“Do you want to live my King,” she whispered. Kainan’s eyes flickered open.
“Yes…” he replied weakly.
“What will you give me to save your life?” she asked, leaning into his ear.
“Anything, I am a King. I have gold, jewels…”
The woman breathed deep and kissed him.
“She kissed me,” he mumbled aloud. Arweyn swallowed, and sucked on her bottom lip.
“Would you give me a child?” she asked.
“You want me to sleep with you?” he said aloud. Arweyn’s hand dropped his and she gripped onto the arms of the chair. Marton looked at her.
“Please I do not want to die, my wife my child….” he cried aloud.
“Just give me a child,” she replied.
“How,” he said aloud. “How do I give you a child,” Arweyn’s heart shook. “I want my wife, Arweyn, Arweyn,” he cried. She grabbed his hand again and clenched it.
“He is delirious,” Marton said, with a grim shake of his head. “He does not know what he is saying.”
“Just say, my King, I give you our child, and you will live.”
He cried out grabbing at his stomach in agony.
“Hold him,” Marton instructed. Arweyn knelt down and placed her hands on his chest.
“I do not want to leave her…...please, please…” His eyes began rolling.
“Marton, what is happening to him,” she cried.
“He is dying.”
“Stop him, wake him up,” she begged, her eyes lifting to the wizard’s fearfully.
“No not until we find out what he said.” Her eyes flew back to Kainan.
“My wife, where is she…...Arweyn?”
“Just say the words and I will save you.”
“Say what? What is it you want?” he cried aloud, gasping and choking.
“Marton,” Arweyn cried scared, “Why is he choking?”
“Blood, he is reliving his last moments,”
“Hurry Kainan please say it,” Arweyn begged, hardly able to bear it.
“Say I can have your child,” she whispered. “Then you can go home to her.”
“I….give ….you,” he coughed, gasping. “What you want.” he mumbled aloud. Arweyn blinked her tears.
“I want your child”
“Yes, my child,” he finished, passing out.
Arweyn released him, gently sweeping his brow with her hand, before wiping away her tears. She turned to the wizard.
“He gave her our child,” she whispered sadly. Marton nodded ruefully.
“But no more, she has not come to take Gareion’s child. Arweyn he was dying and delirious, he would not have known what he was saying. She played him hard and cruel.” Arweyn snivelled and then smiled as she looked at her husband.
“I know, but he wanted me. Even in his last breath he wanted me.” The wizard stood up and rubbed her shoulders.
“My dear that young man is devoted to you; you should never ever doubt that, not for a moment. That first time I saw him in the healing room I could see how much you meant to him. I am sorry for the loss of your child, but it was not his fault. It is the Sorceress who must pay for this hideous crime.” She wiped her eyes again and sighed heavily.
“Will he be okay?” she asked.
“Yes, let him sleep for a little while. Come and join me for a drink.” She bent over and kissed him, stroking her fingers through his hair.
“Marton, this Sorceress do you think we will be able to kill her?” He nodded.
“The King has the twin sword Arweyn, and with that he can kill anything, if he can get close enough to her.” She glanced across at him.
“Why do you think she came back?” He shrugged passing her a goblet of wine, she took a sip.
“I do not know, maybe curiosity maybe with the intention of causing trouble.”
“Do you think she will try and steal souls from our people?”
“That is a strong possibility.”
“The soldiers are searching the city for her, but I doubt they will find her. Marton I do not understand how it works, how can someone take your soul?” He scratched his long white beard and then raised a finger to her as he stood up and walked over to a bookcase. Running his fingers along the old books, he pulled one out.
“I have recently acquired this book from the hidden chamber you and Kainan found.” He opened it up. She gave a nervous chuckle and he glanced at her. She shook her head.
“It is nothing just Kainan joked about hoping there was a book about soul stealers.”
“Well there is, and this appears to be it.” He turned it to her.
“They are thankfully, very rare. In fact, across the known worlds there has not been one for centuries. To take a soul by force is very dangerous. However, this woman seems to acquire her souls as gifts therefore ensuring her complete safety.”
