Knights: Book 01 - The Eye of Divinity (25 page)

Taris went and knelt beside the boy, his green eyes narrowing. "Who was he, Lannon?"

"Tenneth Bard," Lannon whispered.

"Tenneth Bard, the Black Knight," Taris said. "Yes, I think this is starting to make sense, now. When the search is ended, we must call a meeting at once. I would like to involve the Ranger as well. In fact, I would like to involve her in the search. Who better to track a man than a Ranger?"

Lannon and the other boys watched Taris in silence.

"If this is indeed Tenneth Bard," Taris said, turning to stare at Vorden, "we will not find him right away. His powers must have grown drastically. On the other hand, he wasn't expecting to get caught, so perhaps there is a chance. Well, am I right?"

Vorden nodded, obviously unsure of how to respond. "I think so."

Taris stood up. "These are grim events, my young friends. And yet the veil of mystery has, perhaps, been partially lifted. The answers to the riddles that have haunted Dremlock may at last be within our reach."

Taris motioned to Timlin. "Come here."

Trembling, Timlin hurried over and stood before him.

"Did you see anything?" Taris asked.

Timlin nodded. "Just a glimpse." He closed his eyes for a moment. "Wait--I remember something. He carried something in his hand--not the knife, but in his other hand. Something dark and round. He pulled it against his chest as he jumped out the window. And his face was strange, like shifting shadows."

Taris looked beyond the lad, gazing into apparent nothingness. A light of understanding was in his eyes. "I must say, Squires, that I think there may be hope for this old kingdom yet--something I wasn't quite sure of just a short time ago."

The others could only stare at him in confusion. Lannon clutched his stomach. He could still feel the Whispers inside him--just a memory now, but still potent enough to make him ill. In the back of his mind he realized the Eye of Divinity had saved him, that he had called it forth on his own and it had changed form and become a different type of force. But at the moment, it didn't seem to matter. Tenneth Bard was alive, perhaps more powerful than ever, and he wanted Lannon dead. In his shocked state of mind, Lannon felt that surely the Black Knight would eventually get his way, that no one could stop him.

The Whispers would make sure Lannon met his doom.

Chapter 14:
 
The Secret Meeting

For the rest of that night, and the following day, Taris personally guarded Lannon. Mostly Taris was a silent companion who spoke only when necessary, and he refused to discuss the current situation at Dremlock. As the day progressed, Furlus dropped by now and then, and each time he and Taris went into the corner and talked quietly. The Squires assumed they were discussing the search for Lannon's would-be assassin and wished they could hear what was being said.

At one point, Taris took Lannon to the Library to talk privately with the lad about what had happened the night before. Lannon explained how he had called forth the Eye, and how it had changed form, slowing Tenneth Bard's attack.

"Much about the Eye of Divinity is mysterious," said Taris. "Even the most powerful of the Dark Watchmen did not know all of its secrets. Yet it appears you've already made slight use of the Body stage of the Eye, which is very remarkable for someone as inexperienced as you."

"What more can you tell me about the Eye," asked Lannon, "that will help me use it more effectively."

"We have one book at Dremlock," said Taris, "that specifically deals with the topic. It is a collection of the Dark Watchmens' writings. Long ago, the Eye of Divinity was more common, and the Knights who possessed it organized themselves into a special group whose goal was to unlock the mysteries of the Deep Shadow. These Dark Watchmen were successful in their task, as many secrets about our enemy were revealed, giving us an advantage. However, they probed too deeply into the affairs of the Deep Shadow, and some became possessed by it or went insane. After that, the group was disbanded.

"Yet the Dark Watchmen--for all they learned about the Deep Shadow--knew little about the workings of their own mysterious power. Yet that is the nature of the Eye of Divinity--it is very unpredictable. Once it is unlocked, there are no established rules for using it. What works for some may not work for others. It can be very frustrating at times to try to understand it. However, as I mentioned, they left notes and letters--different techniques that can be attempted."

"Can I see the book?" Lannon asked excitedly.

Taris sat in thoughtful silence for a while before answering. "I don't feel you are ready yet for such knowledge. It might only make things harder for you. You will learn on your own for now--as you have done so, impressively, already. But there may come a time when you can go no further and have need of the book. The power you possess is what led the Dark Watchmen to a bad end. Always bear that in mind. We must watch you closely as your training progresses and make sure you don't meet the same fate as the others before you, that you take things slow and don't delve too deeply into the workings of the Deep Shadow. The book could be dangerous for you to read right now."

Lannon gave a disappointed nod.

