Knights: Book 03 - The Heart of Shadows

by Robert E. Keller

  ***

  When Lannon returned to his bedchamber, he told the other Squires of his latest encounter with Tenneth Bard (or the illusion that had been impersonating the Black Knight, if that was the case). Aldreya Silverhawk, whose knowledge of sorcery far exceeded that of the other Squires, dismissed the incident as a trick of the Deep Shadow. But Lannon still wasn't convinced. It had seemed too vivid to be a mere illusion. In fact, his throat still felt sore from being choked.

  "And you fear that Shennen is possessed by Tharnin," said Aldreya, giving Lannon a piercing stare as she ran a brush through her curly silver hair. They were sitting across from each other on beds in Lannon's room. Jerret and Prince Vannas, Lannon's roommates, were also present. A single lantern on a small table between the beds lighted the chamber. The cold of the mountain hung in the air and they shivered beneath their fur cloaks.

  Lannon nodded. "And I think Jace feels the same."

  "This proves nothing," said Aldreya. "Shennen is always very focused on anything he does, to the point of getting angry if someone interferes. It's just his way. It doesn't mean he has been corrupted by the Deep Shadow. You should have some sort of proof before you say such a thing."

  Lannon knew Aldreya spoke true, but he couldn't help what he was feeling. "I'm not accusing Shennen of anything yet."

  "This whole fortress seems corrupted by the Deep Shadow," said Jerret, as he paced the room. "I can't wait to get back to Dremlock. It's always dark and freezing cold in here. Maybe if I was a Dwarf I'd find it more appealing."

  "I don't believe it, Lannon," said Prince Vannas, a flash of anger in his green eyes. Unlike the others, Vannas wasn't wearing a simple fur cloak. Instead, he wore a thick, fur-lined blue robe with gold trim, and his long, silver hair was pulled back in a ponytail, revealing his pointed ears. He held a leather-bound book of Birlote poetry in one hand. "Shennen has a noble heart and a great deal of wisdom. I don't know what you saw or felt, my friend, but you were mistaken."

  Aldreya nodded to her cousin, who sat next to her. "I couldn't agree more. Shennen is so careful in everything he does. It just doesn't seem possible. Some Knights are simply beyond the reach of Tharnin."

  Jerret placed his hand on Aldreya's shoulder. "Anything can happen, my dear. You should know that by now. And as much as we respect Shennen, if he has fallen victim to the Deep Shadow's charms, we're all in great danger. We'll have to report this to the High Council and watch him closely."

  Aldreya shrugged off Jerret's hand and rose, the copper-colored skin of her face turning crimson with anger. "Shennen is not a puppet of Tharnin. I know that for a fact!"

  "How can we know anything for a fact?" said Jerret, shrugging his broad shoulders. "Just because Shennen is a Birlote like you doesn't mean he..." Jerret let his words trail off as Aldreya gave him a death stare.

  Aldreya sat down again, her face troubled. As Aldreya matured, she was also growing more sullen and stubborn. Lannon noticed that in spite of her beauty and kind heart, she rarely smiled these days. She'd come to Dremlock with visions of advancing as far as her considerable skills would take her in a shining and noble kingdom. But the relentless darkness of Tharnin had clearly sapped the joy from her heart. Now she was just another desperate and hunted Squire hiding in a cold mountain fortress. Aldreya had once seemed almost snobbish, but her ego appeared to have shrunk and she treated everyone equally. Lannon liked her better now, finding her far easier to relate to, but he wished she seemed a bit happier.

  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.