Knights: Defenders of Ollanhar (Ollanhar Series Book 1) (18 page)

Bekka’s
face held a look of disappointment. “I understand.”

Lannon
realized what she was thinking, and he said, “Actually, why don’t you come
along too, Bekka? You’re as good a fighter as anyone.”

“Prince
Vannas might be injured,” said Dallsa. “A healer could be
needed.”

“I
guess we’ll all go,” said Lannon.

“No,”
said Aldreya. “I will return to the camp with the rest of the Knights. If
you do not return by nightfall, we will search for you in the morning.”

Lannon
bowed, and they set off.

***

Desperate
to find their missing prince, Lannon and the Knights roamed for miles through
the foggy grassland. Utterly soaked, cold, and miserable, they splashed along
through mud and water behind their leader, calling out the prince’s name
repeatedly. With no response from the prince, it was left to the power of the
Eye to locate him—yet they soon had a sinking feeling that Vannas wasn’t just
going to be found in the vast and seemingly empty expanse of slop. At last
daylight began to slip away, and they returned to camp with the bad news.

Yet
moments after they entered camp, Prince Vannas wandered in. The lean Birlote
was soaked and muddy, with scratches on his face. His silver hair hung in
tangles, partially obscuring his face. His expression was strange and distant,
and he was holding the Flamestone in his cupped hands. He gazed at the others
passively for a moment, as they swarmed around him, and then he smiled.

“Glad
to be back,” said the prince.

“Where
have you been?” Aldreya demanded. She explained how they had searched for
him extensively.

“I
was just out for a walk,” said Vannas. “I wanted to be alone, to
meditate on the White Flamestone.” He paused, then added, “I am
seeking to unlock its deepest secrets.” His voice sounded odd—almost
evil—as if spoken from someone else’s throat. “There is nothing more I
can tell you.”

“This
is a disgrace,” said Lothrin. “You had all of us worried that the
Deep Shadow had claimed you. Now you come wandering in as if nothing is out of
the ordinary. We’re wet, cold, and tired from searching for you. Why didn’t you
at least warn us you were leaving?”

“Sorry,”
Vannas mumbled.

“That’s
not good enough,” said Aldreya. “I’m very disappointed in your
behavior, Prince Vannas.” She took a deep breath and then let it out.
“Therefore, I am confining you to our camp. You cannot leave without
permission.”

The
prince eye’s widened. “You’re treating me as if I am a child, Aldreya.
This is shameful and arrogant on your part.”

“You’re
behaving like a child,” said Lothrin, stepping close to his cousin.
“And causing the rest of us a lot of grief in the process.”

Vannas
shoved Lothrin away. “I’m about done with you, cousin. Next time you get
that close to me, I will break your nose.”

Daledus
grinned. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

Lothrin
frowned. “You will break my nose? Apparently you’ve forgotten my skill at
fighting, my good prince. You may have the Flamestone, but you know that
engaging me in battle would be folly.”

Vannas
shrugged. He adjusted his silk tunic. “Try it, and then bleed from a
broken nose. That’s all I have to say on the matter.”

The
two lean Birlote warriors stared each other down, their hands knotted into
fists—the elite prince and the simple Ranger.

“No
one is breaking anyone’s nose,” said Lannon, with a sigh. “Prince
Vannas, it was wrong of you to make us search for you and have everyone
worried. You must realize that. I think Aldreya’s punishment is fair.”

“Thank
you, Lannon,” said Aldreya.

“Actually,”
said Jerret, “I would like to break Prince Vannas’ nose.” The hulking
Knight slammed his fist into his palm. “I’m dripping wet and hungry
because of his foolishness. And he put the White Flamestone—and our whole
mission—in jeopardy by wandering off alone.”

“Agreed,”
said Vorden, with a look of disgust. “Prince Vannas, you should know
better than that. You used very poor judgment.”

