The Descendants Book One: The Broken Scroll

by Kurtis Smith

  O’Hara looked to Davin and Egan as if wondering what they would say. Quickly he turned back, not wanting drawing too much attention to them yet.

  “He was killed in battle. It is most unfortunate, but not wholly unexpected,” said O’Hara quickly, only feigning sadness ever so slightly.

  The Advisors shifted, obviously not sure what they should feel at this news. Their eyes darted back and forth and one another, each looking to see how the other was reacting.

  In the uncomfortable moment Druce’s voice rang out, clear as day. “Good, the sooner the better I say.”

  Everyone turned toward Druce, including O’Hara. The slightest smirk fell upon the king’s face.

  “Let us speak on it no more. His body has already been taken to be burned,” O’Hara concluded. Winterbourne seemed satisfied with this final thought.

  O’Hara turned to the Descendants. “Now, before I continue any farther, I wish to hear the tale of the Ancient’s extinction.”

  Davin watched an uncertain expression fall on Egan’s face. “Is that really necessary right now, king?” he asked, looking at Davin to see his reaction. Davin couldn’t think of anything else to do while waiting, so he nodded back at Egan in approval.

  “It is quite necessary,” said O’Hara, simply.

  After only the slightest hesitation, Egan launched into the tale that Davin knew so well by now. The King’s eyes never left Egan throughout the telling and his attention never wavered. In fact, his expressions only grew more intense as Egan continued. The Advisors shifted more and more impatiently as time passed. They were clearly annoyed by what was going on.

  Unable to contain himself any more, the Advisor, Jalen, interrupted. He stepped forward and presented himself to the king earnestly, his back to the rest of the people in the room. O’Hara looked up at him his eyebrows raised.

  “My liege, this cannot go on,” said Jalen angrily. “These people stood against you yesterday! They fought and killed hundreds of your soldiers, killed First Captain Deverell, and caused injury to you as well. How can you let them live?!”

  O’Hara said nothing for long time, watching Jalen’s face grow even more exasperated all the while.

  “My deeds caused their rebellion. It was not without good reason that they stood against me. I would have done the same had I been in their position.”

  There was a long silence where Jalen looked as if he couldn’t believe his ears.

  At last, O’Hara turned to the other Advisors to his left, grimacing once again from his wounds. “Do you feel the same as Advisor Jalen, gentlemen?”

  There was a collective, “Yes, my lord,” from the others except Governor Winterbourne, who was the leader of the Political Guild, but hadn’t agreed with the others anger.

  O’Hara dipped his head in obvious disappointment. “So be it. The time has come for you to be relieved of duty. Go to your rooms and gather your personal belongings. By morning, you will be out of this castle. You will be released to tend your respective Noble Guilds only and advise me no longer. Now, please leave my hall.”

  Shocked and fear washed over the faces of the eight men. “But sir, this cannot be. Do you not need good men to advise you?” asked Marcus, frightened.

  “I will make arrangements for you and your families. That is all, now leave me.”

  O’Hara turned away from them at that point and ignored any remaining protests. The Advisors began moving toward the doorway. O’Hara waited until the last of them was out of sight and the doors were closed once more before speaking again.

  “Now that the distractions are finished, let us speak freely.”

  The remaining people in the room, excluding the captive military leaders, gathered closer to the throne to listen. O’Hara cleared his throat. “I saw a great doom in the mind of the late First Captain Deverell yesterday. During the time when young Davin and I were battling, Deverell’s mind and mine own became one. I cannot explain why, except through what I saw within him. My suspicions about my behavior were confirmed. I was revealed the answer of the riddle surrounding us.”

  Davin and the others all looked at one another warily.

  O’Hara continued, slower and sadder than before. “During the past few years, I felt trapped within my own mind, unable to act my true intentions at all times. I was a slave to another will when it was pressed upon me, and that will was First Captain Deverell’s. He has been the evil behind my machinations. His will influenced my own. That is now clear.”

