Chapter 46

Birds chirped in a chorus with each other, awaking Searon in the morning. He lay on a couch with his eyes opened as he took in the melody of the various birds outside. They were soothing to him as he struggled to his feet. He could not remember a more peaceful night of rest. The wine had really relaxed him, and he was thankful. The sun shone brightly through the cabin, and he wondered what time it was. It appeared nearly midday, and he couldn't remember the last time he slept so late.

He walked around wondering where Starlyn got off to. She was nowhere in the main room of the cabin or outside. Cupboards were partly open throughout as if she left in a hurry. He went to the back room and knocked gently, feeling the hardened wood under his knuckles. Everything was quiet, and after a moment he tried knocking again before giving up and stalking back to the front room. He took a deep breath, inhaling pine that soothed his nose and throat. The cabin smelled like it was still fresh, and even although pine always held a fresh smell compared to other woods, he wondered if her cabin was alive and still growing. He shook the thought from his head and grabbed his claymore as he paced out the cabin.

Something unsettling rolled inside of his belly as he left. He couldn't think of any reason for her departure without telling him, and he began to worry about her whereabouts. She drank as well, so her tolerance of the dream wine must have been much higher than his own because it put him right to sleep. He stopped in his tracks as he realized he hadn't had any dreams of Victoria or his son. It was one of the few times he hadn't had nightmares of the draeyks' attack. Shivers traveled down him as he looked around.

He stood inside Sudegam on a gloomy day; the sun hid behind luscious white clouds in an overcast sky. Wind gusted across his face, giving him chills, and he continued walking into the city.

Searon stopped when he found a shop called Herbal Enchantments and decided to go inside for a look. Outside, a pile of gray stones stacked tightly together to make an oval building. At the door, a rectangle of real grass grew while all around it was dirt. Searon wiped his feet on it and opened the door.

Inside, shelves were everywhere with herbs and flowers of every color. They ranged from green to red to blue to white to yellow. Each had labels and was categorized as either seasonings, medicinal, conditioning, or essence.

"May I help you?" a tender voice asked.

Searon turned to stare at the counter where he saw the strangest kheshlar he'd ever laid eyes on. Her appearance differed completely from any other kheshlar. Her skin didn't match the pale blue of the kheshlars, or even pale green of Anaela, but instead was dark milk chocolate. At first, he wasn't sure if she even was a kheshlar until he noticed her silver eyebrows that didn't seem to match her shoulder-length ebony hair. She smiled, showing her beautiful white teeth that nearly blinded him.

He walked over to the counter and put his hand out. "My name is Searon."

"I know, you are well known, even for us kheshlars. My name is Aliuqa. Is there anything you are looking for?"

"I am just looking. I have never been in a shop like this before," Searon admitted.

"Ah, well, there are some herbs that may be useful to you on your journey; follow me."

She walked into a back room through a maroon sheet that hung on the wall. Searon followed, and she pulled the sheet out of the way for him to step inside. The silk brushed across his arm and gave him shivers as he entered.

Inside were no windows, but the entire room was lit by candlelight. Lavender candles filled the shelves at every corner and let out a flowery scent. The aromas of the candles and all the herbs were causing Searon lightheadedness. Most of the smells were lovely separately, but as they blended together it caused him dizziness.

Aliuqa stopped at the last shelf where four small containers sat with different herbs. Each was in a glass container, making them clearly defined. She handed them to Searon, where he inspected each one in turn.

"What are these used for?" he asked.

"The green leaf is called ammoresh. Mix it with water and crush to lightly slather over external wounds. The red is snaothoeth. Mix it with wine and feed to somebody for healing internal wounds. The blue is enneth. Mix with pipe tobacco to prevent fatigue before a battle. Last, the purple is called camorea. Mix a small amount with pipe tobacco to relax you after a battle and numb you from injuries. The kheshlars often use this for celebrations."

"I believe my friend Andron had some of that, although it wasn't as deep purple as yours."

"It isn't as strong either. His he could smoke by itself. However, this I suggest a small amount with your regular tobacco. These are all helpful; however, don't abuse them."

"Thank you, but how much will this cost?"

"Do not worry about payment, I owe Starlyn, and she wouldn't want you to pay."

"Well, thank you again." He looked one last time into her beautiful silver-hazel eyes beneath long black lashes before leaving the store.

Searon continued walking through the city until he came across a sparring field. He was entranced by the beauty and grace that the kheshlars fought with. Each strike resembled art rather than a calculated attack. Beyond those sparring were a few kheshlars that practiced archery from a small hill. He walked through the trails that zigzagged through the field so he could observe the kheshlars as they practiced.

