Knights: Book 03 - The Heart of Shadows (13 page)

"The
Goblins are dead," Taris announced, "and all of the survivors have
been rescued. We will now focus on restoring this town."

Jace
approached the Squires, one sleeve of his cloak cut short and ragged. Somehow
he'd managed to light his pipe, however. He didn't seem to be in any pain. In
fact, he blew a smoke ring and smiled. "Glad to see you Squires made it
out of that trap. We had feared we might have to tunnel around it, which would
have delayed our journey to Blombalk even more. By the way, my young friends, you
didn't happen to see an arm lying around, did you?"

"Got
it right here, Uncle Jace." Aldreya returned the cloth bundle to him.
"I hope there is still time for the Healers to reattach it."

Jace
chuckled. "It's
Uncle
Jace again, I see. Well, that pleases me greatly.
And I'm also pleased that you've returned my arm." He winked. "It
comes in handy in a pinch." He patted her on the head. "My favorite
Squire."

Aldreya
smiled. "Just attending to my duties."

Vannas
sniffed the air disdainfully. "What is that appalling smell?"

"Appalling
smell?" said Jace, blowing another smoke ring. "This is good leaf, oh
prince. Not Birlote quality, but still worthy. I found it below in some
supplies. I'm sure the villagers won't mind."

In
response, Vannas covered his nose.

"Anyway,"
said Jace, "I better go see if I can get my arm stitched back on." He
walked away whistling, carrying his severed limb over his shoulder.

"Weird,"
said Jerret, shaking his head. "Just too weird."

"I
wholeheartedly agree," said Saranna, shuddering.

"Uncle
Jace is a sorcerer," said Aldreya, as if that explained everything.

"He's
not your uncle," said Vannas.

"She
can call him whatever she likes," said Lothrin. "That's her
business."

"I
hope they can save his arm," said Lannon.

"I
hope he finds some better quality pipe leaf," Vannas grumbled. He held his
stomach as if he might vomit.

 
The Knights quickly repaired doors and window
shutters, distributed supplies, and started fires in wood stoves. It took the
rest of the day to get the town organized again, during which the only
conversation involved helping the villagers. One of the tasks included
preparing the dead for burial, as a third of the townsfolk had been slain in
the Goblin attack or had died later from injuries. Taris ordered ten Knights,
including two Healers, to remain behind and continue to help the townsfolk. He
also sent a message to Dremlock by means of an Elder Hawk to send aid to the
village and to warn of the latest Goblin incident.

As
the Divine Knights prepared for departure, Saranna approached Taris and said,
"I would like to stay and help these villagers, if Dremlock will release
me from my contract. I realize I won't receive my second payment, but I'm fine
with that. These villagers need a Ranger."

"On
the contrary," said Taris, "you will be paid in full. We regret
losing you, Saranna, but I agree that these villagers need you. In helping
them, you have earned your pay." He handed her a pouch bulging with silver
coins.

She
smiled and bowed. "Thank you, Tower Master."

The
Squires bid her farewell.

Saranna
and Lothrin stood gazing at each other for a moment, and then Lothrin said,
"I wish I could stay and help you."

She
nodded. "I would welcome the help of a fine Ranger like you. But you've
got your duties as a Squire and a member of the Divine Shield."

"I
know," he said. "Until we meet again..."

"Until
then," said Saranna, smiling.

Jace's
arm had been successfully reattached, and he demonstrated this fact for
everyone by wiggling his fingers to cheers and applause. "It's a bit
stiff," he said, "but that shouldn't last long. I'll be back to
fighting form soon enough."

After
that, the Knights saddled up and resumed the journey to Blombalk Fortress, now
several hours behind the Blood Legion in the race.

Chapter
7:
 
The
Watchmen's
Keep

When
they stopped to make camp for the evening, the weather was bitterly cold. A few
bright stars burned in the heavens, in between some massive bone-white clouds.
The snow was frozen into a crust. They were on a wide hilltop surrounded by a
few huge oaks with ice hanging from their branches. An ancient stone tower
stood nearby, rising up above some treetops. Soon the hill was covered in
Knightly tents, and then everyone took refuge inside to warm themselves (except
for some shivering guards who were charged with watching the camp).

