Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan

by Rosemary Lynch

  “Of course!” she exclaimed loudly. “Arweyn I think I may know what she meant but you must tell me honestly.” She looked down at her daughter; the pain she could see her going through was almost too much for any mother to bear. Her eyes were still glowing, she was scared, truly scared for her daughter. Only the truth would give her the answer she needed.

  “What do you need to know?” Arweyn asked, wiping away her tears. Her heart was beating quickly in desperate hope that her mother had the answer.

  “Had you already joined with Kainan when you met your grandmother?”

  Arweyn nodded rocking as she tried to hold back the energy that was building up inside of her.

  Her mother smiled knowingly. “Then she did know. Arweyn.” Her mother gently whispered, placing her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. She looked up.

  “I think I know what your grandmother meant. There is still a chance we can bring Kainan back, but we must hurry before his spirit reaches the other side. He is fighting to stay with you, but he will not be able to do it for much longer. We must hurry.”

  “Bring him back, how?” Arweyn asked, wiping her eyes. She looked at the palm of her hand, the dragon was flickering. She shook her head. Taking hold of his right hand she clenched it, desperately willing him to stay with her.

  “Arweyn in all honesty I would not have even contemplated this ritual.” She looked at her daughter; she was shaking with anger, with power. “But now knowing that you and Kainan are joined by the Deragan Sword, I know you have the power within you to do this.” She swallowed nervously as Arweyn’s eyes glowed at her. “I can see that you have the strength to do this, he is hanging onto you, your souls are joined by the Deragan Sword. With my help we may just be able to do this. We will need to join our powers together. Now take my hand tightly and place your other hand, with the Deragan mark upon Kainan chest, over his heart.” Arweyn let go of his hand placing it by his side. Reaching over she placed her right hand on his blooded chest. She trembled as she looked at his face, she could not live without him. He had to come back to her.

  She turned to Gareion. “Bring him over here.” She pointed to the Gorzar.

  “Get up, you heard the lady.” Drew pulled Hadzor to his feet, and poking his sword into his back forced him towards where Kainan lay. He looked down at the Prince, how could he have failed him? He had promised the King he would bring his son back home safe. He should have made sure Hadzor was dead, had Rufas not said so, many times, always chop their bloody heads off.

  Lady Elanor turned back to her daughter. “Arweyn this is an extremely powerful spell, it has never been done in any time that I have known. I do not even know for sure that it will work.” She hesitated. “I cannot even be sure that you will not be harmed.”

  “I don’t care,” she glared, her voice not her own. “Just bring him back to me,” she begged desperately. Her mother shook as she nodded.

  “Drew bring the Gorzar here. Gareion, you and Drew will need to hold him tight.” Lady Elanor stressed. Gareion took hold of Hadzor.

  “And when I say tight, I mean tight, do not let him go. Whatever happens do not let him go,” she warned.

  They glanced at each other, both nodding apprehensively.

  “What are you going to do to me you witch,” Hadzor hissed.

  “We are going to exchange your soul for Kainan’s and send you to the shadowlands,” she replied. And as she smacked her hand hard upon his heart a white light began emanating from her hand, and Hadzor screamed a blood curdling cry. Lady Elanor took a deep breath, ignoring him, and began to chant.

  “Espell de carva melaka, espicaio, polasa transfea.” She repeated the spell over and over faster and faster. She held Arweyn’s hand tight.

  “Arweyn I need your help!” her mother cried. Arweyn delved deep into her mind and pulled out the spell her mother was chanting. She began to chant alongside her.

  “Espell de carva melaka, espicaio, polasa transfea.” Louder and louder, faster and faster they repeated the chant over and over again. The life force from the Gorzar began to flow through their bodies picking up their magical energy. Arweyn’s whole body shook and her eyes then rolled to the back of her head, as the power within her grew. Screaming, she released the power from her hand allowing it to flow into Kainan’s body.

  “KAINAN!” she cried wildly, calling his soul back from the afterlife.

