Drew groaned shaking his head. “You cannot be serious Kainan, what is wrong with you?” Rubbing his forehead he frowned; he didn’t know what was wrong with him. “We are heading south, Kainan.” Drew pointed towards the path. The young Prince nodding paused silent for a moment, and then without another word he proceeded to walk on out of the village, hand in hand with the woman from Sandstar.
Arweyn had felt a shudder of icy dread ripple up her shoulders as she had looked into his eyes. His beautiful dark eyes had stared back at her cold and emotionless, like his very soul was missing. Tears began welling up in her eyes as she watched Kainan walk away. Something was terribly wrong, he was not himself. He could not take his eyes off that woman; it was almost like he was bewitched by her somehow.
Drew stood puzzled too, turning he looked at Arweyn. He could see she was holding back her tears as she stared at them walking away together, he could see she too, felt something was wrong.
“Drew,” she sniffed, wiping the tears from her eyes. “What has happened to Kainan I don’t understand, he completely ignored me? It was as if I was not even here, as if he didn’t know who I was.” She glanced heartbroken towards Kainan as he walked hand in hand with the woman. “Have I done something to upset him?”
Drew shook his head. “No my Lady, it’s not you. I have to agree he is acting very strange.” He looked ahead; they had already walked a fair way in front of them.
“I have a bad feeling about her my Lady. She was buried under a lot of rubble and she does not even have a scratch on her.” Drew held out his arm, she took it and they began to walk after them. Arweyn thought for a while, then stopped and turned to Drew.
“Do you think she could be a witch on the side of the Gorzars? Maybe she has enchanted him, possessed him somehow?” She hoped. It would explain why he had completely ignored her and for the totally blank look of non-recognition that he had upon his face when he had looked at her.
“I think that may be a possibility my Lady. I do think that it is very strange that she survived this massacre where everyone else perished, and with not even a mark on her. I will try and get nearer to them, to see if I can find out more about her.” He turned and looked at Arweyn, raising an eyebrow. “Of course it may be that he likes her and he feels sorry for her. He has been through a lot these past few days; he may be a bit confused. After all he did say it reminded him of home. He may be experiencing some kind of delayed reaction, shock or something?”
Arweyn looked ahead and sighed deeply. No he could not really like her. She felt tears sting her eyes and a lump in her throat that choked her. Maybe what she had told him last night had scared him. Maybe he didn’t want to be with a Faerling and this woman, this Nera, was the excuse he needed, his escape from her?
The woman’s red hair caught the wind; Kainan put his hand up and pulled it off her face. Arweyn looked on; her heart feeling like it would break. As hard as it was, she had to admit, she was beautiful.
“Drew, I understand that Kainan may just like her.” The words felt bitter coming out of her mouth. “But it still could be that she has enchanted him. You have to admit he is acting really weird. Did you see his eyes? He was spaced out, like he was there but it was not him. And as we said earlier why would the Gorzars attack Sandstar, unless perhaps it was to place a trap?”
Drew nodded. She was right; he was acting really weird, totally out of character. He knew how Kainan felt about Arweyn, and to see him brush her aside like that, Drew shook his head. No, something had to be seriously wrong with him. But how would the Gorzars have known they were heading for Sandstar? Rubbing his chin he looked down at her.
“How would she do that, place an enchantment on him? I was there the whole time; I didn’t see her cast a spell?” He looked up to the sky and frowned, it had begun to rain. Arweyn pulled on her hood.
“She may not have cast a spell Drew. An enchantment can be given in many ways. Did she whisper to him or kiss him?”
“Yes! She kissed him, to thank him.” Drew stopped and looked at her; the rain began to fall heavy. “Right on the lips, could that have been it?” Smiling, Arweyn nodded.
“Yes, that would definitely be the quickest and strongest way to control someone.” Drew flared up in anger, reaching for his sword.
“NO!” Arweyn cried, grabbing his arm and shooting a glance up ahead.
