Knights: Legends of Ollanhar (3 page)

"But we're short on Knights," Vorden complained.
"All that remains is the Council, with Jerret being our lone mercenary.
We're expected to complete this mission on our own, with no help from
Dremlock?"

"We
had
help," said Aldreya. "They're
all dead."

"That's not our fault," said Vorden. "These
mountains are filled with evil. We did the best we could. Dremlock should send
us more fighters." The Soddurn Mountains had taken a toll on Vorden,
invoking dreary memories of his past as a puppet of the Deep Shadow and the
leader of the Blood Legion. He looked weary and haunted as he leaned against a
pine.

"Dremlock can't spare any Knights," said Aldreya.
"They must remain in Silverland to defend against Bellis and the Blood
Legion. However, some will be sent here to secure Wallrock Fortress, which
means we are free to leave at once. In the town of Red Barrel, we can find
mercenaries who might be willing to join us for the right price. And thanks to
Lannon and Lothrin finding that treasure, we have a lot of extra money to help
finance our mission."

"We can hire some stout fighters, certainly,"
said Vorden. "But they're not Divine Knights."

Aldreya shrugged. "The High Council commands us to
depart this very day. The decision has been made. Discussing it is
pointless."

"Who will be in charge of these mercenaries?"
asked Lannon.

"Jerret can bear that responsibility," said
Aldreya. "He is not on the Council of Ollanhar and is in need of
duties."

"I have enough duties," said Jerret,
"dealing with our foes." The muscular warrior had been sullen and
angry since Galvia's death and his expulsion from the Divine Order. His blond
hair was pulled back in a ponytail, exposing a face empty of all joy. He had
been forced to surrender his powerful red armor, and now only a grey tunic
covered his thick chest. He still possessed his mighty Glaetherin broadsword
however--a gift that belonged to him alone.

"Not good enough," said Aldreya,
"considering how much you're being paid. You will be in charge of the
mercenaries. That's an order."

Jerret nodded. "As you wish. But is it wise to put a
lawbreaker like me in command of mercenaries?"

"I'm not sure," Aldreya admitted. "But you
are at least somewhat aware of our laws. Besides, I'm sure you'll enjoy the
role."

"I will, actually," said Jerret. "I'll enjoy
keeping them in line--knocking some heads together if the need arises."

"After leaving Red Barrel," Aldreya went on,
"we will journey to Wolfbine Kingdom, which rests on an island on the
continent's largest lake. The kingdom is under control of Bellis, but we can
find some of the best fighters in all the land there. I'm mainly interested in
the Temple of the Great Light found on the island's coast. The Paladins who
serve that temple are extremely skilled fighters. I'm hoping we can recruit at
least one of them."

"Traveling there will be very dangerous," said
Lannon. "It will be difficult to go unnoticed by Bellis' soldiers. Is it
worth it?"

"Very much so," said Aldreya. "To lay hands
on the Green Flamestone, we will need all the help we can get. Wolfbine holds
some of the fiercest and most arrogant warriors alive--warriors as powerful as
Divine Knights. The city is not heavily guarded by Bellis, and we should--with
great care--be able to slip in, hire the warriors we need, and slip out again
without a fight."

"I have been to Wolfbine Kingdom," said Jace.
"I have encountered some of the warriors you speak of, and they are indeed
fierce. Bounty hunters and mercenaries with strange abilities and colossal
reputations--living legends. Their services won't come cheap, but we should be
able to afford a handful of them provided we don't lose or spend too much
treasure on the journey."

"From there," Aldreya went on, "we will
travel to the Birlote outpost called Werldock and try to obtain some archers.
Not far from there is the coastal city of Blackthorn, where we can secure a
ship. By then we should have enough warriors for a good crew."

"Then it's out to sea," said Jace, a grim look on
his face.

"Yes," said Aldreya, "out to sea, where some
of Bellis' greatest warriors went and never returned. Who knows what awaits us
out there?" She hesitated, her eyes distant, then said, "I see it in
my visions like a black storm cloud--an unknown terror hovering above the sea
that will engulf us...perhaps some bloated beast. And that is why we need the
best fighters we can get."

"What can we..." Bekka started to speak, but she
seemed to lose her voice. She started to fall over. Lannon rose to help her,
but she motioned him back. She tried to talk again, then shook her head.

