by Gregg Holt
They slowly edged each other forward until they were several feet inside the chamber. Lorna looked back and there was no reassurance of Lepy or Carragah, they were now on their own.
Graham shone the torch around the dark chamber, lighting up isolated sections because of its size as it moved around.
“Wow, look at that, we’re rich!” shouted Lorna with delight as the torch revealed large chests full of treasure. Gold and silver chalices and plates along with thousands of small coins. Brilliantly-coloured broaches with large precious stones inset into the gold, which reflected invitingly to Lorna. She started to move forward, confidence now starting to increase. The torchlight lifted slightly, revealing a large stone coffin, immediately behind the treasure. Graham froze, the beam from the torch slowly moved along the length of the stone tomb.
“That’s carved out of the stone!” gasped Graham, whispering so not to disturb the deceased.
“Unbelievable, it must have taken ages,” Lorna replied, still tightly linking Graham’s arm.
“Look at the slab on the top; it’s slightly open, shine the torch inside Graham,” Lorna urged, stepping behind her accomplice.
Graham moved the torch towards the gap as Lorna’s grip intensified.
“Watch it Lorna!” Graham shouted, reacting nervously.
The beam entered the coffin briefly. “No it’s not right!” Graham declared, moving briskly away.
The shaft of light moved around the room and came to rest.
After a few seconds they started to register what it had revealed.
“Ahh... it’s a skull!” Lorna screamed. The light revealed a skeleton, lying next to an open treasure chest revealing more coins.
Lorna again pulled on Graham’s arm. He was already off balance and they fell heavily onto the stone floor.
Screaming, they both scrambled out of the chamber fighting against each other to be first out.
Crash!!
“Watch it you two!” Lepy shouted as they all collided with him and landed on the floor.
“That’s what happens to grave robbers,” Carragah said, signalling for them to stand.
“Time has long forgotten the name of the king of Knocknakil who lies peacefully in there. Judging by the treasure and guards he was very influential.
“We must hurry time is against us.” Carragah lifted Lepy to his feet and they moved away under the guidance of Lepy’s light.
Moving down the steep passageway towards another chamber, Lepy and Carragah led the way.
Lepy lifted his globe as he entered the chamber; a huge cavern revealed itself for the first time in centuries. Carragah led the way, moving steadily down three flights of stairs.
Graham looked and noticed how large the cavern was; the ceiling spanned far beyond the glare of Lepy’s light. Around the sides of the cavern were numerous arches carved out of the rock which were dark and uninviting. Carragah raised his hand and several torches ignited along the frames of the arches, increasing the forbidding dark archways. The underground expansion reluctantly relinquished its veiled cavity to foreign eyes. Reaching the bottom of the steps, a stone bridge stretched over a bleak depression. Cautiously, the children inched forward, only too aware there was no protection should they slip off the narrow walkway and tumble to the centre of the earth. The atmosphere was crisp, only the sound of dripping water and their own footsteps brought any life to the stillness.
Stepping off the bridge they were greeted by a floor of long stone slabs carefully placed in rows, stretching from one side of the arches to the other.
“Bloody hell, have you seen in there?” Lorna shouted, just managing to see in the nearest arch. Graham strained his eyes and noticed a wooden box which had disintegrated over time, exposing a skeleton.
“You didn’t warn me about that Lorna!” Graham gasped, his breath deserting him for a second with shock. Silently they glanced where the flickering light permitted, to be greeted with the same sight in other rounded gateways. After several more steps, Carragah stopped and turned looking down at the children, his eyebrows retracting closer together to relay a serious message. Pointing down towards the stone floor he said: “This is where those chosen to protect this place lie.”
Graham, following Carragah’s direction, noticed an indentation in the ground. Taking a step forward, he stared down several feet where a large solid stone sarcophagus had been carved. Along its length a long sword had been placed, probably so the owner was never far away from his weapon.
“Graham, come and look at this!” Lorna exclaimed, pointing down at another depression. Graham quickly ran over. “It’s the same as that one over there, look another,” he continued as they noticed a third all spaced evenly next to each other.
“Oh, there is another, look at this one it’s different to the others,” Lorna shouted across at Graham and he quickly ran over. Just slightly ahead of the other three tombs lay another.
Graham noticed the sword on this coffin was slightly different, gold-handled with inscriptions at the top of the razor sharp blade.
“These are the protectors of the secret burial grounds,” Carragah said, gazing downwards at the fourth tomb.
“Anybody brave enough to enter these chambers and access the spring has to pass this way at their own peril.”
“Yeah, but they’re dead.” Lorna muttered.
Carragah looked up at Lorna, “Hmm”.
However, before he could respond further, Lorna’s attention had switched. Her eyes were fixed ahead with her jaw slightly open, totally focused. Graham, noticing the silence, looked up straight at Lorna. Immediately, he noticed her deep concentration but something more interesting caught his attention. Staring into her deep brown eyes he noticed a bright dancing reflection. Slowly, Graham turned around in the direction she was looking.
“WWWOW,” Lorna exclaimed, her mouth remaining open as she moved closer. Graham edged forward, for a second he was speechless,
Staring ahead he could now see the origin of all natural energy on the planet and it was magnificent.
