The Descendants Book One: The Broken Scroll

by Kurtis Smith

  Lilia

  Tears had filled Davin eyes. He wiped them away quickly, but new ones replaced the ones that had just gone. For that short moment, his mother felt alive and next to him again. All of his memories of his mother rushed at him like a tidal wave. He let the emotion wash over him and embraced it, since he couldn’t seem to force it away.

  He pushed the other revelation about his mother, Egan, and Liam aside for the moment. He wanted to savor his mother’s words while he could.

  A trickle of hope flared in his chest. “She could still be alive,” he said, more to himself than to Niahm. She mistook it for conversation.

  “I know,” she said, solemnly. “Do you understand what that letter means? There is much said that escapes me.”

  Davin nodded. This letter meant many things, not the least of which was information about his father. What had she never told Davin about his father? And why did she keep the scroll secret from him if it had been so important? At least he knew why she wanted him to stay in Lemirre.

  “Yes, and I will tell you…in a minute.”

  As the emotions began to leave him at last, he remembered the other parchment. Certain of what he would see, he unfolded the other parchment hastily. It was what he had figured from the letter, a missing piece of the Driocht scroll. That left only one remaining to be found.

  Davin sat up straight, forced his body fully awake, and then faced Niahm. .

  Chapter 27 The March Begins

  Davin awoke Egan first, just as the first rays of sunlight began to penetrate the sky. He showed his fellow Descendant the letter.

  Egan remain emotionless as he read it. But when he was done he handed it back to Davin and said with excitement. “This is excellent, Davin. It really is. Your mother has saved us much trouble.”

  “I know. And she was with Liam and you. That pregnant woman who worked with both of you was my mother. You knew her.”

  “But my memory of that time is bad, remember? I have a vague idea of her, but that is all. And we know I’m not your father either, which is a bit of a relief.”

  Davin felt that it was too. It would have been an awkward reunion, considering how long they’d known each other as companions at this point. But his mother had explained that mystery too. His father wasn’t the man standing in front of him. He had died trying to make sure others survived, possibly even Egan. Davin was happy to know him only in that way.

  “At least I know more about their lives. And we both know what happened after she left you and Liam. I feel more closure than I could have hoped for. I am picking up where she left off. In a strange way, it makes me feel as if she’s still here. Is that ridiculous?”

  “No.”

  ***

  The others soon roused. Druce and Aiden needed to hear a quick version of what the Driocht scroll was, so Egan relayed it as they packed.

  The town buzzed with activity as people readied to leave. Men saddled and packed their horses and pookas with weapons and food and tents. The blacksmiths had worked through the night in preparation for an earlier departure. Wives and young children helped their fathers and older siblings, including female siblings, load their animals.

  Within the hour, most were outside the city gates. Davin watched as Niahm and Governor Seamus exited the gate, riding out with several other people. The group that had begun to assemble was conversing timidly. Niahm and the governor broke off from the crowd when they spotted Davin and his friends.

  He wasted no breath on formalities. “I’ve been told of this scroll by Niahm. O’Hara has one of the four pieces, you say?” he said to everyone.

  “Yes,” Egan replied, “and we have two now, thanks to Davin’s mother.” The governor stared at Davin for a short time. Davin knew what he was thinking. He wanted to see the proof.

  “Here,” said Davin, reaching into a pack and pulling out the letter. “Read it.” He handed it and the two scroll pieces to Governor Seamus.

  Druce filled in the silence while the letter was being read, looking toward the northwest. “The army has been combing that desert for some time now, even since we were in the service. I always wondered why our missions tended to take us there more often than not. I know now.”

  “They were there the night I was captured as well. It did seem odd that such a large force was wandering the emptiness of the desert,” said Egan, musing on the topic as well.

