Note, the italicized words are the vocabulary words that will be defined in the author's note at the bottom

Their footsteps stirred up the dust, making the air almost noxious. This passageway was interdicted, but their positions in the church were now permanent. The sparse windows were barely translucent. The farther along they walked, the more torpid the air became.

"Are you sure we won't be caught, brother?"

The taller boy looked down at the other, "Quit being such a martinet, Brother Jacob."

"But we just got our tenure."

"All the more reason to finally explore this passage."

"What if we find something we should've never seen?" the younger asked.

"Whomever we ask that actually knows about what lies down here turns chauvinistic. Whatever they're hiding, I think we ought to know since we are brothers of this clandestine church. Besides, isn't you curiosity a preponderance?"

"A little."

The two continued on in silence. Their footfalls barely making any sound. Roots started reaching for their habits. They passed a window that had the light coloring only the thick layer of dirt on it.

"Brother," Jake whispered, "I think now's a good time to light the torch."

The taller pulled out a wooden stake that one end wrapped in an oil soaked cloth. After being in the sunlight, the flame seemed spurious in the now earthen walkway. They continued on. Moisture soaked the air. The walls smoothed out and a faint vestige smudged the end of the tunnel. The two brothers walked closer and a thick, moss covered door glared back. The two exchanged a glance and the older pulled at the handle. It didn't budge. He passed the torch to the smaller boy and pulled with his entire weight. The scraping of the wood across the floor echoed back down the tunnel. The younger boy kept glancing over his shoulder, hoping no one had heard the sound and was coming to investigate.

Cool air rushed out of the room. The torch sputtered, but remained alive. Darkness greeted their eyes. Slowly, cautiously, they stepped into the large room. Shelves upon shelves crowded the large chamber. Books and scrolls were packed onto the dusted embraced shelves. The older boy eased a large, ancient scroll out of its resting place. With gentle hands, he unrolled it and began reading. Jacob read the scroll from around the older's arm.

"It seems like a saga," Jake murmured.

The elder read on then froze. "Jacob, do you remember the old rumors?"

Jake stared at him. "Which ones?"

"The ones about the real history of this country being written then lost when They took over the government."

Jake's eyes widened. "I thought that was a nominal?"

The older shook his head and looked at the other books and scrolls. "I think we've stumbled upon the ancient archive."