"You're writing letters to your aunts again, Arturo?", Enzo's voice, made him put down his pen and glance at his shaggy friend.
A few steps behind him is Will, who is just watching them with interest while holding an old book in his hands. Enzo strained to see what Arthur was writing. He frowned confused. "Dude, I know your handwriting is bad, but what kind of scribbles are these?"
Without much thought, the shaggy boy takes his notebook and tries to understand what it says. Arthur just laughs at his friend's tortured face, knowing he won't be able to read it, no matter how hard he tries.
For the past few days, Arthur had been upset as he realized that his memories from his past life were fading. He didn't forget anything big, it was mostly small things but important and dear to him. He found himself sitting there, lost in thought, trying to remember what kind of candy he and Kay loved as children. To solve this problem, he decided to write down everything he remembered. In addition to memories, he wrote down his lessons with Ector and Merlin in the notebook, as well as strange dreams. The nightmare about his sister was not the only one, moreover, every month he found himself trapped in a dream with no way out. The most disturbing thing was the fact that he knew he was dreaming, and yet, he couldn't do anything about it. In each of those strange dreams, a familiar, mysterious whisper said something. There was no way he could connect whose voice it was. The only thing that is certain is that it belongs to a woman, which actually narrows down the choice quite a bit.
Arthur understood if anyone found this notebook, it could become a big problem. So, as a security measure, he wrote it in the code. The code he uses is one he and Kay made up as kids. During the lecture, Merlin taught him how to crack secret texts. He and his adopted brother swore to make a code that the old wizard couldn't break. The first attempts were big failures, Merlin solved them in less than five minutes. Each time they made a better password, but nothing his teacher couldn't solve. They once made a code so complicated that they kept making mistakes in its use. That's how four months of brainstorming were wasted only to succeed completely accidentally. They created a basic code, but Merlin couldn't solve it. And all that was needed were calm thoughts and a little creativity. Later, the whole round table used that code.
He was interrupted from his thoughts by Will, who suddenly began to frown. "This is fascinating…" he said, looking at his book. The title spoke to Pembroke, mostly a classic history book that William would have picked up to read.
"Will, I don't know how to tell you, but there's nothing interesting or exciting about the book about the ancient castle we live in." Enzo said it with fake seriousness and concern.
To which William rolled his eyes.
"I wouldn't really agree, if I remember the More Lessons correctly, my grandfather Henry VII was born in this castle." Arthur said simply.
"Yes, but that's not what I'm talking about. The book says that Pembroke is filled with secret tunnels that were used for the illegal transportation of goods." Will explains.
This was enough to interest and confuse the other two. It is not unusual for the castle to have a secret tunnel that is most often used in case of escape. However, the possibility that the castle they lived in was full of passages, and they hadn't noticed a single one intrigued them.
"Wait really? But we practically went around every inch of the castle." It is Henry who expresses the group's confusion.
"Where did you find the book, Will?" Arthur asks.
"It was in the most neglected part of the library, which no one seemed to clean. Because of its appearance, I assumed it was one of the old texts and started reading." Their serious friend explains to them.
"So what are we waiting for, let's find them!" Enzo said excitedly.
Will sighed, "Don't be an idiot! We're talking about passages here that were built over two hundred years ago. They're probably neglected and unusable."
Enzo wanted to argue with Will but was stopped by Arthur.
"Two hundred years isn't really a long time. True, it could be dangerous, but I doubt we'll encounter anything creepier than spiders or bats. And where's your sense of adventure, Will? How will you ever discover treasure if you're afraid to try?"
"I have no intention of discovering the treasure in the first place." William retorted.
"But imagine what all these people left, so many objects that hide the history of our ancestors." Arthur began.
Seeing Arturo's intentions with this, Enzo joined in. "Yeah, imagine all the files just waiting to be found."
Although he tried to stand his ground, William actually gave in quickly. He was curious, okay!
"So, what's the plan for discovering the tunnel?"
Arthur took over, "We're going from room to room looking for anything that isn't right. Squeaky floorboards, dull floors, handles, and anything that might indicate the existence of a room."
"Wouldn't it be more efficient if we split up?" suggests Enzo.
"No, if we investigate on our own, we'll probably miss something."
--
Three boys were lying on the grass in the circle, tired and panting. The search was a massive failure. They looked into every corner of Pembroke and found nothing. Well, nothing but a furious cat and some side-kissing cook.
"I don't understand what we're missing!!?" Enzo said annoyed.
"I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'm starting to doubt the book." Will said, barely catching his breath.
"Whoever made them must really appreciate the goods." Arthur said.
Arthur stared at the sun, let's say it's one tunnel, but here we're talking about the entire tunnel system. How in the world did the builders design it so well? Aside from ducking into every corner, the trio actually tried to think logically. Taking a map of the castle and knowing where it could be the most logical. It didn't help. There is no chance that it is a complicated system because the more complicated something is, the easier it is to discover. This has to be something simple, like Kay and Arthur's code.
