The Crimson Claymore

by Craig A. Price Jr.

  Starlyn turned her hammer around and used the spike instead to embed foe after foe of draeyks. Suddenly, all the attention of the dark force changed, and all leaped toward Starlyn, as if noticing that she was the leader of the company. Andron tried to fend them off but was quickly knocked to the ground with sword falling out of reach. Erenuyh as well had fallen, but neither the wolves nor draeyks paid him any heed. All set forth on Starlyn, and her defense was fading.

  Andron crawled for his sword, but a stern foot pressed against his back kept him in place. He fought against it as well as he could, but his body was too weak. Erenuyh had been struck several times in the back and legs until he dared not try and get up. Both watched with despair as Starlyn’s hammer was finally knocked from her hand.

  The wolves and draeyks stopped for only a second to celebrate their victory in triumph. It proved an ill second for them because as they did so a shadow passed over Starlyn in a great leap followed by three more. Draeyks fell to the shadows in quick order, but the wolves fought on. The creature that kept Andron down ran forward and quickly met his doom in a scream. Andron was weary now, but he had strength enough to crawl the rest of the way and grasp his sword.

  All around, it appeared wolves fought against a shadow with deep-yellow eyes and thick white claws. It was a masterful fight with strikes back and forth, but finally the wolves fell, and the shadows conquered all. One last shadow appeared that was taller than wide behind Starlyn as she picked up her hammer. She didn’t seem to see it, and neither did the friendly shadows that came to her aid. Andron sprinted forth, and in the last moment before an axe could cleave her head from her shoulders his sword pieced the heart of a draeyk that screamed into the night louder than any other. Instead of having a complete black lizard appearance, there seemed to be orange spots under its jaw and all the way down its abdomen, as well as horns above its snout and below its jaw. Most likely, the captain of these evil creatures, and it seemed to hide in the shadows when battle seemed lost, to commit one more ill deed. Andron’s blade left its chest, and the creature fell to the ground, unable to harm anyone anymore.

  Starlyn’s eyes grew wide, and she leaped forward to catch Andron’s weary body that nearly fell to the ground. She held him up and carried him with arm under his shoulder to set him down at the top of the hill. Erenuyh moaned, and she hastily helped him over next to Andron. She was tired, but there was energy still left within her.

  The shadows that came to her aid finally finished killing the remaining creatures. They seemed to nudge at bodies to ensure their demise before coming forth to Starlyn. Before her sat four black panthers that only now could they be seen through the darkness for what they were. She kissed her hand and pressed it to each of their noses, repeating, “Emknaht unildir.”

  Andron stumbled forth to stand behind Starlyn, and she turned to him with sorrow in her eyes. “You should rest, Andron.”

  “Yes I should, as should you. Yet I could not rest, not until I came to thank those who have come to save us.”

  He looked at the four panthers that stared at him with curiosity. Each yawned in turn and stretched out on the ground before purring. He took another step forward with hand held out.

  “May I?”

  Starlyn smiled. “Yes, you may.”

  He took another step forward and put his hand on the first panther’s ear, scratching it slightly. The animal at first stared at him in wonder for many long seconds, before tilting its head to embrace the affection. It purred fondly. He petted each in turn and finally spoke.

  “Thank you.”

  Each came to their feet and encircled him purring loudly and rubbing against him. He laughed and turned to Starlyn.

  “Do we dare rest? Are there more out there?”

  “We may rest for tonight, and tomorrow as well before we journey forth again. My friends here tell me there are no more for many leagues. Most of the path is clear to the cities unless something changes. Go, rest, I will find herbs to aid in healing. My friends here will stay with us through the night to watch while I find what we need to heal.”

  “Rest…good. I need a smoke.”

  Chapter 19

  The sun was setting beyond the western trees as they arrived at the tall gray stone gate of the first village. It appeared as if it was the only one to have such a gate, but it was to be expected since it was the closest one to the trees, and closest to possible attack. Nobody wandered outside except the two guards who held position as still as a statue. Both were clad in thick silver plate mail armor, square steel helms with wide visors for eyes, and an opening that traveled thinly down to the jaw so only an inch of the mouths could be seen.

