Knights: Book 03 - The Heart of Shadows (30 page)

"I
will concentrate only on Bellis," Aldreya promised. It wouldn't be
difficult, considering what was at stake.

"Yet
I have a specific task for you," said Taris. "With Lannon no longer
among us, Prince Vannas is the only one we must protect at all costs. I want
you to stay by his side and give him guidance, to keep him from doing anything
foolish. As you are now pledged to become my apprentice--having passed the test
of loyalty--I trust that you will keep Vannas on the right path."

Aldreya
bowed. "I will guard him closely."

"Also,"
said Taris, "I'm putting you in charge of the Squires."

Aldreya
wasn't sure what to make of that. She didn't think Lannon would mind, but
Prince Vannas was a different story. She wondered what her duties would be as
the leader. "Am I required to give orders?" she asked.

 
Taris glanced her way and smiled. "Are
you
afraid
to give orders?"

"No,"
she said, "I'm just not sure how they will react."

"It
doesn't matter," said Taris. "I'm placing you in charge, and that's
the final word on it. The topic is not open to debate. I believe it will be
good for Lannon, Vannas, and Jerret to have another Squire to answer to. Galvia
seems humble enough, but she might benefit as well."

Aldreya
nodded, but she couldn't imagine giving Lannon and Vannas orders--and Jerret
would simply laugh in her face.

"Now
that you are in charge," said Taris, "I will give you instructions
from time to time and you will pass them along to the other Squires. This is
the chain of command."

Aldreya
wondered if Taris was serious--if he really expected her to be the leader.
Sometimes Knights played games with Squires for their own amusement, and
sorcerers were notorious for having hidden agendas. This could simply be
another test related to becoming his apprentice. However, it was her duty to
take him at his word and carry out his commands.

"If
I may change the subject," she said, "why did we leave in the dead of
night?" It made no sense that they should travel when everyone was tired
and hadn't had breakfast--especially with Bellis' army still distant.

"It's
a matter of timing," said Taris. "Our Elder Hawks are constantly
bringing us information that influence our decisions. We want to catch Bellis
at the right time and in the right place. Our key to victory is to pull off a
clever ambush. However, I can say no more about that at this time. Now go and
inform the other Squires that you are their leader. Make them respect
you."

Aldreya
sighed, then slowed her horse--allowing the others to catch up to her. She rode
next to Vannas in silence for a time, then cleared her throat and awkwardly
informed the Squires of Taris' decision. Meanwhile, Vannas gazed at her with an
expression of amusement and contempt.

"I'm
pleased that Taris has taken an interest in you," said the prince. "I
truly am, my cousin. But this business of putting you in charge is completely
unnecessary and does not fit with the Sacred Laws governing Divine Shields. Do
you know the ways of the White Flamestone better than I? Do you know the Eye of
Divinity better than Lannon? No, so how can you give worthy commands? It
appears that Taris is either trying to make you feel privileged as his
apprentice or just testing you. Regardless, don't take it too seriously."

"I
wasn't planning on it," said Aldreya. "I'm just doing as
ordered."

"I
have no issue with it," said Lothrin, "as long as we don't lose our
spirit of cooperation, for that is more important than anything else."

"We
won't," Aldreya promised.

"It's
fine by me," said Galvia, with a shrug.

Jerret
chuckled. "I don't have any issue with it--but don't think you're going to
boss me around or anything, Aldreya." He grinned. "You'd like that,
wouldn't you? To give me orders. Well go ahead then, princess. What's my first
command?"

Aldreya
glared at him but didn't reply, refusing to take the bait.

"It's
not her choice, Jerret," said Galvia. "We have to respect Taris'
decision."

"Of
course," said Jerret. "And I'm ready to serve." He winked at
Aldreya and then bowed. "I await your orders, oh wise leader."

Aldreya's
temper boiled over. "My first order is to be quiet!" She wished Taris
had not bestowed this task upon her.

Jerret
bowed several times, nearly falling off his horse. "It shall be done, my
queen. You will not hear a peep out of me!"