Dallsa knelt by her and held her arm, smiling. Dallsa had
been tireless in her duties of caring for Bekka. The plump, dark-haired healer
was fiercely loyal to everyone on the Council (especially to Lannon, whom she
openly expressed her love for in spite of such love being a violation of the
Sacred Laws). She had the warmest heart of anyone Lannon knew, and he had grown
extremely fond of her. But the Sacred Laws always came first with Lannon, and
there was no place for marriage in his life. He intended to remain a Knight
until he was old or dead.
 

"That is all I have for now," said Aldreya.

"If I may," said Lannon, "I would like to
present this helm to Bekka--if it fits her. It's a good helm." He cleared
his throat. "Made of Glaetherin."

"Has it been tested?" asked Aldreya.

"I examined all of the treasure," said Dallsa.
"There were two cursed items--a goblet and a large coin. I removed the
curse from both objects. Everything else is clean. Well, not clean. It should
be washed. But no Deep Shadow."

"It is my belief," said Aldreya, "that this
mighty helm be passed down the chain of command. Since Lannon and I wear no
armor, that leaves Prince Vannas with the first choice. And I believe his head
is the right size."

The prince rose. "Such a magnificent helm should go to
the Birlote royal family. I will wear it with pride and eventually take it to
Borenthia."

"I disagree," said Lannon. "It belongs to
Dremlock, not the Birlotes."

"Agreed," said Daledus, scowling.

"Actually," said Aldreya, "it has been
claimed by Ollanhar, not Dremlock. And therefore, the Council has the right to
decide where it goes."

"But we're an extension of Dremlock," Lannon
pointed out.

"Yes," said Aldreya, "but we're also
independent in many ways. We're allowed to claim treasure without seeking
approval from the High Council--if we choose. The High Council, of course, can
overrule us."

"I'm surprised at you, Lannon," said Vannas.
"Why wouldn't you want me to possess this helm, when my survival is so
vital to Dremlock?"

"It's not that," said Lannon.

"Then what is it?" asked Vannas.

Lannon didn't answer. He simply felt sorry for Bekka and
wanted her to have it, but he didn't bother explaining that.

"I propose," said Aldreya, "that if it
doesn't fit the prince, then Bekka may borrow it."

"Indefinitely," said Lannon. "Or at least
for as long as she is a Knight."

Aldreya was thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. "I
will agree to that, since I firmly believe it will fit the prince."

Reluctantly, Lannon handed the helm to Vannas, while Bekka
looked on without expression. Bekka was too weak to speak up, her mind and body
still plagued by evil sorcery from the Ghoul's attack.

Vannas grinned and raised the helm. "Surely this was
meant to be mine--just like the White Flamestone. It will be a perfect fit.
That's why I grew a bit bigger than you, Lothrin. Just so I could wear this. It
was fate."

Lothrin rolled his eyes. "Like you need more power,
cousin."

Vannas lowered the helm onto his head. In his fancy
gold-and-blue robe of Birlote silk, with the magnificent helm and its lone horn
gleaming the sunlight, he was a wondrous sight to behold. Yet his grin
vanished.

"What's wrong?" asked Aldreya.

"It...feels uncomfortable," said the prince.
"I suddenly feel weak." He yanked off the helm. "It seemed to be
draining my strength. Dallsa, you should examine this again, for clearly this
item is cursed." He tossed it away.

Lannon picked it up, feeling delighted. "It's not
cursed. And now Bekka can give it a try."

"If she wants it," said Aldreya, in a cold voice,
"let her walk to you and get it. Let her prove she deserves it."

"I see no reason for that," Lannon protested.
"She has already shown great courage in surviving the Ghoul's
attack."

"Sometimes a test is needed," said Aldreya,
"before a great gift can be given. This is not just the Birlote way, but
the way of Divine Knights."

"Aldreya is correct," said Prince Vannas.
"Before I was given the White Flamestone, I had to walk through fire and
pain. If Bekka was meant to receive this helm, she will find the strength
within."

"Bekka can do it," said Dallsa. "I know she
can." The healer whispered some words of encouragement to her.

Her eyes blazing with determination, Bekka somehow
struggled up from the ground and stood swaying.

Lannon longed to move toward her, but he hesitated. Bekka
seemed so intent on walking to him that he didn't want to interfere.

She took a step and nearly fell. She managed another wobbly
step and again almost lost her balance. Gaining confidence, she managed five
more slow steps and then stood before Lannon. She collapsed to her knees, tears
rolling down her cheeks--experiencing pain too terrible for Lannon to imagine.

