Hopeful Author: April 2012

This is the next couple of chapters to Kainan ~ Hoping to tempt you to buy the book at

www.rosemary-lynch.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kainan-Deragan-Sword-Prophecy-ebook/dp/B00780MWW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333308619&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Kainan-Deragan-Sword-Prophecy-ebook/dp/B00780MWW4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1333314494&sr=1-1

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 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 and 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.

   Hesitating for a moment she looked back at the portal. Perhaps she should return and tell her uncle so he could warn the King? Sucking her bottom lip as she thought she doubted very much that they would even believe her. She knew she was going to be in so much trouble for going through the portal, that they probably would not even listen to her. She had to get proof. Summoning all her courage she knew she had to find out more by getting nearer to them. Then if she had more information, hopefully they would be so grateful to her that she would not get into so much trouble.
   Knowing that her life depended on the Gorzars not seeing her, she lifted the hood of her cloak and chanted to herself quietly.
   “Invisa polosa ensarma.” And in an instant she was invisible. She could see him the stranger, he was talking to the Gorzars; this was really not a good sign. What could someone from Malgar want with Gorzars? Was he helping them to somehow find a way to get past the magic and get into Malgar?
    Slowly and carefully she made her way down the uneven path into the valley below. She took it steady, she could see the stones were loose and knew it would be very easy for her to fall and injure herself and there would be no one here to help her. On reaching the bottom she edged as close to them as she dared. Crouching down behind a large boulder she strained her ears hard.   She could almost hear what they were saying and soon found she could understand them. She had not realised they spoke the same language as her. They had never been told that in the stories the Elders had told them. They seemed to be arguing, shouting at each other. What was he doing with Gorzars? She looked across at his hands and what did he have in that sack that he was gripping hold of so tightly?
     Suddenly jumping back startled, she held her breath. One of the Gorzars hit the man hard in the face. Watching in horror as the man fell to the ground, her eyes closed and opened quickly at the shock of the sudden violence and she shook. The Gorzar stood over him, shouting at him. Shrinking back behind the boulder she found herself in a state of panic. What were they going to do to him? Maybe he was not trying to help them after all. She didn’t know if she had the courage to look anymore, they were even more terrifying close up.

***

His leg twisting awkwardly as he hit the ground with a hard thud Kainan screamed as excruciating pain shot through it like a bolt of lightning. Hadzor kicked him hard in the stomach over and over again. Doubling up in agony he began coughing up blood; he looked up desperately at the Gorzar. Hadzor stood back from him gripping the sack tightly in his hands, his wart-infested face sneering down at him.

