***
Later that evening, when the Knights seemed to be sleeping and only the Squires remained awake by the fire, Vannas took the White Flamestone from its black pouch and held it up. The radiant glow engulfed the campsite, causing people to stir, and he quickly cupped his hands around it to diminish the light. "The key to our victory," he said, his green eyes shining with their own fire.
"Be careful, Prince Vannas," said Lannon, glancing about nervously. "Perhaps you should keep it concealed."
Vannas glared at him, his devilish Birlote features making his handsome face look sinister. "Don't be jealous of this magnificent gift, my friend. And I assure you that no foe can remove this from my hand. It is almost...a part of me now. It's something you cannot understand."
"I'm not jealous," Lannon mumbled, his face growing red. "I'm just being cautious."
"I think my cousin knows his business," said Aldreya. "I'm guessing he has been trained extensively in the use of the Flamestone."
"I have," said Vannas, his voice full of pride. "I know this device like you know your sword, Lannon. And it knows me."
"Overconfidence is a wretched weakness," said Jerret, poking a stick at the fire and sending up sparks. "It can consume you."
Vannas' eyes widened. "I find that rather insulting, Jerret. I am a Prince of Borenthia, yet you dare accuse me of overconfidence?"
"You're just a Squire at Dremlock," said Jerret, "unless I'm mistaken. A very important one, yes, but still a Squire."
"Don't be a fool," said Vannas, rising to his feet with a menacing look on his face. He put the White Flamestone away and balled up his fist. "You are still required to respect me as royalty. You fought well earlier, but now you make a fool of yourself, Jerret Dragonsbane."
"Vannas is correct," said Aldreya. "You're being quite rude, Jerret. My cousin was called upon by the Divine Essence for a great purpose."
"Sure," said Jerret, sneering, "and Birlotes know all about rudeness. Every word that comes out of a Birlote's mouth is rude."
"Taris, who might die soon, is a Birlote," said Lannon, hoping to shame Jerret into silence. "And Taris has always been kind to you, Jerret."
"I feel bad about Taris," said Jerret, looking a bit sheepish. "I'm just saying that we shouldn't be overconfident. And I have a destiny too, by the way--one I take very seriously. I'm not a prince, and the Divine Essence didn't bless me with any great gift, but I have a purpose on this journey nonetheless."
They fell silent for a moment. Vannas' anger seemed to diminish at Jerret's words. He extended his hand. "I can respect your belief in your destiny, Jerret, whatever it may be. I offer you my hand and ask only for respect in return."
Aldreya nodded to Jerret, her face tense. "The prince offers his hand. I strongly suggest you accept it."
"Let's just try to get along," said Lannon, wishing they weren't acting like fools when so much was at stake. "We're all part of this Divine Shield or what have you. We need to be friends."
Sighing, Jerret rose and accepted the handshake. "Okay, I've got your back...Prince Vannas."
"And I have yours, Jerret Dragonsbane," Vannas said, smiling.
"Good," said Lannon. "Now maybe we can get some sleep."
But a lean shadow suddenly appeared next to Jerret. It was Shennen, and he squatted down, his hand on Jerret's shoulder. "I'm glad you accepted the prince's gesture of friendship," he said in a low voice. "Well done, Squire."
"Thank you, Master Shennen," said Jerret, looking nervous.
"But...I am concerned with you," said Shennen. "You seem to have a habit of insulting Birlotes because you cannot understand our ways. I realize you're just a young man and that young people act like fools. However, you go too far with it. Yes, I am greatly concerned with you..."
Jerret started to protest, but Shennen clamped a hand over his mouth. "Don't talk, Jerret. Just listen very carefully."
Trembling, Jerret nodded.
"I'm getting rather weary," Shennen went on, whispering in Jerret's ear, "of these insults. Don't think I don't overhear things even when a door is closed, or that people don't report things to me that they hear. I know you frequently speak ill of my race. I realize you're part of the Divine Shield, and by Dremlock law, that makes you important. But I'm going to step beyond my rank a bit and warn you that you had better watch what you say about Birlotes henceforth--because I might be listening from the shadows. Is that clearly understood?"
Again, Jerret nodded, his face tense.