"You're afraid," said Taris. "You think we cannot protect you, that Tenneth Bard will somehow get to you again and destroy you. Am I right?"

"I am afraid," Lannon admitted. "Those Whispers were powerful. I couldn't even move. If the Eye hadn't come out... "

"But it did," said Taris. "And it could do so again."

"But it wasn't strong enough," said Lannon. "If you hadn't come along, I would have been killed."

Taris was thoughtful. At last he said, "The Eye is a powerful force. The question is whether or not your own will is strong enough for you to wield it properly. It appears that at this time the answer is no. But that could change."

"How?" said Lannon.

"Age and experience is one way," said Taris. "There may come a time when you can stand against Tenneth Bard, yet I cannot guarantee it. If he actually still lives, his powers are unknown to me. But at least, with a stronger will, you would have a better chance of defeating him."

"If I live that long," Lannon said gloomily.

Taris nodded. "Yes, if you live that long. The Knights will do their best to protect you, but nothing is certain."

"Kealin Lightsword didn't seem to like me much," said Lannon. "So that's someone else I apparently have to watch out for."

Taris nodded. "I saw the gesture he made to you--as if he wanted you dead. But there is nothing to be done about it at this time. Kealin is a Green Knight, protected by our laws, and right now we lack evidence against him. Moten, the Grey Dwarf, is another suspicious character. We've been investigating those two for some time, but they are sly. If they dwelt in the East Tower rather than the North, I might have exposed them long ago for the corrupt men they are, for very little of what happens here is not known to me."

"If that's true," said Lannon, "why didn't you know we snuck out the other night, when we went below the Temple?"

"I did know," said Taris. "I also knew of your journey beneath Old Keep, and I got word to the Dark Knights below, which is why you were saved from that Ogre. Did you think one of the Knights just happened along?"

Lannon stared in speechless shock for a moment. Then he said, "If you knew, why didn't you punish us?"

"I did," said Taris. "Forcing you to view the horrors in the Dungeon was my punishment to dissuade you from ever going back into Old Keep. Nothing exists down there but the shadows of doom."

"Then you knew I had use of the Eye," said Lannon.

"Yes," said Taris. "But I didn't report it to the other Knights. I wanted to learn just what you were up to, Lannon. And now I know that you were acting honorably, and for a good cause--though a Squire has met his end in the process."

"You mean..." Lannon began.

Taris nodded. "I believe you were meant to see the Divine Essence. Therefore, I did not try to stop you when you left the tower. I wanted you to reach the Temple and see the Essence."

"You wanted me to break the Sacred Laws?"

"Of course not," said Taris. "But the Divine Essence must never be ignored. After all, it made the Laws in the first place. Don't try to understand what motivates me, Lannon Sunshield. I have my reasons."

Lannon said nothing, staring at the tabletop.

Taris chuckled. "You look stricken. But fear not, I'm on your side at the moment. I just wanted to tell you this so you would realize that the Tower of Sorcery is not ignorant of what takes place within it. There is no safer place for you in all of Dremlock than the East Tower. But no place in this world is entirely safe, and unfortunately that assassin was somehow able to get to you unseen."

"If you know so much," Lannon said, "then why didn’t you know about Clayith?"

"I knew he had come here," said Taris. "But I did not know why. Some things even I cannot know without further examination. Had I been able to talk with the boy, I might have realized he was possessed."

Taris sighed. "The Deep Shadow is a tricky foe."

"Did you really know about everything we were doing?" said Lannon. For some reason, he doubted Taris' words.

Taris' face hardened for a moment, but then he smiled. "You don't believe me? I have spies all over this tower, including the Watcher, who cannot be seen when he doesn't wish himself to be."

Lannon shrugged. "I'm just not sure."

Taris grinned. "You're a smart lad. I will admit that you are right in your suspicion--but only to a point. You and your friends were trained well as Blue Squires, and with many of our Knights out on important missions, this tower is not as secure as it used to be."

"Then I'm not as safe as you suggested," said Lannon.

"This is the safest place for you in Dremlock," said Taris, "which is why you are here. Will it be enough to protect you from an assassin who can climb icy walls and survive a fall from the top of this tower? Sadly, I cannot say for sure."

"I have something more to tell you," said Lannon. "It's about the Divine Essence." He explained what he'd learned to Taris--about how their god was actually just a lonesome, scared child.

