The Ark of Dun Ruah, Book 1 by Maria Burke Read Free Book Online

walls, casting a dim light down to the other end of the narrow corridor.
    â€˜We’d better hurry before someone finds us,’ Kerry said in her bravest voice.
    As they crept down the passageway Kerry heard the ship creak. There was a lack of fresh air in the passage. The vessel heaved against the waves outside and made her stomach lurch. A sudden chiming of bells, somewhere in the distance added to the mounting tension she felt. She wondered if this journey to the Land of Fire was a good idea after all. Perhaps she should have heeded Pod’s warnings and stayed at home in Kilbeggin.
    They reached the end of the passageway and found that it took a sharp right turn. The bells echoed louder as they crept cautiously around the corner.
    â€˜Why are those church bells ringing in the middle of the ocean?’ whispered Kerry.
    â€˜Look straight ahead,’ said Simon. ‘It looks like we’re approaching some kind of a chapel.’
    They hurried on along the passageway until they came to the pointed arch. Here the walls rose to support a wooden vaulted ceiling that stretched before them towards a second arch. Under it stood two large, heavy, wooden doors. They paused for some moments gazing at the intricate images of biblical scenes delicately sculpted into the dark wood. The bells stopped ringing.
    â€˜This is Noah’s Ark,’ said Kerry, running her fingers over the carving. ‘All these creatures were on board while it tossed in the waves during the great flood.’
    Pictures of pairs of lions, elephants, tigers, snakes and birds of many kinds were carved into the dark wood.
    â€˜And look, that’s Jonah in the mouth of the whale ready to be devoured.’
    Somewhere below them the ship groaned. The bells started ringing again and Kerry felt faint. Simon pushed one of the doors open and pulled her through. They found themselves standing in dark shadows at the back of an ornate chapel. The sound of the bells came from directly above them and echoed around the walls. A long nave led to a marble altar decorated with elaborate golden statues. The aisles on both sides were lined with wooden carvings, crammed into niches and side altars.
    â€˜I don’t understand it,’ said Simon. ‘This is a full-scale church, floating in the middle of the ocean.’
    â€˜And it’s really old,’ said Kerry. ‘The wood carvings must have been brought here from a very ancient church.’
    â€˜Shhhh … I think I hear someone coming,’ whispered Simon. ‘Stand still.’
    They stood in the shadows and listened as the footsteps approached. The sounds were coming from the very same door they had just entered. It opened and there stood a tall figure in a dark grey, hooded cloak. Kerry knew it was the man who had been attacked by the eagle in Kilbeggin. She couldn’t see his face, which was hidden under the deep cowl of his cloak. Without looking left or right the man moved swiftly up the aisle and crossed the altar. Simon made a move to follow him but Kerry pulled him back. Then the man turned into a side altar and quickly disappeared out of sight.
    Suddenly, the bells stopped ringing and a deep chanting floated towards them. A procession of monks wearing brown habits entered the church from behind the main altar. Each one carried a candle and a prayer book. They filed into the pews at the top of the church. The sound of the monks rhythmic chanting and the beauty of the church’s stained-glass portholes and painted altars filled Kerry with a sense of awe.
    At last the chanting stopped and the monks knelt to pray. It was then that Kerry felt they were being watched. She turned to see a pair of flashing green eyes staring at her through the dark shadows of the altar. She gasped loudly. Simon caught her by the arm. Some of the monks looked around at hearing the noise and one of them got up and began to shuffle towards them with his candle held high. The only way for