“So why try it on me. We were once great allies, why risk it all? He asked. She lowered her head.
“I didn’t think….I feel ashamed. I admit I find myself drawn to you and I know it is wrong, but I could not stop myself.” She looked at him, her eyes pleading. “I promise I will never try and use my powers upon you or anyone else again.” For a moment, he looked at her, undecided. Then he nodded.
“Efae, your people have done so much for me and my people, I will not allow this to change anything between us.” She bowed her head, lowering her eyes to the ground. “You know now that I can resist you so do not do it again.” She nodded.
“Thank you my King, I’m sorry. I think it would be best if I send you and the Queen back.” Kainan nodded, turning to Arweyn he ushered her over him.
“Everything alright?” she asked, as she looked between the two of them. The Queen nodded.
“Yes, but it is time to send you back.” Kainan raised an eyebrow at her.
“Both of us,” he said with emphasis. She nodded.
“Please each of you, take my hand, and I shall take you both back.” Each doing as she asked they held her hand firm. A great light began to cover her, and once again they felt themselves spinning and swirling as everything around them began to blur into the background.
Kainan awoke from a deep sleep suddenly, as if some sound or presence had disturbed him. He was lying on a dirt floor, a silver box grasped in his hand. It took a moment for him to remember what had happened. He sat bolt upright in the darkness.
“Arweyn,” he cried loudly, illuminating the flame on the end of his finger, his eyes searching the darkness. She opened her eyes at his voice.
“Kainan,” she called out, sitting up she saw his face reflecting in the light of the flame. He smiled at her, relieved. Standing up he fumbled about until he found a torch hanging on the wall, and he lit it. She rushed over to his embrace.
“Well that was weird,” he whispered to her.
“What was that all about, with you and Efae, something was wrong?” He smiled down at her.
“I think Efae had feelings for me that she could not quite control.” Arweyn frowned at him.
“What do you mean?” He breathed deep; secrets were not something he would keep from his wife.
“I did not remember, as we do not have any memories yet of this past, but the Elwins are descended from the Sirens of earth they are women who are able to control men with their powers.” Arweyn gasped.
“She tried to control you?” she gasped, shocked. He nodded.
“Do not worry I was able to resist her.”
“I thought they were supposed to be our friends?”
“They are. Do not blame her, after all I am quite a catch and hard to resist.” He grinned at her and she thumped him.
“Honestly Kainan, how can we trust her?” He shook his head.
“It is okay, really. I have spoken with her and she understands what she did was wrong. In some ways, she was just testing me out, to see if I was who I say I am. By resisting her power, she knows she cannot control me. Besides if she took control of me she would have you to deal with, and she does not want that!”
“Too right, she does not.” Arweyn frowned angrily. All the time they had been there, she had been conspiring to take him away from her. Maybe Kainan could forgive her but Arweyn knew she was going to be keeping an eye on her in the future that was for sure.
“Now, come on. Let’s try and find our way out of here and see where we are.” He picked up his pack and opened it. Taking the silver horn out of the box, he put it into his pack and threw it over his shoulder. Arweyn smiled at him.
“What?” he asked gazing at her.
“You were not at all tempted by her?” He threw his pack back down.
“Arweyn you are and will always be the only one that I love.” He kissed her deeply and she shuddered. Opening her eyes, she gazed into his.
“Besides, she is all silvery and sparkly,” he screwed his nose up playfully. “And,” he added, looking her up and down and raising both his eyebrows at her. “She does not have a body like you.” She laughed before shoving him playfully. He laughed with her as he stumbled backwards.
“Come on let’s go and find our people,” he said, picking up his pack. She grabbed her pack and hooked an arm though his, he kissed her cheek and they set off. They followed the tunnel for another hour or so until finally emerging out at the base of a mountain. Ahead of them, once again, was the Paar River. They stood by the bank and looked both ways. Arweyn pointed.
“Look at the shape of the mountain, the way it juts out.”
