Lord of the Abbey (38 page)

“
Oh. What of the diamond-shaped stone above the well? Any chance that moves somehow?” Rowena asked. She was certain the spring was somehow involved in all this.

“
We tried that, as well.” Micah shrugged.

“
I’ll have a look, Micah. If the cellar is as old as you think, Roman I believe was your guess, a mechanism to open a secret door would not be so obvious,” Harry offered. “It would be well hidden, possibly in the floor.

Micah spoke, “Please do, Harry. We’re at a dead end on the treasure quest. No secret chamber, nothing in the Abbey tunnel of yet, and we are unable to locate the tunnel leading from Stonedown to the Tor marked on William’s map. The opposition seems to know more about the locations of this treasure than we do.”

“
We do have the sapphire and the cruets, Micah,” Harry reminded him. “Do you have the tunnel map with you?”

“
It’s in the library, I’ll get it.”

“
No, let’s adjourn to the library, there’s more room in there for us all.” Harry stood.

Rowena rose, “I should go sit with Lyon.”

Her aunt spoke. “No dear, you go with the gentlemen. Sir John and I can sit with Lyon for a bit.”

“
I caught up on my sleep this afternoon, Lady Rowena. You need to catch up on yours tonight. When we return from the cellars, I’ll sit with Lyon till dawn,” Wyldhurst offered with a grand bow.

“
Thank you, Luc,” Rowena said sweetly.

“
In truth, Lady Rowena,” Wyldhurst began, “I hope Lyon wakes to see my face hovering over him this night. It will frighten him so seeing the face of
Le Diable
, when he is accustomed to the face of an angel, he’ll likely stand from the sick bed!” He sported a devilish grin.

The Avalon Society members laughed.

Smiling, Harry took Rowena’s hand and placed it on his arm, “Come, Lady Rowena, I insist you join us tonight.”

After reviewing the map, they all decided the tunnel opening had to be in the old cellar, more than likely the spring alcove outside wall, which was what Micah and Rowena originally deduced.

Harry and Rowena, Micah, Charlie, Wyldhurst, Newt, Trevan and his cousin Gabriel Chynoweth, the Earl of St. Mabyn, went into the cellar. Five of them carried lanterns. The rest of the members dispersed to take their posts or get some sleep before they took the late watch.

Harry surveyed the old cellar first, moving next into the small chamber housing the spring. He instructed the other lanterns be brought into the small room. The added light illuminated the chamber and made a vast difference. He first surveyed the diamond shaped stone above the spring. Confirmed that it was not a mechanism to open a secret door, but agreed it was a fine relic. His eyes searched the wall itself, saw no signs that a door was cut into it.

Harry pulled at his chin while he thought. “If the whole wall was the door, it would most likely swing in this way. Any pulling mechanism should be here.” His gaze moved to the corner of the alcove opposite. He searched the opposite wall, found nothing. Deep in thought, he looked down. Then a slow smile spread across his face.

“
You’ve found something!” Micah rushed forward, his gaze following to the floor where Harry’s finger now pointed.

There, embedded in the stone floor was a small round stone with a labyrinth carved into it.

Harry squatted down to study it. He reached out, pushed the stone with all his might.

All watched as the stone sunk lower than the stone floor, seemingly of its own volition.

There was a large groan, and a hiss of air as the wall rotated slightly, about four feet. Dust filled the chamber.

Rowena sneezed.

Harry removed his handkerchief and handed it to her.

Trevan was the first to reach the opening. He held his lantern into the black void. He turned grinning, his black hair now rather dusty. His blue eyes sparkling, “Good news, Micah, we’ve a tunnel! We are no longer at a dead end.”

Harry leaned around Trevan to look. “We need something to check the ceiling, to make certain it is sound and will hold.”

“
I’ll find something,” Charlie shrugged with a sigh. “I’m quite familiar with all of the tools here at Stonedown.”

“
Bring the map, please, Charlie. It’s on the library table,” Micah added.

While they waited, each took their turn to peer into the tunnel, even with the light of several lanterns, none could judge the length of it. The tunnel seemed to be well made with stone walls, floor and ceiling. And seemed to be as old as the spring alcove and cellar.

Gabriel Chynoweth questioned Harry, “How did you know to look here on this side?”

“
It appears this cellar and spring room are from the Roman era, as Micah guessed. Any mechanism would be large and elaborate during that time. Since we found no evidence of it inside, I guessed it was underneath the floor. For the door to be pulled open, the starting mechanism would be as far back as this or could have been beyond this wall even.”

Charlie returned in less than ten minutes with a couple of shovels and a hoe, as well as the small wooden chest of tools. He handed William Dulac’s map to Micah.

“
Wait here,” Harry instructed Rowena while he and Charlie stepped into the tunnel entrance. They poked and prodded the walls and ceiling while Trevan held the lantern for them.

“
It seems sound enough. We’ll just continue to check as we go along. I need a man to remain outside here in case there is trouble. Micah, perhaps you can wait here with Lady Rowena-“

“
I’m going into the tunnel, Harry! I’ll not be left behind,” Rowena interrupted. She raised her chin in defiance. Her hands moved to her hips.

Harry knew it was a battle he could not win. It was her quest, after all. “We will not go far tonight then, for it is late, and has been a long day. If we find nothing within a quarter of an hour, I’ll send Charlie and Newt to check it out thoroughly tomorrow before we all come back in. Micah, will you remain at Lady Rowena’s side?”

