The Descendants Book One: The Broken Scroll (45 page)

“Go your own way then, if it pleases you.  But we need your help and you need ours.  You know this.”

Druce spun around and walked several steps away, running his hand through his hair and taking a deep breath.  When he turned back, the anger in his face had abated. 

“I should restrain myself,” Druce admitted.  “Though I find it hard sometimes on matters of this nature.” 

“Davin does too it seems,” Egan said smugly, “which is quite a change from how he used to be.”  Druce almost smiled.  “Now, if you will take us to the stables.” 

The stables had four pookas and four horses loaded with supplies.  Six held a little less so they could accommodate their riders as well, and two were packed all the way around with weapons, food, clothes, and other essentials.  Druce told them that they had packed enough of each type of item for the six of them. 

***

Druce and Aiden’s goodbyes and last minute duties to their townspeople were all that remained at fourteenth hour.  Druce appointed a man not much older than Davin called Brian as Mayor of the town in his stead.  He seemed headstrong.  The people approved of this appointment, but not of the former soldiers’ leaving.

Many of the men offered their blades to the cause.  But Druce protested the ones with families should stay and protect them from any future threats.  He couldn’t deny the others this chance and agreed they would be welcomed.  Fifteen extra fighters wasn’t much, but Davin felt his heart swell with excitement anyway. 

The weak winter sun slowly became enveloped in ominous clouds as the day grew long on the landscape.  Even seeing this, they still didn’t stop for any rest.  The winter evening came and went, as did the rain. By the time they stopped at last it was early morning and the clouds had tapered off. 

Nothing prevented Davin from practicing his Driocht skills with Egan and sparring with Kayleigh for a short time.  Several of the other men from Habok joined in the sparring, not wanting their skills to become lax. Druce had a short go with both Davin and Egan, and with some of his other men. 

As far as pure fight ability went, two men called Domhnallan and Ros were particular standouts.  They had definitely seen formal training. Their bodies held an impressive tone for fifty-something men. 

The Descendants watched the fighting between the two older men for some time. 

Ros addressed Davin and Egan during a rest. “I saw it in your eyes, you didn’t think us fit for battle when we first met.” 

“We stand corrected,” Egan admitted. 

Davin added, “Indeed.” 

Domhnallan and Ros finished their round and shook arms with the two Descendants, Domhnallan speaking, “That’s good, but I’m more interested to see more of your power in action.”

A sandy haired teenager, that had introduced himself as Bert, interjected into the conversation.  He couldn’t have been a day over fourteen, but had the maturity and manner of a grown man.  “Leave them alone, uncle Dom, I’m sure we’ll get to see more of that soon enough.”  

“The sooner the better,” Davin spouted, “I’ve been waiting long enough for some soldiers to be on the wrong end of one of our orbs.”  They all shared a hearty laugh. 

Continuing to be wet and cold down to their bones, they rode on after a short early morning nap.  During the times when the pookas and horses were given rest from the breakneck pace, they told stories to pass time.  Druce discussed more about Aiden and his time in the army, Egan retold the story of the Ancients per Druce’s request, and Teague spoke of his exile from the Capital. 

Aroun
d the mid-afternoon, two days out of Habok, they spotted the reflection of the moonlight on the wide river that ran through the center of the town they sought.  Swift River lay in front of them, less than a league away. 

It was by far the biggest town they’d seen in the Golden Plains.  This one actually had an old stone wall that ran the perimeter of it.  Buildings could be seen rising above it at different shapes and sizes.  The river, which stretched wide itself, cut the town straight down the middle of its length.  It ran underneath the wall on one side a
nd out the other.  The city stretched out on the flat landscape on either side. 

“At last,” said Davin.  The others looked at him solemnly.  They must have known what this meant to him.  To have the means to storm the Capital had been his main motivation for so long. 
And this town could hold that answer.