“Up river then,” he said, and she nodded. They began to walk. It was a dry, bright morning and the sun glistened on the water.
“We are looking for Lake Tamara,” she said.
“A lake?” he questioned and she nodded.
“In the bark, the river bent and turned south, but it showed a lake, called Lake Tamara at the foot of the Shankar Mountains. It said that is where we would find Ophidian.”
“So we just keep following this river then,” he said, giving her a quick smile.
“Yes, I suppose.” They walked on for most of the day, occasionally having to turn inland away from the river because the undergrowth became too dense.
“Do you think there are any people living out here now?” she asked. Kainan shrugged.
“Maybe, although if this Gemini is still here I would imagine they would be on the other side of the mountains, well hidden from him.” He held her hand as they walked.
“What if we do not find anything Kainan?” she asked, glancing at him. He stared ahead for a moment in thought then turning to her, he smiled.
“We will,” he assured. “We have already found an enchantment to awaken the people, we found the Elwins, and they confirmed everything. Somewhere out there….” he nodded ahead of them, “are our people, Arweyn, yours, and mine.” He stopped, pulling her to him. A light breeze blew her hair across her face, and he lifted his hand stroking her face.
“Everything we have been through in the last five months has brought us here. It is as if we have been following a trail, a difficult and at times, a heart-breaking trail, but it cannot all be for nothing. In the next day or so we will find our people, I promise you.” Her hand rose to his face and she smiled gently at him before kissing him.
Moving on they wound their way back towards the river walking along the edge of the bank.
“We should find somewhere to stop for the night,” he said, watching the red setting of the sun reflecting on the ripples of the river. Arweyn sniffed.
“Can you smell wood-smoke?” she asked, looking at him. Kainan inhaled and then nodded.
“Yes I can. There must be people nearby,” he surmised. Pausing, he stayed silent as his eyes began scanning the line of the forest looking for signs of smoke.
“Is it Gemini’s army?” Arweyn asked fearfully as he led her back towards the cover of the trees, and away from the open.
“Possibly,” he replied, leading her along the edge of the tree line. The smell was getting stronger. Part of him knew he should be heading in the opposite direction, but the other part of him wanted to know whom they were. They were still quite close to the river and he could see through the gaps in the trees, whoever they were, may even be camping on the riverbank.
“Kainan look,” she whispered pointing. Kainan followed her finger. There ahead of them was a small wooden shack and wood-smoke billowed through the wonky chimney.
“It looks like someone may live out here after all. Maybe they would be friendly?” she whispered, gripping onto his arm.
“Maybe,” he replied as they edged nearer. On the other hand, perhaps it is an outpost for Gemini’s men. Arweyn screamed as the net closed around them and swooping up into the air they swung precariously from a tree.
“Hell!” Kainan cursed, grabbing at the rope and pulling himself upright within the net. Frantically he grabbed at his knife
and began slicing through the rope.
“Kainan,” she cried, her eyes darting down below them. He stopped cutting and looked down. There was an old man with two huge hounds growling at his side. He did not look like he would have been one of Gemini’s soldiers.
“Who are you?” the old man growled, his craggy face flushed with anger. Arweyn gripped hold of Kainan tight.
“My name is Kainan,” he replied. “And this is my wife Arweyn. Please we mean no harm we were just passing through and saw your smoke.” The old man stared at them for a moment considering.
“You try anything ‘n’ me dogs will rip ya to pieces,” he warned, waggling a finger at them. Kainan nodded. The old man walked over to a tree and raising a knife, he cut through the rope holding them up. They crashed to the ground in a heap.
“Are you okay?” Kainan asked, pulling her to him. She nodded rubbing her back. Approaching them, the old man, looked down.
“You ‘ungry?” he asked. Kainan stood up, helping Arweyn to her feet. He nodded.
“Hmm,” the old man pondered. “Bonny, Jack leave,” he ordered to his snarling dogs. Immediately obeying, the dogs sat by his side. He gestured with his head towards his shack.
