Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 01 - Kainan Read online

  Pulling the sleeve of his cloak back he began reaching his hand forward towards the symbol. Suddenly stopping he shivered and it was not because he was cold, it was that feeling again. Spinning around fast his heart was pounding. He could feel someone watching him; he could feel their eyes burning through him. Coughing nervously his brow scrunching up into crinkles he looked around again. He sensed someone there he was sure of it, he was feeling a strange surge of energy tingling through his entire body that he could not explain. Yet still his eyes saw nothing.

  “Is anyone there?” he whispered. Stepping forward he stared intently, secretly hoping that there would be no reply. Reaching forward with his right hand he felt the air in front of him but the room remained still and silent. He shook his head; something very strange was going on. What he could not understand though was that the feeling was not scaring him. If anything it was like he knew the person and the feeling was just getting stronger. Scowling, he muttered quietly to himself.

  “I know you are there, whoever you may be.” He didn’t know who it was or how they were doing it but he was certain there was someone in front of him, watching him.

  Turning back around he made his way back to the gate, the sooner he was gone the better. Placing his hand back on the symbol he took a deep breath as the portal roared into action and the black and green light of energy swirled in front of him, he stepped forward into it and in a flash of white light and a gust of wind he was gone.

  Four - Destiny

  Arweyn shut the little white gate and flicked over the latch, securing it in place. Turning she began waving. Master Cromer, a middle-age balding man, tall and sharp wearing a bright blue cloak clasped to the front with a bronzed dragon buckle lifted his arm and waved back.

  “Same time next week my Lady?” he yelled across the path to her.

  “Yes Master Cromer, see you next week,” she replied cheerily, as she slung her heavy bag over her shoulder. She relished her lessons with Master and Mistress Cromer. He and his wife were incredible people; there was nothing they didn’t know about herbs and their magical healing properties. Turning around one more time she waved goodbye. She loved the little thatched cottage Master and Mistress Cromer lived in, there was something incredibly enchanting about it, mystical even. It was tucked away deep in the trees just beyond the edge of the city near the great Crystal Dome. Their beautiful garden was always full of flowers and herbs and it had a distinct smell about it that Arweyn found heartening.

  “Lady Arweyn, wait!” Hearing her name she spun back around, it was Mistress Cromer, the stout grey haired woman was running down the path towards her and in her hand she held a muslin cloth.

  “What’s that you’re giving her?” Master Cromer yelled, eyeing her suspiciously from the door step.

  “Just some cookies left over that’s all. I don’t want them to go to waste,” she yelled back at him. Master Cromer, nodding his approval, turned around and stepped back inside the cottage.

  “Here take these my Lady,” she glanced behind her to make sure her husband was not looking. Reaching forward Arweyn took the muslin cloth from her.

  “Thank you Mistress Cromer, I shall enjoy these later.” The stout woman shook her head at her, leaning in closer.

  “No my love, these are special healing leaves,” she hesitated. “Dacara’s.” Arweyn, raising her left eyebrow looked towards the cottage.

  “But Master Cromer said I was too young to use these.”

  “Never mind what he thinks. I believe,” closing her eyes she breathed deep, as if she was recalling something of great importance. Then opening them sharply she smiled knowingly. “I believe you will need them. Now run along before he gets suspicious.” Arweyn smiled, nodding.

  “Thank you.” Pulling open her bag she placed the muslin cloth inside. Mistress Cromer she knew was what they called a ‘knowing woman’. She had the gift of ‘knowing’ certain things. Although it was not public knowledge Arweyn had always known, there had been many small subtle clues over the years she had been having her lesson with them. Even down to silly things like ‘knowing’ when she really fancied a blueberry pie and then arriving to her lesson only to find one emerging from a smiling Mistress Cromer’s oven. Swinging her bag back over her shoulder she gave her a final wave goodbye and began making her way back towards the city.

  Her mind was lost in thought as to why Mistress Cromer would think she would need something as powerful as the dacara healing leaves, that she was not paying attention and turned the corner blindly. It was there that she had almost bumped into him. As he crossed her path she felt a sudden strange, tingling sensation pass through her entire body, it was like an incredible wave of magical energy surging through her all at once. It had jolted her, shocked her almost and for some reason she could not understand, she had felt a strange pull like a magnet towards this man in a hooded cloak. There was something very different about him, something strange and alluring and something that had driven her to follow him.

  He had not noticed her as she followed him through the market towards the outskirts of the city, towards Naws Rock. Then suddenly he had turned down the narrow alleyway towards the Old Gate Room. Raising her eyebrow in a cynical twitch she wondered why was he going down there? The Old Gate Room was built into Naws Rock, nobody went down there. Her heart beating furiously she stood for a moment as she pondered. Here she had no cover to hide from him and all it would take was for him to turn around and she would be spotted immediately.

  Thinking whether or not she should continue following him, she sighed deeply, and shook her head. It was no good she had to know who he was and what he was doing. She could not understand why, it made no logical sense to her what-so-ever. All she knew was that her inner spirit was telling her she had to follow him and as hard as she tried she could not ignore it.

