Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan

by Rosemary Lynch

  “Get in Prince!” Detaine ordered abruptly. Gareion hesitated as he stared at the dragonere. Never had he seen such a beast; he stood nervously unable to take his eyes of it. Detaine pulled out his sword.

  “Now Gareion!” he yelled, poking the tip of the sword into his back. Gareion lurched forward as he felt the blade on his spine; he threw Detaine a sour glare. Reaching forward to the basket he grabbed hold of the leather straps with his bound hands and heaved himself up, swinging his leg over he clambered into the basket.

  “Lothar,” Detaine ordered, nodding his head to his son. Lothar stepped forward grabbing hold of the leather straps, and gripping them tight he too heaved himself up and into the basket, Detaine followed.

  Casius roared; then with a sweep of his massive black wings he took off, soaring up into the sky. The basket yanked sharply off the ground. The three of them made a desperate grasp for the leather straps that held the basket together as it swung aimlessly about in the air beneath the dragonere.

  “Steady Casius!” Detaine yelled up at him, as they skimmed the tops of the trees below them. Casius, opening his massive jaws roared furiously, and a billow of fire shot out ahead of him. Drawing in his wings he hurtled though the air on his final flight to Mennock Mountain.

  Twenty - Gardinel City

  As they slowed their approached, Lord Porlock sat back up releasing his grip on the harness. He wiggled his fingers about to get the circulation going again, for where he had held on so tightly they had gone numb. They had left the forest and he now found himself in a gully between two vast mountains, the range of which went on as far as he could see. Heavy rock and barren landscapes was all that greeted his eyes now. It was a desolate place and every now and then small rocks would tumble down, disturbed by the vibration of the heavy pounding of the Runner’s paws upon the earth beneath them. He thought it an eerie sound as it echoed all along the silent gully. Occasionally the rock face bore a strange green shrubbery which was pointy and sharp. Lord Porlock didn’t recognise the species of plant; it was none that grew on Malgar. An occasional bird screeched overhead, swooping past them before returning to their nest hidden within the rock crevices.

  They continued their journey at a steady pace winding their way between the fallen rocks that littered the gully. Ahead of them it suddenly looked like they were coming to a dead end, then as they drew nearer Porlock could see that there was a large archway which had been cut through the mountain itself.

  “We are here!” Caspella growled to Porlock as they approached a clearing on the other side of the archway.

  “Where is here?” he questioned looking hard, he could see nothing but rock.

  “The entrance to the cavern is ahead of us,” Caspella confirmed. “You may dismount now,” he instructed stopping suddenly. Porlock nodded and swung his leg over jumping off Caspella’s back.

  “Thank you Caspella.” Porlock offered, patting the Runner’s back. Freelander had already dismounted and was walking away from them towards the face of the mountain.

  “This way Porlock,” he called behind him. Porlock looked ahead at Freelander then stopped in disbelief, staring at the twelve foot tall circular door set back into the rock face that had seemed to have suddenly appeared. Stepping up to the door Freelander knocked four times and then stood back. A small hatch opened about four foot from the ground and a tiny face appeared. Then the hatch slammed shut, and a whirring, humming sound could be heard coming from the door. There was a click and then a clunk and the door began to open sideways, rolling to the right. Freelander was the first to enter, closely followed by Porlock, Arnickle and finally Caspella.

  Porlock’s mouth dropped as he entered the cavernous room in front of him. He turned. To the left of him was the large mechanism that had opened the door. A Gardinel stood next to it, he nodded his head at them and turned, pulled a lever and the door began to close behind them.

  “Porlock this way, we shall see the Queen briefly then be on our way.” Porlock nodding followed the little man. He had always imagined that the race of Gardinels lived in small caves, being as they were a small people, but this place was almost big enough for giants. Then he looked behind him, the Runners were big. What if there were other big things like them living in here? He swallowed. If there were he sincerely hoped they would be as friendly.

