Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan

by Rosemary Lynch

  Of course! Arweyn closed her eyes, remembering what her grandmother had said. Just think of what you want her to do. She thought hard.

  “YES, YES, IT IS WORKING!” The sorceress screamed euphorically, raising her hands towards the vortex. “COME MY FAMILY, COME HOME ALL OF YOU, COME TO ME!”

  Arweyn glanced around her. Everyone was transfixed by the vortex. Slowly raising her hand towards the dragonfly she unclasped it. Her mother looked at her then looked at Zarnora, nodding. She was memorised by the vortex and was not looking. Carefully Arweyn took hold of the dragonfly and threw it up into the air in one swift movement, following it through with the power from her wand; she shot out a bolt of magic hitting the dragonfly. Arweyn thought hard, and then suddenly the dragonfly burst into life, and grew and grew until she was the size of a small dragon.

  Startled by the sudden movement about her, Zarnora looked up. Then turning sharply across to Arweyn she screamed angrily.

  “What have you done? Where did that come from?” She lifted her wand towards the dragonfly.

  “Belcara!” she screamed and the wand blasted a lightning bolt directly

  at the dragonfly, but she was quick and darted out of the way, spinning around, diving and circling through the air.

  “Elves get it, kill the dragonfly!” Zarnora ordered, screaming at them, pointing up to the dragonfly.” The Elves drew their swords and their bow and arrows, instantly attacking the dragonfly. The dragonfly swooped and soared; then breathing in deep she exhaled, shooting a powerful flame at the Dark Elves. Taken by surprise the Elves screamed as they were enveloped in fire, rolling frantically across the floor they tried desperately to put out the flames. Their weapons were useless against the creature, their arrows rebounding off her sleek silver body time and time again. One by one she struck them down, until all the Elves were destroyed.

  “AHH!” Zarnora screamed hysterically, waving her arms about as she saw the dragonfly wiping out her Elves. Nothing was going to stop her now, nothing! Turning towards Kainan, her rage engulfed her.

  “This is all your fault!” she screeched at him, raising her wand towards him. “Belcara!” The wand shot out a bolt of blue lightning straight at him. He had no time to move. The lightning bolt from her wand hit the amulet around his neck that his mother had given him, and it glowed deflecting the energy away from him. The power of the bolt sent Kainan flying backwards from the force but he was unharmed and sat stunned for a moment.

  “Ahh!” Zarnora screamed again in frustration, shaking her fists furiously at him. She turned to Detaine. “KILL HIM!” Nodding at his mother, Detaine pulled his sword out, raising it towards Kainan. Kainan instantly jumped back up onto his feet, ready. Suddenly the wind from the vortex shook them all. Stumbling, Detaine tried to steady himself.

  Drew, who had been hiding behind the ridge where Arweyn and Kainan had first come through into the mountain, had managed to get hold of Kainan’s sword. It had been left discarded were Kainan had dropped it, after being captured by the Gorzar. He had been watching it all, waiting for an opportunity to strike. As the room continued to shake he decided to take his chance. In one swift movement he jumped off the rock, and as hard as he could, with both his feet kicking out, he slammed hard into Detaine’s back sending him off balance.

  Kainan had seen him; he spun around offering out his bound hands. Pushing off Detaine’s back, and using the magic of the Deragan sword, Drew cut Kainan’s bindings free, as he somersaulted and landed on his feet. Kainan nodded gratefully as Drew threw him his sword.

  Detaine swung around steadying himself, looking at Kainan, he was seething. Then looking towards the altar, he could see Arweyn and her mother edging further and further away, his mother had not noticed.

  “Lothar!” he yelled at his son. “Get them, I’m going after the women, they’re trying to escape.” Turning quickly he made his way towards them. Arweyn screamed as she saw him bounding towards them, his sword raised pointing at them menacingly. The wind was whipping violently around them as the vortex grew stronger and stronger.

  Lothar’s eyes had been taken away briefly from his prisoners as he had watched the Elves do battle with the dragonfly. Hearing his father he spun around and pulling his sword from it is sheath he raised it towards Kainan.