  “Halt, who comes to Erdunadir, and what is your business here?”

  Searon faltered and looked at the wizard.

  “We come from the far city of Guerettos near the sea of the north. We travel this way, as it is the swiftest way without boarding ship, and we are passing through to the city of Legain for urgent family business.”

  The two guards looked at each other for a moment before nodding. “Very well, you may pass through, but if you cause any mischief, your weapons will be forfeited.”

  Searon nodded and urged his horse forward through the now-open gate. He stopped short and turned to the guards. “My throat is quite parched after such a long journey; tell me, if you may, where is a good tavern to wet my throat?”

  “The Dancing Donkey is a fine inn and pub three hundred paces in and on the east.”

  “Thank you kindly sir,” Searon nodded and flipped a gold coin in the air that the guard caught and nodded.

  Inside, the village was simple, and only a few traveled the streets. It was probably only those trying to make it back home for meals, or those who attempted to find pubs to eat and drink. The buildings were rustic stone of mostly gray and tan in various sizes throughout the streets. There were a lot of stands on the side of the streets, but not many were manned for selling goods and probably wouldn’t be until the morning arrived. Searon did have to shake his head at a few merchants that tried to sell him weapons or jewelry. Black smoke seemed to appear from every chimney that was a home rather than business, although a lot of businesses were breathing smoke as well because of the owners that probably lived somewhere inside.

  The night air grew cold around them, and Searon shivered slightly, hoping to find a warm tavern and inn soon. Now that they were so far south, the nights were brisk with chill indeed. After another few minutes of enjoying the homely scenery of the village; they arrived at a red sign with a white donkey standing on two legs and smoking a pipe. The Dancing Donkey Inn & Pub. Searon smiled and got off of Stripes, grabbing a small coin bag, to look inside. He petted his horse behind the ears before pushing the two wooden swinging doors in.

  Inside of the pub was loud and obnoxious as men hollered about, clapping their hands and stomping their feet to the beat of music. The floors were dark stained wood with only scarce stains from beer and ale, showing that it was well maintained. Nearly a dozen serving maids wearing red cloth dresses with white lace and lining patrolled the areas to bring new drinks and clean messes. Every now and then, one would jump after passing by a table of men due to a hard-pinched bottom. Some of them would glare back, but most continued on to their jobs.

  There was a large stage in the back where on the side of it was a band of four playing upbeat music. They had a fiddle, flute, saxophone, and clarinet. Each played in perfect harmony with each other, making such a song that made you want to tap your foot. On the center stage were two women scarcely clothed dancing exotically to the music. The brunette was wearing blue silk, and the blonde was wearing red. Everybody cheered for them while others made ill-mannered comments about what women that fine could do besides dance.

  A serving maid approached him and bowed slightly. “Welcome to the Dancing Donkey, would you care for an ale, or a bed?”

  She spoke loudly because of the constant cheering and music, yet she was still barely heard, and Searon s
tepped up closer to her. Her hair was auburn, and freckles stained her face with small lips and creased jaw. She wore a white baggy hat that complimented her dress’s white lining.

  “Yes. Actually, I have another with me; we have traveled far and have two horses outside. We would like a stable for them and a room to stay in tonight. But before we head to our room, we would like a table and whiskey.”

  She smiled. “I will take care of that for you.”

  Searon stepped outside, and she followed, still eyeing him and smiling. A blush appeared on her face as she saw him look back at her. He only scratched his head and felt at his beard that was well overgrown and now had begun to cover his cheeks and neck some with an incredible itch.

  She grabbed both reins and headed down an ally south of the pub. Searon nodded approvingly before stepping back inside with Karceoles trailing him. He walked to a table in the back corner where he sat down to watch the dancers. The tables surrounding them were empty or with only a few that did not outwardly yell or dance too much. Some far ahead were up and dancing, circling with each other arm in arm as they hollered.

  “You sure know how to pick the tavern,” Karceoles smiled.

  “It is a bit ill mannered, I’ll admit.”

  “Ill mannered? This place is marvelous. Those are two fine women, and can’t you just see the way they are eyeing me?”

