Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan Page 17

  “Come my son do not mind him. Lothar is, well, let us say different. You will get used to him in time,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “Now let us go and find you some clean clothes. I am sure you would like a nice hot bath and something to eat?”

  Kainan nodded gratefully. “Yes I would, thank you.”

  “My son, go with your mother and I will see you later. I have to go and meet with the Elders now and sort out a few things.” Taking hold of Kainan’s hand and placing his other hand on top the King squeezed them.

  “You have made me the happiest man alive Kainan. Welcome home.”

  “Thank you father, for accepting me back into the family with such understanding and kindness,” he turned to his mother and smiled. The King releasing his hand nodded and Kainan responded with a small respectful bow of his head.

  “Come along Kainan,” his mother said, smiling back at him. She was so overjoyed that not even Lothar and his peculiar ways could ruin her happiness today. Offering his mother his arm she took hold of him proudly patting his arm and together they left the Great Room.

  As sunset approached Arweyn had bathed and dressed herself in her finest blue gown, corseted at the front revealing her curves. She wore her long dark hair loose and it cascaded down to her waist. Two braids to the each side entwined with blue ribbon pulled her hair off her face. She looked at herself in the mirror. She wanted to look her very best for him. Then she gave a sudden sigh with a heavy heart, wishing so much that her mother was here to give her advice. She felt sure that wherever her mother was, and it was inconceivable for her to even consider that her mother was dead, that she would approve of Kainan. She knew she had only known Kainan a couple of days, but to her those days might as well have been an eternity, for that was how long she felt her heart had known him.

  It was strange, was it really possible for someone to find their soul mate, someone to whom they are bound to forever? It had been their destiny to find each other that she was sure of. For what other explanation could there be for the events that had happened to them both. She hoped he felt the same way about her. Picking up her necklace from her dressing table she tied it around her neck. It was of a large silver dragonfly, it had been a gift from her father for her fifteenth birthday. She smiled at herself in the mirror as she patted the dragonfly, remembering her father fondly. It was the last gift he had given her before he died, and she treasured it greatly.

  Picking up a bottle of her favourite perfume she carefully applied it to her neck and wrists, smiling as she inhaled the beautiful scent. She hoped Kainan would like it. She checked herself in the mirror one more time. Then, satisfied that she looked her very best she made her way to the banqueting hall.

  Eight - The Banquet

  “Lord Detaine,” Wizard Marton called, grappling with a handful of scrolls, and waving one in the air to try and catch his attention as he hurried along the corridor to catch him up. Lord Detaine was walking alone along the corridor towards the banqueting hall; he was not really in the mood to celebrate this new Prince. In fact his mind was full of anger and annoyance at his sudden arrival. A great feast had been planned for Kainan to welcome and celebrate his return to Malgar. All the elders were gathering in the Great Hall to meet the new Prince and there was much excitement flowing through the castle and even out into the city itself.

  Lord Detaine stopped, turning towards the old man. He frowned, and began shaking his head. The old Wizard wore a long black cloak with golden buttons; his snowy white and wild beard had been trimmed, short, sharp and pointy.

  “Yes Marton,” Lord Detaine replied sharply. “What do you want?” He had no patience for this foolish old man.

  Wizard Marton ushered him to one side. “My Lord I was just on my way to find the King. Please this is very important. Since all this business with Gareion and the Ardor Crystal started I have been checking the scrolls in the chambers over and over again. I could feel something, some magical vibe called me to them,” he rushed excitedly. “I have found something! It is incredible, a scroll hidden within another. This one I believe was written from before even the Great War. I believe it is an original scroll from old Malgar and I have found a prophecy hidden within the words!”

  “A Prophecy Marton?” Lord Detaine’s eyebrows rose inquisitively. The old man nodded.

  “Yes my Lord. From what I have been able to read so far, it foretells that two young Groundlings will find each other from a great distance. It says that they will join together in the way of the old, and then together they will save our world.”

  Lord Detaine frowned at him. “Marton what do you mean?”