    “Where is my mother?” Kainan begged in a desperate whisper, as he began spluttering and coughing violently, choking on his own blood. The back of his hand came up to his mouth wiping it away. Struggling to get up he cried sharply as the searing pain in his leg made him unable to stand, it felt like it was broken.
    “She is not your mother; you are nothing more than a worthless piece of meat,” Hadzor spat, standing over him. “And not that appetising either,” he added, kicking him hard again in the stomach. Kainan’s knees came up involuntarily and his arms wrapped around himself as the agony in his stomach flared through him. The Gorzar stared down at him shaking his head.
    “Did you really think we would let you walk away?” Kainan’s looked at him despondently he knew he stared death in the face.
    Throwing his head back Hadzor laughed sarcastically at him.
“You stupid Groundling you have no idea do you?” Kainan looked up at him confused, his eyes streaming as he tried to cope with the pain. “We had you taken from your parents when you were first born. We knew we had to get an Elder Grounding to steal the Ardor Crystal. We cannot get into Malgar the portal holds a magical spell that stops us. We had some inside help of course. That woman was your real mother’s birth nurse. Of course she didn’t want to help us but we threatened to kill her family unless she took you and raised you until you were ready,” he growled impatiently. “It took so bloody long. We had to wait until you were twenty-one before we could send you back down.”
“Then why did you have to kill my family and all the villagers if you only needed me?” Kainan pleaded, wiping the blood away from his mouth. “They did nothing to you!” he screamed angrily.
   “She was a foolish woman; she said she loved you as one of her own. She tried to run and hide from us. When we finally found her and told her it was time she refused to hand you over to us. That was not a wise move.”
    Bending down he grabbed Kainan’s left hand roughly, turning it over to reveal the mark on the palm of his hand. “This is what we needed. We couldn’t just take any Groundling it had to be an Elder and they do not appear on Elder males until they are twenty one. This is the key that lets you back into Malgar and allows you to remove the Crystal without an alarm being triggered. And now thanks to you we have the Ardor Crystal and with that power we can open the gateway and bring back the Gorzar Empire that your people banished,” he laughed. “They thought they could hide through a portal. They have no idea that we took you or that we escaped the banishing. We have been waiting for the day we would have our revenge. And that day has come,” he crowed triumphantly.
   Kainan’s brow creased. He could not take all this in. What were they saying that his whole life and future had been planned by them and that he had been nothing more than a tool to get them what they wanted? Everything he had ever known in his entire life was vaporised in an instant. If he was not Kainan Woodsman, then who the hell was he?
“Without the power of the Ardor Crystal your people will have to come back through the portal to Zyon, by then the Gorzar forces will be waiting for them, waiting to have their revenge. We will tear your people apart!” The Gorzar crowed triumphantly.
    “You bastard, no!” Kainan screamed as fury welled up inside him; the realisation of what he had done, done to all those people back on Malgar began to sink in. He had condemned all those people to certain death and they would not even know it was coming.
    “I will not let you do it!” he yelled. Rolling over onto his stomach he clenched his fist in anger and gritting his teeth against the pain he struggled pulling himself to his feet, but his lower leg throbbed with a searing pain and it left him unbalanced.
   “What are you going to do? Do you think you’re going to stop me now?”
Hadzor shook his head at him. “Get him,” he ordered turning to the others.“ don’t need him anymore.” The two other Gorzars attacked. Tarpel punched him on the side of the head, it was a glancing blow but enough to blur Kainan’s vision. Falling back, he hit the ground hard and raising his arms he tried to protect himself, but he had no chance. Elira kicked once, twice, three times to his chest and stomach; Kainan yelled out in pain, spitting out blood. Tarpel turned around searching the ground and then picking up a large stick he began whacking it hard in his hand, Hadzor nodded. Kainan shook his head at them, in that instant he knew he was going to die.
     “No, please stop! I got you what you wanted!” Frantically he began trying to crawl dragging his leg behind him, clawing at the earth trying to get away, but it was no use. Tarpel stood over him raising the stick and then striking down hard on the back of the young man’s legs. Kainan screamed in agony as he felt the bones shattering in his legs with the force of the blow. Hadzor, throwing the sack over his shoulder turned to Elira.
    “Tie him up and leave him, he isn’t going anywhere. Let the wolves rip him to pieces. We need to get the Book of Chants.” The two Gorzars nodded at their leader.
     Elira, taking the rope that she had hung over her shoulder, passed it over to Tarpel. Kneeling down he pulled Kainan’s arms roughly behind his back. Kainan cried out with the pain.
    “Shut up Groundling!” Tarpel growled, shoving his face down into the dirt. Pulling the rope he tied Kainan’s hands tight. Tarpel stood up kicking him one more time just for the sheer hell of it. Kainan lay in a heap on the ground, barely able to move. The pain was so intense he was struggling to stay conscious.
    “Hey Kainan, we wouldn’t want to leave you to die all alone out here,” Hadzor yelled to him grinning, showing his huge sharp fangs. He strained to open his eyes, desperately trying to see as they threw the body of his mother beside him.
    “No!” Kainan cried, as he saw her lying beside him, lifeless. “Mother!” his voice fading into a mere whisper as the life began to drain from of him, he could no longer keep his eyes open. With a sickening laugh the Gorzars headed off into the forest leaving the wolves to finish their job.
   Kainan lay in silence, bleeding heavily and in unbearable pain. The ropes were tight, his head spun and his body felt like every bone was broken. Struggling to open his eyes again he looked across at his dead mother. He had failed her. Tears gently flowed down his cheeks. He coughed, choking as blood trickled out of his mouth and seeped into the dirt. Gasping, he tried to breathe, but he knew he was going to die. In some way he was thankful, at least he would not be left here all alone with the torment of not knowing who he really was. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, he could no longer bear the pain. With the nightmare about to end, Kainan passed into unconsciousness.
                                       ***

Arweyn shook from head to toe; never had she witnessed such violence. The poor man they were slaughtering him. She desperately wanted to help him but there was nothing she could do nothing but watch as they continued with their torture. Then they stopped and tied him up; her chest rising and falling as her breathing quickened, she glanced back around the rock, watching. He must still be alive or why else would they bother to tie him up? Then they dragged out the beaten body of a woman and threw her disrespectfully to the ground beside him.

