The Descendants Book One: The Broken Scroll (59 page)

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. 

“Ah, good, he is in the temporarily block,” said the guard, happily, “then we won’t have to go looking for him.  These cells hold the newly arrived prisoners while await their true conviction.” 

There was silence for a moment, and then the guard remembered what their purpose there was.  “Right, I’ll go fetch the Keeper, then,” he said at last. 

Davin and Niahm waited until the man was out of sight and then ran toward the voice in the shadows.  Roland came into view.  His body was slumped and he coughed deeply as they ap
proached.  His exhausted, drooping face told the two of them that he was quite ill.  It looked as if it took him much effort to even look up at them. 

“Oh, Roland, my dear husband, what’s happened?  Why are you ill?  Did they not treat you well?  I will inform the King of this,” she rambled.  Davin put his hand on her shoulder to stop her. 

“Roland, it’s me Davin,” he said, slowly.  Roland tried to straighten up, but failed.  Davin called to him.  “No, don’t, you are sick.  Save your strength.” 

After a short silence, Roland spoke.  “I have strength enough to tell you…what…is wron
g with me.  It was that Deverell.  He tried…tried to invade my mind with some magic I…I’ve never seen.  I resisted him…this was the price I paid.”

“It sickens me that innocent people are thrown in with the rest of the trash,” said a strong, even-toned voice behind Davin and Niahm, causing them to jump.  The Keeper had obviously being standing there a few seconds longer than they had realized.  “That First Captain has been taking things into his own hands lately.  He executes many of them just when they arrive and sets others free out right, with no regard to the law.” 

“He won’t be doing that anymore,” said Davin, wryly.  Roland looked at Davin in confusion. 

“Why do you say that?” Roland asked with his hoarse voice.  “I haven’t…haven’t heard any news.” 

Davin looked Roland straight in the eyes.  “He’s dead.  He was killed in the battle that took place in the city yesterday.” 

The Keeper stepped forward and rubbed his thick goatee. 

Sizing up the man for the first time, Davin noticed that he was quite tall.  The Keeper’s head nearly reached the roof of the floor they were on. 

Davin turned back to Roland and asked the Keeper.  “Will he be alright?  He doesn’t look well.”  

Roland tried to stand, but stumbled and grabbed the bars of his cell to brace himself. 

“Easy, easy,” Davin said as Roland sat back down. 

“Well, it’s really for the better,” the Keeper concluded after a moment.  Turning and looking toward Roland again he said, “I will have no problem releasing this man on the King’s orders.  This letter is good enough for me.” 

“Thank you, sir,” said Niahm, sounding very grateful in her quavering voice.  She turned from Roland and stepped over toward the Keeper.  She looked reluctant to say any more, but overcame it quickly.  “May I stay with him while he is brought to the castle, my lord?  Don’t force us to be parted again.” 

For a moment it looked as if the Keeper of the Prison wasn’t going to agree.  Davin grew relieved when the man smiled in a sincere way.  Niahm did not need any more heartache.  She was a strong woman, but even the strong could be pushed too far. 

“I do not see any harm in that,” said the Keeper as kindly he could muster.  “We will take him through the tunn
el that leads out of the chamber below.  It is not in use anymore.”

Davin threw Niahm a wary gaze.  He knew they were thinking identically.  “Which isn’t in use, the tunnel or the chamber?” he asked. 

“Both,” said the Keeper quickly, “fortunate for us.  I would not force any eyes to look upon what used to happen in that room.  And the tunnel was simply a private means to bring the criminals to their fates without making a scene of it.” 

Niahm said, “Very well then, I will go with you that way.  I will not leave his side until he has recovered fully.” 

“As you wish, lady.”  The Keeper inclined his head respectfully.  “We will work quickly to have him released by tonight, but he may have to wait until a Cureist sees to him.” 

Davin was impressed with how well it had gone.  The Keeper had been nothing but accommodating to them.  This was most pleasing.  And Roland was not on the verge of death as he Davin had feared.  Roland was quite sick, but Davin had no doubts that he would be nursed back to health quickly.  He had resisted Deverell’s mind control after all.  They would have plenty of time to visit when he recovered. 

Davin turned to Niahm who had gone back to kneeling by the edge of the cell.   “Niahm, I will leave him to you now.  He will be better in time.  I will speak to him more then.” 

Niahm started to argue, but Davin raised a hand to stop her. 

Instead she said, “Alright, Davin.  I will see you later.”  Davin nodded and turned to leave. 

“Thank you again, my lord,” he said to the Keeper, who was staring at Niahm and Roland’s interaction straight faced.  “We are grateful that you did not resist us on his release.” 

The tall Keeper of the King’s Prison turned and stared into Davin’s eyes.  Davin heard another distant rumble of thunder in their silence.  “Think nothing of it, young man.  Justice has now met that fool of a commander, and this Roland of Lemirre.  It even seems our King has seen the error of his ways thanks to the people that at last rose to defy him.  Much has been set right of late.” 

Davin didn’t have to energy or the heart to tell the man that the much that was resolved had only opened up new mysteries and threats.  He kept that to himself as he left.  That raised another sad question, though.  How many more in the kingdom now thought as the Keeper of the Prison did, that the threats to their livelihoods had vanished?  Word will spread quickly.  Everything is set right, they will think.  The truth was much worse, however, and only Davin and a handful of others knew what it was. 