Taris smiled. "This is not unknown to me. The White Guardian was very young when it was shattered. But it still possesses wisdom beyond us mortals. It revealed that knowledge to you for a reason--one that is difficult to understand at this time. A great puzzle lies before us, Lannon, and it may take a long time before all the pieces fit together and we can see beyond the haze of the Deep Shadow that shrouds our vision."

***

Once evening arrived, Taris told the Squires to put on their cloaks. "We must get Aldreya and travel to the Temple," he told them. "A secret meeting has been arranged there, and none must know of it but the ones invited."

As they left the tower and started along the trail, a full moon hung in the sky, its pale light glistening off the snow and ice. The night air was frigid. At one point a Midnight Crow soared overhead, and Taris pulled the Squires into the shadows until it passed by. Midnight Crows were rumored to be servants of the Deep Shadow, and Taris' attempt to hide them from this one gave that rumor much credibility in the Squires' minds. As usual, wolf howls echoed about the woods.

When they arrived, the sorcerer led them into the sanctuary, to the round room where the altar was. The stone slab that covered the altar lay at the bottom of the steps, cracked into pieces. A message was burned into the floor:

DEATH HERE SOON

Several lanterns were alight that cast flickering shadows upon the walls and domed ceiling. Cordus and Furlus were already seated, as well as the Ranger woman Saranna that Lannon had met along the North Road on his way to Dremlock. Her black wolf lay by her, his head resting between his paws.

Also present were a Blue Knight and a Red one. The Blue Knight was a Birlote, tall and lanky and bearing two short swords at his waist. His green eyes glittered dangerously in the torchlight and he had a hard, weathered face. The Red Knight was a handsome black-haired man, probably in his late thirties, with a thick mustache and blue eyes. His arms and neck bulged with muscle, but his waist was noticeably lean, giving him a powerful yet athletic appearance. He wore a silver breastplate and carried both sword and longbow.

Once everyone was seated, Cordus spoke. "This is not an official meeting, so we'll avoid any formalities. You are all free to speak. The reason this gathering has been conducted in secrecy is because, as I'm sure all of you know, some of the High Council members cannot be trusted. This is a critical moment for Dremlock, as Goblins are advancing upon us. Several Goblin Lords have been spotted amongst them. For now we are safe, as it is highly doubtful they can get through Darkender Tunnel. Yet it is our duty to protect the towns and dwellings that exist close to our kingdom.

"We continue to be haunted by the Goblin Puzzle. It is a complicated affair, but the basic riddle that we need solved is how to permanently defeat a Goblin Lord. They seem to be invincible. Since they began appearing over a year ago--from a place that remains a mystery to us--we've not found a way to kill a single one! It does no good even to hack them to bits, for they will just become whole again. The flesh binds itself together instantly and full health is restored. This is a seemingly impossible power the likes of which has never been witnessed by the servants of Dremlock Kingdom.

"That's why we need you, Lannon Sunshield, to use the Eye of Divinity upon a Goblin Lord to try to find a weakness. But first we must confront one. Dremlock is bordering on ruin. Many of our Knights are dead, and many have abandoned us. A sizable force is defending Kalamede but swiftly losing ground, while another force is attempting to head off the Goblins advancing toward Dremlock. Neither force is impressively large. Yet enough Knights remain that we could prevail--but only if we can kill the Goblin Lords. We know where your would-be assassin went, Lannon. We tracked him right here to the Temple. We intend to take a small party below and try to find him. He appears to have gone through the left door below, which has a wheel lock that we no longer know how to open. Yet somehow, as far as we can tell, he managed to solve it."

"He went through that door," said Saranna. "Darius is never wrong." She patted her wolf on the head.

"What about the Divine Essence?" said Lannon, his heartbeat racing. "Has it been harmed?"

"I've checked on it," said Cordus, "and it's fine. It's doubtful that anyone could harm our god. Its power is the very opposite of the Deep Shadow, and dark sorcery would undoubtedly only falter against it."

"We must not underestimate the Deep Shadow," said Taris. "Even the Divine Essence may not be safe from it's evil."

"Will you be leading the search party?" said Furlus.

"It would be better if I didn't," said Cordus. "I should remain here to make sure Dremlock has a worthy leader and to be ready in case of an attack. The party shall be made up of you, Taris, Caldrek, Shennen, and the four Squires. It must be kept small and rely on stealth. I chose Caldrek and Shennen because they are the best at what they do. I could not have picked two better, or more trustworthy, men for this task. I don't like the idea of sending Squires into the mines, but apparently I have no choice." He sighed. "It's a shame, Lannon, that you depend on the others to help you summon the Eye of Divinity. I can only hope you're being truthful, as their lives will be at risk."