Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan

by Rosemary Lynch

  Pernash’s wound was no longer there. In fact there appeared to be no trace that there ever was a wound.

  “It is like your face my Lord; it has healed by itself as well. I mean they were really deep them cuts.” Rufas remarked.

  Kainan stood up his eyes wide and his heart pounding. Rufas began to speak again but Kainan held up his hand for him to be quiet. The men watched in silence as Kainan walked forward and scanned the forest, as if he was mentally piecing together the solution.

  “What is wrong Kainan?” Drew asked, placing a friendly hand on his shoulder looking in the same direction.

  “I don’t know, it is just…never mind it is nothing..,” his voice trailed off for a moment and he shook his head. He had that feeling again, the feeling of being watched. He knew who was capable of such magic, such healing. But how could she be here? Surely they would have seen her. Staring off into the trees he ran his hand through his hair and drifted back into thought, he tapped a finger against his lower lip. He did not like the thought of her out there alone, not with the creatures that roamed this forest lurking in the dark. But why could he not see her? How was she able to hide so well?

  Drew leaned into him, whispering in his ear, breaking his thoughts.

  “There is one person who could do this Kainan.”

  Turning Kainan frowned at him. “Yes I had the same thought Drew, but how? How could she be out there and us not see her?” Kainan rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.

  “I don’t know.” Drew shook his head, still looking into the darkness of the trees. Kainan sighed.

  “I could smell her perfume last night Drew, I thought I was dreaming. Somehow she must have come into the camp.”

  “How, I didn’t see anything in the camp last night Kainan, and when I watch I watch, there is no way I would not have seen her.”

  “I have no idea Drew,” he smiled as he thought of her. “She is smart I know that. And she is definitely keeping something a secret from me that I am sure of.” He didn’t know why, maybe she was afraid he would not understand, or maybe she just didn’t trust him. He shrugged as his spoke softly. “Keep a look out Drew; if she is out there she could be in real danger. Let us not say anything to the others just yet, in case we are both wrong.”

  Nodding his agreement, they both turned and walked back to the camp. Kainan picked up his bag throwing it over his shoulder. His eyes went on the dense forest in front of him; they had a difficult and long day ahead of them.

  “Let us go. We can eat as we walk!” He called to the others at the top of his voice. Loud enough just in case she was out there, he wanted to make sure she heard them leaving.

  The terrain through the forest became harsh; it was very dark and foreboding. Kainan could understand why his father had said they could not take horses; they would never have gotten through this. The undergrowth was thick and heavy and in places they had to hack it back to pass through.

  “How much further Pernash?” Kainan asked walking along beside him; even he was starting to feel weary from all the hacking they were doing. Pernash had insisted, although this was the hardest route it was the quickest. Quicker he hoped than the route the Gorzars were taking.

  “Well, we are nearly at the mountain pass my Lord but it all depends,” he replied looking at Kainan.

  “Depends, what on?”

  “When we get to the mountain it depends whether you go the way I know or….” He looked behind him and nodded his head back indicating.

  “The way Tolwein knows.”

  “Tolwein, why does he know another way?” Kainan asked, glancing behind him. Pernash nodded.

  “Yes my Lord. He has just told me he knows of a short cut which actually goes through Death Mountain itself. If he is right it would save us over a day and a half in travelling and it may even bring us up in front of the Gorzars.” The young Prince looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

  “Death Mountain, you are joking right! What kind of a name is that to call a mountain?” Kainan asked, running his hands through his hair and scratching the back of his neck.

  “Unfortunately my Lord I am not joking. It has been called Death Mountain for hundreds of years and to be perfectly honest, if I had not had to, I would never have come this way. There are stories of people going up the mountain and never being seen or heard of again.”

  “And you never knew of this other way, this shortcut going through the mountain?” Shaking his head, Pernash continued.

  “No my Lord it is not known to me. I only know the pass which takes us up and around. It is a difficult climb and it is entirely plausible that people have just died from falling off the mountain and that is why they never came back or got to their destination.”

