"You saved my life," Searon said.
Andron only nodded and closed his eyes, his head falling down limply. Karceoles turned to Elsargast, staring deep into his silver eyes, causing a look so intimidating that even the king seemed to shrink at the glare.
"This man needs medical help, now!" the wizard shouted.
Elsargast turned to Anaela, who had remained still with eyes wide. Her eyes bulged, and she looked around to each person surrounding her, and each in turned looked to her. She flinched and burned red but looked around, unsure what to do.
"I will need help for this,” she informed the group.
Without another word, she sprinted off into the city. Everyone remained still as they watched her leave. Once she disappeared from view, they all turned to Elsargast.
The king sighed. "Bring him into medical."
Karceoles nodded his thanks and turned to run toward the kheshlarn infirmary, with Searon chasing close beside him. Elsargast followed with Vil'ek at his side, and both held hands gently on their hilts.
Once they were inside the white room, Karceoles gently laid Andron on the bed. The former white sheet stained scarlet in mere minutes as they removed his armor. Everyone tried their best to contain his wounds, but it seemed ineffective. Searon held onto Andron's hand tightly in comfort and to feel his pulse.
"What happened here?" Elsargast asked.
"I found him in the forest, struggling to get here to us," Karceoles said.
"And you know him?" Vil'ek asked.
"He was our captain; he sacrificed himself to save me," Searon confessed.
"I see. Well, we will do our best with him," Elsargast said.
The door sprang open, Anaela and Aliuqa rushed in, holding bottles of elixirs and herbs. Aliuqa wore a dark-purple dress down to her toes crested in blue sapphires, and her hair fell down in waves and shone darker than ever before. They arranged a table and gently set everything down on it before inspecting the injured warrior.
Weapon marks from axes and machetes were the least of Andron's worries; bite marks and claw marks also covered the human's body. Anaela and Aliuqa began mixing colorful liquids with herbs to spread across the wounds. Andron cringed with pain, clenching his fists as he grunted, but he dared not move as they cared for him. Sh'on and Karceoles lent what little healing aid they knew through magic, but the rest was left for Anaela.
"We need to have a council meeting, Elsargast," Karceoles said.
"No, we don't; nothing has changed," Elsargast said.
Andron stirred in the bed, mouth opening as if ready to speak, but gave up and rolled his head to the side. Anaela rushed to him and gently put a pillow under his head so he could see everybody.
"It's going to take him a while to recover; he is in bad shape," Aliuqa announced.
"Not...soon enough," Andron choked.
"What is it, my friend?" Searon asked.
"They are coming,” he said.
Karceoles took a step back and stared at Elsargast. There was no objection the king could make now. He clutched his green cape as he stormed out the room with Vil'ek at his side. Everybody watched him leave until the door closed shut, and an eerie silence lingered in the thick air.
"They are coming…" Andron whispered one last time as his eyes closed and he fell into a deep sleep.
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Acknowledgments
There are a lot of people I am thankful for as I begin my journey as a writer. The first person I want to thank is my Aunt Ann Kriss. Without her constant belief that I can make it as a writer, her kindness, and her donation, I would have never been able to get all of this done. I am very grateful and thankful to have her support. My wife, Amanda, for being so supportive of me and being with me every step of the way. My mom, for always believing in me and for showing me what it means to love and never give up on my dreams. My son, for being my inspiration. All of my followers on Wattpad, for all the wonderful comments and critiques that have made me a better writer.
A special thank you to Kyle Bradford for letting me use his character name “Ehterond.” Phil, for the use of his character name Zergiel. Shawn Williams, for being an inspiration for the sarcastic humor, and for coming up with the full name for the character based on your name, Sh’on, or Shronan Onderson. Thanks to Ben Worcester for helping coming up with the name keshlar/kheshlar, and thanks to my fans on wattpad for deciding they liked kheshlar best.
My son insists that our cat, Tiger, is a large inspiration as well. I would like to thank Jason Whited whose wonderful edits made this novel come together. I would also like to thank Treasure Scarbrough for creating this wonderful cover for me. I want to thank Joyce Scarbrough for all of her help with my print edition.
