Knights: Book 01 - The Eye of Divinity

by Robert E. Keller

  "Forever?" said Lannon, disappointed.

  Garrin nodded. "However, we have a well-stocked library here in the East Tower. You're free to read any of the books within."

  "Those study lessons were boring anyways," said Vorden.

  "You shall learn the ways of stealth," Garrin told them. "You shall learn to pick locks, conceal yourself from an enemy, and climb up places you would never have dreamed of climbing before. And you shall speak of it to no one."

  The special training took place mostly in the evening, and so the Blue Squires were allowed to sleep a bit later than the others. Garrin provided them with blue cloaks and soft boots, and taught them how to walk with silent footsteps on most any surface. He gave them lock picks and showed them how to open even the most complex locks. And he taught them how to climb ropes and rough surfaces.

  The Squires came to love this phase of their training, and spent each day looking forward to it--for they were allowed at times to sneak around the kingdom (in carefully selected areas) and even to climb certain walls of Taris' keep.

  Around the same time they began these extra lessons, Lannon was called upon by Garrin to unlock the Eye of Divinity.

  "You need to learn to use your gift," Garrin told him. "I've waited this long to mention it because I felt you needed time to get used to your Knightly training routine. Summoning the Eye of Divinity will be difficult, and it will be easy for you to become discouraged. But if you work at it the same way you've done with your other lessons, you should be fine. Your friends can help you by giving encouragement and by keeping you focused.

  "Each night, you must spend an hour before bedtime on the task of splitting your thoughts in two. You must learn to think of two different things at exactly the same time. This is not as simple as it sounds, for it takes more than just seeing the two things--they must be separated to different halves of your being. Only when you learn to do this will the Eye come forth. You will be allowed to leave your special training early to go practice this. This is a task you must do every night. When the Eye of Divinity is finally unlocked, you will know it without a doubt. And then you must inform me immediately."

  Lannon didn't like the sound of this task from the start, and his frustration with it grew on a daily basis. For one hour (and sometimes longer) each night he would lay there struggling to think of two things--usually images such as colors--at exactly the same time. Yet nothing ever seemed to happen. And mixing the colors did not help. Black and white did indeed make grey in his mind, but that did nothing to bring forth the Eye of Divinity as far as he could tell. To do that, he realized, he would have to think of black and white simultaneously without blending them, in different parts of his being rather than just in his mind. But how was he supposed to do that? He felt that Garrin had been unfair to him by asking him to do something without really explaining how.

  As the days passed by, the three Squires did little but train and rest, while summer and fall slipped away in a hurry, and the cold and rain crept into the mountain air. Then winter came, covering Dremlock in a blanket of white. One thing that continued to puzzle them was why they still had not been shown any sorcery. And try as they might, they could get no answer.

  Lannon learned that his folks were doing well. His father had been cured of his illness, at least for the time being. A cheerful letter from them was brought to Lannon, and he wrote one back, though he knew it would not be promptly delivered, since letters from Knights and Squires were only carried to their destinations twice a year. Lannon was left feeling quite satisfied for a while.

  The snow deepened, and massive shards of ice hung from the towers. Some of the Squires faltered and could not go on. These Squires had failed to properly learn the techniques or were too lazy or distracted to keep pace. Others violated the rules once too often and were banished from Dremlock. Vorden, who made time to mingle during and outside of training, usually kept Lannon and Timlin informed of what was going on around the Kingdom. New rumors spread daily among Squires and Knights alike. It was said that the Deep Shadow infested Dremlock, and that some Squires were possessed by it, like puppets controlled by unseen masters. Some claimed Corhen Whiteheart, a Green Knight of the High Council, had looked into these claims too deeply and been assassinated, while Trenton Shadowbane--the Investigator of Dremlock--did nothing. And indeed Corhen Whiteheart was not seen again.

  It was also rumored that food and other supplies were running low, that trade had nearly ground to a halt, and that less than a third of Dremlock's Knights still lived, with the others having been killed by Goblins. There were even rumors that Goblins had taken over the entire forestlands of Hethos and were advancing on the city of Kalamede. Injured and half-crazed Knights returned to Dremlock weekly, and the Temple was busy honoring the recent dead. The Squires were never invited to these ceremonies, only learning of them through rumor.

  Lannon grew a bit taller and more muscular, and could use his dragon sword with decent skill. Even though he was behind the others in his skills, he had begun to feel like a Divine Squire of Dremlock. Yet the rumors worried him, and made him wonder constantly what kind of future he had here--what the Eye of Divinity would be used for and if it was even needed anymore. Vorden and Timlin could sneak around without being heard or seen, open locks without the need of a key, and climb walls fearlessly to deadly heights. But they had the Knightly Essence, and Lannon did not. So without the Eye of Divinity he guessed he would probably never be a Knight.

  Lannon’s task of summoning the Eye became almost an afterthought to his other training, and he usually gave just a halfhearted attempt at it before falling asleep. He began to resent missing some of his special training with Garrin, Vorden, and Timlin. No more had been mentioned about the Goblin Puzzle, and so it seemed something must have already been done about that.