  “Nice try Kainan,” he said, then looking at Tarpel he hollered. “Get him!” Tarpel nodding rushed towards Kainan. The Gorzar towered over him, waving an axe, he swung high then low. Kainan ducked and then jumped kicking the Gorzars full on in the face. The Gorzar flew backwards and fell, sitting stunned on the floor. Drawing a jagged breath, he pushed up on one hand, using the other to wipe away the blood from his mouth and chin. He began rising to his feet, lifting his axe. Kainan seethed as he remembered their brutal attack on him, when they had broken nearly every bone in his body, and thrown the murdered body of his mother beside him. Without hesitation he swung the blade of his sword and plunged it into Tarpel’s stomach, twisting the blade hard. The Gorzar slumped forward onto the hilt of his sword. Using his boot he kicked the Gorzar off his sword.

  “That was for my mother you evil son of a bitch,” he spat, glaring at him. Then spinning his attention back around to Lothar, he jostled his sword in his hand ready.

  Lothar raised his sword in response. “Come on then Kainan; think you can take me on cousin.”

  “I am no cousin of yours Lothar, you are a monster,” he spat. His power now released was flowing through him so fast that it made him shake; now it was time for this bastard to die.

  Lothar laughed, pointing towards the portal that was now almost fully open. “Shame you are not my cousin, you are about to meet the rest of the family.”

  “Not if I can help it,” Kainan cursed, raising his sword with both hands towards Lothar; he stood with his legs apart in a standing stance. “It’s time for you to die!” he promised, his eyes were glowing furiously red.

  Hadzor lunged forward waving his axe towards Gareion. Gareion dived to the floor sweeping up the axe that had fallen with Tarpel. Holding the axe between his knees he quickly cut his own bindings. His face was white with fear, and his heart pumping. He was not a fighting man by rights, but he was fully trained in the art of combat and swordsmanship and was quite capable of taking on anyone that came towards him or his brother. Before he had the chance, Drew yelled as he leapt towards him. Hadzor who had been making for Gareion swung around to meet him, hammering his axe into Drew’s arm, then ripping it back out. Drew fell with the impact, then instantly rolled into a standing position ignoring the gash in his forearm. Hadzor was taken by surprise; and spinning around with a cry of rage Drew plunged his sword deep into Hadzor’s stomach. Hadzor dropping the axe pulled his hands to the sword in his stomach. Slowly Drew withdrew his sword, and the Gorzar’s blood splattered out all over him. Hadzor dropped to his knees. Raising his booted foot Drew kicked him hard in the face, knocking him backwards. The Gorzar lay still.

  Swords clashed hard as Lothar and Kainan battled. The Gorzar was strong. Their swords locked Lothar pushed Kainan hard against the cavern wall. “You will die and I will have her.”

  “You will never have her,” Kainan screamed in his face.

  “Oh I think I will Kainan,” he sneered laughing confidently. Kainan’s fury overwhelmed him, and the magic and power surged through him. Grabbing Lothar and spinning him around, he pushed him hard against the cavern wall, his eyes glowed at him in fury. The smugness and confidence in Lothar’s eyes suddenly faded as Kainan held him squarely against the wall. Lothar scowled, Kainan was getting the upper hand; then his scowl deepened and pulling back his lips, his rotten teeth, sharp and deadly pierced into Kainan’s neck. Kainan cried out in pain, frantically he began kicking and punching, trying to push him off as blood poured from his neck. Lothar held on fast, his teeth grinding into his neck, tearing at him.

  Gareion watched in horror as Lothar tore into his brother. The two of them strove against each other, wrestling back and forth. Kainan was desperately t
rying to get Lothar off his neck, his pulse racing as the strength began ebbing from his limbs. Lurching to his feet Gareion raised the axe and drove down hard into Lothar’s back. Lothar screamed immediately letting go of the young Prince. Kainan, pushing Lothar back with all his strength sent him crashing down to the ground.

  “You will never have her because Arweyn is already mine,” Kainan sneered standing over him. His body shook from the pain in his neck and sweat coursed down his brow and across his right eye. Wiping it off with the palm of his hand, he saw that the sweat was mixed with blood. He wiped his hand down his trousers, blinking hard as he tried to overcome the pain.

  Lothar’s face turned to horror at Kainan’s words and he looked at the portal. Coughing, he spat out a mouthful of blood across the floor in front of him. Staring up at Kainan, he asked.

