The Secret Burial Grounds of Knocknakil

by Gregg Holt

  Graham looked at his sword. “It’s that one off the coffins with the gold handle.”

  “I can see that, so how does it help?” Lorna snapped back.

  “Well, I don’t know.”

  “So why are you telling me?”

  Graham decided not to pursue the matter any further.

  “Guthrum,” ordered Gregorian, nodding his head in the direction of the first protector.

  Guthrum nodded in return, drew his sword and held aloft his shield. Slowly he edged out in its direction.

  The new protector with the cloak spoke in an ancient language. Instantly, the nearest protector banged his sword against his shield and slowly stepped towards Guthrum. Step by step they moved closer to each other, sparring.

  “Who do you think will win Graham?” Lorna asked.

  “Don’t know if it will matter?” Graham replied, watching the ensuing fight nervously.

  CLASH. Guthrum thrusted his sword at the protector, crashing against his shield.

  The protector in return launched his attack, hitting Guthrum’s sword. Violently they threw their swords at each other with all their might. After a few clashes, the protector lost strength, the glow around its body started to flicker and fade. Noticing the deterioration, Guthrum’s confidence grew, with a tremendous blow he knocked the defender to his knees. Sniffing victory, his momentum grew, thrashing again violently as he gained strength. The protector’s sword fell and Guthrum’s next crash snapped his shield.

  Lifting his sword high in the air he screamed as he drove into the defenceless skeleton. Instantly, the protector evaporated into a ball of dust and nothing remained.

  Guthrum turned to Gregorian and lifted his sword in victory.

  “We’re in trouble now!” Graham sighed heavily.

  “Should we make a run for it?” Lorna replied in desperation.

  “Yeah, if you know a way out?”

  The protector near the spring spoke again in his foreign tongue.

  Instantly, Carragah replied and a conversation ensued. Iroquois interrupted. “Gregorian, lead your men into final victory. Time has made these protectors weak and they are no match for disciplined soldiers such as you.”

  Gregorian acknowledged the order and stepped forward, closely followed by his men.

  Carragah placed his hand on the top of his staff and released the glass ball that was still glowing since he had dipped it into the spring.

  Gregorian’s men stepped towards the motionless protectors.

  Carragah threw the crystal ball with all his might at the stone floor and it smashed into tiny pieces, releasing a small flash of light that flew high into the air.

  “What’s that?” Lorna gasped, watching the glorious white comet-shaped light zoom around the room erratically.

  Graham shouted as he ducked, narrowly managing to prevent a collision as it flew inches above his head before hovering at the top of the cavern.

  “Look Graham!” Lorna shouted, pointing at the protector who had been speaking.

  Graham glanced across as he lifted his faceless skull skywards and shouted.

  The light shot into his rib gage and exploded, dazzling all in the cavern. Graham lifted his arms to protect his eyes from the intense light and fell to his knees. The brightness started to fade and Graham noticed Iroquois, Gregorian and their guards lying on the floor.

  “Fantastic,” Lorna whispered.

  “What?” Graham replied, quickly turning around.

  “Oh, my.” He was flabbergasted to see the protector was now flesh and bones. Immediately, he noticed his short curly blonde hair and well-defined body. Striking blue eyes stared at the children and he smiled. Immediately they knew that the protectors meant them no harm, if only they could defeat Iroquois and his men. Lifting his sword, which was glowing brightly into the air, he pointed at the two remaining skeletal figures in turn. Flash, lightening bolts shot from the magical sword, creating two more human guardians. Lorna watched as one of them turned his hands over in disbelief.

  “Gregorian, attack now before they gain more strength,” Iroquois demanded.

  A battle cry echoed throughout the cavern as the Vikings went on the offensive.

  Lorna grabbed Graham, linking with him, unable to look away. Their future depended on the outcome. Every time swords or shields crashed, Lorna flinched, driving her sharp nails into Graham’s arms

  Carragah came across and grabbed both their shoulders trying to reassure them. “That is Cuchulain, he won’t let us down.”

