Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom

by Rosemary Lynch

  “Kainan!” she screamed hysterically, watching him as he moved towards the dragon, his sword, raised in front of him. The dragon roared, shooting out its flame towards him.

  “Castar illumanartre reflectara!” he cried, the sword emanated a fantastic force field around him. He pushed back against the flame, edging himself closer to the dragon, each time using the magic of the sword to hold back the continuous bursts of flames.

  “We have got to help him,” Arweyn cried frantically to the others. She thought quickly.

  “He needs a distraction.”

  “No my Lady, you are not going out there I will not let you.” Drew said placing a hand on her arm firmly, shaking his head at her. “I will go.”

  “No Drew, it will just kill you. I think I know a way without any of us having to go out there.” She looked behind the dragon, at the huge oak tree and its enormous branches that rose upwards towards the sky. “He just needs a distraction.” She edged forward standing just outside the line of trees. Her heart shook as she watched Kainan struggle to maintain the force field he was getting weaker. Raising her hand, she pointed towards the branches of the large oak.

  “Esperora armara cantra breakara,” she chanted and a blue bolt of electric shot out from her hand straight up and into the branches of the oak. The tree shook with the force. There was a tearing creak and crack and the huge branches came crashing down to the ground beside them as they battled. The dragon startled by the sudden noise, turned its head briefly. This was all Kainan needed. His sword flashed with power as he ran and jumped, somersaulting up into the air towards the dragon. In one powerful movement, he sliced open the dragon’s throat, half severing its disintegrating head from its body. The young Prince landed back on the ground with a thud. Stumbling backwards, he moved quickly, as with an almighty tearing sound the weight of the limp dragon’s head tore the rest from its neck and its head came hurtling down towards him.

  The others froze in horror as they watched, but instead of crashing down on top of him, the creature completely disintegrated and a black cloud of dust whooshed harmlessly over him. They cheered triumphantly, running from the cover of the trees towards him. He spun around to them his eyes wide with amazement that they had actually done it. Arweyn ran to him, sweeping her up into his arms he swung her around before kissing her passionately. He broke away from their kiss, gasping breathlessly.

  “I take it that was you,” he nodded to the fallen branches. She smiled as he lowered her back down. “Thank you,” he said gratefully, before kissing her nose.

  “It disintegrated just like that creature through the boundary,” she said, looking to where all that remained of the dragon was a scattering of black dust. He nodded thoughtfully.

  “Father,” he suddenly cried, grabbing her hand they rushed over to where the King lay. Kneeling down next to him, and placing his hand upon his chest, he felt for signs of life. He sighed relieved.

  “He is breathing,” he said, looking up at his wife.

  “Let me see to him,” she said gently, kneeling down next to him. Kainan stood up, moving out of her way. He turned to Drew and the others.

  “Well done all of you, it is a great victory,” he praised. A short hush of warning came from Drew. The others froze where they were as they all listened to the sound he had heard. Crashing through the trees, swords in hand come the rest of his men.

  “Better late than never,” Kainan jibed as they arrived.

  “My Lord, we ran as fast as we could,” the soldier gasped, bowing briefly, as he came to attention before his Prince. Kainan nodded, the unicorns had travelled fast through the forest. There would have been no way his men would have been able to keep up.

  “Rest a while. We have slain the dragon and the King is alive.” The men cheered amongst themselves as they fell to the ground to recover and recuperate their strength.

  “At least we know where all the sheep and cattle disappeared to,” Drew remarked, staring at the remains that lay scattered in the dragon’s lair. Kainan raised an eyebrow.

  “And a few outlanders by the look of it,” he indicated to the piles of human bones.

  “Kainan,” Arweyn called urgently. Turning sharply to the distress in her voice he rushed over to her.

  “What is wrong?” he asked kneeling down and taking hold of his father’s hand, it was cold and clammy.

  “I am sorry, but I do not know what is wrong. I cannot heal him, I cannot wake him.” His face turned pale as he listened. “I think it is some form of deep black magic. I think his blood has been poisoned,” she was fraught as she spoke. Kainan blinked back a tear as he looked at his father’s pale face.

