The Crimson Claymore (46 page)

"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:
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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.