Knights: Book 03 - The Heart of Shadows (3 page)

Prince
Vannas, on the other hand, seemed to be growing more arrogant and demanding by
the day. Nothing seemed to please him and Lannon and Jerret could barely
tolerate him as a roommate. And he talked endlessly of the White Flamestone, as
if he were obsessed with it and cared about little else.

"Shennen
has royal blood in him," said Vannas, scowling at Jerret. He slammed his
book of poetry down on a stand. "I've heard enough! The notion of him
being deceived by Tharnin is ridiculous. This wretched fortress is getting to
all of us, making us imagine things. It's not right to live so far under earth
and stone. That's not why I wanted to be a Divine Knight. I'm supposed to be at
Dremlock Kingdom, not in some frozen hole in the ground some call a fortress.
It's not fair that I am being kept in this miserable place."

Lannon
sighed, tired of Vannas' complaints. He almost didn't respond, but then the
words slipped out: "You chose to become a Squire, Prince Vannas. And we
Squires have to act in the best interests of the kingdom, remember? There must
be a good reason we have been ordered to remain at this fortress."

"I'm
well aware of my duties," Vannas grumbled. "But the Dragon is dead,
the Hand of Tharnin is gone forever--along with Tenneth Bard. I just don't see
why I'm needed here any longer. Furlus and Taris are polite to me, but they
keep making excuses to keep me here. I'm being treated rather poorly! Now I
hear these accusations against Shennen, and it makes me think everyone has lost
their wits. I should have stayed in Borenthia and lived a life of luxury."

"Why
didn't you?" said Jerret, looking truly perplexed. "Why risk your
life fighting Goblins when you could have lived like...well, like the prince you
are? Honestly, you should have stayed in your tree city."

"I
don't know why I'm here," said Vannas. "Perhaps because I'm a fool? I
guess I wanted to be a great warrior, respected throughout the land. Dremlock
offered that chance. But things are not what I expected."

 
"You should be happy, cousin," said
Aldreya. "You've received the highest honor given to any Squire in
history." Her eyes were filled with envy. "You were given a living
piece of the Divine Essence--our god and king. You possess the greatest weapon
in all the land. So what is there to complain about?"

"You're
right, of course," said Vannas, giving a big sigh. He frowned and drummed
his fingers on his poetry book. "But I still feel I'm being treated
like...like any common Squire. My nobility and accomplishments are not being
recognized. I should have my own room, at least! No offense to you,
Lannon."

"None
taken," said Lannon, rolling his eyes.

Lannon
was about to change the subject when Jace entered the room. The huge sorcerer
closed the door behind him, then leaned down and pressed his ear to it. He
stood like a statue, as the Squires exchanged puzzled glances.

"What
are you doing?" asked Lannon.

Jace
straightened up, then shrugged. "You can't be too careful around here
these days...because of who might be listening."

"Do
you mean Shen--" Jerret started to say in loud voice.

"Lower
your voice!" Jace interrupted.

"What's
wrong?" asked Lannon.

"Many
things," said Jace, giving Lannon a strange look. "Or haven't you
noticed? For one thing, we've run out of rice pudding. It has been a week since
I've had any! Furthermore, I'm growing tired of that same fishy-tasting soup.
I'm wondering when the next shipment of supplies will arrive. I think it's
quite overdue."

Lannon
didn't reply. He suspected that events had taken a new and important turn, but
Jace revealed things in his own good time.

Jace
sat down next to Aldreya. He glanced down at her and smiled. She glared at him,
then rose and moved to the other bed, sitting next to Lannon. Jace's eyes
twinkled with amusement.

"Still
angry at Uncle Jace, huh?" said the sorcerer.

"You're
not my uncle," said Aldreya.

"Yet
you used to call me that," said Jace.

"That
was before I got to know you better," said Aldreya. "You have no
right to accuse Shennen of being a puppet of the Deep Shadow. And don't try to
deny it. Lannon already told me how you feel."

"Lannon
does not speak for me," said Jace. "I believe Shennen is playing a
dangerous game, certainly. But I will say no more."

"It's
because you're afraid of Shennen," said Aldreya, gazing at him defiantly.
"That's why you won't say what you're really thinking."

Jace
leaned toward her, a giant cloaked shadow that dominated the room, his pale
face close to her own. "Of course I fear Shennen. What sane man wouldn't?
He knows a thousand silent ways to kill."

Looking
uncertain, Aldreya lowered her gaze. "I just meant--"

"I
know what you meant," said Jace. "You were trying to suggest that I'm
a coward, that I have no right to question Shennen's character because I'm
clearly afraid of him and therefore somehow less of a man. Well, am I right? Is
Uncle Jace a coward not fit to question the status of a great warrior of royal
blood like Shennen?"

