The Descendants Book One: The Broken Scroll

The Descendants: Book One

The Broken Scroll

By:

Kurt W. Smith

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1  The Power of the Few

Chapter 2  Dreams and Announcements

Chapter 3  Secrets in the Forest

Chapter 4  The Wanderer

Chapter 5  The Army Arrives

Chapter 6  Alliance of Two

Chapter 7  The Ancients’ War

Chapter 8  Unexpected Visitors

Chapter 9  An Old Friend and a Captive

Chapter 10  An Evening of Disillusionment

Chapter 11  The Skills of An Ancient

Chapter 12  The Lost Driocht Scroll

Chapter 13  A Hasty Departure

Chapter 14  The Learner’s Trials

Chapter 15  Intertwined Paths

Chapter 16  A King’s Ailment

Chapter 17  The Girl in the Slums

Chapter 18  The Company of Fugitives

Chapter 19  The Union of Consciousness

Chapter 20  The Guardians of the High Passes

Chapter 21  The Lady of the Lake

Chapter 22  A Fateful Dec
ision

Chapter 23  The Madness Spreads

Chapter 24  The Former Grand Soldiers

Chapter 25  The Seeds of Dissent

Chapter 26  A Mother’s Gift

Chapter 27  The March Begins

Chapter 28  The Ruins of Omela

Chapter 29  Beneath the City

Chapter 30  The Race to the Throne Room

Chapter 31  The Unforeseen Deception

Chapter 32  As Thunder Cracks

Prologue –
Five Years Earlier

The hallway of the great castle was dim
, not quite dim enough to require candlelight just yet, but it held a sort of growing darkness, the kind that appears at twilight without announcement. 

The middle-aged
prince stood near the door of his father’s chamber, waiting and sweating. The door remained closed for the time being.  His father, the current king, had no idea he was on the other side.  But he would know soon. 

For a few more moments
, the prince was alone in the hallway.  Then footsteps sounded from far away.  The prince cocked his head, listening.  They increased in volume until a second man stood next to the first. 

“Good news, we have the Scholar now in captivity,” said the second man, dressed in a soldier’s garb.  “The information he has will prove useful.  We can begin our search soon.” 

The prince took a deep breath.  “Only one thing remains.” 

“Yes.”  The soldier looked at the chamber door for the first time.  I hope you are ready.” 
 

The prince opened his mouth and clamped it down again in resolve.  “I am
…if this is the only way.” 

“You know that it
is.  The king does not want the same things we want.  And I could do little to sway him.  It has to be done this way.” 

“
We have been planning this moment for so long, First Captain.” 

“Yes, and now there can be no hesitation.”   The soldier stared at the prince.  “You d
eserve this land.  Take it.  We will never have our way while he lives.” 

The prince nodded and stepped forward.  He opened the door in front of him and saw the king standing over the hearth, warming himself and reading. 

“Son, what brings you to my chambers-,”

“Quiet, father.  And this will be quick.”

The prince sprang forward and pulled forth a knife and thrust it into the king’s abdomen. 

The king raised his hands, but it was too late. 
As he fell, the knife could be seen protruding from his body, red staining his bedclothes. 

The prince gawked for
a moment at his dying father, but then was pulled from the chamber by the rough hands of his companion. 

When they were back in the hallway,
the second man, who was the commander of the army, spoke.  He was unable to contain a smile.  “And now our reign begins.  We will do great things together.” 

Chapter 1 The Power of the Few

A crisp, biting wind blew as soldiers of the Grand Talamaraon Army arrived at the town of Daust with their prisoners.  The people of Daust were prepared for the harsh winter that was rapidly approaching, but somehow the air seemed colder tonight.  Perhaps it was a message from the Ancients that harder times lay ahead. 

“Wait here, while I fetch the governor,” First Captain Deverell said to his middle ranking soldiers as they, and the prisoners, stopped at the town gates. 

“Sir, shouldn’t we wait for the governor’s approval?” the soldier nearest Deverell asked. 

First Captain Deverell moved toward the soldier.  He stopped and stood silently.  His hand fell down at his side and returned with a small knife in its grasp. 

Waving it in front of the soldier’s face in a lazy motion, he frowned. “What was it that you were saying, First Tenant?”

The man noticeably shook before his superior, but made great effort to hold strong.  “Sir, I was just saying”-

Deverell swiped him across the cheek with his knife in one swift movement.  It left a small line that bled lightly.  The soldier made no noise and closed his eyes, swallowing the pain. 

“I did not ask for your opinion, Dom,” Deverell replied coldly.  The soldier stiffened and gave a sharp nod, offended and embarrassed. 

Egan of nowhere watched this from afar as he stood in line with the rest of the prisoners, taking in the unnecessary display of authority. 

An arrogant mili
tary leader,
Egan thought, smiling ever so slightly. 
I could stop him, even with these chains on me.  But it’s too soon.

The voice of Governor Gradis sounded within the city gate.  “When you are quite finished playing may we speak, First Captain Deverell?”

Deverell cocked his head sideways and then straight again, popping his neck and frowning. 

As he stalked toward Governor Gradis, he smiled weakly, as if unimpressed.  Or perhaps he was mad that the governor was addressing him so haughtily.  

