Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

"Would you care for some tea?" Taris asked.

Aldreya smiled and nodded, anxious to hear what the Tower Master had to say. Taris' expression was unreadable. He could have been about to reveal terrible, heartbreaking news or something Aldreya might find delightful. She had the urge to wring her hands together, but she forced herself to sit still as Taris heated some water with his sorcery and poured the tea.

"I have good news and bad," said Taris, "depending on your perspective. I believe my days at Dremlock are numbered."

Aldreya's heart sank. "You're leaving? When?"

"I don't yet know," said Taris. "I'm still healing from my injuries. However, I doubt I will ever heal completely if I remain a Divine Knight. The dark sorcery from the Hand of Tharnin and the Specter still haunts my body, inflicting great pain on me at times. I require healing techniques that only the Birlote Wizards of Borenthia can provide. I must further my knowledge. Therefore, it has occurred to me that I must retire from service to Dremlock and return to our homeland."

"But what about the Blood Legion?" said Aldreya. "And Bellis?" She barely tasted her tea. How could Dremlock make do without Taris?

"I'm not leaving yet," said Taris. "In fact, I don't plan to depart until we turn things in our favor. So it could be months or even years before I make the journey. But inevitably it is a journey I must make-which is why I have summoned you. I don't have a true apprentice. I never chose one. But I think the time has come to begin training a true replacement for me at Dremlock."

Aldreya was speechless for a moment. Then she blurted out, "Am I to be your apprentice?" Taris had provided her with significant training and wisdom since she'd come to Dremlock, but being his apprentice would give her access to knowledge he wouldn't otherwise share.

"Possibly," said Taris, casually sipping his tea. "You are young enough and talented enough. You have a noble heart and the bloodline of the Elder Family. Royalty has its privileges in allowing me to share the deepest secrets of Birlote sorcery with you, and I will gladly share them with someone who is loyal to Dremlock and the Divine Essence."

Aldreya was overflowing with excitement. "Thank you, Master Taris!" Her dream seemed to be coming true at last. Taris had chosen her out of dozens of talented Squires. Just when she'd begun to question her place at Dremlock, a new door had opened. Perhaps her work ethic and dedication had paid off after all.

"Of course, being my apprentice won't be easy," said Taris. "It takes much discipline and sacrifice to become a great sorcerer. You could still fail to meet my expectations. And right now there are still significant gaps in my memory from the head wound. Many of my abilities are intact, as far as I can tell. But I may have forgotten some important things. My injuries have diminished me."

Aldreya bowed. "I understand."

Taris' gaze was piercing. "Are you sure? The first month or so will be very difficult. If I see any sign of weakness in you, I might be inclined to look elsewhere for an apprentice. You must be thoroughly dedicated to becoming a Knight and serving the Divine Essence. Do you possess such dedication?"

Aldreya hesitated, knowing Taris would see through a lie. As much as she hated to do so, she had to reveal the truth. Honor demanded it. "I have been questioning myself lately-wondering if life as a Squire is for me. Dremlock has been a disappointment. I miss Borenthia, where things are so much easier."

Taris nodded. "I appreciate your honesty. In fact, it is one of the primary reasons I'm considering you as my apprentice. Had you lied to me just now, I would have been disappointed. We all have doubts from time to time. But you need to be certain of your future at Dremlock so my time is not wasted on you. Therefore, I will give you time to ponder the issue. I will summon you again in the near future, and if you're prepared to truly pledge yourself to Knighthood, I will present you with the Trial of Shades. If you pass that test, you will be my apprentice."

Again, Aldreya bowed. "I will give it serious thought, but in light of your offer, I'm sure I want to remain at Dremlock and serve the Divine Essence. I just felt separated from my training lately, with all the traveling and such."

"Nevertheless," said Taris, "I want you to understand what being a Divine Knight means. It is not something that should be chosen lightly. You were sent to Dremlock to serve, and you have done well for yourself-but how much loyalty do you have for our god and king? Would you die to protect the Divine Essence? For that is the true measure of your loyalty. When you can answer that question, you will know whether or not you should attempt to become my apprentice."

Aldreya contemplated his words. Was she prepared to die for Dremlock and its god, so far away from her precious tree city of Borenthia? She hadn't become a Squire to die, but to grow as a sorcerer and gain fame. On the other hand, when she contemplated the threats to Dremlock, she had a powerful urge to defend the kingdom and the Divine Essence. Was she more loyal to Dremlock, or Borenthia? Or was she, above all else, loyal to herself?

"Have some more tea," said Taris, with a smile. "And don't fret over your beliefs. You will know where you stand soon enough."

Now that the Hand of Tharnin had been dealt with and the hostages were free, Dremlock turned its focus toward the mission to retrieve the Black Flamestone. Taris called a secret meeting in the Dining Hall, with only the members of the Divine Shield present (and a trusted Orange Squire who was there to update the official records).

"I received a message from our Lord Knight today," Taris announced. "It appears that Bellis has sent a large battalion in our direction, from Brothlor Kingdom. At least, the spies believe they are on route to Dorok's Hand."

"They bring stout siege engines," said Furlus, frowning. "If they can manage to get them up here, the gates of Dorok's Hand will not hold."

Lannon's heart sank at hearing that news. At last, Bellis was riding against the Divine Knights and there was sure to be a vicious war. He'd been hoping somehow it could be avoided even though logic told him war was inevitable.

"Bellis rides against us?" said Daledus. "But why? This is just a rugged mountain keep occupied by a small battalion of Knights. This move doesn't make sense."

"On the contrary," said Taris, "I believe it does. We have the Eye of Divinity, the White Flamestone, and now, the Hand of Tharnin. That surely makes us the prime target of King Verlamer. Once Bellis has dealt with us, it will turn its attention to Dremlock Kingdom."

"Then we must abandon Dorok's Hand," said Trenton. "We cannot possibly withstand the might of Bellis."

"Their battalion," said Taris, "consists of at least a thousand Knights on horseback and three large siege engines. They will attempt to smash down the gates and then engage us in close-range combat in the tunnels, where they will hope to crush us with sheer force of numbers."

"A thousand Knights?" said Trenton. "We are vastly outnumbered. And our own siege engines are still resting on the shores of the Grey Lake. We have only arrow and lance. And Bellis' siege engines are very sturdy."

"Sturdy, and quite maneuverable," said Furlus. "I suspect they will indeed be able to get them up the narrow mountain paths. I agree that we must abandon this fortress, for it will not work to our advantage to remain."

"What of the White Flamestone?" Prince Vannas asked. "Surely Bellis' siege engines aren't strong enough to resist that power."

"Correct," said Taris. "As far as we know, nothing can withstand the White Fire. Not even Glaetherin, it appears. Therefore, we can destroy the siege engines before they ever reach Dorok's Hand."