Knights The Heart of Shadows

chapter 2: Knight and Dragon

Shennen led Lannon, Jace, and Thrake along a few dark tunnels and then down some steps to a small chamber where the Dragon bones jutted up from a long, narrow stone table. A pair of torches in iron holders, from which cobwebs dangled, lighted the room. Mushrooms that stood more than two-feet tall, with purple and yellow caps, grew in troughs in the corners, and shelves were lined with books and strange, metal instruments. The room had a charred, damp smell, and the air felt clammy and made Lannon's flesh crawl.

Thrake stood guard outside the door, while Jace stayed by Lannon' side, his pipe smoke drifting past the boy's head. Lannon gazed at the bones in dread, memories of the carnage the Dragon had inflicted on its foes flashing through his mind. He was filled with revulsion and wanted to leave the chamber, but he held his ground, waiting for Shennen's instructions.

An intense aura of gloom and fear filled the room, radiating from the worm-like layout of charred bones. Yet Shennen's face, bathed in crimson from the torchlight, bore a broad grin as he stood before the bones.

"Amazing, aren't they?" said Shennen, running his hand over what appeared to be a long, curved rib bone. "The key to Tharnin."

Jace frowned and adjusted his cloak, looking uncomfortable, sweat on his brow. "Yes, they are extraordinary. And apparently still quite active."

Shennen's breath rushed out in a sigh. "So many secrets to be discovered, Lannon, in the bones of a Great Dragon. I would never have imagined such remains would end up in my possession...in the possession of Dremlock."

Lannon nodded, but did not share Shennen's enthusiasm. While Lannon understood that unlocking the secrets of Tharnin was essential to winning the war against the Deep Shadow, this somehow seemed very wrong.

The bones were laid out with great care. They were badly charred with pieces burned away, but enough of the beast's huge skull remained to chill Lannon's soul. The eye sockets were dark and empty, the purple, hypnotic orbs that had seemed to hold endless depth burned away, but the Dragon's terrible will still seemed to emanate from them. Fangs jutted down from a long snout that seemed to be split open in a malicious grin. Lannon was certain life still lingered there, that the Dragon was still plotting Dremlock's downfall. His immediate thought was that the bones should be buried deep in the earth, far from sight and mind.

"I'll give my opinion," said Jace, "though no one has asked for it. I think it's too bad the White Fire didn't burn these bones completely to ash. From what I can sense, they are extremely dangerous."

"I felt that way at first," said Shennen. "It's a natural response. But the more I've studied these remains, the more I've come to realize what a wonderful gift we have here. And Taris and Furlus fully support this research."

"But this research could destroy us all," said Jace. "This is a Great Dragon of Tharnin--a beast of all beasts and one that is supposed to be immortal. Its death alone is an abomination of sorts. While its flesh has been stripped away, its real life force--the power of the Deep Shadow--has not diminished. These bones are cursed beyond hope and should be buried."

Shennen glared at the huge sorcerer. "Don't be so dramatic, Jace. And I didn't come here to listen to your protests, but to make use of Lannon's sight. So if there is nothing else, we shall get on with this task."

Shennen's words reached Lannon's ears, but they seemed to come from far away. Lannon's gaze was bound to the Dragon's skull, to those empty eye sockets. He vaguely realized he'd taken a few steps toward the skull. The Eye of Divinity had awakened and was pulling Lannon toward the bones. The Eye seemed to be acting with its own will. He could hear Shennen and Jace arguing in the background but couldn't make out what they were saying.

The moments seemed to drag by slowly, as Lannon found himself waiting for something important to be revealed. Surely the Eye was leading him to some worthy destination. He found his fear was now dulled, as the Eye fortified his mind against the effects of the dark sorcery. He suddenly felt so comfortable and sure of himself that it bordered on arrogant. He felt certain he could do what Shennen wished and probe all of the Dragon's secrets with ease.

Lannon reached toward the skull, and the chamber around him disappeared completely--lost in a thick fog that glowed with a blue light. The smell of fresh, damp air filled Lannon's nostrils and a light rain seemed to be falling on him--though he couldn't actually see the raindrops.

A mass of darkness writhed in the Dragon's mouth, and Lannon recoiled from it. The darkness slipped from between the jaws and took form in front of Lannon, revealing a man-shaped figure of shifting shadows and eyes of violet that smoldered with insanity--Tenneth Bard.

"You can't be real!" Lannon said, raising his hands defensively. "I killed you!" But he doubted his own words.