"I hope this was worth the effort," he whispered.

With trembling hands, Bekka took the helm. She could barely
hold onto it, but she managed to place it atop her head. It seemed to fit her
perfectly. For an instant, her eyes closed and she seemed to be asleep.

Aldreya nodded. "She did well."

And then Bekka's eyes came open. She removed the helm,
dropped it, and fell over onto her side. "It doesn't quite fit," she
whispered.

Lannon sighed. "Sorry, Bekka."

The others--including Prince Vannas--looked dismayed.

"It is time to move on," said Aldreya, turning
away. "Distant lands await us."

Chapter
2:

The Gloomy Path to Freedom

The good weather didn't last long. As they continued their
journey through the peaks, storm clouds gathered overhead, thunder echoed
through the darkened sky, and a cold, miserable rain began to fall. Meanwhile,
the fog closed in tightly around them as if deliberately trying to cut off
their view of danger. They could have erected their tents and waited for better
weather, but good weather was rare in the Soddurn Mountains to begin with and
they were driven on with the pressing urge to get through the evil peaks and as
far away from them as possible. They refused to rest even briefly, eating
jerky, fruit, and cheese as they rode.

The travelers could sense unseen foes watching them from
the fog. The fog itself was cold and slimy against their skin--as if alive--and
little chills crept over their flesh in warning that evil creatures were
studying their every move. Malicious forces were plotting their doom, desperate
to see their bones merge with the rocky earth where the bones of so many other
victims lay. Yet the Divine Knights had struck fear into the heart of the
mountains, and their enemies were reluctant to attack. Occasionally the
travelers glimpsed lumbering shapes in the fog, and winged shadows soared past
overhead. But these were fleeting glimpses of foes who had accidentally
revealed themselves and were retreating back into hiding.

The trail grew steeper, more barren. The towering pines
were left behind, and it seemed no sign of life remained--just the fog and the
cold stone around them and the cliffs looming over them. The wagons barely fit
onto the trail in places, with the wheels riding the cliff edges without an
inch to spare. Towers and fortresses carved from mountain stone jutted out like
evil growths and were located in seemingly inaccessible places--upon the sides
of sheer cliffs and beyond gaping chasms. The strangeness of it was
overwhelming. The Knights wondered why anyone would want to dwell in such
remote castles and how these dwellers had managed to come and go without
plunging to their doom. Yet the original occupants were long gone--replaced by
creatures of darkness.

Bekka Nightspear insisted on riding, and she sat slumped
forward in the saddle, looking like she might tumble off her perch at any
moment. Lannon rode next to her, ready to assist her if need be. With everyone
wet and miserable from the rain, no one was doing much talking--not even
Daledus. Bekka didn't look at Lannon, her eyes sullen as water dripped from her
face.

Lannon glanced over at her. "Are you sure you don't
need rest?" A comfortable bed of thick quilts was prepared for her in the
back of a wagon. She could have chosen to be warm and dry, but she was
determined to share in the misery of riding through the storm.

Bekka glared at him. She shook her head. "When I rest,
the nightmares return. I would rather stay awake."

"You sound stronger," said Lannon. "Your
voice."

She nodded. "I keep pushing myself, and it's making me
recover faster. Just getting up and walking really helped."

"Sorry about the helm," he said. "I truly
believed it was going to fit. For some reason I felt like you were destined to
have it."

"Why?" she asked, her voice barely heard above
the rain. "I'm nothing special. That helm was crafted for royalty."

They fell silent for a moment. Then Bekka said, "Now
that I can talk more...I just want to say that this pain is rotten. Beyond
belief. Agony like...fire throughout my body. Getting better, though." She
swallowed.

"I can't imagine it," said Lannon. "Or the
nightmares."

Bekka shuddered. "The nightmares are worse than the
pain. The Ghoul is with me, in my dreams. He has tortured me...over and over.
At first I wanted to die, but I kept fighting like a warrior." Her eyes
were fierce and proud.

"You
are
a warrior," said Lannon,
"like no other. The way you handle pain reminds me of Taris Warhawk."
He sighed. "Maybe I thought that's why the helm would work for you."

"Enough," she said wearily. "Forget the
stupid helm, Lannon. I just want to get my strength back and resume my
training. I'm so angry...you can't even understand. I want to destroy the Deep
Shadow!"