  Kainan inhaled sharply. Death Mountain, he didn’t like the sound of that at all. As if they had not been through enough already.

  “Okay thanks, I will speak to Tolwein.” Dropping back a couple of paces he drew alongside Tolwein.

  “Tolwein?” Kainan said firmly, as he walked by his side.

  “Yes my Lord,” he answered dubiously.

  “Pernash says you know of a short cut through the mountain, is this true?”

  He nodded but kept looking straight ahead.

  “Yes my Lord.”

  The young Prince drew a breath. “How do you know about this short cut and why did you not mention this before now?” Kainan’s voice was beginning to sound strained. For some reason he found it so hard to control his temper around Tolwein; he didn’t know what it was about him but everything he did seemed to annoy him intensely. Especially the way he held himself in that annoying tall superior walk.

  “I just remembered my Lord.” His reply was short and curt. Still he did not look at Kainan, but just stared ahead.

  “Just remembered! Tolwein, do you purposely try to annoy me?” Kainan demanded, stopping suddenly and standing in front of him like a pillar of rock blocking his way. Nothing annoyed him more than someone who would not look at him in the eye when they were speaking; it was by far the rudest and most insulting gesture.

  “No my Lord, I didn’t realise that was the mountain we were heading for.” Tolwein drew a nervous breath. “Until we arrived at this point and Pernash said the name of the mountain, Death Mountain.” He answered as he was forced to stop in front of Kainan.

  “This shortcut you know of, is it safe?” The young Prince pressed in a meaningful voice.

  “I don’t know for sure my Lord. I have heard tales of a beast, stories of people that vanish with no trace from around these parts.” His stare was cold and hard and seemed to pierce right through him, his face was unreadable, and Kainan just could not tell whether Tolwein was lying or telling the truth. Kainan shivered as the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck stood up and he felt his hand move towards the hilt of his sword, then gripping it tightly he swallowed. His sword was a comfort to him, it seemed to have the ability to calm him down and make him think straight.

  Tolwein’s eyes fell on to the young Princes hand and he stepped back a pace. Shooting a wary glance at Kainan, he said in a milder tone.

  “But it would save you a day and a half my Lord. It would mean we would not have to climb the mountain. After all it is only village gossip.” Tolwein added quickly. “No-one has ever seen this beast. No proof has ever been found. It can be no more dangerous than the journey we have already taken? For all we know these so called missing people could have died falling from the mountain, or attacked by bandits and their bodies eaten by wolves.”

  Kainan thought for a moment and he knew he was right. They had almost lost Pernash; they had not been expecting that attack. He agreed that what he said about people falling and being eaten by wolves was quite feasible. After all if Arweyn had not have found him that would probably have been his fate. No-one would have found his body. He shuddered at the thought, still he was not totally convinced.

  “And how do you know of this pass through Death Mountain?” He didn’t want to take un-neces
sary risks. Being unexpectedly attacked is one thing, but leading his men into certain danger was another.

  “A traveller to our village my Lord, he claimed to have been through the passage, and survived; he said he saw no trace of a beast. I am sure it is the same mountain; the name is not one you could mistake. I can find the entrance. The traveller boasted that he left a marker, a cross on a stone near to the entrance. It cannot be any more risky than climbing it.” Tolwein assured.

  Kainan rubbed a weary hand across his face as he thought for a while. He didn’t really know if he trusted this man totally, but to get ahead of the Gorzars would be an advantage, maybe a risk worth taking in itself? He had made his decision; he just hoped it was the right one.

  “Very well, we will go your way. If we can get ahead of the Gorzars it would be a great advantage for us. Go up front and tell Pernash what we are doing, and you had better take up the lead as you know where you are going.” His brow creased waiting for a response. Tolwein nodded his head.

