“It just ends,” he said, his voice filled with frustration. “I don’t understand it. It’s like the two of them just vanished from existence.”
“Perhaps sorcery was used to cover the trail,” said Jace. “Perhaps the Eye is confused. Do you sense anything unusual?”
Lannon shook his head. “If sorcery is confusing my sight, it’s so clever that I can’t even glimpse it. I must truly be blinded by it.”
“We will continue on,” said Aldreya, “and see if you can pick up the trail again. It could just be a temporary issue.”
They went a bit further and then Lothrin called out to the others in a frantic tone. “Prince Vannas is nearby!” he yelled, pointing toward a rocky wall that was just barely visible through the trees. “I caught a glimpse of him running in that direction. Hurry, we must catch him before he escapes!”
“Are you sure it was him?” asked Aldreya, looking skeptical.
“I glimpsed his cloak,” said Lothrin.
“Why would the prince run from us?” said Vorden. “This could be a trick of the Deep Shadow to slow us—or lure us into a trap.”
“I agree,” said Aldreya. “Our enemy is clever.”
Lannon scanned the ground where Lothrin had pointed. “I sense the presence of evil sorcery, but it’s not whatever I sensed before. This is weaker—possibly one of those Ghouls. But there are no traces of the prince.”
“It was definitely my cousin’s cloak,” said Lothrin, “though I couldn’t tell if it was him wearing it. But even if it wasn’t him, maybe he is being held prisoner somewhere nearby. We must find him!”
Lannon led the way, following the trail of dark sorcery that wound between the pines and boulders. Soon they came to a cave in the mountainside. The cave mouth looked hungry, waiting to devour anyone who dared enter. It was a natural cavern, but one that was choked with the Deep Shadow and made almost alive from it. Even the stone walls hated these Knights and wanted them dead. Lannon was unable to see very far into the tunnel, but he could sense whispered warnings of doom from the darkness, demanding the Knights turn back.
Lightning struck in the cliffs overhead—so bright that for an instant it was like daylight. The swaying pines cracked from the roaring wind.
“The trail leads into this ugly cave,” Lannon called out. “If the prince is in there somewhere, I cannot glimpse him.”
“This could indeed be a trap,” said Jace. “Probably is. On the other hand, this is the best lead we have right now. I suppose…we should take our chances in there.” He gazed at the cave doubtfully.
They dismounted, unable to take their horses into the narrow entrance. With their Birlote torches to guide them, they entered the cave. They were glad to be sheltered from the raging storm—even if it had to be in a smelly, evil tunnel that seemed to close in around them menacingly. The sounds of the storm faded as they made their way along the tunnel. They moved slowly, watching for danger.
Lothrin motioned for them to pick up the pace. He held one of the two Birlote torches and was in the lead. “We must hurry!”
“No,” said Aldreya, seizing his tunic. “If we go too fast, we will certainly end up blundering into a trap. You must calm yourself.”
Lothrin pulled away from her. “But they’re going to kill him!”
“Hand over your torch,” Aldreya commanded.
But Lothrin ignored her and raced off through the cave. They heard him splash into water ahead. “I’ve found a cold, shallow lake,” he called back. “There is solid rock beneath it. The cave is aglow with strange lights.”
The tunnel opened into a wide cavern where the lake sat. The Knights entered the icy water, which came up to their knees. Green crystals glowed in the walls and ceiling, giving them a glimpse of how large the cavern was. It was at least three-hundred feet wide with the ceiling looming about twenty feet above them. A strange smell hung in the air that almost reminded them of salt water mixed with some ancient spice. It was an unpleasant smell that brought to mind things cold and fishy. The air in the chamber was clammy and seemed to cling to their skin. The Deep Shadow emanated strongly from the lake—an invisible fog that engulfed the Knights and whispered of hopelessness and despair.
Lannon avoided gazing at the unpleasant water and instead found himself mesmerized by the green crystals in the walls and ceiling. He studied them carefully with the Eye and discovered they held traces of energy similar to that which infested living things. The crystals were alive, but unlike any life form Lannon had ever encountered. They were shelled organisms that lived their lives mostly fixed in one spot like plants, yet they seemed more like animals.
