Knights: Book 03 - The Heart of Shadows (18 page)

"That
one, I can answer," said Timlin.

"Wait!"
said Hoytus Shadowblood. The Dwarf's eyes flashed with anger. "Why should
we tell these wretches anything, Timlin? Let them figure it out for themselves.
It's bad enough that we let them in here--onto sacred Legion grounds." His
meaty hand was wrapped tightly around the handle of his battle axe.

"Agreed,
my brother!" Rulain Knightslayer said, slamming his fist down on the table
and spilling some ale. "To cooperate with these Dremlock dogs sickens me.
The Blood Legion has sunk to a new low."

"Calm
yourselves," Timlin ordered. "I'm in command here, by the will of our
great leader himself, unless you've forgotten.
 
We're going to cooperate, and we're going to have the Black Flamestone
returned to us. I promise you that."

"But
why should we reveal our secrets?" said Hoytus.

"Because
if you don't," said Taris, "then Dremlock will never cooperate with
you. We can either work together peacefully, or take the more difficult path
that will be costly for both of us."

"Those
secrets no longer matter, Hoytus," said Ulmason Deathhand. "Let
Timlin speak, for he is wise beyond his years and knows well our foes. Dremlock
will learn of these things regardless."

"Shall
I proceed then?" said Timlin.

The
Dwarven brothers didn't reply, their faces bitter.

"The
Blood Legion had possession of the Black Flamestone," said Timlin. "A
portal to Tharnin was opened below this fortress for a purpose I won't
reveal.
 
But things took a turn for the
worse and a creature wandered into Blombalk Fortress through the portal--a
Tharnin Specter. It was too powerful to stop, and it killed nearly everyone and
took possession of the Black Flamestone. Some of our Goblins were camped
outside the fortress, and they survived--but where they went is not known. They
were the only survivors that day."

"Your
story is believable," said Trenton. "But why would the Specter have
an interest in the Black Flamestone?"

"A
Specter is a creature that loves precious metals and jewels," said Jace,
"anything shiny and rare. It hoards such treasures away in caves and
guards them fiercely. It was no doubt attracted to the Black Flamestone for
that reason. It may have no idea how to actually wield the power of the gem.
But a Specter has plenty of power as it is. They are nearly
indestructible."

"Yes,"
said Taris, "it is an incredibly dangerous creature." His eyes
smoldered with rage beneath his hood. "You fools! In your selfish need to
topple Dremlock, you opened the gates of doom! You summoned this Specter, thinking
you could control it and send it against us like you did the Dragon. But you
paid a high price."

Timlin
shrugged. "Sometimes good ideas go bad."

"This
is what happens," said Trenton, "when a child like Timlin is placed
in command of an army."

The
Dwarven brothers glanced at each other, but said nothing. It was clear they
were not happy with Timlin's leadership.

Timlin
stroked his thin beard, his eyes cold. "Child, huh?"

"Timlin
is no child," said Ulmason Deathhand. "Timlin has the wisdom of
Tharnin in his heart." He removed his horned helm and laid it on the
table, exposing his scarred, bearded face with its one remaining eye. He was a
nightmare of a barbarian--a hulking, weathered brute who'd survived countless
battles and was now enhanced by the power of the Deep Shadow.

"Timlin
is a mere lad," said Trenton, "and a traitor!"

Timlin
stood up, scowling. "So now it's all about insults, huh? Well, I think
I've heard enough of this. If Dremlock won't respect me as the leader of the
Blood Legion, then I have nothing more to say."

"Enough,"
said Taris, with a warning glance at Trenton. "Timlin, I recognize you as
the Lord of the Blood Legion, and Trenton will do so as well or he will leave
this meeting. There is no doubt that you are in command. Now please sit down,
have some more ale, and we'll discuss this very dire situation."

Trenton
glared, but said nothing.

Timlin
seemed to fight with his emotions for a moment, and then he seated himself.
"Anyway, that's the story. Yes, we brought doom on ourselves, and this
Specter is wandering around somewhere with the Black Flamestone."