"I
didn't mean it that way," said Aldreya.

Jace
shrugged. "It doesn't matter, really. I don't demand respect. All I ask is
that you Squires keep an open mind. I didn't come here to discuss Shennen or
his Dragon bones. I came here to inform you that we will be riding out for
Blombalk Fortress, the Blood Legion stronghold to the south."

"Are
we going to invade it?" asked Jerret, eagerness in his voice and a grin on
his face. When Jace gave him a concerned look, the grin vanished. "Um, not
that I want bloodshed or anything," Jerret added.

Jace
shook his head. "The work has already been done for us. Blombalk Fortress
has fallen. Smoke rises from amidst the broken walls."

"Someone
attacked the Blood Legion's main fortress?" said Vannas. "And it
wasn't Dremlock? Who else would bother?"

"Good
question," said Jace, fixing his gaze on Lannon.

"I
suppose it's up to me to learn the truth," said Lannon. This task, at
least, sounded more interesting and less terrifying than examining the Dragon
bones. Like the other Squires, Lannon was weary of Dorok's Hand.

"Of
course," said Jace. "Forget about Trenton Shadowbane. You, Lannon,
are Dremlock's
real
Investigator. The Eye of Divinity will be used to
determine who is responsible for the assault on the fortress. Of course, Timlin
and his Legion will be investigating as well, if they don't already know the answer."

"Is
this foe of the Blood Legion a friend of ours?" asked Jerret.

"Possibly,"
said Jace. "But I suspect it is a friend to no one."

"Why
do you suspect that?" asked Jerret.

"I'll
keep that to myself," said Jace, giving a wink.

"How
soon do we ride out?" asked Lannon.

"I
suspect
very
soon," said Jace. "The Knights are already
gathering supplies."

Chapter
3: The Journey South

Nothing
interesting happened for two days, as the Squires remained under constant
guard. Then one afternoon, just when they were about to be escorted to the
Dining Hall for dinner, Shennen entered the room like a silent shadow,
startling the Squires. He nodded to them and closed the door. Lannon exchanged
a concerned glance with Jerret. Vannas and Aldreya bowed.

"Greetings,
Squires," said Shennen. "We need to talk." He stood rigidly in
his lightweight, dark-blue armor. Something about his stance seemed different,
as if he were engulfed with an aura of importance. In spite of the fact that he
was a Birlote and normally had copper-colored skin, his face was strikingly
pale.

"Greetings,
Master Shennen," said Vannas, smiling.

"Good
to see you, Master Shennen," said Aldreya.

Lannon
and Jerret said nothing.

Shennen's
gaze fell on Vannas and lingered there. "I trust you're keeping the White
Flamestone safe."

"I
always carry it with me," Vannas replied, patting his cloak. "Even
when I sleep or bathe. It's all I ever think about."

"That's
good to hear," said Shennen, smiling. The smile seemed fake, never
reaching his cold eyes. "You are guarding it as you should and bonding
with it appropriately."

"Is
everything okay?" asked Lannon. "You look...rather pale."

Shennen
hesitated, then said, "Yes, my skin now possesses a lighter hue. It's from
my work with the Dragon bones. The dark energy has affected my skin somehow. I
suspect that eventually I will return to normal."

"Have
you told Taris or Jace about it?" said Lannon. "Maybe it would be a
good idea to get them involved with your research."

"Taris
is not interested in my research," said Shennen. "And Jace is an
outsider who believes himself more knowledgeable than he is."

"Still,"
said Lannon, "if I may speak freely, I'm worried about you. You say the
dark sorcery has affected your skin. Has it affected anything else?"
Lannon immediately regretted asking that last question.

Shennen's
eyes narrowed. "Who are you to ask that?" The temperature in the
chamber seemed to drop even further, as Shennen's hand clenched into a fist.
"A mere Squire, interrogating the Lord of the Blue Knights?"

"I
meant no offense," said Lannon. "I'm just concerned."

"Lannon
was just being talkative," said Aldreya. "Sometimes he--"

Shennen
silenced her with a stern glance. "Lannon can speak for himself, though
he'd be wise to choose his words carefully."

"Again,
I'm merely concerned," Lannon explained. He'd provoked Shennen's quick
temper and now would have to simply ride out the storm.

"So
you think I'm inept at what I do," Shennen said. "You want my
business to be your business, because you think you can do better. You think I
need an arrogant Squire to watch out for me. So why don't you use your Eye on
me, lad? I'm standing right here. Go ahead and probe my secrets."