The governors had all seen a quick rise to power, first as acting as advisors to the King, and then rising to their current positions. The price had been creating men who were greedy with their power and influence.  But surely Deverell had supported and dealt with their nuisance because it meant more direct control over the people. 

And this added
control
was well worth it to him.  The First Captain had made that clear in the short time Egan been one of his prisoners. 

“Amazing who the king considers capable of commanding our army,” Gradis said as he sauntered closer.  “A bit young for such a r
esponsibility, even at nearly thirty years of age.  But I trust you are loyal and brave.  If that is enough for the King, then it will be enough for me.  Welcome to Daust, First Captain.”

A breath of silence interrupted the proceedings.  Neither man moved for a moment.  Had this taken place in the presence of the king, they would have been punished for their lack of respect toward o
ne another.  But in this place the lack of the open palm slap to their left chest and arm shake would go unnoticed. 

Egan continued to watch, his interest in these two men growing with every word and gesture they shared. 
 

“Of course, Governor, I’ve being looking forward to seeing you again,” said Deverell, feigning respect and doing his best to hide boredom.  “Are you enjoying your new post?” 

A thinner, frailer man Governor Gradis could not have been, complete with beady eyes and grey skin.  His gaunt appearance was off-putting, making him seem nothing more than a skeleton in clothing. 

“It goes well enough here.” Gradis answered.  “However, I am not fond of the Guild Leaders
being appointed to advise the king in mine and my fellow governors’ place.” 

Deverell motioned for his men to start bringing the prisoners into the town. 

“Can you not see why?” he asked, stepping into stride with the governor as they started walking. 

“Enlighten me.  I do not have the luxury of regular audiences with the king anymore.” 

“Well, it is quite simple.  Government prying further into the lives of its people is never accepted well.  He had to give them something.  The Noble Guilds represent nearly every profession in the kingdom and in turn most of its people.” 

“Yes.  I suppose that is acceptable.” 

Deverell’s grip on his sword tightened.  Egan took this as a sign that Deverell felt the governor was overstepping his bounds.  “It had better be, governor.  It is the king’s decision.” 

The people of Daust began to leave their homes to look at the parade of people marching into town.  Since Daust was a major thoroughfare for travel, the inhabitants of Daust had seen more than their fair share of the King’s army through the years.  They were used to travelers staying over in their town.  These captives were not merely travelers, however.  

  A butcher, who had waited patiently in his porch, finally spoke out, “What is the meaning of this?  Some of this town actually sleeps at night.” 

Governor Gradis rolled his eyes and spoke in a warning tone.  “This doesn’t concern you Zandt.  Hold your tongue tonight.”

“I will not be silent, what is the meaning of this ruckus?”

“Be quiet, man, or I shall hang you from the rafters of your shop!” the young First Captain shouted.  Zandt, who was shocked by Deverell’s order, stood quietly and watched the scene unfold. 

Both Gradis and Deverell turned back to face one another.

Gradis had carried himself up to this point with an air of superiority, in an attempt to intimidate the man in front of him.  It hadn’t worked so far.  First Captain Deverell was a tall, broad man.  Muscle exuded from every inch of him.  He stood a full six inches taller th
an the governor.

“T
hank you for your hospitality,” Deverell said with a coldness that overrode his words. “I trust you have made sufficient accommodations for my men?” 

“F
or a short time.  The people here have been commanded to give you access to whatever you may need while you stay.  All you need is at your disposal.” 

Egan paid close attention to the conversations wherever they went.  It wasn’t the first time that First Captain Deverell’s army had brought prisoners into this particular town, merely the circumstances had changed.  King O’Hara’s public campaign was to rid the known world of miscreants and criminals.  He was busy sending his army to the farthest reaches of the k
ingdom to achieve these goals.  Currently they were on their way back to the capital, where the prisoners would be jailed.

Not all of them
.  He could have fought, certainly.  But allowing himself to be caught had worked to his advantage.  He’d learned much in his short time in captivity.  

“
Your arrangements are acceptable.  We trust you will allow us to tend to our business now.  Good evening to you,” Deverell ended bluntly. 

Gradis turned and began to walk away, but hesitated after a few short steps and turned around.  Deverell watched him.  Egan knew what was happening.  It had something to do with the real reason why the army was traipsing the countryside looking for criminals of all types.  But the answer still eluded him. 

“First Captain,” he started, “I do have one question for you.  I was wondering if you have found anything of
particular
interest yet.”  

“I’m not quite sure what you mean, why don’t you try being less cryptic?” he answered. 

“Don’t be an imbecile.  You know good and well what I am referring to.”

“Do I?” said Deverell, staring into the distance with a blank look in his eye.  He cocked his head sideways, heard another pop, and then straightened it. 

“I am quite certain.”

Deverell did not appear to be in a gaming mood.  And he had to fear that those interested and educated enough would figure what the army was really up to. 

“In this city, I am in charge.  You have no authority over me here,” Gradis said nastily, pointing to the fifty some odd men in chains behind First Captain Deverell.  “We both know what is in store for them when they reach the capital.  King O’Hara isn’t as forgiving as his father was.”