Knights: Defenders of Ollanhar

by Robert E. Keller

  ***

  "It should never have come to this," said Aldreya, who stood with the others at the center of camp. The bonfire had died down some and was no longer crimson. The celebration was over, but instead of Knights slipping into their tents to sleep under warm quits, they stood in the chill air with gloom in their hearts, wondering if they were a bunch of fools.

  Everyone wondered if this was the end of Prince Vannas and Dremlock's possession of the White Flamestone. If so, they would lose their primary weapon against Bellis Kingdom.

  "What were we thinking?" said Aldreya, her voice filled with disgust. "Why did we let Prince Vannas leave camp alone? I have no answer--except that perhaps we have been too sure of ourselves lately. Perhaps we have been arrogant and not fit to represent Ollanhar. Now our prince has fallen into the grasp of evil, and the White Flamestone has gone to our enemies."

  "Yet what could we do?" said Lannon. "It seems the Divine Essence wanted the prince to wander alone--or at least it inspired him to do so. Also, once again no one saw him leave, so how could we have stopped him?"

  "I don't understand," said Lothrin. "Why would our god lead him astray and put him in such danger? It seems terribly foolish."

  "The prince was likely in a trance," said Jace. "The White Flamestone led him from camp, and we could not have prevented it. Under normal circumstances, Vannas would have been perfectly safe. But there is evil in these mountains that can challenge even the power of a god. The Divine Essence did not send Vannas into the hands of that evil. The prince went because he was compelled to go, regardless of the risks. This is sorcery at work, my friends, and sorcery cannot always be easily understood or controlled. No one is to blame for this."

  But Aldreya looked dismayed. "No, I will take the blame. I made two dire mistakes this evening. I should not have allowed the Crimson Feast to proceed, and I should have ordered a Divine Shield be placed around the prince. Now I have jeopardized everything--the very future of our land."

  "I sensed something like this was going to happen," said Vorden, sounding bitter. "We enraged the Deep Shadow, and now we will have to go to war with it. These mountains torture my soul, reminding me constantly of what I endured when I was a slave to the Hand of Tharnin. All I wanted was to get through them as swiftly as possible--yet now we must journey into the darkest reaches of the Soddurn Mountains and make bloody war on our foes."

  Aldreya bowed her head. "I am truly sorry."

  "You're being too hard on yourself," said Lannon, feeling as if he should defend her. "Since when have we lived in fear of angering the Deep Shadow? That has never been our way. And the issue with Vannas--well, none of us saw that coming. He must have been caught completely off guard."

  "Blame the High Council of Dremlock," said Daledus, "if someone must be blamed. They're the ones who ordered Prince Vannas to come on this mission. He could have remained at Ollanhar instead, well defended. We cannot know why they chose to send him, but it seems like a foolish move in light of what has happened. They chose to risk everything to get this Green Flamestone."

  "It was not a foolish decision," said Jace. "The High Council knows that the White Flamestone alone--immensely powerful though it is--is probably not enough to defeat Bellis. It will take another Flamestone as well. This was a necessary gamble, but obviously things have turned sour for the time being."

  "We can't change what happened," said Jerret, "so none of this talk matters. We're going to have to track down the prince and face whatever foes we must face. And we need to act quickly. So who is going with me?"

  "Me, of course," said Galvia, punching him lightly on the shoulder. The two Red Knights exchanged a smile, eager for combat.

  "I assume most of us are going," said Aldreya. "Dallsa will have to take a break from assisting Bekka, as the prince might be wounded and in need of her skills. I want to leave our Knights here and at least one Council Member to guard the camp. That will leave the remaining Council Members alone to make the journey. A small party--but a formidable one."

  "Is it wise," asked Lannon, "to leave our Knights behind? We could find ourselves facing an army in these mountains."

  "We need to protect the camp," said Aldreya. "If we lose our wagons and our goods, our mission will be much more difficult. Also, we may have to rely on stealth to rescue the prince, and a large party makes stealth difficult."

  Lannon was unable to find fault with her logic.

  "So who from the Council wishes to remain?" asked Aldreya.

  No one answered. They exchanged glances.

  "Then I will choose someone," said Aldreya. She hesitated, then pointed at Galvia. "You are a born leader. I want you to stay and guard our camp, and command the Knights. If something should happen to us--if we fail to return--it will be up to you to go to Dremlock and report what happened."

  Reluctantly, Galvia bowed.

  Jerret patted her on the back. "Sorry, Galvia. I guess you won't be seeing any action on this night. Can't say I envy you."

  Galvia shrugged, her broad face breaking into a smile. "Just make sure you kill an extra Goblin or two for me, Jerret."

  "It will be my honor," said Jerret. "I'll have some stories to tell you over a mug or two of ale when I return."

  Galvia leaned her war hammer against a pine tree and sighed. "I'm sure you will. Meanwhile, I guess I'll...tend the fire. Or something."

  "Can you look after Taith?" asked Lannon.

  "Of course," said Galvia. "Though it's past his bedtime and he will be going to sleep soon." She gave Taith a hard stare. "Isn't that right?"

  "I won't be able to sleep," said Taith. "Too much going on." He gazed up at Lannon, his eyes wide. "What if you don't come back?"

  "Fear not," said Lannon, winking at him. "We will return." He hesitated, then added, "But if for some reason we don't, you will be taken to Dremlock to be trained as a Squire regardless."

  Taith folded his arms across his chest and bowed his head, looking unhappy.

  Jerret and Galvia clasped hands. "Wish me luck," Jerret said.

  She shook her head. "You won't need any. What about me?"

  "You won't need any either," he said with a chuckle, "unless the boy proves too much for you."

  Galvia waved dismissively. "Not a chance."

  For an instant, Jerret hesitated, a somber look on his face. Then he said, "Goodbye, my friend."

  Galvia pushed him away. "Enough talk. Go fight."