Opening her bag she pulled out her comb. She didn’t have many things left now, but at least she still had her potion bag. She combed her long hair, and at the same time quickly gulping down her tea. Then slipping on her cloak, she checked herself one more time in the mirror. Placing the nightgown over her arm, she lifted the hatch and climbed down the ladder. The old woman stood at the front of the kitchen door. Arweyn turned to her and handed her the nightdress.
“Oh no my sweet, you keep it,” she winked, touching her arm. “It’ll remind ya of a special night.” Arweyn blushed and began to speak, then remembered Kainan had told her that they were joined, so it would probably be best to let the old woman think they had been together.
“Thank you so much you are very kind.” Arweyn said, placing the gown into her bag. As she walked across the bar she saw Kainan in the corner talking to a man with his back to her. She looked harder.
“Drew!” she yelled in delight, the burly man spun around.
“My Lady I am so glad you are both safe.”
Kainan grinned at the surprise on her face.
“How did you find us?” she questioned, giving him a hug.
“It was Pernash my Lady. We re-grouped back at camp after the dragonere chased after you and the Prince. He remembered that he had mentioned to you the village across the river, where the healer lived. He thought perhaps you would come here,” he grinned. “Thankfully he was right.”
“The others they are all here?”
“Yes my Lady we are all safe. They are at the healer’s house just across the way.”
“Come Arweyn we will go and get them. It is time to move on, the cottage is only a few miles from here,” Kainan said, holding out his hand for her to take, which she did willingly. “I see the dress fitted nicely,” he remarked, as they headed out of the door, she nodded. “Yes thank you, where did you get it from?”
“Oh I have my resources,” he replied, grinning. Giving the old woman behind the bar a nod in thanks as they left.
Sixteen - Keeper’s Cottage
They all stood still. Taking in a deep breath Kainan inhaled the sweetness of apple wood smoke in the stillness of the air. Breathing out, he then exchanged glances with the others. He could sense something was wrong, they all could. Approaching cautiously; they came across a ram shackled cottage, set in a clearing. A wisp of wood smoke was curling about its chimney. There was a stone horse trough beside a well in the centre of the clearing, and a bucket lay discarded on the ground. The men withdrew their swords. Something was amiss here. The young Prince looked about, there was no noise, no animals, and surely such a remote croft would have their own livestock?
Suddenly Arweyn gasped. “Sorry,” she whispered, at Kainan’s frown; but indicated to just beyond the well. There were the animals, what was left of them. Savaged and ripped to pieces; there were chicken feathers everywhere, and what looked like the remains of maybe one or two goats.
“Gorzars,” Kainan sighed despondently, they were too late. Raising his hand, he wiggled his finger to the others. “Come here,” he whispered, as he put his sword back in its sheath.
“They have beaten us here. We had better be careful, keep your eyes open and your minds alert. Although I would imagine they are long gone by now. Rufas, you and Tolwein stay with Arweyn, do not leave her do you understand?” The two nodded. “Pernash Drew both of you with me. Let’s check out the house first and see what has happened to the old man.” Kainan looked to Pernash; his face was tight with fear.
“Right, come on let’s go, keep your wits about you at all times.” Pernash nodded, his body was already trembling with fear at the thought of the Gorzars. On reaching the front of the house, Kainan opened the wooden door slowly, as he did a disgusting stench wafted towards his nose.
“Oh what is that awful smell?” The young Prince moaned, screwing his nose in disgust and lifting his cloak across his face. “Wait here you two and I will go and check it out first.” The others nodded without hesitation. Neither of them relished the idea of what lay behind that door. Pulling his sword back out he held it out in front of him and cautiously moved forward. Looking ahead of him he sighed, shaking his head and returning the sword back into its sheath. A moment later he re-appeared back at the door; his cloak was still covering his nose and mouth.
“It’s okay, it’s clear, but the old man is dead. Pernash come in with me. I want you to confirm that it is him. Drew keep watch.” Pernash nodded reluctantly and covered his mouth and nose as the nasty stench crept into his nostrils.
