The Secret Burial Grounds of Knocknakil

by Gregg Holt

  “If he sees the knife, we’re in big trouble,” Lorna whispered, staring at it, inches from Guthrum’s foot. As the guard adjusted his position, he knocked the knife slightly with his foot which clinked on the hard floor.

  Lorna’s heart skipped a beat expecting the guard to notice it any second. He peered into the cell until he made eye contact with Graham then repeated his threat with his finger across his throat.

  The standoff ensued for several minutes until Guthrum started to nod again. Moving his body he caught the knife with his foot sending it flying into the metal gate with a large bang before it dropped harmlessly next to Lepy’s foot. Guthrum jumped up on hearing the bang, he looked at the padlock and then the four prisoners. Searching the floor around his body and passageway for several minutes, he noticed small fragments of pottery. However, he was quiet satisfied all was in order. He lay down, staring in again, paying particular attention to Graham.

  After a silent few minutes, Guthrum’s head dropped and he was asleep. Lepy whispered to Lorna and they both stood up. Lepy climbed on his shoulders and started to work on the lock.

  “Careful, Lepy!” Graham gasped as the gate banged. The guard did not move, he was soundly asleep.

  “Yes!” Lepy roared as the lock fell heavily to the floor with an unmistakable thud that echoed throughout the hushed corridor and the County of Mayo.

  The atmosphere was extremely tense; perspiration fell heavily from the old grey-haired druid. Jerking, the guard lifted his head to see what had made the noise.

  “Not again!” Lorna exclaimed, realising their time was up.

  Miraculously, Guthrum’s chin drooped onto his chest as he snored and fell back to sleep.

  Instantly, Lorna lifted Lepy through the gate, who in turn assisted the rest of the party to climb up. Graham picked up the padlock and quietly dropped the soldier’s helmet into the cell before locking the gate in an act of defiance. Guthrum snorted a few times but within seconds they were sneaking up the passage to freedom. Lepy lead the way and peeked through the door to see if the coast was clear. Just beyond the arched doorway sat another guard, soundly asleep. Lepy beckoned them forward and they slowly crept into the forecourt and past the guard. Travelling in the shadows next to the wall, Graham noticed a small gap in the wall just large enough to squeeze through.

  Lorna instantly dropped to her feet and crawled through and out of sight. A few seconds later she reappeared. “Come on we can get out this way!” she said and disappeared again. They all crawled through and out into the shadows of a gloomy open field.

  “Right, we must get to the Secret Burial Ground; I think the time has come to call on the protectors of Knocknakil,” Carragah said, leaning heavily on his staff.

  “The protectors, who are they!” Lorna interrupted abruptly.

  “Can it be done? I heard old tales but never thought it was true,” Lepy replied, looking confused.

  “Hello, protectors, who are they?” Lorna interrupted sarcastically.

  “You know those four tombs in the chambers?” Lepy replied.

  “Well yes, you don’t mean?” Lorna gasped.

  “That’s right, calling the knights sworn to protect the grounds for all time,” Lepy continued.

  “Get down!” Graham whispered, collapsing to the ground quickly.

  They all followed suit, silently falling to earth.

  Iroquois and Gregorian stomped past without noticing four artificial bumps only a few feet away and into the castle entrance.

  As soon as they disappeared into the castle, Lepy directed them back towards the stone circle.

  Entering the forecourt, Iroquois looked up towards the dark night sky. Just towards the east, the sky was slightly lighter, hinting that sunrise was imminent.

  “Ah the time is quickly approaching. Come, let’s get Carragah,” said Iroquois, heading over the forecourt, quickly followed by Gregorian.

  They approached the guard at the forecourt entrance to the dungeons, who quickly scrambled to his feet after hearing the voices and the encroaching heavy steps.

  “Everything been OK?” enquired Gregorian, not noticing the drowsy soldier had only just woken.

  “Yes, nothing to report,” he replied standing with his chest out.

  Iroquois stared right through him as he ducked to enter through the low arched doorway into the prison passageway.

  As they progressed down the walkway, they noticed Guthrum lying flat on the stone floor snoring.

