Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan

by Rosemary Lynch

  Arweyn dropped the pail with a start when she heard the most deathly howl shrieking out of the forest, she turned around sharply and saw the most enormous wolf with blazing red eyes and white fangs, charging straight towards her. She froze to the spot, totally unable to move, unable to scream. Suddenly the wolf stopped a few feet from her, she stared at it, it at her, she was petrified. The wolf sniffed the air, and then turned its attention towards the young Prince. Changing direction the wolf began charging straight at him. Kainan was already on his feet and running towards her his sword raised ready for the attack.

  “Kainan!” she screamed spinning towards him, she watched in horror as the wolf lunged towards him.

  “NO STAY AWAY!” he screamed at her, waving his arm for her to stay by the river. The wolf sprang at him, gripping his sword he struck a hard blow, but the wolf was nearly twice the size of him and it was powerful; it pushed him down to the ground knocking the sword out of his hand and swiped its vicious claw across his face, before flipping over him. Shocked Kainan scrambled desperately trying to reach his sword, but the wolf rolled over in an instant and sprang back on all fours, pinning him to the ground, its teeth bearing down on to Kainan’s throat. The young prince wrestled with it, desperately trying to keep its murderous teeth away from his throat.

  “NO KAINAN!” Arweyn screamed in a deathly panic as she ran towards him. Raising both her hands she blasted the wolf off of him with an invisible energy that was so powerful she felt herself tumbling backwards with the force, and heard herself scream as she landed in the undergrowth with an almighty thud.

  The wolf lay stunned for a moment. Kainan hesitated for a second; unsure of what had just happened. Then taking his chance he grabbed his sword and jumped up off the ground, just as the wolf was beginning to come round. Raising his sword Kainan drove it hard into the wolf’s chest. The wolf howled and its body shuddered and then was still. Kainan withdrew the sword and wiped the blood off onto the wolf’s coat. He spun around urgently but could not see her anywhere, the light was fading rapidly.

  “Arweyn!” he yelled in a panic, as he replaced the sword in its sheath and ran towards the riverbank. “Where are you? Arweyn!”

  Hearing her name she sat up bewildered; she felt her heart pounding and her back ached from the force of the fall.

  “Kainan,” she called weakly. On hearing her cry the young Prince fumbled through the undergrowth by the riverbank until he could just make out her image; rushing to her he knelt down beside her.

  “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice full of concern.

  “I, I think so. Is it dead?” Kainan nodded breathing deeply to catch his breath, relieved that he had found her safe.

  “What did you do, I mean how did you do that?” Kainan was still shocked by what he had seen, he knew there was more to her than she had told him in the mountain, but what power was this she had, none that he had ever seen before that was for sure.

  “Oh Kainan, I don’t know. I thought it was going to kill you. I have never done that before, I was so scared,” she cried, and then began to sob.

  “Hey come on,” he comforted placing his arm around her. “We are okay that’s all that matters. Let’s get out of these woods and back to the camp.” She nodded as he helped her to her feet.

  “Here, let me,” he offered, smoothing her tangled hair from her face and pulling away the brambles that had stuck to her hair. Then gently he wiped the tears from her eyes with his sleeve. Suddenly she threw her arms around him and hugged him so hard she pressed the wind out of him. Her heart had almost stopped dead when the wolf attacked, and for a brief moment she had thought that Kainan was going to die. What was this power she had that had stopped the wolf in its tracks?

  “It’s okay.” Kainan hugged her, stroking her head, trying to comfort her. She sniffled and clung on to him tightly, partly afraid there may be more wolves and partly because she was so shocked by what she had just done. They walked back over to the edge of the river. Bending down, Kainan began filling the pail. Suddenly Arweyn screamed. Kainan jumped up dropping the pail.

  “What is it?”

  “The wolf, it is not dead!” she cried, grabbing hold of him terrified. Kainan took her arm away firmly.

  “Stay here,” he ordered. He pulled out his sword. The wolf was struggling to its feet, growling and bearing its teeth. It was badly injured and unsteady.

