I stared at the hidden compartment we'd just revealed, the dark recess holding secrets that had awaited discovery for centuries. Father stood beside me, his breathing measured but his tension palpable.
"After all these generations," he whispered, "no one thought to check for hidden compartments."
The ancient leather-bound journal rested there, but as my eyes adjusted to the shadows, I realized it wasn't alone. Behind it gleamed something metallic—several somethings, in fact.
"There's more inside," I said, reaching forward carefully. Father placed a restraining hand on my arm.
"Allow me, Lysander. We don't know what protections might remain."
I nodded and stepped back, watching as my father extended his hand into the compartment. When nothing happened, he carefully extracted the items one by one, placing them on the stone floor between us.