  As they walked along they passed through an arched opening carved out of the rock, which was at least thirty feet in height. Inside was a massive cavern of unspeakable proportions and there straight ahead of him was what could only be described as a mini village set deep underground within the mountain. It wasn’t dark at all inside as Porlock had thought it would be. There was light coming from far above them, being reflected down using hundreds of mirrors.

  “This place is incredible.” Porlock commented as they continued on through. Freelander nodded. “What are those?” Porlock questioned pointing to strange illuminating creatures that clung to the walls. They were emanating incredible colours blues, greens, and purples; it was so bright, like hundreds of tiny lanterns. Porlock stared in amazement, they were quite beautiful. Freelander turned to him, and grinned at the Groundling’s fascinated face.

  “They are the Elsporas.”

  “Elsporas?” Porlock repeated quietly, with raised eyebrows. The other nodded.

  “They sleep attached to the walls during the day, giving us much light. Then at night they all fly out through the opening to go and feed.” He pointed high up into the roof of the cavern. “Then they return at daybreak to once again rest on the cavern walls, glowing with their incredible light.”

  “Amazing!” Porlock shook his head in disbelief; they had truly learnt to live with their natural surroundings, to make use of the animals and creatures that surrounded them and to live in harmony together.

  The Gardiners came out of their homes staring at Porlock curiously. Porlock smiled at them nodding his head in greeting; they were all tiny like Freelander. The children giggled pointing at him, and he winked at them. He supposed that they may never have seen a Groundling before and must think him strange being so tall. Their houses were built of wood and stone, with thatched roofs which were all higgledy piggledy spanning along the edges of the cavern. They continued out of the village and along into a narrower passageway which was illuminated by numerous glowing lanterns. As he walked by Porlock stopped and stared at one, he could see something inside the lantern was moving. He raised his finger to one.

  “I wouldn’t if I were you.” Freelander warned, glancing back over his shoulder at him. Porlock pulled his finger back.

  “Why what are they?” Freelander stopped and turned to him.

  “They are glowbugs.”

  “Glowbugs?” Porlock replied. Well that didn’t sound so bad.

  “What will they do if I touch?”

  “Probably burn your finger off,” Freelander said, rubbing his beard and grinning at him.

  “Ah!” Porlock sighed, pulling his hand back sharply and placing it into his pocket. “And these are native to these caves?” Freelander nodded.

  “Yes the lanterns are their homes. Each one contains a family of glowbugs, they eat the spezelwarners.”

  “Spezelwarners?” Porlock shook his head, he had never heard of any of these creatures either. Freelander noted his puzzled face as they continued walking

  “Spezelwarners are like your midges. You know the annoying bugs that live by the water and bite. Here take a look.” Freelander pulled his sleeve up. “See, one got me last moon, been a bugger to heal.” Porlock stared at the man’s arm.

  “That was from a bug!” Freelander’s arm bore the mark of a huge bite, it was all red and crusty. Porlock’s nose screwed up as he looked at it. A midge back home would have to have been the size of a small bird to make that kind of a bite. Freelander nodded.

  “Aye ‘twas a biggen mind you.”

  Porlock looked around him nervously. “These spezelwarners; where do they live?”

  “Oh don’t worry P
orlock; they are deep in the mountain by the underground lake. We take the lanterns with us when we collect rock truffles. Usually the glowbugs stop them, but this one, he was determined to have a meal on me.” He grinned. “Still they got the bugger in the end between them.”

  “Rock truffles?” Porlock shook his head, he had no idea.

  “Don’t tell me man that you have never eaten a rock truffle!” Porlock shook his head.

  “No never.”

  “Ah, you Groundlings! Remind me when we return to fetch you one from the store. You will never have tasted such a thing, pure pleasure, Mmm.” Freelander closed his eyes briefly and smiled.

  “Now here we are,” he announced, stopping outside a small round wooden door. They had reached the Queen’s quarters. Porlock ran his hands through his hair nervously as they stood outside the round door.

  “Freelander, we shall see our families then meet you at the beginning of the tunnel.” Freelander nodded his head in agreement as Caspella and Arnickle continued along the passageway ahead of them.

