The Descendants Book One: The Broken Scroll (14 page)

“As I’m sure you know, Davin, that tale and the memory of the Ancients has been long forgotten.  Most believe it all to b
e 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
.

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 recognized.  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 c
ontinued 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?”

“I would,” Radash said quickly and politely.  “Thank you.  I understand how hard it must be trust me.”

Egan went over to grab some rations from his pack.  While rummaging through his belongings, he replied firmly, “
Not at all.” 

Davin watched him, whether Egan was concerned about it at all was unclear.  But perhaps that was the point. 

“Either way.  I am grateful, Egan of the Ancients.”

Egan shook his head.  “
No need to be so formal.  You know that my name is Egan and my companion’s name is Davin.  That will do.”

“Understood…Egan
.”  Radash winced as he said Egan’s name, as if speaking as plainly as saying someone’s name was uncomfortable for him.  . 

***

Once they had settled down again, Davin realized his mind was too active for sleep. 

Maybe, if we travel hard I can get some practice in before the days over
.

He debated trying to leave now to find his own way to the Slainte.  Egan had said they were getting close and they could just meet him there when they arrived.  But if he were to venture out on his own Egan might consider him a hopeless cause and decide not to train him.  Not to mention the fact that they were still within the labyrinth of the Wading Pools.  He would never make it out without Egan’s help.  

A loud cracking sound overhead caused him look up.  Seconds later a branch snapped high up in one of the trees and plummeted to the ground.  Davin side stepped just in time.  It bounced harmlessly as it thumped.  It had been an awfully large branch to have just snapped off on its own. 

He walked around and investigated the tree and the branch.  There was nothing unusual about them, though the leaves were thick and he couldn’t see high up very well. 
Could there really be someone else following us?!
he thought. 

At the risk of waking the others he shouted, “Hello up there.”  When no one responded he spoke again.

“Who’s there?”  He admittedly felt a little foolish shouting up into the tree. 

When no response reached him he shouted again, except this time woke Egan and Radash.

“Davin, why are you shouting like that?  Some of us are trying to sleep.”

“T
his giant branch just-,” he cut off in mid sentence.

The quiet landscape became filled with t
he flapping of wings.  They all watched as nearly twenty-five golden eagles lifted into the sky. One by one the eagles gathered directly above where the travelers were standing.  The wind caused by their immense wing-spans rustled the trees below them violently. 

As soon as all had gathered, they began singing out in eagle song.  It was hypnotic.  It reverberated over the hills around them, carried by the incredible vocal qualities of the eagles. 

“I’ve never seen so many eagles in one place.  What are they doing?” Davin asked quietly, when he finally found his ability to think return. 

“I have an idea, but I hope it’s wrong
,” Egan whispered, barely loud enough for the others to hear. 

“What does that
mean?” Davin asked.  

Davin looked back and forth between Radash and Egan, waiting for one of them to explain what this meant. 

Egan continued.  “We must get moving.  Gather your things.” 

There was a short silence while they did what Egan asked. 

He continued mome
ntarily.  “The kings and armies of this land found out hundreds of years ago that these eagles could be trained, much like you would a horse or dog or pooka, but even more intelligent and better at tracking then the other animals.  They used this in the army for many years.”

“We are being tracked by them?” Davin shouted. 

“It would seem so.  But this practice was outlawed soon afterward because the soldiers who trained them grew too close to their eagles.  The connection they formed was an unnatural one.  When the eagle died, so did the man.

Davin laughed as they left the camp site.  It all struck him as funny.  Eagles couldn’t be trained to hunt and attack humans.  His laughter slowly died out when he saw the other two weren’t laughing. 

“At least they haven’t been trained to carry transport yet,” Egan addressed them both. 

Radash spoke up this time, much to the others’ surprise.  “Though from what I remember it
won’t be long before they will, if they’ve already begun tracking.”

“How would you know this?” Egan inquired. 

Radash stood silent for a moment, thinking.  “I have read my history, like you said.” 

Davin was beside himself with confusion.  “You mean you weren’t kidding.  They can actually do that.  I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”

“Yes, it does seem unnatural.  The world takes these things for granted, but knowing what you know now about our ancestors, you can’t possibly think that some of their great power hasn’t lingered.  The Ancient’s magic lives on to this day, infiltrating the world in mysterious ways.  I tend to believe this is one of those ways.  And now we need to move…fast,” Egan explained.  

The eagles’ song continued as they traversed through ponds again, always right over head.  Davin had to admit the constant flapping of wings on top of them was ominous.  Egan tried to steer them out the Pools of Confusion. 

“Now that those eagles have found us, what happens next?  They aren’t harming us,” Davin noted after they’d only been travelling for ten minutes. 

“They will once we are out of these thick trees and they can attack all at once.  Be prepared, we may have to kill a lot of angry birds soon.” 

Egan’s tone was humorless.  But Davin couldn’t blame him.  It was only Egan’s fault they were caught, but he wouldn’t say that out loud. 

“Let’s hope we can,” Davin said, doubtfully.  I’ve barely b
egan to learn how to fight humans.” 

For a while it felt like they were going in circles again, but slowly the pools became more few and far between.  The ground felt firm under their feet again.  It had taken most of the day, the eagles were still behind them, and their water supply was gone, but they were out. 

As soon as they passed what looked like the last of the pools Egan breathed a sigh of relief, but said nothing more.  The three of them continued in a westerly direction.  The land was gradually getting more even. 

Egan finally stop in his tracks by a small stream at the base of a meadow.  The land was clear of trees just ahead. 

“The route from here is pretty straight forward.  A few more hills and you will be able to see the lights and walls of Slainte in the distance.  Radash, how is your skill with a blade?”

“Weak at best.  I will not be much good in a fight.” 

Egan nodded.  “Then run ahead to the city.  We will meet you there.  Go now.” 

Radash ran onward beyond the last of the thick trees.  As expected, the eagles being to rain down on his location.  Egan and Davin weren’t far behind.  They sprinted into the open. 

Egan called out.  “Over here!  Fight us!” 

Without hesitation, the eagles gracefully turned in unison upon the Descendants.  Egan and Davin both raised their swords, ready to strike the first of the birds. 

Davin’s sword hand shook.  He admitted it was strange to be attacked this way.  The birds almost looked as if they felt hatred, not simply obeying a command of training. 

He raised his sword to defend but Egan pushed it back down.  “That won’t be necessary.  We would struggle to fight them with our blades, but Driocht will stop them easily.” 

Egan placed the orange-red fire orb in his hand and raised his arms above him on both sides.  Fire appeared on the grass, encircling them.