  “The young Groundlings it speaks of my Lord. I am certain that it is Lady Arweyn and Prince Kainan. It was their destiny to have found each other. I believe that they are old souls; souls from a life long ago that have been brought back together through time.”

  “Marton you are not making any sense. What do you mean?” Lord Detaine ordered abruptly. His fists shot down to hips in a tightened clench as he stared at the old Wizard waiting for an explanation.

  “I believe, that according to the scroll, they will become joined, and in this joining they will become so very powerful that they will save our world from a great darkness.” His lowered his voice and leaned in closer so as not to be overheard, shaking his head with worry. “A great darkness that I fear is already upon us my Lord.”

  Lord Detaine’s brow creased further as he thought. Then taking a deep breath he shook his head, speaking sharply. “Are you sure? Perhaps you have misread the scrolls once again. It would not be the first time Marton.” This foolish old man was always getting in the way and getting things wrong.

  Marton bowed his head and shuffled. “No. No my Lord. This time I am certain. I have read it over and over again to try and understand what it means. Yesterday I wasn’t sure, but now Kainan has returned, it all starts to make sense. It completes the first part of the prophecy.”

  Lord Detaine stood in silence still frowning as he thought. “No Marton. I cannot believe this to be true. Arweyn will NOT join with that boy. This I know for a fact.”

  “How can you be so sure my Lord?” Marton stepped forward his head tilting to one side waiting for the answer.

  “Quite simply because I will not allow it!” he bellowed angrily. Marton jumped back away from the booming voice.

  “Now give me the scroll Marton.” Lord Detaine ordered, holding out his hand.

  “But I haven’t finished with it my Lord. There is still a part of it I have not yet been able to understand,” he cried in despair, gripping hold of the ancient scroll tightly. He didn’t want Lord Detaine to have it. He cursed himself for having told him, he knew he should have gone straight to the King. Damn his impetuousness it always got him in trouble!

  “Marton give it to me!” Lord Detaine ordered forcefully, holding out his hand with emphasis, his face flushing red with rage.

  Wizard Marton grumbled as he unwillingly handed the scroll over.

  “Now speak nothing of this to the King. Do you understand Marton?”

  The old wizard nodded sheepishly.

  “He has enough to worry about with Gareion still missing. I am the King’s advisor and I will deal with this.”

  “As you wish my Lord,” Marton said, bowing humbly and backing away.

  “Where are you going now?” Lord Detaine asked suspiciously.

  “Oh please. My Lord if you no longer need me. The King wishes me to meet Drew, and bring him to the banquet.”

  “Hmm, okay you may go.” Lord Detaine replied, eyeing him distrustfully. “Remember Marton say nothing.”

  The wizard nodded and bowed once more before quickly scurrying away.

  Lord Detaine frowned again and turned around banging the scroll in his hand. He wasn’t sure if he could trust that blasted old Wizard to leave well alone. Then seeing Kainan walking with his father towards the banqueting hall, his eyes widened, gritting his teeth as he thought. He beckoned Kainan over to him.
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br />   Kainan turned to his father. “Excuse me father. I think Lord Detaine wishes to speak with me.”

  The King looked over and nodded. “Okay my son, you go. I will continue on, they will be expecting me.”

  “Yes father.” Kainan bowed his head and walked over to Lord Detaine.

  “You wish to speak to me?” Kainan asked, breathing in deep and standing tall. He would not let this man intimidate him. Lord Detaine nodded leaning over towards him. Putting his arm around his shoulders, he walked Kainan over to the window. Kainan frowned suspiciously at his sudden act of friendliness.

  “Prince Kainan. I think that perhaps we have gotten off on the wrong foot. I apologise for my abruptness with you today.” Kainan raised a suspicious eyebrow, but he decided to play along.

  “I understand Lord Detaine. You were just doing your duty to protect Arweyn.”

  Lord Detaine nodded. “Good, I am glad that you understand. Now there is something I must speak with you about before we go into dinner.” Pulling his arm away from him he stared into his eyes.

