The Violet Flamberge: Claymore of Calthoria, #3

Chapter One

Raindrops splattered gently against the roof above Starlyn. She sat quietly, with thoughts pressing against her brain. All she wanted to do was open her mouth and confess everything. Yet, she already was such a burden for Noraes. She had been so afraid standing outside his door the night before, and yet, all of her worries had been for naught. She’d always believed he would take her in, although she would be lying to herself if she didn’t admit her irrational fear of rejection.

Noraes walked toward her with a bowl of porridge in his hand. He gently set it down in front of her with a smile before taking the seat by her side. His hand found hers and he tenderly rubbed it.

How are you feeling this morning? he asked, concern clear on his face.

Her heart raced with warmth at the compassion in his voice. She spent such a long journey crossing Calthoria to find him, and he was more than she ever dreamed he would be. Not only had he taken her in, but he didn’t ask anything of her. He did not press her with questions, but only held her in his arms all night. The entire journey had been worth it once he’d wrapped her in his arms.

She needed his warmth, his compassion, especially after her long journey. For a long while she’d felt so alone, so isolated from everyone around her. Charlotte was such a comfort to have around during the journey, but she could not ask Noraes to accept that burden as well.

I am feeling a little better this morning, thank you, she said.

If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask.

You are sweet. Starlyn smiled. But I’m afraid there is little you can do. There is little anyone can do.

Surely there is something. After all, I am a great cook—so long as it is not difficult to make. Noraes winked.

Starlyn smiled weakly. I’m sorry. I wish there were something you could do—I really do—but my condition isn’t curable.

Condition?

I am with child … your child. Kheshlars are not meant to be with humans. In fact, it is forbidden by our king. I never understood why, but now I think I finally do. I am sick, Noraes … very sick. My body is rejecting our child.

Surely there is something that can be done. Have you not spoken with someone in Sudegam?

Have you not been listening to me this whole time, Noraes? she asked.

What?

Kheshlars aren’t to be with humans. Such things are forbidden. It is not allowed. Against our law as you would put it.

Illegal? What is the penalty?

I do not know. Those found rendezvousing with humans are not heard from again.

That is terrible, Noraes said.

And yet, I understand it now. I am ill, I am weak. I will not survive.

Do not say such words, Starlyn. I will take care of you.

Starlyn tried to smile. I do not doubt you, my Noraes. She stroked his cheek softly with her hand. You do not understand. I am a kheshlar.

She inhaled deeply and tried to control her pain. Kheshlars are immortal, and we are not supposed to take ill. Yet here I am, ill and very weak.

But surely that does not mean you will die, Noraes said.

This has happened once before, a long time ago, and back then I didn’t know what it was, but now I am sure.

Tears filled her eyes and threatened to come down her face as she remembered her past. She held them off, barely, by pressing her fingertips against her eyes. Her head shook slightly as she pulled it away, and she took a deep breath. She sank her head back and began to steady her breathing.

You do not have to talk about it, Noraes reassured her.

I know, and thank you, but I feel I must. It has been a burden I have held for a long time, and only now do I understand what really happened those many years ago. I need to tell someone, and out of all the people I could, I feel I can trust you.

Noraes shifted, uncomfortable. You can tell me anything. My ears and heart are always open.

Starlyn smiled warmly. I know, and that is something I am growing to lo—like, about you. We have only spent such a short time together, but somehow my feelings for you are so strong I can barely contain them.

I know we barely know each other, but I know how you feel. Ever since that first time you walked into my life, it’s been impossible to get you out of my head.

Starlyn squeezed his hand and took a deep breath. It was a little over two hundred years ago when my mother got sick. Both my sister and I were flabbergasted when it happened. Kheshlars do not get sick, and here was my mother growing weaker by the day. We did not know what to do. At first we thought it could be poison and began to monitor her meals. However, our mother was such a sweet soul, and for the life of us we could not understand who would want her harmed. She never got better, no matter what we did. We even had our friend, a healer and herbalist, take a look at her. There was nothing to be done.

Starlyn took a breath and ate a few bites of her now cold porridge. All of her past emotions surfaced in her mind after holding them at bay for so many years.

How old are you? Noraes asked.

When we met I was three hundred and twenty, but I have aged one year since.

Noraes scratched his forehead. You never told me you had a sister.

