Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan

by Rosemary Lynch

  She rode her unicorn alongside him then came to a steady halt next to him. “Yes King John, they are now as we speak taking the Ardor Crystal back to the dome to reinstate the banishing spells. But we must keep the Elves away from them if they are to succeed.”

  The King bowed his head and raised his sword. His son was alive, it was the best news he had heard all day! Kainan was back. He was overjoyed and took a deep reassuring breath that now his Kingdom stood a chance. “Then we are honoured to have you and your magic on our side,” he said, with much relief in his voice, nodding his head towards Sharlinger and the Faerlings.

  “Line up!” Sharlinger ordered, as she strode forward on her unicorn. The other Faerlings lined their unicorns up alongside her, facing outwards towards the enemy. The unicorn’s horns began glowing with immense energy and magic. They stood in a line in front of the King’s men, lowering their heads towards the Dark Elves. Sharlinger and the other Faerlings raised their hands, linking their powers.

  “ELMANTA ESPERIA!” she screamed, with all her might.

  The magic and the energy poured from both the Faerling’s hands and the unicorn’s horns. A magnificent wave of blue light shot out into the oncoming Elves, blasting them away. The Elves counter-attacked. Holding their swords across their bodies they used their Elven magic to hold back the beam from the Faerlings. Locked in a battle of magic the two sides continued to struggle to gain the upper hand.

  They ran, hearts pounding through the deserted city. Suddenly from no-where Four Dark Elves appeared in front of them. Sensing movement Arweyn spun around, her eyes snapped to them, there were four more behind them. “Kainan!” she cried in warning. He spun around, looking beyond her. They had come so far, he was not going to be stopped now, not when they were so close.

  “Can you manage the four behind?” he asked in a whisper. Pulling the sleeves of her cloak back she nodded. “Yes. If I am quick enough.” Then without hesitation she spun around towards them, bringing forth her power. The blue light shot from her finger tips straight at the Elves, blasting them backwards and killing two of them instantly. The other two scrambled in shock, grasping at their swords, realising they were up against powerful magic.

  Kainan withdrew his sword and gestured with his other hand to the four in front of him. “Come on then,” he teased as he edged towards them. Two of them rushed towards him at once. Kainan jumped and twisted around full circle, dropping to a low stance he sliced straight through the Elves stomachs as they ran at force into him. They both screamed in agony as the sword sliced into their flesh. Clutching at their stomachs, blood gushing through their fingers, they both dropped to the ground dead. He whipped the sword back around ready for the next. The two Elves left sneered angrily at him and separated, each edging towards him from a different angle. Kainan’s mind raced as he quickly stole a glance behind him to check on Arweyn.

  The two remaining Elves moved in towards her, their silver swords raised in front of them. Then both the Dark Elves began chanting in unison as they edged towards her, their swords flashing incredibly brightly. Arweyn blinked at the sudden light of their Elven magic as it blinded her, making her stumble backwards. Raising her hand against the brightness her anger began to engulf her. She was not going to let these Elves stop them now. “Capar tordar melarka.” she hissed at them furiously. Her eyes glazing over protecting her from their light, she raised both her hands as she moved towards them. “Returna elerata Illumanartra.” She pushed with her hands as her incredible power forced back the Elves searing light. Stunned and unable to withstand her magical strength, the Elves cried out in panic, and within moments they were consumed by the light, and in an explosion of power they were gone.

  Kainan ran at them, jumping he pushed with one foot, twisting as he leaped off the ground spiralling through the air. In mid-air Kainan hooked his right arm around one of the startled Elf’s neck, suddenly and violently twisting the Elf’s head around until it broke. He dropped the Elf’s body to the ground as he landed on his feet.

  The elf stood staring at him, his eyes twitching with fear. Arweyn spun around to Kainan and he glanced over to her, relieved that she was safe.