"Yet you know the truth," said Tenneth Bard. "Your eyes betray you. I live as the Dragon lives, bound forever to its will. Knight and Dragon are forever one. You have just made a dreadful mistake, young Squire of Dremlock!"

The mass of shifting shadows lunged forward and a clawed hand seized Lannon's throat, while the violet eyes burned into him and tried to crush his will. Tenneth Bard's strength seemed endless--merged with the power of the Dragon. Lannon fought back fiercely with the Eye of Divinity, but slowly he was driven to his knees.

"Just relax and surrender to it," whispered Tenneth Bard. "There is no need to fight. Your death will be swift and easy."

The hands were tightening on Lannon's throat, choking off his breath, as Tenneth Bard continued to urge him to give in. Soon Lannon would go to sleep forever. He almost accepted it as his fate.

But Lannon surprised himself, as his survival instinct suddenly flared to life and broke the spell of Tenneth Bard's whispers. His will to live returned tenfold, becoming a panic. He lashed out with the Eye of Divinity, tearing the Black Knight's hand from his throat and shoving the mass of shadows away.

Moments later, the fog disappeared along with Tenneth Bard, and Lannon was back in the chamber. He was trembling from head to toe.

"What happened to you?" said Jace. "You froze and would not respond to us."

Lannon told what he'd experienced.

But Shennen dismissed it. "A mere illusion, Lannon. You were only dreaming. Tenneth Bard is undoubtedly dead--killed by your own hand. And even if he somehow survived such a devastating attack, he could not emerge from the bones of the beast as you described. What you encountered was the Dragon's will, playing a trick on your mind. It sensed your deepest fears and reacted."

"It felt very real," said Lannon. "I thought I was going to die. I had to fight for my life."

"You simply used the Eye to break the illusion," said Shennen. "Remember the dead Jackal you examined earlier? You thought you were attacked then as well, but Taris told you it was a trick. This was no different."

"Yet an illusion can be dangerous," said Jace. "I believe Lannon should avoid this task until he better understands what he's dealing with."

Shennen's face darkened with anger. "You've reached this conclusion so quickly, because of a simple illusion? I have studied these bones extensively, and my finding is that it is perfectly safe for Lannon to proceed."

"I was ordered to protect Lannon," said Jace, with a shrug. "Therefore, I cannot allow him to continue this research."

"You're exceeding your authority," said Shennen. "I will not take orders from a failed Knight who is only here because he is being paid!"

Jace shrugged. "Take it up with Taris. My feeling is that these Dragon remains are radiating too much evil sorcery for a young man like Lannon to cope with. However, I understand the importance of your research, Shennen, and I'm willing to assist you if you will accept my help."

Shennen scowled. "Jace the Wanderer, always trying to make everything his business. It grows tiresome. Nevertheless, I like you, Jace. I'm not Trenton. But you're beginning to annoy me. I guess I will indeed speak to Taris about this, and the issue shall soon be resolved."

"Good," said Jace, puffing his pipe. "That is all I ask."

Shennen scowled. "I know that Taris doesn't fully trust the Blue Knights, especially after what happened with Garrin Daggerblood. It's a shame, but I suppose it's just the way of things."

Shennen was clutching one of the Dragon's charred rib bones, his knuckles white in the torchlight. A strange shadow seemed to have fallen over his face, making him look more sinister and devilish than usual. Knight and Dragon seemed bound together somehow by invisible strands--inseparable. Lannon shuddered, wanting Shennen to let go of that rib bone.

Jace's eyes widened. "You look different, Shennen. What has happened to you? Perhaps we should speak to Taris right now!"

But then Shennen stepped away from the bones. He appeared normal again, aside from his pale skin. "Relax, my friend. I have allowed my impatience to anger me, and you have allowed your fears of Tharnin to get the best of you. However, you are correct in that we have to be very careful in dealing with these remains. We will consult with Taris in due time, but for now, let us concern ourselves with the assassin and see to it that Lannon and his friends are well protected."

Jace hesitated, then nodded. "Agreed." But Jace's eyes were filled with doubt and conflict. He held his pipe loosely in one hand, as if he'd forgotten about it. This was the first time Lannon had ever seen the sorcerer appear truly afraid.

***

When Lannon returned to his bedchamber, he told the other Squires of his latest encounter with Tenneth Bard (or the illusion that had been impersonating the Black Knight, if that was the case). Aldreya Silverhawk, whose knowledge of sorcery far exceeded that of the other Squires, dismissed the incident as a trick of the Deep Shadow. But Lannon still wasn't convinced. It had seemed too vivid to be a mere illusion. In fact, his throat still felt sore from being choked.