"Arrogant?"
Lannon questioned, wondering how Shennen had gotten that impression. Lannon
considered himself humble, especially in comparison to Jerret and Vannas.
Lannon had seen Shennen angry before--but not quite this angry. Shennen seemed
on the verge of losing control.

"A
few days ago," said Shennen, "in the Dining Hall, you told me how
arrogant and demanding Prince Vannas had become. Don't deny it, Lannon. You've
also complained to Taris about it, and what did he tell you?"

"He
told me to mind my own affairs," Lannon mumbled, embarrassed. He didn't
look at Vannas, but he was aware that Vannas was glaring at him.

 
"Indeed," said Shennen. "You
call Vannas arrogant behind his back, yet the prince is the one showing me
respect.
You
have become arrogant, Lannon, and the pathetic thing is
that you don't even realize it."

Lannon
cringed inwardly, aware that Aldreya was also glaring at him. "I'm sorry
if I appear arrogant, Master Shennen. I'll work on my character."

"I
accept your apology," said Shennen. "But you don't just
appear
arrogant. You
are
arrogant. And you must come to realize this."

"Thank
you for correcting me," said Lannon, though he felt nothing but irritation
at Shennen for revealing the things he'd said about Vannas. Now the prince was
going to be mad at Lannon, and what did that accomplish?

 
Shennen sat down on a bed, next to Vannas. He
smiled at the prince. "By the way, I have you to thank for slaying the
Dragon and allowing its remains to come into my possession. I've never told you
that, but now is as good a time as any. That was a heroic deed that will be
remembered throughout the ages. When we return to Dremlock, you are scheduled
to be honored in a special ceremony in which you will be renamed
Vannas
Dragonslayer
."

Prince
Vannas beamed. "Thank you, Master Shennen!"

Shennen
patted him on the back. "You've certainly earned it."

Lannon
couldn't help but feel envious of Vannas, and his suspicion that Shennen was a
puppet of Tharnin grew stronger. Shennen seemed to be deliberately trying to
make Lannon jealous, perhaps to drive a wedge between the Squires.

"Yes,
you've certainly earned it," said Lannon. He fought to control his tongue,
but lost the battle. "All I did was kill Tenneth Bard and send the Hand of
Tharnin into that pit. Not much, really, compared to slaying a Dragon."

Shennen's
eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh, so you want a special ceremony too,
Lannon? Shall I summon Taris and Furlus and let them know?"

Aldreya
looked away, pity in her eyes.

Jerret
looked embarrassed.

Lannon
groaned, wishing he hadn't spoken. "No, I wasn't saying that. What Vannas
did was amazing, and I'm grateful for it."

"Obviously,
you're jealous," said Shennen. "Pure, raw, jealously. And you think
you're too important to be ignored."

Vannas
continued to glare at Lannon.

"You're
jealous and overconfident, Lannon," Shennen went on. "You've already
decided I'm a slave of Tharnin, without even using your Eye. So I invite you to
use it on me--and you're afraid. Surrendering to fear is the mark of a
coward."

"I'm
not afraid," Lannon said, though that wasn't entirely true.

Shennen
stood up and extended his hands. "Really? I think you are. Prove it to me,
then. Show me your strength. Summon your Eye of Divinity and lock hands with
me. Hurl me into the stone wall...if you can."

"Master
Shennen," said Lannon, "I don't want to..."

"Hurt
me?" Shennen finished for him. He laughed mockingly. "You really are
arrogant and deluded. Go on and test your strength against me. You may find I'm
not the weakling you think I am."

Lannon
made no move, wishing that Taris or Furlus would come along and put an end to
the madness. The other Squires looked tense and uncomfortable, wondering how
far Shennen would take this. If Shennen wasn't corrupted by the Deep Shadow,
then surely his mind was being affected negatively somehow by the dark sorcery
of the Dragon bones--just like his pale skin.

"Lock
hands with me, Squire," said Shennen. "That's an order!"

 
Reluctantly, Lannon rose and seized Shennen's
hands. They felt deathly cold and Lannon shuddered. "This isn't
necessary."

"Now
summon your Eye," said Shennen, "and hurl me into the wall. I grant
you permission to crush my bones...if you can."

"This
is pointless, Master Shennen," Lannon protested. "You're a fully
trained Knight, and I know I can't match your skill."

"Are
you going to defy me?" said Shennen. "I am the Lord of the Blue
Knights, and you are still a Squire--no matter how important you think you are.
I have the right to train you as I see fit. Consider this a lesson!"

Lannon
summoned his power and channeled it into his hands, but he hesitated. Shennen
was a powerful Knight, but the Eye of Divinity was nothing to fool with. Lannon
could accidentally kill Shennen.

The
other Squires looked on with wide eyes.