Shennen slipped back into the shadows. The Squires glanced at each other in relief, except for Aldreya, who seemed delighted by what had happened. She smiled at Jerret, who looked away in humiliation.
***
Over the next couple of days, the weather turned wretched. They were nearing the Northern Bloodlands, where bad weather was common, but it was also fall and deep into the rainy season. Cold rain poured down until the entire army was soaking wet and miserable. But they kept riding at a stout pace.
When they glimpsed the Mother Trees of the Bloodlands in the distance, it was nearing evening and still raining hard. Everyone was tired of riding, and some of the Knights had taken ill. They erected tents in a field and camped.
The tents were fairly large, and all of the Squires were able to fit inside one of them. Aldreya was permitted to sleep in the same tent as the boys, as space was limited and they wanted the Squires to remain together. They lit a lantern and sat on their blankets, listening to the rain beat down on the roof.
"What a wretched day it has been," said Jerret. "Wet clothes. Wet blanket. My pack was supposed to keep out the rain, but it didn't. How are we supposed to dry out when we can't even build a fire?"
Aldreya smiled as she wrung out her hair. "Aren't you supposed to be a Squire of Dremlock, Jerret? You should never be without fire." She channeled her sorcery into her dagger and made it burn, then slowly ran it over her clothes. "This will take some time, but it should do the task."
"Careful not to set our tent ablaze, cousin," said Vannas, winking at her. He unsheathed his own dagger and followed Aldreya's lead.
"I can't control the fire with such precision," said Jerret, gazing at them with envy. "I would just burn my clothing."
"I can't do it either," said Lannon. Actually, Lannon couldn't produce fire at all. His sorcery practice sessions had been limited to the Eye of Divinity, and as far as Lannon knew, the Eye did not generate heat.
"I'll gladly do it for you, my friend," said Vannas, "once my own clothing is dry. There is no reason any of us should suffer such discomfort."
"Thank you," said Lannon, thinking that Vannas was turning out to be a fine companion.
"Will you dry my clothing, Aldreya?" Jerret asked.
"Are you speaking in jest?" said Aldreya, with a laugh.
Jerret's face turned red. "No, I was just asking for your help. But forget I said anything."
Aldreya sighed. "Yes, I will dry your clothing, Jerret. But you should learn to control your sorcery."
"I'm trying," said Jerret, shrugging.
"Yes, you are trying hard," said Aldreya. "I'll give you that."
Eventually, Vannas and Aldreya had dried out everything in the tent. The tent itself was waterproof, and so conditions within became comfortable. The Squires ate jerky, cheese, and cake that had stayed dry thanks to careful wrapping. They had tea to drink (which was heated by dagger point).
Shennen popped his head in, rain dripping down his face. "Just checking to make sure everyone is dry and has food. I'm going to my tent to dry out and eat, and I'm leaving Buke Songblade to stand guard."
"Yes, by all means have a break, Master Shennen," said Vannas. "You've earned it. And we're obviously safe enough amidst an army of Divine Knights."
Shennen nodded and withdrew, sealing the tent door.
Moments later, Jace strode in and sat down, his cloak damp from having moved between tents. Immediately, Aldreya hurried over to dry him. Jace smiled and pinched her cheek. "What would I
do without my favorite Squire?"
"Sit there waterlogged?" Aldreya answered, pinching him back.
Jace chuckled and lit up his pipe. He looked especially large in the tent.
"What brings you here?" asked Vannas. "Just a friendly visit?"
"Of course not," said Jace. "Though I'm fond of all you Squires, I would rather be sleeping right now. No, I've come to give you a dire warning."
Aldreya drew back at his somber tone, the fire diminishing in her dagger. "A dire warning?"
"You heard me," said Jace, gazing at her sternly. "I am growing increasingly convinced that we are in fact riding into some extraordinary trap that we can't even imagine. My feeling is that the Blood Legion does not fear us and is well prepared to deal with us. The Knights won't hear of it--especially Furlus, who is far too stubborn to listen to a banished Knight like myself."
"Are you sure you're not giving in to irrational fears, Uncle Jace?" said Aldreya. "The Knights have knowledge they won't share with you."
"Uncle Jace?" said Vannas, laughing. "He's clearly not one of us, dear cousin. Not that Jace isn't a wise man and a fine warrior, from what I've heard."