"And you fear that Shennen is possessed by Tharnin," said Aldreya, giving Lannon a piercing stare as she ran a brush through her curly silver hair. They were sitting across from each other on beds in Lannon's room. Jerret and Prince Vannas, Lannon's roommates, were also present. A single lantern on a small table between the beds lighted the chamber. The cold of the mountain hung in the air and they shivered beneath their fur cloaks.

Lannon nodded. "And I think Jace feels the same."

"This proves nothing," said Aldreya. "Shennen is always very focused on anything he does, to the point of getting angry if someone interferes. It's just his way. It doesn't mean he has been corrupted by the Deep Shadow. You should have some sort of proof before you say such a thing."

Lannon knew Aldreya spoke true, but he couldn't help what he was feeling. "I'm not accusing Shennen of anything yet."

"This whole fortress seems corrupted by the Deep Shadow," said Jerret, as he paced the room. "I can't wait to get back to Dremlock. It's always dark and freezing cold in here. Maybe if I was a Dwarf I'd find it more appealing."

"I don't believe it, Lannon," said Prince Vannas, a flash of anger in his green eyes. Unlike the others, Vannas wasn't wearing a simple fur cloak. Instead, he wore a thick, fur-lined blue robe with gold trim, and his long, silver hair was pulled back in a ponytail, revealing his pointed ears. He held a leather-bound book of Birlote poetry in one hand. "Shennen has a noble heart and a great deal of wisdom. I don't know what you saw or felt, my friend, but you were mistaken."

Aldreya nodded to her cousin, who sat next to her. "I couldn't agree more. Shennen is so careful in everything he does. It just doesn't seem possible. Some Knights are simply beyond the reach of Tharnin."

Jerret placed his hand on Aldreya's shoulder. "Anything can happen, my dear. You should know that by now. And as much as we respect Shennen, if he has fallen victim to the Deep Shadow's charms, we're all in great danger. We'll have to report this to the High Council and watch him closely."

Aldreya shrugged off Jerret's hand and rose, the copper-colored skin of her face turning crimson with anger. "Shennen is not a puppet of Tharnin. I know that for a fact!"

"How can we know anything for a fact?" said Jerret, shrugging his broad shoulders. "Just because Shennen is a Birlote like you doesn't mean he..." Jerret let his words trail off as Aldreya gave him a death stare.

Aldreya sat down again, her face troubled. As Aldreya matured, she was also growing more sullen and stubborn. Lannon noticed that in spite of her beauty and kind heart, she rarely smiled these days. She'd come to Dremlock with visions of advancing as far as her considerable skills would take her in a shining and noble kingdom. But the relentless darkness of Tharnin had clearly sapped the joy from her heart. Now she was just another desperate and hunted Squire hiding in a cold mountain fortress. Aldreya had once seemed almost snobbish, but her ego appeared to have shrunk and she treated everyone equally. Lannon liked her better now, finding her far easier to relate to, but he wished she seemed a bit happier.

Prince Vannas, on the other hand, seemed to be growing more arrogant and demanding by the day. Nothing seemed to please him and Lannon and Jerret could barely tolerate him as a roommate. And he talked endlessly of the White Flamestone, as if he were obsessed with it and cared about little else.

"Shennen has royal blood in him," said Vannas, scowling at Jerret. He slammed his book of poetry down on a stand. "I've heard enough! The notion of him being deceived by Tharnin is ridiculous. This wretched fortress is getting to all of us, making us imagine things. It's not right to live so far under earth and stone. That's not why I wanted to be a Divine Knight. I'm supposed to be at Dremlock Kingdom, not in some frozen hole in the ground some call a fortress. It's not fair that I am being kept in this miserable place."

Lannon sighed, tired of Vannas' complaints. He almost didn't respond, but then the words slipped out: "You chose to become a Squire, Prince Vannas. And we Squires have to act in the best interests of the kingdom, remember? There must be a good reason we have been ordered to remain at this fortress."

"I'm well aware of my duties," Vannas grumbled. "But the Dragon is dead, the Hand of Tharnin is gone forever--along with Tenneth Bard. I just don't see why I'm needed here any longer. Furlus and Taris are polite to me, but they keep making excuses to keep me here. I'm being treated rather poorly! Now I hear these accusations against Shennen, and it makes me think everyone has lost their wits. I should have stayed in Borenthia and lived a life of luxury."

"Why didn't you?" said Jerret, looking truly perplexed. "Why risk your life fighting Goblins when you could have lived like...well, like the prince you are? Honestly, you should have stayed in your tree city."