  “That explains why they never found it. My mother found it first,” Davin replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

  “So then the only one that remains to be found is somewhere in one of the other kingdoms, if the transcripts are correct,” said Kayleigh. “We have no more idea where to look than the king does. Do you think it could be in Isolanan? All of the other pieces were hidden here and that land is the closest to ours.”

  “That would make the most sense, but it is impossible to tell,” Egan said, frowning. “It could be anywhere.”

  Druce interjected. “There should be no need to find the last piece if we succeed at the Capital, except for your own curiosity.” He looked around.

  Having fully absorbed what he could from the letter and the two pieces of the scroll, the governor spoke up. “I would agree, but one must wonder what Davin’s mother worried about so much. She felt that the future of the world was in some grave peril, beyond merely our king. And this scroll was the answer to the problem.”

  “Our purpose in finding other Descendants is more than just about making sure O’Hara doesn’t find them first,” Egan explained. “I believe this turmoil is happening now because a new era is upon us. There was a time when the Ancients ruled with men. I wish to see that to happen again. Maybe this is the future they sought, one where Descendants of the Ancients helped lead and keep peace.”

  “Or they simply foresaw the King’s madness,” said Druce, as if they were missing an obvious truth. “It is quite apparent in the letter.”

  “It could be that simple,” the governor agreed, handing the parchment back to Davin.

  “When this conflict is done, we will search for the last piece without the fear that O’Hara will beat us to it,” said Niahm. “I will wish to be present this time.”

  Druce threw as quick glance at Aiden, who nodded firmly. “Aiden and I should like to join you as well. This future you seek affects us all.” He paused. “I feel that for the time being, though, we should concentrate on the matter at hand.”

  The others all agreed.

  Egan turned to their numbers gathering a short distance away. “Three hundred and fifty strong,” he said, changing topics.

  Druce grunted, not entirely impressed. “Not even close to enough for organized battle on the fields, but within the city walls and against an army that we don’t want to expect us, we have some chance.”

  “I can lead us nearly to the throne room before anyone, friend or foe, will ever see our faces,” said Teague. “There are tunnels leading all over Eire that few know. My father may not expect us to come that way.”

  “Yes,” Egan said, “and if Druce would be willing to lend us more of his expertise on the army’s strategy we will have quite an advantage.”

  “Who do you wish to accompany you to the throne room?” Druce asked, unexpectedly.

  “No one,” said Davin, “we don’t know what power O’Hara and Deverell have gained; you’ve seen what they have done to their soldiers. Only Egan and I will face them. If they have our power, than even we may be in trouble. You should stay with the people, keep their morale up.”

  “I agree,” said Egan. “Druce and Aiden will guard the entrance to the castle with a small group, so Davin, Teague, and I can enter the castle without much distraction. Do you agree?”

  “That is the best plan,” Druce agreed, but didn’t look happy about it. “I also suggest we send a small force on to hide on the roof tops once within the city. In case there is an ambush waiting for us, we have a backup plan. Might I suggest Kayleigh take this charge?”

  He smiled at her politel
y. She seemed taken aback by the duty. Her faced turned serious. “Me? I am not fit to lead. I am an aspiring Scholar, not a commander of battle.”

  “You are a strong woman, my lady,” Egan said, smiling. “I trust that you can do it. We are all are becoming people we never expected to be these days.”

  She did not take long to respond, and Davin didn’t expect her to. Backing down from a challenge wasn’t in her nature.

  “I will do what needs to be done.”

  The crowd turned to face their leaders, awaiting their command.

  Niahm smiled knowingly. “I believe they wish to hear from a Descendant. You are the ones that give them the most hope.”

  Egan started forward on his horse automatically. Davin pulled up in front of him and blocked his way.

  “No, I will do it.”

  Egan waved him on proudly.

  Davin gulped. He didn’t know what exactly to say, but the crowd didn’t care. They would listen intently because of who he was. As a Descendant, he inspired these people by his mere presence.

