The Descendants Book One: The Broken Scroll

by Kurtis Smith

  Egan paused to make sure Davin was still listening. Davin’s eyes were wide and his gaze didn’t falter.

  “The Ancients who kept their minds true became known as the Purists. These Purists tried their hardest to bring the Corrupt Ones back from their perverse mind set, but to no avail. Matters only became worse with time. The harsh debates became more violent and soon fighting began to break out.

  Thus, the War of Purity erupted. It was a civil war between Ancients. Families were ripped apart and brother fought against brother. The war lasted only a short time. In the end, the Corrupt Ones overpowered the Purists with their newly acquired magic. The Corrupt Ones had won, for the time being.

  With the remaining Purists having fled the land, the Corrupt Ones had reign over all the world of man. They ruled them with an iron fist. Humans rose in resistance, but the armies of men didn’t stand a chance. The world began dying out, just as the Purists had.

  Feeling that there was nothing left to accomplish, the Corrupt Ones soon began working on a new task, to create a world separate from this one. According to the stories, they succeeded. But no one who has studied the lore is sure what this actually meant. Nevertheless, their skills were masterful. This alternate realm would be their home where they could continue to hone their dark powers and wait for men to repopulate the earth. Then they would return and reign again.

  All was not lost though. The remaining Purists had set two plans of their own in motion. Through much toil, they’d managed to strip away the essence of their dead bretherns’ powers, and sealed them within small holding devices of their own design. Through these.”

  Egan held up one Driocht orbs. Davin gasp. So that was where the magic came from.

  Egan continued, “Each one has its own power. The Purists planned this. They wanted to be sure that their Descendants had the strength to rise up and fight if need be, finish what they couldn’t. Or so it is believed.

  The other small victory they achieved was when they learned about the alternate realm the Corrupt Ones had created. Already in a weakened state, they used the last of their strength to seal it off and lock the Corrupt Ones there. This was the final stand of the Ancients.”

  Egan took a deep breath and rested his voice for a moment.

  “As I’m sure you know, Davin, that tale and the memory of the Ancients has been long forgotten. Most believe it all to be myth now. Since that time what few remain of the Descendants have stayed hidden from the world, living in an unknown place.”

  Davin spoke up for the first time. “If is unknown, how can you know about it?”

  Egan looked sad momentarily. “Because I was there at one time. The last memory I have is that of living peacefully in that place before waking years later in the Blind Desert. I cannot explain how I got there or why I am missing these memories.”

  Davin grimaced and tilted his head sideways, not believing it.

  “I always assumed I experienced some traumatic event that I chose to shut out,” Egan digressed. “You will have to take my word on this, I have no proof. And it is why I haven’t told you about myself until now.”

  Davin let the matter go. “So our line has carried on all this time without anyone left in the world knowing about it?” he asked.

  “Yes, until recent years, I don’t know if any still live,” Egan corrected Davin’s slight miscalculation. “Those that were children of the remaining Ancients after the war hid away to grow and survive. You are no doubt one of their descendants.”

  There was a long silence while Davin soaked it all in. All of this happened in secret, hidden from the world of men.

  “That’s where we should go next, to find the rest of our kin. You must know the location of this secret place.”

  Egan shook his head. “No, that is part of the Ancient’s magic. The location of the Secret City changed constantly on its own. It is impossible to find. Or if there is a way to locate them, I don’t know it.”

  “All this doesn’t explain why you killed the governor,” Davin stated.

  Egan raised a finger in disagreement. “Actually, it does. I’m sure you can think of how it connects.”

  Davin sat quietly in thought. His head was starting to ache from so much information all at once. Then it hit him. He turned to Egan in astonishment.

  “He had the powers of an Ancient. And the only way he would attack you was if he had been corrupted.”

  Egan raised his eyebrows and looked past Davin. Obviously, Egan didn’t have an explanation for this particular mystery.

  “I had a feeling that he was a Descendant that left the city in rebellion, someone I might have once known. That would be the only explanation. But still…” Sounding bitter, he cursed to himself. “The king’s sudden interest in us isn’t just coincidence with that governor having our power. He must have been working with the king. That’s why the army has been hunting down ‘criminals’ so fiercely. I think he wants more of us to help him rule.”

  “But how did that man become governor?” Davin asked, more to himself then to Egan. “He would have had to work his way up from the bottom and that would have taken a long time.”

  “Unless the O’Hara gave him governorship in exchange for his loyalty. But I’m not so sure. There was something strange about his behavior that night, almost as if the Driocht power he used was something new to him.”

  “New to him? Like he didn’t have it before that night?”

  “Yes,” said Egan. “But that doesn’t exactly make sense.”

  Davin was still trying to sort it all out. “Wouldn’t you have recognized him?”

  “Just because I didn’t recognize him doesn’t mean he wasn’t once a friend. As a good mind is altered so is the physical appearance of him, at least when it comes to our race.”

  Davin sat silent for a moment. He felt a little ashamed now. He had held the governor’s murder against him. Egan had only been defending himself. If he had not fought back he would have been killed. There was no doubt about that now.

