The Crimson Claymore

The Crimson Claymore: Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Searon stood against the breeze at the gate facing the wilderness beyond Legain. He gave half of his army back to his brother as well as a quarter of the north men to help defend. His own force would be a lot smaller than before and would be forced to make swifter strikes. It wasn't what Searon wanted, but he also didn't wish to leave his brother as defenseless as before.

He embraced Noraes in a half hug with a partial smile. As Noraes hugged him back, he slipped something into Searon's sash. Noraes did it in such a way that nobody surrounding them noticed the motion except for Searon. He shook his brother's hand before peering into his sash to find a single white rose.

"Give that to her for me," Noraes whispered.

"I will," Searon smiled.

"I will miss you, Brother. It has been too long, and yet our ways must part. We both live such different lives, and must go down such different paths."

"Take care."

Searon turned and mounted his stallion before galloping to the head of the army. Starlyn and Karceoles awaited him there along with a protection of guards. He edged close to the kheshlar and kept his hands from view by his guards or the wizard. After one hard look toward the wizard, Karceoles swiftly avoided his eyes and turned his horse away. Searon pulled out the single white rose and handed it to Starlyn. She looked around quickly to make sure nobody was watching as she snatched the beautiful flower from his hand and smelled it before tucking it into her breastplate. Her gaze strayed away from Searon to look back toward the city where she most likely searched for one last glance of Noraes.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Searon nodded and led his stallion forward, motioning his army to follow. The journey ahead of them was to be long, and he scarcely planned to stop any place for too long. All the men were ready for another long journey with thick blood pumping for another taste of battle. They did not complain, as they traveled with scarce breaks, but continued on for duty.

After a fortnight, they left the southern cities for the wilderness to the north. Searon varied from his original course to the west where he knew of a small village he had visited in the past. It seemed like such a long time ago that he traveled to the village of Augealia, and yet the memory was a fond one. He had been there long before he had followers, back when it was only him searching for stray draeyks to slaughter. After Augealia was when he had met the wandering wizard.

He hoped by coming to the old village he could discover if there were any draeyks nearby. After all, he had done them a favor the last time by destroying the savage beasts that attacked the village. Searon didn't wish to bring the entire army into the small town. He knew there wouldn't be enough provisions, and it might frighten the townsfolk. Instead, he pulled aside Starlyn and Sh'on.

As they walked from the camp and onto the worn road surrounded by farms, Searon noticed that not as many farmers were out and about. The farms on the sides were bare, and he only noticed two farmers that were in the gardens. Both of them looked drained of life and barely moved their shovels.

When Searon reached the gates, he noticed that there were no guards outside and the doors were shut tight. He tried to pry them open, but they were shut solid and nothing he could do would make the gate budge.

"A little help, mage?" Searon asked.

Sh'on smiled and raised a hand that glowed green, and soft sparkling left his palm that blanketed the gate. In one fluid motion, the large doors snapped open a crack. The three of them had to use their strength to pull one door far enough to slip in.