  “I have no profound words of encouragement to tell you. But I will say this. None deserve to live under our King’s madness. You should be proud of yourselves for being the people that were willing to make the first move against him. I never expected in my wildest dreams that I would have helped to ignite a rebellion, and yet here you are. We may not be many, but we will make ourselves be heard.” After assessing that he had their rapt attention, he concluded with, “Onward, friends! To the capital city!”

  The air was crisp and the sky overcast as they rode. The plains whirled by as they kept a steady pace.

  Most were not in the frame of mind to talk and kept to themselves. The little conversation that did take place happened when they would spot travelers in the distance. Egan and Davin kept their eyes observant for any signs of behavior that said people were suspicious of the group riding northward. Most didn’t even notice, and those who did paid them no mind.

  ***

  “When we reach the Greenlands, we will have to be more careful,” Egan said as they rode.

  “But we won’t be going through the Greenlands,” argued Davin. His head ached from the stress of looking for travelers that might sell them out.

  Druce interjected. “Oamlund is on the eastern edge of the region. Our path will take us very near it. This isn’t something we should press our luck about.”

  Davin looked sour, not in the mood for Druce’s opposition to him. But it was a trivial matter, and Druce was merely looking out for their group’s wellbeing, so he let it go.

  They called the halt for the fourth night out when the moon was high in the sky. The gloomy, overcast weather the day had held passed into a clear winter evening. A slight wind had moved the clouds out and brought quite a chill upon them. Everyone rummaged through their belongings, pulling out extra blankets and clothes to warm themselves. Only a single fire was allowed, which did not please most, even though they understood their safety depended on it.

  While riding the last couple of days, complaints had been kept to a minimum. But after a while at the pace they kept, many began to let their poor attitudes be known. Davin thought best to just leave them alone. The people of Lemirre weren’t quite as difficult, but Davin knew they were just trying to be strong for him.

  Instead, he sat and ate a quick meal with Prack and Prack’s son Rainn who had quit the Acadeem and returned home to join his father in the fight. Niahm sat with them as well. They talked casually about how the rebuilding of Lemirre was going, and how they missed their haven in the foothills. Davin told them about how the Ancient Forest wasn’t ever really haunted, and how he’d like to show them the natural light that glows from within its depths. It was a pleasant time, and Davin only excused himself when he caught Egan, Druce and Governor Seamus sharing a private conversation not far away.

  “This is the same exact weather that was present when I was a captive in Daust,” said Egan, gesturing lazily around him. He glanced at Conn Seamus. “Maybe I’ve got to kill another mad governor.”

  At first, Seamus glowered at Egan for his attempted joke, but his face finally broke into a delayed grin. “I’ve not gone mad yet, but I’ll be sure to inform you when I have, shall I?” The two men chuckled. People looked around for the source of the laughter, smiling even though they didn’t know what was happening.

  “It’s good for morale,” said Davin, catching on.

  “Exactly,” said Egan.

  After many of their numbers had fallen asleep, Davin and Egan retreated away from the group to spar and practice Driocht. They actually had to walk some distance to make sure their clatter didn’t wake anyone. It was a good session that left each of them sweating in the end.

  Egan told him that when it came to Driocht, he was quite proficient at this point. But there were little things like reaction time and imagination that he needed to work on.

  Davin took part several exercises where Egan would perform a combination of quick attacks with his sword and Davin had to block them with only magical defenses. He found it took more out of his than he had expected, and greatly wished to increase his stamina.

  On the way back to the camp, Egan advised Davin as he had every night since they left Swift River. “This may be the last time we have to practice before the Capital, so let me tell you this. Do not drain all the orbs’ powers right from the start. Spread them out. I haven’t taught you sword technique for no reason. And make sure your bow is fit, you may need it as well….”

  The scenery of the plains gradually changed. After three more hard days of riding and short nights they were camped next to a river on the eastern edge of the Greenlands, only a few leagues from Oamlund.