"And
the portal to Tharnin?" asked Taris.

"It
closed on its own," said Timlin. "It was only temporary."

"Did
Goblins come through that portal?" asked Trenton. "We encountered
some that are unusual--more powerful and cunning. Did you summon them from
Tharnin to raise an army against Dremlock?"

"I
don't know what you're talking about," said Timlin, with a hint of a
smile. "I can tell you that Goblins born in the realm of Tharnin cannot
survive in this world, so that's a stupid question, Trenton--especially for
someone who calls himself an
Investigator
."

"All
possibilities need to be accounted for," said Trenton. "So no, Timlin
Woodmaster, it was
not
a stupid question."

"If
Goblins can't come through and live," said Daledus, "then how does
this Specter remain alive?"

"Some
creatures of Tharnin are so powerful," said Jace, "they can withstand
the energy of living things here. A Specter is one of those creatures. There
are also talented sorcerers that can enter our world, and even a few elite
warriors. And, of course, the Barloak Demons that invaded our land in ancient
times--though most of those were slain by Olzet Ka and the Crimson
Flamestone."

"Did
anyone else come through the portal?" Trenton asked, his piercing gaze on
Timlin. "Did Vorden Flameblade come through?"

"Do
you see him around?" said Timlin.

"That
is not a sufficient answer," said Trenton. "Are you going to
cooperate with this investigation or not?"

"The
portal was open very briefly," said Timlin, "for a specific purpose.
That purpose had nothing to do with Vorden." He grinned. "Not that
you won't be seeing Vorden and his Hand of Tharnin soon enough..."

"Don't
play games with me, Timlin," said Trenton.

 
Timlin laughed. "But I rather enjoy
it."

"I
propose," said Jace, "that we work together in hunting down this
Specter and slaying it. It is not a ghost, but a living creature that is
invincible to normal weapons and extremely resistant to sorcery. It can be
killed."

 
Timlin nodded. "I would be willing to
form a temporary alliance with Dremlock. But if we succeed in slaying the
Specter, who gets the Black Flamestone?" He pondered it for a moment, then
said, "I suppose we could always duel for it."

"A
duel," mused Taris. "Like the last one?"

"No,
a fair one this time," said Timlin. "By the way, I had no idea the
last one was unfair. But I'll take your word for it."

"I'm
sure you didn't," said Taris, sneering.

"We
can hunt this beast on our own," said Trenton. "We don't need to work
with our sworn enemies."

"And
we don't need
you!
" Hoytus growled.

"I
disagree," said Jace. "It could take an army to kill a Tharnin
Specter. They are hard to corner, for one thing. There is strength is
numbers."

"I
will agree to it," said Taris, "provided it is not a duel to the
death and provided we choose the participants now."

"Fine
by me," said Timlin. "The duel then is to death or submission. You
can pick anyone but Lannon, yourself, or another sorcerer. This will be a
battle of blades only. And I choose Ulmason Deathhand again."

Ulmason
bowed. "Thank you, my lord. I will not disappoint."

"And
I choose Flund Greenhelm," said Taris. "He is a Blue Knight and a
swordsman. He will fight only with his blade."

"Why
not choose me?" asked Shennen, looking annoyed. "Can Flund match my
skill with the blade?"

"Flund
is an excellent swordsman," said Taris, "and a humble Knight who
understands his place at Dremlock. He will fight with honor."

"But
Flund could lose," said Shennen, his expression bitter. "Do we want
to actually win the duel this time, or give our enemies the upper hand? Why
would you pick Flund over the Lord of the Blue Knights?"

"I
have my reasons," said Taris, in a cold voice. "Do not question
them."

Shennen
rose, knocking his chair over. "Do what you must, however foolish. You're
in command, Tower Master." Then he strode from the room.

Timlin
chuckled. "There goes an unhappy assassin."