  “Where do they go?” Porlock questioned, his eyes following them as they continued along the long passage way.

  “Never you mind Groundling.” Freelander answered. Porlock frowned at him, before turning back to look at the Runners, but they had gone.

  “Come along Porlock the Queen is waiting.” Freelander opened the door into the room. It was a small cavern that glistened and sparkled from the lanterns dotted around the room, reflecting their light upon the beautiful gems that were embedded in the walls of her chamber. The pair of them stepped through, Porlock having to duck slightly under the round door frame. The Queen sat on her chair, and either side of her, her ladies in waiting. She was dressed in a fine red silk gown; her hair was as red as fire and was loose and wild. She wore a small crown encrusted with diamonds and emeralds. The Queen rose from her chair and Porlock knelt down on one knee, bowing his head.

  “Queen Adara it is a great honour and a great deed that you have done for us this day. King John wishes to thank you for all your help.”

  “Thank you, Lord Porlock of Malgar. Now please take a seat beside me.” She pointed to a chair next to hers, her lady in waiting stepping aside to allow him to sit. Porlock rose to his feet and did as he was asked and sat perched on the edge of the small chair. The Queen turned and smiled, pointing to the chair to her other side.

  “Freelander.” Freelander bowed.

  “Thank you my Queen,” and he sat down beside her. Her ladies in waiting stepped forward offering the two men refreshments, nodding his thanks Lord Porlock took the goblet and drank gratefully.

  “Now I know we do not have long Lord Porlock so I will make this brief. The Runners have agreed to help us on the condition that if luck is on your side and you are successful, you do not call upon them yourselves again and you do not tell anyone else about their existence. They do not wish to mingle amongst two legged creatures such as you. We have had the good fortune to have the Runners live amongst us here in the mountain since the evacuation of Malgar hundreds years ago, and their secret has been kept thus long.” She raised her eyebrow at him. “I do not want anything to jeopardise our relationship with them, do you understand this Lord Porlock? It has taken a lot to convince them to help us again. Having kept us safe during the great battle with the Gorzars, they understand the threat that the Gorzars and the Dark Elves bring.”

  Lord Porlock nodded.

  “Yes Queen Adara I understand. We are extremely grateful to both of your people for your help in saving Kainan and his men.”

  “Yes, well that we have yet to see. So that is all I will say on the matter. Now Freelander are you ready as time is running out, the Elves are nearly upon them.” Freelander stood up; kneeling down on one knee he took hold of the Queen’s hand, kissing it gently.

  “My Queen.” She smiled at him.

  “Go safely Freelander.” Nodding he rose to his feet.

  “Come Porlock it is time to go.” Lord Porlock rose from his chair and bowed once again to the Queen, before turning and leaving with Freelander.

  Caspella and Arnickle were already waiting deep within the mountain. As before the two men climbed upon the Runners backs.

  “Now Porlock, it is going to be dark and extremely fast. Just hold on and keep your eyes closed, okay.” Caspella growled, turning around to him. Porlock who was sat upon his back nodded gripping hold of the leather harness tightly and lowering his body down; within seconds they were gone.

  The tunnels wound deep underground; the Runners were darting at an immense speed. Porlock held on to the leather harness for dear life, his head was down low across Caspella’s back for fear of hitting the ceiling of the tunnel. Every now and then they swerved into another tunnel. As they got deeper underground Porlock ventured to open his eyes, and as he did, he saw the tunnel was illuminated by strange greenish phosphorescence. Perhaps from some tiny creatures that clung to the tunnel walls? But they were travelling too fast for him to see anything clearly. He couldn’t imagine how the Runners knew where they were going; perhaps they had some kind of night vision?

  Within a few hours they had reached the exit to the tunnel. Emerging into the daylight, Porlock covered his eyes with his hand at the brightness. How fast these beasts had run he had no idea, with the speed of the wind was all he could compare it to. No horse could have ever run that fast. As his eyes adjusted he looked around him. Sliding off Caspella’s back he walked forward, Freelander joining him. They had emerged out of the earth from what looked like nothing but a pile of old rocks to anyone else’s eye.

