Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

Furlus seized his arm. "No, Squire. You won't like what you see."

"I have to," said Lannon.

With a shrug, Furlus released him and stepped back.

Lannon trembled as he gazed at the dark cloth. He knew he could never learn the truth until he removed the shroud. The people around him seemed to fade into the shadows, leaving him alone with his task. He was chilled at the prospect of what he might find when he lifted away the cloth.

But Lannon was honor bound to put aside his fear and learn why two young Knights were dead. Whoever, or whatever, had killed them had dispatched this beast in the same fashion. If Lannon surrendered to his fear, more Knights could turn up dead. His hand feeling numb, he touched the edge of the cloth. A cold shudder passed through him. For several moments he held that pose, fighting his internal battle against fear while he gazed at the dark outline of the face from which the evil sorcery was radiating so potently.

At last he shored up his will and Eye of Divinity responded, engulfing him like armor. Lannon seized the cloth and tore it away-to find himself gazing at a shockingly pale face with two crimson eyes, the beast's closed muzzle stained with blood. There was something deeply unsettling about that face, and Lannon was overwhelmed by the urge to cover it again.

In that instant, the slain Jackal's muzzle parted to reveal crooked fangs and its claws shot up and locked onto Lannon's throat. With a cry, Lannon tore away from its grasp and reeled back, as his vision went black for a moment.

When Lannon's vision returned, the dark cloth still covered the Jackal's face. Lannon had never actually removed it, but had fallen victim to an illusion that the Eye had failed to see through. He told the others what had happened.

"A foul trick of the sorcery," said Taris. "It seems the answer is buried too deeply for even the Eye of Divinity to discover."

Jace looked troubled as he smoked his pipe. "Power that turns away even the mighty Eye. Just what manner of assassin are we dealing with?"

"I suppose the only way we'll know," said Taris, "is to hunt him down. Meanwhile, let this fallen monster be laid to rest with a proper burial."

"We should summon the other Squires," said Furlus. "Any of them could be targets. The Divine Shield must be assembled immediately."

Taris fixed his gaze on Lannon. "Our spies have informed us that your old friend Timlin Woodmaster is now the leader of the Blood Legion. We believe he is determined to launch an attack on this fortress in the near future. This assassin-as powerful as he seems to be-may simply be an attempt to distract us."

A shaft of pain pierced Lannon's heart at the mention of Timlin, but his resolve did not crumble. "I'm still hoping he will surrender."

Taris sighed. "Young Squire, you still don't understand the ways of this world. The Deep Shadow will never surrender its hold on Timlin now-just as Vorden is forever lost to it. You should harden your heart in preparation, for Timlin is now our greatest enemy and marked for death by Dremlock."

"Marked for death?" said Lannon, though the statement needed no explanation. Lannon's stomach churned at the thought.

"What that means," said Shennen, stepping close to Lannon, "is that Timlin is on the assassination list of the Blue Knights. As a traitor to Dremlock and someone corrupted by Tharnin, his death would be a blessing upon this land." Shennen's eyes were cold, holding a glint of grim purpose in the dim, flickering torchlight.

"I can't give up on my friend," said Lannon.

"He's not our friend anymore, Lannon," said Jerret, his head bowed. "He hates us now, just like Vorden does. We have to accept that."

"Jerret speaks true," said Taris. "Timlin would kill you in an instant, Lannon, if he had the chance. He is no better than a savage Goblin now. Tenneth Bard is dead and Vorden is gone from our world. While Timlin is still here physically, he is just as lost as they are. Face up to that fact."

"I can't do that," said Lannon.

"I know," said Taris, giving Lannon's shoulder a squeeze. "You have a noble heart. I admire that quality. But there comes a time when you must begin to think and act like a Knight-and make the harsh choices. Knights are not coddled. A Knight must stand alone, even with his fellow Knights at his side. Do you know what the means, to stand alone? Your duties come before friendship. Timlin is our sworn enemy, and your duty is to view him as such."

Lannon felt cold inside. He felt the Knights were too demanding of Squires, shoving them into battle and leaving them to sort out their thoughts alone. Taris had given Lannon much guidance, but ultimately, Lannon felt alone most of the time, left to suffer in silence and work out his troubles on his own. He knew it was expected and demanded of him. It was the way of Dremlock to build total self-reliance while providing only what guidance was absolutely necessary. But Lannon wasn't fond of it nonetheless. Dremlock could quickly and easily turn its back on a traitor like Timlin and expect Lannon to do the same, while offering him no wisdom or comfort for making such a harsh decision. Duty was all that mattered.

"Timlin's heart is completely lost to darkness," said Furlus. The Grey Dwarf's bearded face showed a hint of sadness. "When I looked into that lad's eyes, before the gates of Dorok's Hand, I saw only pure evil."

"And that is why Timlin is doomed," said Shennen, in a tone of voice that chilled Lannon to the bone. "The Blue Knights will not accept failure in this matter. Yet we only mark for death those who have become the most vile creations of Tharnin, those who would never surrender anyway."

Lannon glanced at Jace for hope, and Jace winked at Lannon. "Who knows what the future has in store?"

Lannon nodded, cheered up a bit by Jace's optimism. Jace seemed able to affect Lannon's mood with ease-almost as if he were using some form of sorcery on the lad. Lannon didn't know what Jace was capable of, because the giant was somehow shielded completely from the Eye of Divinity. Lannon still didn't fully trust Jace, but the Knights-with the exception of Trenton Shadowbane, the cantankerous Investigator of Dremlock-seemed to trust him enough. Regardless, Lannon was once again grateful for Jace's presence.

"Don't give the boy false hope, Jace," said Shennen, glaring at the sorcerer. "It will only make this worse for him."

Jace blew a shaky smoke ring and frowned at it. It was such a terrible smoke ring that he batted it into ruin with a huge hand. "No false hope, just reality. The future is unknown to us."

"It troubles me," said Taris, "that a former Squire is marked for death, but Timlin was spawned by the Hand of Tharnin-a weapon so evil and unstable that even the Tharnin Lords have condemned its use. He is the last link to that bitter device. Yet Timlin is aware of our Sacred Laws. If he chose to come to us and surrender, we would be forced to spare his life and lock him in a dungeon. But he will never do that. He will resist to the bitter end."

Lannon knew they were right, but he still couldn't bring himself to accept it. Timlin was purely evil-a monster in armor infested with the Deep Shadow. Timlin would seek to bring death and suffering to the Divine Knights and the people of Silverland. Even his own Blood Legion feared and despised him, in spite of being forced to obey his commands.

"For now, my friends," said Taris, "we need to find this assassin and capture him alive, if possible, so we can learn why Timlin sent him and anything else he might know of the Blood Legion's plans."

"I have a request, Taris," said Shennen. He hesitated, looking uncertain. "I would like to spend some time alone with Lannon, as I have need of his skills. I want him to examine the bones of the Dragon. I know this may not be a good time, but my research is very important."