Tolwein wandered off towards the decaying animal carcasses.
“Hey Rufas, come take a look at this,” he yelled as he bent down to examine something he had spotted on the ground on the other side of the well.
“What it is?” Rufas frowned.
“I don’t know that’s why I want you to have a look,” Tolwein replied mockingly, Rufas turned to Arweyn and shrugged.
“It’s fine Rufas go. I will wait here, I’m sure it’s not something I really want to see.” She turned her head away.
“Okay but do not move or the Prince will have my guts, I will not be a moment.” Arweyn nodded, “I will be fine, go,” and she ushered to him with a wave of her hand.
“You will stay there won’t you?” He demanded pointing to the ground where she stood.
Nodding, she crossed her heart. “I promise, now go see what he wants so we can all have some peace.” Huffing to himself Rufas walked off to see what all the fuss was about.
“Arweyn, Arweyn over here.” The voice called. Spinning around she looked towards the trees her heart was pounding and she was not sure why. It sounded like Kainan yet something was telling her it was not.
“Kainan, is that you? What are you doing in the wood I thought you went into the house?” Arweyn answered hesitantly.
“I did but I want to see you, on your own,” the voice whispered back.
Looking over to Rufas and Tolwein, she bit her lip. Their backs were to her and they were deeply engrossed in whatever it was Tolwein had found.
She turned back to the trees; there, she could see him beckoning to her. It must be Kainan; it certainly looked like him from here. Maybe there had been a door out the other side of the house and he had left through that. Besides Kainan could hardly have a go at Rufas if it was he that was calling her. Curiosity getting the better of her she walked over to him turning only once to see if Rufas had seen her. He hadn’t.
There was a fire still alight in the wide hearth before them, burning with the sweet smell of old apple wood; but even that could not mask the nasty stench coming from the body of the old man. Kainan walked towards the fire, copper bottomed pots and pans hung from hooks on either side of the fireplace, and a kettle sat to the side, Kainan reached out and touched it.
“It is still warm; they have not been gone long. Damn it!” he cursed, under his breath. If only they had not got caught up with the Dragonere they would have got to him first. He looked around; it was one large room, with one way in and one way out. By the fireplace sat a rocking chair and to the right of that was the bed where the remains of the old man lay. In the centre of the room was a table and two chairs, a bookcase piled high with old books lined the back wall. Walking over to the bookcase Kainan ran his fingers along the edge of the old leather bound books. He shook his head, they had been so close.
“Yes, that’s him, that’s Belsere, oh dear poor man.” Pernash turned his head away as he felt his stomach turn. He had met the old man once before, at a gathering, many moons ago. The young Prince turned around to him, poor Pernash he looked as if he would pass out any moment.
“It’s okay Pernash, go and wait outside, I will sort this out. Can you ask the others to dig a grave? The least we can do is give him a decent burial.”
“Thank you, my Lord,” he replied gratefully, moving away from the body and quickly scurrying out of the room, his hand to his mouth, retching as he left.
Kainan sighed; the poor old man ha
d not stood a chance. His entire body had been burned, and all that remained intact was his face, but why had they left that? To ensure that he would recognise it was the keeper maybe? He bit his bottom lip angrily. Why kill a defenceless old man, what could he have done to them? Pulling the covers the old man lay on he wrapped the body up in them. This was not the work of the Gorzars. Kainan looked around, nothing else was burnt, not even the bed sheets. This was magic. Lifting the old man up into his arms he proceeded to carry him outside. Squinting as he emerged into the day light, Arweyn stood there waiting for him.
“What are you doing?” she asked, rather abruptly. Kainan was rather taken aback by her tone and the surprise showed on his face. Stopping he looked at her with an arched eyebrow.
“Arweyn, it’s the keeper of the book, Belsere. He is dead and I want to bury him.” He jostled the body in his arms.
“Why? Surely we do not have time. We must get on and find out what the key is.”