“Come, I’ve got a fish stew on,” he offered, walking away. Kainan raised his eyebrows at his wife; she pulled a face back at him, before following him.
The shack was quite small and was set back on the edge of the trees with a view over the river. The old man climbed the three steps onto the veranda and pointed to a bench.
“Sit yaselves down on there,” he said, before wandering inside the hut. Doing as he asked the pair sat down. Arweyn eyed the dogs warily as they sat staring at them. A little while later, the old man came back out carrying a tray.
“Here,” he offered. On the tray were three bowls and three chunks of bread. Kainan took one first, passing it to his wife before taking one for himself. The old man sat down opposite them.
“Well go on, I aint poisoned it,” he said, screwing his wrinkled face up at them. Arweyn swallowed apprehensively before picking up the spoon and taking a bite. She raised an eyebrow, surprised that it actually tasted quite good.
“Good, yes,” he said, with a nod of his head at her. She smiled and nodded back to him.
“Me name’s Jede,” he said, dipping his head at them. Kainan swallowed his mouthful.
“Thank you Jede, it is very hospitable of you.” Jede frowned at his words.
“Do not see many people around these parts. You ain’t Gemini’s men then?” Kainan shook his head.
“Have you seen him, this Gemini?” Jede shook his head.
“Nah, not for a very long time anyway,” he mumbled shovelling his stew into his mouth. Arweyn glanced at Kainan and he gave her a quick smile.
“So what ya doing out here then?” the old man asked, glancing up at them.
“I have come to kill Gemini,” Kainan said abruptly, waiting to see the old man’s reaction. He put down his spoon and lifted his eyes to him.
“Kill Gemini?” he repeated, slowly. Kainan sat tapping the hilt of his sword.
“Yes, why is that a problem for you?” he asked firmly. The old man looked to his hand and then to his sword and an eyebrow rose sharply.
“No,” he conceded, putting his bowl down and standing up. Arweyn looked warily at him and then at his dogs that had moved forward with him. He lifted his tatty old shirt up revealing his chest. There was a great big scar by his heart. He pointed at it.
“Ya see that.” They both nodded. “Gemini did that. I was one of his soldiers and he took my heart out.” Arweyn screwed her nose up.
“How, you would be dead?” she whispered. The old man chortled at her.
“He thought I was. Left me out ‘ere for the wolves to eat ma body.” He laughed sitting back down and picking up his bowl of fish stew. “He thought I was a human ‘cause he took me from earth when I was but a lad.” Leaning towards them, his eyes were wide.
“But I aint no human,” he said. Arweyn caught her husband’s arm, turning to him with a frown. He raised an eyebrow back at her.
“I aint no groundling either, I take it that’s what you two are?” They both nodded.
“What are you then?” Kainan asked, dunking a piece of bread in the stew before tearing at the tough bread with his teeth.
“Cosmoran,” he replied smugly.
“I am sorry but I do not know that race,” Kainan confessed.
“Didn’t expect ya to. We came through a portal to Earth many hundreds of years before Gemini came. We are human in every sense apart from one thing,” he said grinning. Kainan smiled at the old man.
“You have two hearts?” The old man laughed and pointed a finger at him.
“Spot on. Obviously two hearts are better than one, but we can survive on one.” He opened his arms. “As ya can see.” He tore a chunk of bread and pointed at him.
“So you go ahead and kill that evil bastard Gemini. Although I do not know how ya will. He’s an immortal ya know.” Kainan swirled his last piece of bread around the bowl.
“Yes I know but I am the King of Malgar and this is my Queen.” Jede looked up startled.
“The King of Malgar, the one who vanished along with his entire Empire?” Kainan nodded.
“Yes that is us,” he confirmed, popping the bread into his mouth. The old man scratched his scraggy white hair.
“Well I will be,” he muttered. “Gemini was always goin’ on about ya, he sent his scouts out for hundreds of years tryin’ to track ya down.” He laughed giving a shake of his head. “He’s going freak out when he finds out you’re alive.” Kainan smiled, putting his bowl on the ground. Dusk turned into night and the old man stood up.
