Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom

by Rosemary Lynch

  “Alys,” he cried frantically, falling to his knees next to her. Tears streamed from her eyes as she fought against the pain.

  “Gareion, help me” she sobbed, clinging hold of him. “The baby is coming!” He held her close as he looked around for help.

  “Arweyn!” he yelled desperately, as he spotted her amongst the chaos, he cradled his distressed wife fearfully in his arms.

  Arweyn turned to his voice, searching through the crowd, when she saw him her heart missed a beat, Gareion’s face was distraught, and her cousin lay on the ground. Fearing the worse and hitching up her gown, she ran pushing people out of the way to get to them. Arrows flew into the sky from every direction towards the creature, but they merely rebounded off its scaly skin and fell back into the screaming crowds. Soldiers began herding people, trying to get everyone to safety within the castle walls and away from the dragon and the falling arrows.

  “What has happened?” she cried, kneeling down by her cousin.

  Alys panted for breath as she tried to speak.

  “I fell, the baby is coming,” she gasped in between contractions gripping hold of Gareion she squeezed him hard. Arweyn went pale with shock.

  “Okay, it is okay. You will be alright,” she soothed gently, rubbing her arm reassuringly. Standing back up she scanned the panicking crowd.

  “I will get help,” she promised, spotting her mother. She ran as fast as she could to her. Grabbing at her arm, she pulled her urgently.

  “Mother,” she cried.

  “Arweyn thank the stars you are safe,” her mother gasped, embracing her daughter, as a wave of relief flooded her.

  “Mother you must come quickly,” she cried, taking up her hand. “It is Alys, the baby is coming.” Lady Elanor’s eyes followed to where she was pointing and she saw Alys writhing in agony on the ground.

  “Oh no,” she shook her head worriedly and then pointed.

  “Arweyn go and get your grandmother quickly.” She glanced across the crowd and saw her grandmother. Nodding she released her mother’s hand and keeping one eye on the sky above she ran, ducking and dodging the falling arrows. Lady Elanor raced over to Alys.

  “Darling are you okay?” she asked gently, kneeling down beside her. Alys shook her head, as tears streamed from her eyes. Lady Elanor smiled ruefully before placing her hand upon her bump. She closed her eyes for a moment as she cleared her mind, opening them she smiled.

  “Alys your baby still lives, but it is coming fast.” She turned to Gareion. “We must get her into the castle. Can you carry her?” He took a breath, wiping the tears from his own eyes. He nodded and stood up. Reaching down he carefully lifted his wife into his arms but she screamed in agony.

  “I am sorry, be brave my love,” he begged shakily, gently kissing her brow. Arweyn returned with her grandmother, fear etched all over her face. Lady Elanor smiled.

  “It is okay the baby is still alive but we must get her into the castle as quick as we can. Mother can you help with the delivery?”

  “Of course,” the Queen of the Faerlings replied with a nod. They began racing towards the entrance of the castle. A terrible cry pierced above the noise of the screaming crowds; they all turned and looked behind in horror. Arweyn gasped in fright as she watched Kainan and Drew, followed by the guards, racing off after the dragon.

  “Mother,” Arweyn grabbed her arm. “Can you manage without me? I must go after Kainan.” Lady Elanor nodded.

  “Of course go and do not worry they will both be fine.”

  “Arweyn,” the Queen of the Faerlings interrupted, her finger pointing towards the drawbridge. “I have called help for you. Take Siras and the others, they will be able to track the dragon.” She hugged her grandmother.

  “Thank you.” Her grandmother kissed her quickly. “Take care.” She nodded turning to Gareion his face said it all, he was so distraught. She smiled sorrowfully and then kissed Alys.

  “Go,” Alys, whispered, reaching for her arm. Arweyn touched her hand briefly and then ran.

  They hurried through the castle as fast as they could, taking Alys straight to her chamber. Gareion shook, both from exhaustion and from worry, as he laid her gently onto their bed. Seeing her in so much pain broke his heart and he was terrified that he was going to lose her and his baby. Lady Elanor had gone directly to her own chamber, quickly gathering her herbs and potions, she hurriedly returned.