The
Squires took turns warming their tent's interior with sorcery (except for
Lannon, of course, who still couldn't manage to enchant a blade). Galvia was
awake, alert, and heavily bandaged. She lay atop a quilt, and her mood was
sullen--almost sad. The Squires tried in vain to cheer her up.

"What's
bothering you so much?" Jerret asked. He was seated on the floor with his
broadsword across his lap. He seemed to have taken quite a liking to Galvia,
perhaps because of her skills as a warrior.

"It's
nothing," Galvia said, but her eyes told a different tale. Part of her
dark-grey hair had come unbraided, but she made no effort to fix it. Her broad
face looked pained, but from wounds to the spirit more than the body. The other
Squires knew that Galvia, being a stout and resilient Dwarf, probably had
little concern for her physical injuries. She was suffering on a deeper level.

"I
don't believe you," said Jerret. "You don't seem like yourself at
all. I know it was a rough injury, but that can't be what's troubling
you."

"Very
well," said Galvia, with a heavy sigh and a bitter expression. "I
can't believe I let those Wolves corner me. That was so foolish, and it put
everyone at risk. It was as if I forgot all my training--and I mean
all
of it. Prior to the battle, I thought I knew exactly what to do. Then when
things got chaotic, I lost focus."

"It
could have happened to any of us," Jerret reassured her. "No amount
of training can prepare you completely for real combat. But you survived, and
you gained valuable experience."

"What
if I'm not meant for battle?" said Galvia. "Some people are born to
be warriors, and some can never live like that. Maybe I chose the wrong way of
life."

"I
highly doubt that," said Jerret. "You have some powerful skills, and
besides, you're a Grey Dwarf. What Olrog doesn't have a natural affinity for
combat?"

"There
are many Olrogs," said Galvia, "who do not make good warriors. Some
went to Dremlock to become Knights--and failed."

"You'll
be fine," said Lannon. "As Jerret said, you're a very talented
Squire." He rummaged around in his pack and found some delicious cake he'd
been saving. He longed to eat it, but instead he offered it to Galvia.

Galvia
shook her head. "Not hungry."

With
a shrug, Lannon raised the piece of cake for a bite, when Jerret snatched it
from him and crammed it in his mouth. Lannon glared at him.

"Thanks,"
Jerret mumbled, his mouth full of cake.

"Maybe
I don't belong on this Divine Shield," said Galvia, sighing. "Yes, I
think it was a mistake to include me. I should request to be removed."

"Nonsense,"
said Aldreya, sitting down next to her and taking her hand. "We're glad to
have you with us, Galvia. The Knights chose you for a good reason. They gave
you a great honor in adding you to the Divine Shield."

"That
was my first real battle," said Galvia, pulling her hand away from
Aldreya's. Her eyes looked haunted. "I expected far better of myself. I
guess I wasn't as well trained as I thought, in spite of all the promotions
I've received and the belief that I would soon become a Knight."

"May
I fix your hair?" said Aldreya. "The braids have come undone."

Galvia
nodded.

"You're
pondering it too much," said Lothrin, who'd been reading a book by the
lantern light. "If you keep dwelling on it, you will let it destroy your
confidence." He held up the book. "This is the story of Molth
Bloodbow, a Birlote warrior who lost his confidence after a battle and ended up
becoming a merchant. Anyway, I'm halfway through the book, and he has come to
hate himself for his decision. I'm sure he is headed for a miserable end, full
of regrets. You don't want to end up like Molth Bloodbow, do you?"

Galvia
managed a smile. "Definitely not. I would hate to be a merchant."

"Lothrin
is right," said Aldreya. "Let it go and move on."

