Knights: Legends of Ollanhar (26 page)

"What will we do," asked Lothrin, "if he is
dead? Will we continue on with our quest, without the Eye to lead us?" The
lean Ranger looked deeply troubled. "I can't imagine completing this
journey without Lannon."

"We still have the White Flamestone," said Prince
Vannas. "The loss of Lannon is terrible to contemplate, but we owe it to
our god and kingdom to see this through, whatever the cost. I shudder to think
of the horrors that await us. Something about that island on the sea haunts my
dreams. I have no doubt that we are heading into great peril, where even our
very souls could be at risk if we fail to stay strong and righteous. But we
must do this. I can only pray that the White Flamestone will protect us from
whatever hungry abomination lurks out there. A living piece of our god is
carried with us, and that gives me hope."

"Inspiring speech, cousin," said Lothrin,
managing a smile. "Especially the part about the abomination that waits to
consume our souls."

Vannas sighed. "Ever the sarcastic one."

"We will continue," said Aldreya. "Our quest
is too important to abandon, and we have come so far already. While Lannon is
irreplaceable, we are Divine Knights and no mission should be too dangerous for
us."

"I fully agree," said Bekka. "Even without
Lannon, we are powerful. Turning back now would be folly. I would rather die on
this quest than give up and let Bellis rule all of Gallamerth unopposed."

That last statement was no idle boast. Bekka meant every
word of it. The Deep Shadow needed to pay dearly for its crimes. She lived for
vengeance now, and without vengeance it seemed she had nothing. She knew of
nothing else worth living for beyond destroying Tharnin, and though Bellis Kingdom
was not necessarily in Tharnin's grasp, she suspected the Deep Shadow played
some significant role in its rapid expansion.

Bekka knew she wasn't behaving like a Divine Knight. A
Knight did not live for vengeance, but rather for peace and justice. But she
didn't care. Her mind and soul had been torn to shreds by a single bite.
Somehow she had survived, though she still wasn't sure how or why. If vengeance
was all she had at the moment to keep her going, then she would fully embrace
it. She would let it drive her onward into darkness and battle--into places
where only fools would dare venture--and perhaps she would strike a mighty blow
to the heart of evil. Perhaps there would come a time when she could free her
soul and fully embrace the noble standards of Knighthood the way Lannon and
Aldreya did, but that time wasn't now.

Soon the Lord Paladin arrived.
He wore an extravagant blue robe adorned with golden holy symbols, and he held
the thick
Book of Light
in one hand. He was a lean, elderly man with
long silver hair and a silver beard. He went behind the altar and laid the book
before him with trembling hands. He was silent for a time. Then he read a
passage from the book:

"They came from
Dremlock, from the cursed mountain, from the pit of fire and death where lurked
the creatures of darkness. They came through fire and blood, these servants of
our shattered Messenger, to do the will of the Great Light."

The Lord Paladin stopped reading and looked up.
"Welcome, Divine Knights of Dremlock. You honor this Temple with your
presence. It has been a long time since Divine Knights have entered here. Why
have you come?"

"We need your help," said Aldreya. "We are
on a quest to obtain one of the Flamestones--another living piece of the
Messenger. But many of our warriors were slaughtered in the Soddurn Mountains.
I ask that you send as many Paladins as you can spare to aid us in our
quest."

"Your quest is a noble one," said the Lord
Paladin. "It is obviously the will of the Great Light and the only hope of
defeating Bellis. I know all about your struggles against King Verlamer. What
could be more important than your quest?" He sighed. "What indeed?
Yet I can only spare one of my warriors."

"Only one?" said Aldreya. "Why?"

"This Temple must not fall," the Lord Paladin replied.
"The Great Light demands that it remain standing as a symbol to all of
Gallamerth. This is just as important as your quest. Bellis has grown
increasingly threatening to us. If they dare to attack, we must be ready to
fight to the death. This is the sanctuary of our god. We cannot abandon it for
any reason."

"I understand," said Aldreya. "Yet this is a
huge disappointment. I was hoping for at least a dozen of your warriors, to
replace our fallen Knights. But one is better than none, and we gladly accept
the help."

Prince Vannas rose. "This is mistake. Only Dremlock
can defeat Bellis now. We already possess one Flamestone. Another would make us
more than a match for King Verlamer. Do you see how important this is?"

