FanStory.com - The Unwilling Heir - Chap 46by Begin Again

END OF CHAPTER 45
James stood, and Billy turned the bench over. "There's another inscription and a drawing of something. It looks like a latch of some sort."

James peered over Billy's shoulder. "I've seen that latch or something similar. It's in the carriage house, near the fireplace. I never paid much attention to it. Just thought it odd that a latch would be in the floorboards."

"Show me, James." Billy opened the door to the carriage house. "This has got to be it."

James entered and went directly to the fireplace, moving the oversized leather chair. "It's right there in the corner, Billy. Take the poker and see if you can break the latch."

The latch was small. But the poker didn't work. Bily hurried outside, got a large stone from the garden, and went back, pounding it against the latch. After two good hits, it broke. Using the poker, he pried it open, exposing a hidden compartment under the floor. It didn't take long for him to pry up a few floorboards and recover what was hidden inside. Wrapped in a velvet cloth was the sword. Its blade gleamed, and the hilt bore the intricate family crest.

Billy and James yelled to the others. "We found it! We found it!"

A bevy of cheers exploded in the rose garden as Billy carried the sword outside. He brought the sword to his grandfather, tears in his eyes. "Grandfather, we found the sword. I told you we could do it."

William's eyes brimmed with tears as he stared at his grandson. "I never doubted you, Billy. Not once!"

*****

CHAPTER 46

Lorrie beamed as she stood on the porch, clanging a spoon against one of her kettles. The excitement in the rose garden made it difficult to hear. Her voice rang out as she moved to the end of the wooden boards. "Breakfast is waiting for you! You'll need your strength to haul that treasure up out of the bowels of this mansion. So come along. You can make plans at the dining room table." Regardless of how thrilled she was for the group, she still kept a tight rein on her duties of caring for them.

As the group entered the house, Lorrie nodded and said, "My grandma always told me that a good meal in your belly is the best armor for any battle. In this case, the hunt for the treasure."

Breakfast was a hearty affair, with the scent of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee filling the air. The old wooden dining table creaked under the weight of the feast, and the sound of clinking cutlery and cheerful chatter filled the room. The sunlight filtered through the lace curtains, casting a warm glow over the ghosts and mortals around the table.

As the meal ended, James finally broached the topic of the sword. "Will or Billy, do you recall anything about the sword? Was it used for anything special besides fighting off the enemy?"

Will thought for a minute, trying to sift through decades of memories. "I'd forgotten, but Father showed me how it opened a door. Well, it's not a door, more like a panel or something else. I don't remember clearly."

Billy leaned forward, his arms extending across the table toward his father. "Could it have been a bookcase?"

"A bookcase would be too heavy to move. It must have been something else."

"Well, I never saw the sword work or the bookcase move, but one day, Grandfather was working in his study, and he was called away. I'd been told to stay out of the study when he wasn't there, but I'd left something there. I don't recall what it was, but I wanted to retrieve it. So, with a young boy's mentality, I opened the library door and hurried inside, praying I wouldn't get caught. The bookcase was tilted away from the wall, and there was an enormous gaping hole. I couldn't resist sneaking a peek and crept over and peered into the darkness. Just then, Grandfather returned, and his voice thundered across the room. I scrambled so fast to get out of there. I never dared to bring it up again."

James spoke to William, "Do you have any memory of the sword opening a door or moving a bookcase?"

William's eyes were vacant as he stared across the table. Esther reached out to comfort him. "It's okay, William. You're doing your best. The boys will figure it out."

He turned toward her and tried to smile. "If only I could remember, it would be much easier for everyone."

"Grandfather, don't worry. We've gotten this far. It's like those puzzles we used to solve — trial and error, one piece at a time."

"Billy's right. We can do this," Sandra added. "No one expected it to be easy, and the burden shouldn't lie on one person's shoulders."

Esther smiled at Sandra, silently thanking her for easing William's stress.

Patrick had been quietly listening to everyone while he finished his coffee. "I think we should start in the library. If Billy's recollection is right, it seems like a strong possibility. We should check it out."

James pushed his chair away from the table and stood. "Then I suggest we go to William's old library."

Excited, everyone stood and followed James and Patrick through the corridors, deeper into the mansion.

The group entered the old library, dust motes dancing in the golden sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows. The air was heavy with the musty scent of old books, and the shelves loomed over them like silent sentinels of knowledge.

James carefully examined the sword in his hands as the group gathered around the dusty old bookcases. Its intricate design seemed to whisper secrets of the past.

"There's something peculiar about this," James murmured, running his fingers along the hilt. "There's a slight indentation near the top of the blade."

Will leaned closer, examining the sword. "You're right. Almost like the indentations of a key."

Suddenly, William started pacing around the room, stopping to touch a piece of furniture or old memento and moving again.

Billy hurried to his grandfather's side. "Do you remember something?"

William stared at his grandson momentarily and then answered, "I do. The sword works like a key. There's a matching slot. He shook his head. "But where?"

"Billy said he saw a bookcase sitting ajar." The long row of bookcases flanked two sides of the room. "Everyone examine them for a slot of some sort."

After several minutes, Billy yelled, "I think I found something! There's an opening at the base of this bookcase."

With a deep breath, James knelt beside Billy and slid the sword into the opening. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a soft click, the mechanism engaged. The bookcase vibrated as if its dusty bones were shaking off layers of dust — the sound of gears turning echoed through the room.