Chapter 11
Return of Iroquois
“That wasn’t there a second ago,” Graham said, looking at Carragah.
“Only when you pass these tombs can the spring be seen by any soul,” he replied.
“I have never, ever, seen anything like this before!” Lorna replied smiling, gazing intently.
Graham’s stare returned, watching the glorious light display right before his eyes.
At the end of the platform a large pool swirled spectacularly, reaching deep into the Earth’s crust. Illuminating the cavern, the stunning lights radiated throughout that part of the cave.
Fantastic colours spun quickly, all imaginable shades spiralled downwards deep into the Earth’s core, being pushed forward by an unseen force.
Graham watched intently, looking as far as his eyes could see as this tornado of light left him feeling mesmerised.
Streaks of silver danced with flashes of green and indigo. Quickly they spun deeper and deeper until they eventually faded from sight, only to be replaced by blue and pink in an unending cycle of energy. High around the sides the energy spun briskly before descending out of sight.
A gentle buzz filled the air, tickling the receptors in Graham’s ear.
“Look at the hairs on my arm Graham!” Lorna said excitedly, looking at each one stood proudly as her body tingled with the sensation.
“Yeah, same here,” Graham replied, his arms straight out vibrating with a nice tickling sensation.
“Hey, look at Lepy’s hair!” Lorna grinned pointing at the leprechaun.
Glancing round, Graham saw his hair pointing skywards, reminding him of a hedgehog, much to the annoyance of his small friend.
Carragah moved forwards and down three steps leading down to the spring. Directing his staff, he dipped into the whirlpool; after a few seconds he lifted it from the source. The small globe at the top of his stick shone brightly; it had captured some of the radiant ligh
t from the spring and he lifted it up staring longingly at it. He turned to the others. “This energy draws from the sky and sea to supply the land with the power of sustaining life. Each and every living being from insect to humans thrives on this source without realising its importance. Even the plants and trees draw from the endless supply completing the cycle of life. I am sure this will help us later,” he said, looking at his companions still stood on the platform.
“Come we must go,” he said, beckoning for the others to follow.
Passing back by the coffins, Graham’s curiosity got the better of him. “The sword on this tomb, it’s different from the others,” he said, looking at Carragah.
“Hmm... I thought you might ask, I do believe this sword belongs to a renowned warrior from these parts. Cuchulain.”
“Never heard of him,” Lorna instantly replied.
“Well young Lorna, that just maybe because you’re not a thousand years old.”
“Graham, have you noticed the spring fading as we move away?”
“I don’t think its fading, it just kind of blends in to the background,” he replied, moving back towards it, watching it reappearing again.
As they left the burial chambers and returned back towards the entrance, Lorna noticed little red dots flickering around the staircase.
“Shrakes,” shouted Lepy.
“We’re trapped,” replied Lorna.
In a matter of seconds there were three of them, with one leading at the front. He stopped just in front of Lepy, lifting his nose in the air sensing something. His red eyes were glowing brightly in the dark passageway.
Out of the darkness, two outlandish characters gradually appeared – Iroquois and Sucillian.
“Fine animals these Shrakes, could find a leprechaun anywhere in Ireland.
“You may go now, my little hell cats, good job, we will deal with it from here.” They turned, screeching as they bounded away. “So these are the secret burial grounds then, I have waited a long time for this moment Carragah!” Iroquois said, moving closer to the chamber, pulling out his sword and pointing it in the direction of Lepy along with Graham and Lorna.
“Well I won’t be needing you three now will I!” he said, becoming more menacing with his weapon.
Sucillian forced his way past the party and into the chambers, swiftly followed by Iroquois. “Three chambers, hmm..., maybe they might still be of use.”
Instantly and without warning, Iroquois seized Lorna with an arm around her neck and a sword pointing at her soft stomach area. “It’s over Carragah. I am in the secret chamber; just tell me which passage to follow. I promise if you co-operate your deaths will be fast and painless.” Iroquois pushed the sword in slightly to Lorna’s side. “Ahh!” Lorna shouted as the sword penetrated her skin slightly. The colour drained from her face, she stared in Graham’s direction, unable to speak and he noticed how frightened she was.
“Don’t worry Lorna, I will think of something,” Graham replied, trying to be courageous.
Carragah looked across at Lorna and smiled. He was proud of her loyalty, not revealing the secret despite her life being in the balance.
“Lorna, you are brave and loyal, it’s in there,” Carragah said, pointing down one of the passages.
Immediately, Iroquois dropped Lorna to the floor and with the sword placed in the small of her back forced her towards the others and then down the passageway just behind Sucillian.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let him do anything to you!” Graham whispered. Lorna didn’t respond, too frightened to talk with the sword pushing sharply in her back.
Sucillian fearlessly entered the first chamber and scanned all around. Iroquois slowly followed as if a little apprehensive, looking up and down the dark room and pushing Lorna into the chamber as he entered. “Maybe we need one of those kids to ensure there are no little surprises left,” he said, noticing the skeleton. Sucillian was now fully in the tomb just next to the treasure. He bent down, looking intently at the skeleton and noticed a small Celtic cross clasped securely in its skeletal hand. Reaching to grab it, his claws wrapped around the cross and wrestled to release it.
