“Now isn’t it just a good job he sent this to us. He knew we would not be able to stop ourselves, lucky for you eh!” He pulled out the cork and grabbed her mouth forcing it open. “I think it would be best if you sleep for a while, there’s no fun for us if our prey is not awake. Open wide now!” She choked as he poured the blue liquid into her mouth. Immediately she felt her head spin, her eyes closed involuntarily as she slipped into unconsciousness.
Seventeen - Gorzar Camp
They tracked for hours, following a rarely travelled path south through the forest. Most of the path was now overgrown and covered with thorny bushes and forest debris. Kainan was relentless in his task. He was sure he could hear her calling him and he would not stop. It was only by protest from the others did they finally stop to rest, catching a few hours’ sleep and snacking on dried meat and fruit to give them the energy they needed to continue. The young Prince ate nothing, nor did he sleep. He couldn’t, not with her out there in the hands of those creatures. He was focused on nothing else but getting her back, at whatever cost.
The early morning sun was just beginning to rise through the trees, but the clouds were heavy and dark, and it struggled to cast much light. Kainan was convinced they were getting nearer. Stopping for a moment to give his men a break he rubbed a weary hand across his face and lent his back against a tree. He turned to Drew.
“I can smell them Drew, in the wind.” Drew lifted his nose into the light breeze, he could smell nothing. “We are getting close. All of you be on your guard.” The others nodded and Kainan once again took up the lead. The trail narrowed sharply now, the woods closing in on them. Deadwood littered the forest ground and brambles tangled under their boots as the path disappeared completely.
Suddenly Drew placed his hand on his shoulder squeezing it slightly, and nodding his head towards the trees behind him, Kainan turned, following his gaze. There it was in a small clearing the Gorzar camp! Kainan heart stopped. Then a wave of dread washed through him raising bumps on his arms. He felt sick, they had found them, but fear ran through his veins. Fear for her, what had they done to her? Were they in time? He could see the flicker of the camp fire and as a gentle morning breeze blew their way, that damn awful smell. He screwed up his nose in disgust; it was the stench of death, of Gorzars. They all dropped to a crouch, gathering around him.
“I will go in on my own,” Kainan ordered sharply.
“My Lord you cannot do this alone.” Drew whispered. He couldn’t allow that, his place was by the Prince’s side. He was there to protect him.
Kainan turned and shook his head.
“No Drew, I will get her. They are less likely to spot me if I go in alone,” he ordered, his brow raised in determination.
Drew sensed Kainan would not back down on this one, so he nodded and held back. He knew this was something Kainan had to do by himself.
“Why don’t we take them out now?” Rufas questioned. “They will not be expecting an attack; there are only three of them?”
Kainan looked at Rufas hard.
“NO!” he replied with a forceful whisper. “Now is not the time, they may only be three but they are strong. I will not risk her life; I want her out of there.” Rufas nodded, he knew better than to question the Prince again, especially as he was the real reason she was in trouble in the first place. He’d been lucky the young Prince had not pushed it any further or sent him back to Malgar in disgrace.
The late rise of the sun gave them an advantage, making it easier for them to sneak nearer the camp. The clouds still heavy, allowed just about enough light for them to see, but not to be seen.
“Rufas and Pernash flank right and wait there.” The two nodded and Kainan watched as they slipped away noiselessly, and then knelt within the cover of the trees ready. Kainan nodded. “Drew, Tolwein, take the left. Be ready, but do not make a move unless I say so. With any luck I can get in and out without them even realising. Signal me when it is clear.” Drew nodded and both he and Tolwein moved off to cover the left. Once in place he signalled for Drew to go in for a closer look. Stealthfully Drew edged forward until he had a clear view. The Gorzars were around the fire, eating, but he could not see Arweyn. Moving back he signalled Kainan that there were three Gorzars, but he could not see her. Kainan nodded, he understood.