Ulmason
grinned. "Little does he know, he was saved the humiliation of losing to
me. Taris did him a favor."

"Shennen
looked a bit upset," said Daledus, with raised eyebrows.

"He
will get over it," said Taris, looking unconcerned.

"Will
Flund agree to it?" asked Trenton. "The Sacred Laws forbid forcing a
Knight to fight a duel."

"He
will agree," said Taris. "And I'm confident he will prevail."

Ulmason
nodded. "It is good that you have confidence in your fighter. However, I
have never lost a duel, and never will."

Taris'
gleaming green eyes stayed focused on Timlin. "We will ride together and
fight together--until this Specter is found and slain and the Black Flamestone
is in our possession. Then we will have a fair duel for it. The winner of the
duel will be allowed to possess the stone for three days, during which there
will be no conflict. After that, it will be fair game again."

"Three
days?" said Timlin. "That works for me."

"I
won't ride with Goblins," said Trenton. The two Goblin Lords grinned at
Trenton in response, showing pointed teeth.

"The
Goblins will remain here," said Timlin. "What do you have against
them anyway, Trenton? They're strong warriors."

"The
Sacred Laws forbid fighting alongside Goblins," said Trenton. "Had
you remained at Dremlock, Timlin, and done your studies, you would know
this."

Timlin
yawned. "Studies are boring, Trenton."

"Lead
us to where the portal stood, Timlin," said Taris, rising from his chair,
"so that we may verify that it is indeed sealed."

"You
won't just take my word for it?" said Timlin, with a smirk.

***

The
portal site was located underground, beneath where the Training Hall had once
stood. All that remained of the Training Hall were some mangled wood and stone
ruins and a hole in the ground that was covered with an iron trapdoor. They had
to dig the snow off the trapdoor to pull it open.

Ulmason
and Daledus lifted the heavy slab away and Lannon probed for danger below. He
detected strong traces of Goblin activity, but no Goblins were currently down
there. He also failed to find any traps. He did, however, sense lingering
energy from the portal and it made him shudder. It felt like a warping of
nature--something so horrific it should not exist. It made him feel sick with
revulsion.

"I
don't detect any danger," Lannon told Taris, while holding his stomach and
fearing me might vomit. "But there was definitely a portal down there,
though it's gone now. The leftover energy feels very unnatural and
perverse."

The
group went below. Shennen had rejoined them, Flayer in hand. The others drew
their weapons as well. They followed stone steps down to a large storage room
full of crates and barrels. At the center of the room was a blazing dark flue
fireball, hovering in the air. The air seemed somehow warped around it as if
from intense heat. Yet the room was cold.

Everyone
exchanged disgusted glances.

"Nasty,
isn't it," said Timlin, holding his stomach. "The sorcery has not
fully dissipated yet. But the portal is indeed closed."

Jace
inspected it and nodded. "Yes, it is gone forever. This orb will fade away
eventually. But whatever took place down here to open the portal was very
dangerous. A terrible idea if ever there was one."

"Not
a terrible idea," said Timlin, with a grin. "Just a terrible
outcome."

"One
and the same," said Jace.

"What
do you know of portals, Jace?" asked Trenton.

"I've
studied them for years," said Jace. "I've even entered a few."

"No
one alive understands Tharnin better than Jace," said Taris. "Not
even the Birlote Wizards. Of that I have no doubt."

Jace
shrugged. "I wouldn't go that far, though I appreciate the compliment.
Yes, I know a thing or two about our enemy, but I had to suffer greatly to gain
that knowledge. The Shadow Realm does not share its secrets easily, even with
its own servants." After a sharp glance from Trenton, Jace added,
"Not that I'm one of its servants, of course. On the contrary, Tharnin despises
me."

Trenton
turned to Taris, his face grim. "Are you certain you want to cooperate
with our foes on the matter of the Black Flamestone? The last time Dremlock
tried something like this, it was a disaster. And I'm not entirely sure the
Sacred Laws allow this sort of alliance with these slaves of Tharnin."