"I do," said the Lord Paladin. "But I also
know your quest is not certain. You could easily perish, taking my warriors
with you. The Divine Essence cannot protect you at such a distance, and the
Great Light will not interfere. This is our struggle alone. We must prove
ourselves worthy to inherit this world. Many have already perished in this
struggle. What makes you think you'll succeed?"

"The Divine Essence can protect us," said Prince
Vannas. "I am the Bearer of the White Flamestone. It is my duty to guide
and defend these Knights. We do have a blessing upon us, and it can see us
through."

The Lord Paladin gazed at Vannas, a strange look on his
face. "You actually carry a Flamestone with you? A true piece of the
Messenger?"

"I do," said Vannas.

"Show it to me," said the Lord Paladin. "Let
me bask in the Messenger's sacred glow." His eyes shone like fire. "I
want to see the truth in physical form, to erase any doubts that still linger.
And yes, even I doubt now and then."

Prince Vannas withdrew the White Flamestone. A radiant glow
flooded the room, and the great crystal behind the altar shone much more
brightly.

The Lord Paladin approached him, extending a trembling
hand. "May I touch it? Just once, and ever so briefly?"

Vannas held it forth.

The Lord Paladin placed his hand on the Flamestone. He
closed his eyes. "How wonderful! I can feel its life. This is a moment I
have waited for since I was old enough to comprehend existence. Yes, I can see
it now. The Great Light is indeed battling Tharnin through its Messenger. Ah,
wonderful!" He opened his eyes, and they held an intense gleam. "This
is a glorious day!"

He smiled, and then his grasp tightened on the stone.
"I don't want surrender this delightful treasure. Not in the least."

Vannas quickly put away the Flamestone.

The Lord Paladin backed away. "I am forever changed by
this. I wish I could keep that gem, but it would corrupt me. It's energy is too
powerful, something not meant for mortal hands. If you are not careful, it will
destroy you."

"I can handle it," Vannas insisted. "I
must."

"Continue on your quest," said the Lord Paladin.
"And those guards at the Temple door--take them with you. They are
powerful fighters. Yes, I will allow
two
Paladins to go, all I can
spare. Good luck, Knights of Dremlock. May that Flamestone guide you to good
fortune."

Aldreya rose and bowed. "Thank you, Lord
Paladin."

***

When the Knights again gathered on the steps outside, they
found that Jace was missing. The others informed them that Jace had decided to
venture into the city on his own to try to recruit some more warriors.
Apparently, Jace was convinced he knew Wolfbine Kingdom well enough to do the
job alone--with much less chance of being noticed by Bellis' soldiers.

Aldreya reacted to this news with an annoyed sigh. "So
he expects us to wait here for him to return?"

Dallsa nodded. "He ordered us not to follow him into
Wolfbine, for he fears it is too dangerous."

Aldreya's eyes narrowed. "He gave an order, did
he."

"Indeed," said Jerret, with a laugh. "It was
a
stern
order."

"Jace is a wise man," said Saranna. "I'm not
questioning your own wisdom, Green Knight, but maybe we should listen to
him."

"He is also unpredictable," said Aldreya.
"He does what he pleases and has his own agenda. I'm hesitant to trust him
on this."

"I am not," said Prince Vannas. "Jace has my
full confidence. I think we should at least wait and see if he succeeds in his
mission."

Aldreya thought it over, then reluctantly nodded.
"Very well. I suppose we can wait for a bit and see if he finds
anyone."

With the two Paladins who were joining them still inside
preparing for the journey, they had to wait anyway.

"So how was the Temple?" asked Jerret. The
hulking mercenary looked bored. "Did it change your life?"

"Thankfully, no," said Aldreya. "My life
does not require
changing
."

Brakthas slapped his knee. "Well, mine could use some
change right about now. I'm kind of tired of sitting here."

"Where is Lannon?" Dallsa asked, putting her face
in her hands. She groaned. "If he doesn't show up soon, I'm going to go
back and look for him."

The others exchanged somber glances.

"No, you're not," said Aldreya. "The quest
will move forward."

Dallsa looked up. "How can you be so cold, Aldreya? I
don't understand it."