I would also like to thank my followers on Wattpad; a few in particular have been very supportive: Emily Klimczynski, Carl Alvey, and Lilia Loewenberg. And to the following Wattpad users who left wonderful comments on my novel: @roostergirl56 @AaronMeadows4 @redbirds96 @JanetBates @kirley3656 @sueqqqq @FranklinCherry @JedMolyneux3 @UwannaVaughn63 @TerryKenny @mankloy @borjieporgy @Sean68 @SandraEjeh-Eze @graverage1973 @JeffreyThomas0 @RaymondCarles @bildek @rougue434 @RichardIJenkinsSr @kanha001 @KenRider @AzieSyafiqDayyana @Dulceblue @KyleMichaelBradberry @ShaneHussey @mousa2828 @GrEysQueling @Giddeon510 @omniaetnihil @Nachosoflife @JohnMcBride4 @MebiusBrave @MebiusBrave @AmyPoppe @NicholasJones932 @LawrenceDavids @Hierophant18 @FatherofFour @stochx @Starlynpearl @spider881424 @alisa3232 @racjuly @MartyOneill @JoshuaMichaelMiller @AweleUtomi @Alantson @PietPompies @amswarriors88 @reddragon16091972 @MatthewHaslund @Bullwhip4 @ray321 @ChrisDavis6 @djhan1992 @manocha @JackanorySMurphyy @arunmechie @richjoycelyn @Otterblue @Evalau @leavesrloony @MemantotAlcazar @EmilyAlyssa17 @Archangel_Azriel @josephmpaterson @mla031 @guambum @cjo1964 @JardeRiccardoRiekert @lucario912742 @kesstra @glittleman @raymack70 @spider881424 @Coastal @mathif @AmpieRomero @JoseAlfredoArteagaSo @LoraGomez @darksythe @redbirds96 @baker75 @iloveoreos101 @JosephLeblanc @AndrewWhite065 @Frankylopez @alancnelson @pitboss1600 @Rich1986 @Captshan @JosephFloydCarrier @JasmyneSpearson @PatrickSar
il @ovelikon @Nomad_03 @Alzo77 @Floyd_Chaffee @NormanMcNeese @BobNovak @Gangerdr @HansFransen1 @WinkerRrague @Nick2803 @ferdy0 @BornToRoam @bosvold @5ParkerY5 @BinaryWarden @BethLowe @ShannonMarino @viba2311 @Hayesbo @RobertPatrickTacker @ShannonBergamin @Zipper_Head @TimMcFarlane @LawrenceDavids @DilanRees @janetgarza86 @SissaRomanova @BlakePatnoe @VictoriaRBock @bibliophile3 @FranklinCherry @E0347050 @renethuh @penric55 @bosvold @NancyParsons2 @Valkrye @AwesomeSophie @JoelKJannenga @kanha001 @tripitaka33 @SusanTester @Dulceblue @carolyndymit @LJACOB2 @mrsward1983 @MattKemper5 @KealebogaBogopane @ClaudiaInTheClouds @deanmceachern984 @AgnesdeOcampo @fernandojadormeo @doumams67 @bookaholic71 @shad0021 @eddie21 @gravestone12 @beastman6 @Sulay12 @AubreyMarie @clevelandclunie3 @MihirGonsai @Scottry49 @tracyscole @Ezio21
Without all of them, this story would not have been possible. Lastly, I would like to thank all of you that have read this book. I hope you will continue to follow my work in the future.
Characters
(In Order of Appearance)
Searon:
Human - 37 years of Age
Birthplace: Legain
Appearance: Shoulder length wavy dark brown hair, thin side-burn going to beard and mustache, green eyes, and clef chin. Wears red stained metal with gold lining.
Weapon: A large Claymore sword that glows slightly crimson as he wields it.
Charlotte:
Human - 13 years of age
Appearance: Medium blond hair and blue eyes.
Karceoles:
Wizard – 937 years of age
Birthplace: Unknown
Appearance: Salt and pepper hair down past his shoulders in a tangled mess. Clean shaved. Wears orange robes that are so dirty and faded that they appear brown. Carries around a zylek for a weapon to help aid in channeling magic.
Starlyn:
Kheshlar - 320 years of age
Birthplace: Sudegam
Appearance: Bright Blond hair, electric gray-blue eyes, thin eyebrows, cunning smile especially when the stars are about. Pointed chin and high cheek bones with the fullest bosom of all the kheshlars. She wears midnight blue chainmail under golden bronze and blue hued plate mail.
Weapon: Large steel hammer with spike on backside.
Victoria:
Human - 28 years at death
Birthplace: Tiermera
Appearance: Straight glossy brunette hair just below her shoulders. Firm lips with bottom lip twice the size as her top and swirling chocolate eyes.
Kellen:
Human – 10 at death
Appearance: Shaggy brown hair, son of Searon.
Arria:
Undead kheshlar - 420 years of age
Birthplace: Sudegam
Appearance: Long pearl white hair in waves that flows past her buttocks, dark black eyes, medium white eyebrows. A sinister smile when she is amused. Her bosom is also fuller than most of the kheshlars, yet not as full as Starlyn's. Tight black plate mail on top with silver and black leggings on her thighs. Her boots are tall past her knees with three spikes like daggers extruding from both boots.
Weapon: A long Flamberge with black hilt and gems.
Andron:
Human - 26 years of age
Birthplace: Guerettos
Appearance: Long straight black hair, pointed jaw, clean cut face, slanted nose. Leather armor.
Weapon: sword with diamonds encrusted.
Vaelmirr:
Kheshlar – 420 years old
Birthplace: Sudegam
Appearance: Shining silver hair, gray eyes,
Info: Leader of the high kheshlars in the hidden cities outside of Sudegam.
