Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

Meanwhile, the Squires discussed the recent incident with Shennen, and even Vannas and Aldreya had to admit Shennen was behaving strangely and the "lesson" Shennen had administered to Lannon seemed outrageous. Lannon reminded them that he could have split his head open on the cavern wall and that Shennen hadn't seemed to care in the least. It was almost as if Shennen had been trying to injure or kill Lannon, and Shennen's promise that more lessons would be administered put all of the Squires on edge. The assassinations added greatly to their fears, causing them to wonder if Shennen himself was the assassin-as they were well aware that a servant of Tharnin was capable of anything. Suddenly, every shadowy corner of Dorok's Hand held sinister potential.

However, the Squires were ordered to increase their training time, which helped distract them from the grim events in the fortress. Lannon began trying to channel the Eye of Divinity through his sword. At first it seemed he was only moving the sword around with the external force of the Eye, and he almost gave up in frustration. But then he felt something happening within the bony blade itself. The Dragon sword seemed to take on a life of its own, slashing and stabbing in whatever direction he wanted at the hint of a thought. It also felt charged with energy-the crushing force of the Eye. However, it was very difficult to sustain that energy, and Lannon quickly grew exhausted and his control of the weapon grew sloppy. But day after day he practiced it, and little by little his stamina increased.

At one point they were joined by two more Blue Squires who'd arrived from Dremlock along with a shipment of supplies. One was an elite Birlote hunter and archer named Lothrin Windbow, yet another member of the royal family. Lothrin was a lean, muscular lad with unkempt silver hair and a strange leaf-shaped birthmark on his cheek. He had a calm and logical demeanor that made him very likeable. Lothrin seemed more Ranger than Blue Squire, carrying only dagger and bow for weapons and having a mind focused mostly on plants and animals and the ways of wilderness survival. The other Squire was a Grey Dwarf named Galvia Blazehammer. Like all Dwarves, she had a broad face and drooping eyebrows, and her heavily muscled limbs contained strength even Jerret couldn't match. She possessed a rare Olrog skill which was simply called Fire. It was a powerful form of sorcery that only one out of a thousand Dwarven warriors was known to possess.

Prince Vannas bore a sour expression at the sight of these new arrivals. "I can't understand why you were sent here," he said, after the new Squires had introduced themselves. "Why not send more fully trained Knights instead?"

The six Squires were alone in the bedchamber.

Galvia looked uncomfortable. "I don't know why I was sent. I was simply told I would resume my training here and be part of the Divine Shield, and that I must protect you and Lannon."

Vannas smirked. "So you're here to protect us, huh, Galvia?" He glanced at Lannon. "Do you feel safer now that she has arrived?"

Lannon didn't reply, wishing Vannas would just keep his opinions to himself (though he knew his wish was folly).

Galvia's gaze was fixed on the floor, but her grey eyes smoldered with Dwarven stubbornness. "I'm only doing as ordered."

Vannas glanced at Lothrin. "Well? What about you?"

Lothrin shrugged. "I was probably sent in case you meet a bad end, my good prince." He smiled. "Someone would have to pick up that shiny stone of yours and put it to good use."

Vannas' smirk vanished and he glared at Lothrin. "In case I meet a bad end? What does that mean? The Divine Essence didn't choose you, cousin. It chose me. The White Flamestone would be weak in your hands."

"Weak, perhaps," said Lothrin, smiling, "but better than nothing. It isn't wise to restrict such a powerful weapon to one pair of hands, even if those hands were chosen by our god and king."

"Are you saying the Knights chose you as a possible replacement?" Vannas demanded. "I don't believe it!"

"No, not a replacement," said Lothrin. "But they've been busy testing other Knights and Squires, trying to find someone who could wield the White Flamestone in case you met an unfortunate end. I alone passed the test. Barely. The truth is that no one can unlock its power like you can, my prince. The Divine Essence chose you for a reason. The Flamestone would be vastly weaker in my hands. But since I passed the test, they sent me along."

"It wasn't necessary for either of you to come here," said Vannas. "And if I have my say, you'll be sent back to Dremlock."

"We're pleased to have you both here," said Lannon, stepping in front of Vannas and shaking their hands. Aldreya and Jerret did the same.

An awkward silence followed.

Vannas sighed. "I'm not being mean spirited here." He forced a smile. "Actually, I just don't want to see more Squires put in extreme danger. But since you were ordered to come here and had no choice but to obey, I suppose I too must welcome you…at least for now." The prince extended his hand.

The two Squires shook it without hesitation.

After that, Vannas seemed in a better mood and the Squires got along fine. All the Squires of the Divine Shield were required to bunk in the same large room, girls and boys alike, so they could be easily kept under guard. Half of the chamber had been converted into a training area, with weights, practice dummies, and other accessories. A highly trusted Blue Knight named Fajan Stoneheart was sent to oversee their training. Fajan was very strict and didn't seem awed by the Squires' talents. He insisted they return to the basics of Blue Squire training-even forcing the loud and clumsy Jerret to participate. Aldreya, however, continued her sorcery training with a Grey Knight named Zana Wolfheart. Lannon, Vannas, and Galvia were also allowed time for their special training, which all three of them did on their own.

At one point, when Lannon stood alone in a corner, seeking to channel the Eye of Divinity through his sword, he noticed Taris Warhawk watching him with a concerned look. "Is something wrong?" Lannon asked.

"Your training looks strange to me," said Taris.

Lannon explained what he was doing.

"Who told you to train like that?" asked Taris.

"Shennen," said Lannon. The realization startled him. Had Shennen been trying to lead him astray in some fashion?

Taris nodded. "Shennen is behaving in a reckless manner lately. He should not have given you that advice."

"Why?" said Lannon, chills creeping over his flesh.

Taris hesitated, then stepped closer, peering at Lannon with a strange expression from beneath his hood. "Channeling the Eye of Divinity through a sword was the preferred practice of the Dark Watchmen. As you may recall, the Dark Watchmen came to an unfortunate end. They lost their way."

"Should I cease the training?" asked Lannon, feeling deeply disappointed for some reason he couldn't explain.

"It's too late for that," said Taris. "You have already started along that path of sorcery, and you will be compelled to follow it. You must avoid the feelings of battle lust and arrogance, which could be your undoing."

"I will do my best, Master Taris." Lannon didn't think he would have much trouble avoiding those feelings. Battle lust sounded more like something Jerret would be prone to, and in spite of Shennen's recent outburst over Lannon's supposed arrogance, Lannon still considered himself quite humble.

"Tomorrow we will ride out for Blombalk Fortress," said Taris. "Or rather, what remains of it. I believe the fortress was not attacked by an army-but by some great power source, perhaps equal in strength to the White Flamestone. If so, Timlin and his Legion will be seeking that power to use against us."

"But what could be as powerful as the White Flamestone?" asked Lannon. "I thought it was the greatest of all weapons."