When he came to the archery field, he noticed a kheshlar farther away from the others, bow held high as the wind rustled through her brunette hair. It appeared as if she wanted to be alone and away from the rest while shooting her arrows at a lone target. The kheshlar appeared as if she and the bow were one as she withdrew an arrow with more speed than the others. She held it and sucked in a breath as she grazed her thumb against the white owl feather. Her bow was crafted from cherry wood with designs that were so different than the other kheshlars. The arrow's shaft appeared to be made of hickory, and the tip sparkled in the sun, making Searon think it wasn't stone or steel.

She paused and took the arrow from her bow. Instead, she switched it with another that had a steel tip. At incredible speed, she drew her bow and released. Searon watched as it flew through the air at unbelievable speed. Her accuracy surpassed the other kheshlars; at even a hundred paces her arrow struck in the dead center of her target.

Searon smiled as he walked toward her. He studied her armor and admired its uniqueness and pattern. Chain mail covered her from shoulders to toes skintight; two-piece forest-green plate mail covered her chest and waist in a undergarment fashion. The edges of the armor were silver along with a few matching swirls upon the center of each breastplate. She released a few more arrows, and each hit the center perfectly.

"Nice shot," Searon complimented with a smile.

Anaela tensed as she turned around, eyes widening as she stared at Searon. She backed up a pace and raised her eyebrow.

"You know, you are quiet for a human," she admitted.

"Only when I want to be."

She smirked with heated cheeks.

"May I?" Searon asked, holding his hand out.

"You might want to move closer," she taunted.

He tilted his head and pursed his lips together, silently waiting until she handed him the bow. She sighed and handed him her bow before taking a step back. He held the shaft in his hands, impressed with its lightness. He looked at his target, still a hundred paces away. Anaela withdrew an arrow with steel tip and handed it to him, eyebrow still raised as if she waited for him to make a fool of himself.

He held the arrow in his hand and inspected it. The craftsmanship was beyond anything a human could make, and he nodded approvingly. Her bow was handcrafted, and only then did he notice the green metal leaves around its top and bottom. He positioned himself and pulled back its string with more ease than any human bow would allow.

"It's been a while since I've used a bow," Searon warned.

Anaela rolled her eyes.

Searon grinned as he turned away from her and stared at the target. He held the string steady and fit the arrow. Memories traveled through his mind from his marriage to Victoria all the way through the recent battle against draeyks. Thoughts scattered his mind next about how his feelings for Anaela made his memories of Victoria good ones instead of nightmares. He pushed all his thoughts and memories away and concentrated on the target. His eyes focused, and he watched as the target seemed to leap toward him and appear only a dozen paces away. He sucked in a breath and released the arrow as he exhaled. The arrow leaped through the air and struck the center just outside of all of Anaela's. He nodded and handed the bow back to her.

"I'm impressed." She shot him an uneven glance.

"Bows are not for me. I will spar you though." Searon smiled.

"I am an archer. I do not practice swordplay."

"What is that sword there for?" Searon pointed to her scabbard. "Is that just for looks like that pretty face of yours?"

Her cheeks burned red as she pulled her emerald-and-silver hilted sword and twirled it in her grasp. The sword was short, only a little longer than a short sword, obviously a backup weapon.

Searon drew his claymore and pointed it toward her with a nod. He pulled his crimson-and-gold helm from his back and secured it over his head before walking toward her.

"We are not supposed to spar on the archery field," Anaela cautioned.

"Then you'd better push me back to the sparring area." Searon came toward her.

His steel blade clashed against hers, causing crimson and emerald sparks. He tried two overhead strikes, one on each side, but she easily blocked both of them with perfection. When that didn't work, he changed his form to the snapping snake, issuing a swift combo of uppercuts and side swings that were just as easily deflected and evaded by her. An opening formed in her defenses that made him stab directly at her, but instead of flying through her defenses she leaped into the air over him.

He turned around to find her running away, with sword hung low, its tip inches from the ground as she went. She grabbed her green-and-silver helm where she did her archery and placed it on her head. As he caught up with her, she turned around and blocked his incoming strike.

His attacks stayed on the offensive, with each strike calculated with precision. He fought differently against a skilled opponent than he would on the battlefield. Dueling was an art when compared with his chaotic strikes on the field against several foes. Being reckless on the battlefield worked for him because it enabled him to slice through a handful of opponents at the same time.