Starlyn sighed. I do not bring her up often. She lost her mind when Mother got sick. She became involved in dark magic. All of it she did to try and save Mother, but her mind was lost in the process. I truly wished to save her, but I’m afraid she may be lost forever. I have already had to kill her once, and I really hope I won’t have to again.

Again?

Dark magic brought her back, but she is only a shell of her former self. When she first came back, she united the draeyks on a campaign against us, and I was forced to stop her, but that is a tale for another time.

And your mother?

Tears no longer threatened to escape, but rapidly poured down her face in streams. She tried to keep her composure, but her body refused to cease shaking. Before she had a chance to collect herself, she felt Noraes’s warm arms around her, holding her tight. Instead of pushing her emotions away like she normally did, she released them and clung to Noraes tight. Kheshlars by nature held their emotions inside and were taught inner peace and peace by nature. Now, however, Starlyn was learning how great it felt to let her emotions go, and that was something she could never get from another kheshlar.

I am sorry to upset you, Noraes said.

Starlyn pulled away and wiped her tears. No, no please. It is not you. These are things I have spoken with no one about, and I am feeling a great relief to get them out of my mind.

And you believe your mother was pregnant with a human as well? Noraes asked.

I never considered it at the time, but now that I look back, it makes perfect sense. Over the last few years of her life, she would often travel for several months before coming back to Sudegam. I know she was devastated when we lost father in the war against the daerions when I was a baby. And she was always opposed to the king’s efforts to keep us away from humans.

But you are not certain that was it?

Certain? I suppose not, but surely it must be as I am experiencing the same symptoms. And if I am not mistaken, soon I will take to bed—without the energy to rise from it.

What did my brother think?

Searon? I have not told him why I left. She paused and closed her eyes tight. I told him I had to leave, but I did not give him the reason. I could not risk him accidentally letting slip that I am with child. Not only is it forbidden to be with you, but it is forbidden to be with child this present year.

What? Noraes asked.

Kheshlarn children are only born at the turn of each century, every one hundred years.

And if they’re not?

They must be.

But what if they aren’t?

The mother has two choices: to eat leaves of the nelmlar tree or go into custody until delivery—where the child is packed securely in a boat and pushed out to sea.

And these nelmlar leaves? Noraes asked.

Flush your entire system.

That is terrible, Noraes gasped.

Many do not agree with the king, but because of his leadership, we have stayed safe all of these years.

So you fled to avoid becoming an outcast?

Or worse. I have broken many kheshlarn laws and would continue to do so if I stayed there. I would refuse the nelmlar leaf and the boat. If there is a chance, even a small one for this child, for our child, even if it kills me, I will take it.

She squeezed Noraes’s hand tight and felt him respond.

Have you talked to the mage or the wizard?

I have not, but I met Shronan Onderon many years ago when my mother got sick. He helped me defeat my sister Arria in the war against the draeyks back then.

So even if this nelmlar leaf could save your life …

I would not partake. I have felt the child move inside of me, and if there is a chance, I would not spoil it.

This leaf could have saved your mother?

I will never know. It is only used for one purpose, and so it was not something we thought of. It is considered a destroyer, not a healer. Besides, there is but one tree, and it resides inside the king’s throne room.

Starlyn, I would love to bring this child into our world. I would love nothing more than to raise this child by your side, but I would not if the cost is your life. I treasure you.

Starlyn pushed her finger against his mouth, silencing him. Her sapphire eyes stared deep into his for a long moment before she spoke. Promise me, Noraes. Promise me that no matter how bad I get, if our child inside of me is still strong, you will not give me the nelmlar leaf.

Noraes sighed. I promise.

A knock at the door startled both of them, and Noraes nearly fell out of his seat. He composed himself with a deep inhale of breath before getting to his feet to open the door. At the door stood a young warrior bearing a scroll bound by a blue ribbon, and he handed it over to Noraes.

Your Highness. The warrior bowed and departed.

Noraes closed the door, opened the scroll, and began to read. He nodded to himself and laid the scroll on the table next to her before taking a seat. He reached for her hand.

Highness? she asked.

Ah, yes. Well, I suppose a lot has happened with me while you were away. I am no longer a duke but have been appointed king.

King? she asked.

Yes, and in one week’s time, they want me at the enthronement. He paused and blinked his beautiful, long dirty-blond eyelashes at her. And I want you there, by my side.