Slowly, the bookcase swung open, revealing a hidden doorway. Gasps of surprise circled the room.

Lorrie's eyes were wide with surprise. "What do you see, James?"

"Not much. It's very dark. There appears to be a narrow wooden staircase descending into the cellar." The scent of aged wine, musty walls, and decades of silt wafted upward to greet them.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Sandra said, stepping forward. "Let's see what lies beneath."

*****

A musty smell filled the air as they peered into the dimly lit opening. The wooden stairs, barely visible in the faint light, looked old and decayed. Patches of mold crept along the edges. James tested the first step cautiously. The wood creaked ominously under his weight.

Lorrie fretted and twisted her apron. "Be careful, James. Those stairs have seen better days."

Sandra nodded in agreement, gripping the shaky railing and following James down the steps. Each step groaned louder than the last, the wood threatening to give way.

Having chosen to follow Sandra, Michael waited for them to start their descent, then followed a few steps behind.

Suddenly, halfway down, the stairs let out a loud crack. Sandra gasped as her footing slipped, her arms flailing in the darkness.

"Watch out!" Michael yelled, frantically reaching out for Sandra's arm.

Before they could react, the steps beneath James collapsed, sending him and Sandra tumbling into the darkness below. The wood splintered and shattered, echoing against the walls.

"James! Sandra!" Lorrie shouted, panic rising as she clung to the edge of the broken staircase. Her eyes were wide with fear. "Michael, be careful. The remaining stairs may fall."

Finally, they heard James groan from below. "We're okay." His voice was strained as he inspected Sandra's scraped arm. "A bit shaken, but nothing's broken."

Sandra turned her flashlight upward, and the beam danced across several faces, peering back at them. Lorrie's face was pale. "We'll have to find another way to get down there."

Having returned to the top landing, Michael peered into the cavern, his world suddenly shaken. "I'm sorry, Sandra. I tried to catch you."

Sandra answered this time. "It's just a few scrapes and bruises. I might have a different story tomorrow, though." She wiped away the dirt and a trickle of blood, examining the scraped area. "It could have been much worse."

James called up to Michael, "Do you think you or one of the guys could find a rope? Maybe you could use it to lower yourselves down. I thought of using these crates, but they might break apart as well."

Michael was quick to answer. "They are probably too heavy for you and Sandra to move, anyway."

Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We could use ropes. Secure them to something sturdy and rappel down."

"Good idea, "Jack agreed. "Lorrie, can you show us where the ladder is so we can check it out?"

"Of course. Madeline, I remember there was some rope in the carriage house. Could you find it?"

As the group dispersed to gather their supplies, Esther's translucent body floated toward William, sitting in a chair and staring out the window. "William, you look concerned. Is it because James and Sandra fell? They said they were alright. You should be happy. They are close to finding the treasure."

He turned from the window, his eyes filled with sadness. "I know, but what if they walk into their demise?"

As Esther spoke, her excitement faded, and fear took its place, "Oh heavens, William. What do you mean?"

"They've had to combat the demons at every turn. What if there are more guarding the vault? They won't give it up easily."

Madeline had returned with the rope and overheard Esther and William talking. "More demons? Do you think that's possible?"

William nodded. "I don't know what to think anymore. I don't want to be responsible for sending everyone into another battle. They've faced demons and gangsters already. When does this end?"

The men had found the fire escape and brought it into the room. Will and Billy were the first to enter. "When does what end, Father?"

Madeline spoke, "He's worried that there might be more demons guarding the treasure."

Will and Billy exchanged glances and then turned to Jack and Michael. "My grandfather believes there might be more demons awaiting us below. If there are, it's a possibility we might not come out of the battle, especially you mortals."

"Billy is right." Will shook his head. "We can't ask you to risk your lives again for us."

Jack and Michael responded in unison, "You're not asking!"

Michael looked at Jack and then the others. "I didn't know what we were getting into at first, but now that I do, I can't abandon friends."

Jack smiled at Michael, proud of how much he'd matured in such a short time. "Me too! We're going to see this through."

"Then let's get busy." Benny and Billy lowered the fire escape ladder into the darkness. They slowly descended, checking its safety. Michael tied several thick ropes to the top and fastened them to the heavy desk and bookcases.

"Maybe the women should stay behind." Will looked at Madeline. "No offense, but you don't look like the rope-climbing type."

Madeline's eyes turned dark. "I'll not be left behind. After what I've faced in this mansion, I'll see it to the end."

Billy interjected, "Calm down, Madeline. I think Will was only thinking of your safety. Of course, if you want to come, you can."

Lorrie grabbed the rope and tossed it into the darkness. "Well, no one will be stopping me. I'll be going first."

Benny and Billy floated ahead, their ghostly forms providing a dim light. The mortals lowered themselves onto the rusty ladder one by one and started their descent. They could feel the cool, damp air from the cellar wafting up.

"Take it slow," Jack called up to the others as he descended. James waited at the bottom, watching for any other danger.

Step by step, they made their way down the fire escape ladder, the old metal groaning under their weight. When they finally reached the bottom, Sandra swung the flashlight around, revealing the expanse of the cellar. Dust motes danced in the light beam, and the rows of empty wine racks cast eerie shadows on the walls.

Her eyes met Michael's as he rushed to her side. Trying to break the tension, Sandra laughed. "Just another adventure at the mansion."

Lorrie was quick to respond, "Yes, it is, deary. So, let's get started."