faced became both concerned and confused.  “You think my father told others about them?  He would never…” 

“I will explain once everyone has entered here.”  Teague accepted this and resumed silence as everyone continued to invade the room. 

Davin watched as Egan emerged at the end of the line and then called the rest of the leaders together.  They gathered and waited for Davin to reveal his urgent news. 

“Egan, do you recognize this room?”  Egan raised his eyebrows, not understanding.  He looked around, seeming to do so only to humor Davin.  Davin watched as Egan’s face changed to that of comprehension. 

“Deverell and Grand Soldiers have been here,” Egan said, confirming Davin’s fears to the rest of the leaders. 

Governor Seamus was the only one who hadn’t been informed previously about the extent of Egan and Davin’s powers.  Davin waited for protestation, but it never came. 

Instead he said, “There are many things I need to learn of your abilities, but if the others here trust you then I have no reason to question your words.” 

“So that is what you did that night in Habok.  You were reading that man’s mind,” Druce said, seeming to feel relieved that he finally understood what had happened. 

“More like just his memories, but essentially that is correct,” replied Davin, before he turned to speak to the leaders at large.  “We need to tell the rest to be ready to fight as we move through these tunnels.  The army may be here already.” 

Druce turned to address the fighters, but before he could speak a low, rumbling noise appeared out of nowhere in the tunnels beyond.  Silence was called for in the chamber.  A few seconds passed and it began to grow in volume, gradually becoming clear that it was the sound of boots clapping against stone.  The increased rate of breathing by the chamber’s occupants was terribly unnerving.  There was no doubt in anyone’s mind.  The army had found them. 

“To arms!” Druce yelled, grabbing his sword and raising it into the air.  Everyone turned to him as if to make sure this was for real.  Davin and Governor Seamus confirmed it.  Those that had not been armored scrambled to the make themselves ready.  The ones that were prepared stood stiffly, waiting for the arrival of whoever was in the tunnels. 

Egan scanned the room for Kayleigh, rushed past several people, and pulled her aside.  Speaking quickly, he said, “Take some archers and a small group of swordsmen.  Go, if you can, and find hiding places within the city.  Try to get placement on rooftops if you can.  Ancients watch you.  Go.” 

She nodded firmly, saying nothing.  She seemed to working up her nerve, but made no complaint.  Instantly she began to move about the crowd, beginning to gather her small force.  Egan lost sight of her and returned to the other leaders. 

The last of the fighters were still armoring up when two arrows flew into the room from one of the side tunnels.  They struck a man from Swift River twice in the legs, just missing his protection.  He let out one loud grunt as he dropped in a crash of armor. 

“We’ve got a man down!” yelled a voice from the direction of the fallen man, but Davin and the others knew the truth already. 

Before anyone could react to the first attack, another two arrows zipped in from a hallway on the opposite side of the room.  This time they embedded themselves into two other men’s chests, each just below the heart.  Davin knew one by face to be from Lemirre.  They cried out nearly in unison, stumbling from the strike.  The accuracy of the shots could have only come from those trained professionally in combat. 

“Move away from the entrances.  Don’t allow them any more free shots!” Davin shouted, no longer in shock from the surprise attack.  They had already lost three fighters.

“Archers, fire your bows at will!” shouted Egan.  

Three volunteers offered to drag the dying men back away from the doorways.  Davin caught a glimpse of their bloody masses as they passed and looked away quickly.  It bothered him that their lives had been taken so meaninglessly.  He couldn’t imagine how he’d feel if many more were lost. 

Several of their archers that Kayleigh left behind stepped to the front lines, standing back to back with their arrows strung.  They loosed their bows at the unseen targets in the tunnels.  There was a least one wail of pain heard echoing through the chamber. 

A horn blow burst through the labyrinth and vibrated the walls.  Most covered their ears, but by the end of the long singular note, Davin found his were still ringing. 

The clapping of the soldiers boots resumed.  Egan spoke softly to the other leaders.  “It will be an honor to fight alongside you all, gentlemen and ladies.” 

“Save it,” said Druce abruptly.  “Sentiments can wait, now we squash these insects.”  He smiled, and Davin watched the warrior instinct come alive in him.  Aiden held the same animalistic gaze. 

