Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

Aldreya bowed. "I will guard him closely."

"Also," said Taris, "I'm putting you in charge of the Squires."

Aldreya wasn't sure what to make of that. She didn't think Lannon would mind, but Prince Vannas was a different story. She wondered what her duties would be as the leader. "Am I required to give orders?" she asked.

Taris glanced her way and smiled. "Are you afraid to give orders?"

"No," she said, "I'm just not sure how they will react."

"It doesn't matter," said Taris. "I'm placing you in charge, and that's the final word on it. The topic is not open to debate. I believe it will be good for Lannon, Vannas, and Jerret to have another Squire to answer to. Galvia seems humble enough, but she might benefit as well."

Aldreya nodded, but she couldn't imagine giving Lannon and Vannas orders-and Jerret would simply laugh in her face.

"Now that you are in charge," said Taris, "I will give you instructions from time to time and you will pass them along to the other Squires. This is the chain of command."

Aldreya wondered if Taris was serious-if he really expected her to be the leader. Sometimes Knights played games with Squires for their own amusement, and sorcerers were notorious for having hidden agendas. This could simply be another test related to becoming his apprentice. However, it was her duty to take him at his word and carry out his commands.

"If I may change the subject," she said, "why did we leave in the dead of night?" It made no sense that they should travel when everyone was tired and hadn't had breakfast-especially with Bellis' army still distant.

"It's a matter of timing," said Taris. "Our Elder Hawks are constantly bringing us information that influence our decisions. We want to catch Bellis at the right time and in the right place. Our key to victory is to pull off a clever ambush. However, I can say no more about that at this time. Now go and inform the other Squires that you are their leader. Make them respect you."

Aldreya sighed, then slowed her horse-allowing the others to catch up to her. She rode next to Vannas in silence for a time, then cleared her throat and awkwardly informed the Squires of Taris' decision. Meanwhile, Vannas gazed at her with an expression of amusement and contempt.

"I'm pleased that Taris has taken an interest in you," said the prince. "I truly am, my cousin. But this business of putting you in charge is completely unnecessary and does not fit with the Sacred Laws governing Divine Shields. Do you know the ways of the White Flamestone better than I? Do you know the Eye of Divinity better than Lannon? No, so how can you give worthy commands? It appears that Taris is either trying to make you feel privileged as his apprentice or just testing you. Regardless, don't take it too seriously."

"I wasn't planning on it," said Aldreya. "I'm just doing as ordered."

"I have no issue with it," said Lothrin, "as long as we don't lose our spirit of cooperation, for that is more important than anything else."

"We won't," Aldreya promised.

"It's fine by me," said Galvia, with a shrug.

Jerret chuckled. "I don't have any issue with it-but don't think you're going to boss me around or anything, Aldreya." He grinned. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? To give me orders. Well go ahead then, princess. What's my first command?"

Aldreya glared at him but didn't reply, refusing to take the bait.

"It's not her choice, Jerret," said Galvia. "We have to respect Taris' decision."

"Of course," said Jerret. "And I'm ready to serve." He winked at Aldreya and then bowed. "I await your orders, oh wise leader."

Aldreya's temper boiled over. "My first order is to be quiet!" She wished Taris had not bestowed this task upon her.

Jerret bowed several times, nearly falling off his horse. "It shall be done, my queen. You will not hear a peep out of me!"

Daledus roared laughter. "You Squires amuse me." The Dwarf reached over and patted Jerret on the back. "I like you, lad!"

"You're all my friends," said Aldreya. "Even you, Jerret, though you never fail to annoy me. It's not my intent to be bossy or stern with you. As Lothrin said, the spirit of cooperation is what we need most."

"Nevertheless," said Lothrin, "if Taris expects you to be a leader then you need to act like one. You may be required to give an order to someone who disagrees with it and then insist it be obeyed." He lowered his voice. "Taris will be watching you, Aldreya, and evaluating your performance."

Aldreya nodded, realizing the truth. This was likely a test to see if she possessed leadership skills. She needed to prove to Taris that she was worthy of his knowledge, and it would be no easy feat.

She fixed her gaze on Prince Vannas. "I am required to stay by your side and watch over you. That's a direct order from Taris."

Vannas glared at her. "Ah, so I must be looked after like a child now, even though I'm seventeen years old and by many standards an adult. Well, if that's the way it must be…" He lowered his voice. "Just don't get in my way, when the time comes to make the important decisions. Keep in mind that I am the Bearer of the White Flamestone. The Divine Essence chose me."

In Borenthia, Aldreya would have been forced to bow before Vannas because he was a prince. All her instincts told her she could not possibly defy him. But this was Dremlock and Taris had given her an order. Her future depended on obeying. Shoring up her will, she gazed defiantly at Vannas. "I understand your view on it, but I can promise nothing. I must do as I was ordered."

The prince nodded. "We'll see, when the time comes."

"Yes, we will," Aldreya said firmly.

"After this coming battle," said Galvia, "perhaps none of it will matter. I hate to sound gloomy, but I wonder if any of us will survive. I had a nightmare recently of a hilltop covered in the dead-all that remained of our army."

Aldreya wondered that as well, but she believed that part of her new leadership role was to inspire confidence. "Taris thinks we can win, and who are we to disagree with him? If he believes it, then so do I. We are vastly outnumbered, but if we employ the right strategies and make good use of our abilities, we have a chance."

"I wish things were simpler," said Lothrin. "I wish we were just going to war with the Goblins-the way it's supposed to be at Dremlock. I joined the kingdom to battle foul beasts from the Bloodlands, having no idea I would be involved in this epic war." He chuckled. "I think my timing is rather poor."

"This war is going to be ugly," said Jerret, "whatever the outcome. None of us can even imagine the carnage to come." Yet Jerret did not seem disturbed by his own words. In fact, there was a hint of eagerness in his voice.

"It will indeed be ugly," said Lothrin. "Prince Vannas, you may have to unleash that Flamestone onto hundreds of human warriors if we are to have any chance at victory. Are you prepared to take that many lives?"

Vannas nodded. "I've thought much about it, and I've dreaded the notion. But if Bellis isn't stopped, then its evil will spread everywhere and will eventually reach Borenthia. If ever killing was justified, this is the time. In a way, I envy Lannon, who won't be present for this battle."

"Yet we have no idea," said Aldreya, "what Lannon will face in Old Hammer Hall. He may have to do just as much killing as the rest of us."

Jerret laughed. "Knowing Lannon, he'll spare more lives than he'll take-unless he's facing Goblins. He has no problem with killing Goblins. But when humans are involved, Lannon forgets how to fight."

"Unless Lannon has no choice," said Aldreya. "Sometimes it is impossible to avoid taking human lives."

Jerret waved dismissively. "Regardless, Lannon probably has it easy right now. All he has to do is sneak around and look for that stone."