The Crimson Claymore

The Crimson Claymore: Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Searon sat at a fine dark-stained oak table in front of a board game. The sound of a rocking chair squeaking in the background echoed in his ears. Karceoles sat in the rocking chair, puffing on his pipe as he watched the two of them play Crossguards. Noraes lived in a stronghold just outside of the main city so that he wasn't bombarded by traffic. It was well protected, as he was the duke of the city, but his residence wasn't overwhelmingly large. After all, he was just a duke, not a prince or a king.

Searon observed the large castle behind brother's stronghold. The duke was to protect the king of the land, and so the stronghold was placed in front of the castle in order to protect it. There were a handful of other strongholds that defended against invasion as well as the overwhelming moat that surrounded the entire gray stone castle. Most of the strongholds were made of sturdy wood that made it hard to siege. Only the castle was made of thick stone with a drawbridge and moat surrounding it. It was the size of at least three of the strongholds that surrounded it.

Noraes's stronghold appeared to be the strongest and sturdiest compared to the other four, but it was still dull in comparison to the castle. A large wall was built around the perimeter of the stronghold, and it consisted of trees standing vertical, tied together with strong twine. Peasants and serfs maintained the grounds as well as a few servants of the king while Noraes kept to his duties from within. There were only a few bedrooms inside the structure that were designed primarily for guests of the house rather than serfs or servants. Searon stayed in one while Karceoles stayed in the other. Xython didn't wish to stay in a room under Noraes and instead chose to stay in the city at an inn.

Cinnamon and clove mixed together in an exotic aroma inside the small study as Searon moved an archer into position on the board. He gently puffed on his cedar pipe with the borrowed tobacco from Karceoles. Noraes didn't care for clove spice inside his own tobacco and rather preferred a strong unflavored blend to go with his coffee drink that brewed hot in a ceramic mug. Noraes claimed to have found the beans on his travels and took to grinding them down and brewing them with hot water, much like he'd do with tea. Searon noticed the flavor was much different than tea and a lot stronger. It seemed to bring awareness to him with each sip. The effect was reversed with Noraes, where it relaxed his normally hyper personality.

Searon didn't much care for the flavor of the black strong coffee and chose to add a small amount of milk and honey to it. It sweetened it slightly to make the taste not as strong, though the strong effect didn't seem to affect Noraes or Karceoles, who had also taken a liking to the brew. He lazily rolled the dice two times, winning each turn and in place defeating one of Noraes's pikesmen. His brother scowled as he removed the piece from the board before moving his last crossbowman in position against Searon's only swordsman. His roll failed against Searon's, and the swordsman lived.

"You two have been playing for neigh a week," Karceoles bickered.

"Do you wish to have my support or not, old man?" Noraes asked.

Karceoles shifted in the rocking chair and began puffing on his pipe once more.

Searon finished his second cup of coffee and pushed it away. Within minutes, a woman appeared to clear the mug. She wore a simple slate tunic with a purse at her belt. She had deep-black hair, coppery skin, and bright brown eyes. After curtseying to both Noraes and Searon, she made her way back to the hot coffee for a refill.

"No thank you," Searon said.

She turned back to look questionably at both Searon and her master as she froze in place.

"Tea, please, if you don't mind."

She nodded and began to set a kettle of water over the fire in the wood stove. Searon watched her carefully, admiring her hard work in cooking, cleaning, and other household chores she provided for his brother. She was the only one who had her own room in the stronghold, and for a long while Searon suspected both her and Noraes to be involved.