Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan

by Rosemary Lynch

  “Hey come on Pernash, we will be fine; beside it will save us a day’s hike up the mountain. Drew come up front with me, let us take a look first,” Kainan ordered taking off his pack and passing it to Rufas. Drew moved passed Tolwein and met his unflinching gaze.

  “Watch that for me,” he ordered, dumping his pack on the floor by his feet. Tolwein glared at him, and said something derogatory under his breath.

  Entering the tunnel, Kainan moved cautiously. Slowly he and Drew walked forward; the tunnel was very dank and dark. Shaking his head Kainan stopped.

  “Drew, wait it is no good, I cannot see a thing. We will have to go back and get some torches.” Nodding Drew turned back around and they headed out the tunnel.

  The others stood waiting impatiently at the entrance to the tunnel. On hearing footsteps Rufas raised his sword in readiness.

  “It is okay it is only us Rufas.” Kainan called as he re-emerged.

  “It is too dark, we cannot see a thing. Pass the torch from my pack will you, and Drew’s as well.”

  “Yes my Lord.” Replacing his sword back in its sheath, he bent down and rummaged through Kainan’s pack. He pulled out a small wooden torch, and then repeated the same with Drew’s pack. He passed them to the young Prince, who turned his back to the others and winked at Drew.

  “Watch this.” Pointing his index finger at the torches he mumbled under his breath and in seconds they were both alight. He thought the word his father had taught him and in an instant the flame on the end of his finger was gone. Drew shook his head grinning with amusement at him; he surely had his father’s touch.

  “Shh!” Kainan whispered, putting his finger to his lips and giving him a wink; before handing him one. He didn’t want the others to know just yet. Turning back around he faced the rest of his men.

  “Right, follow, but keep a few paces behind us, in case there is trouble.” Nodding their agreement they followed his lead, always hanging back five or six paces. Even with the torches, the tunnel was still extremely dark. Kainan reached his hand along the tunnel wall feeling his way. It was cold and rugged. In places where water seeped down the rock, the walls were slimy and covered in some strange glowing green fungus. Kainan poked at the fungus, he was fascinated at how it glowed. Drew looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

  “Sorry,” he muttered, wiping the gooey fungus on his fingers down his trousers. “I have never seen glowing fungus before.”

  Drew gave the tunnel ahead another look.

  “Kainan, I don’t like this one little bit!” he complained whispering anxiously. “I have got a really bad feeling about this.”

  “I don’t like it either but we have to keep going,” Kainan replied, gripping the torch tighter.

  “Kainan, I am beginning to have serious doubts about that man as well, what if he is leading us into a trap?”

  “Take it easy Drew.” Kainan said, as he stole a glance behind him. “He will hear you. Look, as far as we know he is on our side, after all he has brought us to this tunnel. So until I can prove otherwise we will just have to give him the benefit of doubt.”

  Drew shook his head muttering. “I still don’t like it.”

  Suddenly the young Prince stopped and stood still, he held out his arm to stop Drew from going any further. From deep within the tunnel a rumbling and banging sound could be heard.

  “Everyone hush!” Kainan ordered, raising his finger to his lips. He crouched low to the ground, the others immediately following his lead. Cautiously he moved towards the noise that had risen out of the darkness. Slowly and quietly he threw his cloak back over his shoulder, his hand lightly fingering his sword, ready. Turning to the others behind him, he called them.

  “Rufas, you Tolwein and Pernash stay here. Drew, come with me we are going to check it out.” Kainan instructed in the quietest of whispers. Nodding simultaneously they held back.

  Warily the two inched forward, holding their swords out ready. Kainan’s ears were straining, trying to make sense of the noise up ahead of them; then he felt a sudden cold chill run down his spine. This was not good; whatever was making that noise was trouble. They continued to edge along the tunnel wall until they came to a corner, beyond which was a cavern. Kainan raised the torch in front on him, casting a shadow on the cavern wall opposite. Something was moving within the shadows. Flinching back sharply, he looked at Drew.

  “There is something or someone in there,” he mouthed silently; Drew nodded.