“But how can your soul just leave your body?”
“Arweyn, remember back to when King John died, and you and Kainan pulled his soul back from the afterlife with your magic.” She nodded.
“Well it is exactly the same as that. It takes very powerful magic to be able to do it. A mere mortal would not stand a chance, but people like you and Kainan, well what you did with the King was very similar except that you put his soul back into his own body, whereas she pulls it into herself.” Arweyn shook her head.
“Not always, Gemini said she stores them in special bottles.” Marton leaned back from her.
“In special bottles?” he questioned. She nodded.
“Yes he said that if she takes a willing soul it last much longer than one taken by force, therefore she keeps them. I do not know like a food store I suppose until she runs out and needs a new one.” Wizard Marton frowned. Why would she need so many souls? He questioned to himself.
“Marton can I ask you, when Kainan and I brought his father back and in fact when I did it by myself to Kainan in the mountain, we had to be touching him to bring the soul back. How did she take my baby without touching me?” He thought for a moment and then shook his head.
“She could not have, she had to have touched you.” She took a gulp of her wine and then shook her head.
“I cannot remember.” Wizard Marton stared at her and placing a hand on her, he asked.
“Do you want me to take you back?” Her eyes lifted to his, a little scared. What was the point all she was going to do was relive another bad memory, but then she wanted to know. How did that woman take her child’s soul? Kainan was still asleep. She nodded putting her goblet down. The old man’s hand pointed towards his bed.
“Lie down dear.” She walked over and sat on his bed before lying back. She was a scared. Lifting her hand to his arm, she asked.
“If it gets really bad will you pull me back?” he nodded.
“Yes my Queen I will.” She settled back down. The wizard drew his wand and pointed it towards her forehead.
“Estaorelle memorcarnto spelldra elartc spendeeth memorcarnto,” he chanted. “Estaorelle memorcarnto spelldra elartc spendeeth memorcarnto,” he repeated. Arweyn’s body relaxed as she slept.
“Arweyn, my Queen. Can you remember who came to you during that dreadful day five hundred years ago when you lost your child? Take yourself back to that day, who was there, who was different?” Arweyn’s eyes fluttered as her mind searched through her memories.
“Good afternoon my Queen,” the young woman’s voice said cheerily as she brought in a lunch tray, placing it down on the table. Arweyn looked up startled, she had been resting, feeling a little sick.
“Who are you?” she asked, not recognising the servant. The woman curtsied. “Elspeth was feeling a little poorly so I said I would help you today. My name is Analise.” She smiled at her.
“That is a pretty name,” the Queen complimented.
“Thank you my Lady,” she replied. Arweyn’s hand flew to her stomach, her eyes widened.
“Are you okay my Lady,” Analise enquired. The Queen smiled happily
.
“Yes, I felt it move. That is the first time,” she laughed happily. “There it is again,” she said, smiling joyfully. Analise moved closer to her.
“May I?” Analise asked. Arweyn nodded, removing her hands from her small bump. Analise put her hand on her and then smiled. Arweyn looked towards the window thinking how excited Kainan would be she told him.
“What was that?” the Queen asked, looking at Analise.
“What was what my Lady?” she questioned.
“That light. It was a flash,” Arweyn said frowning as Analise removed her hand from her bump.
“I did not see anything my Lady, but I did feel him,” she said with a gentle smile.
“Him?” the Queen questioned, looking at her. The new servant smiled.
“Just a figure of speech my Lady, do not like to say ‘it’.” Arweyn nodded, she hoped it was a boy, an heir for the King.
“Is there anything else I can do for you my Lady?” Arweyn shook her head.
“No thank you.” Analise curtsied and left, smiling.
Standing up the Queen walked over to the table and looked at the food, her nose screwed up. She felt too sick. Wandering over to the large balcony window of their turret high up in the tower she smiled as she looked outside over their city.
