Knights: Book 02 - The Hand of Tharnin (20 page)

Timlin groaned. "What are you doing, Tolus? I have no money."

"This isn't a robbery," said Tolus, turning Timlin about to face him.

Timlin tired to speak, but Tolus shoved a dirty, calloused finger against Timlin's lips. "Just keep quiet, lad, or I'll snap your scrawny neck. You do as you're told, you can have a good life. Understand?"

Timlin nodded, wondering what new madness had befallen him. It seemed he'd been cursed ever since leaving Dremlock--maybe as some divine punishment for wasting a grand opportunity. The will seemed drained from him, and he simply waited for Tolus to tell him of his fate.

"We're going north to Rogue Haven," said Tolus. "There, you will fight in the arena for the amusement of the crowds. If you do well, you get paid well--and you are supplied with hearty food. It's all up to you, Timlin."

Timlin's face turned crimson with rage. "The Knights of Dremlock would never allow such a practice as you describe. This is slavery!"

"You're wrong," said Tolus. "Rogue Haven is a place the Knights pay no need to. It is considered to exist outside of Silverland. The name
Rogue Haven
kind of says it all, don't you think? And what do you care how the Knights of Dremlock feel about slavery? You betrayed them."

"I'll kill you!" Timlin snarled.

Growling like bear, Tolus spun him around roughly and shoved him into the wagon. "You should thank me for this, lad. The Legion would have no dealings with a little man like you. They would have killed you. Now at least you have a chance to earn a good living--if you can stay alive. Enjoy the ride!"

Tolus slammed the wagon doors.

When the gathering of Knights finally assembled before the North Tower on a warm fall day, it was nearly two months after Jace had informed Lannon of the Council's decision. Lannon had been overwhelmed with the desire to start the journey, pacing about restlessly during the day and unable to sleep much at night. He'd been unable to focus on his training. The one thing that brought him peace of mind was that Taris' condition didn't seem to be getting any worse. The Tower Master's spirit remained strong, even if his body seemed terribly weak.

At last, the battalion was formed and ready to depart. It was a spectacular sight. The bulk of it consisted of two-hundred and twenty Knights on horseback. The banners of Dremlock Kingdom and the Divine Essence flapped in the fall breeze, while magnificent armor gleamed in the sunlight. There were sixty Red Knights with heavy lances--the battalion's front line--and forty Brown Knights, all swordsman who, unlike the Red Knights, carried shields. Also present were twenty Blue Knights, twenty White Knights brought along strictly for their healing skills, and sixty archers with pale, rune-covered longbows. And there were twenty Birlote sorcerers as well. Mixed in with this huge battalion were a number of siege engines in the care of the Brown Knights, including catapults and a giant crossbow. There were also a dozen Rangers hired for their hunting and tracking skills, fourteen White Wolves, and six Elder Hawks--spies of Dremlock.

Aside from that, all of the remaining members of Lannon's Divine Shield were present. Trenton Shadowbane, now a member of the Divine Shield, was also present much to the dismay of many of the Knights who didn't like the Investigator and typically avoided him. Furlus Goblincrusher--now fully healed aside from a permanent limp--commanded the battalion.

Lannon, Jerret, and Aldreya sat with wide eyes as they beheld the gathering. Everywhere the Squires looked they saw shining armor and weapons, grim faces, and the blazing colors of Dremlock. This was their first glimpse of real war, and it seemed deathly serious. This magnificent battalion was being dispatched in service of the Divine Essence to save the kingdom from foes that seemed to be growing ever more powerful. Dremlock had never lost a war in its long history, even when vastly outnumbered. With the power of sorcery to aid them, the Divine Knights had always triumphed. Dremlock was one of the smaller kingdoms on the continent of Gallamerth--but it was also the most feared and respected. Every king and lord knew that when Dremlock chose to act, it was serious business. Only the Blood Legion, aligned with the Deep Shadow and users of sorcery themselves, posed a dire threat to the survival of the Divine Knights.

The Squires were overwhelmed with feelings of pride and loyalty--and deep uncertainty. They wondered what would happen if this army failed, whether or not Dremlock could endure such a loss. Dremlock chose its recruits with extreme care, and fallen Knights were not easily replaced.

"Servants of the Divine Essence," Cordus said loudly, raising his hands toward the gathering. "You go north with the blessing of the White Knights, for it was Vesselin Hopebringer himself who was shown in a dream what we believe is the correct path to take. The Divine Essence spoke to Vesselin and told him that our fate would be decided in the Bonefrost Mountains."

Vesselin stepped from the crowd of onlookers and bowed to Cordus, his long white hair and beard blowing in the breeze. He looked incredibly old in the bright sunlight, his face crisscrossed with countless lines and wrinkles.