  “What do you think it is?” he whispered back. The young Prince pulled a face at him and shrugged his shoulders.

  “I don’t know.” Drew scowled. He just knew there would be something in here. Damn that Tolwein.

  Kainan stood up straight with his back against the edge of the cold tunnel wall; he needed to take another look. Quickly leaning forward he peered around the corner. Pulling back sharp, he edged back to Drew.

  “It is bloody massive!” he whispered, his voice quavering as he tried to hide his fear. Nodding, Drew studied his face. He could see the young Prince was trying to hide that he was scared. He held up his sword to show he was ready. Kainan raised his hand and shook his head.

  “Wait!” he ordered, he needed to think. Leaning forward he took another look. To the left of the beast he could see human and animal skulls and bones stacked high in mounds across the cavern floor. Kainan swallowed hard as he turned back to Drew.

  “Bear?” Drew questioned.

  Kainan shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. I’m not sure what it is. Judging the size of it, it would be quite capable of ripping our heads off in a blink of an eye,” he said, trying to keep the alarm out of his voice. He knew if they turned back now they would never reach the Keeper of the Book in time. He rubbed his chin, he knew they had no choice; they would have to take it out.

  “Is there something else?” Drew whispered, at Kainan’s grim expression. He nodded back as he whispered back.

  “Well, remember what Tolwein and Pernash said, about people disappearing.” The other nodded apprehensively and swallowed. “I think we may have just found them. I can see a pile of human bones in there.” He informed with sadness in his voice. Looking at Drew with a serious frown he questioned. “Do you think we can do this?”

  “Kainan, we have to try, you know that.” He knew they couldn’t possibly turn back now not when the whole of Malgar was depending on them.

  “Okay. I have an idea. Give me your torch, and after the count of three we go. I am going to chuck the torches into the cavern so we can see where it is and hopefully distract it long enough,” he instructed, taking in a deep nervous breath. “Let’s try and take its legs out first. If we can get it down, we should be able to kill it.” Drew nodded it was a good plan, he handed Kainan his torch. Rubbing his sweaty hands down the front of his trousers Drew tried to summon all the courage he could muster.

  Kainan shuffled on his feet. Holding both the torches in one hand, he gripped his sword tightly in the other. Nodding to Drew he began to count.

  “One two three!” Throwing the torches high into the air the pair charged, their swords were raised ready for action. The beast, taken by surprise, spun around; its red piercing eyes stared back at them. Then roaring up onto its hind legs, the huge beast drew back his lips, snarling over its enormous teeth as it studied them with its glowing eyes.

  Kainan gasped in horror, his jaw dropping with fright as he looked up at it. It was like staring death in the face. This was definitely no bear; he had never seen a creature like it! It must have stood well over twelve feet tall. How the hell were they going to kill that? Then without warning, the beast charged towards them, sending out a blood chilling roar which echoed around the entire cavern, making the two of them to pull their hands to their ears to block the noise. It lashed out at them with its huge forearms; its paws were the size of dinner plates, its vicious long pointy claws striking out randomly at them.

  Drew completely froze; his eyes were fixed on the awesome beast bearing down on h
im. His feet felt like they had stuck to the floor and he couldn’t move. It lashed out again, this time catching him hard across his chest. The force of the blow threw his body up into the air, spinning him around like an empty bottle across the cavern. Hitting the cavern wall hard he dropped to the floor like a stone, and did not move.

  “Drew!” Kainan screamed in panic, his voice rebounding off the walls and echoing back to him. He watched in horror as his friend hit the floor hard knocking him unconscious. The young Prince didn’t have time to contemplate the situation. Gripping his sword tight in two hands, his legs in a standing stance ready, the beast spun around its attention drawn back to him. It charged at him; raising his sword the young Prince swung out hard, catching the beast at an angle, slicing the top of its arm. Green blood sprayed out, splattering across his face. Yelling in pain Kainan put his arms to his face, quickly wiping the blood off with his sleeves, he grimaced with the pain, the beast’s blood was burning him!

