Knights: Book 03 - The Heart of Shadows (4 page)

Prince
Vannas bore a sour expression at the sight of these new arrivals. "I can't
understand why you were sent here," he said, after the new Squires had
introduced themselves. "Why not send more fully trained Knights
instead?"

The
six Squires were alone in the bedchamber.

Galvia
looked uncomfortable. "I don't know why I was sent. I was simply told I
would resume my training here and be part of the Divine Shield, and that I must
protect you and Lannon."

Vannas
smirked. "So you're here to protect us, huh, Galvia?" He glanced at
Lannon. "Do you feel safer now that she has arrived?"

Lannon
didn't reply, wishing Vannas would just keep his opinions to himself (though he
knew his wish was folly).

Galvia's
gaze was fixed on the floor, but her grey eyes smoldered with Dwarven
stubbornness. "I'm only doing as ordered."

Vannas
glanced at Lothrin. "Well? What about you?"

Lothrin
shrugged. "I was probably sent in case you meet a bad end, my good
prince." He smiled. "Someone would have to pick up that shiny stone
of yours and put it to good use."

Vannas'
smirk vanished and he glared at Lothrin. "In case I meet a bad end? What does
that mean? The Divine Essence didn't choose you, cousin. It chose
me.
The White Flamestone would be weak in your hands."

"Weak,
perhaps," said Lothrin, smiling, "but better than nothing. It isn't
wise to restrict such a powerful weapon to one pair of hands, even if those
hands were chosen by our god and king."

"Are
you saying the Knights chose you as a possible replacement?" Vannas
demanded. "I don't believe it!"

"No,
not a replacement," said Lothrin. "But they've been busy testing
other Knights and Squires, trying to find someone who could wield the White
Flamestone in case you met an unfortunate end. I alone passed the test. Barely.
The truth is that no one can unlock its power like you can, my prince. The
Divine Essence chose you for a reason. The Flamestone would be vastly weaker in
my hands. But since I passed the test, they sent me along."

"It
wasn't necessary for either of you to come here," said Vannas. "And
if I have my say, you'll be sent back to Dremlock."

"We're
pleased to have you both here," said Lannon, stepping in front of Vannas
and shaking their hands. Aldreya and Jerret did the same.

An
awkward silence followed.

Vannas
sighed. "I'm not being mean spirited here." He forced a smile.
"Actually, I just don't want to see more Squires put in extreme danger.
But since you were ordered to come here and had no choice but to obey, I
suppose I too must welcome you...at least for now." The prince extended
his hand.

The
two Squires shook it without hesitation.

After
that, Vannas seemed in a better mood and the Squires got along fine. All the
Squires of the Divine Shield were required to bunk in the same large room,
girls and boys alike, so they could be easily kept under guard. Half of the
chamber had been converted into a training area, with weights, practice
dummies, and other accessories. A highly trusted Blue Knight named Fajan
Stoneheart was sent to oversee their training. Fajan was very strict and didn't
seem awed by the Squires' talents. He insisted they return to the basics of
Blue Squire training--even forcing the loud and clumsy Jerret to participate.
Aldreya, however, continued her sorcery training with a Grey Knight named Zana
Wolfheart. Lannon, Vannas, and Galvia were also allowed time for their special
training, which all three of them did on their own.

At
one point, when Lannon stood alone in a corner, seeking to channel the Eye of
Divinity through his sword, he noticed Taris Warhawk watching him with a
concerned look. "Is something wrong?" Lannon asked.

"Your
training looks strange to me," said Taris.

Lannon
explained what he was doing.

"Who
told you to train like that?" asked Taris.

"Shennen,"
said Lannon. The realization startled him. Had Shennen been trying to lead him
astray in some fashion?

Taris
nodded. "Shennen is behaving in a reckless manner lately. He should not
have given you that advice."

"Why?"
said Lannon, chills creeping over his flesh.