Lightly grasping the hilt with two fingers Kainan lifted his sword a few inches checking that it was clear, satisfied he let the sword drop back in place and began to edge along the undergrowth. The fire was roaring and he could see Hadzor sitting with his back to a large oak. Kainan’s hand rose to his mouth as he suddenly felt sick, the Gorzar was ripping at a flesh laden bone. Then he saw her lying behind the thick oak. His heart jolted with relief, and he swallowed his fear. For one awful moment he had thought the worse and it sent a chill down his spine as he watched the Gorzar gorging. All he could think of was her in the hands of that creature and what he might have done to her.
He crept closer, the others watching, ready. Tolwein started shifting nervously on his knees, Drew looked at him and frowned, warning him to be still, but he moved once more and a twig broke underneath him. Suddenly the largest Gorzar, Hadzor stood up. Kainan’s hand came up sharply in warning. He glanced across quickly at the others, placing a finger to his lips, raising his hand to tell them to stay put. The Gorzar wandered a few paces looking into the thick of the trees, almost straight at Drew and Tolwein. Drew glared at Tolwein his sword ready, he eyes warning him not to move. For a moment the huge Gorzar stared, and then satisfied walked back to the fire and sat down.
Drew shook his head at Tolwein. “Do that again and I will kill you myself, I swear,” he warned intently, in the quietest of whispers. Tolwein nodded and remained still; he got the message clear enough.
As Kainan moved nearer his heart ached at the sight of her. She lay bound on the ground at the back of the camp under a large oak. He could see her chest rise and fall with her shallow breathing but she appeared to be unconscious. The Gorzars were oblivious to the fact that their trick with the changeling had been discovered and they continued with their drinking and gorging. Making the most of this advantage he cautiously moved around to the back of the camp.
The others looked on, watching intensely. Their swords were out ready, just in case he was discovered, but Kainan moved like a shadow making no sound. His eyes searched the camp but he could not see the sack with the Crystal anywhere. He bit his lip somewhat annoyed, that he knew would have been too easy. Crouching down low he crept across to Arweyn. Reaching out his hand he touched the side of her face, and then began stroking her hair affectionately, but she didn’t move. He looked up at the Gorzars briefly, then pulling open one of her eyes, he sighed, it was dilated. He could see she had been heavily drugged; she made no attempt to move or to scream. At least she was alive and he gave thanks for that alone. He waited. Then when the Gorzars were in a ruckus arguing over a piece of meat, he quietly lifted her into his arms and began backing away, not taking his eyes of the Gorzars until he was safely out of their sight.
Then he looked down at her in his arms, how could he have let this happen? He held her close inhaling her scent, sighing with relief that he had her. All he wanted to do now was to get her as far away from them as he could.
Then men had re-grouped away from the camp. Drew stepped forward as Kainan emerged through the trees. “Is she okay?” he whispered. Kainan nodded. “I think so, I cannot see any sign of…” he stopped himself, he could not bring himself to utter the words.
“Let me take her Kainan,” he offered holding out his arms. Kainan shook his head. “No I will carry her.” He was not going to let her go again. His heart had nearly broken when he thought he had lost her. As much as he wanted to go back into the camp and slaughter the lot of them for what they had done to her, he held onto his anger. Now was not the time, he needed to get her as far away from them as he could.
“Come on,” he continued. “Let’s get out of here before they realise she is gone. Drew can
you take my pack?” Nodding, Drew grabbed his pack and slung it over his shoulder.
He turned behind him suddenly and looked at Tolwein, his eyebrow raised suspiciously. “What are you doing?” he questioned, as Tolwein loitered behind him, fidgeting with his pack.
“Nothing my Lord I was just looking, making sure they weren’t coming,” he replied, quickly doing up his pack and throwing it over this shoulder. Kainan couldn’t help but notice the slight wobble in his voice. Kainan shot him a dark look, staring at him suspiciously and he nodded his head to the front of him.
MOVE! Let’s get out of here fast.” he commanded, quick and sharp. Tolwein nodded and pushing past the others hurriedly took the lead.