  “Can we try together?” he begged, despairing. Nodding she held out her hand. Taking it, he held it tight and they both placed their right hands upon the King’s chest.

  “Alora mentoria escalida, alora mentoria escalida, espora healarta, espora healarta.” They chanted together but nothing happened, so they tried repeatedly.

  “Kainan, I am sorry it is no good the magic is too strong. We must get him back to the castle; to my grandmother, maybe she will be able to help him.” Reluctantly Kainan agreed and stopped.

  “You are right, I am sure they will know what to do.” Standing up sharply, he turned to his men. “I want a stretcher made for the King we will have to tow him behind one of the unicorns. Hurry now!” he ordered. At once, his men jumped to their feet and began gathering suitable wood.

  “Arweyn what are you doing!” her husband cried, as he turned around and saw his wife taking off her dress.

  “Kainan there are yards and yards of strong fabric in this dress, not to mention enough ties and ribbons to tie it onto the stretcher for the King to lie upon.” Kainan turned to his men.

  “Divert your eyes!” he ordered angrily at the soldiers who stared in disbelief at what she was doing. Quickly he whipped off his long red coat. “Put this around yourself for goodness sake.” She smiled at his chivalry, as he hastily covered her up.

  “It is not the first time I have been stripped to my under-dress,” she said grinning at his disgruntled face, as he but buttoned it up. He frowned at her, scrunching his nose as a slight twitch of a smile edge his lips.

  “No, but then it was just I who stared and not an army full of roguish men staring at my wife.” He leaned forward and kissed her. “Thank you.” Her eyes smiled at him.

  “Kainan, it is just a dress.” He shook his head.

  “No Arweyn, it is not just a dress, it is your bonding dress, and this was not how I had imagined I would be taking it off you today.” She raised her hand to his cheek.

  “Nor I my love,” she replied sadly.

  He marched over to Drew who was kneeling down overseeing the construction of the stretcher. He looked up at the Prince; Kainan threw Arweyn’s dress at him.

  “Here make use of this; it is strong enough to lay my father upon.” Taking the dress Drew looked across at Arweyn, and then back at Kainan and his face sympathised.

  In no time at all, they had a good strong stretcher ready, and between them, they gently lifted the King onto it, strapping him in tightly before attaching the stretcher to Siras. Kainan jumped onto Siras, pulling Arweyn up behind him.

  “Take it steady please Siras,” Kainan said calmly. The unicorn neighed in response, and set off at a steady pace. Kainan turned behind him checking on his father. He breathed deeply as he felt his wife hug him. He glanced at her with a broken smile. The stretcher held firm as the King’s men, the Faerlings and the four other unicorns followed soberly behind them.

  The celebrations had ceased when news of the dragon and the King’s fate spread through the city. Panic and dread instead overwhelmed everyone as they scattered back to the safety of their homes, waiting for news of their King. The party clattered over the drawbridge. The guards hurriedly opened the gates, and then lowering themselves onto one knee, their heads bowed, as the sombre procession passed into the courtyard. Kainan looked up to see his mother emer
ging from the door, her face fraught, tears streaming down her cheeks. Jumping off Siras, he helped his new wife down before walking to the rear of the unicorn. Undoing the ties Kainan lifted his father off the makeshift stretcher and carried him in his arms towards his mother. Approaching her, she reached her shaking hand towards her husband.

  “Is he…?” she asked, in barely a whisper. Kainan shook his head.

  “No mother, he is still alive, but we cannot wake him,” he whispered back solemnly. “Arweyn thinks he may have been poisoned.” She nodded, heartbroken.

  “Bring him,” she then ordered, turning and walking back towards the castle entrance.

  “Kainan I am going to go and check on Gareion and Alys,” his wife said in a whisper. Nodding to her, he glanced ahead at his mother. He had not told her yet.

  “I will see if I can bring my mother and grandmother back with me, I am sure they will know what to do.” She placed a comforting hand on his arm; he returned her smile and watched as she rushed off.

