Knights The Hand of Tharnin

chapter 4: Altar of Blood

The next day, Lannon couldn't find Jace. He wandered around the kingdom asking about him, while two Blue Knights followed along. They were content to trail after him everywhere in silence. In fact, they didn't say a word to him the entire day. Lannon was grateful he was being guarded, but it also made him feel odd and drew many stares. But Lannon was determined to try to talk Jace out of his plan to visit the Divine Essence. However, no one seemed to know where Jace could be found. It was as if the former Knight had simply vanished from Dremlock.

Lannon searched all day long until the evening shadows grew thick, walking from tower to tower, and then finally he gave up and returned to his room, with the two Knights standing guard outside of his door. It had been a slow, boring day. Lannon sat on the bed and sighed. He missed his routine, his training, and he felt detached from everyone in the kingdom. He wondered if he would ever be allowed to go back to his lessons. He was caught somewhere in between being a Squire and a Knight. He didn’t have the experience or status to command respect, but his skills were so valuable to the kingdom he couldn’t function as a true Squire either.

Lannon hoped that wherever Jace was lurking, he'd gathered some information about the demon man's gauntlet. Vellera had tried to kill Lannon once already, so Lannon assumed he would try again at some point--and Lannon doubted the pair of Blue Knight guards could stop him. He felt the only thing that could protect him was the Eye of Divinity (though the fact that it had failed him during the last encounter with Vellera did nothing to shore up his confidence).

He noticed a folded piece of paper on the bed next to him. He hesitated, dreading the words it might contain. Then he read it.



Lannon,



When you hear me talking loudly outside your door, put some clothes under your quilt and make it look like you’re sleeping. Then, leave your room (you will find that I have distracted the guards and led them away) and meet me on the trail, in the woods, that leads to the Temple. When the guards return to check on you, they will think you’re asleep under the covers. Good plan, don’t you agree? Of course you agree! Now listen for my voice.



Jace the Wanderer



Lannon groaned. It was hardly a good plan. Would the Knights really be stupid enough to think a pile of clothes under a quilt was a person? Lannon wasn’t sure about this Jace fellow at all. Aside from being a good writer, Jace seemed to have few respectable qualities. He'd been thrown out of Dremlock, and although cheerful in personality, he was a bit odd--perhaps even insane. But Lannon had not forgotten Furlus' words--that he should take the fight to his foes if he hoped to survive. Hiding out in his room would not save him. He needed to take action.

Moments later, Lannon heard loud conversation outside his door. Reluctantly, he stuffed clothes under the quilt. Vorden and Timlin--the only Squires who shared a room with him--were asleep, but Lannon accidentally knocked a book off a stand while he was arranging the bed and woke Vorden up.

"What are you doing?" said Vorden, yawning.

Lannon motioned for him to be quiet, and Vorden gave him a knowing look. "Good luck with whatever you're planning," Vorden whispered. "Need any help?"

"Not this time," Lannon whispered back. He would have welcomed the company, but he didn't want any of his friends to get in trouble.

Lannon entered the hallway. As Jace had predicated, the guards were nowhere in sight. Lannon hurried downstairs and left the keep. The East Tower usually appeared unguarded, but Lannon knew that hidden spies were watching. However, he was not restricted to the tower, so he wasn't breaking any rules. At least not yet.

The night was very dark, aside from a scattering of stars in the heavens. Lannon had no light source, and when he entered the forest of Knightwood, he was moving along almost blindly. He knew he shouldn't be stumbling along in darkness when he possessed the Eye of Divinity, but the fear of using it gnawed at him and so he left his power buried. He was also terrified that the demon man might be lurking in the woods, waiting to ambush him.

Lannon had left the relative safety of the East Tower and exposed himself to attack because he knew he needed to do anything but hide in his room and wait to be assassinated. Yet he still felt like a huge fool.

As usual, wolves howled in the woods. A shadow momentarily blocked out the stars above--some large winged creature soaring above the forest. Knightwood held a powerful, ancient feel that was both captivating and fear inspiring. It seemed that anything could happen in that forest. The pines were enormous, with trunks as wide as cabins, their huge, knotted roots making the trail uneven.

In spite of his fur cloak, Lannon shivered in the chill spring air. He tripped over a root and skinned his knee, and in his anger and frustration, he nearly summoned the Eye of Divinity. But then he noticed torchlight drawing closer from the way he'd just come. He hoped it wasn't the guards.