  He looked across towards his friend in the dimming light but he still lay motionless. The beast, clutching its arm, roared angrily. Kainan put his hands over his ears, the sound was deafening. Then it lunged again and again; Kainan dived and rolled across the floor, but the beast caught him across the back of his head and he crashed face down into the dirt. His sword was knocked from his hand and it slid across the floor away from him. The beast jumped onto his back, and the weight of it drove the wind from his lungs like the closing of bellows. He gasped a sudden desperate breath, and grunting with the effort he drew on his inner strength.

  Pushing himself up with one arm he seized the knife from his belt with the other and in one swift movement he slashed at the beast’s leg. It roared in pain, and as it did Kainan heaved the beast back and ducked under its leg before coming back up and plunging the knife hard into its chest, twisting and turning it with all the strength he could muster. The beast roared and fell backwards, whacking the young Prince hard across the side of his head with the back of its arm as it fell. Kainan stumbling shocked by the force fell backwards. He sat stunned for a moment as his head throbbed with dizziness, his only dagger was still embedded in the beast’s chest, he was now completely unarmed.

  The beast recovered quickly and started back towards him on all fours, it was enraged, baring its teeth and growling low and meaningfully. Its massive fangs were threatening to rip him apart and Kainan froze; his eyes frantically darting behind it at his sword, but there was no way he could reach it. Desperately he tried to pull himself back up as the beast charged at him. Raising his arms ready to protect himself, he waited for the impact. Suddenly and not believing his own eyes he watched as his sword rose from the ground by itself and swung deep into the beast’s neck. It roared even louder, spinning towards the direction from where the sword had come.

  Seizing the opportunity Kainan jumped up onto its back. Roaring, the beast spun around crazily trying to knock him off. The young Prince held on, gripping at the beast’s hair tightly. With all his strength he yelled with effort as he pulled his sword out from its neck and plunged it into its back, piercing straight through its heart. The beast shuddered and gasped dropping to its knees instantly, before falling face down to the floor dead. Kainan rolled off and hit the floor hard, he groaned as his shoulder felt the full force of the impact.

  “Prince Kainan!” Rufas yelled in panic, his booming voice echoing all around the cavern.

  “Over here,” he yelled back. Pulling himself on to his knees, he sat back on his heels in exhaustion, trying to catch his breath. He rubbed his shoulder and cricked his neck, cringing as he did so. Struggling to his feet he pulled his sword out of the beasts back. Wiping it clean across the beast’s fur he placed it back into its sheath. Then kicking the beast hard, two or three times until eventually it rolled onto its side, he reached forward and retrieved his knife; cleaning it he placed it back into his wide leather belt. Kainan ran the back of his hand across his face, he was sweating.

  Rufas and the others came running in holding up their torches; and as the cavern illuminated they glanced around in astonishment.

  “Prince Kainan what happened? What is that?” Rufas bellowed, striding over to him. He stopped at the beast and kicked it with his foot. “Bloody hell it is huge.” Looking over at the young Prince he frowned. “Did you kill it or Drew?” Kainan didn’t reply, he rubbed the hilt of his sword with his thumb. He was still puzzling over how his sword had risen by itself.

  “Prince Kainan, are you alright, what happened.” Rufas asked again, touching his shoulder.

  “Make sure it is dead Rufas.” Kainan replied still a bit stunned. Rufas nodded, he knew what the young Prince wanted. Walking over to the beast, and pulling out his sword he brought it down hard on its neck, severing its head from its body.

  “Well if it wasn’t dead before it is now my Lord,” he confirmed, wiping the blood of his blade. Kainan nodded his gratitude. Rufas, placing his sword back in its sheath looked around.

  “My Lord, where is Drew?” he asked.

  Suddenly he remembered! “Drew!” Kainan yelled. Frantically pushing Rufas out of the away he clambered over the beast. Drew lay in the corner, he was still unconscious.

  “Drew!” Kainan cried, skidding onto his knees; he pulled his hands into a fist, shaking his head as he saw his new friend out cold. “Drew, can you hear me?” he gently shook him, but the burly man didn’t respond. “Come on Drew wake up,” he urged, shaking him again.