  “Still, if he was ordered by the King to capture me, why would he try to kill me?” Egan said, still musing.

  “Deverell,” Davin spewed, practically answering before Egan had finished. “He told me in the jail of Lemirre that he didn’t care about what the king thought. He knew we should be destroyed.” Egan took this new information in.

  “Are you taking me where we can get more information about the governor of Daust?”

  Egan’s expressionless face turned toward Davin. “Not at the moment, though I’m confident we will need that information before long. For now, we are on our way to the Port city of Slainte. I have a friend there who has studied the Ancients all his life. Together we will train you on Driocht. We will need it if you want to eventually rescue your friend.”

  Roland and Deverell were still most important. It was already taking longer than Davin wanted to get to them. He just wanted to be done and pretend none of this ever happened. That alone angered him. But in the end, getting killed foolishly wouldn’t help. He would bide his time and train, continuing to do as Egan planned. The moment he was strong enough, he would find a way to complete his task, with or without Egan. He liked having another Descendant around, and could use the added help of one like him. But if Egan refused, he would go on his own, plain and simple.

  He nodded at Egan, trying his best to restrain his frustration, and glad that the man couldn’t read his mind.

  I am ready to be trained.”

  Chapter 8 Unexpected Visitors

  As the hours passed the clouds began to thicken overhead. Davin watched as they rolled in, knowing that that sleep would be impossible once the rain started. He decided to not even try.

  His prediction rang true faster than he had anticipated. The sprinkles turned to heavier raindrops and soon there was a constant downpour. The rain was cold and his clothes were drenched within minutes. He had to find a better place to lie down.

  At least were not in snow territory anymore.

&nb
sp; He got up and moved over to where Egan lay by the tree. He was surprised to see him sound asleep in a dry area underneath it. Obviously, Egan had been secure enough about their spot to catch a little rest for the first time in three nights. Although, Davin figured, not even the most powerful Ancient in the world could go without sleep forever. Especially, at the pace they were traveling.

  After a quick scan of the tree’s base, Davin managed to find an at least somewhat drier area to rest.

  He heard a muffled splash in one of the pools surrounding them as he settled in. Whipping his head in the direction of the noise, he reached out with his Ancient sight. Nothing happened for what felt like minutes, so continued to settle in.

  The small amount water on the ground didn’t even soak through his clothes. Davin closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of the drops splashing into the pools around him.

  He didn’t even realize he had fallen asleep until he was awoken some time later from a soft rustling close by. He kept his eyes closed and tried to ignore it, pretending it was squirrel or a raccoon that had managed to wander into the Wading Pools. He knew that it was getting closer to sunrise by the faint light in the east, and he felt like he’d barely slept for another night.

  This time the rustling became what sounded like crunching footsteps, and they were getting louder. Davin crawled over to his pack. The sword that Egan had given him was lying there. Snatching it up, he put his back up against the tree and took a couple of deep breaths. He couldn’t attempt to wake Egan because he might need the element of surprise.

  Several thoughts past through his head in the few seconds he sat there. The main one being how had someone found them. It seemed impossible. And if it was the army why would they only send one man?

  Davin heard the footsteps come into the clearing and stop. Whoever it was had probably noticed Egan sleeping there. Davin wondered what this stranger’s next move would be. If it was to kill Egan in his sleep, he wasn’t going to let that happen.

  He counted to three in his head and jumped out from behind the tree with a flying overhead swing of his sword.

  He shouted as he came around the tree in hopes to scare the intruder.

  It worked. The stranger was caught wildly off guard, obviously not expecting to see someone else, especially not someone running at him with a sword. The stranger reacted quickly enough and pulled a sword of his own out of the sheath at his side. It met Davin’s and they clank hard.

  Davin met the stranger’s gaze and realized the man couldn’t have been more than a couple years older than himself. And he wasn’t garbed in the typical grand soldier attire. His tunic was of well-made fabric that appeared to come from across the sea, and his armor gleamed with an affluent luster.

  His expression was that of shock, shock that turned to fear as Davin pushed hard against him and forced him to the ground. The man winced and raised his arms in cowardice, preparing for the blow.

  Davin stepped toward him and thrust the tip of his sword out toward the man’s throat.

  “Who are you, and who sent you?” Davin demanded.

  “No one, I promise you, sir. I stumbled upon you by accident. I mean no harm.” His voice was higher than most men around twenty years of age and did not have the strapping build of a soldier.

  “You lie,” Davin continued, without stopping to think. “The Grand Army sent you as a scout didn’t they. Tell me the truth, or I will cut your throat.”

  “No-no,” he stammered,” I am not in the army. My father disowned me and put a price on my head. I travelled here from the great island and have been wandering these lands for weeks.”

  “What father would do such a thing?” Davin asked incredulously.

  The man’s sunken face became haunted. “You don’t know my father.”

  Davin shook his head. Something about his story just didn’t add up. Davin raised his sword, ready to strike.

  “I don’t believe you. You are about to pay the price for lying to me.” The man winced again and let out a whimper.