  “Gareion, wait outside,” the Queen of the Faerlings ordered with a wave of her hand, as she helped pull off Alys’ heavy gown, leaving her wearing her silk under-dress. Gareion froze as he saw the blood on her dress. Lady Elanor grabbed his arm.

  “She will be okay I promise. Now please Gareion wait outside.” She ushered him out, closing the door on him. Gareion lent against the wall outside the room and slowly sank down to the floor, with his head in his hands he began to cry. He was so very afraid.

  Alys screamed as the contractions came hard and fast. Quickly as she could, Lady Elanor mixed a potion. As the contraction eased, she passed her the potion.

  “Drink this Alys it will help with the pain.” Alys nodded gratefully, gulping it down as quickly as she could. Then there was another contraction and she screamed grasping at the bedcovers as the pain overwhelmed her. She was soaking with sweat and Lady Elanor rushed to cool her down with a wet towel.

  “Just a little while longer,” she encouraged. The potion was strong and Alys could gradually feel the pain easing.

  “Thank you,” she managed, in between panting.

  “Alys, breathe deep now baby is ready. Push,” the Queen urged. Gathering all her strength, she screamed as she pushed down.

  “Oh my darling here it comes!” Lady Elanor cried joyfully. Alys panted.

  “One more, come on you can do it,” the Queen encouraged. Alys nodded, and taking a deep breath, she screamed as she gave an almighty push.

  “It is a girl!” Lady Elanor cried as she held the newborn in her hands. Alys gasped for breath, she felt so weak. The baby cried and Alys managed a smile, it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard. Lady Elanor cut the cord and quickly wrapped the baby tightly in a blanket.

  “Elanor,” her mother called sharply. She looked up at her mother. Alys was slipping into unconsciousness.

  “Elanor she is haemorrhaging,” the Queen cried in panic as she examined her. Pulling her sleeve back, she took a deep breath and stood over her. She began to chant in earnest.

  “Alora mentoria escalida, alora mentonria escalida, espora healarta, espora healarta,” she waved her hands up and down Alys’s body repeating her chant, her healing light glowed all over Alys’ body.

  “Mother is she alright?” Lady Elanor questioned, reaching forward and touching Alys’ brow. As the Queen withdrew her hands, the light faded. She looked to her daughter and nodded with a smile, before taking a relieved breath.

  As they waited, Lady Elanor washed the tiny baby and wrapped her in a clean blanket whilst her mother attended to Alys. After a short while, they both smiled, relieved, as Alys opened her eyes.

  “My baby?” she whispered weakly, glancing up at Lady Elanor. Gently Lady Elanor handed her the tiny bundle. Taking her in her arms, she held her to her breast; at once, the baby began to suckle. Tears fell from Alys’ eyes. She glanced up at the Queen.

  “She is strong,” she whispered. The Queen nodded, smiling as she stroked her brow.

  “You both are. Now let’s get you cleaned up there is someone outside who is desperate to see you both.”

  Alys reached out to her and touched her arm the Queen stopped and looked at her.

  “Thank you,” she said, gratefully. She turned to Lady Elanor. “Thank you Elanor.” The women both smiled at her, giving a small nod of their heads.

  Gareion stood proudly cradling his newborn daughter she was so very tiny and delicate in his arms. He wiped a tear from his cheek.

  “She is so beautiful my love,” he said, glancing to his wife. She smiled back and nodded.

 
; “That she is.”

  ***

  Separated from her mother the young child stood and screamed as the dragon dived towards her. Frozen to the spot and so racked with fear she could not move her feet. Kainan ran. Just as the beast’s mighty jaws opened to snatch its prey, Kainan dived grabbing her in his arms. In that split second, he heaved her out of its path and they both crashed, rolling across the ground. He took a relieved breath as the dragon soared over them. His eyes following the angry dragon he watched in horror as it came swiftly down behind the unsuspecting King, and snatching his father in its talons, it soared off into the sky.

  “Father,” Kainan screamed. He felt fear explode into every fibre of his being as he watched his father carried off by the beast. Jumping to his feet Kainan passed the child to her frantic mother.