As the warriors neared the middle of the lake, where Lothrin was waiting for them, Lannon forced himself to scan the dark water. He glimpsed traces of evil and suffering from centuries past that made him feel sick to his stomach and want to look away, but he resisted and kept searching. His vigilance paid off, as a sunken stone walkway was revealed that led across the lake. They were standing on the walkway—which had dropped beneath the dark surface due to crumbling pillars beneath it—with much deeper water on either side. In that deep water Lannon glimpsed piles of human bones—some ancient and covered in slime. Grinning skulls lay everywhere down there. Coiled up amongst the bones were several Pit Crawlers. It was a shocking sight, these dark, coiled serpents lying as still as statues in the deep.
Lannon motioned for everyone to halt. “We have a bit of an issue here,” he whispered, pointing at the water. He revealed what he had seen.
“Ugh!” Dallsa whispered. She pressed close to Lannon.
“They probably aren’t aware of us yet,” said Aldreya. “They could even be sleeping. If we move very slowly, we might avoid a fight.”
With grim faces, the Knights crept forward through the water. They had no wish to confront a group of Pit Crawlers—beasts that could cause instant death with a single bite. Many Knights throughout the ages had fallen victims to these stealthy Goblins that hid in quiet, dark places waiting to ambush their prey.
They made it a bit farther and then Dallsa let out a scream and fell over, splashing about. “Something brushed my leg!” she cried.
“It was just an eel,” said Lannon, who had glimpsed the creature as it swam by. He pulled Dallsa to her feet, a feeling of dread gripping him.
An instant later the water exploded as six huge Pit Crawlers rose up, their jaws open wide and dripping venom. They swayed back and forth, as thick as tree trunks, their faces those of leering human females.
***
Taith made every effort to flee the camp. He ran for all he was worth, as the Knights formed a wall of protection in front of him. One of Bellis’ warriors—grinning at the sight of the fleeing boy—shot an arrow at Taith’s back, but Wreld Greendagger, the stocky Red Knight who was third in command at the camp, deflected it with his burning broadsword.
Taith made it beyond the circle of tents—but there he found another soldier with a crossbow waiting for him. As the battle raged in the camp, the soldier approached the boy with a grim expression. He aimed the crossbow at Taith’s chest, squinting, his finger tightening on the trigger.
“Don’t shoot!” Taith cried, raising his hands.
“Lay down on your belly,” the soldier ordered gruffly. “You are now a prisoner of Bellis Kingdom. If you get up, I’ll put an arrow in you.”
Taith did as commanded, trembling as he lay on the ground.
Galvia saw that Taith had been captured, and disgust washed over her. She deflected an arrow with her smoldering hammer, and then drove the weapon through the armor of one of Bellis’ Knights, melting through the steel, flesh, and bone that lay beneath—killing her foe instantly.
One of the Thallite Giants, looking like a god in his gleaming crimson armor, seized a Blue Knight and lifted him high into the air, then slammed him against a pine tree so viciously that the tree cracked. The giant hurled the Knight’s broken body aside, bellowing laughter.
Galvia found herself face to f
ace with a Guardian. The Golden Knight seemingly had no weakness—his armor covering him from head to toe and his helm secured by latches. Galvia struck a stout blow to his chest, but her hammer was turned aside by the mighty armor. Instead of retaliating against her, the Guardian whirled around and impaled a Red Knight that was charging him. He lifted the Red Knight into the air with his sword and then hurled him several yards.
Galvia struck the Guardian again when his back was turned—and again her smoldering hammer could not crush the armor. She managed to knock over the Golden Knight with the sheer ferocity of the blow, but he leapt up almost instantly, spinning to confront her. Her heart sank, as she realized that her chosen weapon was useless against these elite swordsmen.
One of the Thallite Giants pinned a fallen Blue Knight beneath his boot and was crushing him, and he roared with laughter as the warrior cried out in agony. Done toying with his foe, the giant stomped him to death.
A Blue Knight leapt on a Guardian’s back and tried to unlatch his helm. She managed to open one of the latches, and then a crossbow bolt lodged in her back and exploded, killing her instantly. The Guardian tossed the dead Knight aside and then calmly re-fastened the latch.