  A protector energetically spun round in the air and his sword avoided the Viking’s shield and sword, driving deep into his chest. The felled Viking fell to his knees.

  From his wound a white light developed; the Viking started to vanish as the light enveloped him. Seconds later, he had gone and the white light concentrated into a ball and flew into the spring. Gradually a potent odour slowly infected the air with a hint of burning flesh.

  The protectors and Vikings violently battled against each other. Crash! Another Viking fell, closely followed by another. Each time light escaped from their wounds before completely devouring their bodies and catapulting into the lava.

  After several minutes only two Vikings remained, Guthrum and Gregorian, with the two protectors.

  “Please come on,” Graham gasped, hoping with all his might. The Vikings relentlessly pounded the protectors. Lorna didn’t reply, clutching and flinching with every crash of metal on metal. Seconds later and simultaneously, they slayed the remaining two guardians. As they fell, one struck out, catching the unsuspecting Guthrum.

  Guthrum fell to his knees, his face twitched and he let out an almighty scream as the light engulfed his body. He valiantly fought the brightness but his fight was futile and seconds later he suffered the same fate.

  Gregorian fell to his knees, distraught at the loss of his closest friend.

  “AHHH!!!” he screamed as he lost his temper and climbed to his feet. He threw his shield across the ground and sprinted at Cuchulain to exert revenge, twisting his sword as he drew closer.

  “No Gregorian!” Iroquois ordered firmly.

  It was too late. Gregorian was upon the blonde-haired giant raising his sword to attack. Cleverly, Cuchulain sidestepped the raging Viking and exerted his own justice. His large muscled arms thrust his glowing sword down across the back of Gregorian’s shoulder and neck.

  Silently, Gregorian realised his mistake and fell onto his knees; he gasped as the brightness started to swallow up his body. Holding out his hand the light pierced through in several places. Glaring skywards his mouth opened wide and the glow shone through high into the sky like a beacon. Abruptly it burst towards the spring as his time finished, leaving a smouldering stench lingering. Holding their breath, Graham and Lorna valiantly struggled to prevent the odour offending their sense of smell.

  The blonde-haired giant smiled at Carragah and moved towards Iroquois.

  Iroquois rose to the challenge. “I will just have to finish the job myself.”

  Cuchulain and Iroquois met and circled each other dangerously close to the brightly coloured spring. The dark honeycomb chambers of the cavern scrutinised the events as whispers soared through the earths core informing the unseen of the unfolding proceedings. CRASH! Their swords sparked with the severe force of the impact as they struck at each other with intense force. Suddenly, Iroquois jumped and kicked Cuchulain, his heavy boot connecting firmly on his chest sending him crashing heavily on the floor, losing his sword. Iroquois thrust to take advantage and swung violently at the defenceless guardian. Cuchulain rolled to the side, reaching his sword as Iroquois’ sword crashed heavily, sparking against the stone floor. He climbed to his feet and they clashed again. Iroquois moved around the cavern and grabbed a rock and hurled it at Cuchulain, just narrowly missing his unprotected head. As he ducked, Iroquois kicked out sending him crashing yet again.

  “This doesn’t look good,” Graham said shaking his head in despair.

  “Come
on Cuchulain!” Lorna screamed.

  Iroquois thrust his sword, glancing against Cuchulain’s unprotected chest. Blood started to seep onto his green clothing. Cuchulain placed his hand on his chest and noticed blood oozing out, he was starting to struggle and Iroquois was relentless, crashing down heavily with every blow of his sword. Suddenly, one of his strong blows caught the protector’s sword, sending it crashing several feet away. Iroquois stood over the sword and kicked it further away.

  “It looks like your time is up Cuchulain!” Iroquois barked and he struck again, crashing heavily into his shield. The shield cracked and Iroquois hit it yet again.

