The Crimson Claymore

Chapter 5-2

They called him the captain of Legain, and they attacked the city of Tiermera. Tiermera had sent mercenaries into Legain who had sabotaged and stolen their food supply. There was little forgiveness in the city of Legain, and they placed Searon in charge of storming the city of Tiermera with an army of warriors at his side.

He remembered the battle well as it had been his last; at least he’d promised himself it would be. Storming the city, they left no male survivors. Every warrior and every man who bore arms Searon and his men struck down without even a thought of pity.

With the city in ruins, they had cheered their victory, taunting at the faces of the women and children before riding off. Searon waited back to be the last to exit the city as was accustom for the captain of the force. Without a sight of any of his men left, he’d trotted his horse forward, nearly pitying the women and children of thieves. Something had caught his eye, though, before he reached the outskirts. It was a glistening ruby necklace attached around the neck of a young lady. Searon pulled his brown mare to a stop and glanced at the young woman. Tears filled her eyes, dropping into her hands she held in prayer in front of her.

Curious, Searon had edged his horse forward toward the young woman. She didn’t flinch or even pay him heed even when his horse stopped right at her side. She continued to pray with her eyes closed and tears gently falling down her cheeks. He looked to the ground at which she prayed and saw a graying man with a clean stab wound through his chest. Searon recognized the man as one of his killings. The old man actually had impressed him in battle as quite a formidable foe.

“Father, may the light shine on your soul,” the woman’s voice said shakily.

A lump seemed to get caught deep in Searon’s throat as he dismounted to stand next to her. Her eyes opened, but she did not look at him. The expression of knowing it had been he who killed her father clearly showed on her face. She did not make an attempt to strike at him or curse, or even glance at him in any way.

“I am sorry,” Searon whispered.

“It is not your fault. You did as you are told, and you were told to storm our village,” she whispered.

Her voice sounded soft like a wind chime soothing in the night. Searon seemed captivated by it as well as the young woman’s beauty. Her straight, glossy brunette hair hung just below her shoulders, her lips seemed small but firm with the bottom one twice as large as her top. She glanced at him, and he was taken aback by her swirling brown eyes like shimmering pools of delicious chocolate. Her eyes did not carry hate or displeasure of any kind toward Searon, and for that he felt relieved. Her nose was small and full of freckles and seemed to twitch when she looked at him.

“What is your name, my lady?” Searon had asked calmly.

Her thin eyebrows drifted at his question, but she’d looked at him in calm wonder nonetheless. “I am Victoria, daughter of Joseph.”

Searon had been taken aback by the mention of her father’s name and relieved at the same time. With her using that title, it had meant she had not been married and so he had not killed her husband. It also gave the fact he had killed her only family and the one who had been dearest to her.

Something about her had an effect on Searon unlike any other, and he didn’t quite understand it. He felt like he could travel to the end of the earth for her. For a taste of her lips he would circle the earth time and time again if he was able. His heart pounded hard in his chest at such thoughts. Never before had a woman affected him so. He had never taken a woman, and most of his time had been spent in the glory of the battlefield, but now he wasn’t too sure of himself anymore.

He knelt before her, and she looked at him in surprise. “My lady, I am truly sorry for your loss. My name is Searon, and if you take my hand I solemnly promise to never cause harm to any again unless it is in defending you.”

Searon looked at her eagerly for an answer. It did not come, though, as she stared at him in seemingly disbelief. She seemed to be taking her time in considering his request. Searon did not budge in the slightest, keeping his stare at her eyes true.

“Why should I trust in the word of a brutal warrior?” she asked.

“I had almost left this town until something caught my eye. I saw you standing alone over here and felt something inside of me that told me to come see you. I have never seen anyone or anything as beautiful or as kind as you, and if you let me I will spend the rest of my life proving my worth to you …” Searon said softly as he looked at her.

She blushed thickly, making the freckles on her cheeks seem to sparkle. “What makes me more special than another?”

“No others have caught my eye like you have. I feel that once I have you, my life will be complete.”

“And no more killing the innocent?” she whispered.

“You have my word, my lady. My sword will only strike those who wish to harm you.” Searon bowed his head.

She smiled slightly before nodding. “I accept, Sir Knight Searon.”

With that, the first smile which hadn’t been from bloodshed came across Searon’s face. He leaped up from being on his knee to take Lady Victoria into his arms. Searon set her down gently, mounted his horse, then helped her up to sit behind him. He rode off into the blood-red sunset with her arms cautiously around him.