Jace, who rode just behind them, said, "Forgive me for
listening in, but your words are music to my ears, Bekka."

They turned to gaze at the hulking sorcerer.

Jace's eyes gleamed with secret knowledge as he gazed at
Bekka. "All Divine Knights should think like you. Yes, the Deep Shadow
must be completely eradicated from our land--down to the last smelly
Goblin."

"Not likely," said Lannon. "It would take
years of warfare just to cleanse these mountains--let alone the entire
continent. I believe the Deep Shadow will always have a presence on
Gallamerth."

"I disagree," said Jace. "It can be
done--and ultimately it must be done, or there will be no peace. The Deep
Shadow is not native to our world. It entered Gallamerth when a portal was
ripped open by a huge, falling rock that landed in the ocean and exploded. It's
not supposed to be here. Therefore, logic dictates that removing it is not only
possible but completely necessary."

"Okay," said Lannon, not in the mood to argue.
"So what is your plan?" He didn't expect Jace to actually have a
plan.

"We have to seal all the portals to Tharnin,"
said Jace, "and then destroy the Bloodlands. If we do that, eventually
Goblins will become extinct. We would need the Flamestones--including the
crimson one--to accomplish these tasks. I actually intend to do this
stuff."

Looking skeptical, Bekka turned away.

"I suppose it's possible," said Lannon. "But
it seems farfetched."

"Of course it's farfetched," said Jace. He
grinned. "If it wasn't, it wouldn't interest me. I have big plans, Lannon.
Actually,
huge
plans. I want to save the world." He waved his arms
about dramatically, as rain dripped from his long nose. "Why not me? Why
not us, Lannon? Someone has to do it."

Lannon yawned. "If you say so."

"Will you help me, Dark Watchman?" asked Jace.

"With what?" asked Lannon, his mind wandering. He
had learned to filter out Jace whenever he seemed to be talking nonsense.

"Saving the world, of course," said Jace.

Lannon nodded. "You can count on me."

"Excellent," said Jace. "I will seek you out
in about...thirty years, then. I will come knocking on your door, bearing a
chocolate cake with your name written on it in white frosting--to mark the
birthday of this agreement. And then you can help me on my quest. After we eat
cake. I'm holding you to it."

"Sure," said Lannon, smoothing back his soaked
blond hair. Then a strange chill ran over his flesh. Jace bore a somber
expression--as if he believed the conversation was deathly serious.

"What did I just agree to?" asked Lannon.

Jace waved dismissively. "Don't concern yourself with
it. None of us may be alive in thirty years, considering the struggles we're
facing."

"That's comforting," Lannon muttered.

Then the lightning came, attacking with a fury the Knights
had never witnessed. Again and again the mountains were lit up with yellow
fire, with some of the bolts striking dangerously close to the travelers. The
wind picked up like a giant hand seeking to push them off the cliffs. Lannon
shielded himself with the Eye, but he feared for the others, who lacked such protection.

"Not this again," said Aldreya, who rode behind
Jace.

"The Deep Shadow is enraged," said Jace. "It
is bringing all it has against us. If it could truly control the lightning, we
would be dead already."

"How can the Deep Shadow create storms?" growled
Bekka, who was fighting an epic battle just to stay on her horse as the wind
and rain lashed against her. "Such power seems impossible." She slid
to one side.

Lannon helped steady her, and she glowered at him, sensing
his power at work. He gazed back at her sternly, and she said nothing. Bekka
was fiercely independent, but Lannon was not going to let her fall.

"It affects the very air itself," said Jace.
"It changes the sky, and then the storms follow. I've seen it happen many
times. In the realm of Tharnin, the storms rage endlessly--and the Soddurn
Mountains have become nothing more than an extension of Tharnin. The presence
of the Deep Shadow is so strong here that the landscape is almost no longer
part of our world."

"Look for a cave!" Aldreya called out.

Though the fog concealed everything from normal vision,
Lannon's sight could not be blinded. He soon located a cave in the
mountainside. It was large enough for the horses and wagons.

The travelers entered and stood dripping, as rivers of rain
poured down from the cave entrance. At the back of the cave was a horrific
sight--a Dark Mother tree growing in the rocks, with three Foul Brothers
suckling upon its branches. They looked like men with bald heads and grey,
wrinkled skin. Their eyes were dark and dumb, gazing at the travelers. They
were naked except for loincloths that had been fashioned from animal hide.

The Knights looked upon them in disgust.

