The Blood Line Prophacy

Chapter One: Kayne


I hit the ground with an unpleasant thud. With a gasp of pain I eased myself forward and looked over the edge of the ravine.
“That was close!” I chocked gazing back to where Kala was standing.
“Sorren, thank the Gods.” She said closing her eyes in relief.
“Don’t be thanking any Gods yet Kala,” I eased my way to my knees, and tried to steady myself on the loose rocks.
The ground was wet from the fresh rain we had had the night before, and the slope was dangerously slick. Mud coated my leather pants and boots, and my white tunic had been torn by the short trip down the mud-coated rocks.
“Reach for my hand Sorren,” Kala shouted reaching her small hand towards me.
I balanced myself as best I could and slowly reached out to grasp her hand. Just when I thought I would take it in mine, my boot slipped and I fell backwards, this time not stopping.
“Sorren,” Kala gasped as I vanished over the edge.
I screamed only a short time before the icy daggers of the early spring water cut through me. The water was deep and I let myself float to the bottom before finding it in me to move my legs and make my way back to the surface. I kicked and pushed my way through the tall reeds, watching my long hair billowing out in front of me as I stared at the surface, which seemed so far away.
Then, panic enveloped me the moment I didn’t rise as I had expected to. I looked down and saw my foot tangled amongst the waters greenery. As the air in my lungs slowly dissipated, I maneuver in many directions to try and loosen the grasp they had on me.
Each passing moment I grew increasingly tired as the ice water seem to solidify my muscles, making it harder to move and untangle myself. Finally, I pulled my dagger free, trying franticly not to loose it from my grip. As quickly as I could I cut the restrains that were determined to keep me prisoner then shot to the surface gasping, taking in the air my lungs desperately needed.
I inched my way to the shoreline spitting water out of my mouth. My body would no long move fast enough to keep me above the water. I clutched feebly at the rocks to stay higher than water level but to no avail. When I felt myself slide under again and again, my heart raced to grasp something, anything to assist me in keeping my head above water.
Then, I felt it; the warmth of a hand wrapped around my wrists. I was free.
My mind was numb and my body exhausted from the endless shivering. Never had I felt so unremarkably cold. Coughing and choking, I was turned over on to my back. Feeling unconsciousness’ looming I gazed up at the unfamiliar face of the man who pulled me free of the water.
The sun was bright, casting a golden hue around him like an angel. His hair was pure white and hung loosely around his broad shoulders. His eyes were ice blue and sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. He wore leather on his chest and the arms of his white tunic were rolled up to the elbow.
He began to untie the laces of my tunic but I fumbled with his fingers in protest.
“Stop” I mumbled, trying to move his hands away. I shifted from him and attempted to rise but felt as if a weight had permanently taken residence upon my chest.
“I won’t hurt you,” His voice was deep, yet kind. His eyes met mine and I could see the sincerity in them. “You need to get warmed up, and fast.”
I stared up at him a moment then nodded my head. Moments later he had pulled my soaked tunic over my head, leaving only an undershirt.
I watched his face as his hands moved over me, his eyes never staring at my near nakedness. Then he too removed the second layer of clothing and tossed it aside.
I crossed my arms in front, trying to remain still as he turned and whistled. I squinted through the suns rays to see a massive black warhorse coming towards us.
He was the biggest horse I think I had ever seen and black as ebony. His mane was long and looked like silk, and an amusing contrast to his rider, was just as black as the rest of him.
The stranger stood and fumbled a moment with his saddle before returning to me with a blanket. He knelt down and with a charming smile, laid the blanket over me.
“That’s a beautiful horse,” I chattered
He looked at me and smiled, “Thank you. Don’t tell him that though, he has a big ego.”
I forced a smile, “An ego.” I stammered shivering under the warmth of the cover. “Like his rider, maybe.”
“Maybe, “He chuckled.
He continued to run his hands up and down my arms to create heat but still my teeth chattered. I closed eyes for a moment, feeling the heat of the sun on my face, and the tingle of my body as it slowly returned to normal. Sleep would have found me had it not been for the wailing cry of a familiar voice.
“Sorren,” Kala Screamed, “Oh God…Oh God…. She’s dead”
I opened my eyes and turned seeing her with our horses and gear in tow. She dropped the reins and stumbled awkwardly in the rocky terrain to reach me.
“Don’t touch her!!” Kala cried as she approached us. “Stop what your doing!”