Jerret rolled his eyes. "Uncle Jace? That's silly, Aldreya."
"I consider it an honor," said Jace, winking. "Anyway, this is not about fear. I want you Squires to be truly prepared for what lies ahead."
"We are prepared," said Vannas, producing the black pouch that held the White Flamestone. "Remember, we now have the greatest weapon in all the land. Even the mighty Hand of Tharnin must shatter before it."
Jace ran his fingers through his curly black hair and sighed, looking utterly distraught. "Overconfidence is the doom of all warriors, my good prince. As each day passes, I wonder just how bitter an end we are facing."
Vannas' face reddened. "I realize you are not a Knight, Jace--that in fact you were expelled from the Order. You may not feel obligated to show me respect, but I am still a Prince of Borenthia. I strongly question your judgment in calling me overconfident. How can I have too much confidence when I hold this?"
Vannas withdrew the White Flamestone from the pouch, and a pale, piercing glow filled the tent. "This is power above all of Tharnin!"
Jace turned, as if to shield his eyes. "Nonsense, lad. It is a powerful weapon, yes. But the war against the Deep Shadow has raged for centuries. Even the greatest piece of the White Guardian--the Crimson Flamestone--did not destroy the Eye of Tharnin. The great beast lives on and possibly always will."
"I believe you are wrong, Jace," said Vannas. "You have no idea how much power is locked within this crystal. What would a warrior know of sorcery, a clumsy giant who fights only with his bare hands?"
Jace's eyes gleamed with sudden malice in the pale light of the Flamestone. His cloaked form seemed to fill the tent. "What would I know of sorcery? All the years I have walked this land, and you dare ask that? That is bold even for an arrogant prince."
Aldreya clutched Jace's shoulder. "My cousin means no harm."
Jace's hand shot out with the speed of a striking snake and clamped around the prince's hand, engulfing the White Flamestone. Vannas struggled but seemed unable to move, his eyes wide with shock. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
"I could kill you," said Jace, in a cold whisper. "You cannot move. You cannot activate the Flamestone. All you can do is wait for my next action. You say I know nothing of sorcery, yet my sorcery has rendered you helpless."
"Jace, let him go," Aldreya said. "He is a prince!"
"Not my prince," said Jace. "He's just an arrogant young man to me--one who has a lot to learn. And the learning process has begun."
Vannas tried to speak, but no words came out.
Jerret grinned. "I'm liking this."
Lannon, however, didn't like what he was seeing at all. Jace seemed to have overstepped his authority. Lannon wondered if he was somehow under the control of Tharnin. "What are you doing, Jace? Let him go!" Lannon summoned the Eye of Divinity but held it in check, waiting for Jace's response.
"Very well," said Jace. "My point is made." He withdrew his huge hand, and the prince was able to move again.
His face burning with humiliation, Vannas put the Flamestone away. He was shaking with anger. "You've made quite a mistake in laying hands on me. At the least, you will lose your place in the Divine Shield."
Jace shrugged. "Do you think I care? It would be a gift to me. All I wanted to do was warn you Squires that nothing is certain in life. No power is too great to be overcome. Vannas, if the Hand of Tharnin had seized you like that, you would be dead right now. I merely showed you the truth of things."
"Jace is right," said Aldreya, though she looked uncertain. "He shouldn't have laid hands on you, cousin, but he did make a valid point."
Vannas glared at her for a moment, and then his face softened. He sighed. "You speak the truth, Aldreya. You have far more wisdom than I do. Jace, as much as I cringe in saying this--I thank you for the lesson."
Jace raised his eyebrows. "I'm impressed by your wisdom and humility, Prince Vannas. Perhaps there is hope for this quest after all. I'm sorry for seizing you like that, but I felt it was the only way to make you understand."
"You have made me more aware of the dangers we face," said Vannas. "And truthfully, we are far better off with you accompanying us."
Jace rose into a stooped position. "Well, I guess I'll return to my tent now. I have nothing more to say. I hope we can all remain friends."
Vannas bowed, his face still red with embarrassment. "We shall talk again."
"Goodnight, Jace," said Aldreya.