  Arweyn shook. In that split second darkness had come. Kainan walked off in a firm stride and soon she could not see him at all. She was desperate for him. Gripping the folds of her dress nervously, she pleaded under her breath for him to come back. Then she saw a flash of steel in the moonlight.

  “Not today wolf,” Kainan cursed raising his sword, striking a blow across the wolf’s neck severing its head from it body. He stared at it for a moment as the body twitched, and then cleaned his sword. Replacing it in its sheath he hurried back to her.

  “Rufas was right,” he announced as he approached her, taking a relieved breath.

  “What do you mean?” Arweyn asked, sighing with relief that he was back.

  “Always chop their bloody heads off then you know they are dead.”

  Bending back down by the river, and cupping some water in his hand he washed the blood from the wound on his face, it stung like hell but he gritted his teeth and ignored it. Picking the pail back up he filled it with water. Carrying it with one hand he took her arm tightly to steady her with his other and they headed back towards the camp in silence. Neither one of them sure as to what had just happened.

  Arweyn was still shaking when they arrived back at camp. Drew jumped up when he saw them.

  “Well it is about time, I was just about to send out a search party for you two,” he joked, and then stopped looking alarmed when he saw her ashen face and Kainan’s bloodied cheek. “Kainan, what happened?”

  “We had a run-in with a really big wolf Drew, but it’s okay it was taken care of and we are both all right.” He looked at Arweyn and grinned, giving her a wink. She smiled gratefully that he had not divulged the details. She really could not face having to explain it to the rest of the group, especially when she was not even sure what she had done herself. Kainan handed Drew the water.

  “Can you get her a coffee Drew; I will settle her down by the fire.” Drew nodded putting the water pail down and reaching for the coffee pot. Then picking up a mug he poured the acorn coffee in to it, adding a couple of spoonful’s of honey to sweeten it. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a silver flask, an engraving of a dragon was emblazoned across the front of it. Unscrewing the top he tipped some of the liquid into her mug.

  “There you go my Lady, drink this, it’ll warm you up, nice cup of acorn and honey coffee, best there is.” Drew passed her a mug of hot coffee. “With a small dram of my cenwyck of course,” he added winking at

  Kainan. “It will help with the shock.” The young Prince smiled his appreciation.

  “Thank you Drew,” she replied gratefully, sipping at the hot coffee and warming her hands on the cup, she shuddered at the strength of the cenwyck as it hit the back of her throat.

  “Kainan?” Drew offered him the flask. Reaching for it gratefully he took a large swig, coughing as the liquor hit the back of his throat.

  “Thanks Drew.” Kainan coughed again. “Nice flask,” he added as he gave it back. Drew grinned.

  “Thanks, it was a gift from your father.” Kainan raised his eyebrows. “For my birthday,” he added.

  “Can you just give us a moment?” Kainan asked, his eyes indicating towards Arweyn. Drew nodded grabbing Rufas’s shoulder, and yanking him up from the log he was sitting on he dragged him over to the second smaller fire where a large pot of stew was bubbling away.

  “Come Rufas you can help cook the stew.

  Rufas groaned indignantly. “So long as I get first taste, I’m starving.”

  “So what is new,” Drew muttered back to him in a jovial manner. “You’re always bloody hungry. Why do you not
make yourself useful and refill the water flasks.”

  Rufas huffed. “So this is what it has come down to, the greatest swordsman in Malgar filling up water flasks like a mere servant,” he boasted laughing.

  “And then I miss out on all the action.” He looked over at Kainan

  Enviously, there was nothing he enjoyed more in life than a great fight. He had not seen much action on Malgar, just the odd Outlander to deal with or some creature from the forest. He had felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins when he had killed the beast in the Elpin forest. Wrong as he knew it was to think, he couldn’t wait for his next encounter. He was envious of Kainan’s fight with the wolf and the creature in the mountain; he wished it had been him.

  “I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities Rufas for you to use that great sword of yours again, but for now just fill the flasks.” Drew laughed, chucking his water flask at him.

  “Yeah, yeah alright, just better get a good belly full of grub that’s all I’m saying,” he moaned, grabbing a handful of flasks.

