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.
Chapter 47
S
tarlyn saw everything, from the two of them dueling to kissing at the end. Most wouldn't expect such an event from a human and a kheshlar, but Starlyn knew it was inevitable. She knew Anaela wasn't strong enough to resist Searon, and only a matter of time would have her losing control. However, it did happen sooner than Starlyn thought. Kheshlars were weak when humans were involved. There were no rules with humans, and they were full of temptation. Freedom wasn't evident until humans came in the picture. Without rules, there would be chaos, and that's exactly what humans were: chaos.
She needed to be break free of the bonds that held her. In Sudegam, she was a pawn to the larger picture of the kheshlars. How would they look at her if she left? Fear clouded her mind, and yet she could feel the pull that drove her away. She knew if she stayed there would be nothing for her but death. Flashbacks of her mother growing ill and dying illuminated her mind. Tears painted her face as they fell in streams. She had to be strong; it was something she had to do. There was no other way.
"Starlyn," a raspy voice whispered.
She spun and stared at her friend. He was the only one she knew she could trust. For years, he had been there for her when she needed him the most. He came only in times of need, but so many years ago he had saved her life. She owed him. The forest around her cabin looked lonely with only the two of them standing there. He had found her…somehow he knew.
"Starlyn, you need to at the least say goodbye to him. He cares for you, as a friend, like a sister. If anything, tell him you will see him again,” he said.
"Shronan…" Starlyn whispered.
"He deserves that much, Starlyn,” he insisted.