  Quickly hiding in a doorway, just before the entrance to the alleyway she lifted the hood of her deep green cloak. Pulling the strap of her heavy bag full of potions and remedies over her head to make it more secure she looked around making sure she was not being watched herself. Satisfied she was alone, she took a deep breath.

  “Invisa polosa ensarma,” she chanted quietly. As she finished the last word she became completely invisible. She hurried along the alleyway to catch up with him. Then what he did next surprised her. He had stopped at the bottom of the gate room, turned, had a quick look around him and then began to climb the stairs up to the entrance. Now why was he going up there? She frowned to herself. Then she suddenly realised that there were no guards at the entrance to the gate room, they were nowhere to be seen. Even though the portal was not used very much anymore she knew the King always had at least two guards posted there, so where had they gone? Giving a grim shake of her head, she wondered if this man had done something to them.

  The overwhelming desire to know more got the better of her and she began to follow him up the stairs. Stopping abruptly she gripped hold of the rail that ran up the side of the staircase; the stranger had suddenly spun around and was staring directly at her. He seemed to sense she was there, but how was this possible? No one could sense her presence when she was cloaked that was the whole point of it, so she could use it to get to people and places without being seen. How could he possibly have any inclination that she was there? She had made no noise and she was protected by magic.

  Standing very still she hardly dared to breathe. Barely two feet away from her he stood. Although she strained her eyes she still could not see him clearly as his face was hidden within the dark depths of his hood. She could see he had facial hair, not a full beard just three or four day’s growth and for some reason she could not explain her heart was racing as she looked at him. She was even fearful that he could hear it as it was beating so loudly. Shaking his head the man turned back around and pulling open the door he walked through into the gate room. Slowly she edged up the stairs after him; thankfully the door was slightly ajar. Cautiously she peered through and there she could see him he was
standing by the window, his hand holding back the heavy curtain he was looking out. Quietly she squeezed herself through the narrow opening and into the gate room.

  The hooded man released the curtain and walked over to the gate where he began to place his hand on the symbol, hesitating for a moment he then suddenly spun around looking straight at her. Her eyes widened in fear, could he see her? Holding her breath as if her life depended on it, her mind raced. How did he know? He could feel her she was sure of it. His stare was hard and she felt it burn into her very core, making her tremble inside. He spoke quietly almost in a whisper. She raised her eyebrow; his voice seemed strangely familiar to her. The room had begun to dim as it was now late afternoon and as hard as she tried she still could not see who he was. Even as he stepped forward the hood of his cloak still shadowed his face. He reached his hand forward feeling through the air. She shrank back from his touch as he reached out towards her. He was too close, far too close. He stared for a moment longer and then turning back around he stepped forward placing his hand on the symbol, the portal opened and in a flash of white light he was gone.

  The young woman gasped for breath as the wind from the portal swirled around her. She covered her eyes from the brightness with the back of her hand as the gate whirled into action and right in front of her eyes he disappeared. Shaking her head in disbelief as she removed the hood of her cloak, she re-appeared in the room. Looking at the portal, she frowned; how could he have possibly done that? What she had just seen should not have been possible, only a Royal Elder or one of their children of age can open the portal. She knew them all and even with his hood up she felt sure he was not one.

  Walking over to the gate she ran her hands across the symbols, she could sense his aura. Trembling she suddenly felt his energy flow through her hand and down her entire body, her eyes widening and her breasts heaving she took a sharp breath and standing up straight she shuddered. What on earth was that she had just felt? Taking in another deep breath she looked around the room. How did he do it? Who was he? She had to know. She knew they were forbidden to use the portal without the King’s permission but under the circumstances surely even her uncle, who was now her guardian, would have to understand. She was desperately trying to convince herself that what she was about to do was right.

  What was it about this man? She could not help herself the pull to him was so strong. It was like she had some kind of a connection to him, some force that was making her follow him. She looked down at her left hand; she too had the symbol embossed into her flesh. Her hazel eyes flashed with determination as she took a deep breath to summon up all her courage. She had to do it; she had to find out who he was. Having never been through a portal before, she was worried. She knew it was safe, the Elders had used it many times, but still she felt nervous. Since the death of her father on Zyon three years ago they had all been forbidden to use it. No one but the King could authorise a visit to the upper world and she knew he would not even consider it unless there was damn good reason to do so.

  Reaching out her hand tentatively, it shook. Was following a strange man that you knew nothing about good reason enough or just plain foolishness? Swallowing hard, she knew that was something she would have to find out for herself. Placing the mark on the palm of her hand over the symbol on the gate, she took a scared breath, closing her eyes at the rush of wind as the portal once again whirled into action. Opening her eyes she stared for a moment at the swirling mass of green and black energy, then gathering her nerve she stepped through and in a flash of white light was gone.