“So I assume you won’t hesitate to return the favor they just offered our fighters,” Niahm smirked. 

“Not in the least.” 

There wasn’t time for any more levity.  Grand Soldiers flooded into the chamber from three separate entrances.  The soldiers advanced on the rebels and they converged into one group. 

“Form up on us!” Druce commanded to their fighters.  “Do not let them split us!”

The rebels obeyed as the first soldiers were upon them, and more soldiers weren’t far behind.   The chamber filled fast.  But the confined surroundings worked to the rebel advantage, with pure numbers not making as much a difference. 

Each side connected the first strikes of their weapons.  The sword arms of the soldiers and the rebels flailed back and forth. Sparks could be seen in the dim light when the swords met other swords or armor.  The rebels continued to retreat into one large force, while swinging away at their opponents. 

When they had been pushed back as far as they could go, Egan yelled out at Davin, already trading blows with a soldier himself.  “Davin, Driocht, against the main group of soldiers!” 

Davin did not hesitate.  Running to the fore of their company while dodging around men locked in combat, wasn’t easy.  Two soldiers stopped him in mid-step.  He nearly ran into them.  One of the soldiers took a wild swing in his direction.  Davin easily dodged it and stabbed one of them in the chest, right through the thin armor.  The other was taken down by a sword strike to his left.  Aiden had appeared out of nowhere.  Davin nodded in appreciation. 

He arrived at the front of the line and pulled the Wind Orb into his hand.  He pushed his arms out away from him and then back in, focusing on the dark matter.  The wind whistled through the tunnels as it came.  Some of the people stopped fighting to wonder what the sound was.  Seconds later, it erupted into the chamber, sending soldiers just now joining the fight flying across the room.  They hit the walls on the opposite sides of the wind that had blasted them with a loud thumps.  Their swords had either dropped from their hands or impaled in them, and their armor left enormous dents in the walls when they crashed.  The maneuver had taken care of many soldiers, but they continued to come. 

Fear crept into the faces of the other soldiers momentarily.  “Do not fear their sorcerers!” shouted a commanding officer.  “Fight to the last man.” 

This command renewed the resolve of the soldiers and they continued to advance. 

Davin didn’t have time to start another attack because someone brought a sword down inches from his head.  The power of the swing ruffled his hair.  He pulled forth his sword and met the other blade in the middle of a high swipe.  He pushed it aside forcefully to the left; the soldier stumbled and spun around.  He impaled his enemy in the lower back. 

Davin looked around momentary.  Three more of their numbers had just dropped around him.  Their opponents had just become free to torment others. 

To his left and farther down the chamber, Egan and Druce worked together, dropping soldiers together.  They progressed nicely, covering each others’ backs and shifting position constantly.  Neither of them had been touched yet, and the confidence of this showed on their faces. 

“Davin, I need one of the orbs!  Can you reach me?” Egan bellowed, spotting Davin in the mob grunts and clanking. 

“I would not give up my sword if I were you.  Your skill has yet to be matched by these men,” Druce growled at Egan, as he chopped at an outstretched arm coming at him.  The blow severed the arm and sent it to the ground a few feet away.  “Save that power, you’ll need it.  This isn’t even a fraction of the standing army,” he finished. 

Egan tried not to let his disappointment show too much, saying only, “Fair enough.” 

As another man from Swift River fell on Egan’s right side, Egan was forced back into the battle.  The soldier who had been freed of his combatant glowered at the Descendant and swept at his feet.  Egan reacted a half second too late, the swing of soldier cutting a small gash on his shin.  The soldier, unfortunately for him, was too enamored with killing the magic user that he failed to see Druce slash at his back. 

“Are you sure you aren’t one of my kin?” Egan said, admiring Druce’s amazing battle ability and apparent invulnerability.

Druce smirked.  “I can be if it makes you feel better about your own skills.” 

Davin nearly reached Egan, but he was rushed by several bodies much more bulky than his own.  Foolishly, the soldiers rushed him all at once.  They didn’t know his speed.  He ducked out of the way as they swung at the spot he once stood.  Their swords connected with each other and sent their wielders to the floor. 

That’s the second time they have tried to do that to me.