  “Kainan!” She suddenly cried, as the Elf swung his blade, releasing it through the air towards him like a dart. Hearing her warning Kainan flipped backwards and the sword flew past him, missing him by inches. As he flipped back he pulled his dagger from his belt with his other hand and flung in towards the Elf. Landing back on his feet Kainan immediately spun towards the Elf, but the Elf was staggering, the blade having pierced into his windpipe. Arweyn raised her hands towards him. “Esperora armara contia breakara.” she cried, and blue light shot from her finger tips straight into the Elf. The force was so strong, it blasted him backwards, sending him spinning across the floor, dead. They both watched, then turned to each other and Arweyn ran into his embrace.

  “Well done honey,” he congratulated, kissing the top of her head.

  “Kainan that was intense,” she breathed heavy, catching her breath. Quickly grasping her hand, he nodded. “I know. Come on we must get to the dome before anymore appear.” With that the two ran, the young Prince stopping to grab his dagger from what was left of the elf.

  Kainan stopped abruptly at the entrance to the dome. This was the place where it had all started; that fateful day he stole the Ardor Crystal, he shook his head. So much death had been caused by his one mistake, and now this was his chance to put it all right.

  “Hurry Kainan,” Arweyn urged breaking his thoughts and looking behind them.

  He raised his hand once more to the symbol on the door, and as before it slid open instantly. Quickly they went inside, the door sliding closed behind them. Kainan pulled the Ardor Crystal from his bag and looked at it in amazement. It really was truly remarkable to think that such a Crystal could hold so much power. Ahead of him was the pedestal, the rightful place for this sword shaped Crystal. He walked towards it, and then climbed up on to it. Looking down at Arweyn he paused for a moment. She smiled at him encouragingly. “Go on,” she whispered to him. He nodded, then proceeded to carefully place it back in its rightful position, the holding device clunked and it locked down onto the Crystal.

  Jumping back down the Prince stood alongside her. Taking her hand he squeezed it tight in anticipation and they waited in silence. Then the dome shook and the Ardor Crystal began to glow as the funnel began soaking up its power and energy once more. Rays of multicoloured light once again began to pulsate up and down between the Crystal and the funnel of the Dome.

  Kainan sighed with relief to see it all working again. However, that had been the easy part. The power to the Boundary may have been reinstated, but they still had the Dark Elves to deal with.

  “Honey are you ready?” he asked. She nodded apprehensively and together they stepped up to the Ardor Crystal.

  “After three,” Arweyn said looking Kainan straight in the eye. He nodded. It was only because they had joined using the Deragan Sword that they had any chance of re-instating the banishing spells this way. By joining it had given them both incredible power and strength. A mere mortal would never survive. They would burn and disintegrate in a moment at least that was what they had been told by Arweyn’s mother, Lady Elanor. Kainan took a deep breath; he hoped Arweyn’s mother was right.

  “One, two, three!” she whispered, and then together they placed their hands directly onto the Ardor Crystal, holding them there fast. They both began shaking as the power from the Crystal flowed through their hands, down their arms and into their bodies. They began chanting, reciting the banishing spell of the Faerlings. “Esporo delanti, dora elvera, espora delcarit melnca porcar,dora elvera.” Their chanting became louder and louder, faster and faster as the spell was implemented across the boundary field. The dome shook with the power of the magic and then suddenly a massive shock wave blasted outwards from the dome sending their magic across the city, through the castle and out into the valley and to the forest beyond.

  Th
e Faerlings and the unicorns fought hard alongside the King and his men but they were only just keeping the Dark Elves from the gates of the castle. The unicorns and the Faerlings were tiring and their power and magic starting to weaken. Suddenly just when they thought all was lost, the ground beneath them shook violently. They all turned towards the dome in the far distance. They could just about see the top of it and it glowed with a colourful pulsating light, its beam spreading out high into the clouds re-enforcing the shield that protected the city. The King cheered to his men.

  “Kainan has done it. He has replaced the Ardor Crystal!” In the King’s momentary distraction a Dark Elf took his chance, he drew back his arm and threw his sword with incredible speed and agility. The sword revolved twice and flew at the King, knocking him straight off his horse. Hitting the ground hard, the King keeled over.

