Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

Taris stood in silence for a moment. At last, he nodded. "I will allow it, but take care of your business quickly. After that, I want Lannon and his friends under constant guard. And take Jace with you."

Shennen's expression soured. "Jace? But why?"

Taris gazed at the Blue Knight sternly. "Jace's vast knowledge may prove helpful to your research. Also, I'm not an expert concerning Dragon bones, but I'm guessing this could be a dangerous task. I want Jace to see to Lannon's safety."

Jace bowed. "I shall do my best."

"Are you saying I cannot protect the lad?" asked Shennen.

"Of course not," said Taris. "But two guards are better than one. In fact, have Thrake accompany you as well."

Shennen grimaced. "Why not just send half the Knights in Dorok's Hand, then, if you're so worried about Lannon's safety?"

Taris said nothing. He simply gazed at Shennen from under his hood, his green eyes shining in the torchlight.

Shennen lowered his gaze. "I meant no disrespect. It shall be done."

Taris turned away and didn't see Shennen's scowl.

Lannon wanted only to return to his chamber and rest. He certainly didn't want any part of that Dragon's remains. And Shennen seemed to be behaving a bit strangely, and his face looked very pale. Lannon wondered if the Blue Knight had spent too much time with those charred bones and had somehow been affected by whatever dark sorcery lingered within them.

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."