"Some of you may wonder if you are riding into a trap," Cordus went on. "You wonder if the Blood Legion has some horrific surprise waiting for you. While I cannot reveal all that we know, rest assured that the highest ranking Knights among you are well informed of the risks. Knowledge and wisdom our are allies, and there is no doubt that we will triumph!"

The crowd cheered.

"The Divine Essence has also spoken to me," said Cordus. "It has given its blessing to this quest--by offering a piece of itself. It has created a White Flamestone that will be a light that will guide this army through the darkness!" Cordus reached into his cloak and held up a pale, burning piece of crystal. His hand seemed filled with radiant light. The crowd gasped in amazement.

"With the White Flamestone to guide us," Cordus went on, "we cannot possibly lose this war. I now offer this to a young man--the most promising Squire that Dremlock has seen in ages, the future of this kingdom."

Lannon tensed up, certain he was going to be handed the White Flamestone. He gazed at it eagerly, wondering how it would feel to hold a living piece of the Divine Essence. But then he noticed that Cordus was looking at someone else.

 
"I now ask," Cordus went on, "that this incredibly gifted lad--a prince of Borenthia no less--come forward and receive the White Flamestone. It was the will of the Divine Essence that he alone should bear it. Now, Vannas Greenrune, come and take this wondrous blessing!"

A tall, handsome Birlote Squire emerged from the crowd, grinning with delight. He waved to everyone, then hurried to Cordus and held out his cupped hands. He wore the lightweight, green and gold, rune-engraved armor of an archer, and a bow was slung across his back.

Cordus smiled. "You will bring hope to Dremlock, Vannas. At last we have gained an advantage over our foes. As the Bearer of the White Flamestone, you are now the most important servant of Dremlock--more important even than myself. Your survival is vital, your fate bound to the fate of Dremlock. You will join the other Squires, protected at all times by a Divine Shield."

Vannas bowed, then turned to the crowd and raised the Flamestone. The gathering erupted into cheers and clapping. Vannas smiled, a look of such confidence on his face it made Lannon cringe. In one sweeping moment, Lannon's status as the most important person at Dremlock has been torn away. He couldn't help but feel immediate jealously toward Vannas.

"Prince Vannas is my cousin!" Aldreya said, beaming at Lannon. "He is a great warrior. I'm sure he will bring much honor to Dremlock."

Lannon nodded and mumbled, "I'm sure he will." In spite of his jealously, Lannon hoped the White Flamestone would give Dremlock the edge it needed to save Vorden and Taris.

"What a remarkable turn of events," said Jace. "The Divine Essence has given up a piece of itself to ensure the survival of Dremlock. I don't recall anything like this ever happening before. Frankly, I'm stunned!"

"It is my greatest honor," Prince Vannas called out, "to have been chosen to bear this mighty gift--this weapon of all weapons. Now the shadows will flee before us like the night before the rising sun!"

Cordus handed Vannas a black pouch to hold the White Flamestone and motioned for him to join Lannon and his friends. Then he took to reading a few passages from
The Book of War
--peaceful poetry in spite of the book's name that was meant to soothe and inspire. However, The Book of War was badly written to the point of being laughable:

"Peace, Or No Peace?

by Talm Fireleg

A Leaf reaches out, to touch a like-veined heart,

For the Tree of honor gives peace, where no peace was found,

The Knight's brow is caked with sweat, the yellow frosting of toil,

His Soul overly baked and boiled, a cake makers bungled lament,

The eternal Boughs give shade so rest, a cool leaf to wipe your brow,

To forge the peaceful Mind..."

Someone in the crowd snickered and Cordus glared at them, before continuing on. The Book of War was an embarrassment--written in an age when bad poetry was held in high regard. Most of the poems were written by Knights who had far more skill with the blade than the pen.

Vannas strode over to the Squires and nodded to Aldreya. "I see I'm in good company, my cousin. Now if only I had a horse!"

Aldreya smiled. "I am in awe of you, cousin. The Divine Essence has truly blessed you. I would gladly surrender my horse to you."

"And I would refuse it," said Vannas. "To date, you've done far more for Dremlock than I have."

"Good to meet you," Jerret mumbled. He didn't appear impressed at all by the prince. He sat slouched in the saddle, his muscular arms folded across his chest. All Jerret seemed to care about was his training. It was an obsession that had grown to consume him--as if he were preparing for some great duel to the death and nothing else in life mattered. He'd gone from being a talented and lazy Squire to someone who could barely bring himself to rest.

"Glad to have you along, Vannas," said Lannon, sitting taller in the saddle. Vannas turned and his eyes passed over Lannon and kept going. Lannon squirmed a bit, wondering if Vannas had failed to hear him or was ignoring him.

"You must be Jace the Wanderer," said the prince, nodding to the tall man. "One of my protectors, and a fine warrior from what I've heard."