“I recommend we wait until sunrise to enter,” said Egan, which drew confused looks from some.  “We don’t want to raise alarm and draw attention in case we are walking into a trap.  The town could’ve been informed of our coming and decided to be loyal to the King, instead of stand against him.  I would much prefer an ambush during the day.” 

“I agree,” said Kayleigh.  “I need all the advantage I can get.” 

“It wouldn’t hurt us to delay,” Teague replied as well. 

Davin wanted to see Niahm and her results with the rallying of Lemirre.  But more importantly he had also spent time learning it wasn’t just his life he was looking out for anymore. 

He spoke up.  “We delay and we run further risk of O’Hara and Deverell getting the upper hand on us.  What if they learn of our uprising between now and then?”

“What would we gain by going into town tonight?” Druce asked, stepping toward Davin.  “If the fighters you speak of are there, they will not give up on you before morning.  And what if we are found out tonight?  It will change very little the outcome in the end.” 

“Not true,” Davin said, his voice rising.  “Did those mad soldiers tell you nothing?  You’ve seen Deverell’s cruelty first hand, just as we have.  He could do much to these people in one night.” 

Egan put his hand on Davin’s shoulder.  Davin shrugged his hand off and step away.  He caught a glimpse of Kayleigh in the process.  She did nothing except watch him carefully. 

Druce now raised his voice, speaking slowly at first.  “You think you can save everyone, Davin?  I’d like to see you show me how.  It doesn’t work like that.  People are going to suffer no matter how fast we act.  I know that I am doing everything I can help, and rushing blindly into a situation isn’t the way to do that.” 

“Even if it could save thousands?  Sometimes there is a risk you have to take.” 

“Do not speak to me of necessary risks, Davin.  I’ve taken many of them.” 

Egan interrupted.  “For my part I think it is best we stay where we are tonight.  But we will hold a vote with everyone here, since it involves all of our lives.” 

Druce and Davin consented to this with a nod. 

Egan conducted the vote.  In the end, Davin was sorely outnumbered.  He retreated to his bedroll and travelling pack to settle in for the night, not really sure if losing the vote had been really all that bad. 

A few minutes later Kayleigh approached.  Her gaze bore into him. 

“What?” he said, more snippily than he meant to.  She crossed over to whisper in his ear, the hot wind raising the hairs on his neck. 

“I thought you were going to try to get along with him,” she said.  Davin looked at her. 

“I will try to, but it doesn’t mean I have to like him,” Davin replied sourly.  “And he hasn’t made the effort yet, why should I?” 

Kayleigh began to back away.  “You two can work it out on your own, but work quickly.  We don’t exactly have a lot of time to waste.  You can’t second guess your ally in the heat of battle.  There is only time to trust and react.  Otherwise you both end up dead.” 

After a few seconds silence, Davin replied, “That’s good advice.  Where did you learn it from?”

The corners of her mouth crept upward ever so slightly.  “From you.” 

Davin nodded.  “Sometimes I impress even myself.  I understand what you are saying.” 

Kayleigh nodded and left him to mull over the issue with Druce.  He couldn’t believe she wasn’t more irritated with him, considering his unwillingness to be the bigger man.  In fact, now that he thought about it.  She had never said a disrespectful word to anyone since they’d met her. 
He remembered a line from a play he’d seen one time long ago. 
Rare that such a beauty is not overcome by vanity and rudeness. 

This only added to the torment that ate at him.  He ached with desire to tell her of this torment she put him through, and all the reasons why she made him feel this way.  Or maybe it wasn’t feelings at all.  Maybe it was just being around a woman his age day in and day out.  And she was attractive, there was no denying it.  She could have looked halfway like a horse and he might have still had stirrings simply because she was a girl.  He felt like he wouldn’t know until this was all over.  

It’s not the right time.  Ther
e
more important things to focus on anyway. 

