“Two swords crossed over a dragon with green wings.” Lifting her eyes towards him, she stared at his face. Kainan could feel the intensity of her eyes on him, searching him for the answer. She jumped startled as the torch light, all of a sudden, fizzled out and the room fell dark. Lowering her voice into a soft whisper she placed her hand on his arm and leaned into him.
“I cannot believe it, but you are I am sure. You are a Dermock,” she declared. Although how that was remotely possible she had absolutely no idea.
“A what?” Kainan asked, his eyes questioning hers, the soft light of the fire glowed all around them, drawing them in closer together.
“Kainan, the Dermocks are the King and Queen of Malgar. I said you look like Gareion. Well, Prince Gareion is their son. I just don’t understand this at all. You are so alike you could easily be his twin and with these marks you have I don’t see who else you could possibly be. It is impossible to fake the markings, we are born with them. Any wizard can erase a fake marking, but a real one, nothing will take that away, not even the greatest magic there is; and the mark on your hand, it will only open the portal if it is genuine.”
“My twin? Kainan frowned hard. Shuffling forward onto her knees she leaned in even closer to him, the flickering from the fire casting shadows over her beautiful face.
“You say the Gorzars stole you?”
He nodded. “Yes according to them, my mother was really my birth mother’s nurse and they had her steal me as soon as I was born.”
“Do you remember your mother telling you anything that you thought maybe was a bit strange, about us or the Gorzars?”
Kainan shook his head. “To be honest Arweyn until these last few days I had never heard of any of you, let alone these Gorzars. She never said anything.”
“Kainan, our people used to live in your world until about forty years ago, but the Gorzars grew so strong and powerful. They created a giant army and tried to take over our lands, and the lands of many other races. There was a great and terrible battle and thousands died. With a great magic and the power of the Ardor Crystal, the Groundlings and some of the other Kingdoms managed to banish all the Gorzars to another world sending them through a giant portal created in a mountain.” She thought for a moment. “Somehow those who took you must have escaped the banishing. Soon after, my people began to re-build a new world through the portal and created the City in Malgar. So the stories go our race was from Malgar originally but it was destroyed hundreds of years ago and they moved everyone to Zyon; but after our city on Zyon was destroyed by the Gorzars the King decided to use the power of the Ardor Crystal to take the people back home to Malgar where they rebuilt the city. The magic of the Crystal creates a force field around our city, and the great forest. It keeps us safe from whatever is on the other side.
Beyond the boundary the lands are dark and dangerous. The only people who can open the portal to Zyon are members of the Royal Elders, like me. Does that make any sense?” she asked, scratching her head. She was not even sure if it even made sense to her.
“Yes. I think I understand what you are saying; but what I don’t understand is where I fit in with all this?”
Her mind was racing through all the information she had. Trying to make sense of it, piecing it together like a giant puzzle. Scratching her brow, she waggled a finger at him.
“I am not entirely sure, but what if, when the Queen had Gareion, she actually had twins?”
“Twins, surely she would know if she gave birth to two babies.” He tilted his head, she was becoming mesmerizing. At one point he was sure he could see right through her and into her soul. He felt so at ease with her and there was a familiarity about her that he could not quite understand; it was almost like he knew her from somewhere. His attention was drawn back as she began to speak.
“Yes, that is the bit I have not quite figured out.” She sat back on her heels and paused for thought. Then hardly believing she had not thought of it earlier she sat upright on her knees.
“Ah! But you said your mother was actually your birth mother’s nurse?” she questioned, tilting her head at him. Kainan nodded, leaning forward listening intently, her eyes were glowing with excitement.
“What if she took you as soon as you were born and swapped you with another baby that was dead, and told the queen that her baby had been still-born? Unfortunately that is not uncommon, especially with twins. The Queen would have grieved for you but thought no more of it. If they did not check the baby for markings, which in her grief she may not have done, she would have trusted her nurse implicitly. They would never have known any different, nor would they have sent people out to search for you as your parents would have believed you had died.” She grinned at him, looking pleased at her explanation. Flinging her cloak behind her shoulders, her breasts rose and fell sharply as she felt a rush of heat through her body.