  Before O’Hara could continue Druce spoke out, “That can’t be possible. There is no such power in the world.”

  O’Hara continued. “Not in this world, no, but in one long forgotten. This is where the importance of the Ancients’ tale intercedes. The Corrupt Ones never were ultimately destroyed; they were merely trapped, never to be heard from again. They have continued to live all of these one thousand years, building on their skills and powers. Time has passed without any knowledge of them…”

  Egan’s face became white with fear and his voice quavered when he spoke. “And you are saying that their power has found a way around this barrier. That can’t be. The Seal of Eternity was permanent.”

  “The Forbidden Forms of Driocht must have allowed him some way. I am not certain.” O’Hara leaned forward, his eyes piercing all of them. “But I did see this in his mind. Their ruler discovered a way to project a form of himself into our land, working his way into power. He did this to use this kingdom’s resources to complete the scroll and find the other Descendants.”

  No one moved. O’Hara waited for the enormity of these words to sink in.

  “That was why Deverell disappeared, wasn’t it?” said Davin, in fearful awe. “That was a mere projection of his true form.” Davin looked over at Egan, his blood turning to ice. “Deverell, or a form of that same man, is the ruler of the Corrupt Ones.”

  “Cygnus Deverell was what he called himself to us,” O’Hara amended. “We don’t know his real name.”

  “He was able to give soldiers our powers because he had our powers, almost like a more intrusive form of the Union of Consciousness. Instead of transferring memories, he transferred Driocht,” Egan thought out loud, looking around.

  Davin joined in. “But just as you expected, human bodies couldn’t handle the power so it damaged their minds. And he didn’t show any of the signs that he was one of our kin because he wasn’t really ever here. That’s why we couldn’t feel his connection to us.”

  Kayleigh stepped forward, speaking for the first time. “The Seal is still intact, though. Can we assume they still are unable to actually invade this world?”

  “That is what I believe. It’s almost as if the answer to that he protected greatly. He must have known that he was allowing his thoughts to be seen when he transferred powers, so some he worked hard to keep hidden. That is my assessment.”

  “Besides,” said Davin, “what purpose would it serve to do all he did here when he could just send an army of Corrupt Ones and get what he wanted? There is still something holding them back. I know it.”

  Egan added eagerly, “I agree. We at least know that the Scroll was of utmost importance to him. Maybe if he could have found our kin and turned them, they could have released the seal from this side.”

  “A big if,” said Winterbourne. “That’s a lot of work for one man.”

  O’Hara spoke again. “All speculation, but that might have been the plan, nonetheless. The inevitable truth is that he can return. Although, I doubt he would try to infiltrate this land again. He would be recognized before he received any power and we would be wise to similar actions. Warning the other kingdoms of this threat should be a priority, but they may not take it as serious as we do.”

  Davin scratched his chin wonderingly. “If he was so powerful as to project his body, control a King’s mind and almost start a civil war, why didn’t he fight us himself earlier on? He might have saved himself the rebellion that ensued from letting us live.”

  Well, that
’s obvious,” said Egan as if the answer was almost too clear for all to see, “he didn’t want to give himself up too early. I’ve said this before. Not even an Ancient could win against thousands at once. By the time we knew who he was, the kingdom was almost beyond saving…almost. Thanks to us.” He smirked only the briefest of smirks.

  “How long do we have in the mean time?” Druce asked.

  “There is no way to tell. I am sure we will know soon enough, but I am certain we have not seen the last of him,” said O’Hara. “Also, I saw no indication of this in Deverell’s mind, but I felt a confidence in him that suggested there were other things in motion. And,” he addressed Davin and Egan specifically, “you will have any resources I can provide at your disposal to avert this threat.”

  Winterbourne spoke again. “If all you say is true, my lord, are we to believe that the death of your father, the great King Avery O’Hara, was truly by your hand.”