  “I hope my Lady is unharmed.” Tolwein asked, stepping out of the darkness, offering Kainan a blanket.

  Kainan sat her down on the log by the fire, and looked at Tolwein suspiciously.

  “Yes she is fine, thank you,” Kainan whispered, taking the blanket off him and placing it around her shoulders. With trembling fingers Arweyn clutched the blanket close. She took a long drink from her mug of coffee; the warmth from the cenwyck flowed through her entire body and finally she stopped shaking. She breathed deeply relieved to be safe; she didn’t think she had ever felt such fear flow through her veins than in that moment the wolf had attacked Kainan.

  “Perhaps it would be wise for me to take the Lady back to Malgar?” Tolwein suggested, still hovering by Kainan.

  Arweyn shot Kainan a look of horror; surely he would not send her back. She could not bear it if he sent her back; she had gone through so much to be with him.

  “No, that will not be necessary Tolwein. She stays with us.” Kainan looked at him. If Tolwein had thought for one moment that he would trust him alone with her he must have been mad. Tolwein gripped his cloak and stepped forward.

  “I do not think that wise my Lord.” He looked at her with a scowl. “She is a distraction to our mission.” Kainan was becoming increasingly agitated with him, and his voice became harder, more forceful.

  “Tolwein I have told you my answer, I will not be sending Lady Arweyn back with you or with anyone. She stays here with me. Now please leave us, she needs to rest.” What right did he have to tell him what to do? He was the King’s son. What decisions were made on this quest were down to him. So what if she was a distraction, he needed her and that, as far as he was concerned, was all that mattered.

  Arweyn breathed a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully at Kainan.

  “You are making a big mistake,” Tolwein sniped under his breath as he turned. Kainan jumped up.

  “And what do you mean by that, are you questioning my judgement Tolwein?” Kainan’s rage began to take hold; he felt his hand gripping his sword.

  “No my Lord, but be it on your own head if something happens to her. The journey is full of danger as you have already seen this evening. How long can you protect her, keep her safe from whatever is out there?” Tolwein’s arm swept the forest in front of him.

  “I will protect her with my life.”

  “Yes I have no doubt that you will, but that might not be enough. You should send her back to her uncle where she will be safe. This is no place for a woman.”

  Arweyn shuddered at the thought of going back. Kainan looked at her and bit his lip; as much as he hated to admit it maybe he was right. Was he being selfish again, thinking of what he wanted, not what was best for her? She glanced over and saw the look of uncertainty cross his face. Arweyn stood up sharply.

  “Oh, no Kainan,” she stressed standing, backing away. “I am not going back.” She threw down the blanket and folded her arms defiantly, making it clear that she was leaving no room for discussion.

  “Arweyn I never said you were.”

  “I know but you have got that look in your eye.” She glared at Tolwein for giving him the reason to even think it.

  Tolwein huffed. “Your place is back on Malgar Lady Arweyn not out here in this dangerous forest.” He looked at her, his eyes were wide.

  “I am no safer there than I am here,” she snapped back at him. Turning back to Kainan she stared indignantly at him. “Kainan if you send me back Lothar will take me, you know he will. Please do not do that to me,” she begged him. Kainan swallowed hard, he knew she was right. He didn’t trust Lothar at all. With him out of the way he was sure she was right, he would take her at the first opportunity he had. Just to make sure there was no chance that she could ever be with him.

  He caught Tolwein’s gaze, he was staring at her. Kainan frowned, it un-nerved him. She would not be safe. He reached out his hand to her. Walking over to him she held out her hand. Taking hold of it he gave it a gentle reassuring squeeze. He would not do it; he could not send her back. Their destiny was together, he knew that now. It was no good trying to fight it anymore.

  “It’s all right, your place is here with me, I’m not going to send you back. We have got a job to do together.” His mouth turned up in a small smile that showed in his eyes too. He turned back to Tolwein.

  “She stays and that is the last I want to hear of it. If you are not happy with my decision then maybe you should leave.” Kainan took a breath in an effort to get a grip on his temper.