  Searon rolled his eyes and leaned back stretching. He grabbed his pipe from his sash and began puffing on it slowly after Karceoles lit it for him. His foot began to tap to the music quietly though, and he smiled. The music was good.

  After scarcely ten more minutes of dancing, the music faded to a slower tune. The two dancers stopped to rest before walking to the tables to talk to the patrons, in effort to ensure a nice tip. The maid with auburn hair and loose hat approached the table and smiled.

  “You said you two would like a room?”

  “Two rooms, make them adjoining if you wish, yet I do not wish to sleep too close to this man, to ensure my good looks and charm don’t dwindle,” Karceoles said.

  She smiled and bowed as Searon dropped his head back to roll his eyes again.

  “You may stay in rooms sixteen and seventeen. What shall I get you two to drink?”

  “Whiskey…a tall whiskey and some food, if there is any left,” Searon said.

  She smiled and left the two to talk, yet talk they did not. Searon instead closed his eyes and leaned his head back. He was weary from the journey, but he wasn’t ready to sleep yet, not until whiskey could settle in his stomach. It was only a few minutes when a plate of steaming pork and potatoes reached him with his whiskey.

  “Thank you so much.”

  “If there is anything else you need...”

  “I won’t hesitate to ask,” he smiled.

  With that, she winked at him and was off again to greet guests.

  “Did you see that maid wink at me?” Karceoles asked.

  “Old fool, she was winking at me, not you.”

  “Whatever you wish to believe in to boost your confidence.”

  Searon laughed and ate every bite on his plate. It was hard to manage because of his scarce meals in the past weeks, but he accomplished it. His stomach began to growl at him in anger with how full it was, but he smiled and smoked his pipe to ease digestion. The soothing music was helping as well, and after a few more minutes he began drinking.

  The music was still light when the two dancers walked up to their table. Both smiled and looked from Searon to Karceoles.

  “You two seem like you have seen a long journey,” the brunette said.

  “Yes, we have. Too long,” Searon smiled.

  “It is but fate that we traveled so long and far to stumble into this place. Both of you are so skilled with graceful dance, and beautiful faces, that it puts our minds at ease after such long traveling. We may now rest easy this night knowing that we sleep in an inn where there are kheshlars or angels, for surely you must be one of the two because your beauty and grace surpasses all,” Karceoles said.

  Searon turned to glare hard at the wizard, but he seemed not to notice as his attention was turned toward the dancers with a courteous smile. There seemed to be an aura of charm about the wizard, and he seemed to glow. His face was stern and his smile genuine, but no wrinkles stained his face as Searon had thought did on the road. It was a clean face, still without beard or mustache, and it seemed to be mature, as if he knew more about the world than anyone.

  “You are too kind,” the blonde said, curtseying at her knees. “What is your name?”

  “I am Karceoles, and what are such fine women as you two called?”

  “I am Berethana, and this is Annettera. We are both pleased to meet you,” the blonde said.

  “My name is Searon,” he said, but neither seemed to notice him in the slightest.

  Both were blushing as they looked at Karceoles with large smiles on their faces. Searon shook his head and took another long drink of his whiskey.

  “Perhaps we’ll see each other again,” Annettera said shyly.

  “I count on it.”

  The two women giggled and walked off, with glances over their shoulders at him, and holding hands to whisper in each other’s ear.

  “That’s it, I’m ready for bed,” croaked Searon as he finished his whiskey.

  “So soon? I believe Berethana and Annettera are going to sing next.”

  “I’ll pass this time, be sure to tell me how they do, as I’m sure you will anyway.”

  With that, Searon rose from his seat and stumbled past the bar to the stairs on the south side of the tavern. He held the rail carefully as he made his way up, and he walked down the hall, searching for his room with heavy eyes. Finally, when he found room sixteen he opened it up and crashed headfirst on the bed without bothering to remove his chain mail.

  Chapter 20

  Starlyn awoke in the morning to smoke coming from Andron’s pipe. She yawned and noticed the sun not yet rising to the east. Andron kept the bandage made from Starlyn’s torn cotton shirt secured on his pinky. She had brought the clothing to change into while in towns and cities so she wouldn’t have to always wear armor. It seemed that fancy had gone and passed after the attack the night before. Andron seemed to barely notice his half-bitten off pinky as he smoked his pipe. Though Starlyn assumed the pipe weed took some of the edge off.

