The Ark of Dun Ruah, Book 1

by Maria Burke

  Tired and thirsty, the bedraggled friends finally made it to the outskirts of Coracle with the jackals closing in behind them.

  ‘Look over there,’ said Timmy, pointing towards the sea. ‘There are more eagles on the horizon and they seem to be patrolling the coastline and the cliffs.

  ‘They’re looking for us,’ said Simon. ‘We’ve got to find cover fast. Let’s make for that old barn ahead.’

  The howls of the jackals rose in a chorus as they reached the shelter of the old barn. They found the rickety wooden door unlocked and they gathered inside. Simon closed the door firmly behind them and set about finding beams and old barrels. He used them to bar the door. Then he kept watch from a gap under the roof of the barn while Kerry and the swiftails guarded the door.

  ‘We’re surrounded by jackals,’ said Simon. ‘I can see their eyes glittering through the darkness.’

  Savage cries echoed around them as the wild dogs came closer and closer. The leader of the pack lunged at the barn door trying to force his way through. Another jackal came forward to join him. Simon and Kerry threw their body weight against the door desperately trying to keep the dogs back. More jackals arrived and leaped, wildly clawing and scraping the splintering beams of the door.

  ‘They’re almost through,’ cried Kerry.

  ‘Hold on,’ called Timmy. ‘I can see two eagles coming. They look like Grinwick and Farradore. They’re nearly here.’

  The eagle brothers flew up to the barn and dived on the pack leaders. They sank their talons into their necks and pecked their ears. The leaders howled and the other dogs drew back in fright.

  Inside the barn Simon found a wooden beam and set it on fire. He burst from the barn door brandishing it at the cowering animals. To his relief they scattered.

  The eagle brothers hovered over the barn. They carried thick clumps of seaweed in their claws.

  ‘Quench the torch with this,’ cried Grinwick, throwing the seaweed to Simon, ‘and get into the barn before Red Beak’s scouts see you!’

  The boy wrapped damp fronds of seaweed around the flaming torch and smothered the flames. He retreated into the barn followed by the eagle brothers and barred the door.

  ‘We’ve brought you some bread and cheese,’ said Farradore. ‘Sit down and eat what you can. You must be starving.’

  As they sat on the barn floor and ate the welcome food, Kerry asked the brothers about Pod.

  ‘We found no trace of him,’ said Grinwick. ‘After we dropped you four off at the edge of the forest, we were followed by a large flock of eagles. We flew into the forest undergrowth and eventually managed to shake them off. Then when the coast was clear we returned to the river to look for Pod. We searched that whole area where he fell into the trees. But there was no sign of him anywhere.’

  ‘I hope Red Beak’s guards haven’t found him!’ said Kerry.

  ‘We will continue to search for him,’ said Farradore, ‘but first we must carry out the Messenger’s orders.’

  ‘What orders?’ Simon asked.

  ‘He wants us to escort you to the cave village near Coracle where you can spend the night in safety with Browdan and his people.’

  ‘Have you seen the Messenger yourselves?’ asked Kerry.

  ‘No. We met some of the free eagles in the forest a short while ago. They met the Messenger today and they gave us his message.’

  ‘Thanks for coming back to the island, Grinwick,’ Kerry said.

  ‘Well, I felt pretty guilty after I left the two of you in the cellars of the Abbey. And when I returned to the ship I went straight to the Abbot and told him the whole story. Needless to say he wasn’t too happy with me either. I felt responsible for leaving you here on your own at Red Beak’s mercy. So I asked Farradore to come back with me. The Abbot gave us permission to help you. He asked us to search for the Blue Owl and help the Messenger to get you all to safety.’

  ‘When we arrived on the island this morning’, said Farradore, ‘the Messenger sent word to us that Kerry and Pod were hiding in the grove outside the Abbey. So we knew exactly where to find you. There are some good eagles in the Abbey being forced to work for Red Beak against their will. They are helping the Messenger and relaying messages back and forth. And they also sent you this bread and cheese.’

  ‘Please thank them for us,’ said Kerry. ‘And we are so grateful to you both for helping us.’