***

The feast in which King O’Hara provided for his guests was nothing short of magnificent.  The cooks of the castle had created quite a concoction of best meats, breads, potatoes, vegetables, wines, and desserts any of the guests had ever seen. 

The king greeted everyone formally before they began.  There were nearly a hundred people that had come to the join Davin and his travelling companions.  All of them were close friends of the king.  Scholarly-looking teachers at the Acadeem in Talamaraon City were present.  Several higher officers in the army who had chosen repentance were there as well.  Of course, the three governors from the battle had come.  And all arrived with their families in tow.  The dinner was indeed quite an event, the only one of the sort Davin had ever been to. 

And finally Druce, in his new brig
ht blue and silver First Captain garb, entered the feast trying to keep his bearing through the excitement of his promotion.  All seemed to be in festive moods. 

The only oddity of was the absence of members of any of the eight guilds.  At least a few from each guild were known to usually show at gatherings like these, socializing and making connections.  Whether this meant none were invited, or that they had chosen not to show, was unclear. 

O’Hara looked better than ever and as he stood to greet the group.  Egan even pointed out to Davin that Prince Teague was healed as well, standing down by his father. 

“Tonight we celebrate many things, friends.  Not least of them being mine and my son’s full recovery.” 

There was clapping for this, and shouts of agreement. 

“Before partaking in this feast, I would like to formally announce the promotion of First Tenant Druce of Habok to the
post and honor First Captain, Commander of my military forces.” 

There were more cheers and clapping.  O’Hara turned and faced Druce.  Two things were handed O’Hara by one of his servants.  One was a newly made falchion sword, gleaming with polish and engraved on both sides.  The other was a band of silver cloth three feet in length.  Both items were placed in Druce’s hands. 

The King spoke again.  “Druce of Habok, the two items you being given to you are the Sword of the Commander, which is engraved with your name and rank on one side and the words you swear to uphold, ‘Forever in protection of the land, forever in honor of the king.’ And the other is the Cloak of the Guard, made from the finest silk in the known world.  As long as you are the owner of these items, your authority will not be questioned.” 

Druce bowed his head and knelt.  “I shall not fail you, king.” 

“I trust you will not.”  O’Hara turned to the others and raised his voice, speaking formally.  “By my power, I name this man, Druce of Habok, the First Captain and Commander of the Grand Talamaraon Army.  May he serve this kingdom with honor.” 

“I will,” Druce stated, still kneeling. 

O’Hara clapped his hands together.  “Excellent, then let’s eat.” 

The conversation never faltered once after O’Hara had said his welcome and introductions. 

After the meal was consumed everyone began to mingle.  Lively talks of anything from farming to military tactics permeated the air.  Davin spend some time in a discussion with the Keeper of the Prison about the southern mountains and his home in Lemirre.  Kayleigh was talking genially to a couple of young teachers and their wives about their subjects.  Egan shared an intense conversation about governmental policies with an elderly military First Xeral and the governors, while Druce spent time reconnecting with his military leaders.

***

Late in the evening, as Davin began to leave one of the circles of conversation to refill his drink, he stopped.  Standing at the doorway to the hall was Roland, smiling broadly.  He had never looked better, minus some residual exhaustion in his eyes. 

This is real. I did what I set out to do and now Roland is here, alive. 

Davin wasted no time getting over to him.  They embraced for a few what seemed like an eternity. 

“I never thought I’d see you again alive before the other day, and didn’t think you’d be at this party,” Davin said.  “You healed faster than I expected.” 

“The Cureist thought I needed a couple more days to recover, but I insisted I’d be fine.  I don’t like to be tied down.” 

“That’s true,” Davin said knowingly. 

Roland grabbed him and looked him over.  “You look great kid, really filled out nicely in the last couple of months.  I hear a lot has happened since I was taken, to you and this kingdom.”

Davin looked at him.  “How much have you heard?”

“Most everything.  Niahm spoke to me for a long time while I was been cured.  Davin, I know you may have heard this many times by now.  I am beyond proud of what you have done.”

Davin looked away.  “You know that th
e only reason I started this whole thing was because of you.  Rescuing you and killing Deverell.” 

“But that didn’t matter in the end.  No one saves an entire kingdom from tyranny for only selfish reasons.  I never believed the person in Lemirre was who you really were.  You’ve always wanted this.”  Davin looked back at him and could see he was completely serious.  

Davin thought of the Lady of the Lake.  “I did choose where I am, didn’t I?” 

Roland nodded and glanced over to his right, where Kayleigh was heading toward the refreshment table.  Davin followed his gaze. 

Roland spoke again.  “I think there is another choice you’ve made that needs to be shown in action.” 

Davin’s heart immediately began to race.  Roland was right.  He actually did want to be with her.  It hadn’t been mere infatuation.  When he thought of them being together his heart soared. 

If I can do all I’ve done in recently, then I can tell a girl how I feel about her. 

Davin saw himself moving in Kayleigh’s direction, but felt like he wasn’t in control.  His legs moved as if they weren’t his own. 

She saw him coming and started to walk toward him.  They met near the right side of the entertainment hall, near one of the archways. 

“I need to talk to you,” he said, his voice sounding strange to him.  “Will you come with me?”