  “Thank you my Lord, thank you,” the woman cried, clutching her child tightly. The young prince nodded, and pulling the Deragan Sword from its sheath, he began running furiously through the panic-stricken crowd, one eye kept on the beast as it carried his father away. His arm came up as he deflected a falling arrow. He swung around towards the archers and waved them down. They were never going to stop the dragon, but they might end up hitting his father. Drew and the King’s guards were right at his heels as they ran into the village. Then it vanished from sight.

  Kainan stopped, using the back of his hand to shield his eyes he scanned the sky for the dragon.

  “Where did it go?” he cried frantically turning to Drew. The King’s bodyguard already beside him was shaking his head furiously.

  “I do not know, what was it?” he questioned back.

  “Another one of those black dragons, I do not understand, where the hell did it come from?” he gasped, panting for breath, his eyes still scanning the sky above him. “Where is my father?” Kainan cried hysterically. He had to find him, he felt sick, and he was shaking from the shock. He spun around to his men.

  “Search for him now! Cover the city, the forest. Do not stop until you find him!” Drew nodded and set about dividing his men into search parties.

  Drew turned to him. “My Lord what if the beast took the King back through the boundary?” Kainan shook his head, biting on his lip.

  “No I would feel it, see the break in the magic. It is here somewhere on Malgar it has to be, it must have come through with the other one and been hiding here all this time.” Kainan’s brow drew into a frown as he thought of the bull he and Arweyn had found the day before. “It is in the forest. Drew, you bring your men with me.” Nodding, Drew turned about waving his men forward.

  “Kainan,” she called. Spinning around to the panic-stricken voice, he saw his wife riding towards him at great speed on a white unicorn; four male Faerlings rode on unicorns alongside her.

  “Kainan,” she gasped, as the unicorn came to a halt beside him. Swinging her leg over, she jumped down into his arms.

  “Arweyn you should not have come, it is too dangerous.” He looked at her for a moment. She still wore her wedding gown, a light breezed carried some wisps of hair across her beautiful, but pained face. How could this have happened on today of all days? She touched her hand to his chest, and his hands slipped up to her waist.

  “No Kainan I can help. Together remember?” She could see the deep lines of fear in his face and her brow wrinkled together with her effort to hold back her tears. He felt his own eyes grow wet, and clenched his jaw in an effort to maintain his composure.

  “Please Kainan, Siras can help, he can find the dragon. You need me I will not let you do this alone.” Her voice was firm. He looked into her eyes for a long moment, and then brushing tumbling curls out of her eyes, he lent forward touching his nose to hers and resting his forehead on hers.

  “Okay you win my wife.” She smiled at his words and whispered, her breath trembling against his cheek.

  “My husband.” He drew her in close and kissed her, feeling her warmth and power tingle through his entire body. As he broke from the kiss, he smiled gently at her.

  “Where is my brother?” he asked softly, surprised that Gareion had not followed him. Arweyn swallowed, reaching for his arm.

  “It is Alys.” Her face frowning sadly, his eyes widened at her in question. “She was knocked over during the attack and has gone into the labour, the baby is coming early.” Kainan’s heart sank at the news and he looked towards the castle. His eyes showing the pain he was feeling, torn between his brother and his father.

  “She will be okay Kainan. My mother and grandmother are with her, they will not let anything happen to her, or the baby, I promise. Gareion will be okay.” He reached forward and she fell into his arms.

  “I am so sorry,” he said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head and slowly stroking her back soothingly. She knew what he meant, it was supposed to have been their special day, and it was turning into an absolute nightmare.

  “It is not important Kainan we must find your father.” He pulled back from the embrace and nodded.

  “Drew, you double up with Santon, three more with the others, the rest of you will have to run,” he ordered sharply, quickly lifting Arweyn back onto Siras. Jumping up behind her, they sped off towards the forest. They galloped for a while following the road that led towards the portal. Then Siras stopped dead.