“
Absolutely.” Micah offered his arm to a triumphant Rowena as they entered the opening. He couldn’t help but grin at her. She was quite proud of her victory.

“
I’ll stand watch, as long as I get a chance to see it tomorrow!” Gabriel Chynoweth submitted reluctantly.

“
Agreed! And thank you, Gabriel.” His cousin, Trevan nodded and entered the tunnel entrance behind Wyldhurst and Newt, “And cousin, if you hear something cave in, get the others and start digging, you know how I hate being buried alive!”

Gabriel laughed for there was nothing his giant of a cousin feared, save being buried in a dark place. It was an old tale of Trevan’s childhood, that none of his relatives would ever forget. “Aye, Trevan. That I will.”

Harry and Charlie thoroughly checked each section of the passageway roof with the shovel handles before allowing any of the others to move forward.

“
Oh, look, Micah! It’s a goddess symbol.” Rowena pointed to a carving on the stone wall.

Micah paused to hold the lantern up to it. Adjusted his spectacles. “Incredible! This has to have been here for some time.”

“
Look over there, Micah!” Rowena motioned to a crude painting of an antlered figure on the opposite wall. “Cerennunos.”

“
Obviously, Lady Rowena.” Micah shook his head in wonder, “We are following a path of ancient pagan history.”

“
Here is St. Bridget, milking the cow!”

“
Yes, Lady Rowena, perhaps she was the Goddess Bridget, before becoming a saint.” Micah was in as much awe of their find as she was. “There is the green man, there. Ah, also a green woman! Wonderful.”

“
This is magnificent.” Trevan commented from the rear of their group. “We’re walking through history, literally.”

“
Hold up!” Harry called out.

They all stopped walking.

“
Micah, per the map, I think this is about the spot, wouldn’t you agree? We should be under the old herb garden about now, I think.”

“
That’s my guess, Harry.” Micah studied the map.

Charlie looked up, “There are a few roots coming through the ceiling in places, Harry. I think you and Micah are correct.”

Harry set his shovel against the wall, held up his lantern and studied the walls. “Take that side, Charlie.” He gestured to the opposite wall.

Harry saw a carving of a Vesica Pisces, walked a bit further saw no other symbols. He returned to the Vesica Pisces, carefully studying the carving with one hand, while holding the lantern with the other. “I’ve a Vesica Pisces here. Anything over there Charlie?”

“
A sun, moon and star, Harry. It’s a painting, not a carving.”

“
It has to be the Vesica Pisces, Harry! The most basic symbol used in Sacred Geometry, the father and mother in Divine Union. It also represents the feminine creative force, was the early Christian emblem of Christ, and is a symbol of immense power and energy; it represents the joining of the Spirit and the Earth, the overlapping of inner and outer worlds,” Micah spoke excitedly.

“
I think you’re right, Micah.” Harry picked up the shovel leaning against the wall where he’d left it. He raised the handle to the stone ceiling. Tested the stability of the ancient stone again. Dust and bits of stone crumbled down upon him. “It’s definitely weaker here. No doubt because of the roots from the garden. I don’t want to open any door with everyone in here. Go back to the cellar and wait. Charlie and I will try and open it when you are
all
safely ensconced in the cellar.” Harry’s eyes rested on Rowena.

Rowena’s eyes narrowed on Harry, but as it was, Trevan herded everyone, including her, back into the spring alcove. “Micah, get Lady Rowena all the way back into the cellar, if you don’t mind, please,” Trevan instructed.

Micah was already pulling the reluctant Lady along with him. “”Tis for your safety, Lady Rowena. I will not take no for an answer.”

“
Harry, Micah? Will Harry be safe in there?” Rowena worriedly looked back to the tunnel opening once they were inside the cellar.

Micah nodded. “I think so, Lady Rowena.”

They heard another loud groan. It came from inside the tunnel.

Rowena stood silently, her fingers digging into Micah’s arm. “Sorry,” she breathed when she realized what she was doing.

“
No harm done.”

A loud whoop from Charlie reached them.

“
Did ya find it?” Trevan’s voice boomed from the opening.

“
We found a chamber, filled with, I’m not sure what! But it is filled! The ceiling remains fairly stable, come everyone! Have a quick look!” Harry’s jubilant voice came from inside the tunnel.

Gabriel resigned to continue standing watch while the others hurried down the tunnel.

There were already three lanterns inside the chamber when Rowena and Micah entered. Trevan followed them with the fourth.

“
Oh, my! This
is
it!” Rowena looked at the chest filled room, several just opened, one revealed ancient tomes, the other gold chalices, along with what she thought might be pixes, cruets, and oil vessels, items that probably graced the sacristy and high altars of Glastonbury Abbey. Reaching down she scooped up a handful of silver and gold encrusted jewels from a chest just opened by Charlie.

Harry extended his hand to her. She left Micah and took the hand Harry offered. She stood beside him near a chest filled with large books. Some appeared to be illuminated manuscripts. “Bede! Josephus!” She exclaimed, running her hand lovingly over the old tomes lying on top of the pile. “Gildas. Harry, how wonderful.” Rowena smiled up at him. He grinned at her.

The men opened more of the chests. All were filled with the same or similar types of items.

“
It was no lie the library of Glastonbury rivaled that of Alexandria, then!” Trevan whistled lowly as he explored the contents of one chest full of tomes. “I wish to read them all, can I?” Trevan looked to Harry and Rowena with an eager grin.

“
They will all be at our disposal, gentlemen,” Harry informed them.