Knights The Eye of Divinity

chapter 6: The Tower of Sorcery



Now that the Squires had received their sashes, they were organized into groups based on their Colors. The Orange (there were fourteen of these unhappy youths) were sent to Cordus' tower. The Brown and Red remained, for now, in the West Tower, while the White were sent to a place called the Hall of Healing. Lannon, Vorden, and Timlin--the only Blue of the entire lot--were to reside in the East Tower, along with twelve Grey.

The Grey were taken to the North Tower on secret business--undoubtedly concerning their sorcery training--and Cartlan was chosen to guide the Blue Squires to their new home. He grinned at them, shaking his head. "Come on my merry lads. Into the Blue unknown we go." He chuckled, as if finding himself quite clever.

The three Squires gathered their things and followed. As they stepped out into the courtyard, Cartlan lit a torch, though pale light shone down from a full moon. Crickets chirped amid the grass and flowers, and wolves howled in the woods.

"Do you hear that?" said Cartlan. "We have wolves in Knightwood--huge white beasts. There are many rumors about them. Some even believe they're pets kept by sorcerers like Taris Warhawk. They only come out during the night hours. In the daytime they sleep in caves in the mountainside. At least that's what most folks around here believe."

"Have you ever explored the caves?" said Lannon.

Cartlan's eyes widened. "I'm not an idiot, Lannon, even if you are. I wouldn't go poking around in wolf lairs. Besides, the caves are forbidden to us." Suddenly, he pointed skyward. "Look at that."

A winged shadow soared overhead, blocking out the moonlight for an instant. The Squires caught sight of silvery feathers and huge wings.

"An Elder Hawk just passed over," said Cartlan. "Those things are big, and like the White Wolves are kept by some here as pets--according to rumor."

As they passed from the courtyard and entered the forest, only Cartlan's torch fire was left to guide them, for very little moonlight could penetrate between the Knightwood bows. Animal noises came from the woods all around, and at one point a heavy body was heard rustling through the underbrush next to the trail, before moving away. A wolf howl arose close by, causing all of them to jump and Timlin to let out a squeal. Cartlan's face had gone pale, which startled Lannon and the others. Seeing a Knight bear such a fearful expression did not fill them with confidence, to say the least.

"I don't usually wander the woods at night," said Cartlan. "Typically everyone is indoors by now, unless there's an outside feast or something."

Suddenly a figure stepped into the torchlight, causing Cartlan to jump and reach for his sword. But it turned out to be the green-cloaked Investigator, Trenton Shadowbane. His grey eyes were shiny and strange in the flickering light. He appeared to be unarmed.

"Hello, Cartlan," he said quietly.

Cartlan recovered his composure and bowed. "Greetings, Trenton. Just out for a walk tonight, now that the Trials are over?"

"Just out minding my own business," Trenton said coldly. "As you should be minding yours." He sighed deeply. "Very well, if you must know, sometimes I grow weary of the constant shifting of papers, the grinding of stone against flesh and senses. It is during these times that I seek solace in the embrace of the night."

"Of course," Cartlan said, glancing around nervously in an effort to avoid the Investigator's icy gaze. "I'm just taking these Squires to the East Tower."

"Mind the wolves, son," said Trenton, and the gleam in his eye grew brighter. "Knightwood knows nothing of the mortal flesh and its yearnings. To be brutally honest, the woods might swallow a man whole and not shed a tear."

Cartlan gulped. "I'll be careful."

Trenton adjusted his cloak. "I must be moving on now. Stay on the path, lads, and make no trouble."

Cartlan bowed again. "We wouldn't dream of it."

Trenton nodded. Then he fixed his gaze on Lannon. "You really must think you're something special," he whispered.

"Huh?" said Lannon, not knowing what to say. The Investigator's piercing grey eyes sent goose bumps scampering all over his flesh.

"You heard me!" snapped Trenton. "My eyes are on you, Lannon. I know your heart, child, and if things start turning out badly, you'll pay dearly."

With that, Trenton strode on past them and was swallowed up by the shadows. A moment later another wolf howl arose, this one louder and closer--coming from the direction the Investigator had gone. It was followed by a crash as something big leapt away through the forest.