  “What’s this Gregorian!” he raged, moving quickly towards the lethargic guard and giving him a firm kick.

  “Guthrum!” Gregorian shouted as the guard scrambled to his feet wearily.

  “S... s... sorry, I don’t know what happened!” the apologetic guard replied.

  “Open the gate!” ordered Iroquois, unable to see in from his location.

  Scrambling for his keys, Guthrum moved towards the padlock and started to unlock it. His eyes gazed through the gap and he realised the cell was empty. Guthrum froze and his eyes instantly gave him away. Iroquois threw him out of the way and peered in at the cold stone walls.

  Instantly flying into a rage, Iroquois drew his sword and lifted to slay Guthrum.

  “Stop Iroquois, he is my best soldier!” shouted Gregorian, pleading with him to spare the slothful fool.

  Regaining control, Iroquois re-sheathed his sword. “Guthrum, this is only a reprieve. If we don’t find them, I will finish the job!” and he turned away, ordering Gregorian to follow.

  “You never know, Iroquois, I might finish you off,” sneered the disgruntled guard, making sure his voice was too low to be heard.

  Chapter 16

  Protectors

  Where the sparkling ocean unites with the light blue sky, a few unspoilt rays of dazzling sunlight entered the horizon. A blackbird sung in high spirits, abruptly ending its infectious melody, noticing the encroaching danger. The stone circles stood proudly as they had done for thousands of years. Even they seemed to somehow disapprove of the arrival of the gloomy band as they drew near.

  Stopping a short distance away, Iroquois scoured the surroundings looking for a hint of Carragah. He looked at the stone circle where the entrance to the burial grounds had appeared. The surroundings were quiet and unspoilt, nobody around to prevent Iroquois and his band from finally gaining access to the tombs.

  The sun reluctantly stirred, intuitively sensing the land’s discontent but unable to prevent its own progress.

  “Gregorian, I trust your men won’t let us down again?”

  “No, they are in position, any unwanted visitors will be advised to come back later,” he started to smile.

  Iroquois did not share the joke and with a face of thunder he moved towards the stone circle. “Just make sure they don’t Gregorian, next time it will be you who will take responsibility.”

  Gregorian chose not to reply and just shook his head. Looking round, he could see his soldiers positioned strategically, with Guthrum furthest away.

  Iroquois moved to the largest rock and placed the Celtic cross inside the recess of the rock. The sun slowly ascended and the rays of light were now escaping freely. Iroquois stood backwards and watched the sun creep skywards.

  Sun rays quickly glided over glimmering dew-covered fields before finally arriving at the stone circle. Rapidly they shone on the stones, including the largest with the key inset into it.

  “Nothing is happening!” Iroquois shouted impatiently, looking at Gregorian.

  Seconds later, the rocks started to shake and the earth moved as the two great posts slowly ascended skywards revealing the secret entrance.

  A small dust cloud formed, concealing the opening for a few seconds. As it cleared, Iroquois moved forward to the unprotected entrance and gawped inside. Slowly, he took a step forward and started to move inside; suddenly a flash of light caught his hand, pushing it away ferociously, leaving it numb and listless. Illuminated against the dark passageway, Iroquois noticed a hazy dust-filled light protectin
g the entrance; a gentle electrical buzz confirmed the field remained as the haze faded.

  “Carragah!!” he screamed and stepped back out of the doorway beckoning Gregorian.

  “What’s happening?” Gregorian asked, responding to Iroquois’ call.

  “There is some energy field protecting the way in.”

  “Energy field,” Gregorian replied, totally confused.

  “It some old druid spell, he must be close. Get your men and find him now, he must be around here somewhere!” Iroquois ordered.

  Gregorian sounded a horn and his men quickly arrived from all directions.

  “Carragah is close at hand and is protecting the way in. We must find him now.”