  “She is not pure?” Kainan shook his head smiling.

  “No. She is mine, and always will be.” Defiantly he raised the palm of his hand towards Lothar’s face. Staring at the swirling dragon and unicorn Lothar shook his head.

  “No, it cannot be; not the Deragan Sword?” His face screwed up even

  more as a frown of perplexity crossed his brow. Kainan nodded glowering at him.

  “We are bound for eternity and no-one, including you, will ever separate us!”

  Lothar began laughing; a deep sinister laugh that sent chills down Kainan’s spine. Gripping his sword tighter and tighter his knuckles turned white, his jaw tightened, and in that instant his only need was to kill that man, that creature who had laid his dirty evil hands on Arweyn. His muscles flexing powerfully he raised his sword, screwing his face at him.

  “You know you are one ugly son of a bitch!” he spat, as he swung it wide taking Lothar’s head off. He watched his face tight as it rolled away. Breathing deep; his hand still gripping his sword tightly, he whispered under his breath at the headless corpse.

  “No-one touches Arweyn, no-one but me.”

  “Kainan are you okay?” Gareion cried to his brother. Raising his hand to his neck he winced. He was still bleeding badly, he nodded.

  “I will be alright. Come on we have to stop them.” Drew came running over. Kainan looked at his friend, and then grabbed him pulling him in to a rough hug. Quickly releasing him he banged him on the back.

  “Thank you my friend, you are always there when I need you.”

  Drew smiling, nodded at his Prince. “It is what I am here for my Lord.”

  Kainan looked to the altar but they were too late, the portal was open. Detaine was now standing by his mother’s side, his sword raised against Lady Elanor. Arweyn held onto her mother tight.

  Anger flashed across Zarnora’s face. “Kill her,” she ordered. Detaine stepping forward raised his sword towards her. Arweyn shot a glance up; and using her magic she looked hard at the dragonfly. The dragonfly turning at her command flew down towards them at great speed. Raising her pointed tail she flew in fast behind Detaine. Just then Zarnora turned, and she saw what was happening. Arweyn was chanting her eyes locked on the dragonfly.

  “NO!” Zarnora screamed at her, raising her arms. “MY SON!” Detaine spun around, but it was too late, and the dragonfly struck hard sending its tail straight through Detaine’s stomach, the barb on the end of her tail holding him, paralysed. Detaine screamed as she held there for a moment hovering, and then pulling back sharply, removing her tail from Detaine’s body, his stomach exploded outwards killing him instantly.

  “That was for my father,” she whispered with satisfaction, as Detaine fell to the floor. Raising her hand, the dragonfly shone, then in a flicker of light returned to Arweyn’s hand and she pinned the silver dragonfly back onto her cloak.

  “My son, my son!” Zarnora wailed, throwing herself on to Detaine’s body. Her eyes looked to Arweyn. “How can you do that? You do not have that kind of power!” Zarnora screamed at her.

  “Oh but I do.” Arweyn replied strongly, raising the palm of her right hand. Zarnora’s eyes widened. “Deragan. No!” she screamed, looking up to the portal. She wasn’t pure. She had the power of the Deragan sword. “What have you done?” she cried looking at her.

  Suddenly the room began to shake harder; rocks began falling from the walls, ricocheting across the cavern floor, dust rose all around them. “What is going on?” Arweyn screamed above the noise, as the wind began to gather around them, getting stronger and stronger. Swirling, and whirling it then began sucking upwards into the portal.

  “Arweyn hold on!” her mother screamed, grabbing hold of her and pulling her in. They both grasped onto the altar tightly.

  “Arweyn!” Kainan yelled, getting her attention. “Quickly over here, grab hold of me!” he cried, frantically trying to reach her. She spun around to his voice. Kainan, Drew and Gareion had anchored themselves down onto a rock, Drew had hold of Kainan’s legs as his arms were now outstretched trying to reach her; his body floating off the ground with the strength of the vortex as it sucked harder. Arweyn looked at her mother, then let go of the altar grabbing hold of his hand. Her mother taking Arweyn’s other hand held on tight, but she began to slip, the force was too strong. Arweyn looked desperately at Kainan. Shaking his head, he could see what she was going to do. “NO! Do not let go of me,” he screamed at her. She stared at him and screamed back above the noise of the wind. “I have too, trust me I have an idea.”