“Hurry home to me,” she whispered. Her husband was out there fighting to keep Gemini from their city. She held her bump sadly; it was a desperate time for all of them.
She jumped as the door to her chamber opened.
“Elspeth, I thought you were sick?” she said surprised to see her lady-in-waiting walking in carrying a tray.
“Me sick, no my Lady I have brought you your lunch.”
“But I thought…..”
“My Queen what is wrong,” Elspeth cried, dropping the tray to the floor with a crash as Arweyn suddenly collapsed in agony. Tearing pain ripped through her.
“I do not know something’s wrong. Quickly get the physician,” she begged, grasping at Elspeth arm. She nodded and hurried out of the chamber. Arweyn cried, gripping at her unborn child as she climbed back to her feet. She stumbled over to the bed and climbed on top. She felt terrible. She pulled up her gown she was bleeding.
Arweyn cried aloud as she lay on Marton’s bed, her hands clutched to her stomach, tears coursing down her face.
“No, no…” she sobbed. Marton felt a tear roll down his cheek and then a firm hand on his shoulder.
“Marton what are you doing?” he demanded. Marton looked up and the young King scowled back down at him.
“She wanted to know what happened, how that woman took your child’s soul.”
“No,” Kainan cried, reaching for her. He took up her hand.
“Why did you do it Marton, hast she not been through enough?” Kainan scolded, stroking her brow as she writhed about on the bed.
“I am sorry my Lord, but she wanted to know how the Sorceress did it. She had to have touched her in order to take the child.” Kainan rubbed his other hand through his hair he could not bear it. Now she would remember how it had felt, and he knew it was his entire fault.
“Wake her up,” he ordered.
“But my Lord she said…”
“Wake her up!” he yelled, angrily. Marton bowed and pointed his wand to her brow.
“Elarm postra keram awaken,” he chanted in a whisper. Stepping back, they waited.
“How could you, you of all people Marton, you are like a grandfather to her. How could you let her go through that pain again?” Marton sank into his chair.
“My King she wanted to know, she would not have rested until she remembered how the child was taken from her.”
“Is it not bad enough that I now know I am the one that did it, I sacrificed my own child, in order that I should live?” He lent both hands on the wizard’s desk. Marton rose to his feet, placing a comforting hand on him.
“You were in no fit state to know what you were doing. It was quite clear to me and to your wife that you were delirious, you were on the edge of death, and she used that to manipulate you. In that state you would have agreed to anything without even knowing what you were doing.”
“It does not make me feel any better Marton,” he said, pushing off the desk and walking back over to Arweyn. He pulled up a chair and sat down next to her, stroking his hands through her long dark hair.
Marton walked over to a table and poured him a drink; he offered it to him. Kainan took it and nodded his thanks, before drinking. He sighed heavily. “At least she is not after my brother’s child,” he said, sounding relieved. Marton nodded.
“Yes that is one good thing to have come out of this.” He looked up at the old man.
“I am sorry Marton I did not mean to have a go at you it is not your fault. It is just been such a crappy day.” He rubbed his brow, now he had a stinking headache.
“I understand my Lord. You might be interested in taking a look at this book”
“Book, what book?” he asked.
“It is all about soul stealers.” Kainan gave a little surprised chuckle.
“Really?” he questioned and Marton nodded. Standing up Kainan walked over to the desk and sat down; he began flicking through the book.
“Where did you get this?” he asked.
“It was in the hidden chamber, the one that you found,” Marton replied.
“You know sometimes I wish I remembered more and then other times I wish I did not remember anything about that time,” he paused, his eyes studying the words in the book.
“That is understandable,” Marton replied, sitting down next to him.
“Have you read it yet?” The old man shook his head. Lost in thought, Kainan closed the book in front of him and gave a deep sigh. “Can I take it with me?” he asked. Marton nodded.
“Kainan,” she whispered. Jumping to his feet at the sound of her voice, he rushed to her.
“I am here,” he comforted, as she sat up. Her eyes met his and she smiled ruefully before flinging her arms around him.