Daledus
roared laughter. "You Squires amuse me." The Dwarf reached over and
patted Jerret on the back. "I like you, lad!"

"You're
all my friends," said Aldreya. "Even you, Jerret, though you never
fail to annoy me. It's not my intent to be bossy or stern with you. As Lothrin
said, the spirit of cooperation is what we need most."

"Nevertheless,"
said Lothrin, "if Taris expects you to be a leader then you need to act
like one. You may be required to give an order to someone who disagrees with it
and then insist it be obeyed." He lowered his voice. "Taris will be
watching you, Aldreya, and evaluating your performance."

Aldreya
nodded, realizing the truth. This was likely a test to see if she possessed
leadership skills. She needed to prove to Taris that she was worthy of his
knowledge, and it would be no easy feat.

She
fixed her gaze on Prince Vannas. "I am required to stay by your side and
watch over you. That's a direct order from Taris."

Vannas
glared at her. "Ah, so I must be looked after like a child now, even
though I'm seventeen years old and by many standards an adult. Well, if that's
the way it must be..." He lowered his voice. "Just don't get in my
way, when the time comes to make the important decisions. Keep in mind that I
am the Bearer of the White Flamestone. The Divine Essence chose me."

In
Borenthia, Aldreya would have been forced to bow before Vannas because he was a
prince. All her instincts told her she could not possibly defy him. But this
was Dremlock and Taris had given her an order. Her future depended on obeying.
Shoring up her will, she gazed defiantly at Vannas. "I understand your
view on it, but I can promise nothing. I must do as I was ordered."

The
prince nodded. "We'll see, when the time comes."

"Yes,
we
will
," Aldreya said firmly.

"After
this coming battle," said Galvia, "perhaps none of it will matter. I
hate to sound gloomy, but I wonder if any of us will survive. I had a nightmare
recently of a hilltop covered in the dead--all that remained of our army."

Aldreya
wondered that as well, but she believed that part of her new leadership role
was to inspire confidence. "Taris thinks we can win, and who are we to disagree
with him? If he believes it, then so do I. We are vastly outnumbered, but if we
employ the right strategies and make good use of our abilities, we have a
chance."

"I
wish things were simpler," said Lothrin. "I wish we were just going
to war with the Goblins--the way it's supposed to be at Dremlock. I joined the
kingdom to battle foul beasts from the Bloodlands, having no idea I would be
involved in this epic war." He chuckled. "I think my timing is rather
poor."

"This
war is going to be ugly," said Jerret, "whatever the outcome. None of
us can even imagine the carnage to come." Yet Jerret did not seem
disturbed by his own words. In fact, there was a hint of eagerness in his
voice.

"It
will indeed be ugly," said Lothrin. "Prince Vannas, you may have to
unleash that Flamestone onto hundreds of human warriors if we are to have any
chance at victory. Are you prepared to take that many lives?"

Vannas
nodded. "I've thought much about it, and I've dreaded the notion. But if
Bellis isn't stopped, then its evil will spread everywhere and will eventually
reach Borenthia. If ever killing was justified, this is the time. In a way, I
envy Lannon, who won't be present for this battle."

"Yet
we have no idea," said Aldreya, "what Lannon will face in Old Hammer
Hall. He may have to do just as much killing as the rest of us."

Jerret
laughed. "Knowing Lannon, he'll spare more lives than he'll take--unless
he's facing Goblins. He has no problem with killing Goblins. But when humans
are involved, Lannon forgets how to fight."

"Unless
Lannon has no choice," said Aldreya. "Sometimes it is impossible to
avoid taking human lives."

Jerret
waved dismissively. "Regardless, Lannon probably has it easy right now.
All he has to do is sneak around and look for that stone."

***

When
the two charging barbarians reached Lannon, there was no discussion of
surrender. They tried to cut him down where he stood, their bearded faces
contorted with fury. These were Legion Knights, and their blades were enchanted
by sorcery. They swung at him viciously, their strokes guided by their magic.
But thanks to the Eye, Lannon's blade was faster and he blocked their attacks.

