The Descendants Book One: The Broken Scroll (57 page)

“What is this strangeness you speak of?  I don’t understand it.  And I didn’t understand when he said it either,” Niahm asked, before Druce could speak again. 

“I am not sure yet,” said Egan.  “We will have audience with him tomorrow instead and hopefully it will prove productive.”  A beat, and then, seeing Druce’s face, he spoke again.  “Before you argue, I trust that this is not some new treachery.  So be calm.” 

Druce still looked murderous, but nodded anyway.  The others did the same, not looking too sure about anything themselves. 

As Egan turned back to address the Advisors, Davin spoke up.  “Wait, what news of the battle?  How many did we lose?”  The group turned to Davin.  In the previous commotion, everyone seemed to have forgotten all about it. 

“With the help of the others from Oamlund and the other Greenlands cities,” Niahm began, “we slaughtered every last low ranking soldier within the city walls.  The military leaders we left alive stands at around one hundred.  We paid a heavy price, though.  We lost all but a handful of our three hundred and fifty fighters.  Aiden, Prack, and several others from Lemirre and Swift River were a part of the fallen.  The force from the Greenlands lost more half of their numbers, over four hundred.  The wounded survivors are being still being tended by Cureists in the city and staying with many who have opened their homes to us.  The people here have been very accommodating.”

The Advisor called Gregory addressed them in a sharp tone.  “You will be gathered in the morning when the King is ready to see you.” 

He obviously had not taken the news of the resistance winning as good news.  This didn’t make sense to Davin.  Weren’t the Noble Guilds a representation of the people?  Why would they be upset with citizens taking back their lives? With no more ado, they went away. 

Egan made the first move.  “Let’s get some rest.  I for one am tired.” 

Davin drew his breath sharply in surprise and looked around at the others.  Their faces said that they weren’t expecting to hear these words so soon.  There was so much to do yet, it seemed. 

“What of Roland?  I don’t want to wait to see him,” Davin exclaimed.  Egan turned back to him in his own surprise.  He looked to the others as well and prepared to speak. 

Niahm cut him off.  “I refuse to linger either, Egan,” she said, firmly.  “I have waited long enough to see my husband.” 

“Yes, and what of the scroll piece that O’Hara has?” asked Druce, chiming in as well.  Egan looked as if he felt he was being teamed up against.  “We should have insisted that our eyes look upon it tonight.  So much rides on our possession of it.” 

Lastly, Kayleigh spoke up.  “Prince Teague should be seen to as well.  I want to make sure he is healed.” 

Egan finally found his words.  “These errands can wait until after we talk to the King tomorrow,” he said, flatly.  “Until we know what has actually been going here nothing else matters.” 

Niahm gave him a disgusted look.  “I have not slept well since he has gone, and I will not sleep well tonight until I see him.”  Her voice rang out in the hall fiercely, causing Egan to take a step back. 

“I will not stop you if you decide to see him tonight,” said Egan, giving in.  “But everything else can wait until tomorrow.” 

Kayleigh took another couple of steps toward him.  She looked furious.  “These people have already caused enough damage to our world.  I figured you at least, out of everyone, would sense the urgency of this plight.  Why let these things linger?”

Egan looked exasperated.  “Nothing that serious could possibly happen between now and tomorrow,” he said. 

“We don’t know that,” said Druce, simply.  “If it were up to me, we would have gathered that scroll piece from the King, visited this Roland and the injured, and been on the road again tonight.” 

Egan took a step towards Druce, arms outstretched to his side.  “And do what, wander aimlessly.  Do you have a plan for the next move?  That seems like an even poorer use of time.  And based on what O’Hara may tell us tomorrow, it may make our next move clear.”  He paused, his tone lightening.  “I can see no harm in having a good sleep before we dive into more serious matters again.  There is so much to think about.  My mind seeks a break.  I beg you to stay here for the night and do nothing more.” 

The emotion in Egan’s voice was hard to deny.  Everyone grew quiet and looked at each other, knowing what that they were giving in. 

***

Davin roused early and decided to take a walk of the halls, reflecting on the events of yesterday and his journey to this point.  The future found its way into his thoughts as well, but he pushed it away. 

One day at a time.

His path inadvertently led him to the ante-chamber of the throne room.  The room was still a mess from Davin’s impressive use of Driocht the day before.  It took a while for the grin to leave his face after recalling the memory. 

