The Crimson Claymore

The Crimson Claymore: Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Searon sat at the crowded oval table, staring across to look at Noraes and Starlyn as they conversed with each other. He found it odd how quickly the two seemed to form a bond. His brother had always been quick to sway a woman in his direction that he had interest for, and yet it still surprised Searon that a kheshlar could be affected so. It was the kheshlars that were supposed to be the fair folk that all others toppled over themselves to please. Instead, it was Starlyn that seemed to blush with embarrassing smiles at his brother's remarks.

Surrounding them were the primary captains of the battle scattered about feeding themselves thick slices of ham and mashed potatoes. Andron sat next to Etherond and talked about the creator while Sh'on and Karceoles spoke about magic on the other end. Karceoles only had a plateful of bacon and a jar full of peanut spread with a wooden spoon.

Starlyn seemed uneasy to be so close to the thick smell of meat, and yet it didn't seem to bother her as much as she sat in Noraes's company. Noraes didn't have any meat on his plate in respect and only ate the bread, corn, and potatoes as she did. Searon hadn't told him that kheshlars didn't eat meat, although the folklore about the species stated it bluntly enough.

Most of the rest of the army was out in the streets in Legain, opening barrels of whiskey and ale to celebrate. Searon only hoped that their celebration wouldn't be too hard in case there was trouble throughout the night. They had won the battle, but the war was far from being over. All of the human captains seemed content with talking about the war and different battle tactics they could use to destroy the savage beasts of the land. Searon lost focus and began eating. Nobody seemed to talk to him, and he didn't much care for trying to talk to anybody. The only thing on his mind was food. He did begin tuning into his brother and Starlyn.

"Are all the kheshlars as beautiful as you?" Noraes asked.

"All kheshlars are a distinguished race of beauty," Starlyn responded, yet she couldn't help but to smile as she did.

"Still, I doubt any compare to you," he smiled with his eyes fixated on hers.

"How would you know, have you ever met a kheshlar?" Starlyn asked. "You'll just have to find out for yourself."

"In fact, I have met a kheshlar, several of them, truth be told. Yet that is another story from a faraway land. I have not met any of your kin, and perhaps one day I will. For now though, my responsibilities of this city keep me here."

Searon scowled at that as he lifted his glass of red wine and drank a mouthful. His brother never told him that he'd seen kheshlars before. He began to wonder what all his brother had been up to in the past few years.

"Can all kheshlars fight as well as you can?" Noraes asked.

"Most," Starlyn confessed as she nibbled on a piece of bread.

Everything became a blur to Searon as he unfocused his attention from reality and let his mind consume him. Memories of his son and wife flooded into his mind like a downpour. Nothing around him seemed to matter at he focused on her face. He missed her so much, and some days were harder than others. When he fought, he was able to release his emotions once more as his blade slashed into the air and through bodies. It was his release of anger and frustration of his loss that kept him close to sane.

Forty-two months and eight days had passed since the slaughter at his home. He still didn't know how the number stayed in his head. Somehow, he just knew, and that was the fact that scared him. No matter how much he could accomplish during the day and no matter how many of the creatures he slaughtered, he still could not forget exactly how long ago it was that he lost his family. That at its core was what tore him up inside. He thought if he could at least forget the number, the internal clock that continued to tick with each passing second, that he might be able to cope and move on. However, something in his mind wouldn't allow him to do so.

He got to his feet, stumbling as if he was drunk, and yet it was only a bottle of wine that he drank. Everything swirled in colors around him as he wearily walked from his brother's keep. People stared at him uneasily, and yet he did not seem to notice. Nothing mattered in his mind, nothing except for fresh air. He couldn't breathe as the memories haunted him. His face turned red with the shortage of breath, and he stumbled from the room and into the brisk cool night air.

The stars were especially bright that night. They always seemed so every time Starlyn was in a bright mood. He wondered if there was any significance to that aspect and her namesake. Nobody seemed to be outside in the streets, and he wandered aimlessly until tripping over something and crashing to the ground. His stomach twisted as he released its contents. Everything he had eaten was now before him in a steamy pile that gave off an ill scent. He heaved two more times before crawling forward and resting his back against a short wall of stone brick.

Noraes walked up and stopped a span from Searon to stare in disgust. He walked around the bloody vomit until he sat down next to his brother. His hand clasped Searon's back before he sighed.

"Is everything all right, Brother?" Noraes asked.

Searon coughed, "The memories...the nightmares came back. As they often do."

"It is a terrible thing that you have gone through. I wish there were words I could use to ease your mind. All I can say is give it time. How much, I do not know. Yet I think this war will help you find the peace that you so desperately seek."

"All I want is this war to be over; it grows tiring," Searon confided, clasping his face in his hands and running them through his thick hair.

"I thought there was to be no rest for you until every last draeyk had been stricken down."

"I still plan on it, yet I haven't rested in so very long. I miss my peace, my family, but I will never have that again. What happens when this war is over? If I'm still alive after we've hunted down every last creature to see their dying breath? What am I to do then? Right now, this rage inside of me is the only thing that keeps me going. Without it, I would be consumed by the nightmares, curled up into a little ball, clutching at myself and never wanting to move. Will that be what I turn into once I'm done with this? Will all my energy be vanquished when I'm through? What could I possibly turn to in order to be all right?"

"I will always be here for you, Brother. When you're done...come home. There will always be a place for you here. You have taken care of me for so long, don't you think for a minute that I'm not here to help take care of you when you're going through rough times," Noraes said, squeezing his brother's shoulder. "You know," Noraes sighed, "when you left, I envied you for the longest time."

"You envied me?" Searon asked.

"I saw how happy you were with Victoria, the joy that she brought into your stone heart. I envied the love that you two shared together. I've never thought I would be able to find such a thing, such passion."

"There is someone out there for you, and one day, you will meet her."

"I hope so, Brother," Noraes said, "I grow tired of being alone. I think I'm about ready to find myself a wife and start a family."

"That is something I never thought I'd hear you say," Searon laughed.

"I never thought I'd say it either."

Searon got to his feet and stretched out his arms. Noraes followed his example, and they both stood there for a moment in silence. Finally, Searon stepped forward and grabbed his brother in his right arm and brought him in for a hug.

"Thank you for being here for me," Searon said.

"Come, Brother, it's time for us to get some rest." Noraes smiled.