Lannon
seized one of his foes by the wrist, and--with his power surging through his
arm--hurled the man against the tunnel wall. The barbarian struck the stone
hard and collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

The
remaining barbarian's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe the strength
Lannon possessed. He drove his sword at Lannon's chest, but Lannon sidestepped
the thrust and struck the barbarian in the head with his sword hilt. The
warrior fell to the floor, bleeding from a head wound.

Both
warriors were still alive but unable to fight, and Lannon left them where they
lay. He whirled around to find Shennen still battling Ulmason Deathhand. The
two Knights were locked in a vicious duel, and when Lannon started toward them,
Shennen ordered him to hold back.

"This
one is mine!" Shennen hissed. "Guard my back, Lannon!"

Lannon
glanced behind him, but the hall was empty.

Ulmason
grinned. There was no doubt that the Dark Knight believed he was invincible.
Aside from winning duels against Dremlock, he'd also slain many Divine Knights
in combat. His heavily muscled body was covered in scars beneath his armor from
his many battles. Luck had always been on his side.

This
was not an official duel, and there were no rules. The combatants were free to
unleash everything they had--and in that regard, Ulmason had the advantage. He
was known to fight dirty, using tricks that an honorable Knight would sneer at.
Shennen, however, was still bound by Dremlock's sacred laws that governed
combat against human foes.

"I
love killing Birlotes," said Ulmason, laughing. He swung at Shennen's neck
with his huge axe. Shennen ducked and the axe tore stone from the tunnel wall.
The axe was smoldering with crimson fire amidst which dark shadows squirmed.
This was a Gnome-forged axe from ancient times, fused with evil sorcery.

In
spite of missing his target, Ulmason continued to grin, swept away in his own
glory. Always he'd found some way to prevail over his foes, and killing Shennen
would just be another badge of honor in a long and bloody career as a Legion
Dark Knight.

But
Shennen's eyes were cold and focused beneath his mask. He was a swift and
deadly shadow in the torchlight, twisting and dodging, and Ulmason struggled to
match his speed. Shennen's Flayer, which burned with the green flames of divine
fire, slashed a wound in Ulmason's shoulder, cutting through his dark armor and
into the flesh beneath. The Dark Knight bellowed in pain and stepped back.

Lannon
could have interfered and perhaps helped end the battle quickly, but he obeyed
Shennen's commands and held back, staying alert for enemies while keeping an
eye on the battle. This was an unofficial duel and a matter of honor to
Shennen, and Lannon had no right to interfere. But Lannon didn't like it. They
were here to find the Black Flamestone, not fight duels--but when it came to
matters of honor, logic didn't seem to always apply.

Ulmason
threw all his strength and fury into one blow, driving his blazing axe down in
an effort to split Shennen in two. The blow was so swift that Lannon thought
Shennen had been caught off guard--but Shennen somehow dodged it and the axe
slammed into the floor, throwing up blinding red sparks and chunks of stone.
For a moment, neither combatant could see.

 
Yet Shennen's Flayer slashed out blindly and
on instinct--and this time it caught Ulmason Deathhand in the throat. The giant
staggered, dropping his axe. His single eye was wide with shock beneath his
horned helm. Still charged with sorcery, Ulmason lunged at Shennen and tried to
get him in a bear hug, but Shennen twisted out of his path and ended up behind
the giant.

Ulmason
cried out in pain as Shennen's Flayer drove into his back. He tried to turn,
but the damage was too much and he collapsed to his knees. He cursed Shennen
and all Birlotes, and then slumped forward in death.

Shennen
motioned to Lannon. "We must try to free the others. We need Aldrek's
power or we're doomed."

They
raced back into the storage room and Lannon seized the iron door. Now, with all
the noise of battle having alerted the Blood Legion to their presence, there
was no need for stealth. They pulled furiously at the door handle--as Lannon
tried to break the lock with the power of the Eye--and there was a loud crunch
of metal as the door came free.