“Don’t touch it Sucillian!!” Iroquois shouted with urgency, pushing Lorna back towards the others, as he entered deeper into the chamber, his rough voice echoed around the compartment.
Swoosh; a sudden flash of light came from the wall in the chamber. Graham flinched as he noticed an axe disappear back into the wall and quick gush of air blew his hair. Rapidly, Sucillian’s bloodcurdling scream reverberated throughout the passageways and chambers as his lifeless cloak fell heavily on the stone floor.
“Run!” Carragah shouted, pushing Graham and Lorna out of the chamber.
“CARRAGAH!!!!!!!!” screamed Iroquois from the chamber. Graham glanced back and observed Iroquois holding his sword aloft and quickly turning in their direction. Graham turned, noticing the others had already left the chamber and quickly started running up the three flights of stairs. His legs were heavy and slow and Iroquois started to catch him up. Glancing back, Iroquois was only a few feet away and had his sword held aloft ready to deliver the killing blow. Graham put his head down, running as fast as possible. Feeling the heavy breath on his neck he was just contemplating surrender when Carragah’s voice broke the silence.
“Leave the boy be Iroquois!” Graham started to dip his head to gain more speed but found his balance compromised and he fell heavily onto his front as he passed the last step and out of the entrance. Two large boots crushed rocks either side of Graham and he turned onto his back and peered upwards where Iroquois was now stood like a mountain.
Iroquois smiled a chilling, awful smile which exposed his black decaying teeth. His calculated eyes gazed into Graham’s,
“Who’s going to save you now!” he said menacingly as his sword jerked violently towards Graham’s head. Lorna screamed, her hands clasping her cheeks in horror as she felt her heart sink.
As it entered the final stages of its descent, a large flash from Carragah’s staff shot through the air like a lightening bolt, striking Iroquois on the chest, catapulting him violently on the floor and instantly stopping the progression of his sword.
Lepy grabbed the Celtic cross from the stone, twisting it anti-clockwise. The tomb shook as the two rocks housing the entrance quickly descended, concealing the entrance. Iroquois lay on his back, his arms spread out and still clutching his sword but he appeared lifeless.
Carragah grabbed Graham by the arm and lifted him.
“Is he dead?” Graham asked, his heart pounding heavily.
“No, only dazed, come we must go before he awakes,” replied Carragah, pulling Graham away.
“Lepy, we must return the cross to its secure vault,” Carragah said, taking the cross back off the leprechaun and securely fastening it inside his cloak.
Graham glanced across at Lorna and noticed her eyes were watering; he went across and held out his hand. She smiled as she placed her hand in his and felt a little safer as they quickly moved away from the stone circle.
“Wake up!” Gregorian grunted, kicking Iroquois in the side. “I am sure the Boggot would not be happy with you falling asleep.”
Iroquois’ eyes opened slowly and he clambered to his feet, noticing Gregorian with his lieutenant Guthrum.
“Where are the rest of your men?” Iroquois demanded.
“They are at Devil’s Point awaiting your instructions!”
“Good, get your men and track down Carragah and his miniature army!” he ordered.
Gregorian nodded his head acknowledging the order and turned to return to his ship.
“Oh Gregorian, nobody harms them but me!”
“Of course,” he nodded, turning away again.
“Guthrum, you come with me, we have a leprechaun to catch,” Iroquois continued.
Guthrum smiled. “With pleasure,” he replied, a sly smirk spreading from cheek to cheek.
Iroquois let out a loud sustained whistle which quickly spre
ad across the deserted countryside.
Within seconds, little reds dots could be seen flickering in the distance. Then the black cats appeared from the dark air.
“Go, find them, this time you can do what you want to the leprechaun!” Iroquois pointed and they bounded off screeching, with himself and Guthrum quickly following.
The moon was bright and peaceful, allowing the party some guidance now their eyes had adjusted to the darkness.
“What was that noise?” Lorna asked, hearing a whistle break the silent air.
“That’s Iroquois, come it won’t take long for him to find us,” Carragah replied, urging them forward.
They picked up their pace, running as fast as the night light would allow across the broken ground. Graham stumbled for what could have been the seventeenth time which amused Lorna who used Graham as her personal guide.
A screech echoed eerily around, which sent cold shivers through the children unable to establish where it was originating from.
“Shrakes have picked up our scent!” Lepy announced, his chest beating heavy from the hard running his little legs were doing.
“Come, don’t stop we are nearly there!” Carragah urged as Lepy now started to fall behind.
Another screech broke the silence, although this one seemed much closer.
“Quickly, into the swallow hole,” Carragah shouted as the stream revealed its location under the moonlight.
“You go!” Lepy shouted.
Graham glanced back as Carragah and Lorna entered the water. Lepy had stopped some distance back and his hands were on his knees as his chest laboured from the exertion. He noticed just beyond his accomplice, the red dots as the Shrakes emerged hot on his tail. Without thinking Graham ran towards Lepy. “No Graham, save yourself!” Lepy shouted.
