Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom

  Meladrom

  Book 2 in the

  Deragan Sword Prophecy

  Rosemary Lynch

  Copyright Ó Rosemary Lynch 01/05/2012

  Cover art by illustrator/artist Aidana WillowRaven

  www.willowraven.weebly.com

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photocopying or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage or retrieval systems, without permission from both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.

  All places and names within this book are fictitious and any resemblance to any persons or places living or deceased is purely coincidental.

  Second Edition November 2012

  For Paul

  Just because I love you

  06/07/1991

  With thanks to some very special people without whom this book would not be published

  Jennifer Swanston

  Jacqueline Lynch

  Elaine Macgregor

  Anita Raymond

  Lee Navarrete

  Dawn Johnson

  Holly Bates

  Lisa Clarke

  Sam Bennetta

  Joanne Robertson

  One ~ The Boundary

  The horse he sat upon pounded his hoof hard into the ground and whinnied impatiently.

  “Okay Tyress I know it is time to go back,” the young prince responded, patting his pure black stallion affectionately. The horse shook its long flowing mane snorting in reply, Kainan grinned, he was certain his horse understood every word that he said. Looking one more time to the edge of the boundary he sighed, the wall of magic unseen by most eyes wavered clearly in front of him. It was a shimmering wave of magical energy pulsating and glowing with power. The boundary protected them and their city from whatever the darkness was that lay in their lands beyond. Every week he came here, to the far end of the forest and listened, to what he was not entirely sure. Whispering voices called him continuously, and it was beginning to drive him insane. His attention caught by the sound of another horse approaching, he turned and looked behind him.

  “I thought I would find you here,” she sang happily, pulling her white mare alongside him. The two horses brushing noses in greeting.

  He gazed at her, his eyes taking all of her in. Her long dark hair shone in the morning light, rippling down her shoulders in the gentle breeze. Her vibrant blue dress, hitched up revealing her knee-high leather boots. Breathing in deeply, he gave a shuddering sigh. Leaning forward his hand rose to her cheek, cupping it, he gave her a long deep kiss.

  “You should not have come out here by yourself,” he said quite firmly, his eyes lifting to hers worriedly. “You know there are outlanders in these parts.” She shrugged.

  “I know, but I can take care of myself,” she replied, grinning back at him. He smiled with a resigned nod.

  “I know you can but even so.”

  Her face drew a little more serious, as she looked into his deep dark eyes.

  “Why do you come all the way out here anyway? I have not asked before because I know it is none of my business, but you always look sad when you return home.” Leaning forward on his saddle, the old brown leather creaking, he looked back towards the boundary.

  “It is the voices” he sighed, a little frown creasing his brow. “Constantly I hear voices calling me.” She leaned over and placed her hand on his knee, giving it a gentle squeeze.

  “What sort of voices? I have never heard anything.” He rubbed her hand briefly.

  “It is hard to explain, it is like the whispers of hundreds of voices calling me all at once.”

  “What do they say?” she asked.

  “Help us, awaken us,” he whispered, glancing back to the boundary, unease reflecting in his face. Fidgeting on her saddle her eyes following his gaze, she frowned.

  “Kainan that is really creepy.” He sat back in his saddle.

  “Tell me something I do not know,” he replied with a sigh, before turning and smiling at her beautiful face, now etched with a look of concern.

  “Come on I will race you back home,” he challenged, kicking his horse on and pulling the reins hard right, he began to speed off back along the old dirt track. Kicking her heels, she urged her horse on after him.

  “Kainan I thought we might take a detour,” she called, cantering alongside him, her long dark hair, and dusky blue cloak billowing behind her in the light breeze.

  “Oh really, and what did you have in mind?” he yelled back. She nodded behind at her saddlebags.

  “I have a blanket and some wine. We could go to the circle and be on our own for a while?” As he pulled his horse to a sudden halt in front of her, it caused her horse to stop abruptly. Pulling back hard on her reins, she held her horse steady as he drew in alongside her.

  “The circle,” he said intrigued, as he leant in closer to her. She raised her eyebrow seductively at him, and he twitched a thoughtful smile back.

  “Your mother would not like it,” he jibed at her in a silly voice, whilst shaking his head at her. Leaning towards him, her eyes fluttering at him, she replied in a soft whisper.

  “My mother does not need to know.” As his eyes wandered all over her face, his body tingled in anticipation. Lifting his hand to her dragonfly necklace, he twiddled with it, before tracing a finger over her ample cleavage and twiddling with her long hair. Brushing his lips lightly across hers tantalisingly, he whispered.

  “Race you there,” before kicking his horse hard and cantering off. Shaking her head after him, she laughed.

  “Come on Alora we cannot let them beat us again,” she urged, kicking her horse on urgently after him.

  “So you lose again,” he said, leaning into her as they led their horses through the trees. Pink blossoms from the wild apple trees floated like snow across their path, their sweet fresh scent wafting to their noses.