"It's just Jace now, huh?" he said, giving her a wry smile. "No more uncle?"
Aldreya looked away.
With a chuckle, Jace left the tent.
"I realize he tried to enlighten me," said Vannas, "but it proves nothing. In battle, no one will get that close to me."
"Anything can happen," said Lannon, thinking back to his encounters with the servants of the Deep Shadow.
"But I'll be ready," Vannas insisted.
As the Squires lay down to sleep, Lannon pondered Jace's warning. Lannon's skill with the Eye of Divinity seemed weak lately, his energy low. If the Knights were relying on his power to any significant degree, they were indeed making a huge mistake. But Lannon suspected that Vannas was the bearer of hope now--the one who was expected to overcome the Hand of Tharnin and whatever other terrors awaited them. This should have eased Lannon's burdens, but all he could focus on was saving Vorden and Taris. It was a fact that countless Knights and Squires had been lost to the will of the Deep Shadow. Vorden was just another victim in a long line of them that spanned the centuries. This was normal business for Dremlock, but to Lannon it was deeply personal and gnawed constantly at his soul.
At last Lannon fell asleep, and his dreams were cold and dark.
***
During the night, Lannon awoke to find he couldn't move his arms or legs or utter a single noise. Flooded with panic, he opened his eyes to see a dark shape hovering above him. As his vision came into focus, he gazed up at a humanoid face with its mouth open wide to display two large white fangs. The face was attached to a dark and scaly serpent's body as big around as a man's thigh.
A Pit Crawler had slid silently in through the tent door, with some of its long body still outside, and it was paralyzing Lannon with its sorcery. A thin stream of dark, transparent mist shot from the beast's jaws and hovered around Lannon's face, its icy touch commanding him to lie still and wait for death.
Lannon fought to summon the Eye of Divinity, but the Pit Crawler's sorcery thwarted his efforts. The dark mist had frozen both mind and muscle. He could only watch in despair as the white fangs moved toward his throat.
Lannon fought like a madman to unlock the Eye. At last it emerged and seized the serpent, barely halting its descent.
The Eye probed the Pit Crawler, revealing a Goblin that lived to inflict death. It killed even when its belly was full, a quiet shadow that used sorce
ry to conceal itself and confuse others. It was an abomination that had been bred for ambush and assassination, and it loved its work.
Convinced he was going to lose the struggle, Lannon thought of his parents. He wondered how they could take the news of his death. It would likely ruin them, especially his father, who was in a fragile state to begin with due to the disease that ravaged his body and spirit. Lannon wasn't giving up--but he was definitely giving ground. Once again he found himself trying to hold back a much stronger foe, and once again the Eye of Divinity seemed too weak to save him. Slowly the Pit Crawler's pale fangs closed in on his neck.
Lannon realized the creature would likely try to kill the other Squires as well, before its work was done. He strove to scream warnings as he fought, but his vocal cords were completely useless. He imagined the Knights finding their bodies in the tent the next morning
With a furious effort, Lannon pushed the Pit Crawler away from his throat as he tried to break free. But the creature spit its dark mist again into Lannon's face, and his focus waned. The beast once again began to descend on him.
The battle raged on silently, until Lannon realized a way to save himself. He reached out with a small portion of the Eye and shook Vannas hard. It was difficult to split his focus, and it caused him to lose a bit of ground with the Pit Crawler. But the move paid off, as the Birlote prince awoke instantly and sat up, his eyes widening when he beheld the intruder. He yelled out a warning on instinct. The other Squires snapped awake, crying out in shock over what they saw--too stunned for a moment to reach for their weapons.
Vannas leapt to his feet, ordering Jerret and Aldreya to stay down. He yanked the White Flamestone from its pouch and its piercing light flooded the tent. The Pit Crawler quivered and hissed, as if the light were burning it.
"Die, spawn of Tharnin!" Vannas cried, and the Flamestone grew blinding, its light hammering into the beast. The Pit Crawler ignited into white fire, its burning husk hanging in the air.
Lannon shoved the blazing creature away from him with vicious force. Having no power left to resist his sorcery, the beast flew out the tent door, leaving only a few glowing fragments behind that quickly went dark.
Knights: Book 02 - The Hand of Tharnin Page 20