  “You had better be right Tolwein,” Kainan warned stepping out of his way

  “We cannot afford to lose any time.” Tolwein dipped his head slightly and then strolled towards Pernash. The young Prince took a deep breath; it was hard being a leader. He had had some experience obviously with his younger brothers, but when people’s lives depended on you. No, that was entirely different, it was terrifying. He looked behind him; the forest was so dark and full of such fearsome creatures. He wondered if it really had been her there last night, or was it just his sub-conscious wishing it had been. It may have just been a stroke of extreme good fortune that had healed Pernash, and not Arweyn. Rufas broke his thoughts.

  “Is everything all right my Lord, do you hear something behind us? Do you want me to check it out?” he asked, pulling his sword from its sheath and edging back the way they had just come.

  “No, no.” replied Kainan, quickly dismissing him with a wave of his hand. “It’s nothing really. I was just thinking about a few things, that is all.

  Tolwein says he knows a shortcut that goes straight through the mountain. Hopefully it will save us a day and a half. It may,” he paused. “If we are lucky even bring us up ahead of the Gorzars.”

  “Tolwein, are you sure my Lord?” Rufas raised a wary eyebrow.

  Shrugging Kainan placed a friendly hand on his shoulder.

  “We have to take every chance we can Rufas to get ahead of the Gorzars. However, if he is wrong...” Kainan gripped his sword again and scowled. Rufas smiled, nodding. He knew Kainan didn’t like Tolwein and probably would not hesitate to be rid of him, but for now he had his uses.

  They continued walking for half a day stopping only for a short meal break. Although the sunlight hardly reached them through the denseness of the forest, the day was warm and humid. Sweat ran down Kainan’s face and neck as they continued hacking on through. Finally, and much to Kainan’s relief, the forest began to thin and they emerged through the trees into a clearing. The brightness of the daylight after being in the dark forest so long made them all raise their hands to their eyes.

  Squinting ahead of them they could see the mountain. Kainan’s eyes widened as he became accustomed to the light, and he stared. A deep blue sky bathed the background; the peaks of the mountain reached high into the clouds and were dusted with early winter snow. He smiled, it really was quite stunning. He breathed deep as a gust of cool air whipped around them. It was a relief after the muggy dampness of the forest. The sweat on his brow prickled in the coolness and he wiped his arm across his forehead.

  The grass in the clearing in front of them was knee high in places and growing in among it there were low lying shrubs and bushes, some covered in blackberries. Kainan wandered over to a blackberry bush and picked a few, popping them in his mouth. The last time he had eaten these was with Arweyn in the cavern, he smiled at the memory and stole a quick look behind him, back into the trees. Giving himself a small smile, he really hoped she was there, somehow following them. If she was, he knew what she would do. She would wait until they were far enough away so that he would not be able to send her back.

  He took a breath then strode forward, having already decided that he would not send her back. Even if she showed herself now, right this very moment; he would let her stay. Kainan’s attention was drawn to a sound; somewhere nearby he could hear the trickle of a spring. Walking ahead of them he searched for the source of the sound. He soon found it. There was a seepage of clear water from a mossy fissure leading down into a tiny stream that led away down a slope towards the valley below them. Reaching forward Kainan cupped a handful of the water in both hands and threw it over his face. He shuddered. It was icy cold but refreshing. Repeating his actions he threw the water around the back of his neck, washing off the day’s sweat.

  Tolwein drew along beside him. “My Lord if we follow the stream it will lead us down to the foot of the mountain, from there I can lead you to the tunnel entrance.” The young Prince looked at him.

  “You are sure about this Tolwein, aren’t you?” He was giving him one more opportunity to back out.

  “Yes my Lord I am sure.” Tolwein replied firmly.

  “Very well.” Kainan pulled his water flask out of his pack and refilled it with fresh water. He took a swig, the icy cold of the water bit at his teeth and he rubbed his hand across his mouth. Looking across at Pernash, Kainan raised an eyebrow. Pernash confirmed with a nod.

  “All right, Tolwein, take us down.” Kainan confirmed, nodding to Tolwein and indicating for him to continue.