The
prince shrugged. “None of you understand. I was called upon by the Divine
Essence to go forth and learn—and I will do it again if called upon.” He
was lost in thought for a moment, then said, “You see, I have only begun
to scratch the surface concerning the power locked within the White Flamestone.
There is so much more to be discovered. I have always used it purely to unleash
destruction, yet the White Flamestone is unique in that it can do many things
besides hurl fire. I believe it can also be used effectively as a shield,
though the technique is very difficult to master. The Divine Essence is showing
me what I need to know.”

“If
that’s true,” said Aldreya, “then I will lift the punishment.
However, why didn’t you tell us where you were going?”

“I
couldn’t,” said Vannas. “I wasn’t even aware I had left camp until I
found myself walking through water. After my training, the White Flamestone
somehow led me back to camp, like a light in the fog.” His green eyes
shone with amazement as he spoke. “Yes, a light in a fog that can hold the
shadows at bay.”

Yet
Lothrin’s face was stony. “Once again you’re losing yourself to that
wretched gem. It is a terrible thing to witness. I long for the day when you no
longer possess it and your soul can be free again.”

With
trembling hands, Prince Vannas hurriedly put the Flamestone back into its black
pouch and tucked it away. “Just keep your distance from me, Lothrin. And
don’t even think about trying to steal it when I’m asleep. I already warned you
once what would happen—that I will defend the Flamestone aggressively against
anyone who tries to claim it.”

“I’m
not a thief,” said Lothrin.

“The
issue is settled,” said Lannon, who wanted only to get inside his tent and
dry off. But apparently it wasn’t settled—because Vannas had suggested his
strange behavior would continue.

“It’s
not settled for me,” said Lothrin.

“Mind
your own business, cousin,” Prince Vannas warned. “You’ve always been
far too stubborn for your own good. It will lead you to ruin.”

“Why?”
asked Lothrin. “Because you’ll kill me if I try to help you?”

The
prince didn’t answer. He entered his tent.

“The
White Flamestone,” said Aldreya, “is not an evil item, Lothrin. It is
a living piece of our god, granted to us as a gift. You would be wise to
remember that. It will not lead Prince Vannas astray.”

“I’m
not so sure,” said Lothrin. “Even godly power can turn corrupt in the
hands of mortals. You would be wise to remember
that
. The White
Flamestone itself may be pure and good, but all mortals are tainted and given
to wretched mistakes. I don’t believe the prince can handle this power he has
received.”

“Yet
the Divine Essence chose him,” said Aldreya. “There was a reason for
that. We must trust in our god’s wisdom over our own.”

Lothrin
shook his head. “In truth, Aldreya, I trust my own judgment over that of
any god. All the days and nights I spent in the wilderness taught me to rely on
my own skills for survival and nothing else. Out there, in the wild lands, you
learn that life and death come easily—too easily to be anything but the simple
result of cause and effect. Even the greatest hero can die of thirst or stumble
over a rock and fall into a heap of broken bones. I’m loyal to the Divine
Essence and I will serve it—yet trusting in a god is not my way.”

“Yet
I’m ordering you,” said Aldreya, “to stay out of Prince Vannas’
business when it comes to the White Flamestone. Otherwise, I fear it will come
to blows—or worse. You are not his leader or his parent.”

“Aldreya
is right,” said Lannon. “I know how much to want to look after him,
but it could result in bloodshed if you get in his way. The Divine Essence is
in his heart, and he will defend his destiny at all costs. It makes for a
dangerous situation, Lothrin. You need to mind your own affairs.”

“I’m
not sure I can do that,” said Lothrin. “I have great loyalty to
Dremlock and Ollanhar—but also to the Prince of Borenthia. I made a promise
years ago that I would watch over him, and I take that promise very
seriously.”

“You’re
a Knight now,” said Aldreya, “which means you are living a new life.
You are a new person, blessed by the Divine Essence. If Knightly duty demands
that you break old promises, then you must do so.”

Lothrin
hesitated, then simply walked away.

***

The
next day, Bekka asked Lannon if he would guide her on a hunt through the fog in
search of rabbits for breakfast. Lannon was tired of wandering around the soggy
grassland, but he agreed, wanting to improve their friendship. The two left the
shadow of the huge Dwarf statue and walked away from camp on a chill, cloudy
morning in search of higher ground.

