Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

"Now you must learn the secret of invisibility," said Shennen. "It is the ability to become unseen that gives a Blue Knight his true power. Look around this chamber very carefully and tell me what you see. Do not use the Eye."

Lannon looked around. He saw a circular room with stone walls, about forty feet in diameter, lit by two lanterns that sat on crates. The room contained three practice dummies, some weapon racks, and a bench. Lannon scanned the room slowly, looking for any hidden details, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Suddenly, a Blue Knight was standing before Lannon with a Flayer pointed at his throat. Lannon took a step back in shock.

The Blue Knight sheathed the blade.

"He was standing in this room the whole time, Lannon," said Shennen. "In plain sight. Yet you failed to catch even a glimpse of him."

"How is that possible?" asked Lannon, still gazing in shock at the Blue Knight who'd materialized before him.

"The sorcery of the mind," said Shennen. "The easiest path to invisibility is simply to make someone believe you're not there. This Blue Knight projected his will into your mind and made your gaze move right past him. A true master of invisibility can walk into a crowded room and no one will notice him. However, once someone becomes aware of you, the sorcery will cease to work. You can unlock this ability with extensive practice."

"But my Knightly Essence is weak," Lannon reminded him. "I can't even create fire in a blade."

"Perhaps the Eye can help you," said Shennen. "The Eye can act as a much stronger version of Knightly Essence at times."

"How long would it take me to master the technique?" asked Lannon. He doubted he could learn it before their mission to Old Hammer Hall.

"I don't know," said Shennen. "I myself have not mastered it. However, there is one who has-a Birlote sorcerer on loan from Borenthia. His name is Aldrek Windspear, and he is a true master of invisibility. In fact, he is in this room right now-though you could never glimpse him without the Eye. He is a guardian of the East Tower, and you may have sensed him watching you many times."

Lannon nodded. He'd occasionally sensed an unseen presence in the East Tower, but had never really investigated it.

"Aldrek will attempt to make you invisible," said Shennen. "However, his power works best if you can assist him. In a moment, an Orange Squire will enter this room. She is a highly trained observer who is supposed to take note of anything unusual and report it. You must begin projecting your will into her mind before she even sets foot in here. So get to it!"

Lannon moved close to the chamber wall and summoned the Eye. He projected it out in a field, sweeping the chamber, and he focused on being unseen. He'd never used the Eye in this fashion-trying to force his will into someone's mind-and it felt awkward and uncomfortable.

Shennen and the other Blue Knights stepped out of the room. Then the Orange Squire entered. She was a plump Norack girl with black hair and very pale skin, and she wore her Orange sash over a blue dress. She had an aura of importance for an Orange Squire.

She scanned the room slowly-and paused when her eyes moved toward Lannon. His heart racing, he focused the Eye directly on her, insisting she not be able to see him. She hesitated, and then her gaze moved past him. Having examined the room in detail, she left.

Then Shennen returned alone. "Well done, Lannon."

Lannon let the Eye falter. "So it worked?"

"She didn't see you," Shennen replied. "However, she did note that something in the room unnerved her. She could feel the presence of the Eye somehow. That is unfortunate, but there is nothing to be done about it. If the Eye gives you away, it is not true invisibility. However, unless you're an elite Birlote sorcerer, learning the art of invisibility usually takes tremendous talent, dedication, and practice. Only a few Blue Knights have ever mastered it. But the Eye has given you a great advantage, in spite of that obvious drawback."

"Then I became invisible," said Lannon, amazed.

"You did your best," said Shennen, "and I'm satisfied with the result. Again, it was limited invisibility, so bear that in mind. And, of course, you had Aldrek Windspear to help you."

Suddenly, a tall Birlote appeared out of thin air in the corner. His silver hair was concealed beneath a wide-brimmed black hat, and he wore a long black cloak. He smiled at Lannon, went to him, and shook his hand.

"I only helped you slightly, Lannon," said Aldrek. "The power of the Eye did most of the work. You should be proud of yourself."

"Thank you," said Lannon, excited.

"It's a start," said Shennen, "but because the Eye almost gave you away, I suggest you simply allow Aldrek to conceal you on our mission. You should only attempt invisibility yourself if you have no choice."

"I agree," said Aldrek. "Yet Lannon's gift is extraordinary. I have never seen anyone learn this sorcery so quickly and with no training."

"Our survival may depend entirely on stealth," said Shennen. "We're going to try to enter a heavily fortified keep, where the core of the Blood Legion resides. We can only guess at what horrors will await us there. If we're discovered and captured, we will face torment and death. Our goal, of course, is to retrieve the Black Flamestone-but if Timlin Woodmaster gets in our way, then he will face the blade and Dremlock will be free of the threat of that traitor."

Timlin sat at the head of a table in the Dining Chamber. He presented a calm, stately demeanor, but inside he cursed himself yet again for returning to Old Hammer Hall. He sipped some ale and noticed that his hand was trembling. The Dining Chamber was a mountain cavern lined with thick oaken tables and chairs-a rugged, torch-lit room fit for barbarians. Timlin disliked everything about Old Hammer Hall and its Dwarven design, and he longed to be far away from there with the Black Flamestone safe in his possession.

Seated to his right was Ethella, holding her crystal staff adorned with demonic faces, and to his left was Ulmason Deathhand, in full black armor. Also present were Hoytus Shadowblood and Rulain Knightslayer, the Dwarven brothers with sullen faces. This was all that remained of the Blood Legion's High Council. The rest had perished at Blombalk Fortress.

Also seated at the table was Omharal, the High Wizard, and two of his elite Knights, known as Guardians, who were concealed by golden armor and looked almost like metal statues with swords and shields. Omharal was a lean, sour-faced Birlote with cold eyes and braided silver hair. He wore a green robe with gold trim-adorned with the white Crest of Bellis-and he held a colorful staff with three, feather-shaped blades at the top. He was a renegade sorcerer from Borenthia, wanted for murder in his homeland for the assassination of a Birlote Lord. Some referred to him as the Poison Claw of Bellis, due to his preferred method of dealing with his enemies, and he was feared and hated throughout Gallamerth.

The meeting had been delayed for a few days while they waited for word on Vorden's situation. When no news came, they assumed Vorden was either dead or captured and the Hand of Tharnin lost to Dremlock.

"Anything new to report, Timlin?" asked Omharal.

"Nothing," said Timlin. "Dorok's Hand is silent."

"It is good that the gauntlet is lost," said Omharal, with a shrug. "It was too dangerous to be useful. Also, it was an evil item and an offense to our king." His Golden Knights nodded in agreement.

Timlin also agreed. The Hand of Tharnin was evil and disgusting-unlike the wondrous Black Flamestone that possessed only beauty and purity. Vorden had likely perished with his demonic gauntlet, and Timlin felt that his old friend had gotten what he'd deserved. All Vorden had cared about was power and glory. But Timlin cared about beauty and truth and peace-all the things the Black Flamestone offered him so easily.