"Olrogs
take everything too seriously," said Vannas, with a dismissive wave.
"To the rest of us, it's just battle--and battle is chaotic. But to an
Olrog it means everything, especially that first taste of it." He shook
his head in amusement. "I'm glad I was born a Birlote and cannot relate to
such thinking."

"Molth
Bloodbow was a Birlote," Lothrin reminded him.

"That's
just a silly story," said Vannas.

"You're
lumping all the Grey Dwarves together unfairly, cousin," said Aldreya.
"Don't forget that everyone is unique."

"Prince
Vannas is right about me, though," said Galvia. "I feel like I've
failed everyone. I've failed Dremlock. I guess I just need time to get over it.
Yet I keep seeing those Wolves in my mind, tearing into me. I felt
helpless--not at all like a warrior. The Olrog Elders would be ashamed of
me."

Lannon
didn't like what he was hearing. "That way of thinking is dangerous,
Galvia. You owe it to Dremlock, and yourself, to put this behind you. You're
not perfect. You're going to make plenty of mistakes on the path to
Knighthood."

"Lannon
speaks true," said Jerret. "We've all done stupid things and learned
from them. You're young like the rest of us. Give yourself time to grow."

"I'll
try," Galvia promised, wincing as she probed the bandages on her stomach.
But she continued to look depressed.

"Just
focus on your recovery," said Aldreya, concern in her eyes. "The
Healers managed to save your life, and now you need to do the work to get back
on your feet. You'll feel better once you're up and about."

"And
those were no ordinary Wolves that cornered you," Jerret reminded Galvia.
"They were extremely cunning and powerful."

"If
I may change the subject and give Galvia a bit of peace," said Vannas,
"that whole incident in Elder Oak was alarming."

"Indeed,
those were extraordinary Goblins," said Aldreya. "Maybe the Blood
Legion created them somehow and sent them to invade the town. It could be part
of a new plot to take over all of Silverland."

"That
doesn't seem likely," said Lannon. "For one thing, not all Goblins
serve the Blood Legion. Many are simply spawned in the Bloodlands and are wild
creatures. But assuming these Goblins were under command of the Legion--which
the presence of the two priests seemed to suggest--what would they have stood
to gain by invading Elder Oak?"

"Supplies,
perhaps," said Lothrin. "It appeared the Goblins were gathering items
in the tunnels below the town, perhaps to take back to Old Hammer Hall. Maybe
the Blood Legion is running low on provisions."

"But
the supplies were being consumed," said Aldreya. "The food and drink
was scattered all about. I got the impression the Goblins weren't planning on
going anywhere and were simply indulging in their loot."

"It
does seem that way," Lothrin admitted.

"It's
another Goblin Puzzle," said Lannon.

"Regardless,"
said Aldreya, "what those villagers endured was horrible. If we hadn't
arrived there when we did, I'm sure they all would have perished. I wonder if
there are other towns under attack by these new Goblins."

"I'm
sure Taris will send word to Dremlock," said Lannon, "and more
Knights will be dispatched to check on the villages of Silverland."

"There
are a lot of small villages," said Vannas. "Far too many for the
Knights to protect. But I'm sure Dremlock will do its best."

Aldreya
rose. "Lannon, come outside for a moment."

Lannon
nodded and followed her out into the night air. The guards glanced at them
questioningly but said nothing. The two Squires moved a short distance away
from them where they could talk privately in low voices.

"What's
wrong?" Lannon asked.

Aldreya
looked weary. "It's Galvia. Her mood troubles me. And I just needed to
come out and get some fresh air."

Lannon
shivered and adjusted his fur cloak. "Well, the air is certainly fresh out
here. And rather cold."

"It's
not just Galvia," Aldreya went on. "It's Vannas and Jerret as well. I
can't understand them. I miss Vorden and Timlin."

Lannon
missed them too, and hearing their names spoken aloud filled his heart with
pain. "Vannas and Jerret are honorable, but a bit misguided. At least
there is still hope for them. Not that I've given up on Vorden and Timlin,
but..."