“What I am doing is helping your friend,” The man said removing his hands from me.
“Step away,” She said again, “I am warning you!”
With a small smile the man back away from me. “As you wish my lady,” He said.
“Sorren,” She gasped falling at my side, “Oh Sorren! Are you hurt?”
“No,” I mumbled, “Just cold.”
“She is naked!” Kala snarled looking up at the man again.
“Not completely,” The man chuckled.
“Kala, it’s alright. He saved me.” I hated saying those words ‘he saved me’ but in this case, he actually had. “He hasn’t done anything worth killing him over,” I added tossing him a sideward glance.
I clutched the blanket around my self as rose to a seated position. I looked over at the man noticing then really how handsome he was.
His eyes, the color of the bluest sky, were so full of life and wisdom. They were big and bright, and in the sun tinkled and danced liked gems. The brow that arched above them was as white as snow, but if you looked close enough, a few dark ones could be spotted.
His lips were full and pink and his nose was perfectly shaped. When he smiled, it changed his appearance from a stern warrior to something softer; he had to have had the most amazing smile I had ever seen. Never had I seen it’s equal.
He had a small scar on his left cheek, but it was not noticeable unless the sunlight was in his face. Despite his hair color, his skin was darker shade, not pale, as one would have expected with someone with such fare hair. He was attractive and I could not help but want to look at him.
“Thank you,” I stammered finally, looking back at Kala so it didn’t appear as if I was staring.
“Your not going to go to far like that,” He said, “You’re still soaked and it’s going to get much colder in a few hours.
“We know how to make a fire!” Kala interjected.
He raised his brow at her then looked at me questioningly.
“She can be protective of me.” I said smiling.
“Your sister,” He asked.
“No,” I replied looking to Kala.
I didn’t know how to describe her. She wasn’t a blood relative as I was an only child as she was. Before we came together, we both were alone in this world. Kala was more than a sister, more than a friend. She was someone who had been my rock and my savior. I respected her more than anyone and felt a desire to protect her to the end.
I met Kala at Nydar Castle almost by accident. Her mother was the midwife who brought Jonathan and Falen into this world and it was her bravery and knowledge of herbs that helped me break free of Lord Jonathan imprisonment. That was two years ago and we had been together ever since, always watching out for each other for we know he hunts us both. “She is a friend,” I said finally, knowing how silly it sounded.
“Well, I would feel a lot better if you let me help you; just until I know you’re going to be all right,” The stranger said rising to his feet.
I looked at Kala and when she looked back I could see the tiredness in her face. She and I had been through hell and back again together. We had seen a lot and been through worse than this but it had worn on her and it showed on her brow. I would trust this man, not something I was not accustom doing to but would do, for now.
“How can we trust you not to rob us, or worse?” Kala said bluntly.
He looked back and stared at her for a moment, then smiled. “You are just going to have to. I mean you no harm.” He moved his horse further away from the water. “Besides, if I wanted something from you, I would have taken it already.”
Kala’s cheeks flushed with anger. It was clear the man intended to get her going and he fully succeeded. She huffed and looked back down to me.
“What a…”
“Never mind,” I interrupted, “He helped me, Kala, and I don’t think I would have made it out of the water otherwise.”
“I’m sorry, your right.” She sat down and placed her hand on my leg, “That scared me to death. Please stop doing that to me.”
I laughed, “I didn’t fall intentionally!”
I turned and watched the man returning to us. As he moved closer a snap in the bushes caught his attention. He halted in his tracks and pulled out a blade like I had never seen.
“What is it?” I asked watching him as his eyes watched the tree line
Then the brushes rustled again, and out jumped a doe. I bit my lip to prevent myself from laughing at his over eagerness. Within a moment of spotting us the doe retreated back into the trees choosing another place to take a drink.
“Well done, fearless knight!” I joked.
He smiled and shook his head. “Indeed.”
He walked up to me and knelt down. My long dark brown hair cascaded down my body, clinging to my skin. I was sure I looked a fright; mud covered and resembling a drown rat but he continued to stare.
“I will build a fire there,” He said pointing, “I have food and water, plenty of it. You can wear one of my dry tunics while your garments dry.”
“She has her own cloths!” Kala chided.
I looked at her annoyed, “I am not a mute Kala! I can speak!”
“Sorry.”
“Fine then,” He said gazing at her curiously before moving off in search of wood.
As he walked away I shouted, “What is your name fearless knight?”
He turned back to me and smiled, “Kayne!”