***

Davin was jerked awake some time later by the hands of Druce.  He jumped and grabbed for his sword, fearing he was being attacked.  When he realized who it was, he threw Druce a nasty look.  Druce missed it which was probably for the better. 

A few minutes later the group of twenty-one riders quickly approached the gate, but made sure they looked like nothing out of the ordinary.  When they arrived, no one was there to greet them.  The city guards at the gate paid them no mind.  Davin looked around everywhere, but he didn’t witness a familiar face.  They passed into Swift River proper and followed the widest road throughout the homes and shops. 

“Did she not say where she would meet you, Davin?” said Egan, as they approached center of town fifteen minutes later.  The river was coming into view. 

“No, I figured it wouldn’t be hard to find her,” Davin replied, feeling a little depressed.  What if she hadn’t come?  What would happen if no one came?

As they came out of the enclosure of the streets and into the grassy area surrounding the great river, Davin’s eyes shot around for some sign of good news.  He didn’t see any at first.  Three hooded figures emerged from another side street.  The others hadn’t noticed them, but Davin certainly had.  They seemed to be analyzing the group of travelers that had just entered the town.  After only a few seconds they disappeared back the way they had come, but at a quicker pace this time.  Davin informed the others. 

“Let’s head across the river,” said Egan, more alert after Davin’s revelation.  Davin tried remaining hopeful in his mind.  They still had the other side of town to check. 

“Maybe they just haven’t noticed that we arrived yet,” Teague offered, sensing everyone’s doubt. 

The group carried on toward the river banks, watching children playing in the grass while they rode.  The kids were so content and full of life, and didn’t spend their time wallowing in the concerns of tomorrow.  Childhood was a simpler time and Davin envied that innocence from time to time, especially now. 

After nearly reaching one of the high arching, multicolored bridges that led across river, a loud horn sounded back in the square.  The six of them all spun around quickly to see what was happening.  It was an odd sight.  People were quickly stopping their errands and gathering into a thick crowd around where the horn had been blown.  The one who had sounded it was a hooded figure. 

“This isn’t right.  Stand ready, friends.”  Druce whispered loudly to those around him.  Davin saw Aiden nod his head in agreement. 

The group of twenty-one approached cautiously, keeping close track of their surroundings.  If there was some sort of ambush planned, they would be ready.  Davin felt down at his side for his sword and gripped it tightly, feeling ready to strike at a moment’s notice.  He caught the others similarly grabbing at their weapons. 

They reached the gathering crowd.  People were muttering and staring at the Davin and his fellow travelers.  The looks on their faces weren’t fear or anger, though, which seemed strange.  It was more like the excitement one felt when meeting royalty or a favorite actor in one of the traveling theater troupes. 

The other two hooded figures joined the first now.  The middle one spoke in a deep male voice, but didn’t sound natural.  The voice sounded as if it was being masked. 

“You sir,” the figure pointed at Davin, “come join me in the middle of this crowd.”  Davin indicated himself with his forefinger, questioning who the man was pointing at.  He confirmed Davin’s assumption. 

Davin looked at Egan and the others in turn, looking for some confirmation that he should take this risk.  Egan mouthed the words “go on” and tilted his head toward the speaker.  Davin knew he had no choice.  He tried to assure himself that if the people had wanted them dead they would have attacked already.  Reluctantly, he forced his legs to move forward. 

He began to fight his way around the citizens of Swift River toward the hooded people, hoping that one of them didn’t have a concealed weapon that’s purpose was to off him as he passed.  That would be a pretty pathetic way to die. 

He stood before the three unknown people a minute later, he face clenched in a firm frown.  “What do you wish of me?” he asked. 

The figure on the left raised its hands to its hood and pushed it back.  Davin gasp.  Tension fell from his muscles instantly.  The person standing before him was Niahm. 

“I wish to thank the Ancients you are alive.  I was worried you would never come,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes.  She walked swiftly over to embrace him.  Davin was suddenly aware how many eyes were watching their reunion.