  Pernash edged over to him, climbing gingerly over the piles of bones and skulls that lay scattered everywhere. He was so scared that his entire body shook from head to toe. He held his torch over Drew. Swallowing hard before he dared to ask.

  “Is he dead?”

  Kainan put his head on his chest. “No, he is still breathing,” he sighed, with slight relief in his voice.

  Quietly from the darkness of the cavern whispered a gentle female voice. “Move aside; let me see to him Kainan.” The young Prince turned around sharply; goose bumps began tingling up and down his arms at the sound of her voice.

  “Arweyn!” he exclaimed in disbelief, his eyes were wide as he watched her walk towards him. Emerging into the light of their torches her eyes sparkled from the fiery reflection.

  “Where did you…?” he began, but she cut him off short.

  “Not now Kainan, I will explain later. Move aside and let me look at him before it is too late.” The other three just stood and stared in total amazement. Where had she come from, appearing from nowhere like magic? Hitching up her dress she knelt down beside Drew. Pulling her hair away from her face she pushed it back behind her shoulders and leaning in close she placed her ear over his mouth and listened.

  “What is she doing?” Rufas asked, leaning into Kainan’s ear, concern for his friend in his voice.

  “Shh. It is okay Rufas just watch.” The young Prince replied, giving him a sideward glance. He had stood up and moved out of her way giving her the room she needed to work. He had been right; she had been following them all this time. His heart pounded furiously in his chest and he could not help but stare at her. She was truly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Muscles tense his hand gripped the hilt of his sword nervously as he watched her, he desperately hoped she could save him. Drew had become a real friend to him; he didn’t want to lose him like he had lost John.

  Sitting up she began rubbing her hands together; then closing her eyes she focussed deeply clearing her mind. Taking a deep breath she held her hands over him, slowly scanning his body up and down. Opening her eyes she shook her head and looked up at Kainan.

  “He has a broken shoulder Kainan, and I think a rib has pierced his lung, there is fluid building up inside.”

  Kainan tried to swallow the lump in his throat at her words; his expression grew pained and desperate. “Can you save him?”

  She nodded. “Yes I think so. It is not something I have ever done before.” She smiled gently as she saw the fear in his eyes. “But I will do what I can for him.
” Reaching for her bag she opened it, taking out some leaves and a vial of potion. Undoing Drew’s shirt she placed the leaves on his chest and poured over some of the potion from the vial. She then took out an empty vial and a small tube, connecting the two together.

  “What is that for?” Rufas questioned leaning over. Arweyn shot a fleeting glance up at him.

  “It is to remove the fluid out of his lung or he will die.” She turned back to Drew. The young Prince took his arm and firmly pulled Rufas back, he was blocking what little light she had, he nodded at him.

  “She knows what she is doing,” he assured him. Rufas returned a nod and stepped back.

  Gently she rubbed her fingers across the right side of Drew’s chest, feeling down his ribs. Closing her eyes she concentrated hard, and then finding the spot she was after she stopped. Taking the tube and vial she placed the end of the tube where her finger had stopped.

  “What is she…” Kainan placed a firm hand on Rufas and shook his head; raising his other finger to his lips he hushed him.

  “Just watch, he will be okay.” The young Prince assured him again. Rufas nodded, he had never seen the like of this before. He had also grown fond of Drew and didn’t want to see him die.

  In an instant she pushed the tube hard in to his chest with one hand and held her other hand flowing with energy over it, sparkles of light shimmered from her hand to his wound. The others stood and stared in silence, not daring to interrupt her. Then almost immediately bloodied fluid began to come out of the tube and into the empty vial. Rufas screwed his nose up, even Kainan shrunk back. This was way beyond anything he had ever witnessed before. After a while the fluid stopped.

  “That is all of it,” she whispered; carefully she pulled the tube out of his chest and discarded it onto the floor beside her. As the wound began to bleed she waved her hand over it. Breathing deeply she began to chant.