Gathering all his strength he held Arweyn in close to his body and carried her, unconscious, through the forest. They cut back and forth across the river so as to hide their tracks, resting for only short periods of time. Drew offered many times to take her, but each time Kainan refused. He seemed to have some incredible, no impossible strength. Drew couldn’t understand it, he was a big man himself, but he knew he could never have carried her for so long and over such a great distance; but Kainan didn’t falter, not once. It must be the magic from the Crown, giving him some of kind super strength; it was the only explanation he could give.
Late into the afternoon they came across an abandoned dwelling, set within a small clearing in the wood.
“Over there my Lord, we can rest for the night.” Rufas pointed out. The young Prince nodded his agreement. He was exhausted, not only from carrying her over such a great distance, but also from the weather; it was unusually humid for the time of year and that made him hot and the air difficult to breathe.
There were three huts all in a semi derelict condition, but still good enough to protect them from the elements during the night. Rufas entered the first hut; it was the best of the three. Cautiously and holding his sword raised in front of him, he checked for any sign of danger.
“It is okay,” he announced satisfied, emerging from the ram-shackled door.
“It’s clear.” Kainan walked into the hut, it was one large room with a fireplace in one corner and in the back of the room an old bed. Walking over he nodded to Rufas, who immediately brushed the bed down, quickly grabbed a blanket out of his pack and threw it across the bed. Kainan nodded his thanks, and then gently he laid her down. Quickly he took off his cloak, placing it under her head. Rufas watched for a moment, and then turned leaving them alone.
Bending over Kainan kissed the top of her head, lingering for a moment in relief that she was safely back with him. He began stroking her hair affectionately; and after a while she finally began to stir. Slowly opening her eyes, she tried to focus, but she could not see clearly, the drug had left them blurry. All she could see was the shadow of a man leaning over her, touching her. She pulled back away from him.
“DO NOT TOUCH ME!” she screamed at him, and then realising her hands were free she began flying punches with her fists towards him, Kainan jumped back out of the way. Then grabbing hold of her flying fists he held her firmly. She screamed at him again, pulling her legs up to kick him.
“Arweyn! Stop honey it’s me, it’s Kainan, you are safe, it’s okay,” he hushed her gently. She froze as she heard his voice, and then gasped between her sobs.
“Kainan!” she cried his name at the realisation that it was him. “Is that really you?” Grabbing hold of him she clung desperately to him; sobs of relief now left her body. Warmth seemed to be round her again and for a while they simply held onto each other. Finally she was able to open her eyes and see him clearly; he smiled at her, his nose screwed up in a boyish charm.
“Hi,” he said, gently stroking her hair. She smiled feebly and snivelling her last tears, she sighed. She was so relieved that he had come for her and taken her away from that hell. The last few hours had been terrifying; she didn’t know what they wanted with her, what they were going to do to her.
They had grabbed her, she had been stupid. She could have sworn it had been Kainan calling her. Now at last she was safe, Kainan had found her.
Sitting up she nuzzled against him, smelling him. It was so comforting; unable to talk she just hugged him, tears glistening in her eyes. Kainan kissed her gently on her forehead. He pulled her torn dress back over her shoulder.
“I am so sorry honey.” His eyes were pained with guilt; they should never have got her. “Are you okay, they didn’t….hurt you?” He could hardly bring the words to his mouth. “If anything happened to you I…. I...” his voice stumbled as he looked deeply into her hazel eyes. Gently he pulled at some hair that had stuck to the side of her face. His hand stopped as he saw the gash to her head, her hair had been stuck by dried blood.
“You are hurt!” A rush of panic flooded him as he held her face in his hand.
She put her hand to her face and as she did she winced in pain.
“What’s wrong?” Kainan held his hand out to her.
“It’s my shoulder it really hurts,” she whispered, looking at him, and he could see the pain in her eyes.
“Can I take a look?”
She nodded. Standing up he walked behind her and pulling her hair back off her shoulders he took a look, but despite being ripped across the front, her dress was too tight. “Can I undo your dress?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” she whispered, nodding nervously. Carefully he undid her corset ties and pulled the shoulder of her dress back. He grimaced; her shoulder was black and blue.