It was Jace. "Ah, there you are," said Jace. The tall sorcerer was breathing hard. "I told you I would distract the guards. And I've managed to catch up to you as well. Not bad for an old man, wouldn't you say?"

Lannon shrugged. Jace didn't look like an old man. "I'm just thinking this plan isn't wise, considering what happened last time I tried this."

Jace waved dismissively. "I know the story. The Divine Essence gave you knowledge, so the venture was actually a shining success. And we need knowledge now--so very desperately, my friend. I believe if we sneak down there, the Divine Essence will speak to you again and tell us how to proceed. I think it would love to converse with you. It's silly that you cannot visit Dremlock's god. This kingdom secures its own doom with its foolish laws. But we will ignore those laws tonight and good things will come of it."

"But it's forbidden," said Lannon. "The Divine Essence created the Sacred Laws, and I'm sure it had a good reason for doing so. And I could face being thrown out of the kingdom. And you could end up in a dungeon."

Jace laughed. "Nonsense, lad. Do you think the Knights would expel someone who possesses the Eye of Divinity? Were you thrown out last time? Of course not. As for me being put in a dungeon, it wouldn't be the first time. I'm prepared to face the consequences."

Lannon hesitated. "It just seems like a wretched idea."

"You're afraid," said Jace. "I can see it in your eyes. Well, you need to swallow your fears and act like a Knight. We've been charged with solving the mystery of the demon man and his gauntlet, and we'll do what we must to accomplish our task. I'm not getting paid to fail."

"I can see why you were expelled from the Order," said Lannon. "You're kind of reckless." He knew his words would probably anger Jace, but he didn't care. Jace's plan seemed like pure folly.

Jace's eyes held a strange gleam in the torchlight. He was a towering, shadowy figure who made Lannon feel small and weak. "So you've got me figured out, lad? That's amazing, because I'm not sure I have myself figured out. Not in the least. I've lived a very long time. You have no idea what scars and knowledge lie beneath this purple cloak--the things I have seen and endured."

Lannon shuddered, suddenly gripped by fear. "I probably don't want to know. I prefer to think of you as a writer."

Jace nodded. "I am a former writer. And a former Knight. And, last but not least, a former fool who still retains some of my old flaws. Does that make sense to you? Former fool, but still a fool?"

Lannon shook his head. He was growing more certain by the moment that Jace was crazy--or worse, possessed by the Deep Shadow.

"Rest assured you will find trouble with me," said Jace. "I am the essence of trouble, and Tharnin trembles in terror at the mere mention of my name. Why? Because I'm always digging my fingers into something. Yes, I am a very dangerous man. You might find your doom under my guidance. On the other hand, you might find your doom quite easily on your own. If you don't take action, young fellow, you will be assassinated. Are you prepared to die?"

Lannon shook his head. He wasn't prepared to die--not in the least. He felt he was far too young to die. "I want to live."

"Of course you do," said Jace. "Who doesn't? The only person who wants to die is a fool who can't wait to return to that which he was granted an opportunity to leave in the first place. You're a wise lad and not about to waste your opportunity at life. Now prove me right and we shall do what we must."

Lannon knew that on some level, Jace was right. Lannon needed to take drastic action for the sake of his survival. Yet he continued to hesitate.

Jace placed his hand on Lannon's shoulder. "I've been charged with looking after you while he work on solving the mystery. The Knights know of my reputation and I have their trust. Well, some of them trust me, and a few don't. Regardless, I will take full responsibility for this venture, should we be caught."

"But what if someone saw me leaving the East Tower?" said Lannon. "There are hidden spies in there. In the absence of Taris, they report to my trainer and Lord of the Blue Knights, Garrin Daggerblood, and he doesn't like me at all. If he knows I fooled the guards, I'm probably already in serious trouble. I'm certain the spies must have told him by now!"

"I doubt Garrin knows," said Jace, "or the Knights would be out searching for you. Jace motioned toward the abandoned trail. "Do you hear or see any signs of pursuit? Obviously, you managed to slip out unnoticed."

Lannon listened, and hearing nothing but occasional animal noises, he had to agree with Jace. If Garrin knew he'd duped the guards, surely the Knights would be closing in on him.