  Tolwein shook his head. “No, I will stay. I gave my word to the King that I would help find the Crystal. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He glared at her and shook his head before stomping off and sitting down by the stew pot.

  Kainan had half hoped that he would just turn around and leave. He really didn’t trust Tolwein at all.

  “Everything all right Kainan?” Drew asked as he approached.

  Kainan nodded. “Yes just a bit of a disagreement that is all, but it is sorted now, thanks.”

  “Good, well here is some stew for you both.” In each hand he held a wooden bowl full of stew on top of which was placed two chunks of bread.

  “Thanks Drew.” Kainan took it gratefully passing one to Arweyn. She smiled appreciatively as she took the bowl of hot food.

  “Come on let’s sit down.” He indicated back to the log. Arweyn sat down and Kainan sat next to her, shuffling himself over to make room for the big man.

  “Drew?” Kainan indicated to the space next to him.

  “No, thank you. If it’s okay, I will sit with Rufas. The poor chap gets a bit lonely; you know what he’s like for his story telling. He’s got to bore someone so it might as well be me.” He winked. Kainan nodded and watched as he turned back towards the other fire, he was being discreet, and he knew that.

  “Are you sure you are all right?” he asked, looking at her. She nodded.

  “He really doesn’t like me does he.” She looked over to Tolwein, and he lowered the water flask he was drinking from, his eyes never leaving her, he paused for breath. She swallowed nervously, turning back to Kainan.

  “Don’t worry about him, he will get over it.” Kainan glanced across at him. He felt sure it was quite the opposite. He did like her, and for Kainan that bothered him intensely. Turning back to her he smiled.

  “He is right about one thing though.” She looked at him through her lashes.

  “What is that?”

  “You are going to be in danger. None of us know what is waiting for us.” He stopped to blow the stew on his spoon.

  “Kainan, I’m capable of looking after myself you know; I’m not some feeble woman who cannot protect herself.”

  “I know. I didn’t mean it like that.” He took a mouthful of food. What he really meant was he was scared in case he could not protect her, in case he failed her like he had failed his brothers and his other mother. If anything happened to her, it might as
well happen to him, because he knew he could not live without her. Then there was what she had done earlier, to that wolf. He thought for a moment, he really needed to know. He knew she was hiding something from him. Yes, she had been surprised at what she had done; there was no doubt about that. But? He sighed, he needed to know more.

  “What you did earlier to that wolf, what was that all about? You’re not just a healer are you?” His hand holding a spoonful of stew, paused before his waiting mouth as he looked at her, raising his eyebrow questioningly. Putting his spoon down onto his bowl he gently touched her face with one finger and stroking the side of her soft cheek, he gently moved her hair away from her eyes.

  She blinked at him nervously, his touch felt so comforting.

  “No I’m not just a healer Kainan, but please believe me I really don’t know how I did that back there.” She glanced over her shoulder towards the eerie still of the dark forest behind them.

  “I know honey, I could see how scared you were and I’m really sorry I put you in danger, I should never have taken you into the forest. It is just…” he sighed. “I wanted to be with you, on our own. I want you to trust me Arweyn, really trust me.” He looked at her with softness in his eyes.

  “Kainan I do,” she whispered, then she glanced up. “I don’t know what happened. I was so scared when I saw that wolf coming at you; I thought it was going to kill you.” She swallowed and then stared into the fire. “I do have some magical powers.” She glanced warily at Tolwein, who sat with his arms folded, still watching them, and then back to Kainan.

  “Go on,” he encouraged, looking curiously at her.

  She took a deep breath, it was so difficult. All her life she had been told not to tell anyone. Even though she knew she could trust Kainan implicitly, she still hesitated. He saw the look of doubt come across her face; pausing for a moment he stared at her. Then without another word he turned away. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe she didn’t feel about him the way he felt about her? Perhaps all she really wanted was to get the Crystal back. He began picking at the green moss that covered the end of the fallen log he was sat upon. Arweyn put her bowl of stew down and picked up a stick, breaking it in half she threw it into the fire.