He did well against Anaela and was able to push her farther into the archery field. Arrows flew to targets all around them, some even flying only inches from their faces that they had to dodge.

Anaela finally got an edge against him, and when she did she withdrew a long curved dagger that was attached to her leg and fought with both weapons. Her attacks were swift and cunning, but even with her kheshlarn speed, Searon was able to block every incoming strike. However, she was effective in pushing Searon back and taking control of the duel. He was pushed back all the way to the dueling field, where the battle broke even once again.

Searon delivered some offensive attacks that made Anaela have to dodge and cartwheel away from. She came back at him with sword and dagger, making complex spins and twirls that should have overcome any human. He not only deflected them with ease but came back with his own offensive strikes that nearly broke her defenses.

Every kheshlar on the field ceased their own attacks to watch the two of them battling. Many seemed impressed with his skill and studied him carefully. Each movement they made seemed to match each other without flaw. Anaela looked stunned that he was able to match her speed, especially because of his much larger two-handed weapon.

Searon knew that he had to prove himself now with all of the kheshlars paying attention to him. Many did not believe that a human could match them with sparring, and he was ready to prove them wrong. All of them doubted him as a leader and disapproved of what he stood for. The war was no longer about revenge, at least not anymore. He stood for peace and justice. The time had come for humans and kheshlars to take back control of Calthoria.

He lunged forward with an attack toward Anaela's face. She blocked with ease, and he followed with a high strike that was deflected just as easily. Searon ducked as she slashed high and rolled forward with a leg swipe. She fell forward onto the ground, her face colliding with the dirt. Searon stepped atop her, sending swift strikes in an attempt to finish the battle. She rolled, defending against his blows with difficulty.

He kept his attacks steady and fast, not allowing Anaela a chance to get up. His strikes kept speed when he added a couple of spins that knocked the dagger from her hand. He didn't slow as she was reduced to one weapon, making her have to steady her sword with both hands. A lone raindrop fell through the front of his helm onto his nose, and he looked up as more began to fall. At first, only a light sprinkle fell, but soon it became a flood of rain.

Anaela used the distraction to wrap her legs around Searon's ankle and twist her body, causing him to tumble onto the ground. She unraveled herself and gained the advantage on top of him, producing strikes. It became harder for Searon to defend himself because of the length of his weapon, and lack of elbow room for proper blocking. Anaela found her opening and shot three swift strikes, two high and one low. The last blow struck the hilt of his weapon, his grip loosened, and his claymore flew fifteen feet. Lightning flashed in the sky, and thunder came soon after, pounding so fierce that it could be felt through his chest.

She smiled through her helm, hair stuck to her face, in apparent victory. Searon refused to give up and already had his dagger where he struck her hand hard with its hilt. She dropped her weapon, and he hit it again, knocking it to the side. He grinned, tossed his dagger aside, and wrestled Anaela to the ground, until she lay on her back and he on top. She struggled, but he held her arms down.

Searon looked around and noticed that they were alone. The storm had grown, and it seemed the rest of the kheshlars went home. Only he and Anaela remained. His mind wandered, and while it did, Anaela kicked him and sprang an arm free. They rolled on the ground until both helmets fell off and Anaela pushed him down to be on top. Her soaked hair fell in front of her just above her breastplate. She looked down at him and grinned in victory. Searon struggled for a while until he gave up and let his body go limp.

She looked around and also noticed how uncomfortably alone they were. Searon smiled as she looked back down at him. Her soft lips perked in a silent feminine snarl. He put his hands behind his back and pushed himself up and stared into her beautiful eyes. She froze as she looked deeply into his.

Suddenly, she jumped onto him, lips compressing onto his own, light at first but quickly sinking into it. The kiss became passionate with both of their hands finding each other's hair. The rain refused to slow, and both were drenched as they tore into the kiss like animals.

As he kissed her, something inside of him awoke, and he'd never felt so alive. At first, the rain made him cold, but after her lips met his, burning warmth spread throughout his body. His heart felt as if it was barely contained inside his chest, pounding so hard that his armor seemed to vibrate to its beat. Her lips were softer than he ever imagined, and he found it impossible to tear himself away.

He gave into his desires and kissed her even more passionately, and she didn't dare stop him. She moaned when he pressed harder onto her lips. Searon felt like he glowed as he kissed her, and strangely it seemed as if she did as well. The moment did not last, though, and soon she pushed him away from her. She stared at him for a long moment before getting to her feet and running off. He sat there for a moment more before closing his eyes and sinking to the ground. In his mind, the moment came back, and he cherished reliving every second on it.