She felt her stomach turn; looking away she held her hand to her mouth to stop herself being sick. The poor woman, what had they done to her? Forcing herself she looked back, they were leaving. Looking across at the young man she desperately wanted to go to him, but knew she had to wait until she was certain they were not coming back for him.

    When she finally felt it was safe she removed the hood of her cloak and became visible to the world once again. Cautiously she edged forward towards him. Hitching her skirt as she knelt down on the ground next to him, she swallowed nervously staring at him. His face was turned down into the dirt. Reaching out with a trembling hand she gently prodded him but he remained still. She pulled a knife from the pocket on the side of her boot and cut the ropes binding his wrists. Putting the knife back and taking a deep breath, she reached forward turning him over onto his back. His face was covered in a mixture of dirt and blood, severely swollen and battered.
    “Gareion?” she screamed and panic shot through her entire body as she unexpectedly recognised him. How could this possibly be?
    “Gareion can you hear me?” the young woman cried, shaking him, trying frantically to rouse him. There was no reply, only a low moaning sound. She sighed with immense relief that at least he was still alive, if only just.
     “Shush, it is all right,” she said, in a comforting voice as she began gently stroking his brow with one hand. Then a sudden shiver ran down her back, turning around she looked across at the dead woman. She felt un-nerved having a dead person lying next to her and the woman’s eyes were still open, staring into the nothingness. Slipping off her cloak she stood up, quickly walking the few paces to where the woman lay. Swallowing nervously she bent down onto her knees, glancing sideways at her and reaching her shaking hand forward she quickly closed the woman’s eyes. Wiping her hand down her skirt nauseatingly she shivered. Then placing her cloak over the woman’s body, she covered her face.
   Hurrying she returned to him, kneeling back down on the ground next to him. Reaching into her bag she began rummaging inside frantically. Pulling out a cloth she carefully began wiping away the blood from around his mouth. Running her finger inside his mouth she checked that his airway was clear. His face severely swollen from the beating was barely recognizable.
“Oh Gareion,” she cried desperately as she realised the severity of his injury. “Don’t worry, I can do this. I am going to heal you. The Gorzars have gone, you’re safe now,” she reassured him, wiping her bloodied hands down her skirt. Putting the cloth down and reaching into her bag she pulled out a small bowl and some herbs from a pouch, and using a small pestle ground them in the bowl with some water from her flask.
    “Here drink this Gareion it will ease your pain.” Lifting his head gently she held the bowl to his lips, pouring the liquid into his swollen mouth. He managed to drink it slowly, coughing as the herbs tickled the back of his throat. His eyes trying to open rolled around in their sockets.
    “Who, who are you?” he mumbled, his breath was shallow and rasping.
    “Gareion it is me, Arweyn, shush please do not try and speak, you have been badly injured. Rest, there will be time to talk later,” she comforted, gently lowering his head back down. His eyes rolled as he went in and out of consciousness. Undoing the buttons on his shirt she ran her hands over his chest. Shuddering as she touched his bare skin with her finger tips, she took a deep breath. She had never noticed before how firm and muscular he was. She shook herself. What was she thinking!
     Closing her eyes she took another deep breath and pushing those thoughts away she began running her hands across his chest once more. She could feel that his ribs were broken. Running her hands down his body she felt his stomach. Swallowing hesitantly, she slowly pulled his shirt right open to get a better look, he was black and blue.
     Looking at him with empathy she bit her lip, trying not to cry. She knew he must be in incredible agony, how many times had they kicked him? He was in a really bad way; she just hoped she had the strength and the power to save him. Next feeling down his legs, she shook her head despondently and sighed; they were both severely broken.
     “Oh Gareion, what have they done to you?” she mumbled grimly. She knew she had to act fast or he was going to die. From her bag she pulled out the piece of muslin cloth Mistress Cromer had given her and opened it up. Inside were some blue coloured leaves and herbs; she stared at them. Never before had she used the dacara leaves as only the greatest of healers were allowed them. Taking them out she placed them evenly across his naked chest and down to his navel; she then closed her eyes. This, she knew, was going to take all her strength. She began to chant quietly flowing her hands up and down his body, waving them in a circular motion.
     “Alora mentoria escalida, alora mentoria escalida, espora healarta, espora healarta.” Her hands were shaking with the power as it left her and entered his body. Up and down his body she flowed, chanting over and over, the leaves and herbs slowly being absorbed into his body. Suddenly she stopped; she could not see him breathing! Leaning forward she placed her ear to his mouth, his breathing had stopped. She pulled her hands to her face in desperation as she thought and then sitting back and closing her eyes she mumbled another enchantment.
     “Elpor bararia skelanta pretoria!” Taking a deep breath, she bent over him. With one hand cupping his face her thumb pulled open his mouth, the other pinching his nose; she then placed her lips on his and blew. Sitting back up she watched him. She touched her lips with her fingers, something felt very strange, they were tingling. She could not understand what was going on. She had never given any one the kiss of life before but this was Gareion, she was sure it should not have felt like that! She should not have enjoyed touching his lips in such a way.
      Bending forward she listened. He was still not breathing; panic began to set in. It should have worked! She had done it exactly the same way as in the books she had studied, that she was sure of. Then she remembered there was one other way, albeit dangerous for her and for him, an ancient way her mother had taught her. Looking at him her body shook and she swallowed. There was no choice; she would not let him die. Quickly pulling up her dress she straddled across him, sitting on his stomach. This time leaning forward she took hold of his head in her hands, her thumbs on his temples and she began chanting fast and furiously.
     “Elarta espara kitary, spelarma kilora!” Taking a deep breath she blew into his mouth, sparkles of magic flowed from her into him. Sitting back she banged hard upon his chest with her hands.
   “Espira spartat eluviai!” she screamed, shaking with the power as the energy from her hands went straight into his heart.
   “COME ON GAREION, COME ON DO NOT GIVE UP, PLEASE!” she screamed at him.