“We do not know for sure Drew. If she has enchanted him he would fight you to the death to protect her, he will not know what he is doing. We will have to be really careful. We do not know what kind of witch she is. What kind of spell she has over him, or what kind of magic she is capable of. If we hurt her it may hurt Kainan.”
“But we must help him my Lady.” Drew released his hand from his sword.
“Yes I know. And there is one way which would tell us for sure.”
“What?”
Arweyn took a deep breath before explaining. “I can make a truth serum, and that way it would release Kainan from her bond and reveal her true self to him, and if….” she sighed, “If he truly did like her and she was not a witch or some other being then it would have no effect on either of them.” She looked ahead at the two of them. The woman’s arm was hooked through Kainan’s as if they were a couple. She just could not and would not believe that he would chase her so willingly. They had shared special moments together over the last few day, she felt sure he cared for her. Maybe she hoped, even loved her.
“What do you need my lady? I will get it for you,” Drew said, interrupting her thoughts.
“Thank you Drew, but I think I have everything I need in my bag.” She said, tapping the side of her bag. The burly man nodded.
“In that case I will catch up with them. I don’t want to leave her alone with him, not for a moment. If she is working with the Gorzars she may be trying to separate us from him, or maybe even kill him.” Drew bowed his head at her then ran to catch them up.
Arweyn’s heart leapt to her throat and she felt her legs almost buckle under her at Drew’s words; she watched him as he ran up behind Kainan and walked close to his back like a shadow. She had not for a moment thought of the danger that Kainan might be in. She had only been thinking of herself, of how much it was hurting her seeing him with this other woman. She had not considered that the woman might try and hurt or even kill him. This thought sent a wave of terror through her entire body. She was sure she was right and this woman, this Nera, was some kind of witch. Why else would Kainan take to her so suddenly? It was, in her mind, the only possible explanation for his strange erratic behaviour. She was working with the Gorzars, trying to trap him, to kill him. She had to act fast and get the potion made before it was too late. She had to get him back.
The wind and the rain began to drive down even harder. The clouds in the sky were black and heavy, blocking out all the sunlight, making it seem more like dusk than mid-morning. Arweyn, holding onto the hood of her cloak pulled it down further across her face as the wind tugged at her clothes and the rain stung her face. Winding their way along the bush laden track, she jogged along fighting the wind to catch them up. Her cloak snagging a few times on the bushes, as it was caught up in the wind, she grasped the ends and tugged until she was free. Lightning flashed by, close enough to light up the whole area, and thunder boomed ahead of them. She felt herself ducking instinctively as the lightning arched through the darkening skies. She was terrified. They didn’t get weather like this on Malgar; the magic from the Ardor Crystal protected them from severe weather. She wanted so much to run and have Kainan hold her, but sadly she knew she could not.
Up ahead of them Kainan noticed a large tree, it was different in shape to all the others.
“Drew!” he yelled above the noise of the howling wind, spinning around to look for him. Drew stared back at him, his face was inches from his, drenched from the pounding rain.
Kainan jumped back surprised to find him so close behind.
“Under there, look that tree. It will offer us some protection fr
om this bloody weather.”
Nodding, Drew turned to the others pointing the way. One by one they dived under the cover of the branches, sheltering under the large tree just to the side of the track. Its branches and leaves spanned out like a giant umbrella protecting them from the elements. Kainan shook the rain off himself then turned to Nera. Removing her hood he pulled her rain soaked hair away from her face, she smiled, thanking him. Turning around Drew was right behind him. Kainan frowned at him; he was becoming an annoying shadow, following his every move. Nera grinned; she could see Kainan’s frustration at Drew’s constant hovering. She wanted Kainan to herself now, so it was time she did something about it.
“My Prince, let me speak with Drew,” she said, fluttering her long dark lashes at him. Kainan was powerless and he just nodded, not taking his eyes off her for a moment.
“Drew, please may I speak with you?” Nera questioned tilting her head. Drew who was already suspicious, held his hand on the hilt of his sword as he side stepped from behind Kainan.