  They dispersed into small groups and scoured the surrounding area. Just past the stone circles, Guthrum noticed a small quarry hidden in the field. He prompted his accomplice to go into the quarry first. As he peered down from above, he noticed Carragah alone with his stick embedded into the floor. He was in a trance, whispering. The guard grabbed the stick instantly, breaking the seal on the entrance to the chamber. Suddenly a rock struck the guard’s helmet and he fell heavily. Lorna and Graham swiftly came into view, throwing more heavy rocks at the disabled soldier. Then the leprechaun jumped into the fray with his miniature sword. The soldier began to regain his composure and started to climb to his feet, drawing his sword. Lepy thrust his sword forward, moving him dangerously close to the soldier. His thrust hit the target and into the soft underbelly of the towering man. The soldier gasped breathlessly; rapidly he looked skywards as light shone out of his stomach where the wound was. In seconds, the bright light had completely enveloped his whole body. As quickly as the light appeared, it had vanished and with it the soldier. He had disappeared.

  “Aargh,” Guthrum screamed as he dropped into the quarry with his sword drawn.

  He swiped viciously at Lepy who lifted his sword in defence. Lepy’s sword took the full impact and catapulted out of his hands, embedding deep into the quarry wall.

  Guthrum lifted his sword high and swiftly brought it down to bear on the defenceless leprechaun with venom. In a flash, the sword hit something solid and not the soft flesh as he expected.

  Instantly, Guthrum noticed Gregorian standing there holding his sword just above the leprechaun, preventing him from harm.

  “Iroquois wants them unharmed!” Gregorian said calmly, staring into Guthrum’s eyes.

  Guthrum didn’t reply, his face started to twitch near an old battle scar.

  “That was close,” said Lorna.

  “Tell me about it!!” said Lepy as Guthrum threw him out of the quarry, quickly followed by Lorna and Graham. He then grabbed Carragah and marched him out roughly.

  The other soldiers grabbed them tightly. Guthrum, still seething, looked menacingly at the leprechaun. “Next time there will be no one to save you!”

  The soldiers marched them to Iroquois who was still near the entrance.

  “Carragah, still you continue this futile effort to protect the burial grounds. You must accept your time is over. I will let you live long enough to watch me dip my hand in the fountain of power.”

  “You will never make it, these sacred grounds are protected,” Carragah replied defiantly.

  Iroquois laughed. “Old tales, my friend, old tales. Gregorian, grab that girl!” he ordered. Gregorian grabbed Lorna by the arms and led her forward towards the entrance. “Get off me now!” Lorna struggled. Gregorian drew his sword and pushed it into the small of Lorna’s back and the struggle stopped.

  “Let’s hope there are no traps for the girl’s sake,” Iroquois said as Gregorian pushed the sword into Lorna’s back, forcing her forward in through the arched doorway. Slowly he moved deep into the chamber where it split into three chambers.

  The Viking soldiers noticed the inscriptions above the door and became agitated.

  Iroquois, observing this, said: “Don’t worry about these old inscriptions, these are the protectors of the grounds, three children an old man.”

  “You are a fool, none of you will see the sunset,” said Carragah, defiantly.

  “Guthrum, check inside that chamber there!” Gregorian ordered.

  “You check in that one,” he said pointing to another guard.

  The two soldiers followed their orders and cautiously moved into the dark chambers, grabbing a torch each from the other guards.

  The dancing fire from Guthrum’s flame started to reveal some of the hidden treasures. His eyes lit up as he noticed the gold and jewels piled up within the chests. Quickly, he glanced behind to check if anybody had followed. Noticing he was alone, he grabbed some of the jewels in the nearest chest and placed them deep into his clothing. Returning out of the chamber, Guthrum passed an eye-shaped plaque on the wall; it had a small black bulb in its centre. Just as he arrived back to the others, the chamber started to shake, small rocks fell from the ceiling and dust filled the air.

  “What did you do in there?” Gregorian demanded, looking at Guthrum.

  “Nothing,” he replied suspiciously.

  Gregorian reached inside Guthrum’s cloak and pulled out some gold coins.

  “Nothing you fool!” Gregorian shouted as the chamber stopped shaking.

  “You are sealed in here for all eternity and have woken those who should not be woken,” Carragah said, looking at Iroquois.

  Gregorian urgently moved up the passage and noticed the entrance blocked by a solid stone wall.

  Returning to Iroquois, no words were spoken, he already knew. “Come, we don’t have time for this.” And he grabbed Lorna and led her down to the last steep chamber.