"I don't know why I'm here," said Vannas. "Perhaps because I'm a fool? I guess I wanted to be a great warrior, respected throughout the land. Dremlock offered that chance. But things are not what I expected."

"You should be happy, cousin," said Aldreya. "You've received the highest honor given to any Squire in history." Her eyes were filled with envy. "You were given a living piece of the Divine Essence--our god and king. You possess the greatest weapon in all the land. So what is there to complain about?"

"You're right, of course," said Vannas, giving a big sigh. He frowned and drummed his fingers on his poetry book. "But I still feel I'm being treated like...like any common Squire. My nobility and accomplishments are not being recognized. I should have my own room, at least! No offense to you, Lannon."

"None taken," said Lannon, rolling his eyes.

Lannon was about to change the subject when Jace entered the room. The huge sorcerer closed the door behind him, then leaned down and pressed his ear to it. He stood like a statue, as the Squires exchanged puzzled glances.

"What are you doing?" asked Lannon.

Jace straightened up, then shrugged. "You can't be too careful around here these days...because of who might be listening."

"Do you mean Shen--" Jerret started to say in loud voice.

"Lower your voice!" Jace interrupted.

"What's wrong?" asked Lannon.

"Many things," said Jace, giving Lannon a strange look. "Or haven't you noticed? For one thing, we've run out of rice pudding. It has been a week since I've had any! Furthermore, I'm growing tired of that same fishy-tasting soup. I'm wondering when the next shipment of supplies will arrive. I think it's quite overdue."

Lannon didn't reply. He suspected that events had taken a new and important turn, but Jace revealed things in his own good time.

Jace sat down next to Aldreya. He glanced down at her and smiled. She glared at him, then rose and moved to the other bed, sitting next to Lannon. Jace's eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Still angry at Uncle Jace, huh?" said the sorcerer.

"You're not my uncle," said Aldreya.

"Yet you used to call me that," said Jace.

"That was before I got to know you better," said Aldreya. "You have no right to accuse Shennen of being a puppet of the Deep Shadow. And don't try to deny it. Lannon already told me how you feel."

"Lannon does not speak for me," said Jace. "I believe Shennen is playing a dangerous game, certainly. But I will say no more."

"It's because you're afraid of Shennen," said Aldreya, gazing at him defiantly. "That's why you won't say what you're really thinking."

Jace leaned toward her, a giant cloaked shadow that dominated the room, his pale face close to her own. "Of course I fear Shennen. What sane man wouldn't? He knows a thousand silent ways to kill."

Looking uncertain, Aldreya lowered her gaze. "I just meant--"

"I know what you meant," said Jace. "You were trying to suggest that I'm a coward, that I have no right to question Shennen's character because I'm clearly afraid of him and therefore somehow less of a man. Well, am I right? Is Uncle Jace a coward not fit to question the status of a great warrior of royal blood like Shennen?"

"I didn't mean it that way," said Aldreya.

Jace shrugged. "It doesn't matter, really. I don't demand respect. All I ask is that you Squires keep an open mind. I didn't come here to discuss Shennen or his Dragon bones. I came here to inform you that we will be riding out for Blombalk Fortress, the Blood Legion stronghold to the south."

"Are we going to invade it?" asked Jerret, eagerness in his voice and a grin on his face. When Jace gave him a concerned look, the grin vanished. "Um, not that I want bloodshed or anything," Jerret added.

Jace shook his head. "The work has already been done for us. Blombalk Fortress has fallen. Smoke rises from amidst the broken walls."

"Someone attacked the Blood Legion's main fortress?" said Vannas. "And it wasn't Dremlock? Who else would bother?"

"Good question," said Jace, fixing his gaze on Lannon.

"I suppose it's up to me to learn the truth," said Lannon. This task, at least, sounded more interesting and less terrifying than examining the Dragon bones. Like the other Squires, Lannon was weary of Dorok's Hand.

"Of course," said Jace. "Forget about Trenton Shadowbane. You, Lannon, are Dremlock's real Investigator. The Eye of Divinity will be used to determine who is responsible for the assault on the fortress. Of course, Timlin and his Legion will be investigating as well, if they don't already know the answer."

"Is this foe of the Blood Legion a friend of ours?" asked Jerret.

"Possibly," said Jace. "But I suspect it is a friend to no one."

"Why do you suspect that?" asked Jerret.

"I'll keep that to myself," said Jace, giving a wink.

"How soon do we ride out?" asked Lannon.

"I suspect very soon," said Jace. "The Knights are already gathering supplies."