  Smoke began to pour from Hadzor’s chest as he shook violently. Gareion and Drew were terrified but they held onto the Gorzar as tight as they could. The chant began to get even louder and faster. Kainan’s body began to shake as a pulsating white light began covering his entire body. Suddenly the beam of light shot upwards, and the ground shook. Then they were all thrown backwards with the greatness of the force.

  For a few moments all was silent, then Arweyn stirring, opened her eyes. She turned to her mother who had fallen to the floor exhausted. Hadzor lay dead upon the ground; his body shrivelled and drained of life.

  “Mother!” Arweyn cried, crawling over to her. The menacing glow in her eyes had faded and her hazel eyes had returned. “Are you okay?” she asked, worried, taking hold of her and stroking her head. Lady Elanor opened her eyes and nodded.

  “Yes, I think so,” she replied, sitting up and rubbing her head. Drew who had also been thrown to the ground, stood up and shook himself. That had been the most incredible and frightening magic he had every witnessed or hoped to ever witness again. Walking over to Lady Elanor, he held out his hand, helping her to her feet. Bowing his head he asked her softly.

  “My Lady you are okay?”

  “Yes Drew, thank you I am fine,” she replied. She turned to Arweyn, her daughter stood in silence, staring down at Kainan, but he lay still.

  “It didn’t work,” her voice was merely a whisper. Kneeling down next to him, and reaching out, she gently stroked his hair. Leaning forward she whispered in his ear. “I will not live without you Kainan Dermock do you hear me. I will come and find you, even if I have to travel the spirit world for an eternity.” His eyelids flickered. Arweyn stared, too scared to believe it. Then she felt her hand burning, and looking down at the palm of her hand, she saw the dragon was pulsating. She ran her fingers down his chest, but she could feel no wound. Resting her head onto his chest, she listened, and then sat up, her eyes shining with joy. She looked at her mother.

  “His heart is beating,” she whispered. Lady Elanor smiling, nodded

  At her relieved. She knew it had been a great risk and they both could have died, but it was a risk worth taking for her daughter. Gareion stood with tears rolling down his face as he watched.

  Arweyn stroked Kainan’s head and a tear of happiness dropped from her eyes and fell upon his lips. Slowly his mouth moved and his lips pursed together. Gently she leaned over and cupping his face in her hands she kissed him, with much tenderness.

  “I love you so much Kainan Dermock of Malgar and I will not let you go. Ever,” she whispered, her heart bursting with the love she felt for him.

  “Arweyn?” he managed to whisper back. She sat up, smiling as she looked at him; lovingly she caressed his brow. Slowly his eyes opened and once again he found himself staring at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

  “Arweyn!” Kainan yelled suddenly, sitting bolt upright. In that split second he turned throwing the dragonfly pendant he held in his hand with such a force behind her, that she screamed at his sudden movement. She didn’t know what he was doing! She spun round following the path of the pendant. There behind her, falling from the rock was the female Gorzar. One hand clutching a deadly dagger that had been poised ready to strike at Arweyn’s back, her other hand clutching at her throat, where the tail from the dragonfly was piercing her windpipe. In all the confusion they had all forgotten about the third Gorzar. Screaming she fell hard to the ground, spluttering for breath.

  Walking over to her Drew calmly bent down and ripped the pendant out of her throat. The Gorzar stared at him as she gurgled, gasping for br
eath. Pulling his sword out he raised it without hesitation, and struck down at her neck, severing her head from her body. He would not make that mistake again, ever. Ripping off a piece of his shirt he cleaned the dragonfly pendant till it shone. Quietly walking over to Arweyn he handed her the pendant. Arweyn took it, looking at it in her hand, and then back at Kainan in disbelief.

  She opened her mouth but before she could speak, he grabbed her and held her close, touching her hair, smelling her skin.

  “Arweyn,” he sighed holding her tight. She clung on to him, he was alive and he was back with her. “I love you,” he cried clinging on to her. Tears flooded down her face, she thought she had lost him forever. She would have died without him.

  “Kainan,” she cried his name, as they held on to each other.

  Arweyn’s mother choked with tears as she watched them. Gareion, walking over to her, placed his arm around her shoulder, comforting her. She looked at him and smiled leaning into his shoulder, then he wiped the tears from his own eyes.