"I
was hoping Galvia would be different," said Aldreya, "but I guess I
can't relate to her either. I suffer from self doubt now and then, but she
seems to be going way too far with it."

"She'll
get over it," said Lannon. "She just needs time."

Aldreya
stood silently for a moment, as if pondering something. Then she said, "If
I tell you a secret, will you keep it?"

"I
can keep a secret," said Lannon, "as long as it doesn't interfere
with my duties as a Squire." This was an unusual move by Aldreya. She
rarely opened up like this to anyone, and she wasn't one to share secrets.

"Of
course," said Aldreya. "I would never ask you to violate the Sacred
Laws. It's nothing like that." She seemed hesitant and perhaps a bit
anxious.

"Well,
go ahead," Lannon said, intrigued.

"Lately,"
she said, "I find myself wishing I had never come to Dremlock. It doesn't
show, but I'm beginning to feel...a sort of despair. Nothing has worked out as
I expected. I keep thinking of Borenthia and how much better my life was there.
I know it's selfish, but I can't help myself."

"You're
right," said Lannon, "it doesn't show." If anything, lately
Aldreya had seemed more positive and caring than ever before. She'd become a
bit sullen and quiet, but when someone was in need, she was quick to offer aid
and comfort. Lannon had assumed she was focused only on becoming a Knight.

"I've
hid it well," said Aldreya. "But you're a good friend, and I feel I
can talk to you about things that Vannas and Jerret would just dismiss. And I
don't really know Lothrin that well, as we never talked much while growing
up."

"I
didn't realize you were so troubled lately," said Lannon. He preferred the
upbeat, optimistic Aldreya who seemed so sure of her place at Dremlock. But the
life of a Squire (one who'd been thrown into action early) had clearly taken a
toll on her, and this was who she'd become, for better or worse.

"Dremlock
is so different than what I expected," Aldreya said. "I thought I
would train in comfort and enrich my knowledge. Then, when I was a fully
trained Knight, I would fight Goblins and the Blood Legion and return
victorious from each battle. I had envisioned it to be a joyful way of life,
filled with victory celebrations. But it has turned so ugly..." She shook
her head. "So many things have gone wrong. I worry about the other
Squires, especially Vannas who seems so overconfident. I keep having nightmares
that my cousin ends up like Vorden and Timlin--cursed beyond hope and marked
for death by Dremlock."

"I
fear for them too," Lannon admitted. "But there is not much we can do
about it
 
beyond encouraging them to
stay on the right path. We just have to take it day by day and hope for the
best."

 
She nodded. "You're becoming wise,
Lannon, and acting more like a Knight every day. I wish I could be like
you."

Lannon
raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Actually, I've been very impressed with
you
,
lately. The way you brought comfort to that wounded villager... You're well on
the path to Knighthood. Yes, you're going to have some doubts and regrets. But
I'm certain you're going to be a great Knight, Aldreya."

"Maybe
that's all I needed to hear," she said, smiling. She gave Lannon a hug.

Jerret
poked his head out of the tent. "So what's going on out here?"

"Just
having a friendly talk," said Lannon, who still had his arms around
Aldreya. He could see the jealous glint in Jerret's eyes, and it amused him.

"A
friendly talk, huh?" said Jerret, frowning. "A
very
friendly
one, by the look of it. You are indeed getting bold, Lannon!"

Glaring,
Aldreya picked up a chunk of snow and threw it at Jerret's face. He ducked back
inside.

"Come
on," she said to Lannon. "Let's go get warm."

But
Lannon continued to stand out in the cold for a few moments, even after Aldreya
had entered the tent. He understood why Aldreya's thinking was so different
from his own. She'd had a wonderful home in her tree city of Borenthia, and he
envied her for it. Lannon missed his parents (he planned to visit them when he
got the chance) but he never wanted to live in that wooded valley again. His
true home was Dremlock now and there was no doubt in his mind where he wanted
to be. He was finding it easier to adjust to life at Dremlock than the other
Squires because, all things considered, he had no other home. This was all
there was for Lannon.