Cartlan and the Squires hurried away without looking back.

When they got a little further down the path, Cartlan wiped sweat from his brow. "That was really strange," he muttered. "That man is...well, what can I say? He's somewhat different. There are rumors about him."

"He seemed crazy to me," said Vorden. "What did he say about the woods?"

Cartlan shook his head. "Just forget what you saw and heard, Vorden. You'll be far better off for it. Remember, you're just a lowly Squire."

"I won't mention it to anyone," said Vorden. "But I won't forget it, either."

Lannon said nothing, still feeling the effects of Trenton's chilling stare. He couldn't fathom why the Investigator had singled him out--unless it had something to do with the Eye of Divinity. But why would that cause Trenton to be angry with him? Wasn't the Eye of Divinity supposed to be helpful to Dremlock somehow?

They came to where the road split into three, and they took the East Path. The land sloped downward some, and boulders began appearing amongst the trees. The pine trunks were gnarled and split, their roots clustered thick along the trail, and their boughs hung low like huge furry hands descending upon the travelers.

"This part of Knightwood has the most ancient feel to it," said Cartlan. "Ruins of Olrog dwellings stand here in the woods. Taris' tower is older than Furlus' keep, and it was built on some of those ruins, including the remains of the fortress built by Kuran Darkender before Dremlock existed as we know it today. Rumor has it that there are catacombs beneath the Old Keep, as the fortress is called--Olrog tombs filled with traps and riches, and even darker places that have been closed off with bars made of indestructible Glaetherin so that nothing can creep forth and enter the tower. But actually, who knows?"

"What do you know about the Blue Knights?" asked Vorden.

At first Cartlan looked irritated that Vorden had changed the subject, but then he stopped walking and stood in a silence for a moment. Then he sighed loudly. "I don't want to worry you or anything, but the few things I've heard about them were not very pleasant--to say the least!"

"What things?" Timlin asked fearfully, pressing close to Lannon and Vorden. The lad was shaking in his boots, his gaze darting this way and that into the surrounding shadows.

Cartlan turned and smirked, his cockiness and attitude of superiority resurfacing. "Very odd things, Squires. You'd probably rather not hear of them at this point. You'll find out for yourself soon enough."

"Fine by me," said Vorden, refusing to be drawn in.

"I'd like to know," said Lannon, wishing he were as strong-willed as Vorden.

"Tell us!" Timlin begged. "We should be warned."

Cartlan shrugged. "Very well, if you must know. I hear that they're actually assassins. They're throat cutters and backstabbers and spies. They sneak around in the shadows and kill people when they're sleeping."

Vorden shook his head in disbelief. "No way, Cartlan. The Divine Knights would never accept a class like that."

Cartlan laughed. "Think what you must, Vorden. But with the Blood Legion and all, and the recent troubles with smart Goblins, spies and assassins are badly needed. And Blue Knights aren't real Knights. They're just, well, assassins. Their Books never get put in the Round Library. No Lord Knight has ever been a part of that color class. Actually, I don't think any Greens have, either. I think Blue Knights always stay that color."

"What?" said Vorden, his mouth hanging open. "You mean a Blue Knight can't get promoted? So I could never be Red, or Green, or a Lord Knight?" Vorden's body was shaking, so distraught was he all of a sudden.

Cartlan nodded. "From what I know, yes. Look at Carn Pureheart, the Lord of the Blue Knights. He was never made Green."

"I can't believe this!" said Vorden. "But I've worked so... No, I just can't believe it. You've got to be joking with me, Cartlan."

"Not at all," said Cartlan. "But calm down. I'm just telling of rumors. I suggest you relax and see for yourself before you get angry."

"I won't stab someone in the back," Vorden muttered. "That's not why I wanted to be a Knight."

Cartlan raised his hands helplessly. "You still get to train with the other new Squires every day. It's just that you'll receive your special training also--the training nobody talks about much because it's an embarrassment to Dremlock."

Lannon wished he could shut Cartlan up, and somehow permanently remove that smirk. Cartlan was probably just trying to get to them, and he was doing an exceptionally good job with Vorden--which irritated Lannon all the more because in the short time Lannon had known Vorden, he already seemed like a friend. And Lannon had never had a true friend near his own age.