  It split, leaving Cuchulain unprotected and defeated.

  Iroquois lifted his sword ready to finish Cuchulain who gazed up accepting his fate.

  “Stop!” Lorna shouted reaching out to grab Graham’s arm.

  It was too late; Graham was running quickly across the cavern floor.

  Iroquois stalled for a few seconds, not sure whether to finish Cuchulain. However, he found himself motionless, watching Graham slide across the floor reaching for Cuchulain’s sword. Iroquois quickly came to his senses and turned quickly, advancing towards him. Graham grasped it in his hand and threw it towards Cuchulain.

  Lorna screamed as Cuchulain reached out and grabbed the incoming sword out of the air.

  Graham froze, helplessly lying on his back he gawped at the advancing Iroquois as he lifted his sword ready for the kill.

  Chapter 18

  The Mist Descends

  Paralysed, Graham braced himself and watched as the sword launched towards him. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes his final thoughts returned to his Uncle and how he had let him down. Just as he expected the contact, Lepy dived on top of him with a shield he grabbed off the floor, which shuddered and deafened them both as the sword struck, sending the shield spinning away across the floor. He was still alive, at least for a few seconds more.

  Iroquois purposely lifted his sword to complete the grisly act, a softly spoken voice whispered in the air, stopping him immediately in his tracks,

  “Iroquois.”

  Iroquois paused and sensing Cuchulain was behind, quickly spun around, reaching out with his sword cunningly. To his terror the sword did not make contact. As the momentum carried him round, he noticed Cuchulain knelt down and his despairing swipe harmlessly passed over his head.

  Iroquois’ eyes filled with fear as he realised what was happening. Before he had time to bring his sword down again, Cuchulain thrust his sword with all his might through his rival’s soft underbelly. Cuchulain twisted the magical sword, it glowed around the edge cutting through his flesh like butter and Iroquois let out a huge gasp falling to his knees. His body fell on the stone floor face downwards and started to shudder; a dark shadow rose out of his body and drifted down disappearing into the stone earth. As it vanished, his body was still, Iroquois was dead.

  Silence befell the cavern, Lorna and Graham glanced across at each other.

  “Graham, this is not what I expected coming on holiday with you,” Lorna said, sensing they were safe and quickly running up and giving him a hug.

  Graham, a little embarrassed, started laughing, quickly joined by Lorna and Lepy as the nervous tension released itself through laughter.

  Graham glanced across noticing Carragah lying on his back on the floor.

  “Are you OK Carragah?” he asked, kneeling down by his side.

  He managed a slight smile. “Told you, Graham I am too old for this, Lepy come help me to the lake.”

  Lepy climbed off the floor and moved towards Carragah. Cuchulain took control and went to Carragah.

  With his strong physique he effortlessly assisted Carragah to his feet and silently moved towards the steps. As his foot touched the first step, the cavern shook and the entrance reopened.

  “Come on Lorna and Graham, it’s time to take you home,” Lepy said, following Cuchulain and Carragah up the steps.

  They all moved up the passages towards the exit. Graham noticed something on the floor and picked it up.

  It was a silver chain with a green stone in it. Looking at the stone, he noticed white clouds swirling inside. He lifted it up towards the rays of sun which had started to penetrate this part of the passage. The clouds slowly vanished,

  “Wow, is that an emerald?” Lorna gasped.

  Graham shook his head and relooked at it. There were no clouds and it did resemble an emerald. Graham thought about quickly placing it in his pocket and keeping it but then thought better of it.

  Carragah turned and slowly moved towards Graham as Cuchulain watched over him.

  Reaching out he grabbed Graham’s hand and he opened it, revealing the stone and chain. Carragah closed his fingers and smiled. “I think they have made a wise choice.”

  Graham looked up. “I don’t understand?”

  “You have been chosen to protect the secret burial grounds, this is a great honour.”

  “I can’t, I am just a boy.”