  “Well, it was hardly fair now was it? You had a head start,” she replied, with a smile. He returned her smile affectionately, hooking his arm through hers as they walked. Just ahead of them was what they had called the circle; it was a great stone circle that stood up on its side, the meaning of which no one really knew. They led their horses through and into a small clearing. As usual, it was quiet, and just the gentle song of the birds, and rustle of the breeze in the trees was all they heard. Tethering their horses to an apple tree, which stood next to a gentle trickle of a stream, they left the horses grazing and wandered the few paces to a large willow tree, which dominated the clearing. One-half of its long wispy branches dipped into the gentle flowing stream, whilst the other half spanned out over the clearing.

  Stepping through the long branches and pulling open the blanket Arweyn threw it down close to the trunk of the tree. Kainan followed behind her. Taking off their boots they both dropped to the ground onto the blanket. Un-corking the wine, he poured them both a drink. She sighed contently.

  “You know this has to be the most beautiful place in the world,” she said.

  “In this world?” he asked. She pitched up onto one elbow, and gazed into his dark eyes.

  “In all the worlds,” she replied as he passed her a goblet.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking a sip. The breeze stirred a little stronger, rippling the branches and blowing her hair across her face. As the young prince pulled the hair from her eyes, his dark eyes gazed mesmerised into hers.

  “You Arweyn Glanber are the most beautiful woman in this world, and all the worlds within worlds, and I do love you,” he whispered, kissing her. She melted into his kiss; her heart trembling as his strong arms grasped hold of her tightly, pulling her to him. As h
e broke away, she smiled at him.

  “And you Kainan Dermock, are the most handsome, gentle and loving man in the whole of this world and the worlds within worlds and I love you too.” He smiled back at her, stroking her cheek with the back of his knuckles. Finishing her wine she threw the goblet behind her, she knew what was to come next and her heart pounded at the thought. Drinking his wine, Kainan discarded the goblet behind him. Removing his wide leather belt, sword, and dagger, his hand lifted to the ribbon ties on the front of her dress, and he began slowly and teasingly pulling them undone. Her eyes sparkled, her chest heaved, and her body shook as his knuckles brushed against her skin.

  She gave a little gasp as he pulled open her corset, and began caressing her breast with one hand. Grabbing the back of her head with the other, he kissed her hard and passionately. Pulling at his shirt, she slipped her hands inside, feeling the firmness of his chest under her fingertips, before lifting his shirt up and over his head and discarding it. Arweyn felt the magic within her burst into life, as she gazed at his broad muscular shoulders, and every part of her body tingled with excitement. As they stood up together, her dress dropped to the ground and she stepped out of it. Pushing her long dark hair behind her shoulders, she stood naked before him, her eyebrow lifting as she caught the gleam in his dark eyes.

  He smiled lovingly at her, his eyes penetrating hers, as his body pulsated and his heart pounded almost out of control. Reaching his arms around her, he pulled her to him, kissing her hungrily. His hands wandering over her body, he began touching and stroking her soft delicate skin. His mouth moved around her face kissing her gently as he inhaled her skin. Her eyes widening, she breathed in deep, running her fingers through his dark hair as his mouth moved down her neck, across her shoulders and down to her breasts, sending fire racing through her veins. As they knelt down together, she raised her left hand towards the weeping branches of the willow and whispered.

  “Pora estorma kelaram.” With a wave of her hand, the branches of the willow closed in tight around them, concealing them and their passions from the outside world.

  ***

  “We should head back,” the young Prince whispered, as he cradled her in his arms.

  “I know, but I wish we could stay here forever, like this, just the two of us.” He kissed the top of her head.

  “Me too, but unfortunately if we do not return soon they will send Drew to find us, and you know how good at tracking he is.” She nodded, turning onto her front.

  “I know, but this is the last time we will be able to escape the castle and be on our own until after the ceremony. Hold me just a little longer,” she begged, lifting her eyes to his. Smiling gently, he pulled her on top of his chest and gently began stroking her naked back, and kissing the top of her head. He did not want to go either. Like her he wanted to be together alone, without guards or parents constantly worrying or watching their every move, but unfortunately he knew that was not possible.

  “We really must get dressed,” he said regretfully. “We do not want them finding out about this place. I still want to come here even after we are bonded.” She nodded, he was right the King’s bodyguard Drew would track them down with ease.

  They both dressed and straightened themselves, making sure they were presentable. Arweyn waved her hand, quietly reciting her spell, and the branches of the willow opened. The late afternoon sun glistened through the gaps making them both squint a little at its brightness. Gathering the blanket, wine bottle, and goblets, they headed back to their horses, only to find them gone.

  “Kainan!” she cried shocked, spinning to him, before looking around in panic for her horse. “Alora” she called frantically into the trees. “Alora, where are you girl?”

  “Tyress!” the young Prince hollered, cupping his hands to his mouth. It was not like his horse to desert him. He strode about, yelling into the trees. “Where the hell are you Tyress?”