"I'm not cold," said Aldreya, "as you call
it. What I am is a Divine Knight on a critical mission that must take
precedence over everything else. I don't let emotions stand in the way of my
duties."

Dallsa didn't respond. She just bowed her head.

The two Paladins at last stepped outside.

"We are ready," said Theradaxa. She smiled.
"Our Lord Paladin has blessed us with the use of a ship. He fears we may
encounter trouble on the lake."

"Why does he fear that?" asked Aldreya.

"A vision," said Theradaxa. "One of chaos
and bloodshed upon the water. It is a glimpse of merely one possible future and
could still be avoided. Regardless, our ships are sturdy and swift."

The male Paladin, whose name was Rojanan, said, "So,
are we leaving or what?" Sweat dripped from his brow, and he looked eager
to get going.

Aldreya explained the situation.

A look of doubt crept into Rojanan's blue eyes. "There
are indeed great warriors to found in Wolfbine Kingdom, but there are also many
dangerous rogues who have no honor and will backstab anyone they meet."

"Does this Jace fellow know what he's doing?"
asked Theradaxa.

"I'm not sure," said Aldreya, frowning.

"He's very wise," said Prince Vannas.

When Jace returned, a few hours later, Aldreya was
disappointed. The warriors he brought with him seemed formidable enough--but
there were only three. One was a young man named Huenov (he gave no last name)
who was supposedly a marksman of unmatched skill. He was a pale Norack of
average build, with wavy blond hair, and he wore colorful, flamboyant clothing,
including a wide-brimmed purple hat. Rows of sheathed throwing knives hung from
his belt, and an expensive silver bow was slung across his back. Another of the
three was a former soldier and legendary swordsman named Crondal Windsong who
had survived many battles. He had dark skin, a bald head, and a face covered in
strange tattooed symbols. He wore rows of silver earrings and a silver nose
ring. He was protected by lightweight leather armor. The remaining warrior was
quite a sight. His name was Shenosi and he was a Konji Wrestler who weighed
almost six-hundred pounds. He was only of medium height, but his bulk was
enormous. He wore only short silk trousers and sandals, and carried a small
shield strapped to his forearm. Due to his immense weight, the climb up the
stairs had left him breathing hard, but his legs seemed sturdy enough.

"Only three?" said Aldreya, gazing at Jace.
"With the two Paladins, that makes five new fighters. Hardly what we
needed to form a small army."

Jace shrugged. "You can recruit more, if you'd like.
But Wolfbine is crawling with King Verlamer's soldiers. They're probably
waiting for us, and might even have orders to kill or arrest us. Who
knows?"

"They will suffice," said Aldreya. "If the
city is as well guarded as you claim, we dare not risk entering. And we must
move on with our mission. There is still a chance we will find more warriors
along the way."

Aldreya studied the mercenaries carefully. "The Konji
Wrestler does not possess the physical attributes we are looking for."

"Nonsense," said Jace. "He is actually quite
fit for all his excess weight." He motioned the warrior to come to them.
"Shenosi, explain to my leader here your style of combat."

Shenosi bowed. Then he spoke in a firm, loud tone:
 
"I fight with my hands and my
strength." He patted his huge belly. "My body may look soft, but it
is hard like stone. My shield is for ranged attacks--arrows, spears, and thrown
daggers. I turn them all aside with ease. Nothing gets past. I do not tire
easily. I am what is known as a Konji Knight, one of the Circle of Seven. We
are servants of the Great Light like the Paladins. I retired from wrestling
five years ago, and now I fight against evil. If your cause is noble, I will
join it."

Aldreya bowed. "My opinion has changed. You seem to be
exactly the sort of strong and honorable warrior we are seeking."

Huenov stepped close to Aldreya. He drew one of his
throwing knives. "Greetings, my lady. So would you care to see what I can
do?" He twirled it about in his fingers, grinning. "Name the
target."

"There is no need for that," said Aldreya.

Huenov sheathed the blade and shrugged. "Okay, never
mind. I was just seeking to prove my worth."

Crondal Windsong laughed. "No need to show off,
Huenov. The sorcerer already hired us, remember? The job is ours."

"Why do you pierce your face?" Jerret asked
Crondal. He was still seated on the steps, looking bored. "That's a lot of
silver hanging from your ears and nose. No man does that where I come
from."