Bekka
was a skilled hunter and seemed to know exactly what she was looking for, while
Lannon was there simply to make sure she found her way back to camp in the
unnatural fog. She knelt by logs and rocks, scanning the ground, occasionally
readying an arrow and standing motionless for long periods of time. She moved
with swift and graceful silence over the terrain, her muscular body seemingly
tireless, and each rabbit was dispatched with deadly accuracy.

It
wasn’t long before she had bagged four rabbits, but that was hardly enough to
feed the whole camp. “I need several more,” she said.

“I’m
fine with eggs and bread,” said Lannon.

“Daledus
will want rabbit meat,” she said, “and probably Jerret and Galvia
too.” She smiled. “I don’t want to leave anyone out. We need to fill
your bag too, Lannon. You should have brought your bow.”

“I’m
not much for hunting,” he admitted.

She
gave him a curious look. “Why not? You have the Eye to guide you, and
you’re a Blue Knight. Surely you would make an excellent hunter.”

“It
doesn’t interest me,” he said.

“I
heard you don’t like killing,” said Bekka. “Some of the Knights say
you’re too gentle for your own good. Is that why you don’t hunt?”

“I
kill when I have to,” said Lannon. “I’ve slain Goblins…and men. But
what you heard is true. I would prefer never to kill anything.”

“That’s
a strange way for a Knight,” she said. “Most warriors enjoy combat,
or they wouldn’t be warriors. While it’s true that Divine Knights aren’t
supposed to favor bloodshed, we’re also not supposed to shy away from it.”

“I
don’t shy away from it,” said Lannon. “But I always look for an
alternative to killing. That is actually written in the Sacred Laws—that
Knights are supposed to avoid bloodshed if possible.”

“Of
course,” said Bekka. “Yet many Knights are all too eager to settle
things with the sword. Perhaps that is a failing of mine as well. I usually go
for the blade first when threatened.”

“It’s
a difficult way of life,” said Lannon. “We have to be slow to wield
the blade and yet be prepared to fight to the death in an instant. The
difference between you and I, Bekka, is that I would prefer never to engage in
combat.”

“Are
you sure about that?” she asked, smiling.

Lannon
considered her words. He did have a strong love of adventure and enjoyed
putting his skills to the test, but the thought of taking a human life invoked
disgust within him. “Yes, I’m sure,” he said.

“A
typical Dark Watchman,” said Bekka, “but not a typical Blue Knight.
It’s strange how the Watchmen all grew so corrupt. They were very much like
you, Lannon, from what I’ve heard. They defended life and fought for peace,
resorting to violence only when necessary. Yet they became the darkest souls of
all, engaging in horrific and evil deeds in the name of Tharnin. I don’t
understand it, but it worries me greatly. I worry about your future,
Lannon.”

Lannon
wasn’t sure he wanted to partake in this discussion. It seemed once again Bekka
was questioning his ability to lead. Nevertheless, he found himself commenting.
“I’m concerned as well, Bekka. Everyone at Dremlock is. But there’s not
much to be done about it.”

“Yet
what about this Taith lad?” she said. “Now another Dark Watchman has
joined us—with another uncertain future. Is this a wise move on Dremlock’s
part, to train this boy to unlock powers that might be better left shut away? I
tend to believe we should just find him a home and leave him be.”

“Is
it a wise move?” said Lannon. “I wish I knew. I too wonder if
everyone would be better off if Taith just lived a normal life. I really don’t
want to see the Dark Watchmen rise again, because history has shown us what
will happen. Yet Aldreya is convinced that Dremlock will train as many Dark
Watchmen as we can find, due to the threat of Bellis. I guess I don’t really
have any answers and should give up trying to figure it all out.”

“Don’t
do that,” said Bekka, her face grim. “You have reason and compassion,
Lannon. Dremlock needs you to stay strong and question everything. You’re a
voice of sanity in a sea of madness.”