“I know how she did it,” she whispered. He leaned back and his saddened eyes looked into hers. He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her eyes.
“She came into my chamber, pretending to be a servant.” She sniffed as she tried not to cry. “The baby moved for the first time and I let her feel him. She put her hand on my bump.” She lowered her eyes painfully. He drew her in close, and scrunched his eyes tight.
“Him, why did you say him?” he asked, whispering sadly.
“That is what she said she said she could feel him.” The pain in his head throbbed harder, he would have had a son he had in effect killed his own son.
“She will pay for this I promise.” Arweyn nodded to him and then lifted her eyes to his.
“It is going to be difficult to kill her. Did Marton show you the book?”
“Yes I was just having a look then.” She wiped her eyes and took a strong breath.
“Then, we have work, to do. We should let Gareion know she is not coming for Starre, but we are all going to have to be cautious until we find her.” He helped her off the bed and picked up the book. She hugged the old wizard and they left.
“Arweyn you look tired. I will go and tell Gareion why do not you go upstairs to bed and I will be along in a little while?” She nodded, she did feel tired, and her eyes ached so much from all the crying. He kissed her giving her the book and then watched as she headed down the tunnel back to the other castle.
Quickly darting to his brother’s chamber, he relayed the good news, although also warned him to be cautious until they apprehended the woman. Hurrying back through the underground tunnels and up the spiral staircase to his chambers, he opened the door quietly, expecting to find her asleep. Creeping inside and glancing across he saw the book on the table, it was open; she must have been having a look through. He glanced over but he could not see her in their bed and his heart shook fearfully for a moment until he realised the balcony door was open, the red silk curtains billowing
slightly in the light breeze.
“Arweyn,” he whispered, stepping outside, the cool night air washed over him and he shivered. She was leaning against the balcony. Turning she smiled.
“What are doing out here you will catch a chill?” he said, walking up to her.
“I am all right,” she replied, looking back out over the city.
“It is beautiful isn’t it,” she said. He pulled his arms around her and she snuggled into him.
“It certainly is.”
“Kainan,” she whispered.
“Yes”
“We will be okay won’t we?” He turned her around to face him
“What do you mean?” She shrugged and scrunched her nose.
“I do not know I am just afraid that is all that she will come back for you.” He tilted his head.
“Me? Why would she come back for me?” Her eyes lifted to his and she gazed deeply into them.
“Because you are the King and you are my husband. She might want to take you away from me as well.” A tear ran down her cheek.
“I will never leave you, never ever,” he promised. She wiped her eyes.
“Kainan, what if I cannot give you a child?”
“Arweyn what is this all about?” She snivelled.
“Oh I do not know. It was just something I read, in that book. I am afraid that she did something to me.”
“You are another person now to who you were then, re-born with magic and power, I am sure there is nothing to worry about. Arweyn I love you no matter what, even if we never have another child and it was just us forever and ever.”
“You would have no heir,” she whispered. He gazed into her hazel eyes.
“It does not matter. Gareion has a daughter. If necessary, she will become Queen. I am sure everything will be fine. You will see one day when we are ready we will have lots of little monsters running around here driving us mad.” She laughed giving a little nod of her head and letting him hold her for a while. In his arms, she felt so safe she could not bear it if she lost him.
“Why not go and have a hot bath?” he suggested.
“Sounds like a good idea.” He kissed her, letting her go slowly. As his gaze turned back towards the city, he lent two hands on the balcony and his face scowled angrily. He was going to hunt that woman down and kill her, and he would not rest until it was done wherever she was he would find her. He would start tomorrow dragons and their riders would be sent to search for, her she must be living somewhere out in the forests. He stood there for a while just watching the twinkling of the lanterns lit within their city. His head sunk low he still could not believe what he had done, he had sacrificed his own child. Sure, he had been delirious, at death’s door, but he had still done it, and now his wife was suffering from the heartache that the memories had caused them. He rubbed his eyes and gave a heavy sigh, it was no use wishing it had not happened because it had and he had to deal with it.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom Page 37