  “Now I care for Arweyn greatly. As you now know I became her guardian when her parents died. She is like a daughter to me, precious, and as such I have very strong protective instincts for her. Now I understand that you may have developed, let us say feelings for her?” He glared a warning look. Kainan bit his lip. The question had caught him off guard; he was not sure how to respond. If he got it wrong he knew he would be in trouble. He selected his words with care.

  “Yes my Lord, Arweyn has become a great friend.” It was more than that he knew. His feelings for her were much deeper, much stronger. He would not for a moment let Lord Detaine know that. Not yet anyway.

  “Yes I am sure. She saved your life so it is only natural that you should feel grateful. However, I fear she has some silly notion about joining you on this quest to find the Ardor Crystal. You know I cannot allow this; I will not put her at risk on Zyon. I am sure you will agree with me?” Lord Detaine raised his eyebrow questioningly.

  Kainan sighed despondently. “Yes of course I understand. I would never want to see any harm come to Arweyn, I will tell her she cannot come with me.”

  “Thank you my Prince. You know it is the right thing to do.” Lord Detaine replied, bowing his head to him, and satisfied that he had made his point clear, he continued on into the banqueting hall. Kainan sighed again. As much as he disliked the man he knew he was right. He stopped for a moment and gazed out of the window. He would love to spend every moment with her, but he knew it was not to be. They didn’t know what other creatures were out there, who would be their friend or their enemy. He certainly did not want her anywhere near those Gorzars. For a moment he hesitated in his own thoughts. How would he tell her?

  Having already arrived at the banqueting hall, Arweyn felt strangely nervous and excited at the same time. Looking around she could not see Kainan anywhere. She glanced over towards the Queen, and could see something was clearly wrong. The Queen was extremely upset and tearful and being comforted by small group of female elders. She was just about to go over to see what was wrong when her uncle walked into the room. Approaching him instead, she tapped him on the shoulder. Turning to her he smiled.

  “Arweyn, you look lovely my dear,” he commented, looking her up and down with approval.

  “Thank you. What is going on? Do you know why the Queen is so upset and where is Kainan?” Taking her hand he led her away from the others.

  “So many questions; I expect the Queen is upset because she doesn’t want the Prince to go on the quest to find the Ardor Crystal, but I am afraid there is no choice. He must find the Ardor Crystal and bring it back before the Gorzars reach Mennock Mountain.”

  “Why? What is so important about Mennock Mountain?”

  “Mennock Mountain is where the Crystal was used to banish the Gorzars during the Great War. There is a large portal situated inside of it, it is the one which was used to send the Gorzars through to the world beyond worlds. With the power of the Ardor Crystal the Gorzar’s that Kainan encountered may be able to re-open it, enabling them to bring the Gorzar Empire back through it and back to Zyon. Kainan is the only one to have had contact with these Gorzars so it is vital that he goes.”

  Suddenly the room fell silent; everyone had turned towards the door. She followed their gaze, Kainan had just walked in. Her uncle looked at her but she was mesmerised by him. Huffing, Lord Detaine shook his head disagreeably, and then walked over towards the King.

  Arweyn’s heart raced at the sight of him, he looked so different. He too had obviously bathed; his hair was clean and cut and his face cleanly shaven. Instead of his old clothes he now wore leather trousers, black boots, a white shirt, buttoned two thirds of the way up and a black leather waistcoat. She felt her heart race as she looked at him; it pounded so hard she thought it would burst from her chest. Without a doubt, he now looked like a true son of a King. He was handsome and commanding all at once. Standing quietly, she watched his every move. Hoping desperately that he would look at her; she was not disappointed. Kainan could feel her presence the moment he stepped into the room. Turning, there she was. He could see her aura glowing around her like a ray of magic, his heart was racing, and he needed her. Quickly acknowledging the rest of the dinner guests out of politeness, he walked straight over to her.

  “My Lady,” he smiled nervously, taking her hand and kissing it gently, closing his eyes he inhaled her scent, it was intoxicating. Opening his eyes, he looked down at her beautiful blue gown pulled in tight around her waist and cut low over her ample bosom. He swallowed hard, she made him dizzy.