  “Davin, stop!” Egan commanded.

  He had finally awoken from his deep sleep. Davin was amazed it took him this long. It’s not like the two of them had been quiet.

  The stranger interrupted. “I only wish to burden you until we leave this awful place. Then I will continue on my own if you wish. Or if you need money I can pay you.”

  Egan looked at him curiously. “To do what?”

  “Protect me from my father’s men. I have no skill except that of running, and I cannot run forever from these people.”

  “Do you actually believe him?” Davin asked Egan.

  “Why shouldn’t we? He could have been completely honest with you. And you seem to be able to easily overpower him. Put the sword down.”

  Davin shook his head in defiance,” No, he is a scout. I know it. His story doesn’t make sense.”

  “We will decide this later. For now, he lives. That will be the end of this conversation.” Davin understood the finality in Egan’s tone, but he had to follow his instincts.

  With a quick thrust of his arm, Egan sent a blast of wind that knocked the sword from Davin’s hand. Davin gaped at him, taking a moment to register what happened.

  Egan bent down to help the stranger to his feet. There was still fear in the strangers’ face. And a little bit of awe. Egan knew exactly what the man was thinking, but he waited for the man to speak.

  “You know the magic of the Ancients. How is that possible? They existed a long time ago from what I remember, possibly only in fireside tales.”

  Egan helped him to his feet. His legs were still a little wobbly, but he eventually found his footing.

  “I am little surprised that you recognized what that magic was,” commented Egan, sounding impressed. “Did you study Ancient lore at the Acadeems or a school of knowledge where you are from?”

  “No, sir,” the man answered, politely. Confidence had returned to his voice. “My father told me about them. He loves their history, but I never believed that actually existed.”

  Egan crossed his arms and spoke conversationally, “Oh, they were as real as you and me. I am one of only two remaining Descendants of the Ancients. At least that is what I think. We don’t know who else might be out there. The other is my fellow traveler.” He pointed to Davin on other the other side of the clearing.

  “I am Egan of Nowhere and from beyond the borders of these lands.” He reached out a hand and put it on the man’s shoulder and squeezed softly. This was the formal greeting to give someone that one wanted as an acquaintance. Egan didn’t want to offend him before he’d gathered more information.

  “I am Radash from the plateau City of Stars on the great island,” the stranger said, his words coming forth in a blur of nervous energy. “My father and I were having a heated conversation about something. We had argued many times before. He became violent with anger, and sent me from his halls. He told me to run if I didn’t want to be killed. He said he would send trackers after me. I could tell by the way he spoke he wasn’t lying. Something changed in him that night. That’s why I am here.”

  “From the great island you say. How did you end up in this dreadful place, and stumble upon us?” Egan asked.

  “I wandered the many cities of this land since arriving here. But each place I went, my hunters were not far behind. I finally decided to head into the hills and see if I could wait them out. Pure luck led me to you and your friend. I’ve been following you for two days.”

  He glanced up at Egan when he finished with uncertainty. It was obvious to see that he didn’t think Egan was going to believe him either. But Egan stood still and listened, taking the man seriously.

  “Your father sounds like a fool to banish his blood over a stupid argument,” Egan grunted, not masking the disgust in his tone. “What could have been so bad for him to do this?”

  “I do not know,” Radash said sadly. “Something snapped within him that I cannot explain. He became someone I no longer recogniz
ed. Very unnatural. Does this make sense?”

  “No,” Egan said matter-of-factly. Radash grew tense for a moment. He looked around, clearly checking his exits in case he had to make a run for it.

  “But many of the things in this world don’t make sense. I, for now, believe your story and am sorry for your trouble. You may join us if you wish-“

  Davin advanced in Egan, his voice raised. “We’re making a mistake, taking him with us. I know that he is not telling the truth and I will not trust him until I find out what it is.”

  Egan grabbed Davin by both shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. Davin had never been manhandled by Egan before now and it caught him off guard.

  “Thi, Davin. He will join us until we reach Slainte. ” Davin opened his mouth to rebut, but he was getting tired of fighting everything Egan did. It was exhausting and he was starting to forget why he thought he needed to in the first place. He said nothing more about it.

  Egan continued talking to Radash. “I must say you look somehow familiar to me. Was your father was someone important on the great island? You did mention his halls.”

  “Not likely,” Davin added quickly, standing behind Egan.

  Teague glanced at Davin, “Your friend is right. I must have miss spoke. I have never known what it’s like to live in halls. My father is a garment maker,” he concluded after looking down at his clothing.

  Egan blinked and looked back at Davin.

  “Right,” Egan began, “we should get some to get some rest before the morning. Radash, you are welcome to join us to the port town if you wish. It is up to you.”

  Radash nodded, “Yes, I would like to join you.”

  Both of the Descendants watched as Radash went as far as to stand and bow deeply.

  Egan raised his hands to stop Radash from going any farther, “Please, don’t do that. It is unnecessary.”

  Radash stopped and stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do with himself.

  Egan addressed him. “Would I be right to assume that you must be hungry and wouldn’t mind a bite before trying to rest?”