“What do you want?” he asked cautiously, fearing that the witch was up to something. Stepping forward she leaned towards him. Opening her eyes wide, Drew could not help but stare into them. He was drawn, locked into her gaze. She said nothing, continued only to stare at him. Blinking, he nodded, turned around and walked over to Rufas. Placing his hand on Rufas’s shoulder he whispered in his ear. Rufas turned and looked at him questioningly, nodding his head towards Nera. Drew nodded back agreeably and watched as he walked over to her. Again she said nothing, just held the man’s gaze for a few moments. She smiled, and then with a wave of her hand ushered him away, taking a deep breath of satisfaction.
“There my Prince, now we shall have some privacy.” Turning, she looked towards Pernash; well maybe there was just one more she had to deal with.
Kainan gathered some dry wood from under the tree and stacked them. Arweyn watched him as he rummaged about in his bag to find his flint and steel. Then kneeling down he struck it a few times and lit a small fire. The way he ignored her was hurting more than she could bear and she willed him to look up at her but he didn’t. Instead he sat himself down beside the witch woman and warmed his hands against the flames.
Pernash and Tolwein settled down next to them, warming themselves on the now roaring fire. Yawning Tolwein threw himself backwards and lay flat down on the ground with his hands tucked beneath his head, and closed his eyes. Pernash looked across at Nera and she stared back at him intensely; her eyes seeming to blacken over as she stared. Pernash suddenly felt the whole of his body begin to shiver, and shaking himself vigorously he forced himself to look away from her. He must not stare at a woman, it was not right. He looked across at the young Prince at his unblinking eyes. He seemed to be so distracted by her, what was wrong with him?
Arweyn stepped passed them, and looking down at Kainan, she smiled hopefully. He looked up at her, his face impassive; saying nothing he turned back to Nera. Looking up at her, Nera arched an eyebrow and smiled satisfactorily, her eyes piercing through her.
“My dear,” she said, in a quiet calm voice. “Are you okay, you look sick?” The woman reached forward and touched Arweyn’s hand.
“No I am fine,” she replied, pulling her hand away from her sharply and rubbing her it down her skirt. Chin held high and eyes steady she stepped past them.
“Are you sure?” the woman called after her, laughing. Arweyn continued to walk to the other side of the large tree trunk, ignoring her completely.
Suddenly a wave of nausea flushed through her and she felt faint. Leaning her back against the trunk of the tree she slid down slowly as her legs began to fold beneath her. She could feel the blood draining from her face, gasping in pain and shock Arweyn held one hand to the side of her face, it was becoming numb. Her skin went icy cold as she began to shake; it felt like she had been poisoned! She blinked furiously trying to keep her eyes open; and while she still had consciousness she rummaged in her bag, quickly grasping out a small bottle. Her hands were shaking as her fingers desperately took hold of the tiny cork; she struggled but managed to pull it out and then quickly drank all the liquid inside. A flickering flash of lightning came through the branches of the tree, but this time she didn’t flinch. She could not, her body was paralysed.
She took a deep fearful breath; her eyes struggling to stay open, rolled around in their sockets. Then her body began to shake violently as it fought the poison. Gradually she could feel her senses begin to return to her. She could once again feel her fingers and toes and she began to cry.
That had been so close. That witch had done something to her, she was sure. Arweyn knew if she had not had Elstweth liquid in her bag the witch would have had her. She didn’t think it was killing her; it seemed to have been paralysing her. The Elstweth was from a healing plant on Malgar, and was a cure for many poisons. Thankfully it seemed, including this one. Rubbing her arms she tried to warm herself, she was so wet and damp from the rain, and felt chilled to the bone.
She pulled her legs up, wrapped her arms around them and rested her forehead against her knees, her thick wet hair cascading down to encircle her. Her shoulders heaved as she cried. Kainan was in real danger and so were the rest of them. What she didn’t understand was how she could have done it? Then she remembered the touch to her hand. Arweyn looked at the palm of her hand, it was tinged with blue. She closed her eyes briefly, and wiped her hand down her cloak. She had been right. But why had she not just given her a poison that would have killed her. Why a poison that paralyses? Why did the witch not just kill them all?