Timlin just trotted along looking mystified yet hopeful, his hands in his cloak pockets. Once in a while he'd look at Lannon or Vorden, give a shrug, and then shake his head--as if the whole matter were beyond his comprehension.

Vorden mumbled quiet words now and then, his hands knotting into fists, while Cartlan strode ahead, whistling a merry tune.

***

Taris' tower looked much the same as the West Tower in size and shape, yet it seemed a bit taller and had a small river running through its courtyard. Crumbling boulders stood here and there, and the ground was sloped in a shallow valley of mossy stones. No flowers or carefully trimmed hedges existed here--just a natural landscape that needed no maintenance. The Knightwood pines grew close to the tower, their roots arching up from the ground in thick tangles. A stone bridge, webbed with vines, spanned the river.

An ancient scent arose from the soil here that reminded Lannon of Knights Valley, and for a moment he closed his eyes and breathed deeply, imagining he was back home. Oddly enough, the front door was not guarded.

"Where are the guards?" Lannon asked.

"The East Tower needs no guards," said Cartlan. "This is the Tower of Sorcery. It's protected by magic, and people are allowed to come and go as they please. Still, you can bet that even now we're being watched."

The Squires glanced up along the tower wall, their gaze passing over balconies and windows--some lit by lantern and torchlight--all the way up to the tapering peak. They shivered, their hearts pounding harder. This tower, for whatever reason, seemed somehow dark, sinister, and very ancient. Perhaps the feeling lurked in the mossy landscape and the vine-covered stone blocks at the tower's base, or perhaps it lurked in something else that only their subconscious minds could grasp. Regardless, as they gazed up at the moonlit keep, they were chilled to the bone.

"Don't stop now," said Cartlan gleefully. "This is your new home."

After exchanging nervous glances, they followed Cartlan to the front door, which bore a leering, demonic face forged of silver at the center. He grasped the door handle and pulled it partly open.

"Well, there you go," he said. "Good luck."

"What?" said Timlin. "You're just going to leave us here?"

Cartlan shrugged. "I was told to bring you here. I've done that, so my task is finished. I've got to get going now." Cartlan glanced nervously at the forest. "Of course I could wait a bit, I suppose. No, I better get going."

"Come on," said Vorden, pulling at Timlin and Lannon. "We'll be okay."

Reluctantly, the two boys followed Vorden into the keep. Cartlan slammed the door shut behind them and they were alone. Or so it appeared, anyway.

They stood in a round chamber with six oaken doors. Four of the doors were unlabeled, and one was marked Old Keep and one Dining Hall. A stone stairway led upwards and another led downwards. Five Birlote torches glowed here, yet the shining red gems were not enough to keep much of the chamber from being deep with shadow. The stairs rose and descended into darkness.

"Okay, what now?" said Vorden.

"Maybe we should wait," said Timlin.

"I'm with Timlin on this," said Lannon. "Let's wait for Taris, or somebody, to show us where to go. I don't want to get lost in this tower."

"I guess we wait, then," said Vorden, shrugging.

Not long afterwards, the door opened and a boy appeared. It was a Blue Squire named Fern Fairblade. Four silver ribbons had been stitched to one end of his sash. He was slight of build, with curly black hair and pale skin. He smiled at them.

"Hello," said Vorden. "You might be able to help us. We're looking for the Blue Knights." He pointed to his own sash.

"I'm afraid I can't help you," Fern said politely, squinting to read the name on Vorden's sash. "I'm just a Squire like you, Vorden, after all. And I'm late for bed. Goodnight!" He hurried up the stairs.

Vorden shook his head. "Some help he was."

They waited some more, and Vorden took to pacing about. Twice more Blue Squires entered (silver ribbons on their sashes), and each time could give no help and were "late for bed."

"Thanks a lot for nothing!" Vorden muttered at the last one.

Finally a Red Squire came in. He displayed five ribbons on his sash. He was bigger than Vorden and at least eighteen years old. His brown hair was shaggy, and he had a mustache and a bit of a beard. He nodded to them. "Hello. I'm Drethess Silverknight. I've not seen you three before."

