Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

As they reached for the barrels, Lannon seized the Jackals with the Eye-even as Shennen and another Blue Knight leapt out and cut them down. Two quick Flayer strokes and the Jackals were dead on the floor.

"I forgot to mention," Shennen whispered to Lannon, "that Jackals can smell us. But there is nothing we can do about it."

They hid the dead Jackals behind the barrels and crept back into the tunnel. Lannon continued to scan for Timlin or the Black Flamestone, as they crept deeper into the maze of rooms and passageways. They carefully slipped past several more guards-all humans-before encountering an Ogre and another Jackal. Lannon sensed the Goblins well in advance, but they were approaching swiftly.

They ducked into two storage rooms, on either side of the hall-Lannon and Shennen in one, and Aldrek and the remaining Blue Knights in the other. The Ogre approached with heavy footsteps, while the Jackal sniffed the air.

Shennen's expression was bitter, for the Ogre could make for noisy combat and give them away. They waited behind some barrels. Lannon watched the Goblins with the Eye as they entered their storage room. Then he seized them with his power, throwing everything he had into containing and silencing the monsters. Meanwhile, he rose and hurled his throwing star at the Jackal. The Glaetherin blade pierced the Jackal's skull and killed it instantly. The Jackal slumped to the floor, knocking over a barrel as it fell.

Shennen rose and hurled a dagger into the Ogre's throat. The Ogre made gagging noises, as Lannon drew his sword and speared it through the chest. The giant glowered at him, then went insane and broke Lannon's hold. It grabbed his shoulders and lifted him into the air, trying to crush the life out of him. Lannon fought to keep from being squeezed into pudding, as Shennen drew his short sword and pierced the giant's side near the heart. Lannon thought his bones were about to break, but then the Ogre's hands went limp and the giant dropped to the floor in death.

Shennen sighed in relief and patted Lannon on the back. "Well done," he whispered. They made an effort to conceal the dead Goblins-though parts of them still showed.

They entered the storage room across the hall-to find the others had fallen victim to a trap. Apparently, they had ducked behind an iron door and the door had locked itself somehow, leaving them trapped behind it. Lannon probed the lock with the Eye, but found it too complex for him to manipulate.

"I could try forcing it," Lannon whispered. "But it might be noisy."

"Fools!" Shennen whispered. "I expected better of them. We can't risk making any loud noises. We shall have to leave them for now."

Lannon studied the door with the Eye. It was an ancient Dwarven creation, designed to create confusion in the keep in the event of an invasion. It had done its job well in separating them. He could sense the others standing in a tunnel beyond, waiting to be rescued. But he couldn't tell where the tunnel led.

"We must continue on," Shennen insisted. "Any attempt to force this door open could alert our foes and spoil the mission. We'll have to figure something out later. Right now we need to find that Flamestone!"

"What about Aldrek Windspear?" asked Lannon. "Don't we need his power to move unseen?"

"Not necessarily," said Shennen. "I only brought Aldrek to get us into the keep, and he did his job. I can make myself invisible to foes within close range, and I believe you can do the same-if you focus enough."

Lannon hesitated, his gaze on the iron door. How could they just leave them to their fate? It seemed terribly cruel, but what choice did they have?

Shennen grabbed Lannon's shoulder and whispered, "Use the Eye. Make yourself invisible!" With that, he practically dragged Lannon out into the tunnel-where they came face to face with Ulmason Deathhand.

Lannon hadn't had time to attempt invisibility, and Ulmason spotted them instantly. His lips split into a grin beneath his horned helm. He shouted a warning. Moments later, two Legion warriors came running along the tunnel from the opposite direction as Ulmason, their swords drawn-a pair of muscular, bearded barbarians with fire in their eyes.

"Welcome to my keep," Ulmason said. He raised his battle axe, his huge, armored bulk filling the tunnel. "I awoke from a dream…a dream that fools had come into my lair to die. Turns out it wasn't merely a dream."

"Kill the two warriors," Shennen said to Lannon, "and leave this one to me!" The Lord of the Blue Knights moved toward Ulmason. He lifted his mask briefly to show his foe who he was.

Ulmason looked delighted. "Shennen Silverarrow! I've wanted to kill you for years. This will be a true pleasure."

Lannon faced the barbarians-who were closing in swiftly and bellowing-with his sword held ready. He channeled the Eye into the blade and waited. Behind him, he could hear a clash of weapons between Shennen and Ulmason.

It was time to fight or die.

At Dorok's Hand, there was a change of plans, and everyone was awakened in the middle of the night and ordered to prepare for travel. No explanation was provided as to why they were leaving in the dead of night, before even being allowed breakfast. The ancient fortress was bustling with activity, as Knights and Orange Squires scurried around gathering supplies and filling the wagons. Had they been returning to Dremlock, the mood would have been festive, for no one-with the exception of a few Grey Dwarves-had any love for Dorok's Hand. Instead, the mood was grim and everywhere were somber, tired faces. A feeling of sadness and defeat hung in the air, for they were abandoning a keep that had cost many lives to secure.

Soon nothing was left but the cold stone hallways, as Dremlock's servants walked from the keep with their heads bowed. They sat on horseback in the chill air in the moonlight, gazing at a fortress that now stood dark and silent.

At Taris' command, Prince Vannas unleashed the White Flamestone upon the gates, and soon they were ablaze, flames and smoke rising high into the air. The white fire made quick work of the enormous logs, and soon pieces of burning timber came crashing down to the snow. Grim faces, cast in the pale light of the fire, watched until the last of the logs had burned away and only a yawning cavern was left to mark the entrance to Dorok's Hand. The statue of Dorok now looked cold and abandoned, a forgotten monument from another age.

Then, with heavy hearts, the servants of Dremlock rode off through the mountains to meet their destiny.

Aldreya rode up alongside Taris. She steadied her nerves and said, "I have decided I am fully loyal to Dremlock, and I would like to undertake the Trial of Shades." She didn't know if it was the appropriate time to bring up the topic, considering they were on such a vital mission, but she was tired of waiting and wanted to let him know what she'd decided. After Aldreya spoke the words, she realized there was no turning back. Honor demanded she proceed.

Taris sat with his head bowed, dark and silent beneath his hooded cloak as he guided his horse. For a moment, Aldreya wasn't sure he'd heard her, but then Taris gave a slight nod.

"Good," he said. "I was hoping you would arrive at that decision. If we survive the battle with Bellis, and we have some spare time on our hands, you may partake in the Trial of Shades. For now, however, I want you focused entirely on this mission. If we win, we will send a strong message to Bellis that Dremlock does not yield to tyranny."

"I will concentrate only on Bellis," Aldreya promised. It wouldn't be difficult, considering what was at stake.

"Yet I have a specific task for you," said Taris. "With Lannon no longer among us, Prince Vannas is the only one we must protect at all costs. I want you to stay by his side and give him guidance, to keep him from doing anything foolish. As you are now pledged to become my apprentice-having passed the test of loyalty-I trust that you will keep Vannas on the right path."