  Artair O’Hara bowed his head. When it came back up, a tear flushed down his cheek. The governors looked away, pretending they hadn’t seen it. Davin too found it surprising that he’d let this weakness show.

  O’Hara finally continued in a quavering voice. “I am saddened and ashamed to say it is true. Deverell couldn’t turn my father because his heart apparently was too pure. He resisted the magic. But I, it seems, am not as strong as my father.” He paused, trying to keep composed. “Deverell’s influence caused me to believe my father was a corrupt man, when the exact opposite was true. I murdered him in his sleep.”

  O’Hara fell silent. No one spoke and the lines on O’Hara’s faces loosened. His relief that no one had past further judgment of this matter showed.

  Egan cleared his throat. “We should not delay, King. The other kingdoms of the world should be informed. Your Highness would be wise to send word that the Corrupt Ones are alive and have made their presence known here. After our errands are done in this city, Davin and I will search for the last piece of the scroll.”

  Davin wasn’t even shocked when Egan volunteered him anymore. He had expected it, in fact.

  Druce, Kayleigh, and Niahm stepped forward at the same time. They looked to each other, each seeming to wonder what the other had to say. Kayleigh found her words first.

  “I will not be left behind,” she said, boldly. “Many people, including my father, died because of the influence of these Corrupt Ones.”

  Druce spoke next. “I wish to come as well. Aiden was a good friend, but more than that, I do not wish to see the world overrun by those with evil ruling their hearts.”

  Niahm spoke up as soon as Druce finished. “I want to see my husband first, but I too wish to come.”

  Egan nodded in direction of the three that had just shared their thoughts. “If that is your desire, friends, then we will be happy to have your continued company. But it will be dangerous.”

  “Any more dangerous than what we have already been through?” Davin grumbled.

  Egan looked thoughtful for a moment, then said, “I suppose not.”

  “When do you plan to leave, may I ask?” O’Hara questioned the group at large. “I know it must be soon, for time is surely against us.”

  Davin looked around at the others momentarily. They all wore grim expressions that showed nothing in particular, but he knew what they were thinking. He exchanged glances with each of them.

  “As soon as our errands here are met,” Egan answered for them, “one of them being the scroll piece you possess, King.”

  O’Hara did not look surprised by this request. In fact, he smiled slightly at it. “I assumed that would be something of necessity for you. What other errands do you have?”

  Davin spoke this time. “There is a man in your prisons by the name of Roland of Lemirre. We wish to free him, for he has committed no crime. Deverell charged him with a sentence simply out of cruelty and a desire to get to me.”

  O’Hara pondered the truth of this statement. Davin’s breathing increased as he waited for the King’s answer. At last, O’Hara replied to him. “Under normal circumstances, I would not allow the word of one man to sway me. But I trust you, Davin.”

  “Thank you, king,” said Davin, bowing lower than he intended.

  O’Hara continued, more intensely now. “I also trust the stories handed down by my fathers of a time when the Ancients and the leaders of men worked together for peace. I hope that that time has come again.”

  “As do we, Your Highness,” said Egan, quickly. This had been Egan’s goal all along and Davin knew it would make him happy.

  O’Hara spread his arms out and stood up from his throne. He scanned the crowd before him. “Governors, return to the city and see that matters are running smoothly there. As for these prisoners, offer them a chance to repent. If they choose to resist my offer, execute them.”

  The three governors nodded and left, followed by the City Guards and the soldiers.

  “You were once a soldier in my army, were you not Druce of Habok?”

  Druce walked forward in proper military form. He saluted the King with his fist over his heart and a bow of the head. “Yes, lord.”

  “I could use a man like you in my service again, especially with what might come. What was your rank?”

  “First Tenant, Fourth Cycle, sir.”

  “So you were eligible for promotion before you defected. I would offer you a post of First Captain, Commander of my Grand Army. Would you accept?”