"Lannon's Divine Shield," said Jace, "is now your Divine Shield as well. I was told you would be joining us. However, I had no idea you would be bearing such a great gift. Actually, I'm surprised Cordus choose to reveal it publicly. Now our foes will surely learn of it, taking away our element of surprise."

Vannas smiled. "The High Council hopes our foes will be intimidated. Meanwhile, the true power of the White Flamestone remains hidden from them." He lowered his voice and added, "And, well, the Blood Legion spies found out about it rather quickly, unfortunately."

Jace nodded. "As usual."

Cordus started another poem:

"Smell The Flowers, Not The Trolls

by Blande Barrelchest

The War is blue, no it is green,

The Wind sings true, but our foes are liars,

The Dawn comes bright, to nag the tainted soul,

But the peaceful Soul is not nagged..."

People in the crowd glanced at each other in amusement. Sadly, it was a Lord Knight's duty and tradition to read poems from The Book of War when an army of Knights was leaving Dremlock.

Vannas nodded to Lannon. "Good to meet you as well, Lannon Sunshield. I've heard of your deeds, and I'm impressed by them."

Lannon bowed. "Thank you, Vannas."

A white horse--one of the finest in Dremlock--was led over for Vannas. He swung smoothly into the saddle, then smiled at Lannon. "I suspect we will become good friends. I pledge to guard your back."

"And I pledge to guard yours," Lannon said. He still felt a bit of jealously, but Vannas had put him at ease. Lannon was grateful that someone else would now share his terrible burden.

Vannas seemed engulfed in an aura of importance, and Lannon couldn't help but immediately think of him as a leader. That aura bordered on arrogance yet commanded great respect.

"Would you address me as
Prince
Vannas henceforth?" He winked at Lannon. "One stipulation of my coming to Dremlock is that I'm allowed to retain my title and be addressed with respect."

Lannon was overcome for a moment by annoyance and couldn't speak. Then he found his voice. "Of course, Prince Vannas."

"Thank you, my friend," said the prince. He smiled at Aldreya. "You may still address me as
cousin
if you like. I find it charming."

"Glad to have you along, Vannas," said Shennen. "The gift you bear gives me hope that we will survive our journey north."

"We will do more than survive," said Vannas. "I promise you that we will utterly vanquish our foes. The power I bear is stronger than anything you can imagine. It makes Lannon's Eye of Divinity seem like a magician's cheap illusion. This is a new day for Dremlock."

Lannon wondered why Shennen didn't have to refer to him as
Prince
Vannas, and his annoyance grew. Also, he felt like Vannas had just tried to diminish Lannon's importance. It was a petty thought, but it nagged Lannon nonetheless. He felt as if he had just been slapped in the face. Yet Vannas likely spoke the truth. How long had the Birlote prince been training in secrecy to wield the White Flamestone, and just how powerful was the device? A gift from the Divine Essence surely had to be extraordinary. Lannon was certain the answers would be revealed on their journey, as he fully expected ambushes and assassination attempts.

It was another two hours before the army departed and at last rode off through Darkender Tunnel to the sounds of battle horns that rang out from the Great Wall. As they made their way down the mountain, the parade of Knights received many cheers from gathered crowds along the road. Everyone in Silverland and the lands beyond knew that Dremlock was going to war. Every king and lord was on edge, their spies out gathering information.

Vannas rode next to Lannon, and the prince spent much time waving to people. Feeling overshadowed, Lannon took to waving as well. But Lannon didn't feel comfortable drawing attention to himself, so he stopped. Lannon reminded himself that he was not a prince and wasn't required to act like one.

"What a grand day this is, my friend," Vannas said to Lannon. "Can you feel it in your blood? We ride for the fate of Dremlock!"

"Yes, it is exciting," said Lannon, though his tone was subdued. He wanted to feel what Vannas was feeling, but the thought of riding north and confronting Vorden and the Blood Legion terrified him. Also, with Vannas now wielding some great power from the Divine Essence, Lannon actually feared for Vorden's life. Lannon had been hoping to free Vorden of the gauntlet and bring the device back to Dremlock. But Vannas would surely attempt to kill Vorden. The impending situation put a heavy burden on Lannon's shoulders. Vannas was a Birlote prince and a warrior who fought for honor. He would gleefully use his power to slay Dremlock's foes. But for Lannon it wasn't that simple. He was always seeking a way to save everyone, even when he knew it was impossible to do so. It left him weary to the core.

And if Vannas and his mysterious White Flamestone weren't enough, the massive army of Divine Knights was bent on bloodshed. The reality was that they weren't going on this quest to save Vorden and Taris--but to strike a terrible blow to the Blood Legion. This was strictly a war party, and the only topic on the agenda was bitter combat. Lannon was certain, however, that Furlus Goblincrusher was thinking of his friend and fellow Tower Master Taris Warhawk and would do everything in his power to return the Hand of Tharnin to Dremlock.