  “Over there Freelander!” Porlock called, pointing out a group of semi-derelict huts ahead of them. They jogged over to the huts. Raising his sword in readiness Freelander took one of the huts. Porlock, pulling out his sword, raised it in front of him, and moving forward cautiously took another. Using the point of his sword he opened the door to the largest of the huts, it was empty. Walking inside he took a look around, noting that there had definitely been someone here recently as there were fresh ashes in the fire, and a make shift-bed upon the floor. He took a deep breath and inhaled, smiling. He could smell the scent of a woman. Arweyn perhaps? Emerging out of the hut, he walked over to Freelander who was emerging from the other hut.

  “I am sure it was them,” said Porlock. Freelander nodded his agreement as he bent down next to the remains of a campfire, which had been encircled by fallen logs into a seating arrangement.

  “Yes I agree. Arnickle can you sense anything.” Arnickle sniffed the air and nodded.

  “Groundlings.” He hesitated. “But there is something else, a different scent. I do not know it.”

  “Perhaps it is the Zyoniers?” Porlock questioned. Arnickle shook his head.

  “No it is not that. Their smell is not much different to a Groundling, but this, this is different.” Lord Porlock reached into his pack and pulled out Kainan’s old blood stained shirt.

  “Arnickle this was Kainan’s. Will it help?” Arnickle looked over to him.

  “Yes, we will be able to track his scent.” Arnickle walked over to him and began sniffing at the shirt. He looked at Caspella, who promptly joined in with the sniffing. They both lifted their heads simultaneously west smelling the wind.

  “That way, west,” Caspella confirmed. “Porlock get on my back quickly. We must hurry, I can smell something else.”

  “What?” Porlock questioned returning to him. Caspella shook his head despondently.

  “Death.” Both men mounted their rides hastily and in seconds were gone.

  Twenty One - Faerling City

  “Kainan, Kainan!” Drew’s voice came yelling urgently from outside the hut. Kainan awoke with a start, it was morning. Squinting at the brightness his eyes tried to open. He had been in such a deep beautiful sleep, the best he had had for such a long time. He looked beside him and smiled; she was still lying beside him. For one awful moment he thought it had all been a fantastic dream. He sighed with relief and began gen
tly caressing her hair. She stirred as he leaned up onto one elbow and kissed her cheek. Suddenly the door burst opened, Drew stood sword in hand his face was flushed and full of fear. He looked startled for a moment to see Kainan sitting up with Arweyn asleep beside him.

  Quickly pulling himself together he looked at him.

  “Kainan, the Gorzars!”

  Pulling his blanket back, he quickly jumped up, grabbing his sword from beside where he had been sleeping. He stumbled for a moment, having to lean against the fireplace to steady himself. Frowning as he tried to focus, he shook his head. What was the matter with him?

  “Are you all right?” Drew asked, concerned at Kainan’s sudden stumble.

  “Yes, fine. I must have got up too fast that is all. Where are the Gorzars Drew?” Kainan blinked another frown and began rubbing his eyes.

  “A few miles to the east, Rufas spotted them. He said they were raging and heading our way.”

  “Right, get your gear, we need to move now!” Nodding Drew turned on his heels and marched out the hut. Arweyn awoke just in time to see Drew leaving.

  “What is the matter?” she asked, sitting up. Bending down onto one knee he kissed the top of her head gently inhaling her scent as he did. He sighed. He wished a thousand times over that they were far away from this place, somewhere safe, somewhere they could be alone together.

  “The Gorzars, they are coming. Get dressed as quickly as you can honey we need to go.” Arweyn clapped her hand to her mouth worriedly as his words sent a shiver of fear through her body; she nodded as she threw back her cover and jumped up. Kainan shook his head again trying to clear his mind as he hastily pulled on his shirt.

  “Are you okay Kainan?” she asked concerned, raising her hand to his face, he felt like he was burning.

  “Yes I’m fine. I think I must have got up too quick that’s all,” he replied, gently leaning into her hand and kissing it.