"Furlus and Taris are wounded," said Jace. "Your famed Tower Masters--struck down. Your life is in grave danger, should the so-called demon man choose to go after you, which he probably will. The Knights can't stop him. Soon they will order a Divine Shield placed around you--a group of Knights sworn to defend your life, who will guard you night and day. They are probably choosing the members of this Divine Shield even as we speak. Soon you will lose your freedom and perhaps lose your chance at finding a way to survive."

Jace's words seemed to reach deep into Lannon's soul, demanding he obey or pay a grim price. "Okay, I'll do it," Lannon said.

But Jace had already started along the trail. Lannon hurried after him, stumbling over a root. Lannon heard a strange, fluttering noise and whirled around--to glimpse a dark shape move swiftly across the trail and into the woods. He'd caught only a glimpse of it, but it had seemed almost man-shaped. He stood trembling for a moment, chilled to the bone and wondering what he'd seen.

"Did you see something?" Jace asked casually. "The woods are full of animals. It's nothing to be concerned about."

Still, Lannon hesitated, watching the shadows of the woods.

"Are you coming?" Jace asked, sounding annoyed.

Finally, Lannon turned and followed. Yet his back felt terribly exposed, and he kept glancing behind him.

Soon they reached the huge clearing where the Sacred Temple stood, with the North Tower rising up in the distance behind it. The sound of running water from the fountains that adorned the Temple grounds was loud in the still night air. The huge bronze statue of Kuran Darkender (the greatest Knight and foe of Tharnin who had ever lived) that stood atop the temple was a shadowy bulk beneath the stars.

The Temple door was locked, and Jace motioned to Lannon. Lannon hesitated, not wanting to summon the Eye of Divinity.

Jace frowned. "Aren't you a Blue Squire? Are you telling me you don't know how to pick a lock?"

"Huh?" said Lannon. "Oh, of course." His face red with embarrassment, he took out his tools and went to work on the lock. It was a difficult task and took some time, but at last he managed to get it open.

They crept into the Temple. The smell of incense hung thick in the air, a leftover scent from daytime gatherings. Lannon marveled, as he always did, at the sacred feel of the atmosphere in the Temple. He always felt like he was under the intense scrutiny of some higher power when inside there--as if the Divine Essence itself were watching his every move and judging him. Deep feelings of guilt gnawed at him, and a voice whispered in his mind that he was violating the Sacred Laws of Dremlock. This wasn't how an aspiring Divine Knight should behave.

Jace didn't seem troubled in the least by what they were doing. In fact, he whistled a merry tune as he studied the altar in the torchlight. The lid on the altar was sealed with a new, sophisticated lock. "Looks like a tough one," he said. "I think you'll have to use the Eye of Divinity."

Lannon cringed. "Maybe we should try again later."

"Would you mind closing the door?" Jace said.

Lannon heard something quietly scrape against stone behind him and he whirled around, but the door frame stood empty in the torchlight. Lannon wondered if he'd really heard anything or if his imagination was getting the best of him. He pulled the door shut and approached the altar.

"I don't think I can handle that lock," said Lannon, though he wasn't being entirely truthful. Though it wouldn't be easy, it was certainly possible he could pick the lock. He was simply hoping Jace would give up.

Jace sighed. "Give me your tools. I know a few tricks for a complex lock like this. Tricks of sorcery. I'll see what I can do."

Lannon tossed him the bag of tools and Jace went to work. Chills crept over Lannon's flesh. He turned and saw something shining in the darkness--a pair of small, crimson lights. He moved the torch, but the glow didn't extend far enough to reveal anything. Lannon drew his Dragon sword--the powerful weapon made of bones from a rare type of Goblin.

"I need torchlight to do this task," Jace muttered.

"I see something," said Lannon. "Lights." He blinked his eyes. The red lights were gone, and he wasn't sure he'd actually seen them.

"It was your imagination," said Jace, looking uncertain. He raised his eyebrows. "The Temple door was locked, so logic dictates nothing could possibly be in here. Now give me some torchlight to work with."

Lannon started to turn, and the crimson lights appeared again--but this time they hurtled toward him with a flapping of wings. He watched, stunned, as a man-sized, bat-shaped form leapt onto him. Claws ripped into Lannon's chest as he was lifted up and flung atop the altar, the monstrosity lying on top of him. It was a Bloodfang--a type of Goblin that could shred flesh from bone in seconds.