  Kainan laid the King carefully down onto his bed. The Queen wept as she helped him to remove his father’s clothes. Removing the last layer of clothing, they both stared horrified, the young Prince’s heart shuddering fearfully. Now they could see the damage caused by a giant claw, which had embedded into the King. The claw had pierced into his flesh and spreading outwards from the wound on his stomach was a black circle. Kainan’s mother buried her face into her son’s shoulder as she wept.

  “I have never seen anything like it,” she sniffed, looking down at her husband. He lay still, his breathing shallow.

  “I am sorry mother, we tried. Arweyn and I both tried but we could not heal him.” Shaking her head, she patted his shoulder.

  “It is not your fault, you both did what you could, and I am thankful that you found him alive and brought him back home.” She glanced up at him. “What about the dragon?”

  “We killed it,” he confirmed, hugging her. She breathed a sigh of relief. “Arweyn’s mother and grandmother are powerful Faerlings. I am sure they will be able to help father.” She nodded tearfully.

  “I hope so my son.”

  There was a knock at the door. Releasing his mother Kainan opened it. It was his wife.

  “They are on their way,” she said. He smiled at her.

  “Alys?” he asked nervously. Smiling for a moment her eyes shone at him. “It is a girl and they are both doing fine,” she assured in a gentle whisper. Putting his arm around her and pulling her to him for a cuddle, he kissed the top of her head.

  “Thank you,” he whispered, gratefully. Lifting his head to his mother, he smiled.

  “Mother you have a granddaughter.” The Queen looked up surprised.

  “What do you mean?” she asked, walking over to him. Taking a deep breath, and releasing his wife, he stepped up to her.

  “When the dragon attacked, Alys had a fall and went into labour.” She gasped, shaking her head.

  “Why did no one tell me?” she said crossly. Taking up both her hands, he squeezed them gently.

  “Mother there just was not time, everything happened so quickly. Go and see her, I will watch over father. Lady Elanor and Arweyn’s grandmother are on their way. If there is any news I promise I will come and get you,” he said, smiling at her. She thought for a moment glancing towards her sick husband; she did want to go and see her new grandchild. Agreeing she let go of his hands. Returning to the bed, she leaned over and kissed her husband, before straightening his blankets.

  “Thank you. You will fetch me if there is any change?” Kainan confirmed with a nod. Satisfied she walked to the door. Bowing her head Arweyn held the door open for her. The Queen stopped, addressing her.

  “I am sorry this has happened on your special day,” she whispered, raising her hand to Arweyn’s shoulder.

  “Please do not worry for me, it is not important. Kainan and I are bonded now that’s all that matters.” The Queen sighed.

  “You are very brave. I am glad I now have you as a daughter.” Arweyn lowered her head as the Queen left the room. She closed the door. Kainan held out his arms to her and she ran to him. Feeling the warmth of his embrace and the smell of his skin made everything all right. She still wore his long coat and it drowned her delicate frame.

  “You know,” he said in a whisper, “I still did not get to eat your cake.” She looked up at him, and as his dark eyes met hers, she chuckled.

  “Kainan you and your cake, I promise as soon as I can I shall make you your very own.”

  “I will hold you to that,” he said, with a smile.

  “I know you will,” she whispered back. There was a knock at the door.

  “Come in,” Kainan answered, both turning to look. Lady Elanor and her mother stepped inside.

  “Kainan,” the Queen of the Faerlings acknowledge. He stepped up to her, lowering his head respectfully.

  “Thank you for what you have done for my brother and Alys.” She smiled.

  “You are welcome Kainan. Gareion, I know, is desperate to see you but he is not yet ready to leave Alys. Whilst we look at your father, why do not you go along and see him and meet your niece.” The young prince swallowed, unsure. He looked towards his father lying still in his bed. He did not really want to leave him but he desperately wanted to see his brother. Arweyn placed her hand on his arm.

  “It is alright, go. I will stay with your father. Tell Alys I will be along to see her and the baby as soon as I can.” He looked at her and then nodded. He would only be in their way if he stayed.