“Arweyn, what is wrong with you? This man has been brutally murdered, show some respect will you.” Kainan was truly stunned, what had come over her? He looked at her hard; she was fidgeting and would not look him in the eye. Seeing the shock in his face Arweyn softened her voice.
“I didn’t mean to be disrespectful Kainan. It’s this place,” she sighed loudly. “It scares me.” He smiled at her reassuringly.
“I understand honey; we are all a bit edgy at the moment. We will get going as soon as we have buried him, I promise.” She nodded.
“Kainan, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”
The young Prince winked. “It’s okay, really. Wait there if you would rather.”
Nodding she watched as he carried the body towards Drew who was still digging a hole around the back of the house.
“Is she alright, she’s acting a bit weird Kainan?” Drew asked, as they shovelled the earth back over the body. Leaning on the handle of shovel he looked over towards her, she was talking to Tolwein. He looked away.
“She just doesn’t like it here. Come on let us finish this and get a move on.” He did not like her talking to that man; he felt almost a sense of rivalry. Tolwein was about the same age as him, not bad looking he supposed but there was something about him that made him dislike him intensely. Especially the way he looked at Arweyn and the way he tried at every opportune moment to take her away from him. He stared at him, frowning. Why was she even talking to him, she didn’t like him anymore than he did?
His mind went back to the problem at hand. “Drew we are going to have to get hold of that book somehow. Pernash said he would be able to follow the Gorzar tracks, although I’m pretty sure they are still heading towards Mennock Mountain. We might have to take our chances and attack if we can get to them before they reach the mountain.” He stopped mid-sentence, looking into the trees. “I don’t know Drew, something does not feel right. How did the Gorzars know where the keeper lived? My father only told us and a few of the Elders. I can feel something is very wrong, but I just can’t figure out what it is.” He looked across to Arweyn; she was still talking to Tolwein. What could she possibly have to say to him, he hardly said a word to anyone at the best of times and they had been at it for ages?
“Kainan.” Drew slung a companionable arm around his shoulders, giving him a gentle squeeze.
“It’s alright she’s just talking to him,” he reassured, gesturing towards Arweyn with his eyes.
“What? No it’s not that,” Kainan shook his head as he watched Tolwein go back inside the cottage. “I was just thinking that is all, maybe to be on the safe side we keep anything we find out about what the key is to ourselves for now.”
Drew nodded as he followed Kainan’s gaze. “Maybe you’re right. What exactly do we know about the key? ”
Kainan shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing yet unfortunately. I was hoping the old man would have known. All I know is that it can unlock the banishing spell from the book. In any case our main priority now is to get to Mennock Mountain before the Gorzars. For all we know they already have the key. We have got to destroy them before they open the portal.”
Arweyn sat outside the hut on an old wooden bench; she appeared to Kainan to be somewhat tense. Watching her he smiled. Maybe he should tell her how he really felt. How much he wanted to be with her, before it was too late. He began to walk towards her, and then stopped as Tolwein re-appeared out of the hut and began to talk to her again. A light breeze blew across the clearing; Tolwein raised his hand to Arweyn pulling her hair from her eyes. Kainan fumed he could feel his blood boiling till he felt he would explode. What was going on between them? He bit his lip, turning away from them. Gathering up his belongings he called for the others.
“Come on let us get a move on,” he snapped, directing his order towards Tolwein. Tolwein held out his hand, helping Arweyn to her feet, as if purposely to anger him. He succeeded. Seething, the young Prince stormed towards him his eyes glaring and his brow creased in a frown.
“You had better get up front with Pernash, seeing as you are supposed to be one of the trackers,” he thundered, his back straight and proud, showing his full six foot frame. His hand held threateningly on the hilt of his sword. He could almost feel the magic of the sword arching to his hand. He took a deep breath to calm and steady himself. Tolwein gave him a look that ran a chill up Kainan’s spine. Then casually glancing at the young Prince’s hand twitching on the hilt of his sword he bowed his head.