  ‘It’s about time somebody stood up to Red Beak,’ said Grinwick. ‘But now you’d better finish up so we can take you to the sea caves. Then we can get back to our search for Pod.’

  ‘But, what happened to Niamh?’ Simon asked. ‘Did she escape?’

  ‘We don’t have any news about Niamh,’ said Farradore. ‘No one has seen her so we think she escaped. When you reach the caves I’m sure you’ll find her with Browdan, her brother. And he will have all the latest information. The Tawny Owl and many of the freebirds of the island are with him. They have their scouts out looking for Pod too.’

  ‘But first we must get you to the cave village,’ said Grinwick. ‘And we must hurry. There’s no time to lose. It’s almost dark but eagles can see quite well in this light. Carry the clumps of seaweed we brought with us. You can use it as camouflage on your heads and shoulders. And watch out for eagle guards pat rolling the skies.’

  The little group made their way through the ruined village streets, covered in clumps of seaweed. They made it safely to a sandy beach and followed the coastline to a tall cliff face. All along the rugged shore dozens of shipwrecks lay dashed against the rocks. Their ghostly silhouettes cast long shadows under the bright silver moon.

  ‘Why are there so many wrecks here?’ Simon asked.

  ‘This is the Sea of Sorrows,’ said Farradore. ‘It is treacherous. Many a ship has been blown off course and wrecked in the evil mists that fall along this coast.’

  They reached some roughly hewn steps rising steeply into the cliff. Grinwick and Farradore directed the travellers to a narrow cave opening, almost hidden in the dark shadows of the rock face.

  ‘This leads to Browdan’s cave village,’ said Grinwick. ‘Hurry before more of Red Beak’s patrols arrive.’

  CHAPTER 20

  The Troglodyte Village

  Simon, Kerry and the swiftails slipped through the cave entrance that was hidden high in the cliff face. They found themselves walking through a narrow tunnel that descended into the rock and opened into a long succession of caves and passages. After the last trace of moonlight faded, Simon lit a match. He stopped to examine the walls. They gazed at the banded white and orange rock embedded in the high walls and ceiling of the vast cavern in which they stood.

  ‘What beautiful colours,’ Kerry exclaimed. ‘It looks like this whole place is on fire.’

  ‘Salt and iron oxide,’ replied Simon. He was scraping the walls with his pocket knife and putting fistfuls of dust into his pockets.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Dot asked.

  ‘This is perfect material for making explosives. It’s an absolute goldmine for a pyrotechnic.’

  ‘Is that all you can think about?’ snapped Kerry. ‘We’re miles from home on this terrible island where Pod has been abducted and you’re at it again … gathering salt and iron oxide for your crazy experiments!’

  ‘Hey, there’s no need to snap at me,’ replied Simon. ‘This stuff could come in very useful against those very same eagles who abducted Pod and—’

  ‘Calm down you two,’ soothed Dot. ‘We’re all tired and hungry from our long day of travelling.’

  ‘But we need some kind of weapon to use against Red Beak and his hordes,’ said Simon.

  ‘Look!’ interrupted Timmy. ‘There’s light ahead.’

  A tiny sliver of light shimmered at the end of the next passage. The swiftails flew towards the light followed by Kerry and Simon. They found themselves at the entrance of an enormous cavern which was almost the size of a football pitch. Moonlight poured down from a huge opening in the roof. In the centre of the c
avern a small lake reflected the light of bright, silver moonbeams throughout the giant cave.

  A wide, grass verge swept around the edge of the lake. Cave dwellings were carved into the white marble walls of the cavern. Women stood outside brightly-painted doors that opened into their cave homes, chatting among themselves. Twinkling lights flickered through rounded windows that were cut out of the rock. The children were playing and laughing at the lake side in a little playground filled with wooden swings and slides.

  Browdan emerged from one of the cave homes with a flock of birds at his shoulders and feet. He spotted the travellers and came with outstretched arms to welcome the visitors to his underground village.