Taris
hesitated, then stepped closer, peering at Lannon with a strange expression
from beneath his hood. "Channeling the Eye of Divinity through a sword was
the preferred practice of the Dark Watchmen. As you may recall, the Dark
Watchmen came to an unfortunate end. They lost their way."

"Should
I cease the training?" asked Lannon, feeling deeply disappointed for some
reason he couldn't explain.

"It's
too late for that," said Taris. "You have already started along that
path of sorcery, and you will be compelled to follow it. You must avoid the
feelings of battle lust and arrogance, which could be your undoing."

"I
will do my best, Master Taris." Lannon didn't think he would have much
trouble avoiding those feelings.
Battle lust
sounded more like something
Jerret would be prone to, and in spite of Shennen's recent outburst over
Lannon's supposed arrogance, Lannon still considered himself quite humble.

"Tomorrow
we will ride out for Blombalk Fortress," said Taris. "Or rather, what
remains of it. I believe the fortress was not attacked by an army--but by some
great power source, perhaps equal in strength to the White Flamestone. If so,
Timlin and his Legion will be seeking that power to use against us."

"But
what could be as powerful as the White Flamestone?" asked Lannon. "I
thought it was the greatest of all weapons."

"Only
another Flamestone," Taris replied. "There are more of them out
there, scattered throughout the land. When the White Guardian was shattered,
the pieces of the god child were hurled far and wide."

"But
they can't be just wielded by anyone, right?" said Lannon.

Taris
nodded. "But those who
can
wield them have always sought them out,
and some are the servants of Tharnin."

"But
why would a servant of Tharnin attack a Blood Legion fortress?" asked
Lannon. "Aren't they all fighting for the same cause?"

"That's
an excellent question," said Taris. "Perplexing, isn't it? Perhaps
you can give us the answer. But beware, for I suspect there is a traitor
lurking about. He might be the assassin, or he might be someone else."

"Do
you think it's Shennen?" Lannon whispered, glancing about nervously. The
other Squires were busy with their training.

"I
don't know who it is," said Taris. "It could be anyone. I understand
your concerns about Shennen, but without evidence we cannot make accusations or
remove him from the Divine Shield. It is not our way. Dremlock considers its
Knights innocent until proven guilty. However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't
be cautious when we have suspicions."

Lannon
nodded, knowing Taris spoke true.

"We
ride south at dawn," said Taris, "and the assassin and traitor may be
riding with us. In fact, I believe there is a strong chance of it."

And
Taris would say no more on that subject.

***

Lannon,
his friends, and a company of Knights rode out through the huge wooden gates of
Dorok's Hand on a cold spring morning. The light of dawn was just beginning to
creep over the mountains, and heavy shadows still hung over the snows. A few
torches were lit, revealing tired, sullen faces.

 
All the members of the Divine Shield were
present except Furlus Goblincrusher, who remained at Dorok's Hand to guard the
fortress in case of a Blood Legion attack. Aside from the six Squires and
Saranna the Ranger (and her wolf), there were fifty Knights on horseback--a mix
of Red, Blue, Brown, Grey, and White, and five elite Birlote archers on loan
from Borenthia. The Squires rode in a tight formation, guarded by Thrake,
Shennen, Jace, Trenton, and Taris, who were themselves surrounded by a wall of
heavily armored Red Knights. They brought Olrog sleds that were laden with
supplies and could easily be converted into small wagons.

The
freezing air stung Lannon's face, and he sat slouched in the saddle, barely
able to stay awake. He'd slept poorly the night before, filled with too much
anticipation over beginning the journey. Yet his desire to get out from under
the oppressive gloom of the mountain was diminished on this sullen morning, and
he found himself longing for his bed and a warm quilt.

"It's
a bit early for traveling," Jace muttered, "when the sun hasn't yet
warmed the face of the mountain. Too cold even to smoke my pipe."

"It's
a perfect day," said Thrake Wolfaxe, as he stroked his bushy bread.
"See, if you had some hair on your chin, Jace, you might not be so
vulnerable to the cold. You should consider avoiding the razor for a
while."