"Throw
me into the wall," said Shennen. "And when the deed is done, if I
feel you didn't try hard enough, I'll make you suffer!"

With
a sigh, Lannon shoved Shennen with all his might, hoping Shennen knew what he
was doing. But Shennen sidestepped Lannon and somehow turned Lannon's own
energy and momentum against him. Lannon's body hurtled across the bed and
struck the cavern wall with vicious force. Lannon barely had time to shield
himself with the Eye, or he might have been severely injured. Instead, he was
knocked dizzy for a moment and collapsed to the floor.

An
instant later, Shennen's dagger was pressed against Lannon's throat. "Just
like that, Squire, and I bleed you dry!"

"You've
made your point," Lannon mumbled, his head throbbing from the impact with
the stone wall. He now had no doubt that Shennen was possessed by Tharnin. The
other Squires looked on with expressions of dismay.

"You're
not as strong as you thought," said Shennen, sneering. "You fought
the Hand of Tharnin and Tenneth Bard--sorcery against sorcery--and it made you
think you're invincible. Yet there are many ways to kill."

"Understood,"
Lannon mumbled. He reached up to push the long, curved dagger away from his
throat, but Shennen slapped his hand away. Anger surged through Lannon and he
readied the Eye again.

Then
door swung open and Jace strode in. The towering sorcerer's eyes widened when
he beheld Shennen pressing his dagger into Lannon's throat. "What is the
meaning of this?"

Shennen
sheathed his blade and pulled Lannon up from the floor.
 
He grinned at Jace. "Just a lesson in
humility that needed to be taught. Lannon is unharmed, though his ego may be
bruised."

Jace
looked thoughtful, but didn't reply.

Still
grinning, Shennen strode past the sorcerer and left the room. "More
lessons to come," he called back. "For all of you."

***

The
journey south was delayed without explanation. As the winter moved along toward
spring, two more highly ranked Knights were found assassinated--Garver
Pureheart and Deleena Dragonclaw. Garver had been a powerful Red Knight and was
considered the best at the use of the heavy throwing lance, while Deleena had
been a talented sorceress.

This
latest devastating loss to Dremlock caused fear and paranoia to spread
throughout the fortress. Morale was low, and some disgruntled Knights began to
mutter that they should abandon Dorok's Hand in spite of the great sacrifices
made to secure it from the enemy. Furlus, who'd led the raid on the fortress,
responded angrily to such suggestions--at one point shoving a sneering, defiant
Knight against a wall and knocking the defiance right out of him.

 
Meanwhile, the Squires discussed the recent
incident with Shennen, and even Vannas and Aldreya had to admit Shennen was
behaving strangely and the "lesson" Shennen had administered to
Lannon seemed outrageous. Lannon reminded them that he could have split his
head open on the cavern wall and that Shennen hadn't seemed to care in the
least. It was almost as if Shennen had been trying to injure or kill Lannon,
and Shennen's promise that more lessons would be administered put all of the
Squires on edge. The assassinations added greatly to their fears, causing them
to wonder if Shennen himself was the assassin--as they were well aware that a
servant of Tharnin was capable of anything. Suddenly, every shadowy corner of
Dorok's Hand held sinister potential.

 
However, the Squires were ordered to increase
their training time, which helped distract them from the grim events in the
fortress. Lannon began trying to channel the Eye of Divinity through his sword.
At first it seemed he was only moving the sword around with the external force
of the Eye, and he almost gave up in frustration. But then he felt something
happening within the bony blade itself. The Dragon sword seemed to take on a
life of its own, slashing and stabbing in whatever direction he wanted at the
hint of a thought. It also felt charged with energy--the crushing force of the
Eye. However, it was very difficult to sustain that energy, and Lannon quickly
grew exhausted and his control of the weapon grew sloppy. But day after day he
practiced it, and little by little his stamina increased.

At
one point they were joined by two more Blue Squires who'd arrived from Dremlock
along with a shipment of supplies. One was an elite Birlote hunter and archer
named Lothrin Windbow, yet another member of the royal family. Lothrin was a
lean, muscular lad with unkempt silver hair and a strange leaf-shaped birthmark
on his cheek. He had a calm and logical demeanor that made him very likeable.
Lothrin seemed more Ranger than Blue Squire, carrying only dagger and bow for
weapons and having a mind focused mostly on plants and animals and the ways of
wilderness survival. The other Squire was a Grey Dwarf named Galvia
Blazehammer. Like all Dwarves, she had a broad face and drooping eyebrows, and
her heavily muscled limbs contained strength even Jerret couldn't match. She
possessed a rare Olrog skill which was simply called
Fire.
It was a
powerful form of sorcery that only one out of a thousand Dwarven warriors was
known to possess.