  ‘We have been waiting for you,’ said Browdan as he wrapped his arms around them all. ‘We’re so sorry to hear that your friend Pod didn’t make it here. He is a very brave owl to risk being captured by the eagle army to save his friends. We have sent word to all the freebirds on the island to search for him. If he is still hiding out in the forest they will track him down.’

  ‘And what about Niamh?’ said Simon.

  ‘We think Niamh escaped but we have no details about where she is at the moment. She knows the Abbey like the back of her hand. I’m sure she’ll be back here before long. But enough talk. Now it’s time for you to eat and rest. The villagers have prepared a great meal for you. Come and make yourselves at home.’

  Kerry, Simon and the birds were treated to a troglodyte’s feast. They sat at a long table by the lakeside, eating and talking late into the evening.

  ‘This is a magnificent cave,’ Kerry told Browdan. ‘It is so beautiful and yet it’s all hidden underground.’

  ‘The opening up in the roof of the cavern isn’t entirely natural,’ said Browdan. ‘We have doubled its original size by hacking away at it. But it does let in lots of light, by day, which is healthy for the children.’

  ‘But why haven’t the eagles spotted this large hole from above?’

  ‘They have. But there’s a very strong air current coming down here. It’s like a chimney with a downdraught. Some of the eagles have got caught in it and dashed into the lake where they were drowned. So they call it ‘the black hole’ and keep well clear of it. We also have some tricks of our own to scare them off. When the children see a nosey eagle looking down they start hissing like snakes. That scares most of them away. Red Beak knows there are some people living in the caves but he doesn’t see us as a threat. He probably thinks that most of us have died of hunger over the past few years. We keep ourselves very well hidden.’

  Late into the night Kerry, Simon and the swiftails sat by the lakeside. They shared their stories with the children and their parents and listened to the fasc inating folklore and history of the ancient island of Dun Ruah. With all the islanders had been through, Kerry was amazed at how contented they were. Their lives were simple and they survived on the support of close friends and family bonds.

  That night some of the families invited them inside to stay in the cave houses. The people had chiselled out beautiful rooms in the white rock and moulded themselves very cosy homes, all brightly-decorated and reflecting the light from the glittering lake. Grateful for the luxury of comfortable beds, the travellers slept soundly through the night.

  The next morning Browdan and the people of the cave village gathered together to offer their little group of visitors one of their boats to escape on.

  ‘We can’t leave here until we find Pod and Niamh,’ said Simon.

  ‘Malachy will find them,’ said Browdan. ‘We should have news from him shortly.’

  ‘I’m not sure that I trust that man,’ said Simon. ‘I know you all speak of him with great respect and I haven’t met him myself, but why is he being so secret ive? Kerry says that he looks like the man who was creeping around the cathedral at Kilbeggin the night the eagle attacked him. Then he appeared on the Ark of Dun Ruah and every time I tried to talk to him he got away! It was very annoying! I think his behaviour is very suspicious. He could be one of Red Beak’s spies. Did you ever think of that?’

  ‘But look how he helped us escape from the Abbey,’ said Kerry.

  ‘Pod didn’t escape, did he?’ Simon remarked.

  ‘Did someone mention my name?’ said a voice behind them.

  It was the Messenger. And nobody had noticed his arrival.

  ‘Malachy,’ cried Kerry. ‘You’re here. And we were just talking about you.’

  ‘Good things I hope,’ he said, fixing a smile on Simon. ‘I’m sorry this is not a social visit. I’ve come to bring you disappointing news. Red Beak has capt ured your friend Pod. His guards found him in the trees near the river. He was unable to fly with the weight of his feathers. There’s bedlam up in the Abbey since you all escaped. Red Beak wants to murder all around him. You must all stay here for the moment until I discover more of what his plans are. I’ve also come to tell you some good news. Two of your friends are arriving at the old chapel in the village of Coracle. Perhaps you would go to meet them, Browdan?’

  ‘It must be Niamh,’ cried Dot and Timmy together, swooping up into the air in delight. Everyone laughed to see them rejoicing.

  ‘But who is the other friend?’ said Browdan. ‘Malachy where are you?’