  Vorden and Timlin talked little about Lannon’s quest to unlock his special power, apparently having given up on the idea that Lannon would ever develop that particular skill. Like Lannon, they actually knew nothing about the Eye of Divinity beyond the reading of the Sacred Text.

  At one point Garrin asked about his progress, and when Lannon had nothing positive to report, the Blue Knight was grim. "You must try harder, Lannon. There is no other way, to my knowledge. It has to be done for one hour a night--no more and no less. If too little time is spent on it, the mind cannot properly warm up to the task, and if too much time is taken, the mind grows numb and confused. There is nothing that Taris Warhawk, myself, or anyone else can do to help you except to give encouragement. Always, throughout history, the Eye of Divinity has been unlocked in this fashion. No one really knows why or how. Keep focusing on two different thoughts, and sooner or later the Eye shall come forth. It has no choice."

  "But I read the Sacred Text," Lannon said. "So isn't the Eye already unlocked? Otherwise how could I do that?"

  Garrin shook his head sadly. "I wish it were that simple. Being able to read the Text is just a sign that one possesses the Eye. But it does not mean one can summon it or control it. Or can you? You should know, Lannon."

  "I can't," said Lannon, with a sigh.

  Growing desperate for help, Lannon appealed to Vorden and Timlin. Yet they seemed to take little interest in the matter. Their minds had apparently become melded with their training. It seemed that, to them, little existed beyond their daily lessons and accomplishments. Timlin had nothing to say, and Vorden simply shrugged and told him to keep trying.

  The time seemed to pass swiftly, and before they knew it, eight months had gone by and had taken them into the heart of winter.

  Vorden kept his true feelings well hidden over those months, until finally--for reasons known only to him--they suddenly surged forth. And the rigid schedule of training and resting was shattered.

  Chapter 9: What Lay Beneath Old Keep

  One night, while Lannon lay on his bed trying to unlock the Eye of Divinity (with his mind often straying from that frustrating task to more interesting things), Vorden and T
imlin barged into the room, having completed their special training for the evening. In the flickering lantern light, Lannon could see by the excitement on their faces that something was up. He yawned and sat up, resting his bare feet on the cold floorboards. He wished, as he had many times, the East Tower were a warmer place.

  "I have an idea," Vorden said, "about how you can summon the Eye of Divinity." He adjusted his sash, smoothed back his black hair, and smiled. "Since the Knights seem to think it's important for some reason, I feel like I should help. Maybe the fate of Dremlock depends on it somehow. I started thinking it over today and came up with something. It might not work, but it's worth a try."

  "Okay," said Lannon, showing cautious optimism. "What should I do?" In the time that Lannon had known him, he had come to realize that Vorden almost always knew what he was talking about. If he had an idea, it was typically something brilliant.

  "It's quite simple," Vorden said. "Timlin will stand on one side of you, and I'll stand on the other. I'll say something, and he'll say the opposite--like light and dark, for instance. And while we say it, we'll tap you on the shoulders. Maybe you just need a little help to get your mind focused."

  "Okay," said Lannon, standing up. "I guess I have nothing to lose."

  Vorden stood on one side of Lannon, and Timlin on the other. They agreed to use red and green as their words--Knightly colors.

  "Get ready, Timlin," said Vorden. "When I signal you, say red, and I'll try to say green at the same time. And as you say it, tap Lannon's shoulder. Okay, here goes."

  He signaled to Timlin and yelled "Red!"

  "Green!" Vorden said an instant later, and Lannon's shoulders were tapped at exactly the same time.

  For a moment Lannon felt dizzy and lightheaded. Then the feeling vanished and he was left wondering if it had actually existed at all.

  "I think I felt something," he said. "But I'm not sure."

  "We were way out of time on our words," said Vorden. "We need to keep trying until we get it right. Let's do it again, Timlin."

  For nearly an hour, the boys tried to get their timing down. At first they were always just a little off on their words or else on their taps, but eventually they got it almost perfect. Each time the words or the taps were done at exactly the same time, Lannon felt lightheaded and dizzy, and he grew more excited with each attempt.

  Then his mind suddenly split, and he became aware of two things at once. He was seeing a block of red in his mind and a block of green--not side-by-side or blended (as anyone might be able to view them), but as something else. They were solid entities that he could view carefully without distraction--and they existed in different halves of his being. He felt like he was divided in two. Then, from the gap that existed between his two selves, a force pushed its way out. Like a living extension of Lannon's will, it reached out and probed wherever he commanded it. It fell upon Vorden and Timlin, and he saw things that caused his throat to tighten.

  Lannon saw that Vorden was dark in spirit and given to a strange road that could destroy him and all others who got too close. Timlin was innocent--cloaked in white--yet underneath lurked a sharp and deadly bite, waiting in surprise for those who could not glimpse it.

  Horrified by what he saw, Lannon drew the Eye back inside him. His selves merged again into one, and the gateway was sealed.

  "What happened?" Vorden asked him.

  Unsure of what he should tell them, Lannon hesitated for a few moments. At last he said, "The Eye of Divinity came out, I think. But I didn't like what it showed me. It seemed like it was probing for secrets in both of you."