  “For goodness sake, where have they gone? You do not think they could have been stolen do you?” she asked, looking frantic and then somewhat concerned that they had heard nothing yet had only been a short distance away. He shook his head and huffed.

  “I do not know.” Kneeling down where the horses were tethered, he ran his fingers across the ground. “It looks like they panicked; something scared the wits out of them.” Standing up he looked back into the trees. “I think they have fled.”

  “Well that is just great! What could have spooked them, neither of them are skittish horses?” He shrugged, standing alongside her.

  “I do not know, come on we had better start walking, hopefully they will have headed back home.” She sighed.

  “Kainan, it will take ages on foot.” He took her hand.

  “I know. I expect Drew will find us before we get back.” She frowned and then looked at him dismayed.

  “Mother will want to know what we were doing out here.” He lifted the blanket.

  “Having a picnic what else,” he grinned cheekily. She raised an eyebrow back at him, knowing that her mother would not believe that for a moment. They set off back through the circle and into the forest, eventually picking up the track that wound its way back towards the city. Her arm linked in his, they walked on chatting about the forth-coming ceremony. It was only a few days away now. Four months had passed since the battle with the Gorzars. It had taken a lot longer than they had anticipated, planning and arranging everything, ensuring that as many of their allies were able to attend as possible. In those four months Kainan, Arweyn, Gareion, and his wife Alys had spent a great deal of time getting to know each other. The brothers had spent most of their time together swimming in the lake, hunting, and fishing, building a bond that had made them incredibly close.

  Something up ahead caught her eye.

  “Kainan what is that?” she questioned, tugging on his arm, and pointing just off to the right of the path. He followed the line of her finger.

  “It looks like a dead animal, come on let’s take a quick look.” The pair wandered over to the dark mass, discarded amongst the brush.

  “That is disgusting,” she groaned with distaste, as they approached the mass. Letting go of her hand Kainan went to investigate further. Standing with his hands on top of his thighs, he leant over it.

  “It is a bloody bull, what is left of it that is. How the hell did a bull get all the way out here?” he puzzled, with a shake of his head.

  “It looks like something has been eating it,” she observed, wanting to look but at the same time, not wanting to look. Kainan wandered around the half-eaten carcass. Ribs protruded from its chest broken and cracked, covered in flies, it stank. He screwed his nose up at the smell. Picking up a stick, and kneeling down on one knee next to the carcass, he prodded it, before touching it with the back of his hand. The animal had not been long dead.

  “What is it?” she asked, looking at the frown that had creased his brow.

  “I am not sure, but these look like teeth marks.” Moving in for a closer look, she shook her head.

  “Come off it Kainan they cannot be teeth marks, the creature that did that would have to have been massive. We do not have anything like that on Malgar. It was probably a number of forest animals eating from the same place; that is all.” Standing up he discarded the stick. Something behind caught his attention, and he spun around, his eyes searching into the darkness of the trees.

  “What is it?” she asked. “Is there something there?” He held a finger to his lips for her to be quiet.

  “Not sure, wait there,” he instructed, pulling his sword from its sheath and slowly walking into the trees. Arweyn watched him disappear, and swallowing nervously she edged towards the line of trees. After a little while, she grew anxious.

  “Kainan,” she whispered, in a not so quiet voice, but he did not answer her, so she called a little louder.

  He ventured in a little deeper, he could definitely hear something, but he was not sure what it was or where exactly it was coming from. His nose twitched, so
mething stunk atrociously, and he covered his nose with the back of his hand, as the smell got worse. Glancing behind him, he heard her call his name; he looked back into the darkness of the trees ahead of him. Deciding not to take the risk and look any further, he turned about hurrying back to her. She sighed with relief as he re-emerged.

  “What was it?” she asked, as he put his sword back in its sheath.

  “I am not sure, come on it will be dark soon, we should get moving,” he said, still with a little frown of concern. He took hold of her hand and led away. He glanced back into the depth of the trees, and then at the corpse, he was unconvinced. He did not think it was, as she had said, various animals, but he did not want to alarm her. He was certain it looked like one set of teeth, and it appeared to him that the animal had not been dead that long either. Combined with the noise and the weird smell coming from the depth of the forest, he did not want to hang around any longer than was necessary. This was something else he knew he was going to have to investigate further.

  Continuing to follow the dirt road back towards the city, Kainan quickened their pace, as time was getting on and the daylight was beginning to fade. Just ahead of them, they heard a rumbling sound coming towards them.

  “Horses,” the young Prince supposed, glancing at her and sure enough coming around the bend was a small band of riders wearing the King’s colours, a dust cloud following behind them where they had ridden at speed. They slowed down as they approached.

  “Evening Drew,” Kainan said grinning, as the lead horse pulled to a halt in front of them. The man dipped his head towards the prince and Arweyn.

  “My Lord, my Lady, it is a relief to find you both safe. You have had us all quite concerned.” He wrestled with his reins as his horse quivered. He shushed him and patted his neck.

  “Sorry Drew, but we lost our horses,” Arweyn informed him. He nodded.