  “The King has fallen!” Sharlinger screamed in panic, immediately jumping from her unicorn. The ground shook again and Sharlinger dropped to her knees. Suddenly a wave of white energy came rippling towards them. The soldiers stared; even the Dark Elves stopped fighting momentarily as the wave of light came towards them like a tidal wave of water. Without hesitation it shot through their bodies, leaving the King’s soldiers shaken but unharmed. The Dark Elves began screaming as their bodies began shaking uncontrollably. Then one after the other they began disintegrating, turning into black dust.

  Sharlinger pulled her sleeve to her face covering her eyes as the dust swept passed her.

  “Father!” A voice yelled from the distance; Sharlinger removed her hand from her eyes and looked up. It was Gareion; he was riding Caspella along with Drew. Arnickle came up the rear with Freelander and Lady Elanor. And sat on top of Orion, Caspella’s brother was Lord Porlock. Gareion and Drew quickly jumped off Caspella, and Gareion raced desperately to his father.

  Sharlinger removed the sword that had been embedded in the King. Missing his chain mail tunic, the Elf’s narrow sword has gone straight through the soft fabric under the Kings right arm. She discarded it on the floor beside her.

  “I am sorry Gareion, he is dead.” She looked up at him, her eyes full of sympathy.

  “NO!” Gareion screamed in disbelief, dropping to his knees and falling onto his father’s body.

  “Sharlinger!” Lady Elanor cried, as she saw her sister.

  “Elanor, I knew you were not dead my sister.” She jumped up and flew into her sister’s embrace, hugging her warmly.

  Lady Elanor looked down at the King. “Kainan and Arweyn where are they?” She asked quickly.

  “They are at the dome, the magic has been restarted Elanor, the Elves are dead,” Sharlinger replied pointing towards the glowing energy dome.

  “Then there may still be hope. How long has the King been dead?”

  “It has only just happened. Why?” her sister replied.

  She turned to Drew. “Drew, go and get them, you must hurry. They may be able to bring him back as we did with Kainan, but only as long as they hold the power from the Crystal in their hands.”

  “Drew, on my back, guide me to where they are I will get you there quicker.”

  Arnickle growled. Drew nodding, jumped instantly on his back and in seconds they were gone.

  Kainan and Arweyn stood back from the Crystal; their bodies were still shaking from the energy they had absorbed.

  “Are you okay?” he asked gently, taking hold of her and pulling her in close to him. “Yes I think so.” She leaned towards him and kissed him, closing her eyes as she felt a surge of energy flow through her entire body. Finally it was over. He released her and looked deep into her eyes.

  “We did it honey,” Kainan beamed happily.

  She smiled. “I hope so Kainan. Come on let’s go and make sure that the spell has worked.” Nodding he took hold of her hand and together they walked over to the door. Raising his hand to the symbol, the door once again flew open. They stepped outside; already they could see that the sky was beginning to brighten. Suddenly Kainan shot forward in front of her, and as quick as a flash he pulled the Deragan sword from its sheath, raising it in front of him.

  “What is it?” she cried, at his sudden movement.

  “Someone is coming,” he replied in a whisper. Just then Arnickle sprung around the corner.

  “Drew!” Kainan yelled excitedly. It was so good to see his friend. Drew jumped off Arnickle and ran to Kainan. Kainan replaced his sword back in its sheath and walked towards him.

  “Drew, what is wrong?” Kainan asked, seeing the distress in his friend’s eyes.

  “Kainan, it is the King!” Drew began.

  “My father, what, what has happened?” Kainan interrupted, his voice pained with fear as to what Drew was about to tell him.

  “He has been killed your Highness, by an Elf.” Drew informed him, his head bowed low.

  “No!” Arweyn screamed, before the Prince had a chance to.

  Kainan stumbled with the shock of the news, his legs giving way under him. No not his father this could not be! He had not had enough time with him.

  “Kainan!” Arweyn screamed grabbing hold of him to steady him.

  “My Lord, Lady Elanor says there is a chance we can bring him back like we did with you. But we must hurry; it will only work if you and Lady Arweyn still have enough energy from the Ardor Crystal.”

  Kainan looked at his hands, they were shaking and still glowing, he looked at Arweyn. Nodding she turned over her hands, they too were still glowing with the power of the Crystal.

  “We can do it Kainan, come on,” she cried urgently at him. Grabbing her, he quickly lifted her onto Arnickle’s back, then jumped up himself. Arnickle flew like the wind back to the others.