Assuming that no one would be in the throne room, Davin pushed on the heavy, iron-wrought double doors.  They ached with age and overuse, but sprang open with relative ease.  Or was it Davin’s ancestors’ strength?  It was getting hard to tell the difference anymore.  He realized that his abilities were becoming fully a part of him, not like a second entity he had to access consciously.

Within seconds his eyes fell upon a less sick looking King O’Hara.  Davin stopped in his tracks, feeling unsure of his next move. 

“I am sorry, my lord,” he said after a few tense seconds.  “I didn’t-,”

A resonating tone came from the frail looking King well over half a century old.  “It’s fine, young man.”  Another moment passed as he pulled himself up from a slight slouch, then, “Stay and speak with me until the others arrive.” 

Davin looked briefly up at O’Hara and nodded.  He never would have guessed mere months ago that he would be standing alone with King O’Hara in the near future.  The reality of it was a testament to how far his life had come.  He was certainly someone notable now, and the idea of that made him feel bashful. 
Will I be in future books about significant historical events?
 

“Your name is Davin, is it not?” O’Hara asked him after a minute had passed.  He seemed to be sizing Davin up. 

Davin nodded stiffly.  “Yes, my lord.” 

O’Hara smiled slightly at Davin, obviously still in too much pain to do much else.  “I admit, I expected the sons of the Ancients to be a bit more spectacular in appearance.  I do apologize if you take offense.” 

“I take no offense, sir,” replied Davin, feeling less awkward now that they were talking. 

“Well, that is very forgiving considering the hardships I’ve put you and my people through.  You have no reason to be kind to me.” 

Davin glanced away as he thought about O’Hara’s words.  “I have learned much in the short time I’ve been Awakened.  I have something to admit as well.  When I first learned of my ancestry and my powers, I did not want to take the post of what would be required of being their kin.  I was selfish.  I didn’t want the responsibility that would come with it.”

“When did you learn of who you were?”

“Only a few months ago,” answered Davin, wondering how O’Hara was going to respond to his revelation. 

O’Hara’s chin rested on his hand and he stared intently into Davin’s eyes.  Davin stared back, neither of them faltering.  “And now, how do you feel?” asked O’Hara.

“I have come to full acceptance of the duties that come with being a Descendant of the Ancients.” 

O’Hara sat up straighter, though it took much effort on his part.  Davin almost called out to stop him, but restrained himself. 

“I am impressed with you, Davin of Lemirre.  It takes a great person to change one’s entire mindset in such a short time.  Great men have taken years to accomplish such a feat.  On that same token, it takes an even stronger man to be willing to admit their past shortcomings.  I have met many that I knew at both points in their lives.  Most tend to conveniently forget they ever had faults once they rid of them.  You did not.  I admire that as well.” 

Davin hoped his face wasn’t turning red, but fe
ared it was.  “Thank you, King,” he said simply. 

They talked for several more minutes.  Davin gave him a short explanation of what he had experienced in the past months.  O’Hara seemed intrigued by everything Davin had to say.  And O’Hara remained polite and cordial.  Davin found this ironic when he thought about not even twenty-four hours earlier they had been fighting to the death. 

The door to the side chamber finally opened and Egan, followed by the eight Advisors, came into the throne room. 

O’Hara spoke to Davin one more time as the others approached the throne.  “I would have a post for yourself and your fellow Descendent, should you ever seek it.”  Davin nodded, acknowledging the King’s words, but not really taking them in. 

Kayleigh, Druce, Niahm, Governor Winterbourne, Governor Seamus, and Governor Janus trickled in as the next few minutes passed.  Not long behind them, the high ranking officers of the battle were led in by the City Guards of the capital.  In silence and resentment, their heads hung. 

After all were assembled O’Hara began, as loudly as he could muster. 

“It seems have not been myself for a long time.  I wish to usher in a new era of my reign, one where corruption, deceit, and lies will not be tolerated.” 

“My liege,” Governor Winterbourne spoke, kneeling.  He stayed down as if waiting for an invitation to speak. 

O’Hara shook his head and spoke.  “Speak freely, Callum.  I want to dispose with the over formality.  You need not bow or wait for me to acknowledge you every time you wish to talk.” 

“Of course, sir,” said Winterbourne, rising up.  “I simply wondered where First Captain Deverell was.  Shouldn’t he be involved in this meeting?” 

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.