Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

"A friendly talk, huh?" said Jerret, frowning. "A very friendly one, by the look of it. You are indeed getting bold, Lannon!"

Glaring, Aldreya picked up a chunk of snow and threw it at Jerret's face. He ducked back inside.

"Come on," she said to Lannon. "Let's go get warm."

But Lannon continued to stand out in the cold for a few moments, even after Aldreya had entered the tent. He understood why Aldreya's thinking was so different from his own. She'd had a wonderful home in her tree city of Borenthia, and he envied her for it. Lannon missed his parents (he planned to visit them when he got the chance) but he never wanted to live in that wooded valley again. His true home was Dremlock now and there was no doubt in his mind where he wanted to be. He was finding it easier to adjust to life at Dremlock than the other Squires because, all things considered, he had no other home. This was all there was for Lannon.

He stood atop the crusty snow, gazing at the few bright stars burning overhead. The life of a Divine Knight was a lonely one, but Lannon was used to that. He'd been alone growing up (with his parents too focused on each other and their constant battles to pay attention to him) and now, even with friends like Aldreya, he still felt alone. His power seemed to separate him from others, leaving him feeling detached. He wondered if the Dark Watchmen had felt that isolation and if it had helped drive them into the eager embrace of the Deep Shadow. As that last thought crept into his mind, Lannon's gaze was drawn to the ancient tower that stood nearby, its windows dark and empty in the starlight, and chills flooded down his spine.

Lannon had just returned to the tent and was feeling warm and relaxed under his quilt-and looking forward to a peaceful night of sleep-when Taris Warhawk leaned into the tent. "Come outside, Lannon," the sorcerer said, "and bring your climbing gear. Bring all of your tools, actually."

Lannon shoved aside the quilt and rose, strapping on his sword and tightening his fur cloak around him. He loaded up with all of his Blue Squire gear-rope and grapple hook, grip powder, lock-picking tools, and a tiny Glaetherin saw that could cut through steel. Then he stepped out into the freezing air, wondering what Taris wanted at this late hour.

Taris held a Birlote torch, and he pointed it toward the ancient tower. "Remember when I said I would tell you the story of the Dark Watchmen?"

Lannon nodded.

"Well, the time has come," Taris went on. "Except that I'm not going to merely tell it to you-I'm going to show it to you. That is the ancient meeting place of the Dark Watchmen, where they discussed the affairs of the land. It is a strange old keep, and a very dangerous one-still protected by dark sorcery. However, you will be safe enough under my guidance. And this will give you a chance to get some proper training as a Blue Squire."

Lannon gazed at the dark tower that rose above the treetops and shuddered. The keep struck fear into his heart, but he was eager to learn about the Dark Watchmen, and he felt he had little to fear with Taris accompanying him.

"This will be a good test for you," said Taris. "It could strengthen you and make you a greater threat to the Deep Shadow. Or it could be a very bitter experience. So yes, it has its risks. Are you prepared?"

Lannon considered it and felt confident he could do whatever Taris demanded of him. "I think I'm ready."

"Good," said Taris. "I figured you would be up to the challenge."

"Is anyone else coming with us?" Lannon asked.

"No," said Taris. "We must go alone. I don't want to put anyone else in danger. This keep is filled with traps for the unwary."

Without another word, Taris started down the hillside. Lannon hesitated for a moment, then hurried after him. Their boots made crunching noises on the crusty snow. They passed through a grove of ancient oak trees, at the center of which stood the old stone tower in a small clearing. It rose up about two-hundred feet into the air, its bulk darkly outlined against the stars. The lower half of the tower was webbed with ice-covered vines, and a large stone door stood before them. Two life-sized stone statues (also webbed in vines) of cloaked and hooded figures holding swords stood on either side of the door. The presence of dark sorcery overwhelmed Lannon, and he dreaded entering the tower. It seemed to have a grim intelligence behind it, something plotting his downfall even before he passed beyond the door. This was the darkest, strangest keep Lannon had ever encountered. Yet mixed with that darkness was beauty and a hint that this had once been a noble place.

"Quite a sight, isn't it?" said Taris, running his fingers over the door. "This tower once stood for peace and justice-before the Deep Shadow corrupted it. Yet even after hundreds of years of darkness, one can still sense the presence of hope and honor that Tharnin has not been able to completely erase."

Lannon nodded, his emotions on edge. The Eye of Divinity revealed the tower as it once was-a beautiful keep surrounded by blessed oaks, where the guardians of Silverland would meet and hold extravagant feasts. The tower was the same in appearance after centuries-except that it was now murky with shadow. The power of Tharnin concealed its beauty and made it sinister.

The door had no handle.

"I entered through a window," Taris explained, "when I visited here before." He pointed to a window about forty feet above them. "We can gain access there, if we must. But this door was designed for one who possesses the Eye of Divinity. This whole tower was built for you, Lannon."

Lannon seized the stone door with the Eye and pulled. Slowly it came open enough to let them through. They stepped inside, and the door closed on its own behind them. Immediately, Lannon felt like he was home-like the whole tower was embracing him. For the first time in his life, he truly felt he was where he belonged. He had no doubt this ancient tower was indeed built for him.

They stood in an octagonal chamber with a trapdoor at the middle of it. Thirty feet above them was a stone ceiling with a round hole cut in it. Ancient boards and stone blocks lay strewn around, but otherwise the chamber was barren. Lannon could see no stairway leading upward. Lannon examined the trapdoor. It was made of stone, with an iron ring, and looked to be quite heavy.

"We're going up," Taris said, pointing at the hole above them.

Lannon flung the grapple hook up through the hole, but it snagged nothing and fell back down. He tried again and got the same result. He glanced at Taris. "I'm not sure there is anything I can hook up there."

"You could levitate yourself up," said Taris, shrugging.

Lannon considered it. He'd tried levitation before with the power of the Eye, but it quickly wore him out. It took a lot of energy to move objects even briefly-let alone lift himself thirty feet into the air. And using the Eye on himself seemed especially tiring for some reason, as if he were struggling against himself somehow. "I think I'll pass on that," he said. "Any other ideas?"

Taris frowned. "Where is your imagination, Squire? A Dark Watchman could get up there easily. Remember, this tower was designed for Blue Knights who possess the Eye of Divinity."

An idea occurred to Lannon, and he hurled the grapple hook again. This time he reached out with the Eye and searched for a place to hook it. The distance was significant, but the hook was light and easy to move. He found a small metal ring on the floor above, and he forced the hook to snag it.

"And there you have it," said Taris. "You combined the power of the Eye with your skills as a Blue Squire. That's what it's all about."

Lannon started to slowly climb up, but Taris chastised him. "You're climbing like a fool. Use the Eye to help you climb faster. Don't be afraid of wearing yourself out, for that is how you increase your capacity."