Chapter Two

Three small candles sat in the center of the oval table, their small light barely able to illuminate the faces of the seven women who sat around it. Arria sat at the table’s head as she studied each of the women. These were women she could respect and admire. They were only human, but they were sick of being treated as lesser beings, and together created a colony completely run by women. Usually women weren’t so open about such affairs and preferred to use cunning to rise to the top without men being the wiser, so this was new.

Arria liked it. She could use it. Their ambition to govern society could work to her advantage to obtain absolute power over Calthoria. She had to be careful since these were women rather than men. Most men were dim-witted, especially the leaders, but women—women were devious. Although, since they were in a primarily female society, with so few men, several were fond of women much more than men. Arria already saw the looks a few of them gave her, and she hoped to use that to her advantage.

I am so very glad all of you could make it. I would have hated to murder one of you my first week here for not showing up. Arria smiled.

A few of the women appeared outraged but were nudged by the others. Arria made a mental note of those few to teach a lesson to later. She cracked her knuckles and laid them on the table, her hands blending in with the charcoal-hued table.

We do not need to make this difficult. We are striving for the same purpose. Together we can reach this goal. Together we can usurp all leaders in Calthoria, and women can finally govern. This land would be the better for it.

And what would you ask in return, mistress? Elainya asked.

Arria grinned. Sudegam.

Sudegam? Elainya asked.

Yes, the kheshlarn capital. It will be mine, Arria whispered.

Now wait just a minute, Divinity said. We need the kheshlars—we can make stronger heirs through their bloodline. It is a shame the last escaped.

Last? Arria asked.

Yes, mistress, Elainya answered. We held one prisoner and planned on having her reproduce our next generation.

You were able to capture one in their own territory?

Oh, no mistress. She came to us. She attempted to pass through our lands as she headed south.

She? Arria sked.

Well, yes.

I thought you capture men to breed with. What do you hope to accomplish with a woman?

We tried to recruit her, and we hoped we would get her to conceive willingly, but if not, we would have forced her, Divinity said.

Arria’s head began to spin with the behaviors and politics of the Ikchani. However, one thing stood out to her. Her. The kheshlar was a woman, and it was a woman who was not in Sudegam. Her heart raced as she clenched her fists.

Arria held her jaw steady and focused on Divinity. What did this kheshlar look like?

She was blonde, heavy skirt armor, and a war hammer. I believe her name was Star—

Arria leapt across the table and slammed the back of her left hand across Divinity’s lip. The motion occurred so fast that all the other women barely got off a blink by the time Arria knocked Divinity away from the table and held her by her throat. Her pulse throbbed as she raised Divinity several inches off the ground. She could feel the woman’s collarbone under her fingertips and was extremely tempted to break it.

Where is she? Arria asked.

Divinity only croaked in response.

Have you hurt her?

A hand touched her shoulder and she turned around to see Elainya by her side. Please, mistress, let her go. She may need discipline, but she is valuable.

Arria let go of Divinity and slapped her hand against Elainya’s left temple. The Ikchani crumpled to the ground and began to weep. The other women came from the table and helped Divinity to her feet as she continued to gasp for air.

That is where you belong, on your knees before me, Arria said.

Divinity looked up with glaring eyes but could not say a word as she was still coughing from her crushed windpipe. Blood trickled down from her busted bottom lip as the women helped her back to her seat.

Arria reluctantly walked back to her seat and sat. Each woman looked at her with fury in her face and cold fear in her eyes. Arria thrived off of their fear.

Tell me what happened with my sister, Arria said.

Murmurs filled the air.

Tell me! Arria slammed her fist on the table.

Starlyn—your sister. Elainya gulped. She was traveling through the forest, alone or with another traveler. She seemed to be heading south, but we were never sure of her true destination. She was very weak and ill. At the time, we believed her, but after her escape … we cannot be certain if she was telling the truth, Elainya said.

Arria stared at the welt on Elainya’s temple rather than her eyes. And this companion of hers, have they been found?

No, mistress, Elainya said.

So, it is entirely possible Starlyn really was weak, and her ally is the one who freed her?

That is possible, mistress, Elainya said.

How did she seem? How weak was she? Did she eat well?

She was very weak and ill. Her face was pale, like she’d never seen sunlight. I know kheshlars are said to be paler than us, but she was as pale as the clouds rather than the light blue hue that I believe is typical. I never saw her eat—she tried, but often she couldn’t force herself to hold down very much.

That is not good. She doesn’t have long.

