Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

Aldrek shook his head and sighed. "If Dremlock lost, then Taris and Furlus are either dead or imprisoned. I shudder to think of it."

Lannon shared Aldrek's fears.

"It would be a devastating blow," said Shennen, "but Dremlock Kingdom is still intact regardless, and our Lord Knight is still in command. Anyway, we don't know the outcome of the battle and there is no point in fretting over it. We must stay focused on our mission. The Black Flamestone is too powerful and too evil to remain in the hands of mortals. It must be returned to the Divine Essence, or I fear that great suffering could be unleashed upon this land."

"I agree," said Aldrek.

"We've rested enough," said Shennen. "Get the torches ready, for we will ride on through the night."

Lannon groaned, wondering how he would stay awake in the saddle. The Eye of Divinity and his Knightly training weren't helping him resist the black curtain of sleep that wanted to settle over his mind. In fact, the more he tried to force himself to stay awake, the more drained he felt.

The night turned out very dark, with a blanket of clouds blocking out moon and stars. Only their torchlight-and the Eye of Divinity-was there to guide them along the winding trail through the forest. Even the stout horses were beginning to show signs of wearing down, and the riders were forced to slow the pace a bit. Lannon could sense Timlin's presence very strongly and knew they were soon to catch up to him. Timlin was on foot, but somehow he was moving along swiftly and tirelessly toward some destination that only he knew of.

As they rounded a corner, they encountered Omharal and Ethella and six Legion Soldiers. Also present was a pair of Jackal Goblins, two Golden Knights of Bellis, and the two Goblin Lords that always accompanied Ethella. Due to the presence of the Jackals, there was no point in Aldrek trying to conceal them.

Omharal appeared to be deeply injured, with a thick layer of bandages around his midsection. His face was pale and his breathing was labored. He held his colorful, bladed staff loosely in one hand, as if he might lose his grip on it. His green robe was charred and hung in tatters.

"Blue Knights of Dremlock," said Omharal, in a shaky voice. "Masters of invisibility. We were expecting you, which is why we brought these vile Jackals along."

Shennen nodded. "The Poison Claw of Bellis-though you don't look so menacing now. It appears Timlin got to you already."

"Yes," said Omharal, with a grimace. The lean, sour-faced Birlote shifted in the saddle and winced in pain. "I'm finished on this journey. Not much left to keep me going. But I assure you, Ethella will take the Black Flamestone to Bellis."

Ethella bowed. "The traitor Timlin will die, my lord, and Bellis will have what it seeks." Her silver hair had come undone and hung in tangles, and her white face paint was streaked with dirt. Her black robe, adorned with red Legion symbols, was also shredded and charred, and she had an ugly wound in her forehead that looked like a mix between a gash and a burn. She held her crystal staff, and blue fire shimmered along the length of it, sparkling upon the leering, demonic engravings. Her eyes were filled with hatred as she gazed at Dremlock's warriors.

"You fools should turn back," said Omharal. "We have no quarrel with you at this time. If you proceed on, you will be destroyed. You have no idea how to defeat Timlin and his Flamestone. He has become a demon-like nothing this world has ever seen. No weapon can harm him. You Blue Knights don't stand a chance."

Lannon's mask concealed his identity, and he liked the feeling of being hidden from the prying eyes of the Deep Shadow. It gave him a sense of power-the confidence that he could strike from the shadows. This was another unusual feeling for him, yet once again he found himself enjoying it.

Shennen shrugged. "We'll do our best."

Omharal smirked, then ordered the Soldiers and Jackals to continue after Timlin. The Soldiers hesitated, then rode off down the trail with the Jackals bounding along after them. Ethella motioned to her Goblin Lords, who were on horseback, and they too rode off in pursuit of Timlin-leaving only Omharal, Ethella, and the two Golden Knights.

Ethella raised her shimmering staff. "Turn back, fools!"

Shennen turned to Aldrek. "Take the others and get the Black Flamestone. Execute the plan we discussed. I will deal with these foes."

Lannon started to ride away with Aldrek (though he hated the notion of leaving Shennen to fend for himself), but Shennen ordered him to halt. "Not you. I will need your help." Shennen was careful not to speak Lannon's name.

The two warriors dismounted and stood together, their blades drawn.

Ethella laughed. "Two Blue Knights against me? This should be a pathetic duel. I take it you don't know who you're dealing with."

"Ethella the Heartless," said Shennen. "Isn't that what many call you? Who did you have to murder to claim power?"

"Hoytus Shadowblood," she replied, looking amused. "Omharal killed his fool of a brother at a Council meeting, and Hoytus wanted revenge. So I slew him in his bedchamber when he was alone, so he wouldn't be able to oppose voting me as the Legion Commander or try to order Omharal's execution. With both Dwarven brothers dead, and Timlin now a mindless monster running aimlessly through the forest, that leaves me in charge."

"You did well, my dear," said Omharal, smiling at Ethella. "You have earned high praise from Bellis. The Blood Legion has redeemed itself."

"Is your hunger for power now satisfied?" asked Shennen.

For a moment Ethella's grin vanished and her face looked haunted. "It will never be satisfied." Then she shrugged. "But this is what I've always wanted. Who am I talking to, anyway? Is that you under that mask, Shennen Silverarrow? I would guess the Lord of the Blue Knights would be on this mission."

Shennen didn't reply.

"It doesn't matter," said Ethella. "When you're dead, I'll remove your mask and see for myself." She started toward them.

Lannon summoned the Eye and channeled it into his sword.

"Wait!" said Omharal, raising a trembling hand. "Something isn't right here. I sense…something about that one." He pointed at Lannon. "That one harbors great power and is not what he appears to be. I believe he is a sorcerer-perhaps Taris Warhawk himself in disguise. Let my Guardians deal with them. You're too important to put at risk, and I need you to save your energy to protect me."

Ethella looked disappointed, but she bowed and stepped close to the High Wizard. "I will defend you with my life."

Omharal nodded. "I know you will, but it won't come to that. The Guardians of Bellis are not easily defeated."

The two Golden Knights drew their swords.

"We'll fight them one on one," Shennen whispered in Lannon's ear. "Their armor cannot be breached by blade or sorcery, so it must be removed-preferably the helms. Look for three latches."

"Weird," Lannon mumbled. "The armor, that is."

"Yes," Shennen agreed. "A creation of the Thallite giants."

Shennen moved away from Lannon, and the two swordsmen waited. The Golden Knights casually strode toward them, seemingly in no hurry. Lannon was mesmerized by their armor. It was crafted in stunning detail, with various rune patterns that seemed to draw in the Eye and weaken it. Lannon had never seen armor molded and etched in such intricate detail. It fitted their bodies like impenetrable golden shells, yet moved fluidly with them.

Shennen suddenly dashed off into the woods, and his torch went dark. The Guardians glanced at each other, and then one of them ran after Shennen into the shadows, leaving Lannon alone to face the remaining Knight. Lannon knew that Shennen stood a better chance of winning by using the concealment of the forest, for Shennen was a master at fighting in the shadows and crowded areas where a short blade had an advantage. Lannon, however, lacked such highly developed skills and the woods offered him no edge over his foe.