The Eye of Divinity sprang to life on instinct, and Lannon was able to freeze the creature before it could tear him to pieces. The Bloodfang's strength was enormous, and Lannon struggled to hold it in place. He cried out to Jace for help, yet he was certain Jace could do nothing. Even though Jace was a former Knight and supposedly some kind of sorcerer, he carried no weapons and just didn't seem like someone who would be skilled in a fight.

Drool dripped on Lannon's cheek, as the crimson eyes glowered down on him with rage. Lannon gagged on its stench--the stench of its body, its breath, and its evil aura. The creature was the most hideous thing Lannon had ever seen--a bat-like abomination of claws, teeth, and insane fury. Intelligence gleamed in the beast's dark eyes, a sinister knowledge of how to kill. Its rage was so potent it seemed to break the power of the Eye of Divinity, and the fangs descended toward Lannon's throat. Lannon was certain everything was going to end on that altar.

Then Jace's huge, bony fist crashed down on the Bloodfang's skull. The Bloodfang leapt off of Lannon, let out a wounded screech, and flung itself at Jace. Jace struck it again with an astoundingly swift blow to the head while sidestepping the creature's charge.

The Bloodfang staggered, its wings quivering and dark blood pouring from its mouth. Then it finally collapsed into a trembling heap. It shuddered violently a few times and then stopped moving.

Jace rubbed his knuckles. "That kind of hurt."

Lannon sat up, gazing in disbelief at the fallen Bloodfang. "You...you killed it with your bare hand?"

Jace shrugged. "Not exactly. It's a sorcery technique." He shone the torch around, and finding no further danger, checked Lannon's wounds. "In ancient times," he went on, "the technique of the empty hand--or Shattering Fist--was common among the Knights of Dremlock. It went out of style as more advanced weapon enchanting skills were developed. Later, it was ruled forbidden sorcery for some foolish reason. Anyway, I may be the only one left who practices it."

"It seems quite powerful," said Lannon, grimacing in pain as Jace probed his chest. "How badly am I injured?"

"You could stand to pay a visit to the Hall of Healing," said Jace. He sighed. "Although...questions will be asked. A Bloodfang is not poisonous, though, in spite of what most people believe." He smiled. "Remember, I'm an expert on Goblins. I wrote the book on them."

Lannon stared at the Bloodfang, feeling sick inside. "It nearly killed me." He clutched his forehead in frustration and groaned. "It seems like someone or something is always trying to kill me lately. I'm not sure how much more of this I can take. I'm not sure I even want to be a Knight anymore. I'd rather stay alive."

"Sorry to inform you," said Jace, "but it's too late to consider that. Even if you left Dremlock, your foes would hunt you down. You're too much of a threat for them to ignore. You're better off under the protection of this kingdom."

"I guess you're right," Lannon said, his voice heavy with gloom.

"Regardless," said Jace, "here we have another assassination attempt, but how could the creature have gotten in here? Someone must have unlocked the Temple door, and then locked it again. But how would they have known we were planning to... Unless the creature slipped in behind us somehow." Jace wiped sweat from his brow. "I need to stay more alert. That should not have happened."

"I just want to go back to my room," said Lannon. "If, that is, you think I can heal up on my own."

"The wounds aren't very deep," said Jace. "You should be fine with some rest and meditation. Though you'll be a bit sore for a day or two. We can try again when you're feeling up to it. Just make sure to use your cloak to conceal your injuries from the guards, or you will be questioned. I'm going to stay and examine this creature. I'll meet up with you later."

"I don't have a torch," said Lannon. "The woods are very dark." He shuddered at the thought of walking the trail alone.

"Nevertheless," said Jace, "you better get going. Use the Eye of Divinity to guide you and warn you of danger."

Lannon hesitated, afraid to summon the Eye.

Jace touched Lannon's shoulder, and the lad's fear diminished. Jace seemed to harbor some strange power in his touch that could put Lannon instantly at ease. "You should fear the blinding darkness, Lannon. Not your sorcery. Now if you'll excuse me, I really must set to work on examining this foul creature."

Lannon nodded and left. He didn't feel up to much of anything beyond hiding in his room and hoping all of his troubles would go away on their own.

***

When Lannon arrived at his room, the guards gave him a stern reminder that he wasn't to go anywhere without them, but they didn't report him (perhaps to save themselves from being questioned). Once in his room, Lannon found Vorden awake and sitting on his bed. Vorden seemed relaxed and in good spirits.

"Good to see you're still alive," said Vorden.