“It all sounds too far-fetched.” Kainan looked at her bewildered, rubbing the stubble on his chin and shaking his head. It was just ridiculous, he was a carpenter, a hunter, nothing more. She shook her head at him insistently.
“No, the more I think about it the more it makes perfect sense. This is why you look like Gareion. You are his brother, his twin. You are the King’s son. It is the only explanation that makes any sense. Look, you have your markings on the right yes?” Kainan touched his arm and nodded.
“Well Gareion has his on the left. We all have the portal marks on our left hands so that does not matter. The fact is Kainan you are the opposite of Gareion, a double, a mirror image.”
“The King’s son that is just crazy.” Kainan rubbed his forehead in disbelief; how could he be the son of a King?
“I know it must seem crazy to you at the moment, after everything that you have been through; but believe me Kainan you have to be the King’s son. When we get back to Malgar you will see for yourself when you meet Gareion. You will both know I am sure of it.” Arweyn took hold of his hand and turned it over so he could see the mark on his palm.
“Look. This is why you were able to pass through the gate Kainan. No one else can do it. Only the elders and their children of age can open the portal. That is why the Gorzars must have taken you. They must have known about the markings, and waited till you were ready to send you back to get the Crystal. It is the only explanation as to why no alarm was triggered when you removed the Crystal; you are the son of the King. Only the direct descendants or the King himself have that authority. I don’t suppose they realised how long they would have to wait.” Arweyn smiled euphorically. “You’re Gareion’s twin brother I am sure of it.” She looked into his dark eyes and smiled. “Kainan you are a Prince of Malgar.”
Kainan shook his head as he considered the possibility. This was all too much to take in. How could he possibly be the son of a King?
Arweyn stared at him. There was something so intense about him; something that had made her connect with him in a way that no one else ever had. Just a look or a smile from him sent an electric charge through her entire body. He made her heart race, her body tingle. She knew it had been the right thing to do, to take a risk and follow him.
“Are you all right?” she whispered gently looking at him. He had sat just staring at the cavern wall for what seemed to her an age. He finally looked up from his owns thoughts.
“Yes sorry.” He shook his head apologetically. “I was just thinking that is all. It is just all a bit surreal really. A few days ago I was just a carpenter and now….” he chuckled, picking up a stick and throwing it on the fire.
“What is funny?” Arweyn asked, grinning at his sudden outburst.
“Really, it’s nothing,” he said, shaking his head embarrassed and gesturing dismissively with his hand. She looked at him with her eyebrow raised. He wore an amused expression, as if dwelling on a memory. She waited for his answer. Seeing her look he resolved.
“It is just funny, when I think about things back home.”
“What things?” she probed.
“Well, from tim
e to time I would have these sudden bouts of pain for no reason, or visions of another place,” he hesitated, looking at her grinning. “My brothers thought I was crazy!” He shook his head as he remembered. “I was just thinking. Maybe, just maybe it is true what you say and Gareion is my twin. I could have been feeling Gareion’s pain and seeing his thoughts. We had some twins in the village they were like that, you know connected.”
She nodded her agreement.
“It is possible Kainan. Twins are supposed to have a great bond to each other.” She looked at him and he shared a deep gaze with her eyes.
Kainan broke away. Her eyes were so entrancing, inviting almost. He poked at the fire to distract himself, trying hard not to think about her like that. He watched the flames as they danced high, crackling and spitting. Then he suddenly sat up sharp.
“Oh no…!” he exclaimed, banging his head with the palm of his hand as he remembered.
“What is wrong? Are you all right?” Arweyn sat forward concerned. Shaking his head he looked at her.