Arthur's eyes widen and he hastily stands up. The other two looks at him confused but curious.
"Follow me, there is one more place." he says, ignoring the tiredness and starts running. He can hear Will and Enzo behind him. They climb the stairs together and enter the library.
"Where exactly did you find the book Will?"
William makes his way to a remote part, so neglected that only a bookworm like Will could find it in the first place. He points to the shelf.
"The shelf where Will found the book is a lighter color." pointed out Enzo.
"A different type of wood was used. This shelf is made of birch, while the ones over there at the entrance were made of oak." Arthur clarifies.
Will widened his eyes in realization, "Oak was and still is a popular choice for building furniture... ... Oak is strong and durable, birch is lighter…"
"First of all, you two are nerds, secondly, why would they use weak wood?" Enzo asks.
"And they wouldn't unless they needed to move it." Arthur replies. Then he starts pushing the shelf, soon joined by the other two. The shelf is not relatively heavy and a small door with a handle is revealed.
A moment of silence passes between the trio. Everyone is just looking at the door, tiredness is long forgotten, only the tingling of excitement remains. William is the first to break the silence, "I'm going to get the candle!" he says that and runs off as fast as he can to find them one.
The three of them open the door and begin to descend. There are stairs at the entrance, they went down cautiously and together, while the little light revealed just enough for them not to trip. The boys weren't afraid of the dark, correction even if they were they couldn't show it when they were together. Innate fears tend to disappear when you are with others or just to hide.
They descend the long stone steps. Enzo takes the candle from Will and starts lighting all the candles and lanterns in the secret passage. Now they can actually notice things. The entire tunnel and staircase is made of stone. In addition to spiders and dust, there are also rats, much to William's disdain.
"Oh, wow, this is useful…" Arthur says, looking at a big old map, carefully drawn by someone. The map shows the tunnel system and where they all extend, even an underground cave is shown. Who would have thought that there was an underground cave located directly under the castle?
"... God. … the book said they lay beneath Pembroke, but these tunnels cover the whole of Pembrokeshire." says Will, looking at the map.
"I wouldn't want to be that man but HOW! We're talking about secret tunnels under an entire county here, how can people forget about something like this?" Enzo asks.
Will cleared his throat, trying to give his friend a logical explanation. "Well the Wars of the Roses were quite bloody."
Enzo gives him an unimpressed look. Arthur tries to clarify his friend's explanation. "It's not just the wars, the entire island was in chaos. Most of the people who knew the secret of Pembrokeshire probably died, and those who didn't die, likely escaped. These tunnels were used to transport goods, the traders who knew, most likely went to France or elsewhere country."
"There Will, that's called a REAL explanation." says Enzo, pointing at Arturo.
William rolled his eyes, lightly kicking his shaggy friend.
"Btw, people had to leave the tunnels rushing, didn't they?" Enzo asked, waiting for their confirmations.
"Yes, why?"
"I mean, they probably didn't have an opportunity to pick up the goods." Enzo explains excitedly. Will and Arturo look at each other. Of course, they counted on the remaining goods in the tunnels, but the number could be higher than their initial thought.
Will looked carefully at the map again and pointed to a section. "This part is most likely where they put the goods." It made sense, according to the system on the map.
"So what are we waiting for, let's go!" Enzo said, grabbing them and practically dragging them behind him. Will had to be careful all the time that their candle didn't dry out from running.
.
.
.
They are approaching the place. Thank God for Will's photographic memory. Their clothes are all dirty, and their hair is covered with cobwebs. No doubt, Arthur's governess, Lady Margaret Bryan, will surely kill them when they return.
"I must admit I was expecting traps and curses, however the scariest thing we encountered was a bat."
Enzo says, almost disappointed at the lack of challenge. Will rolled his eyes at that statement.
"These tunnels were used by traders. Why would they sabotage themselves?"
The shaggy boy just shrugged.
"Do you think More will be angry when he realizes we ran away from his class?" Enzo asked curiously.
Will stopped abruptly, his face turning white and his eyes widening. "We ran away from class…."
"Oh yeah, looks like your reputation as a perfect student is ruined." says Enzo without worry.
Arthur tries to calm Will down a bit, "Don't worry, More won't worry too much, though he'll probably punish us with extra lectures. He's a much better option than the other two. Pole and Cheke would most likely raise the whole castle to look for us."
William calms down a bit, but there is still a certain disappointment there.
"Here we are!" says Enzo when they see the door covered in animal skin.
The trio cautiously enters, and begins to light the already placed candles in the room. The room is filled with wooden crates and boxes. Enzo is the first to open the crate and makes a disgusted face when he is greeted by really old, forgotten food.
