Child of Conquest

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Idwal lord of the wall

Aldwyn and Selwyn looked up at the upward path towards Hallam, they could not see any signs of the enemy camp although they knew it was there.  Aldwyn and Selwyn were however not intending to take the main path towards Hallam; they needed to get to Paden’s Pass and according to the stolen book there was another way into the mountain.  It was still early morning and the pair moved easterly scouting along the mountain face and away from the well-worn access to Hallam.  Aldwyn had no idea what they were searching for all he could see was rock, and more rock.  Selwyn was reading the book and was mumbling to himself as he stumbled along.  Aldwyn was becoming agitated it occurred to him if there was another way round it would have been found and used before now.  Selwyn suddenly stopped and looked around before pointing to his book again.  Bending down and picking up a rock he stroked it with one hand and put the book down.

“What is it?” asked Aldwyn

Selwyn began to remove a collection of smaller stones that were lying against the mountain, the same as all the other thousands of rocks they had passed. Aldwyn joined Selwyn who was now on his knees pulling away stones Selwyn placed Aldwyn hands at a small gap he had cleared.

“Don’t you feel it?”  Aldwyn shook his head he could not feel anything, he watched his brothers excitement and helped him clear away the stones.  Behind was a larger rock that had obviously fallen at some time and took both of them to roll away.  Behind was an opening hardly bigger than a fox hole.

“Please tell me this isn’t what you were looking for.”  He looked at the small hole in despair.

“It must run all the way up and come out at the pass.  It’s quite remarkable really.”  Selwyn put his hand up the tunnel “There is a distinct draught running through, it might be a bit of a tight squeeze though.”

Aldwyn could not believe the look of excitement on his brother’s face as he contemplated entering the tiny chasm.

“Selwyn you can’t be serious, I’m not going in there.”  Aldwyn bent down put his head inside it was pitch black.

“It has been used before its mentioned here in the book, although I imagine it hasn’t been used since the last war.”

“Selwyn anything could have happened since then, it could have collapsed.  There could be things living in there.”  Aldwyn shuddered

“Selwyn I don’t want to upset things that could be living in there, in the dark.”  He paused trying not to sound terrified. 

Selwyn looked at his brother.  “Do you remember when I was young and frightened of the dark. I would wake up screaming in the night.” 

Aldwyn nodded “I suppose your going to tell me that the only way to overcome a fear is to face it.”

“No I was going to say I’m still petrified of the dark and I was hoping you’d go in first.” 

Aldwyn frowned at his brother who remained straight-faced. 

“We have to do this Aldwyn, there’s no going back now.”

Selwyn took a piece of rope and began tying the book to his ankle, there would be no room to hold on to it or tuck it into his garments.  Aldwyn’s breathing started to become more rapid as he prepared himself.  He took a piece of cord and lashed it around his ankle so that it trailed behind.

He took one last look at Selwyn “The rope is there to let you know I’m not far ahead and so you don’t get too close to my feet.”  Selwyn smiled at his brother’s thoughtfulness