“Of course my Lord, as you wish.” Bending down he picked up his pack, throwing it over his shoulder, and without another word, he sauntered off towards Pernash and the others who were beginning to depart.
Kainan took another deep breath, he needed to calm down. He was really finding it hard to control his anger it was something that had never been a problem for him before. He rubbed his chin, it must be the magic from the Crown, there was something affecting him that was for certain. Arweyn stood in silence, watching him, her eyes locked onto his every move. Kainan shivered as he felt her gaze. It was not the feeling he usually felt from her, that feeling that drove him insane with wild passion for her. It was more unnerving than that. He looked across at Tolwein his anger at him finally subsiding. That man had put him on such an edge that even Arweyn was giving him queer vibes now. Dismissing it, he put it down to Tolwein; it must still be his aura around her. He turned to her.
“Are you ready?”
She nodded and he held out his hand. Hesitating for a moment she then slowly raised her hand taking hold of his. Glancing at her he smiled, her hand felt chillingly cold.
“Are you cold honey?” he asked, concerned, the last thing he wanted was for her to get sick. Shaking her head she abruptly let go of his hand, putting her arm though his instead, her face still as if set in stone. She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder as they walked.
Bringing up the rear of the group they began their journey back through the forest, following the river, tracking the Gorzars. The whole time Arweyn remained silent. Suddenly she stopped, and as she did so Kainan noticed a change in her but he could not quite place a finger as to what it was.
“Kainan, do you know what the key is or where it is?” she asked again. Kainan sighed there was nothing he could tell her.
“I honestly don’t know anything about the key; we were hoping the old man would have been able to tell us something. It may be that the Gorzars already have it, whatever it is. Our main task now is to track them down and stop them reaching the mountain.” She nodded, turning away from him.
Glancing ahead, the others had walked on a fair distance. Now was his chance, he had her on her own. It was now or never. He thought about last night, at the inn, how he wished he had done it then when there was just the two of them. Summoning all the courage within himself he felt his heart racing. This was more terrifying to him than fighting that creature in the mountain.
“Arweyn.” He drew her to a stop, and taking hold of both her hands he squeezed them. Quickly he glanced a
head of them, but the others were still walking on oblivious to the fact that he had stopped.
“I…. I….” he stuttered, he could not find the words. He just didn’t know what to say. Letting go of one of her hands and raising his hand to her face he gently placed his thumb under her chin, bringing his lips down to meet hers. Gently he kissed her. He froze mid kiss. Opening his eyes apprehensively, he stared at her; her eyes had remained open, and were staring back hard at him. He removed his hand from her face and slowly began backing away from her. What the hell was that? That was not the warmth of a woman’s lips. Stepping back further he stared harder at her, trying to understand what had happened, and as he did her hazel eyes suddenly turned to darkest black, and instantaneously her body transformed into a creature, the like of which Kainan had never seen before. It stood naked, black from head to toe, and it appeared to have no skin as such, more like scales. Its face was plain, its eyes piercing. It hissed at him, its tongue long with a split point, much like a snake.
Kainan screamed out in shock. “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU?”
The others, who by now had walked on ahead a fair distance, spun around as they heard him yelling. Drew and Rufas immediately drew their swords, and began running back towards him.
The young Prince stood, frozen. The creature’s eyes sending him into some kind of a trance. He could not understand; where was Arweyn?
Rufas yelled, breaking the trance. “My Lord it is a changeling!”
A changeling! How the hell did a changeling…. Suddenly it dawned on him. Arweyn was gone.
The changeling hissed at him, lunging forward. Before Kainan could move it bashed into him hard and the two of them tumbled to the ground. They began rolling over each other, each trying to gain the advantage. Fury raged inside of him and he suddenly felt overwhelming strength flowing through him. Shaking and cursing he flipped the changeling over, pinning it to the ground. Pulling out his hunting knife from his belt he caught the creature’s throat on the point of the blade.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan Page 36