  Now that a meal had been consumed people were beginning to put tents up all around. Davin wandered through the midst of the activity as he stretched out with his hearing. He got up when he heard Egan whispering intensely, not wanting to miss any more information.

  “…don’t think it would be wise, even if we sent only a few in,” he said.

  “We don’t want to be caught off guard. Constant information is necessary, and Oamlund might be able to give it to us, without even trying too hard,” said the Governor Seamus. “And in a best case scenario, we might be able to add to our numbers.”

  Davin stepped up to Egan, Governor Seamus, and Druce, sharing his opinion as well. “I think it’s a good idea. Niahm could go with a couple of others. No one would pay them any mind at all.”

  “Well said, lad,” said the governor boisterously. He seemed very pleased to have Davin’s approval. Davin’s felt his ego swell slightly at the revelation.

  “I don’t know,” groaned Egan. “There are a number of risks, not counting tipping off the wrong people about us. All of our secrecy up to this point would be for naught. We might as well sent messengers and march a parade up to the gates of Eire announcing our arrival if we are found out.”

  “Why would anyone have reason to be suspicious in Oamlund?” Davin asked exasperatedly.

  Egan sprang back quickly. “Because the messages that Druce sent out could have been intercepted, or their recipients could have turned on us. Even the guildsman in other towns could have stayed loyal to the King. The Guild Leaders are still advising him, after all. Who knows what could happen?”

  “You are paranoid,” blurted Davin before he knew what he was doing. “We know what must be done, and we need this information.”

  Druce raised his finger and pointed. “Gentlemen, maybe we should ask Niahm herself.” They turned the direction his finger was pointing and saw Niahm and Kayleigh coming toward them.

  “My ladies, how would you feel about gathering information from Oamlund?” Druce asked, suddenly. Both of the women looked skeptical.

  After a moment’s pause, Niahm said, “Is this a joke?” Her eyes flicked to the four of them in turn.

  “Not all at,” answered Druce innocently. “We discussed how important it would be to have an update as to the
goings on at the Capital. Oamlund has always been very knowledgeable. There is a strong political presence there. It shouldn’t be too hard to find out any new details of O’Hara and Deverell’s dealings.”

  Egan spoke when he saw Niahm look anxious, as if it wasn’t a good idea. “I do not like it either, but I cannot deny our necessity.” He paused. “We will ask a handful of able bodied men to join you for protection. I am sure you are aware why none of us can go.”

  “I am aware,” she said solemnly. “You would likely be recognized.”

  “We will go,” answered Kayleigh, after Niahm still hadn’t given a reply. Niahm looked shocked for a moment that Kayleigh had volunteered her. They looked in each other’s eyes and Niahm’s expression changed to that of resolve.

  Within a couple minute’s time they had gathered some provisions, personal items, and their weapons. Egan asked for volunteers from several of the burlier men in the group, which included Prack. They did not look happy about this task. Davin wanted to offer encouragement, but figured it would have been received with a sneer, so he refrained. Not many understood how much of a fugitive he actually was. They only saw him standing in the shadows at the moment when he should be acting bravely.

  “May speed and cunning be with you, my ladies,” said Egan. “You have a two hour ride in front and in return. The Ancients guide you quickly back.”

  “Do not worry, we will return before the sunrises tomorrow so that you don’t have to wait for us,” said Niahm.

  Most of the people watched them ride off, probably thankful that they had not been volunteered. Druce, Egan, and the Governor return to their belongings, and each lost themselves within books or documents of one sort or another.

  Davin felt this was an odd choice for conflicts being so eminent. They should be taking every opportunity to prepare for what lay ahead. With a determined huff, he made up his mind.

  He began to stroll around to various people sitting on the ground and offered to take turns training with them. He received several declines before people began to agree. His enthusiasm was contagious and quickly many that had said “no” originally began to change their minds. By the time he had made the rounds, two-thirds of the group had joined him, Swift River and Lemirre citizens alike.