“Ya best come inside, the midges will be out soon.” He wandered to the door and pushed it open, the dogs squeezed passed him.
“Do we have to?” Arweyn whispered, dreading the thought of what state it would be inside the hut. Kainan pulled an arm around her.
“It would be rude not to,” he whispered with a gentle smile. Reluctantly she allowed him to lead her into the shack. Her eyes lit up as she entered. It was all quite clean. A small fire roared in the hearth in front of them and to the right was a bed and a table. The dogs had already settled themselves down in front of the fire. The old man drew a curtain across the bed area, before pointing to the other side of the room.
“There are some blankets in that old box ya could use. I aint got another bed, and if ya need the loo its out back.” With that, he ducked behind the curtain. Arweyn scratched her head and then shrugged before opening the box and pulling out a blanket. She sniffed it and then screwed her nose up. Kainan laughed, dropping his pack to the floor. Opening it up, he pulled out his blanket.
“Stick to our own then?” he asked. She nodded stuffing the blankets back inside the old box. Kainan dragged a fur rug away from the dogs; both of them looked at him with a snarl on their faces. He shushed them, leaving them with the rug they sat on.
“Does it stink?” she asked, as he pulled it across to her. He sniffed it.
“A bit, but it is that or the floor.” She threw her hands up resigned and then pulled her blanket out of her pack.
“Do you need the loo?” he asked, with a grin. Arweyn shook her head.
“No thanks I can wait.” He laughed. Taking off her travelling clothes she laid them to one side leaving on her camisole. Kainan pulled off his shirt, trousers and boots and left his dagger and sword within easy reach. She rolled into his arms, her back against his chest. He placed his arm around her waist and kissed her neck.
“Night,” he whispered.
“Night,” she replied, turning and smiling.
The next morning they rose early, it had not been the most comfortable of nights. The old man snored and the dogs snored! She sat up and sniffed herself.
“I stink,” she moaned, standing up off the fur. Kainan stood up and glanced towards the door, it was open. Getting dressed they stuffed their b
lankets back into their bags and then wandered outside to the smell of cooking.
“Ya want some eggs?” Jede asked, he was sitting on the veranda and pointed at his pan. Kainan rubbed his eyes and then nodded.
“Sure if you have enough. We do not want to use up your supplies.”
“Nah, got plenty,” he replied.
“Jede, can you swim in that river?” Arweyn asked, feeling desperate for a wash.
“The river, yeah of course, it’ll be cold though,” he warned, cracking an egg into the pan.
“Kainan I am just going to go and have a quick swim, alright?” He nodded.
“Sure, be careful.” He watched his wife as she headed towards the water.
“It is safe right?” he asked the old man. Lifting his eyes to him, the old man nodded.
“Apart from you I ain’t seen no-one around here for, must be twenty years.” Kainan sat on the veranda he could see Arweyn in the distance swimming in the water. He ate the eggs and some bread as he watched her. Taking a sip of the coffee he grimaced, the acorns were bitter. Grabbing his pack he rummaged inside and pulled out his jar of honey, he spooned some into the mug gave it a good stir and then took a sip. He smiled, that was better. The old man had left some eggs on the pan ready for when she came back and had gone off to tend to his animals. Kainan poured another coffee from the pot. Smiling to himself, he then poured her one too, adding a spoonful of honey into each one before putting the jar back in his pack. Jumping up he headed off to the river. Standing on the edge, one foot on a rock he watched her swimming. Spotting him she waved, he held up the cup and she nodded swimming back towards him. Emerging from the water Kainan stared at her. She was not naked but she may have well been, her breasts were clearly visible through the sheerness of her wet camisole. She waded out towards him and his heart shuddered as he watched her rinse the water from her long dark hair.
“Is that for me?” she queried, approaching him. He gazed at her adoringly. “Kainan,” she said.
“What, yes this is for you,” he replied, his eyes meeting hers.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom Page 19