  “You’re Highness,” she replied; her breath caught in her throat as she curtsied.

  “You look so beautiful,” he complimented. She blushed, raising her hand to his chest, slowly running her fingers down his shirt. He quivered at her touch; little did she know how hard he found it not to wrap her in his arms and take her away. To be alone with her was all that he really wanted.

  “So do you. This is very smart,” she complimented on his new attire.

  Raising her hand to his cheek she felt his smooth skin. “Much better, Kainan,” she smiled, her eyelashes flickering flirtatiously.

  He laughed, his eyes hardly daring to look into hers for fear she would see the hunger in them. “We have had quite a day have we not?”

  “Yes we have. But I am so glad we did,” she whispered gently.

  “So am I,” he whispered back, his hand reaching forward he took hold of her dragonfly pendant. Touching it gently between his thumb and finger he turned it the right way round.

  “So how was it, with your mother and father?” she asked, looking at the King and Queen. Her hand rose to her necklace where his hand had just been.

  “Oh they are so amazing. They completely understood why I took the Crystal and they do not hate me for it. I was really worried, but they have forgiven me.” His eyes dropped. His parents may have forgiven him, but the guilt he felt still held strong within him. He looked in to her eyes and smiled. It was still worth it though, to have found her.

  “I still cannot believe this has all happened. There is one thing though,” sighing sadly he looked over towards the Queen. “My mother has just been told that I have to leave tomorrow and she is not taking it very well.”

  “Tomorrow?” her heart sank, so soon. “Well, that is understandable. We have – I mean, she has only just found you.” She could sympathise entirely with his mother, she did not want him to go either. Not without her anyway.

  “You do understand though?” he said, gently moving a strand of hair from her eyes. “I am the only one who can get the Ardor Crystal back. This whole mess is my entire fault. I have to go, I must find the Crystal. We need to leave as soon as we are ready so we have a chance of catching the Gorzars before they reach Mennock Mountain. I could not live with myself knowing that I had destroyed the whole Kingdom and did nothing to try and stop it. My father told me all about the Gorzars and believe me, we do no
t want them to get through that portal and back onto Zyon, it would be catastrophic for everyone.”

  “Yes I know you are right Kainan but I will help. I promised you I would and I meant it.” Her eyes flicked towards her uncle. He would understand, eventually.

  “No. You must stay here Arweyn, it’s far too dangerous,” he said, gently but firmly.

  “Kainan I am coming with you. I’m not afraid,” her eyes pleaded with him. He shook his head and held her shoulders firmly.

  “I’m sorry; I really don’t want you to come. Okay.”

  “No it’s not okay Kainan. You don’t mean that surely?” she implored.

  He looked deep into her hazel eyes. She was as desperate to be with him as he was to be with her, he could see that. He didn’t mean a single word and he knew she could read that in his face. His heart ached for her, yearned for her, but the more he thought about it the more he realised how selfish he had been. He had not even thought about the danger she might face by coming with him. He took a deep breath. As much as he wanted her to be with him, to be by his side, he knew deep down her uncle was right. It was just too dangerous and he would not risk her life. Too many had died already because of him.

  He leaned in closer and kept his voice low, but firm.

  “No honey, I’m sorry you cannot come. It is just too dangerous. You must stay here with your uncle. Look, I appreciate everything you have done for me, but please understand I have to do this alone,” he said the words with a mixture of resignation and acceptance as he ran his fingers down the side of her beautiful face.

  She gave him an indifferent look. “I’m coming with you Kainan.”

  He shook his head at her. “No you are not,” he whispered, and then gently he kissed her forehead and walked away from her. He felt awful, absolutely torn apart. Telling her not to come felt so wrong and it went against his every instinct; he knew he needed her. He knew he would never want anyone else for as long as he lived. He stopped for a moment and closed his eyes. Then taking a deep breath, he told himself over and over again that it was for the best. Without turning around and looking at her, he walked over to his father.