Jace
gave him a sullen glance. "Perhaps, but right now a warm bed and some
pleasant dreams are what would repair my mood."

"A
beard like this might make a man out of you," Thrake went on.

"Or
make a nest for lice," said Jace, waving dismissively.

That
statement brought on laughter from all around.

"The
beard does not make the man," said Taris, chuckling, "though if
Furlus were here he would certainly dispute that statement. And by the way,
Thrake, your beard will soon match Furlus' in width and length. That's sure to
irritate him, so you better watch your back. If you're lucky, he may only sneak
up on you in your sleep and clip some off."

Thrake
grinned. "He might indeed. I'm sure he wouldn't like the fact that a
Norack like me has a beard to rival a Grey Dwarf's."

"Keep
your voices down," Shennen muttered. "Unless you want us to be heard
all over the mountain and on the plains below."

"Yes,"
said Trenton, his expression sour "everyone be silent, please! I can't
stand good-natured conversation this early--when I haven't even had a sip of
hot tea and the frost stings my nose. Let us just ride and be miserable."

"No
misery here," Thrake said. "I couldn't be more happy to be free of
Dorok's Hand and out in the fresh air."

"Agreed,"
said Taris. "It would please me greatly never to have to see Dorok's Hand
again. And speaking of Furlus, I'm sure he loves that wretched cave. It's not
surprising he chose to remain behind."

"I
wish I could have remained with Furlus," said Trenton, "wretched cave
or not. "My duty was to find the assassin. I feel I'm neglecting it."

"You'll
have plenty of mysteries to investigate," said Taris, "on this
journey.
You
,
Jace
,
Saranna
, and
Lannon
, that
is."

"I
don't work with Squires and outsiders," said Trenton.

"This
time, you will," said Taris. "When Squires and outsiders have
valuable skills, a good Investigator makes use of them."

"Very
well," Trenton said, giving a big sigh. "If you order it done, it
will be done. Personally, I don't feel I need any help. I've served Dremlock
well for years on my own. But you have spoken, and I obey. Strange that you
bring this up now, though, when the journey is already underway."

"Are
you going to lower your voices?" said Shennen, "or should we just
start shouting to our enemies to start setting ambushes?"

No
one answered.

The
journey down the mountain was slow, as the horses worked their way through deep
snowdrifts. As the day wore on and they were riding past some huge, twisted
pines with boughs laden with snow, the weather warmed some and a thick fog
settled around them. The fog was so dense and appeared so suddenly it put the
Knights on edge, and they halted travel to discuss the issue.

"I
sense the work of Tharnin," said Shennen, drawing his blade. "This
fog feels foul against the skin and bears a faint stench like the
Bloodlands."

"I
smell nothing but pines and fresh air," said Thrake. "I think it's
just some dense fog, not unusual in the mountains this time of year."

"This
mist is definitely not natural," said Taris. "It is some weapon of
Tharnin, meant to blind and confuse us. An attack is sure to come. Be on guard
and protect the Squires. Protect the White Flamestone at all costs!"

"How
can we see to protect anything?" Trenton snarled. "We've blundered
into this like a pack of fools."

Lannon
could barely see anyone around him, even though they sat on horseback just a
few feet away. The fog clung to his skin and made his flesh crawl. The air had
warmed considerably, and moisture was beaded on his face.

The
Eye of Divinity revealed the fog as a living creature--like some kind of Goblin
that had a shifting, vaporous form. It had been spawned deep within the
Bloodlands, a rare creature that had taken decades to reach maturity. The Blood
Legion had modified it somehow with dark sorcery--giving it the will to attack
and confuse the Divine Knights. But Lannon's gaze pierced it and glimpsed a
large pack of Goblin Wolves charging through the snow. He yelled a warning and
pulled the Eye into a shield around him--while still leaving himself with a
small field of magical vision. He drew his Dragon sword.