Several of Bellis’ warriors went down—killed by the deadly accuracy of the Blue Knights and their curved Flayers. But this was a battle not destined to go well for Dremlock’s warriors, due to the presence of the Thallites and the Guardians. The Divine Knights fought valiantly—wounding one of the giants to the point where he could not fight on—but one by one Dremlock’s fighters were dispatched, until only Galvia, Wreld, and Garaloth remained.
Wreld and Garaloth had sustained several wounds, with Wreld unable to continue fighting. The onslaught had occurred so quickly that Galvia hadn’t had time to even consider surrender, but she did so now, throwing down her hammer and raising her hands in a gesture of peace. If it had only been her, she would have fought on, but she wanted to save the lives of the two remaining Knights.
Bellis’ warriors surrounded them, hooting and laughing in triumph—even as the storm reached them and the rain came. Taith was brought to them, his face pale with fear, and shoved into the mud.
The Lawkeeper rode into camp, his cold gaze passing over the dead Knights. He dismounted and strode up to the captives.
“Prisoners of Bellis,” he said gazing down at them. “You will be punished for your crimes. And your punishment will be harsh.”
“You’re a fool!” Galvia snarled, her heart filled with pain and rage. “What have you done? You violated our agreement and have started a war!”
“War was inevitable,” said the Lawkeeper, as rain soaked his silver hair and dripped from his weathered, cruel face. “I gave you a stern warning at Ollanhar and it was rejected.” He motioned to the dead Knights that lay scattered about. “This is the result. Your precious warriors slain needlessly.”
“Let the boy go,” said Galvia. “He isn’t a Knight and has no part in this.”
“Everyone must be held accountable,” said the Lawkeeper. He glared down at Taith. “Even sorry little rats like this one.”
Moments later, a Birlote woman on horseback entered the camp. In one hand she held a glowing staff of blue crystal that bathed the area in a cold light. She wore a black robe adorned with blue symbols of evil sorcery, and her silver hair was set high with black ribbons. Her beautiful face was painted white in honor of Tharnin. It was Ethella, a priestess of Tharnin who was widely feared and hated.
“Only four of them left?” mused Ethella, swinging down from her horse. “And one is a mere Squire by the look of him.”
“He’s not a Squire,” said Galvia. “Just a boy with no home.”
“He has a home now,” said Ethella. She smiled, her face a beautiful mask of evil. “And in this home, we have strict rules. Here, we tell the truth and share all we know—or the torture rack is brought forth.”
“We must hurry,” said the Lawkeeper. “There is no telling when the others will return.”
“Coward!” Wreld muttered. “You fear Lannon and Prince Vannas, and make war on us when they are away.”
The Lawkeeper shrugged. “War is all about strategy, young man. And you have fallen victim to exactly that.”
“We could just execute them right now,” said Ethella, pointing her glowing blue staff at Galvia. “Just burn out their hearts.”
Galvia glared at her defiantly.
“The dead Knights must be burned,” said the Lawkeeper, to hide the evidence of our attack. “Can you do it in spite of the rain?”
“I can,” said Ethella. “My fire will consume all. We will take their armor and weapons, of course—as well as their horses. We should leave the wagons and tents, however. We don’t want to deprive them of the provisions that they will need for their journey.”
“Why did you do this?” asked Galvia. “If all you wanted was the Green Flamestone, and you intended to let us retrieve it for you—then why did you attack us? It makes no sense.”
“Oh, but it does,” said the Lawkeeper, tapping his head. “You’re just too stupid to see it. When the time comes, we don’t want to have to fight an army of Divine Knights. So we cut down your numbers a bit.”
“Yet our whole mission may be doomed,” said Galvia. “If Prince Vannas is dead, Aldreya may opt to return to Ollanhar—especially now that you’ve slain most of her Knights. Your attack was stupid and pointless.”
The Lawkeeper and Ethella exchanged a glance. Then the Lawkeeper smiled. “Killing Divine Knights is never pointless. And rest assured the mission for the Green Flamestone will continue, with or without Vannas. There is a dreaded Dark Watchman amongst you, is there not? Lannon Sunshield will not give up until the Flamestone is in his possession. And then we will ambush him and kill him, and the stone will belong to King Verlamer.”