  “How did you know she was there?” she whispered, nuzzling into him. Slowly Kainan released her, taking a deep breath, and looking into her eyes. Then he gently kissed her. She closed her eyes as his warmth filled her once more. His hand pulling away the strand of hair that never stayed in place, he smiled, whispering, “Your father told me.”

  “My father?” Arweyn repeated in barely a whisper.

  Kainan smiled, nodding. “I tried to stay with you. I could see you, see my body,” he stroked her face. “Then your father appeared. He told me it was not my time, you needed me. He told me to watch your back as you were in danger. Then I heard you calling me, and he helped me to get back into my body.” Arweyn began crying again, this time for her father. Turning she looked at her mother. Her mother smiled knowingly, tears were already flowing freely down her cheeks. Her beloved husband had saved their daughter. Knowing he was still looking after her even in the afterlife gave her such comfort. She wished she could have seen him, just one more time, to say good-bye to him. She missed him so much.

  “I love you so much Arweyn Glanber of Malgar.” Kainan whispered gently. Holding out his other hand he gave her a red starflower. “Your father loves you Arweyn. He wishes he could be here with you but he told me to tell you that everything happens for a reason.” Drying her eyes with his sleeve he continued. “You must not be sad for him. Your father is watching over you and will be there for you when you need him. As will I; always and forever.” Her mother walked over and knelt down beside them, taking her daughter’s hand.

  “And so will I.” She looked at Kainan, and reaching forward she took his hand too. “For both of you.” Arweyn took a deep breath, she was still in shock. Could it really be true, that Kainan had seen her father? Then she looked at the starflower in her hand, it had to be; there was no other explanation. She smiled at Kainan, and he raised his eyebrows at her, giving her a cheeky smile. “He also said that I was good for you and he gave you his blessing.” She raised her eyebrow. “I swear he did.” Kainan grinned affectionately and she chuckled, shaking her head.

  Turning to her mother Kainan let go of her hand. Lady Elanor looked down feeling something in the palm of her hand. She opened it, and reaching down with her other hand she picked up a pendant. Holding it between her fingers she gasped in recognition and her eyes flew to his. It was her husbands.

  “Wear it, on the night of the first new moon. He said you can give it back to him then.” She looked at him, and her eyes were tinged with tears. “He wants to say goodbye properly, until it is time for you to be together again.” Her lips trembled as tears welled in her eyes, and she held it close to her heart.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, leaning forward and kissing his cheek. Smiling at her daughter, she placed her hand on her knee. “You have truly found your soul mate my darling. I am so proud of you.” Then flinging her arms around her daughter she hugged her close. Glancing up at Drew, Kainan noticed that even the big man had tears in his eyes.

  “Arweyn, do you remember what you said, when Kainan had died?” Her mother asked. She looked at her mother puzzled, shaking her head.

  “No not really, only that I had to bring him back.” She glanced at Kainan and he smiled at her.

  Her mother looked at her warily. “You said that you had waited five hundred years for him; and your eyes…” she hesitated for a moment. “Your eyes glowed red.” Arweyn’s eyes shot to Kainan, and then back to her mother.

  “I don’t remember. My eyes…” she stared down at the floor for a moment. “Kainan’s eyes do that, when he gets angry.” She looked back at her mother.

  “It has to be the combining of our powers, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” he asked, gently reaching forward to her and placing his arm around her.

  She leaned into his embrace. “I think so; it’s not your fault Kainan. I don’t remember saying anything about five hundred years though.” They all glanced at one another.

  “Another piece of puzzle for us to solve,” her mother said. Arweyn glanced to him and he smiled holding her gaze for a moment.

  “Shall we go home honey?” Kainan said finally, and she nodded, her hand firmly on his chest, feeling his heart pounding with life.

  “Yes please,” she replied, sounding somewhat relieved. Removing his

  arm from around her Kainan looked up at his brother who grinned back down at him before reaching down and yanking him to his feet. They stared at each other for a moment before Gareion grabbed him and hugged him in a tight embrace. Pulling back and clenching his jaw in an effort to maintain his composure, he sniffled.