  The four panthers were gone to hide during the day, and she got up to sit next to Andron. They were between two small hills at the bottom, so rest would come easy leaning back against the slope. He smiled at her as she sat down, and she returned the smile. Erenuyh was still asleep with a fever that was beginning to break. He clutched at his left hand with his right, feeling his index finger and thumb, which were the only two fingers left on his left hand. Starlyn had wrapped the hand tightly to prevent any more blood loss, but she knew that the kheshlar would not be comforted without his fingers. She also knew that despite how weak the fever and loss of blood made him, he was a kheshlar, and would not let any weakness show.

  She was uneasy about being in the open without the cover of trees. All kheshlars stayed in cities in the forest and seldom traveled outside of the wilderness. Yet among her race she was considered the most adventurous. She never imagined herself to one day journey so far but since her sister has been gone many things had happened. Andron seemed to be studying her, and she turned to him with suspicion in her eyes. He wasn’t like most men, or at least men of the kheshlars, that stared at her body with eyes barely straying from her bosom. Andron seemed captivated by that as well, but he was inspecting her entire body from head to toe as if trying to study her as a person. When she thought about it, she realized he always seemed to do it when looking at her.

  She pulled her hammer from her belt and studied it carefully, grazing her hands across the handle up to the golden steel neck to the large face. The face of the hammer was as large as her palm and deadly to the strike. It had been her weapon for many years and was dear to her. The han
dle was long and crafted of beautiful oak with carved designs. At the neck, it transformed from a large hammer to a sharp thick spike a long span with a sharp point. She sighed heavily and turned back to Andron to see him still staring at her.

  “Must you always stare?”

  “I’m sorry…I don’t think I can help it sometimes.”

  He turned away shyly and began to play with the rocks by his feet.

  “What is it about me that intrigues you?”

  She wasn’t accustomed to someone so content to study her. Most of the time in the kheshlarn capital of Sudegam, the male kheshlars studied her, but their eyes didn’t stray too far away from her bosom. This human in front of her, while his eyes did stray there from time to time, were content with studying her movements, face, hair, and anything else about her. She never felt she had much to offer besides a pleasant body for male kheshlars to look at. After all, her body was a bit more complementary in areas than most of the female kheshlars. Still, most of them found her as flawed, with too high of an ambition for adventure, or too high of a temper. Also, her mind wandered too much about other parts of the land that didn’t concern the kheshlars.

  “Everything really. The kheshlars are so mysterious to me. Your beauty, I’ve never seen anything like it. Most humans’ beauty is like a flawed gem, where so much is so beautiful, but there are a few imperfections that make them who they are. Yet with you, you are a perfect gem, flawless in every way.”

  Starlyn blushed and turned her head away. She had never heard such words from anyone. “I have many flaws.”

  “Not that I can tell.”

  She smiled. “If you have any questions, ask.”

  “Is the armor you wear custom made for you?”

  She wasn’t wearing her helmet, so her beautiful blonde hair was exposed but tied behind her back, with the exception of a few long strands that fell forward onto her bosom. Above electric silvery eyes on her forehead was a gold circlet that hung low in the middle, falling down toward the center of her thin eyebrows. Her upper body was covered in midnight-blue-silver chain mail with gold lining. Plates of gold covered her upper and lower arms over the chain mail but left her hands bare. Her shoulders had thin gold pads atop them outlined in blue steel. Two beige plates covered her bosom with swirls of gold on each to hide what the nearly see-through chain mail would not. Her chain mail below the plates extended outward nearly a span with cleavage. Two small thin plates covered the sides of her stomach appeared as if two mouths were to eat her exposed bellybutton through the see-through chain mail. Her belt was in a tilted v shape where her hammer was clasped securely. Past her waist, she wore a brown metal skirt clad with blue and gold armor draped down in patterns that enabled her to move freely. Only part of her thighs were visible before her blue and gold steel boots began at the knee.