“You asked if my mother ever said anything that may have meant something without me realising it.”
“Yes. Why do you remember something?” He nodded.
“I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. She used to call me her Prince.” Arweyn frowned at him. Kainan sighed as he began to explain. “That was her pet name for me. I was always her little Prince when I was younger, and even when I grew up she still used to call me it now and then. She even said it this morning, the last time I saw her, when the Gorzars had her. She said I would always be her Prince. Oh hell,” he swore as he shook his head sadly. “She really meant it. I really was her Prince.” Arweyn smiled at him and nodded.
Looking at her he paused silent for a few moments. Hugging his knees he began tapping his arms as his mind thought. As hard as it was for him to believe it, perhaps she was not his birth mother. He sighed sadly. Maybe what Arweyn had said could be the truth, perhaps he really was a prince. Touching his right arm, he considered. After all, why would he have the markings? Taking a deep breath he turned to her.
“Okay let us imagine just for one crazy moment that it is true what you have said and I am the King’s son, and Gareion is my brother. What are they like? Do I look like my father?” he asked curiously.
She nodded. “Yes it is funny the more I look at you, the more I see of the King. Gareion tends more towards the gentle side of your mother.” Looking at him through her lashes she smiled. “You have the same dark eyes as the King.” Kainan blinked returning her smile. “Gareion is such a lovely man Kainan, you will love him I know you will, and I am very close to him.”
He raised an eyebrow inquisitively.
“Oh?”
Arweyn laughed, slightly embarrassed shaking her head.
“No, not close like that, we have grown up together that is all. Gareion is like an older brother to me. He married my cousin Alys last summer. Although he is the King’s son, Gareion is a teacher. And from what I have heard he is a very good one. He loves books and reading. He has the softest and kindest of hearts, he gets that from your mother.” She laughed, pushing her hair behind her shoulders. “Sometimes too soft for the King’s liking. Your parents Kainan are a great King and Queen and I am sure without any doubt that they will be overjoyed to find that you are still alive. I am sure I am right. I cannot see who else you could possibly be.”
“Do you think Gareion will be pleased that I am alive?” he hesitated, rubbing the back of his hand across his mouth. “Or do you think he will see me as a threat?”
Arweyn frowned shaking her head.
“No, why would he think that?” Kainan shrugged his shoulders.
“He has been the King’s only son for the last twenty one years, he might not like it.” Arweyn shook her head again.
“No, Kainan. Gareion is not like that. Believe me he will be overjoyed to find he has a brother. There is only person who I think might not be too pleased and that is Lothar.”
“Lothar, who is he?” Kainan questioned, pushing his sleeves up to his elbows. He was getting hot and he was not sure if it was the fire, or her. Every time she leant towards him her ample cleavage heaved in her tight corseted dress, sending desires through him that he had never felt before. She was so beautiful. He still could not quite believe that she had found him and saved his life. The attraction he felt towards her was becoming more intense with every moment that passed. Never in all his life had he felt like this. More than anything he wanted to put his arms around her and kiss her. He swallowed hard trying to compose himself as she continued.
“He is a cousin of sorts. You know twice or three times removed, I am not sure. I suppose that will mean he will be your cousin too. He is just, well how do I put it, a bit strange. And to be perfectly honest I know I should not say things like this, but he is just really creepy.” She really was not sure if she should have said things about Lothar to him, but she knew she was right, and eventually Kainan would have to meet him and if anyone would give him trouble she knew it would be him. Lothar was after her, and had been for a long time. The thought of which made her want to be physically sick.
“It is okay Arweyn. I really want to know as much as I can before we go back.”
“Your mother does not get on very well with Lothar she believes he.…” She stopped herself.
“Believes what?”
She shook her head at him. “No I do not think I should say anymore. Maybe you should just meet him and make up your own mind about him.” Although she detested Lothar intensely he was still her cousin, her uncle’s son. Maybe she should have been a bit more respectful. She sat back on her heels, quiet.