  “Arweyn. No!” He looked at her face desperately.

  “I can do this Kainan; please I cannot lose her now, let me go.” Kainan swallowed; it was the hardest thing he had to do, to let her go. He didn’t want to do it. He released his grip. As he did she began to pull away from him, his heart was in his throat.

  “Patstoria!” she screamed, arching magic towards the altar, and pulling herself forward. She grabbed the altar and pulled her mother back down. Lady Elanor grasped at the altar holding on as the wind swirled furiously around them. Kainan sighed with relief as Drew pulled him back down towards their anchored point; gripping hold of the rock waiting.

  “Mother hold on!” Arweyn screamed, as she saw her mother’s legs rising again. Quickly reaching forward, she unhooked the carpelweed rope. Grasping at her mother she tied it around her wrist, and then around her own, tying it tight. That rope would not break, not without magic. “Kainan!” Arweyn screamed at him. Drew took hold of his legs once again as Kainan reached forward, his arms outstretched as far as he could. His body lifted off the ground with the force of the wind from the vortex. Arweyn reached out to him fighting with all her strength as Kainan grabbed hold of her. “Lady Elanor, let go!” he screamed at her. Lady Elanor nodding, let go of the altar, screaming as her body flew upwards. Arweyn held onto her tight, the rope around their wrist holding them together. Gripping her, Kainan pulled Arweyn towards him. Drew and Gareion pulled Kainan back down towards them. Grabbing Lady Elanor, Drew pulled her to safety. Kainan grabbing Arweyn pulled her in to his arms, his heart was pounding furiously. “Please do not ever do that again,” he begged as he held on to her. Nodding, she clung to him tight. The noise around them was deafening. Raising his sword he cut the bindings between her and her mother, shoving a part of the rope into his pocket.

  “Arweyn, help me I need your power too.” Kainan shouted. Together they took hold of the Deragan Sword. Drew, Gareion and Lady Elanor held onto each other. Kainan, took a breath. “Deragan!” he cried, and together he and Arweyn drove the sword hard into the ground. A force field ensued and surrounded them, holding them fast, protecting them from the power of the vortex. The portal grew bigger and the chamber began to vibrate violently.

  “Kainan!” Arweyn screamed, as the pressure built up. Her frightened eyes glancing up above them nervously as rocks and debris began falling and rebounding off the force field. The sword began to shake.

  “It is okay.” Kainan yelled above the noise. “Hold on we will be okay. It is the vortex; it is sucking everything up not bringing them down!” Gripping onto the sword as tight as they could, the powerful magic f
lowing through their hands, held the force field around them in place.

  Zarnora screamed as she clung desperately to the altar, her legs pulling away from her, as all around her things were being sucked up.

  “No, you cannot do this!!” Zarnora cried, losing her grip. Her arms were waving frantically. “I will get you for this!” she cursed, as she too was sucked up into the vortex

  Then almost as quickly as it had started it stopped. The portal closed, the Crystal stopped glowing and all was profoundly still and quiet.

  Twenty Six - Bound for Eternity

  Kainan pulled the sword out of the ground and the force field around them subsided. Standing up he helped Arweyn to her feet, placing the Deragan sword back in its sheath.

  “What the hell happened?” Drew questioned as he stood up, brushing the dust off his trousers.

  “Maybe my daughter needs to answer that question.” Lady Elanor replied, raising her eyebrow and taking Drew’s hand as he helped her to her feet.

  “I don’t know what you mean mother?” Arweyn replied. “I said the right chant I am sure of it,” she looked at Kainan. Her mother cast a suspicious eye towards him and then back at her daughter. “That is not what I meant Arweyn Glanber. Zarnora assumed my dear that you were still pure, still untouched.” She placed her hands on her hips as she stared hard at her.

  “Still a virgin?”

  “Oh,” Arweyn bit her lip embarrassed at her mother’s accusation. Looking across to Kainan her lips twitched with a smile, and he winked at her. Turning back to her mother she asked, slightly nervously. “Why does it make a difference?”

  “Let’s just say, the key is supposed to be a virgin, pure and innocent. Your power was too strong. Instead of bringing the Gorzar Empire back the spell reversed sucking everything up.”