  Drew watched as they sped off, and then began to run as fast as he could after them.

  Within seconds they had reached the King. Jumping off Arnickle, Kainan ran, then skidded to his knees next to his brother. Gareion was crying as he looked a him.

  “Can you do it brother?” he questioned, wiping his eyes.

  “I do not know Gareion but we are sure as hell going to try, move over. Arweyn?” He looked up at her. She knelt down next to him.

  Lady Elanor spoke to her daughter. “Arweyn use the same spell we used to bring Kainan back, do you remember it?”

  “Yes mother, but we had the Gorzar then.”

  “I know but you have the power from the Ardor Crystal in you both, you will have to adapt the spell Arweyn. I cannot help this time, the power surge would kill me. Only you and Kainan are strong enough to do this.”

  “It is okay,” she looked at him, his face was fraught. “We can do it.”

  The young Prince nodding took hold of her hand; and together they placed their other hands onto the King’s chest. Kainan swallowed as he felt the lifelessness of his father. The King’s men had gathered around behind them and watched in awe. Unbelievable silence covered what was the battlefield. By the expressions on their faces they were questioning whether or not this was possible. Could they really bring the dead King back to life?

  Arweyn took a deep breath and cleared her mind. Then searching for the right spell she began to chant. “Espell de carva melaka, espicaio, polasa. Espell de carva melaka, espicaio, polasa.” Soon Kainan picked up the words and began to chant along with her. Power from them both transferred into the King and his body began to illuminate. A pulsating light began to move up and down his entire body and he began to rise off the ground. They both leaned back a little startled but continued with their chanting as his body hovered in front of them. Arweyn and Kainan’s eyes began glowing red as the power and the magic surged through them and into the King.

  Suddenly a great white light shot upwards into the clouds. The King’s body shook as it lowered itself back down onto the ground. The light faded and all was quiet and still. The two sat back on their heels, their eyes returning to normal. They were both breathing heavily from the experience. They looked at each other, and then down at the King. Everyone stared, waiting, w
illing the King to live. The King lay silent.

  Suddenly he gasped for air, making the crowd around them jump in surprise. Then his eyes opened. The crowd gasped in utter amazement and then they cheered euphorically when they realised that their King lived. The soldiers, raising their swords, cried triumphantly.

  The King looked up and saw his sons, both of them together, and he smiled. They were both alive and both here with him.

  “Have we won my boys, is the Kingdom safe?” he asked, his voice was husky and still quite weak.

  “Yes father,” Kainan replied, reaching for his hand. “We have won.” He looked at his brother and grinned. His smile was infectious and soon everyone around him was grinning. Arweyn sat up and sighed happily, now finally it was all over. The Crystal was back in its rightful place, she glanced over to Kainan, and sensing her gaze he gave her a slight wink. She smiled at him and then looked up at her mother; she still could hardly believe that she had found her. Kainan had found his brother, and the King was alive. Smiling deeply, she gazed lovingly at him. Most importantly of all she had Kainan.

  The celebration was only momentary. A terrible sound washed over them, and suddenly everyone’s eyes were drawn to the sky above. It screeched murderously, high above them. A huge beast as black at night, its wings outstretched, swooped down towards them. Drawing in its wings, flames flickered in its opened jaws; its ivory talons outstretched towards them. Panic surged through the entire crowd and people began to scatter in all directions as its sudden attack caught them completely unaware. Soldiers raised their arms in readiness as the creature swooped towards them.

  The archers on the castle walls aimed and a flight of arrows instantly flew towards it. Some hit, but most missed or rebounded off its scaly skin. Another volley of arrows followed close upon the last, but still it didn’t falter on it trajectory. Lady Elanor screamed as Drew threw himself over her to protect her, pinning her underneath his huge body. The beast swooped down towards them, its sharp talons grasping through the air at them. Then it opened its massive jaws and Kainan could see a ball of flames building up inside the depths of its mouth. Pulling the Deragan sword from his sheath he rushed to stand in front of the others. Raising the sword he cried aloud, just at the creature shot a massive flame towards them.