  “He has picked something up,” Arweyn cried. “Go on Siras,” she urged. Cautiously the unicorn turned off the road and began heading deeper into the depths of the forest. The party ducked lower as they trekked underneath the branches of the oaks and ash that made up most of the great forest. All eyes searched the silent forest about them. Abruptly, Siras halted; Kainan urged him on, but the unicorn refused to move further.

  “I guess this is as far as he goes,” Kainan said, jumping off Siras. Holding out his arms, his wife slipped down into them.

  “Hold on a moment.” She turned to the unicorn and spoke softly to him in Faerling. The unicorn neighed, nodding its head. Kainan looked at her and smiled, she never stopped amazing him.

  “He said he can smell dragon up ahead,” she said nervously. “He cannot go on any further or the dragon will sense him,” she added, her eyes showing the fear held within her. Kainan nodded and patted the unicorn.

  “Thank you Siras.” The others dismounted their unicorns and gathered. Kainan’s hand dropped to the Deragan Sword. He pulled it from its sheath, motioning to the others to follow him. They began to edge forward, through the trees. They had lost the other men who were on foot, so Drew sent two of his men back to find them. A terrible roaring shattered the silence of the forest, it was coming from up ahead. Arweyn grabbed Kainan’s coat in sudden fear, he glanced at her, giving her a slight nervous smile. They continued, slowly. Ahead of them, they could see a large clearing. Stopping by the edge he slowly pulled back the shrubbery and there in front of them was the black dragon, it was tearing the limbs off a man.

  Kainan’s heart almost stopped dead, and he felt his knees go weak beneath him, until Arweyn, grabbed his arm sharply, and pointed to the far end of the clearing. There lying unconscious on the ground, was the King. Grabbing her hand, Kainan squeezed it, thanking her. For one awful moment he had thought the worst, now there was hope that his father might still be alive.

  “Drew, I need a distraction. Arweyn and I have killed one of these before and I am dammed sure we can do it again,” he whispered quietly. Drew gathered the others around.

  “We need to distract the dragon, any ideas?” he asked nervously as he peered back through the shrubbery at the dragon, he really did not want to play bait. The Faerlings looked at one another, they had healing powers, but none of them possessed the ability to perform magic

  “I have an idea,” Arweyn whispered. “You cannot create magic but you can hold it. If I generate some energy balls you could use them to distract the dragon, giving Kainan and me enough time to get into position.” The four Faerlings nodded, before standing back out of her way. She took a deep breath holding one hand over the other she began to cha
nt.

  “Elspara energa laminar.” A light began to appear between her hands, gradually getting stronger and stronger until it resembled a glowing ball. Carefully she passed one over to a Faerling, who held it warily. She then repeated the process three more times.

  “I am sorry Drew,” she whispered. “You will not be able to hold one.”

  “I thought as much my Lady,” he replied with a nod of his head.

  Kainan leaned forward. “Now get in as close as you can, but be careful, do not risk your own lives. I do not want to you to become its after dinner snack,” he warned. “As soon as you are in place I want you to aim the energy balls at its eyes. Arweyn and I will create the energy to destroy it,” he said, looking across at her. They all nodded a little apprehensively, before moving off.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, raising his eyebrows at her as he placed his sword back into its sheath. She smiled.

  “Kind of,” she replied in a whisper. He held out his right hand and she took hold of it tight. Together they began to pull on their magic and power. Soon they could feel the energy building up between their hands.

  “Here we go.” Kainan gave a single firm nod to the others. Yelling at the top of their voices, they charged out into the open. The dragon stopped munching, and it snarled at them, moving its body squarely towards them.

  “Now,” Kainan yelled. The four Faerlings threw their energy balls into the eyes of the dragon. It roared furiously, blinded by the impact. Kainan and Arweyn moved in, raising their hands towards the dragon, they threw their powerful energy ball towards it, hitting the dragon in the face. The creature screeched in agony as the flesh from the side of its head disintegrated.

  “It is not dying!” Arweyn screamed in panic, as the half skull face of the dragon turned towards them, snarling angrily.

  “Arweyn run!” Kainan screamed at her, pulling out the Deragan Sword from its sheath. Without hesitation, she turned and fled to the cover of the trees. She spun around, only to find that he had not followed her.