  “Graham, you have proven yourself today, you are brave and honest. You put your life on the line to protect this place, they have chosen well.”

  Carragah returned to Cuchulain and they went out to the dazzling sunshine.

  Calm and tranquillity had returned to the countryside as the natural harmony buzzed infectiously.

  Friesians were drifting aimlessly, chewing the endless supply of meadow as swallows chattered as they flew past like kamikaze pilots feasting on the abundant flies. The stone circle stood tall and proud, thankful that it to had played its part protecting the secret.

  They arrived at the edge of the lake, Cuchulain linked Carragah and they placed their feet into the lightly surging water.

  The air turned silent, only the sound of the water breaking against the rocks broke the atmosphere.

  Gradually the lightly heaving water around their feet retracted in towards the centre of the lake as the small waves appeared to reverse their natural rhythm and fall backwards, carving open the lake until it revealed a concealed pathway. Thousands of heavy stones painstakingly laid reached into the hidden depths of the lake.

  Graham and Lorna gazed out towards the centre of the lake observing the unparalleled force of nature’s true power as it performed this amazing feat.

  Carragah looked across, at his three accomplices staring intently into the far reaches of the deepest lake and he beckoned them over towards where he stood.

  “Lorna, hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday. I am pleased to have met you and owe you a deep sense of gratitude. Without your help the secret burial grounds would surely have been lost!” Lorna smiled, her pretty face lighting up proudly.

  “Lepy, my faithful servant, look out for these two, I fear they will require your assistance some time in the future. Your stature disguises your strong heart. I am forever in your debt and we will meet again! ”

  Carragah looked across at Graham and placed his hand on his shoulder, his wide blue eyes sparkling.

  “Spud, when you look out over the rocky fields of Knocknakil, remember this sacred land has stood here for generations. The Burial Grounds must remain secret; they have made a wise choice placing them in your trust to watch just like your Uncle did previously. Be aware, just because Iroquois is dead does not mean the danger has passed. There are others. Lepy will be there to assist whenever you need. ”

  Carragah gazed at the three of them for a few seconds; he smiled and turned, Cuchulain nodded his head and they both stepped forwards.

  After several steps on the secretive cobblestones, Cuchulain and Carragah turned one last time and smiled. They gazed at their friends; their faces were radiant full of life and energy. Slowly they turned and walked until they had vanished into the mysterious lake, the sides of the corridor fell and the ripples returned. The sun’s rays hit the water and it sparkled gleefully, the pulse of the wave’s returned thriving and alive as if celebrating the long lost return of two extraordinary warriors.

  Gra
ham and Lorna watched, a small tear trickled down Graham’s cheek as Lorna’s eyes watered. They gazed longingly at the lake as several rainbow trout joined the celebration by somersaulting high out of the water and they wondered why it had to end this way.

  The blue skies broke through as the suns rays started to shine on this lush green countryside. Then a single white feather fell from the sky, just missing Graham’s nose, and landed directly in front of him. He bent down and picked it up.

  Slowly he turned to Lorna and said: “I think this is for you.”

  “A feather, what do I need a feather for?” She paused for a few seconds, thinking about it.

  “Ah, I get it!” she exclaimed, as her face lit up realising its significance, and she excitedly linked him again.

  “See you soon and next time I see you make sure you have your pot of gold with you!” Lepy said, a wry smile on his face.

  “What’s that over there?” he shouted pointing out towards the lake.

  Graham and Lorna quickly looked over the lake but there was nothing out of the ordinary happening.

  When they looked back, Lepy had vanished.

  “I can’t believe we fell for that,” Lorna said, shaking her head.

  “What a day, I’m glad it’s over but...”

  “Sad it’s over!” Lorna interrupted.

  “Yes, Carragah and Lepy really grew on me.”

  “Yeah, me too, we should head back though!”

  “Yeah, you’re right, come on then,” Graham replied as they walked away from the Secret Burial Grounds, glancing back as they edged away.