"Keep your voice down," said Lannon, sitting on his own bed. His chest throbbed in pain but wasn't bleeding. "And I'm actually quite lucky to be alive. I was attacked by a Bloodfang. I'll likely have a few scars."

"A Bloodfang?" Vorden's dark eyes widened. "I remember the one we saw beneath the Old Keep. You are lucky to be alive."

Lannon rubbed his temples. "I don't know what to do, Vorden. Everything is in chaos. Taris and Furlus are wounded. And now I'm stuck with this crazy Jace fellow who I'm not sure I can trust. Furlus told me to take the fight to my foes, but where do I begin? I don't even know who my foes are, or where they might be lurking. All I know is that my enemies want me dead."

"You're kind of at a crossroads," said Vorden. "Things are happening all around you, but you're not sure which path to take."

Timlin sat up. "All evil seems to come from below Dremlock. Maybe you should go down there."

"I'd rather not," said Lannon, chilled at Timlin's suggestion. The dreary, Goblin-infested mining area below Dremlock was the last place he cared to visit. There seemed to be nothing down there but evil and death.

"We could go together," said Vorden, "like last time. If Tenneth Bard is still alive and behind all of this, we could finish him off." Vorden reached under the bed and brought forth a dark sword that seemed adorned with spider-web runes. It was the sword he'd found in the mines and said he'd gotten rid of. "Yeah, I still have it. And I still intend to behead Tenneth Bard with it."

Lannon groaned, overwhelmed by frustration. "Vorden, you said you'd tossed that thing down a well. Now I have this to worry about."

"That sword is evil," said Timlin. "It will destroy you, Vorden."

Vorden chuckled. "Enough with the silly doom and gloom talk. This is not an evil sword. It does bear some unknown enchantment...something very interesting. Little shadows..." He turned the blade over, and for an instant, tiny, shadowy spiders seemed to be crawling on his flesh. His face looked unusually pale. Then his appearance became normal again.

Lannon's mouth hung open. "I just saw...something."

"It's an enchanted blade," said Vorden, shrugging. "You have one of your own, Lannon. Your sword is made from the bones of a Dragon--a type of evil Goblin. I would say that your sword is potentially more dangerous than mine."

"It's possessed by the Deep Shadow!" said Timlin. "I should tell the guards."

Vorden's eyes narrowed. "You better not."

"I can't worry about this," Lannon muttered. "I have too much else to worry about. Like how to stay alive."

A bit later, the door opened and Jace strode in. He held a silver ring in his hand, one engraved with crossed swords. "Is this item familiar to you Squires?"

"That's Master Garrin's ring!" said Timlin. "How did you get it?"

Jace's piercing gaze fell on Lannon. "I found this ring on a chain that was hanging from the neck of the Bloodfang that attacked you. The ring was tucked inside a pouch-like flap of skin."

"Then Master Garrin is dead?" said Lannon. "The creature killed him and took his ring?"

"No, he is quite alive," said Jace. "I suspect he willingly placed this ring on the Bloodfang, so that if the creature failed to assassinate you, Garrin would be exposed to Dremlock as the one who plotted the assassination."

"That doesn't make any sense," said Vorden. "Why would Garrin want to be found out if his plot failed?"

"It's the work of Tharnin," said Jace. "A test of faith. Garrin had to be held accountable in case of failure. I've seen this type of thing many times before. Someone ordered Garrin to place his ring on the Bloodfang's body--to motivate Garrin to succeed in his task. But he failed, and now he is exposed as a puppet of Tharnin. And soon the High Council will know of his treachery."

"That's a serious accusation," said Lannon, glancing at the open doorway nervously and keeping his voice low. "But I'm not surprised." So the truth had finally been revealed. Garrin was corrupted and seeking to kill Lannon. Lannon's heart was heavy with grief. Once, Garrin had been a wise and kind teacher. Now, he was a monster beyond trust or hope.

"We will meet with the High Council tonight," said Jace. "All of you must attend. Jerret Dragonsbane was attacked by a poison arrow earlier this evening while walking on a trail. The arrow grazed his arm. He is alive, Lannon, but it proves that your friends are in danger as well."

Timlin's face went deathly pale. "You mean..?"

Jace's gaze was stern. "Indeed. Someone wants all of you dead. Not injured, not questioned--but dead as dead can be." He smiled. "But that doesn't mean we can't spoil their plans, now does it?"