Mistress, am I mistaken, or aren’t kheshlars supposed to be immortal?

You are not mistaken. However, our mother got very ill and we could not save her. And I never discovered why …

I am sorry, mistress.

Sorry? Arria slapped Elainya across the jaw. You will refrain from feeling anything for me except absolute obedience.

Forgive me, mistress.

We have a new top priority. We must find Starlyn. Anybody who finds her needs to bring her directly to me.

We cannot be wasting our resources looking for a weak kheshlar who doesn’t want to be found, even if she is your sister, Divinity said.

Arria unsheathed her dagger. Aestrid nelamor.

The thin, long wavy dagger ignited in violet flame. Arria took a step toward Divinity with clenched teeth. She was tired of the woman. The Ikchani disrespected her too much. She would have to be dealt with.

Divinity visibly shivered, but she didn’t back down. We are strong. Now is the time to begin showing our presence. There are small villages we can begin conquering.

Arria unclenched her dagger and the flames disappeared. Divinity is right. However, since she cannot speak civilly to me, she will not be a part of the conquering. Your mission is to find Starlyn, and the faster you do so, the faster you can join us.

Divinity scowled.

And take Evangeline with you.

Evangeline’s plain face practically glowed, but Divinity gritted her teeth.

Leave, now, Arria said.

Divinity stormed out, leaving Evangeline behind. Two of the other women helped Evangeline to her feet and she slowly made her way to the door while holding onto her expanded belly. Arria watched her leave with curiosity. She’d always wondered what it would be like to have a child.

Now, time for the real business. The kheshlarn capital is weak, but that will not be our first move. The southern villages are much too strong, but the towns in the north are very fragile. I made certain of that myself, Arria said.

What about this new captain we hear so much about? Adneiva asked.

Arria looked at the captain of the Ikchani. He will no longer be an issue. He is looking for me, and he will not bring an army on such a chase.

Why does he seek you? Adneiva asked.

Arria snickered. I have his woman captive.

Adneiva smiled. Excellent.

Take three days to prepare, and then we begin our march. Arria stood. Now if you will excuse me, I have other matters that I must attend.

Arria strode out of the tent and headed straight for her own. She needed time to think about all the new things she’d learned. Starlyn was off dying somewhere with the same illness their mother had. Despite all the power dark magic gave her, she hadn’t been able to save their mother. Now her sister was going to die and leave her the only survivor of the family. That was something Arria refused to let happen if she could help it.

Rage clouded her mind as she entered her tent. She stopped to look at the woman bound at the feet, wrists, and neck with chains. Arria could no longer control her fury as she glared at the woman. She grabbed her whip from atop her bed. Anaela had been welcomed into the kheshlar culture with open arms, but Arria was an outcast. All she’d tried to do all those years ago was try and find a cure to save her mother. However, what she’d done was forbidden. The kheshlars were so scared of the unknown. They had to stay away from humans and the deeper magics. And yet, in spite of all of that, they welcomed Anaela with open arms. They did not know much about her, or her race, and yet they welcomed her.

You must think you’re special, Arria said. Everybody welcomed you in Sudegam with open arms.

Anaela raised her head to look at Arria.

What, did you bite your tongue? Arria asked. You are no better than me!

Arria withdrew her whip and began slashing it against Anaela’s scarcely clothed body. Welts appeared, but Arria refused to stop, continuously bringing her left arm back over and over again until every muscle in her arm was sore. At first Anaela strained against her chains, but soon she went limp. The only thing that kept her on her knees were the chains secured tightly to her from behind. Arria heard her faint whimpers when she threw the bloody whip back on the bed.

Arria stalked over to Anaela, unsheathing her dagger and placing it against the bloody woman’s neck. Shut up! I have not allowed you to cry.

The blade of the dagger pressed hard against Anaela’s neck, piercing her skin slightly, and the blade stained red. Arria was shaking and nearly sliced her throat but pulled the blade away before she slipped. Instead, she pulled Anaela’s hair back hard, forcing Anaela to look up at Arria.

Arria smirked. You are not so special after all.

Arria jerked Anaela’s head back once more and pressed her lips against the prisoner’s. Arria pulled away and smirked before shoving Anaela’s head forward and bringing her dagger back around to slice off Anaela’s long hair as close to the scalp as she could manage. She grinned manically as chunks of the woman’s beautiful hair fell to the ground.

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