Suddenly Kainan’s body lurched forward as he drew a deep breath of life. Arweyn was thrown onto the ground and in an instant she spun around grabbing hold of him.

“Gareion!” she screamed with relief. He was alive! It had worked.
Kainan felt his body shake from head to toe as he drew breath. He could feel a strange electrical charge shake all the way through him. The pain throughout his body was disappearing and there was a strange tingling sensation running down his legs. Desperately he tried to open his eyes but he could not.
    “Who are you..?” he whispered.
    “Gareion it is Arweyn,” she replied, her voice barely audible as exhaustion overwhelmed her. It had taken nearly all her strength to heal him and she could hardly speak. Kainan’s eyes flickered as he tried to open them and look at the face that the beautiful gentle voice was coming from, but he felt so tired. Arweyn smiled at him.
     “Sleep Gareion. You will be okay now, the medicine will work soon. We will talk in a while.”
She felt herself slipping; leaning forward she rested her head on his naked chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. She had to rest, she closed her eyes. Together they slept all afternoon.

Five - Who am I?

His mind was in turmoil. Visions of the last week flashed vividly, repeatedly. His brothers murdered before him. His friends mutilated body, the village burning. The Gorzars; their evil faces grinning at him with contempt. Kainan suddenly jumped in his sleep, waking himself up out of the nightmare. Arweyn sat up sharp, her eyes were wide with panic, where was she? Then looking down she remembered and took a deep hopeful breath as she watched him trying to open his eyes. Kainan blinked a few times, it was still daylight and the brightness hurt his eyes. Gradually his eyes began to focus, and he saw looking down at him the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his entire life. Her hazel eyes were filled with caring warmth, her long lustrous dark hair curled about her face, her lips parting in a charming smile. She was slender and shapely and wore a long clinging blue dress, cut low over a full bosom. Her hand was now gently caressing his brow in a soothing manner. He whispered as he stared at her, his lips barely able to speak.

    “Who, who are you?”
Kneeling, she moved in closer to him. Holding her hair back with her hand she leaned into him and whispered.
       “Gareion, it is Arweyn. You scared the life out of me; I thought you were going to die.” Her gentle voice at once put him at ease, and her scent warmed his heart. Gradually breathing easier, he moved his feet from side to side; he had feeling again in his legs.
       “Why are you dressed like an Outlander Gareion? I do not understand. Those creatures could have killed you. If I had not followed you from Malgar having just come from my herbology lesson, you would most probably be dead now. You were so lucky I had my potion bag with me and Mistress Cromer had the foresight to give me the dacara leaves. Please tell me what is going on. Are you in some kind of trouble?” As she turned, her long dark hair tumbled down in front of her. She hooked it behind her ear, and then carefully tore a piece of material from her underskirt. Picking up some herbs she placed them in her small bowl pouring on some ointment. Then using her pestle she mixed it into a smooth paste, tipping it all onto the material. Turning back to Kainan she attempted to place the material on his face.
    “What are you doing?” he whispered, raising an eyebrow at her.
   “This is glarehawn, it will help heal the cuts on your face and bring the swelling down, but it may sting a little,” she warned, as she gently placed the cloth over the cuts. He winced, but almost immediately they began to heal, he looked at her, she was absolutely stunning. Her eyes caught his and she looked deeply into his dark eyes, his into hers, and for a moment they held each other’s gaze. A shiver ran down her spine and she turned away. What was this she was feeling? Gareion was like a brother to her, married to her cousin Alys. Yet something didn’t feel the same at all.