  But there was no answer. The Messenger had already vanished into the shadows.

  CHAPTER 21

  Preparing for Battle

  Niamh and Coleman reached the chapel at the ruined village of Coracle early in the morning. They had been walking through the Pilgrim’s Way all night. True to his word, Malachy the Messenger was waiting for them in the chapel. He had already opened a secret trapdoor on the flagstone floor, hidden under the altar. Here they emerged tired and hungry. Malachy offered them some water and fruit as refreshment. Then the prophet was on his way again. He left them with a warning.

  ‘Stay here until the cave people arrive to fetch you. And whatever happens, do not leave this chapel before they arrive.’

  As Niamh and Coleman waited for the cave people, streams of morning light beamed down in shafts onto the walls of the chapel. The beautiful stained-glass windows of the church gave it a warm glow. They heard a tapping on the chapel door. Niamh looked through a small window to see who was outside.

  ‘Take a look, Coleman,’ she said.

  Niamh watched him strain to look through the glass. A big smile spread over his thin face.

  A voice came from outside, ‘Niamh, if you are in there please open the door. Malachy has sent us to look for you. Hurry or we’ll be seen.’

  Niamh opened the door and Browdan stepped in.

  Browdan gasped when he saw his brother Coleman.

  ‘Oh thank God you’re alive,’ he cried. They both laughed and embraced and then searched one another’s faces.

  ‘I can’t believe you are alive and looking so well,’ said Brow-dan. ‘Red Beak told us you were dead.’

  ‘Red Beak is the master of lies,’ said Coleman. ‘His entire regime is based on fabrication.’

  ‘Well, his regime is beginning to crumble,’ said Browdan. ‘But I have so much to tell you. Let’s talk on our way to the cave village. We have five years of catching up to do, brother. It’s time to get you home.’

  The next morning Browdan called the villagers together in the large cavern. He had received news from the freebirds.

  ‘The eagles have attacked the people of the lake and some of the sea cliff settlements. They are trying to break down their defences. At present the cave people are holding them back. But it’s only a matter of time before they come here and try to attack us. There are no reports of casualties yet but Cian, chief of the Lake People, says that his community are very vulnerable, living so close to the Abbey. They can only hold out for a short time.’

  ‘It’s time to stop that eagle,’ interrupted Simon. ‘How can such a crazy psychopath have everyone here under his control?’

  ‘But he’s a very clever psychopath,’ said Browdan. ‘Yes, it is time we faced Red Beak. And
in the near future we will. The Messenger has sent word to me that Red Beak’s camp is divided. Many of the eagles are tired of his tyranny. They might take the opportunity to join us if they see our show of strength.’

  ‘What are you planning to do?’ asked Coleman.

  ‘I want to put an army together and march on the Abbey.’

  ‘Have you told the Messenger about this?’ Coleman asked.

  ‘I’m not sure that I trust that Messenger,’ said Simon. ‘He keeps disappearing and never tells us what he’s up to. He could be leading us into a trap.’

  ‘So you don’t trust me,’ said a voice beside Simon.

  Simon jumped when he saw Malachy looking at him with an impenetrable expression on his face.

  ‘How do you keep appearing like that?’ Simon asked.

  The Messenger looked thoughtful.

  ‘A wise man watches and listens,’ said Malachy. ‘When he opens his mouth he speaks words of wisdom and truth. If you paid more attention to what was going on around you, you’d know a lot more about me.’

  ‘Yes, but then you go and disappear again out of the blue. How on earth do you do it?’

  ‘Watch and listen, Simon, and find out for yourself. A good apprentice always observes his master.’

  Simon looked puzzled.

  ‘Are you saying that I should be your apprentice?’

  ‘If your courage and dedication to your scientific experiments are anything to go by, I think you have the potential to be anything you want to be. And by the way, some of those shipwrecks you were looking at yesterday are full of explosives. Browdan has salvaged some from them already and hidden it in the caves. Fortunately, the munitions are dry and mostly intact. You will need to go onto the wrecks again to salvage whatever’s left. There are plenty of old swords and daggers in there too.’