“What is it Kainan?” she asked.
“Your shoulder it is quite badly bruised; the skin is not broken though.” As he did her dress back up, he angrily bit at his lip. Those bastards had hurt her, and they were going to pay.
“Arweyn what happened?” he asked. Bending down he began opening his pack.
“I’m sorry Kainan; I thought it was you calling me. I shouldn’t have been so stupid. I should never have gone into the wood, but he looked just like you. I saw someone else as well, a shadow watching,” she thought hard to remember.
“A Gorzar?” Kainan prompted as he sat back down on the side of the bed.
“No, no I’m sure he was not a Gorzar. He was tall, but not heavy like a Gorzar, more like….” she hesitated. “Tolwein.”
“Tolwein?” He looked at her puzzled.
“I know it was not him Kainan because he was with Rufas, but I mean his stature, you know tall and lanky, he had a hood over his head. The one that grabbed me, he was a Gorzar.” She stopped, taking a sharp breath as she remembered him straddled across her, of what he would have done if the other one had not stopped him. She swallowed hard. Kainan looked at the fear in her eyes and he felt his fists clench angrily.
“I tried to get away but I fell,” she replied, touching the wound to her head and trying to remember what had happened. “I must have done it then, I think I hit a tree, it knocked me out. When I woke he had tied my hands. I tried but I could not get them off, not even using magic. They used some kind of special rope; I think he called it carpelweed or something.” Stopping she looked at him, and took a deep brave breath. “I thought he was going to rape me, but the big one, he would not let him touch me. He said the Master wanted me for himself. Kainan I was so scared.” She felt a tear run down her cheek. Reaching forward he gently wiped it away with his thumb.
“He…. he started to lick the blood off my face.” She shook her head. “It was disgusting; I could feel his teeth scraping along my skin.” Her shoulders rose sharply and she shivered as she remembered. “Then he just stopped, he knew he should not be touching me. Then he gave me some kind of drug and I passed out. I didn’t think I would ever see you again.” She grabbed hold of his shirt and clung on tight. Swallowing hard he held her close, she had been so lucky. Kissing her forehead he pulled back her hair away from her eyes. Those evil bastards were going to pay, one way or another he was going to get them, all of them.
“You are safe now honey, I would never have given up looking for you,�
�� he comforted. Reaching down he picked up her bag. “I have your bag, do you have anything that will help you?” he asked, handing it to her.
Taking her bag she hugged it.
“Thank you,” she whispered gratefully, she thought she had lost it. To her this bag was her greatest treasure, her mother’s book was inside, along with her potions, and of course the nightgown given to her by the old woman at the inn.
“I think so, yes here.” She pulled out a small glass vial full of liquid.
“What is that?” Kainan asked, taking it from her. Holding it up he looked at it, swishing the blue liquid that was inside.
“It has a special combination of oils. Some glarehawn, and a few other healing properties. It should help to take away the bruising and heal the wound.”
From the door came a loud cough. Kainan spun round, it was Drew.
“We’ve checked the other huts Kainan and they are all clear. Rufas has checked the perimeter. There’s a pool of water nearby, with a free flowing waterfall, so we’re okay for clean water. Pernash has agreed to share a hut with Tolwein. If it’s alright with you we can share the other hut with Rufas as it is a bit bigger.” Kainan stood up and shook his head.
“No, it is okay you and Rufas can have it. I am going to stay here with Arweyn. I will make up a bed on the floor over there.” He indicated to the fireplace, and then glanced over at her. He had not asked her, but there was no way he was going to leave her alone. She smiled at him, she was glad, relieved. She didn’t want to be by herself alone in the dark. Drew nodded; he understood the Prince’s need to be with her.
“My Lady.” Drew bowed respectfully. “You are unharmed and well?” he asked concerned.
“Yes thank you Drew I am fine, really.” Arweyn smiled grateful at his concern, she liked Drew, and she felt she could trust him implicitly.
“Right I will go see if I can catch us some dinner then.” He rubbed his stomach and grinned at them both.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan Page 38