“Gareion what were you doing with those Gorzars, and where did they come from? I thought they were all banished in the Great War, and does Alys know what you have been doing? And who is this poor woman?” she asked, packing up her herbs and bowl into her bag. Kainan’s brow creased at all the questions and he turned towards the body.

“She is my mother,” Kainan sighed sadly. Folding his arm across his chest he sat up.
“Your mother! Gareion what are you talking about? That woman is not your mother.” She looked at him with a puzzled expression, maybe he had concussion?

“Why do you keep calling me Gareion? My name is not Gareion, it is Kainan, and she is,” he stopped, sighing with a broken heart. “Was; my mother.”

With the pain in his body almost completely gone, he turned to look at his mother; the young woman had covered her with her cloak. Holding his head in his hands he sighed audibly. He had failed her, just as he had failed his brothers. Looking down at his bloodied chest, he ran his hand across gently. There was no sign of any injury left at all. Buttoning up what was left of his shirt he looked at her puzzled; in all his life he had never seen this kind of healing. Warily he moved his legs; but they had both healed and he felt no pain at all. Turning back to the young woman who had helped him he smiled at her.

“Thank you for healing me.” Reaching his hand out he touched her. Arweyn’s body felt electrified by his touch, she flinched, pulling back away from him. Kainan pulled his hand back too; he had suddenly felt a strange sensation of connection to her, recognition of a familiar soul. He didn’t understand this feeling at all.

She stared at him; how could this not be Gareion? What magic spell had enchanted him? She looked deeply into his eyes, they were a gorgeous dark brown, full of honesty and kindness, almost hypnotising. Yet, she perceived, although he looked extremely similar to Gareion, there was something very different about him. As the swelling around his face subsided she could see that his face was much firmer, stronger looking and she could see a roughness about him that Gareion didn’t have, and she was absolutely positive that Gareion had green eyes like his mother, not deep dark eyes like his.

            Frowning as she looked at him, she replied softly, almost in a whisper with a slight edge of fear tinged in her voice.
      “I don’t understand you look like Prince Gareion. Who are you?” she questioned nervously, staring hard at him.
     “My name is Kainan, and I….” he hesitated, feeling so confused. Glancing back at her, he felt like he knew her, but how could he? His head was still cloudy and it hurt like hell. Turning his face away from her he held his head in his hands and mumbled.
       “I don’t know who I am anymore.” Sudden realisation took over that in fact he really didn’t know who he was anymore; his whole identity had been taken away from him, and now with his mother gone, how would he ever find out who he really was?

“Look I’m sorry but I just don’t understand what’s going on. I followed you from Malgar. You look like Gareion, and I mean not just look like, you could easily be his double. How did you get through the portal, only the Elders and their children have the key to pass through?” This time her voice was harder, more forceful.

Kainan turned and looked at her, searching hard to remember.
“I got out the same way I got in. I’m not from Malgar. What I mean is, I am I think, but I grew up in the forest in a village a few days from here. We were attacked by the Gorzars; they killed my entire family and everyone in the village. Then they brought me here,” he gestured to the clearing. As she listened Arweyn started to edge away from him, and her hand reaching down to the bottom of her skirt, grasped the dagger from the side of her boot. She had been right they were Gorzars, but who was he if he was not Gareion? What if the Gorzars had found some way to counteract the magic? What if they found another way to send people through the portal? Perhaps he was a changeling sent to trap her, but then she looked at him, at his blooded shirt, then down at the blood all over her dress. His blood had been red; he could not have faked that. He definitely could not be a changeling.

Seeing the sudden look of fear that came across her face Kainan reached out his hand to reassure her.

“No, please, don’t be afraid of me. I will not hurt you I promise.”

Hopeful Author

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