The Crimson Claymore

The Crimson Claymore: Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Searon and Starlyn were out of breath by the time they made it back to the camp. Both dripped in sweat and tears as they reached the wizard, nearly collapsing at his feet. They panted as they tried to catch their breath but were unable to overcome their exhaustion.

"Where are Andron and Phoenix?" Karceoles asked.

"Back...in...the village," Searon gasped. "They probably didn't survive."

"Draeyks?" Sh'on asked.

"Worse," Searon quivered, "The dead rise and attack."

"The dea—" Karceoles said.

"No time, hurry, everybody with us!" Searon barked.

He was near out of breath, but he knew that he dared not rest. If there were any chance to save Andron, he knew he had to act swiftly. Luckily, he found Stripes, who had galloped back on his own. He bounded onto his steed, with Starlyn at his back. She held on tight as he led the way back toward the village with the army at their heels.

When they arrived, the village seemed abandoned and appeared as if no battle had taken place. Searon slowly got off his stallion, with Starlyn behind, and they walked into the town with footsteps that echoed against the silent terrain. Karceoles walked up to them from behind with zylek in hand and looked from one to the other with squinted eyes.

"What exactly happened?" he asked.

"We ran into the captain, however, he seemed different. It appeared as if he was possessed, and he rushed to attack us. Dead bodies and skeletons began to rise and strike. We were already overwhelmed when the warlock used magic on a dead scorpion, bringing it to life to tower twelve spans over us."

"A warlock?" Karceoles asked.

"Yes, he held a metal zylek in his hand," Starlyn admitted.

"That was no warlock; a necromancer is the type of sorcerer that can command the living and the dead."

The warriors searched the village, but all the houses were empty. Phoenix's body was found lifeless, decapitated with his head not too far away, but Andron wasn't anywhere to be found. Starlyn's prized war hammer vanished, and none of the people, skeletons, or necromancer were to be found either.

"Andron was worried about you," Karceoles admitted, sitting down next to Searon and bringing out his pipe that he stuffed with an exotic weed. "He said he had a bad feeling about you two heading off alone, and he wanted to go into town to check it out." The wizard sighed. "I paid it no attention and told him he was welcome to go. Phoenix tagged along with him."

"It is not your fault; you couldn't have known. What he did saved our lives, and we are grateful. All there is to do now is honor his memory, both of their memories."

"A life-sized scorpion raised from the dead, you said?"

"Yes," Searon admitted. "One of the most terrifying things I've witnessed."

"That is new. I've never heard of a necromancer bringing forth a nacropis."

"Nacropis?" Searon shivered.

"Yes, at least that would be what I would call such a creature. This must be a powerful necromancer to conjure such a creature. I can only hope they don't decide to bring forth spiders next."

"Why is that?" Searon asked.

"I hate spiders, frightening creatures."

"A wizard, scared of a little spider?"