  Druce’s jaw fell open and didn’t return for a few long moments. “I-I am honored, my lord.”

  O’Hara continued. “I could use a man of courage, military intelligence, and instinct to do what you know is right leading my army. You would be required to rebuild, of course, seeing as a good portion of my current military leaders are under arrest. And you would be unable to go with your friends.”

  “You really can’t deny this offer. They don’t get better than this,” Egan leaned forward and said in a whisper intended for all to hear.

  “No, I cannot deny it.” He addressed O’Hara again. “I accept.”

  If you will give me short leave to rest, I will present you both as Ancient-kin and your formal promotion at a feast I am having tonight. A feast to commemorate the new era of Talamaraon in which tyranny is no long allowed and Ancients and men come together again. ”

  Chapter 32 As Thunder Cracks

  Two hours later, Davin and Niahm were leaving the castle with a formal release command in written form. The authority bestowed upon the king’s seal accompanied the letter. Davin grasp it tightly in his hand, as if it was his most prized possession. Nothing could pry it from his grip except the man for whom it was intended, the Keeper of the King’s Prison.

  Niahm smiled over at him as they left the steps of the castle behind. He smiled back, but neither of them said anything. They had nothing to discuss at the present. What was on both of their minds was quite clear. Roland would be a free man in a few minutes time.

  As they passed through the Courtyard of Statues and into the Meeting Grounds of the Acadeem campus, Davin stared at the ground. The bodies that had lined it just yesterday had been removed, but there were still pieces of shattered armor and massive blood stains on the brick. The wall that Egan had toppled still lay in rubble to one side. Wear and tear from the battle was present everywhere. The streets’ corridors that ran between the buildings of the Acadeem’s various fields of study had seen a great deal of action.

  There was a sudden rumbling overhead and Davin and Niahm instinctively looked up. The sky had darkened greatly since the early morning. Now in early afternoon, dark storm clouds covered the visible sky around them. Davin thought to say something about it over the next few minutes, but didn’t want to disrupt her. The sky groaned two more times before she finally spoke.

  “This is going to be a serious storm,” Niahm told Davin, grimly. “It’s funny; I didn’t even notice the sky until now.”

  Davin shrugged. “We have had other things on our mind. It makes sense.”<
br />
  The conversation starter the weather had provided seemed to have jolted Niahm out of her thoughts. She shook her head. “I do hope nothing bad has happened to him. He’s not as young as he once was. I worry that they tortured him.”

  Davin knew the right thing to do at that moment was put his hand on her back in support. “Roland is strong, and whatever they did to him, I’m sure it did not damage him permanently.”

  She grabbed his right hand and clasped it with her other two for a couple of seconds, then let it go.

  “He has always thought of you as he own son,” she said, smiling watery-eyed. “He will be proud when he hears everything.”

  Davin thought for a moment. “I couldn’t imagine going back to hunting in the forest for the rest of my life. It seems strange that I ever only wanted that and solitude.”

  Niahm looked as if she had more to say, but quelled it because the King’s Prison came into view. A high iron fence surrounded the building, with sharp spikes sticking out of the top all the way around. The building itself was three stories high and more than wide than tall. Its blood red coloring distinguished it against the rest of the city and deterred foot traffic. Minute windows looked out at the city every few feet in the building. Various wings shot off the main structure in all directions like appendages on a man.

  The guards at the front led them through the gate and through the thick double doors into the prison itself. Davin’s first reaction was to cover his nose from the stench. The dim light and dark walls made it hard to see what he smelled. And he had no desire to attempt to see more.

  Davin gasp as he saw rows upon rows of cells filled with grungy looking men and woman. The guards paced in slow motion on each floor and various workers filtered in and out of the side tunnels. There was no doubt that the treatment here was not pleasant.

  “These conditions cause me worry for my husband,” said Niahm softly.

  Davin began to answer when he was stopped by a weak shout of Davin and Niahm’s names. They both spun around to face the holding cells.