"We're new," said Vorden. "We're not sure where to go."

Drethess read their names and smiled. "We have a Sunshield, a Flameblade, and a Woodmaster. Not too bad at all--maybe a little offbeat, but imaginative. I know a bit about this tower, though certainly not everything. I might be able to help you."

"Why are you here?" Vorden asked. "I thought only Grey and Blue Squires dwelt in this keep."

"All Knights of Dremlock," said Drethess, "must be able to wield magic to some extent, not just the Grey ones who specialize in it. That's what gives Dremlock an edge over the other kingdoms on Gallamerth. I'm soon to be made a Red Knight, and Taris has something special planned for me this evening! Anyways, the top floor is where you need to go--and then through the big wooden door. But you might as well just wait, because Taris was not far behind me. He should be here any--"

The door creaked open and Taris Warhawk stepped in. He nodded to Drethess. "I thought you would be here before dark, as I instructed. A bit late for wandering in the forest without good cause, don't you think?"

"I had to run a message to Moten," said Drethess. "A note from Kealin. I guess it was extremely urgent for some reason."

"Really?" Taris said. "How strange."

"Why is that strange?" asked Drethess.

"It is not important," said Taris. "Now go to the library. I will be there as soon as I get these Squires settled in."

Drethess nodded, bid the Blue Squires goodnight, and raced upstairs.

Taris turned to the others. "I see Cartlan left you in the lurch. Typical of him. Still, he is a good Squire Master, and his senses are sharp."

"He told us some things about the Blue Knights," Vorden blurted out. "Some things I didn't like."

"Is that so," said Taris, steeping closer. "And what were these things?"

"He said we'll be made assassins, that we'll backstab people and kill them in their sleep. And that we can never get promoted!"

Taris stood in silence for a few moments.

The others watched him nervously, wondering if Vorden's words had angered him. Was the sorcerer contemplating how to discipline them? Even Lannon wasn't sure what was going on in Taris' mind.

At last Taris spoke. "Not all of that is true, Vorden. You can indeed get promoted to another Color--if your talents allow it."

"What about the throat cutting and all?" said Vorden.

"It is a complicated matter," said Taris. "You may indeed be trained in some of those methods. But whether you do it or not is up to you. Only you can control your destiny, Vorden Flameblade, regardless of what training you receive."

"But why wasn't I given Red?" Vorden asked. "I did better than anyone!"

"You don't know that," said Taris. "The High Council alone judged how well you did. I must say, however, that you fared very well indeed and could easily have been given Red. But the Council felt your skills would be better served--at this time--as part of the Blue class. This could change in the future, and Red might then be yours."

"What about me?" Timlin said hopefully. "Do you think I did well?"

"In the test of focus," said Taris, "you did excellent, Timlin. That's why you were picked for Blue. Focus means everything to a Blue Knight."

"I won't even ask how I did," Lannon said, fishing for a complement.

"You did fine, Lannon," said Taris, "for one who's Knightly Essence is weak. In fact, you surpassed my expectations."

Lannon smiled. Taris seemed the sort to speak his mind, and Lannon was sure he spoke the truth and wasn't just trying to be nice.

"We've talked enough," said the sorcerer. "Follow me and I'll get you settled in for the night."

They followed Taris up the stone stairs, journeying past several floors. The tower had many halls and doors--some bearing labels such as Library, Grey and Blue Squires' Quarters for boys and girls, Guest Rooms, Storage Rooms, and some that were curiously labeled Dark Rooms. When they reached the tenth floor--and by now Lannon's legs were growing wobbly beneath him from all the climbing, they came to a door marked Blue Squires--Boys. A huge oaken door at the end of the hall, covered in fancy Birlote runes, was labeled The High Council Chamber of Blue and Grey Knights.

"You're the only ones staying here right now," Taris said. "All the other Blue Squires have a fair amount of experience. We don't like to lump new Squires in with the decorated ones--those Squires who've mastered various aspects of their training and have received silver ribbons. It causes all manner of problems."

"What kind of problems?" asked Vorden.