Vorden drew his dagger and stepped forward. "Allow
me."

"Wait," said Dallsa. "I don't think we should
kill them. Foul Brothers are peaceful. They won't hurt anyone." She
stepped in front of the nest. She was stocky, but she looked small and weak
compared to Vorden.

Vorden glared down at her. "They're not peaceful. They
become the worst Goblins of all--the Priests of Tharnin."

"Not by nature," said Dallsa. "The Priests
are created by alchemy. Slaughtering these peaceful creatures would be
wrong."

"Kill them," said Daledus. "No Goblin should
ever be left alive."

Dallsa shook her head. "It would be wrong."

Daledus raised his huge battle axe. "What if I
insist?"

Dallsa shrugged, yet held her ground.

Taith's eyes widened. The boy couldn't believe Dallsa was
standing up to Daledus, and he pressed close to Lannon. Taith feared Daledus,
for the Dwarf's gruff attitude and unpredictable personality made him extremely
intimidating to the lad (not to mention his bulging muscles and meaty fists).

Yet Daledus only looked amused.

"We must kill them, Dallsa," said Aldreya.
"They could become Goblin Lords. It's too dangerous to let them live. They
don't belong in our world, and the Divine Essence commands that we destroy
them."

Jerret drew his broadsword. The brutish mercenary sneered
at Dallsa. "Don't be a fool. This is a Mother Nest. It must be
destroyed." He strode over to her, bumping Vorden aside.

Dallsa blocked his path, hands on her hips. She looked
doubtful--perhaps questioning her own logic--but she refused to yield.

"Stand aside," Jerret commanded. "I have
work to do." When she didn't move, he added, "I can force you aside,
if it comes to that."

Lannon seized Jerret's shoulder. "That's enough. We
will hear Dallsa's argument and discuss this peacefully."

Jerret pulled away from Lannon and sheathed his sword.
"Discuss it all you want. What do I care? I'm just earning my share of
silver." He walked away from the others and sat with his back to the cave
wall, looking sullen.

"Why do Divine Knights argue?" asked Taith.

"Differences of opinion," said Lannon,
"obviously."

"Aren't you all supposed to think alike?" asked
Taith.

"Thankfully, no," said Aldreya. "But we
will
discuss this issue like civilized warriors who respect each other."

"There is no need for discussion," said Vorden.
His yellow eyes narrowed. "These filthy Goblins need to die. And I hate to
say this, Lannon, but you're just taking Dallsa's side because she's...your
woman. Think about it. In a way, she is. Sorry to be so blunt, but it couldn't
be more obvious."

"
My
woman
?" Lannon was gripped by
anger. "That's utter nonsense, Vorden. The Sacred Laws wouldn't allow it.
Dallsa is, however, a member of the Council and my good friend. And we will
hear her argument."

"Indeed," said Aldreya. "We're not
barbarians." She glared at Jerret. "At least most of us aren't. Go
ahead and speak, Dallsa."

Dallsa cleared her throat. "Thank you. My argument is
that as Divine Knights we should protect all life--even Goblins that are
peaceful in nature. We defend animals--only killing them for food or clothing.
Divine Knights have saved wolves and eagles and other creatures that were being
threatened by poachers. So why not these Foul Brothers? Don't they too deserve
to live?"

"I hear you," said Bekka, nodding to Dallsa.
"But I disagree. It's not our way to spare Goblins. We must obey the
Sacred Laws."

"They must be destroyed," said Lothrin.

"
All
Goblins must die," said Prince
Vannas.

"Here is my expert opinion," said Jace.
"Remember, I wrote the book on Goblins. These Foul Brothers will
eventually wander from the mountains and our enemies will find them. Then they
will be converted into Priests of Tharnin--the most dangerous foes we can face.
There shouldn't even be a debate about this. And the Dark Mother is a grave
danger as well, for this tree will nurse any and all Goblins and strengthen
them. The whole nest must be eradicated."

Severely outnumbered, Dallsa turned to Lannon for help.
"Well?"

Lannon sighed. He admired her courage and the fact that she
valued all life so highly, but he couldn't disobey the Divine Essence.
"I'm sorry, Dallsa. But Jace is right. A Mother Nest has to be destroyed."

Looking saddened, Dallsa lowered her gaze and stepped
aside. "Then you do it, Lannon. If you believe they should die, then kill
at least one of them yourself. Or would you make someone else do it?"