  “My brother,” he said, with much love and relief in his voice. “Thank you, for what you did, for saving my life.”

  Kainan grinned. “Hey you are my little brother, if only just, what else am I supposed to do if not look out for you?”

  Gareion raised his eyebrows. “How about some baby-sitting in a few months?” Kainan looked at Arweyn, then back to his brother.

  “She told you?” Gareion nodded proudly. Kainan grabbed him, hugging him tight. “Alys needs you Gareion. I promised her I would bring you home.”

  “Thank you, I really mean it, but promise me, if it came to it ever again you will not step in like that.”

  Kainan shook his head. “No little brother I cannot promise that.” Gareion frowned at him. “Kainan, you are far more important than me. Malgar needs you, they need a strong leader, a good King for the future; I cannot be that King.” He looked at him with pleading eyes.

  “Gareion, you are my brother and I love you, but I’m sorry, I will not promise that, now come on,” he grinned, slapping his back. “Let’s get the others out of the dungeon and get back to Malgar.” Turning back round to Arweyn he held out his hand, looking up at him she smiled and taking hold of his hand he pulled her to her feet.

  “Come here you,” he said, grabbing his hands around her waist and pulling her in close. “Yet again you bring me back from the dead, are you okay, truthfully?” he asked, his voice firm but gentle.

  She smiled, her eyes wandering all over his strong face. “I am now, but please Kainan let this be the last time, I do not think my heart can take much more.”

  The young Prince grinned. “I will do my best, I promise.” Screwing his nose up at her he looked down the front of her. “I have done it again haven’t I?”

  “Done what?” she asked, tilting her head to one side.

  “Ruined another one of your dresses,” he said and she stepped back from him and looked down herself.

  “Yes,” she sighed. “Another one ruined by your blood.”

  “Sorry!” he apologised raising his eyebrows at her. Stepping up close to him she kissed his nose and whispered.

  “Stupid!”

  He grinned back at her. “Fruit cake!”

  She laughed raising her hand to his face, and then shook her head at him, scolding him. “Do not do it again!”

  He nodded with a grin. “Okay honey.” Then he gazed long
ingly at her, and his heart pounded. He kissed her. She closed her eyes as his warmth enveloped her. Releasing her, his eyes flickered. “Come on let’s go and free the others.” He took her hand and started to walk away, but then he stopped abruptly at the shrivelled up body of the Gorzar.

  He stared down at it, a flash of silver glinted towards his eye.

  “What is it?” she asked, looking at his face. He suddenly looked like he was recalling a memory. He smiled at her before bending down and picking up a dagger, initialled with the letter K. He showed it to her. “This is a knife a very dear friend gave to me for my birthday and he took from me the day my village was attacked.” Kainan looked down at the dagger and smiled as he remembered when John had given it to him for his birthday. A day that he would never forget, a day that fate had intervened and changed his life forever.

  ***

  “Thank you, all of you.” Kainan addressed them all as he strode up and down. His hands clasped behind his back. They had rescued the others from the cells and now they were all safe and standing in small clearing at the foot of Mennock Mountain. Wounds had been healed and they had rested long enough to regain their strength.

  Stopping he looked at them all and smiled, they had done it. They had stopped the Gorzar Empire from returning, and recovered the Ardor Crystal.

  “We have won this battle but it is not over yet. Even as I speak the Elves could be attacking Malgar. We need to get the Ardor Crystal back home as fast as we can, agreed.” Everyone nodded their agreement. Kainan knew that they still had one hell of a task ahead of them. Lady Elanor had explained that they had to get the Ardor Crystal back to Malgar and return it to the crystal Dome. Then once they had placed it back onto its holding device they would need to re-instate the banishing spell that the Faerlings had originally placed upon it. Once in place, it would they hoped, kill any Dark Elves within the city and the boundary instantly. Lady Elanor would meanwhile try and contact the Faerlings. Now Zarnora was gone she could reach out and use her magic to contact her sister, Sharlinger and ask them for their help.