  The guards nervously looked over their shoulders, a breeze started to flow through the passages and the cobwebs swayed from side to side.

  Suddenly a chilling scream echoed from the second chamber where the guard had entered.

  “What’s that?” Graham gasped, panicking and moving as close to Carragah as possible.

  “They have woken,”

  “Who has?”

  “Those chosen to protect this place,” Carragah replied.

  “Move in there,” Iroquois grunted, pushing Lorna into the last chamber and down the flights of stone stairs.

  “There’s nothing here, only old burial chambers,” Guthrum barked, looking around the lifeless dark cavern.

  “Don’t be misled, it’s here somewhere,” Iroquois replied, moving down towards the bridge. Silently looking down into the abyss they walked over the narrow link. Lorna looked forward, trying to keep her mind blank so the realisation of her situation was manageable.

  “Light those torches!” Iroquois ordered. A guard ran across towards the arches, hesitating for a few seconds at the sight of the coffins just inside. Flickering, the dim light slowly intensified as the fire on the torches grew more aggressive and the cavern started to divulge some of its concealed underground arches.

  The remaining guards released the hostages, spread out across the platform and drew their swords. Inch by inch they moved forward, stopping every few seconds to check behind. Lorna passed the indentations on the ground,

  “Look Graham, the coffins,” Lorna yelled, pointing enthusiastically in their direction. The stone slabs had somehow been lifted off and placed at the side of each grave.

  “Wow, they’re empty,” he replied, as his hairs on the back of his neck stood proudly, sending cold shivers through his entire body.

  Iroquois noticed the magnificent pool as he passed over the open stone tombs and released Lorna from his strong grasp, moving slowly towards it.

  He stopped in his tracks, the sound of metal clanging filled the air, and from the sides of the cavern the protectors appeared.

  Chapter 17

  The Spring

  Raging rivers carved the honeycombed shaped caverns thousands of years ago. The soft limestone eroded by strong rapids, relentlessly flowing beneath the surface, creating history for generations to discover. From where Graham stood it looked as though these ca
verns stretched for miles. For a few seconds, he admired the beauty and numerous caves and passages that littered this undiscovered terrain. Graham promised himself if he survived this strange and treacherous time he would visit again.

  Gregorian, Guthrum and the remaining four guards joined Iroquois past the empty coffins.

  “What the bloody hell is that?” Lorna exclaimed.

  “I don’t know but it looks bad,” Graham replied.

  Out of a large dark cavern, a shape with a round brightly covered shield came into view. It had an eye-shaped symbol in the centre.

  The shape stood tall and the guard nearest lifted his torch quickly to improve his view, seconds later taking a step backwards in horror.

  Under the bronze helmet, two cheek plates came across, covering the majority of the face. The protector looked upwards, revealing an eyeless skull, dark and haunting. Its torso was covered in battle dress tunic which dropped to his knees. Over his clothes, squeaking steel plates joined on to its breast plate which reached just above the waist.

  Banging his sword against the shield, he stepped forward, his bones creaking with every step. Seconds later another protector revealed itself from the opposite side of the cavern, quickly followed by another scraping carcass. All of a sudden they stopped without warning and stood to attention, all carrying the same shields. A ghostly glow shrouded their frame, revealing their flesh and faces, before fading again.

  “Lorna, they look like that ghost we saw in the passageway!” Graham uttered, moving further away, stuck between whatever these protectors were and Iroquois’ men.

  “Th... th... they’re dead people!” Lorna whispered, horrified, desperately trying not to draw attention to herself.

  “That’s what you will look like in a thousand years time,” Carragah replied, trying to ease the tension, but Lorna was too shocked to respond.

  Just near the spring another image appeared; like the others his features were that of a skeleton with a transparent glow. He wore a green tunic with gold embroidered patterns which dropped to his knees. A silver band around its neck supported a long purple cloak which flowed down the length of his back. Around its waist area hung a belt with armour attached which drooped half way down his thigh. The only other protection he possessed were his knee-length metal boots and a rectangular shield which bent around its frame with the same symbol as the others.