“I’ll kill Lannon myself,” said Ethella, winking at Galvia. “My poison dagger will slide into his back when he least expects it.”
“You will fail,” said Galvia, “and Lannon will finish you.”
The Lawkeeper shrugged. “Either way, you won’t be around to see it. You’re going to die on this night, Dwarf. It could be a quick death…or a slow one. It depends on how much information you’re willing to share with us.”
“I’ll share nothing,” said Galvia.
Ethella’s face hardened, her smile vanishing. “We shall see.”
One of Bellis’ warriors—a heavily muscled Knight with a bushy beard—approached them, carrying Bekka Nightspear’s unconscious form. Though Bekka was tall and muscular, he carried her as if she were weightless. He dumped her in the mud, where she lay groaning. “I found her in the back of a wagon. She seems ill, writhing about and such. Could be a fever.”
Ethella knelt and touched her. “She has been poisoned by the Deep Shadow—perhaps beyond hope. Excellent. Take her from the camp and leave her under a tree. Let Tharnin do its work, that she may come to serve.”
The warrior looked disgusted. “Why not just kill her and be done with it? She seems to be suffering and should be put out of her misery. And the other Knights will return and try to heal her. One less foe to worry about, right?”
Ethella’s face darkened. “We do not kill those who have the potential to serve. If any harm befalls her, you will deal with me.”
“Do as she says,” the Lawkeeper commanded.
With a sigh, the warrior lifted Bekka and carried her away.
“Let us dispose of the bodies quickly,” said the Lawkeeper. “And then we will probe the prisoners for information.”
“Lannon will know what happened,” said Galvia. “You cannot hide the truth from the Eye of Divinity.”
Lightning flashed nearby, and the trees swayed around them.
“Yes, we must hurry,” said Ethella, gazing at the sky.
Soon a large tent roof was erected on six poles, and the prisoners were put in shackles beneath it. Galvia was certain she could escape the shackles, but an escape attempt would only earn
her a quick death and might put the others at risk. She felt she owed it to the others—especially to young Taith—to keep herself alive long enough to find a way out of the situation.
Nearby, the bonfire surged to life again in spite of the wind-blown sheets of rain that swept the campsite. Fueled by the fires of Ethella’s sorcery, the blue flames could be not be smothered out. The dead Knights were dumped atop the blaze, where the flames engulfed them eagerly, flickering like serpent tongues. The fire burned so hot that large blue and white sparks burst out and danced across the muddy ground, hissing as they came in contact with the water.
Galvia groaned in despair, as the bodies of her fellow Knights were burned away. Their names ran through her mind—Caldan Stonehammer, Tessa Silverbow, Kellen Ironback, and others she knew well. Young Knights with promising futures, now gone from the world with only ashes to mark their passing.
The Lawkeeper smiled down at her. “They had it easy, you know. For you, death could come much more slowly.”
Garaloth gazed at Galvia. “How could this happen? On a night when…”
“When what?” asked the Lawkeeper, leaning close to the Red Knight.
“Be silent, Garaloth,” said Galvia.
The Lawkeeper nodded. “You’re hiding something important. I can feel it in my bones. But you will reveal the truth soon enough.”
Rain poured from the tent roof, coming down in rivers on all sides. Some of it was blown in by the wind, blasting the Lawkeeper and his prisoners periodically. The tent roof swayed in the wind, the poles seemingly ready to snap. For the four prisoners, life had turned sour amidst the raging storm. They could only hope that Lannon and the others returned in time to save them, but it seemed unlikely. The warriors of Bellis were determined to deal with the situation quickly and then move on, leaving only the dead behind.
***
Before the Pit Crawlers could strike, Lannon beheaded one of them. His stroke was so swift that it appeared the beast’s head simply fell off. The headless body writhed about and then dropped to the water with a splash. The head floated toward Lannon, the jaws still moving, and he seized it and tossed it away.
Knights: Defenders of Ollanhar (Ollanhar Series Book 1) Page 22
