The Violet Flamberge

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Searon stood on the stage next to Vil’ek, looking down at the crowd of humans and kheshlars. The war was over, or so it seemed for everyone else. For Searon, it was only the beginning. He kept picturing Arria’s dark face inside of his mind—laughing at him. He tried to keep his composure during the ceremony, but the darkness in his mind made it difficult.

A kheshlar with blond hair stood between the two of them and addressed the crowd. “Today we celebrate victory, but we also mourn loss. Since our king had no heirs, under popular vote, we have decided to appoint the king’s right hand as the new king of Sudegam. Please welcome Vil’ek!”

The blond kheshlar stepped off the stage. Vil’ek stepped to the center and nodded at the departing blond. The thin golden crown was already set upon his head. His scimitars were strapped to his side as he looked at the crowd before him.

“We all love and miss our king. There are many of us who didn’t agree with him and the rules he set forth for us, and others of us were completely happy with our life here. I know there are still many of you who don’t care for the humans being here, but that will change. Sudegam will change. Without the humans coming to our aid, we would be no more. This was not a mere war against primitive reptiles like we believed for so long. They were organized, by someone who was a former kheshlar.”

Vil’ek’s face was hard, but his eyes were filled with sorrow. Searon had heard the rumors after staying in Sudegam for a time. Vil’ek and Arria had been lovers. He’d hoped to join with her long ago in a bonding ceremony similar to human marriage. The hurt in his expression and in his eyes was him reminiscing about the old Arria. An Arria that Searon knew to not be there anymore. He saw the same sadness in Starlyn’s eyes. Starlyn still thought her sister could be saved, but Searon wasn’t so sure. He’d looked deep into the cruel woman’s eyes, and all he saw there was lust and hate.

“Today is a day where we mourn our great king, Elsargast,” Vil’ek said. “While many of us didn’t agree with all his policies, it cannot be denied that he kept us safe for many years. He was a great leader, a great king, and he will be sorely missed by each one of us.”

Vil’ek gulped. He paused as he stared out at the crowd, holding a scroll in his hand. For generations, he was the king’s guard, and it was clear he wasn’t used to addressing a crowd. But his love for the kheshlarn people was clear.

“Today, as your new king, I am proposing a treaty. An alliance between kheshlars and humans. No longer will we fear being in their presence. And no longer will it be forbidden for kheshlars and humans to be together. However, I must warn you.” He pointed his finger at the crowd. “We live forever, and they do not. I fear Elsargast kept us away from them so we could avoid the heartache that may come as time passes. And now, please, welcome Searon.”

Vil’ek unrolled the scroll and held it for all to see. He smiled at the crowd as Searon stepped next to him and took the paper in his hand to read through. After a firm nod, he accepted a quill from Vil’ek and signed the document.

Vil’ek stepped back, allowing Searon a chance to say a few words. Searon stepped to the front of the stage and looked over the crowd. Unlike in the beginning, humans and kheshlars were mixed together in the crowd. They were no longer separated by worlds. Friendships had formed. Bonds that would last forever. Searon smiled as he looked at the crowd.

“For most of us, the war is over now,” Searon said. “The draeyks and daerions have scattered, and most have been slaughtered. Our alliance has ensured that. We should not live in resentment of each other. It is because of each other that we have survived—that we have flourished. I, for one, am proud to call myself a friend of the kheshlars. I hope this will be the beginning of not only an alliance, but a friendship that will last until the end of time. Now, let us be done with all of this talking, and let the celebration begin. We have won! Now let’s celebrate!”

Everybody scattered away from the stage and began to chatter as they made their way toward the feast. There was still no meat being served inside of Sudegam, but fruits and vegetables of all sorts were prepared. Food was prepared by humans and kheshlars alike. The humans used many recipes from their wives at home or traditions their mothers had passed down, and the kheshlars presented a wide array of cooked fruits and vegetables once they discovered humans liked cooked vegetables much better than raw.

Vil’ek patted Searon on the shoulder before heading off to his own duties. Searon nodded at him as he left the stage and ambled away from the crowd. He sat alone, away from the party, and ran his fingers through his long, recently combed hair. Searon desperately wanted to be happy and enjoy the celebration with everybody else, but he couldn’t. His mind would not leave Anaela’s tormented face as Arria took her away. He’d chased Anaela for so long, and when she’d finally let him in, Arria showed up and took her away. His fingers tightened in his hair and he growled.

A hand on his shoulder startled him and he turned around to see Sh’on standing above him. He tried to smile at his friend, but only half of it showed. Sh’on got down on the ground to sit by his side.

“I am sorry, Searon,” Sh’on whispered.

“I know.” Searon rubbed his brow.

“Will you be going after her?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow.”

“I will come.”

“No,” Searon said. “You do not need to do that. I will find her myself.”

“Searon, my friend, I first joined your party for the adventure. I would much rather be in space, but you are fascinating to be around.”

“I will come as well,” came a voice from behind.

Searon turned around to see Andron striding toward him, holding the bandages where his right hand used to be. Aliqua and the other kheshlarn healers did everything they could for Andron, but he would live the rest of his life without his right hand. Searon got to his feet and embraced Andron in a half hug.

“No, my friend. I have enjoyed every moment of serving with you, but your place is not with me. The war is over now. It is time you went back to your family. Besides, I don’t want Ketharine’s wrath upon me.” Searon chuckled.

Andron laughed. “Yeah, she would stop at nothing to see me home. Besides, I do miss the kids, and I’d say it’s about time to try for another one.”

Searon patted his friend on the back. “Do not fret, Andron. If I enlist the aid of my friend Sh’on here, I will be in more than capable hands.”

“If you should run into trouble …”

“I won’t hesitate to send you a message, I promise.”

Andron grinned at him, pushing his long black hair from his face. Stubble finally creased his face after the past year of smooth skin. Searon hated to see his friend go. He wanted to see if he would ever be able to grow a beard like a real man.

“He will have more help than that of a know-it-all mage,” Xython said as he approached with a couple of horses at his side.

Next to his old friend came Aliqua and Benedict. Searon’s heart warmed that his friends were coming with him. For so many years, he’d felt like he didn’t have friends, but now after a long and tiresome adventure, he knew of many he could count on.

“You will not be on this journey alone, Sir Searon,” Sh’on said.

“Thank you,” Searon said.