"New Squires can feel overshadowed and pressed to learn too quickly," said Taris. "Their training can suffer as a result."

"You mean we'll train by ourselves?" said Vorden.

"Sometimes," said Taris. "Yet at other times you will train with the rest of the new Squires. You see, only during your special training--that which Blue Squires alone receive--will the three of you be isolated from the others. And you, Lannon, will engage in some of your training apart from even these two."

Lannon nodded, knowing such training would no doubt involve unlocking the Eye of Divinity. He kept his face expressionless, hiding the deep excitement he felt over Taris' words. Would the sorcerer train him one on one? Lannon could think of nothing more exciting than that prospect.

"What's so special about Lannon?" said Vorden.

"Lannon has a skill," said Taris, lowering his voice, "that only he possesses. That skill, called the Eye of Divinity, must be developed further. Meanwhile, none of you are allowed to speak of this to anyone."

"Who will help me with it?" asked Lannon, unable to contain himself any longer. "Are you going to be my trainer?"

Taris shook his head. "You won't actually require a trainer for this task, at first. You'll understand what I mean when the time comes. At some point I may have to give you guidance, but not until you've learned to summon the Eye of Divinity."

"I see," said Lannon, his heart sinking.

"We get this whole room to ourselves?" said Timlin, studying the door to their quarters with childish excitement shining in his eyes.

"Blue Squires are quite rare," said Taris. "Sometimes the Color Trials won't produce one for a year or more at a time. I find it extraordinary that three Squires were chosen Blue during these trials. As far as I know, that has never happened before. But we certainly have need of them."

"Who will train us?" said Vorden.

"Don't worry about such things tonight," said Taris. "For now I want you to get some sleep. Tomorrow you will be visited by Garrin Daggerblood of the Blue Knights. Garrin will get you started on your training, but there are others who will instruct you also."

Timlin opened the door and peered into the room. "Can you light a lantern? I don't like the shadows."

"The moon is bright tonight," said Taris. "You need no other light." He entered the room and opened the shutters on a round window.

"Now goodnight, Squires. And I wish you all pleasant dreams."

With that, the sorcerer motioned them inside and closed the door behind them. They could hear Taris whistling softly as he moved off down the hall.

The room was fairly small--compared to the other Squires' Quarters--containing only fifteen beds. The beds were all neatly made, with nightstands by them. Nothing else worth mentioning could be found in this chamber. The stone walls were bare, interrupted only by the window that let in a beam of moonlight.

Lannon's dragon sword lay on his nightstand. He showed it off to his companions, but they didn't seem too excited by it so he sheathed it and put it back. "It's supposed to be real dragon bone," he mumbled.

"It's a great sword," said Timlin. "I wonder what my weapon will be?"

The boys put their packs beneath their beds and lay down in a row across from each other, staring at the cobwebs on the ceiling beams. No one spoke for a while. Then Vorden voiced his frustration. "I can't believe this," he muttered. "What are we doing way up here?"

"At least we've got the whole room to ourselves," Timlin said.

Vorden turned and glared at him. "That's not a good thing, Timlin. I liked having lots of friends around me."

"I kind of like being in Taris' tower," said Lannon.

"This feels strange," said Vorden, "like we've just been cut off from the rest of the world--like we've been cast aside or something."

"It's not that bad, really," said Timlin. "It kind of feels right somehow."

Lannon and Vorden both glanced at the lad. Timlin lay on his side, his head propped up on his hand and his eyes shining thoughtfully in the moonlight--seeing something that only he could see.

"This is pathetic," Vorden grumbled again.

Lannon and Timlin said nothing. Neither was very outgoing, and they liked the solitude of this room. Lannon wanted to make friends with the other Squires--but not all at once, for that seemed overwhelming. This would give him a chance to get acquainted with them slowly. And he had already made two friends, which was more than he'd ever had in Knights Valley.

As one by one they drifted off into sleep, they were plunged into dark dreams. In those nightmares, screams came from catacombs below, while metal cages rattled and chains dragged across stone. Things moved in the darkness below the keep, twisted shadows filled with an insatiable hunger--always seeking to escape their forgotten chambers and taste the essence of the living once again.