  Tolwein led the group along the stream and out of the forest. They continued following the stream as it ran down the steep incline of the valley. At times they found themselves having to clamber across the rocks in the stream itself because the embankment was too overgrown for them to get through; a detour around would have taken them far too long and wasted precious time. Tolwein finally led them down in to a narrow gulley at the foot of the mountain. The gulley itself was littered with fallen rocks and boulders. The footsteps from their boots echoing back at them, was the only sound they heard for a long time.

  Kainan found it quite eerie and continually shot furtive glances all around them. It would have been an ideal place for an ambush. He looked at Tolwein ahead of him. He still was not sure about him and kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, occasionally just pulling it up, making sure it was free from its sheath should he need it in a hurry.

  Every now and then a large bird would swoop across the top of them. Its massive wingspan swooping through the air; its screeching cry emphasised by the returning echo.

  “An eagle.” Pernash had confirmed as Kainan had asked him if he knew what it was. Kainan had never seen such a large bird, and was quite relieved when Pernash had confirmed that it would not bother them. They continued picking their way through the rocks and boulders, having to climb over some of the larger boulders and squeezing their bodies through the narrower gaps.

  Looking up Kainan blew a sigh out loud. He could see it would have been one hell of a climb, a dangerous climb. He hoped Tolwein was right about this cut through. He followed as Tolwein led them onto a narrow pathway, and slowly they worked their way along the path as it wound its way up through the rocks. They then entered a narrow ravine which went in between two mountain ridges and gradually closed in on them; Kainan glanced up and then back down, he swallowed. It was a long way up, and a long way down. The sky was now a mere slit above them and the path narrowed even further, as they made their way up the mountain.

  The narrowing parapet made Kainan nervous. He really was not keen on heights and every now and then loose stones would scuttle over the edge, and with the sunlight no longer reaching them it had made it cold. Kainan shivered, pulling his cloak tighter around himself, and rubbing his arms, trying to work a bit of warmth into them.

  “Look over there,” Tolwein cried out excitedly. In front on them they could see a large rock with a cross shape marked upon it.

  “It is
as the man said a cross on a rock.” Rushing up to it Tolwein placed his hand on it. Behind the rock and off the path they were walking along was a large mass of shrubs.

  “This is the way, I am sure.” Tolwein cried, pushing past Rufas, who grunted indignantly as the man knocked his shoulder. Squeezing himself in between the shrubs Tolwein disappeared.

  “Tolwein!” The young Prince yelled, grasping the hilt of his sword and stepping forward. The shrubs rustled as Tolwein’s head re-emerged.

  “I was right my Lord! This way, there is an entrance,” he confirmed, urging him to follow.

  Kainan was about to follow when Drew grabbed his arm, holding him back.

  “Kainan wait, look at the bush. There is dark black hair on there and look on the ground, scuffle marks. What do you think it is?” Drew pointed to the dirt on the ground. Kainan looked hard and shook his head.

  “I don’t know Drew, Rufas what do you think?” Stepping forward Rufas squatted down resting his forearms across his thighs as he studied the tracks. Picking up some of the dirt he ran it through his fingers, then standing up he pulled some of the hair of the bush and rolled it between his finger and thumb.

  “It is hard to say my Lord. If there are caves or caverns in there, there could definitely be bears.” Rufas warned.

  The young Prince frowned warily. “Right, then we will proceed with extreme caution. Keep a good look out for any more signs, all of you.” The others nodded.

  Kainan pushed his way through the shrubbery, and on the other side was an entrance cut deep into the rock. With Kainan in the lead, they moved forward until they were all stood inside a large dark cavern. Ahead of them was an entrance to a tunnel, definitely large enough for a bear to get through. They would have to keep their wits about them

  “This must be it my Lord. I told you I would find it.” Tolwein actually broke into a grin.

  Kainan was not sure how to react. He had never seen Tolwein smile before, and it looked kind of weird.

  “Good. Well done, Tolwein,” he congratulated half grinning back to him. Perhaps there was a chance of them getting ahead of the Gorzars after all. Pernash looked nervously at the young Prince. Grinning, Kainan patted his back.