  "Well, that's probably what it does!" Vorden said excitedly, clutching Lannon's shoulder so hard the boy winced. "It reveals hidden motives and strengths and weaknesses!"

  "We should tell Master Garrin!" Timlin said.

  "Right," said Vorden, walking over to the window and opening the shutters. The wind howled against the tower, and a puff of glittering snowflakes blew in on him. He seemed deep in thought for a time. At last he turned and spoke. "Not just yet, I think. We need to experiment some more--find out if it's truly the Eye and not something else."

  "It has to be the Eye," said Lannon, sitting back down on the bed. "What else could it be?" Lannon shivered, and he drew his blanket around him. "Close the window, Vorden. I'm freezing." At last he had completed his elusive task, yet he felt little sense of accomplishment. He'd needed help from others, so had he truly succeeded? And the Eye had shown him things--whether true or not--that he had been ill prepared to witness.

  Vorden shrugged. "It could be dark sorcery, or Knightly Essence. Who knows? I just think we should make sure. I've been doing some thinking...."

  Vorden closed the thick shutters and turned to Lannon. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "You know that door down below--the one marked Old Keep? I know it's forbidden and all, but I don't see what harm it would do to go down there and have a look around."

  "I don't like that idea at all!" said Lannon, stunned that Vorden would even suggest such a thing. "If we were caught, we could be cast from the Order. And you heard what Cordus Landsaver said about creatures lurking down there."

  "But the Divine Essence is down there as well," said Vorden. "And I've been having dreams about it. I think it's calling to me."

  Timlin's mouth dropped open. "Vorden, why didn't you tell Master Garrin you were having such dreams?"

  Vorden frowned "Why do we have to tell Master Garrin everything, Timlin? This is something between the Divine Essence and me. I want to find out what my dreams truly mean, like Kuran Darkender did. Yet I'm afraid to go down there alone." He sighed, his dark eyes taking on a pleading look. "I need your help. The Knights would never allow me to venture down in the mines, dreams or not."

  Lannon glanced at Timlin, and then back to Vorden. "I'm just worried we'll get caught, or worse--get killed down there."

  "We'll take it slow and be extra careful," said Vorden. "If we see any signs of danger, we'll turn back. Besides, I honestly don't think there is any danger down there now. The Knights probably killed the creatures long ago, and they just say there's still some down there to keep people from seeing the Divine Essence. After all, why shouldn't everyone be allowed to see it? I think that's a rule based on pointless greed."

  "But what if we're caught?" said Lannon.

  "We'd certainly be in trouble," said Vorden. "But I think they'd forgive us. After all, you have the Eye of Divinity--which they seem to value greatly. And Timlin and me helped you summon it. Without us, you can't use it. They might punish us, but I doubt we'd be thrown out. Besides, we're Blue Squires. They won't catch us."

  "I don't know," said Lannon, shaking his head slowly. He was thinking of what the Eye had shown him about Vorden and not liking any of this one bit. "I just don't think I can do it, Vorden."

  For an instant, Vorden's face reddened with anger. "Very well, then. Be a coward. Maybe the other Squires are right about you, Lannon. Maybe you don't deserve to be Blue. Maybe you should've been picked for Orange. And some thanks I get for helping you use that stupid Eye thing. See if I ever help you again! "With that, Vorden yanked his boots off, lay down on his bed, and turned away.

  Lannon stared helplessly at Timlin, feeling horrible inside and wondering what he could do. Vorden had been a true friend to him--someone he could look up to--and now it seemed he was going to lose that friendship forever. But the risks of what Vorden proposed were dastardly.

  Timlin could only shrug in his meek, annoying way.

  ***

  As Lannon lay in bed, staring up at the maze of wooden beams and cobwebs that crisscrossed the ceiling, he began to doubt his decision. Vorden had indeed helped him to unlock the Eye, and more importantly, Vorden had been a true friend to him from the start. How could Lannon just turn his back on him? But how could he ignore all his instincts and common sense and go along with Vorden's mad plan? Lannon certainly wanted to see the Divine Essence for himself--but not at such a risk.

  Lannon
thought he would not be able to sleep that night, which was not good--since training would resume again early in the morning. (Training now took place two days in a row with one day of rest afterwards.) His mind was in turmoil, yet beneath all the gloomy thoughts--buried deep but still very much alive--was a feeling of elation. He had called forth the Eye, and it was indeed powerful. Part of him wondered why he shouldn't just go along with Vorden's plan. If Lannon were truly blessed, the Divine Essence would surely help him make the right decision.

  He prayed to it for an answer, and in the midst of that prayer he fell asleep. He dreamt of the Divine Essence in its crystal chamber. Its piercing light fell on him, beckoning him below.

  "I will share my secrets," it whispered to him.

  ***

  Even before Lannon awoke the next morning, he knew he had his answer. Neither the risk of losing his Knighthood nor even the risk of losing his very life could keep him from going in the dark and forbidden mines below. The Divine Essence had apparently commanded it, and Lannon could not refuse. A dream of the Essence was no ordinary dream. One only had to read the first chapter of Tales of Kuran Darkender to learn that. It had promised to share its secrets with Lannon. How could he ignore that?