Kainan reached forward to her and stared into her soft hazel eyes. Gently his hand came up and he touched the side of her radiant face, brushing back her hair from her eyes.
“Arweyn please tell me. Whatever you tell me here stays here,” he cupped a hand to the side of her face. “I promise.” He wanted to know everything about them, everything about her. Maybe he should not have touched her, but he could not help himself; her skin was so radiant and soft.
She swallowed as she felt his hand upon her face. His smile just melted her, and his touch sent tingles all through her; she had never felt like this before, and she felt somewhat nervous and unsure.
“Okay. Perhaps it would be best that you know about him. Some people believe he dabbles in black magic.”
“I do not understand, is he some kind of a wizard?” Kainan removed his hand from her face and shifted onto his knees.
“No. He is just….. Well for want of a better word, weird. It has never been proven though. It is just what people think about him. He lives in one of the towers on the west wing. Lothar and my uncle are from a part of the royal family that was dishonoured during the Great War. It is not spoken about so we do not really know why. I understand it was something his mother did. She was your grandfather’s cousin. I should not even know about it but my mother told me. She didn’t like the way he used to watch me as a child, so she tried to keep him away from me.” She chuckled nervously to herself. “No chance of that now.”
“What do you mean?”
Arweyn shook her head. “Look I am sorry I really should not go on about him. I live with his father, my uncle now. Lothar is always hanging around. He is a very secretive person. A very….” she hesitated, feeling a wave of fear shooting through her from head to toe at the very thought of him. “He is a very domineering man who does not like it when he does not get his own way.” Kainan could see the look of fear and disgust in her eyes. He rested a comforting hand on her forearm.
“Arweyn I appreciate you telling me, really I do. I am sure there will be some people who will not want me to be Gareion’s twin brother if that is who I really am.”
She nodded her agreement. “Possibly, I suppose there must have been someone else on the inside to help the nurse get you out of Malgar. If that is indeed what happened to you. I wonder who it was, and if
they are still around?” She stared into the fire as the flames licked high.
“What of your parents Arweyn. Why do you stay with your uncle?” Kainan asked, turning to her.
She wavered. It still hurt her to talk about what had befallen them, even though it was three years past. She took a deep breath. He had trusted her enough to say how he felt even though she could see it hurt him deeply. She would return that trust and give him an answer, even if it did break her heart to talk about it. However she did not have to explain everything to him yet. Not every detail.
“My father died Kainan, three years ago here on Zyon and I do not know where my mother is as she went missing at the same time. That is why I stay with my uncle, Lord Detaine. The King made him my guardian until such time as I marry. He is not my real uncle as such he was my father’s cousin, but it is just easier to call him uncle.” She looked at him under her eyelashes, changing the subject.
“Kainan, you know we will have to get the Ardor Crystal back. Otherwise all my people will be forced to leave Malgar. It will be terrible for them to have to leave their homes. Do you have any idea at all what the Gorzars were going to do with it?”
He shook his head sorrowfully. “No I don’t.” Then he thought for a moment. Biting his lip as he suddenly remembered.
“Wait. I can remember something. The big Gorzar, Hadzor was his name, said something about getting a book,” he thought hard to remember. “The Book of Chants, I am sure that is what he said,” then stared at her. His face straightened and a look of deep concern spread across it. “He said he was going to bring back the rest of the Gorzars and seek revenge on the people of Malgar.”
Arweyn’s sighed despondently. “Oh dear that does not sound at all good. I am sure the King will know what to do. We will have to get the Ardor Crystal back Kainan.” Her voice fell to a mere whisper as she shook her head. “We have to.”
Kainan looked at her coyly. She was nothing like the girls from his village. She was so beautiful, and obviously intelligent. He sighed, what was it about her that sent such desires through him? He smiled at her and nodded. His life was hers now as far as he was concerned.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan Page 9
