Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

"How many Knights are being held hostage?" asked Trenton.

"We currently believe there are sixteen Knights still alive down there," said Furlus, "and three Orange Squires. All of them are tied up and guarded."

"Nineteen people," said Shennen, shaking his head. "If we storm that chamber, they might all be killed. I am very much in favor of Lannon fighting the duel-if, that is, Lannon agrees to it."

"I agree to it," said Lannon. But he wasn't sure he could win. He wondered if this duel would be the death of him. But as a Squire of Dremlock, it wasn't his place to live in constant fear of death, and so he blocked the thought from his mind. His focus needed to be on winning the duel and freeing the hostages.

"I believe this is too important," said Taris, "to risk on another duel. We've lost the Black Flamestone, and Bellis has made threats against Dremlock. If we lose the Hand of Tharnin as well, our fate may be sealed. My opinion is that we should launch a quick strike on Vorden and his Soldiers and finish them off."

Furlus nodded. "Sounds like a good plan."

"I agree," said Trenton. "They will be expecting us to accept the duel, but we will surprise them with our assault."

Shennen slammed his fist down on the table. "Once again my wisdom is ignored! Is it because I'm not on the High Council? Well, I am the Lord of the Blue Knights and I should be a High Council member. Regardless, I grow weary of being ignored. I was opposed to Thrake fighting in the first duel, and no one listened. Thrake deliberately lost the battle. I asked to be allowed to fight in the second duel, and my request was denied-even though I know I could have prevailed. Now I firmly believe Lannon should fight this duel, and again I am ignored."

"I question your judgment, Shennen," said Taris. "The Dragon bones changed you. You no longer look like a Birlote, with that pale skin. I will admit that I don't fully trust you. I…I had something done with the bones…" He shook his head and glanced at Furlus, a gap in his memory revealed.

"You ordered them buried," said Furlus. "And the order was carried out. The Dragon bones are lost forever beneath earth and stone. Their location will be kept a secret forever, by sworn oath."

Shennen's lips tightened, his pale face turning crimson for a moment. "Those bones held many secrets, but yes, they were a greater danger than I had assumed. And sadly, my old friend Thrake Wolfaxe was a victim of my foolish miscalculation. I blame myself for Thrake's ruin, and because of that, I will never have peace of mind in this lifetime again. Yes, the bones are better off buried. But I assure you, Taris, that I am not under their influence. I know Lannon can defeat Vorden-at least in a duel of blades. He has grown stronger in his use of the Eye and become a much better swordsman. Just this once, I ask that you put your trust in me."

Taris gazed at Shennen in silence for a moment. Then he turned to Lannon. "Are you sure a duel is for the better?"

Lannon hesitated. What if he lost? It not only would cost him his life, but it might bring about the doom of Dremlock. And Lannon was not convinced his use of the Eye had improved. In fact, he seemed to tire more quickly when he tried to seize and move objects or enemies with it. If anything, that aspect seemed to have weakened with prolonged use-perhaps from being used too much and draining his energy. However, he was learning to channel the Eye through his sword and he was more confident in his ability to fight as a Blue Squire.

"I await your answer, Lannon," said Taris, his eyes narrowed.

"I'm not sure I can beat him in a duel of sorcery," Lannon admitted. "I've been worn out lately or something. But I think I can win in a duel of blades. My sword skills have definitely improved." Shennen's faith in him gave him confidence.

"The Eye is changing," said Taris. "It is shifting its energy to adapt to your needs. That is one of the great mysteries of your ability-that it changes over time as you change. You are improving overall, though, and learning to fight like a Blue Knight, which will make you vastly more potent in combat."

"So are we voting on this?" asked Trenton. "We have three High Council members present."

Taris shrugged. "If we must. I accept Lannon's opinion on the matter-his belief that he can prevail. In the interests of avoiding bloodshed and the deaths of the hostages, I vote for Lannon participating in the duel."

Furlus was thoughtful for a few moments. Then he said, "I second Taris' vote, and let the record show that I put faith in Shennen's opinion as well."

Shennen bowed, his face showing gratitude. "Thank you, Master Furlus. It is good to know at least one High Council member values my opinion."

Trenton sighed. "Well, I'm not going to be the lone fool to vote against the Tower Masters. So count me in favor as well."

"Then it has been decided," said Taris. "We will offer Vorden a duel of blades-or there will be no duel. We’ll send a messenger at once."

"If we lose," said Daledus, "the Hand of Tharnin will pass from this fortress and join with the Black Flamestone against us. Are the lives of the hostages so important that we risk the fate of Dremlock to save them?"

"Yes," said Taris. He pondered it for a moment, then said: "It is what the Divine Essence would expect of us. Every Knight and Squire is extremely valuable to us. Dremlock is not three great towers and a fortified wall. Dremlock consists of a god and a group of Knights and Squires. Dremlock exists wherever we exist. Defending the lives of those hostages is the same as defending the kingdom itself."

Vorden accepted the duel of blades, and the Divine Shield and twenty Knights proceeded below to the chamber that held the portal to Tharnin. Lannon led the way down into the torch-lit tunnels, to where two Blood Legion guards stood just outside the chamber. The guards motioned them inside.

The room held mounds of earth and stone-dug from the portal. Legion soldiers stood near the hostages, their weapons drawn, though the promise of an honorable duel had allowed them to relax some.

Vorden and two bearded, heavily armored giants (including the Dark Knight known as Almdrax, who'd been imprisoned in Tharnin along with Vorden) stood waiting for Lannon. Vorden seemed even larger and more muscular than when Lannon had last seen him. He still wore his black and gold armor (though the crack that the Dragon had inflicted upon it had been mended), minus the helm. His black hair had grown long and had an unkempt look to it. The blue stones in the Hand of Tharnin glowed brightly, and the chamber was hot. Vorden waved to Lannon with the large gauntlet and smiled.

Without hesitation, Lannon threw off his fur cloak-to reveal the silk Birlote cloak beneath. He approached his old friend, until he stood just a few feet away from him. Vorden looked Lannon up and down and nodded.

"Fancy cloak," Vorden said. "You've got a confident look about you these days, Lannon. I hope your skills have improved since we last met."

"They have," said Lannon. He sighed. "Why have you come back? You should have stayed in the realm of the Deep Shadow where you belong."

"Unfinished business," said Vorden. "I've returned to kill you."

"And take a few hostages, too," said Lannon, "which is kind of cowardly for someone who thinks he's such a great warrior."

Vorden laughed. "You, of all people, question my courage? I'm not interested in these hostages at all. That was just to get your attention. Now that Dremlock has agreed to an honorable duel, I no longer need them."

"Then let them go," said Lannon, who noticed that two of the Knights appeared to be seriously wounded.

"The hostages are released," said Vorden, with a dismissive wave. "But the duel will proceed." The Legion Soldiers sheathed their weapons and stepped away from the hostages. All that mattered now was the duel.