  ***

  Shielding his eyes from the sun Kainan emerged slowly from the cavern; he stopped for a moment closing his eyes as he contemplated, taking in a deep breath of fresh air. That was just unbelievable, in all his life he would never have imagined another world even existed, yet alone a world through a portal inside a mountain. He felt strange. It was a feeling that he could not describe. Somehow he felt stronger, confident and definitely intrigued to find out more. He knew he had to go back as soon as he could. Clutching the sack with the Crystal inside close to his chest he began clambering back down the cliff track. Slipping occasionally on the loose shingle he balanced himself with his free hand, pressing on as fast as he could. Soon he reached the clearing where he had left the Gorzars and his mother earlier that day. His eyes began scanning the area furtively as he began stepping across the brambles and rubble that littered the ground beneath his feet. Then sudden movement caught his eye, there to his left he could see some shuffling in the bushes. Looking frantically, panic began to set in; he could not see his mother anywhere.

  Hadzor stepped forward from the bushes rubbing his hands together expectantly; his eyes widening with excitement as he stared at the fullness of the sack in Kainan’s hands.

  “Is that it; is that it?” he whispered repeatedly, pointing his bony finger at the sack.

  “Yes this is it.” The young man replied, frowning and screwing up his nose as the stench of death preceded him. The other two Gorzars emerged from behind the bushes and began watching him suspiciously. Tarpel, the other male Gorzar, rubbing his hands together stepped up sneering at him, showing his sharp fangs. Leaning in close he moved his face into his. Kainan pulled his head back sharply as the Gorzar opened his mouth; he could see decaying flesh hung stuck in between his teeth. It was all he could do to hold himself back from vomiting.

  “Finally,” Tarpel spat in his face. “It’s time for our revenge. So long we have waited for this day, now we can bring them all back to Zyon!”

  “Where is my mother?” Kainan demanded, leaning his head as far back from him as he could and screwing his nose up even more as he tried to stop the appalling stench of death from entering his nostrils. His eyes were anxiously searching, but he could not see his mother anywhere; his heart began pounding as dreaded fear began to grip him. Tarpel growled and then began backing away laughing at him.

  “Give me the Ardor Crystal Kainan.” Hadzor ordered forcefully, stepping forward holding out his hand to him. Backing away Kainan stumbled on the twisted brambles beneath his feet. He shook his head defiantly.

  “No, not until I have my mother. We made a bargain Hadzor, where is she?” he demanded again, gripping hold of the sack tightly against his chest. He knew this was his only chance, his only bargaining chip. Once they had it he was as good as dead.

  “ENOUGH OF THIS!” Hadzor yelled aggressively, suddenly lurching forward and taking Kainan by surprise he snatched the sack away from him. His right hand then came up punching him hard across the face. Kainan felt his nose crack and blood sprayed out like an erupting volcano. Stumbling backwards he caught his foot in the twisted brambles, falling awkwardly, hard to the ground.

  ***

  The Groundling female found herself in the dark cavern. She shivered. That had to have been the most exhilarating experience she had ever had in her entire life. Pulling her long dark hair out from inside her cloak she shook it loose, relieved to find herself still in one piece. Slowly she walked towards the light coming from the entrance. Squinting as she peered outside, she raised her hand to shield her eyes from the brightness. As her eyes adjusted she gasped, surprised at the wondrous sight that was in front of her. There was a whole other world here! Of course she knew it was here, but it was way beyond anything she could possibly have imagined. In one direction she could see a vast dense forest as green and as far as her eyes could see. Below her at the bottom of the cliff there was beautiful valley and far in the distance, tall snow-capped mountains with white fluffy clouds hiding their tips. As she inhaled she could smell the sweetness of the trees and it was wonderful.

  In all her life she had never seen a real mountain as big as the ones she could see now, only drawings of them in the old books back home; but this, this was truly spectacular. Back in Malgar no one ever went through the boundary; no one really knew what was beyond the boundary except what they had been told; darkness and death. They had the castle and the City, the great forest a
nd the lake, but this! She shook her head in disbelief. This world went on forever. How could her people have possibly abandoned such a beautiful place?

  Suddenly her eyes were drawn to movement down in the valley below her. There she could see him, the stranger. Pulling back sharply she blinked in disbelief at what she was seeing. Her heart suddenly shuddering with fear, she looked again. Surely her eyes must be playing tricks on her. It could not be possible, could it? Gorzars!

  Shrinking back inside the mouth of the cavern her eyes widened with shock. Leaning herself against the cold hard cavern wall to steady herself, she shook her head her brow frowning in thought. Surely it could not be possible? The Gorzars had been banished years ago, sent through a giant magical portal to a world beyond worlds. Where could they have possibly come from? Maybe the Elders had been right after all to run and hide. Leaning forward again she cautiously peered out. Swallowing nervously she leant back against the cavern wall. She was not wrong, they were definitely Gorzars. She could remember being told stories of the Gorzars as a young child, being shown drawings of them and they had absolutely terrified her; with their sheer size and their sharp carnivorous teeth. She knew they were dangerous, blood-thirsty and evil beyond anything you could ever imagine and they were right here before her very eyes.