  “Okay, but promise if there is any change in father you will come and get me,” Arweyn hugged him.

  “Of course I will,” she promised, kissing him.

  “Thank you,” he said again to Lady Elanor and the Queen. “I know that you will do whatever you can for him.” Lady Elanor smiled. He gave a gentle nod of his head and then left.

  “Mother,” Arweyn said, smiling ruefully. Her mother reached forward and hugged her daughter.

  “What a day.” She looked her daughter up and down. “Why are you wearing Kainan’s coat. Where is your dress?” Arweyn sighed, stepping back.

  “We had to use it, to make a stretcher for the King,” she explained, holding back her emotions.

  “Oh baby, come here,” her mother said, pulling her back into her arms. As she held her, Arweyn began to weep, finally letting out the shock and disappointment of the day.

  “I am sorry,” she apologised, feeling embarrassed, and quickly wiping her eyes. “It does not matter, really it does not.” She sniffed.

  “Nonsense, of course it does Arweyn. Let it go, it does not hurt to cry.” She held her daughter for a moment while her grandmother began to examine the King.

  The Queen of the Faerlings shook her head despondently and sighed.

  “Elanor this does not look good,” she said, running her hands across the King’s wound. Arweyn sniffed, wiping away her tears as they approached the bed.

  “What is it mother?” Lady Elanor asked.

  “It is the deepest darkest black magic I have ever seen,” she replied, looking over to them. Elanor and Arweyn stared at her.

  “What do you mean grandmother?”

  “I do not think I can heal him. I may be able to give him some more time. The source of this poison is not animal, nor vegetable. I think it has been conjured from magic. Indeed I believe the creature that did this to him was also created using black magic.” Arweyn thought for a moment. Maybe the answer was in the book they had found.

  “Mother I need to go and see Kainan.” She knew she could not reveal their secret without first asking her husband.

  ***

  Kainan entered to find his brother cradling their newborn baby. Gareion glanced over to him and grinned. For a moment, Kainan flashed back to the vision he had seen all those months back and he found himself grinning back at his brother.

  “Kainan, is it your father?” He turned to his mother’s voice. She was standing in the far corner of the
room next to a chest of drawers, and had stopped mid-folding blankets. He shook his head at her.

  “No. Arweyn’s mother and grandmother are with him.” He paused and then smiled sadly at her. “I was just in the way.” Gareion walked over to him and with his free hand, he reached around his brother’s shoulder and gave him a gentle squeeze.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at him. Kainan took a breath, smiling as he looked at the tiny baby in his brother’s arm. Even though his heart ached at what had happened to his father, the joy in his brother’s eyes filled him with happiness.

  “Never mind me. Congratulations to you both,” he offered, lifting his eyes towards Alys. She smiled back at him.

  “Are you okay?” he asked her.

  “I am fine thank you Kainan,” she said contented. His mother touched his arm he turned to her.

  “I am going back to your father,” she said. He smiled gently at her before giving a nod of his head and kissing her cheek.

  “I will be back later Alys,” she promised as she left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

  “Here brother, hold your niece,” Gareion said, offering the tiny bundle wrapped in a white quilted blanket to him. Kainan took her in his arms and smiled as he looked down at her. Then his eyes lifted to his brother.

  “Have you named her yet?” he asked in a whisper. Rocking her as she slept, he gently caressed her cheek with his little finger. Gareion looked across at his wife and she nodded to him.

  “Yes we have called her Starre,” he replied.

  “Starre,” Kainan repeated, staring at her. Something in his memory seemed to know that name but he could not recall where from.

  “That is a beautiful name,” he said. “What made you choose it?”

  “I suddenly thought of it not long after she was born, and Alys loved it too.” He raised his eyebrows at his brother. “You already knew it was to be a girl didn’t you?” Kainan pursed his lips.

  “Maybe,” he replied casually, remembering his vision all those months ago. It had been the first clear vision that he had had on arriving in Malgar. There was a knock at the door.