She thought for a moment. Maybe the Gorzar’s wanted them alive? Maybe she was not a witch, just someone with a few tricks up her sleeve. Then she doubted herself. Unless perhaps, she had touched an Atlora bush, that would have caused a paralysing poison. She didn’t remember seeing any Atlora bushes. But then they had run quickly through the rain, maybe she didn’t notice it. Then why would the woman ask if she was feeling sick? She touched the side of her face. Maybe she had looked pale? Arweyn’s eyes scowled. No, she had done it, that woman had tried to poison her so she could have Kainan.
Wiping her eyes she opened her bag and pulled out a couple of small bottles, then some different herbs. She needed Kainan back; she had to release him from this spell. In her small mortar she ground down the herbs until they were nothing but powder, then pouring in two different liquids she mixed them together. She looked behind her to ensure no one was watching, and then reaching into her bag pulled out her mother’s book. She flicked through the pages until she found the spell she wanted and double checked her ingredients. Nodding to herself she popped the book back into her bag. This had to work!
Pernash stood up and wandered over to Arweyn. She was still sitting on the other side of the wide trunk of the tree. She didn’t want that woman to see what she was doing.
“Ahem.” Pernash coughed to catch her attention. Arweyn looked up startled, then smiled relieved when she saw it was Pernash.
“Pernash are you okay?” she asked, as she noticed the look of concern on his face.
“My lady may I sit,” he asked, indicating to the space on the ground next to her.
“Of course,” she nodded, giving him a smile and shuffling herself over a bit to allow him more room. She had finished anyway. Carefully she tipped the potion into a small glass vial, then popping a small cork in the top she placed it back into her bag.
“My lady I hope you do not think that I am in anyway trying to overstep my position, I only speak because I am concerned.” He bowed his head humbly, looking at her only briefly so as not to offend.
“Of course not Pernash what’s wrong?” He swallowed nervously, his voice lowering to barely a whisper.
“It is just the Prince my Lady, and that woman from Sandstar.” Pernash shot an anxious look back over to him, but the young Prince’s attention was taken with the woman. He seemed to have lost sense of anything around him apart from her. “I am worried about him my Lady she
… she has some kind of hold over him, I am sure. He does not seem to be aware of anything or anyone else around him.” There was fear in his voice.
Arweyn shuffled onto her knees, and then looked behind the tree at Kainan, her heart shuddered. He just didn’t look himself at all; he was glazed over, his eyes held no emotion. She glanced back at Pernash.
“I know,” she said, leaning in closer to him. She dropped her voice to little more than a whisper as she placed a comforting hand on his arm. “Drew and I have been watching her since we left Sandstar.”
“My Lady,” he continued with his head bent, not looking. “I know the Prince has a right to like whomever he wishes, and it is not my place to say, but there is something un-nerving about her. When she looks at me I get the feeling she wants to kill me. And I am sorry I do not want to upset you my lady, but the way he has treated you, well it just isn’t right.”
He turned his face away.
“Thank you Pernash that is very sweet of you to be so concerned for me, and please you can look at me.” Pernash dubiously looked at her. Pernash was a Deodar. His village was deep in the forest in the far North of Zyon and his people lived in houses built high up in the trees. They had rope bridges which were strung between them, connecting each home to other. For Pernash to look at the chief’s woman eye to eye would have meant serious punishment, even death. As far as he was concerned, Arweyn was royalty and it went against all his instincts to look at her directly.
She smiled reassuringly at him. “I’m sure the Prince is not fully aware of what he is doing Pernash, he does not mean to hurt me.”
“Perhaps my Lady but there is something else. I think she has done something to Drew and Rufas.” Arweyn’s eyes widened fearfully and she spun around towards them. They both stood with their back to Kainan, watching the trees edge. This was not a good sign. Drew had promised her he would not take his eyes off Kainan, not for a moment.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan Page 32