"I don't remember the last time I saw this many fabrics, a whole shop can be opened." Will says as he opens the crates. From wool and linen to silk and cotton, so many types. And the samples are numerous and of a different style from those they use. According to him, it was the most beautiful silk with the golden daffodils, the national flower of Wales. In addition to fabrics, the boxes were filled with gold thread and fur. In addition to expensive materials, jewelry was everywhere, mostly made of gold with jewels in it.
"Hey, Arturo! This doesn't look half bad on you." says Enzo after placing the crown he found on Arthur's head. It is too big, so part of it falls on his face. It is a simple gold crown with an emerald in the middle. Arthur blinked at the strange feeling, but still laughed at his friend's antics. He puts down the crown and continues to search the chest.
He stops, widens his eyes and hurriedly takes the dagger out of the box. It was a beautifully crafted dagger made of a special type of steel with no sign of age or damage. The handle is also made of steel and the grip part is covered with black leather. At the top is the sign of a graceful griffin holding a sword. Arthur had countless questions, but the most important was: What in the world is this thing doing in the trade tunnels? The dagger is called Carnwennan, one of the three holy weapons that Arthur Pendragon received from God. His ability envelops the user in a shadow. He holds it carefully and runs his finger over the blade. On the steel part of the blade is engraved in small letters: Faithful dagger of my stupid student when he returns one day.
He swallows, there was no text written on the dagger before, he can feel a little wetness in his eyes. Merlin…. It's one thing to think about his beloved teacher, but it's quite another to receive a gift from him (if we ignore the fact that Merlin is technically giving him his own dagger.) And the carefully engraved words suggest that Merlin knew that Arthur would be reborn. Just as he suspected from the beginning. Arthur laughed and muttered under his breath, "This bastard…."
He takes the leather scabbard and places the Carnwennan in it, then ties it around his waist. "Did you find anything interesting?" he asks two of his friends.
Will replied, showing one leather book and a group of old papers, "Yes! The book is the diary of a Welsh knight, and the papers are the old records and data of merchants."
"I wouldn't really call it interesting, but this will be useful to me." Enzo says, showing a small whistle for calling birds made of wood with barely seen carved symbols. If there's one thing that's certain about Henry Stanley, it's his love of birds. Enzo has been involved in falconry/hawking since he was very young, it is his passion. In addition to falconry, he is currently training a pigeon to be a letter carrier. Enzo also took a raven to "train", as smart as those birds are, they're damn stubborn. Even though so many people have told him that his efforts are in vain, this only makes the shaggy boy keep trying. This is a battle of stubbornness between him and the bird!
"By the way, what should we do with all this, should we tell someone? This isn't just a room full of treasure, it's a whole system of tunnels that could be used for various purposes." says Enzo, looking to his friends for guidance, Arthur as the leader and prince, and William as the most responsible member of the group.
Will opened his mouth to speak, but closed it the same second and frowned. If you had asked him this before he became a member of the group, he could have answered without any problem. They should tell the king of their discovery and allow his Majesty to take the treasure that belongs to the crown. But now, it's not that simple anymore. Is it superb to inform the king about this? Will heard about financial issues from his grandfather. It appears that the King of England is in debt, from which he cannot get out. He refuses to give up his lavish lifestyle and there are reportedly rumors of his desire for another war against France (thankfully the queen and advisers talk him out of it). Needless to say, wars are expensive, what's worse is that they haven't profited from any of them. And the currently worrying fact is that the king is planning to change the value of money. Which would lead to numerous economic concerns in the future.
Many would say that all these reasons are in favor of informing the king and helping them get out of the situation. And Will would agree, he really would, but he knows that it only postpones the crisis. His grandfather liked to say: Money made easily goes away just as quickly. William feels like it applies perfectly to Arthur's father. The person who quickly spent the giant savings of Henry VII. What if this had the exact opposite effect and instead of covering the debts, it actually financed the war. Can they, knowing of the possibility, reveal this without remorse? Will sighed and looked at his blond friend. He doesn't know the king personally, but that's why he knows Arthur. "I will agree to whatever you decide…" because I believe you will make the right decision was left unsaid.
Arthur looked at him, taking a moment to collect his thoughts.
"There will come a day when this will no longer be a secret. I'm not sure when, but not now. I don't know how my father would use this, but I doubt he would be sensible. Is this a good decision? Only time will tell. For now, we'll take those interesting items approved by each of us, and temporarily forget about the tunnels. The wealth from here can exclusively be used for the common good of Britain and its people. Does that suit you?"
They both nodded in agreement.
"Why Britain, Arturo? Are you planning to conquer Scotland?" Enzo said teasingly, breaking the serious atmosphere.
It's Arthur's turn to roll his eyes and smile. "If I have a choice, I would like to avoid any wars of conquest in this life."
The trio picked up the already selected items and started to leave the tunnel. All the way, they were thinking of possible excuses to tell Thomas More for missing the lesson.