Erenuyh:
Kheshlar - 220 years of age
Birthplace: Sudegam
Appearance: Redheaded with high cheek bones and few freckles.
Weapon: Kheshlarn Bow
Ketharine:
Human - 26
Appearance: Fiery hair and freckles, kind and gentle, yet fiery temper. Andron's wife.
Weapon: Temper.
Kierra:
Human – 9
Appearance: Fiery red hair and freckles. Andron’s daughter.
Adreamera:
Human – 5
Appearance: Long black hair, freckles. Andron’s daughter.
Aneldon:
Human – 1
Appearance: baby with few red hairs.
Berethana:
Human - 23
Appearance: A blond dancer from the dancing donkey. Holds the seed of fire.
Annettera:
Human - 22
Appearance: A brunette dancer from the dancing donkey.
Xython:
Human - 35 years of age
Birthplace - Legain
Appearance: Ebony Skinned, Thick black beard, double wide appearance with broad shoulders and large belly. Thick and big boned, full of hearty muscle. Bushy Eyebrows, and a faint scar from his left eye to his jaw. Purple glinted Scale mail.
Weapon: Ball spiked Mace.
Taasheka:
Human - 22
Appearance: Ebony skinned, long black hair. Xython's sister. Small rounded nose, large lips, piercing brown eyes.
Shronan Onderon (Sh’on):
Mage - age unknown
Appearance: Long straight blond hair, green eyes, green robes, dark green magic.
Weapon: Molecule based magic
Brexhar:
Human – 22
Appearance: White hair, silver eyes. Guard at Legain.
Noraes:
Human - 30 years of age
Appearance: Dirty blond hair, bushy eyebrows, extremely long eyelashes, large mole on his forehead above his left eye as a birthmark. Has blue and silver plate mail.
Weapon: Silver hilted Rapier. As well as learned magic he can cast from his left hand.
Etherond:
Human - 38 years of age
Appearance: Bronze hair and gray eyes. His jaw long and pointed as well as his nose, and a half moon scar above his right eye. His eyes are slanted with long eyelashes.
Weapon: Broadsword
Sophie:
Human – 19
Appearance: black hair, coppery skin, and bright brown eyes. Maid to Noraes.
Phoenix:
Human – 26
Appearance: Bronze chainmail, short red hair.
Weapon: Long Sword
Dennark:
Human – 41
Appearance: Gold Hair, beady eyes.
Weapon: Staff with small spiked flail balls on each side.
Mattenyi:
Human – 50
Appearance: Thick orange and white beard.
Weapon: Axe
Extodus:
Human – 57
Appearance: Gray hair and beard.
Weapon: Flail.
Leinard:
Human – 46
Appearance: Green, black, and white kilt.
Weapon: Broadsword.
Drahcirch:
Human – 39
Apearance: Medium chestnut hair. Red, black, and white plaid kilt.
Weapon: Axe
Nhorjah:
Human – 37
Appearance: Black hair & beard.
Weapon: Pike.
Richard:
Human – 28
Appearance: Spiked blond hair with a large gold hoop earring. Captain of Augealia.
Weapon: Sword
Vil’ek:
Kheshlar - 420 years of age
Appearance: Long black hair, muscular shoulders. Was once the lover of Arria before she became an undead kheshlar. He is the right hand of the kheshlarn king.
Weapon: Two long curved daggers.
Elsargast:
Kheshlar – age unknown
Birthplace: Unknown
Appearance: Straight blond hair to shoulders with silver locks blending in. He is the king of Sudegam.
Anaela:
Wood Kheshlar - 320 years of age
Appearance: Long straight dark brunette hair, deep green eyes, dar
k green and silver armor over chainmail.
Weapon: Kheshlarn longbow sung from the trees.
Aliuqa:
High Kheshlar - 520 years of age
Appearance: Chocolate skinned, brown eyes, and straight black hair to her shoulders with long eyelashes.
Weapon: Two long double bladed daggers, and brown magic.
Races:
Wizards:
Wizards appear like men but as they have been around for so long, most wear robes instead of armor and have long black to gray hair if not white. They must channel their power through a device such as a staff or zylek in order to control it. The magical ability they are born with, yet with so much power inside of them they are dangerous if they cannot tame it.
Mages:
Unlike wizards, spellcasting to become a Mage can be learned. Most are born with a small spark and can learn to define and tune it. Yet their power is so far less than the wizards that they need no device to channel the energy, and can instead shoot straight from their hands.
Warlocks:
Warlocks are wizards or mages that turn to dark magic with a selfish desire of power. Even without the strength of a wizard before turning, they can become powerful warlocks because dark magic is stronger, but it comes with a price.
Necromancer:
Necromancers are magic users that study specifically in raising the dead. Most of them tend to lean toward dark magic, but there have been cases of “good” necromancers.
High Kheshlars:
The Crimson Claymore Page 36