Robert Keller - The Hand of Tharnin

Taris sat in silence for several moments, his scarred face furrowed in thought beneath his hood. At last he shrugged. "I don't know for certain. But I agree with Jace that the Eye of Divinity can adapt-though we must bear in mind that it is a power that is not easily understood and unique to each person who possesses it. I can accompany the Knights to Serenlock. I will guard Lannon with my life. Yes, I think we should attempt this, rather than let the demon man attack us from the shadows. No matter which path we choose, there is great risk."

"I can send five Archers," said Krissana Windsword, "led by Fadar Stonebow, to follow on horseback and take position in the hills around Serenlock in case of an ambush."

"The Five Archers of Dremlock!" Aldreya said excitedly, to Lannon. "They were trained in my homeland of Borenthia before they came to this kingdom. Fadar Stonebow is the greatest Archer who has ever lived."

"Then who will guard the wall?" said Cordus, frowning. "Those Archers are essential to protecting our kingdom from outside invasion."

"We have other skilled Archers for that task," said Krissana. "Yes, the wall will be weakened in the absence of Dremlock's elite, but it will remain guarded. And protecting Lannon is vital to our kingdom."

"I don't like it," said Cordus, "but I'll trust your judgment on it, Krissana. And we do need to be alert to an ambush. We will send out the Elder Hawks to scour the land and make sure no large battalion of Goblins or Legion Soldiers is lurking along that route. If the way is clear, we will go ahead with the plan."

"I don't think I can do this," Lannon insisted. "This is a mistake! That demon man is far too powerful." He could feel his heart hammering in his chest. He couldn't believe the Knights were agreeing to Jace's mad plan.

Cordus' face hardened. "You will do as you are ordered, Lannon. And I am ordering you to do what you must to defend this kingdom. But you will not be without protection. I hereby call for a Divine Shield."

The other High Council members spoke their support.

"The Divine Shield," Cordus went on, "shall consist of Taris, Jace, and Lannon's friends and fellow Squires who share his peril." Cordus then ordered the huge Red Knight, Thrake Wolfaxe to join, along with the two Blue Knight guards, Willan Shadowwalker and Zannin Firespear. He also made Furlus an honorary member. Those present had to swear an oath to protect Lannon at all costs.

"The Divine Shield is strong," said Taris. "May our foes break against it."

Aldreya smiled at Lannon. "We'll defend you to our last breaths."

"That's right," said Vorden. "If you die, we die first."

"No enemy will get close to you, Lannon," said Timlin. He beamed. "This Divine Shield is a great idea."

"We're all in this together now," said Jerret. But he rubbed his shoulder, his face looking uncertain. The blond-haired Squire was usually cheerful and optimistic, but his eyes looked haunted. He seemed as terrified as Lannon.

Jace smiled at Lannon. "There are few men in this world who are defended by such quality warriors-and friends-as those who defend you."

Lannon did not return the smile. He was being ordered to fight a battle that seemed impossible to win. He'd felt the power of the demon man's gauntlet-power beyond any Knightly skills or even his Eye of Divinity. How could Lannon feel anything but misery when he was certain that nothing but death awaited him in the ruins of Serenlock Castle?

Two days later, the company of Knights and Squires departed on horseback for Serenlock Castle. The Squires were provided with their own horses. It was a cloudy, foggy spring morning with a light rain falling, and the road down the mountain was muddy and slippery in places. Boulders and massive pines loomed in the mist around them, providing excellent cover for an ambush. Lannon was grateful the others had sworn to protect him, but he doubted they could stop a poison arrow if one flew from the mist in his direction.

Whatever fears Lannon harbored over using the Eye of Divinity were overruled by his fear of assassination As he searched the fog for dangers, the Eye revealed many strange things about the mountain that he ignored-bits and pieces of knowledge that tried to take shape. It was a fairly weak use of the Eye, and he was able to sustain it for long periods of time without tiring.

The five elite archers-three woman and two men-rode a short distance behind Lannon's group, their green and gold clothing adorned with intricate Birlote designs. Their longbows were made of pale Borenthia oak, from the great tree city. Their leader-Fadar Stonebow-carried a green banner displaying an image of a white leaf, the symbol of the Birlote Royal Family. The sight of these magnificent archers boosted Lannon's confidence that he would be safe on the journey.

Vorden, who rode alongside Lannon, smiled at his friend. "It feels good to be out riding, doesn't it? This is why we came to Dremlock-for adventure. Sure beats training and studying with the other Squires."

"If I wasn't going to this duel," Lannon mumbled, "I probably would enjoy it. But all I can think about is that demon man. I guess I don't have the confidence everyone else seems to feel. I still can't believe we're going through with this."

"I'm with you on that, Lannon," said Jerret, who rode a few paces behind, alongside Aldreya. "When I was attacked in Knightwood, I never saw the arrow coming. I never heard a thing. It was like all my Knightly training was useless. I guess my confidence has taken a serious blow as well."

"But you're alive, Jerret," said Vorden. "That speaks well of your training. I'm assuming you did something to save yourself."

"I just got lucky," said Jerret. "The arrow deflected off a metal button of my tunic, of all things. It grazed my shoulder. It was strange. I was poisoned, but it was such a small amount the White Knights managed to cure me. I'm still kind of dazed over it. It's like…I can't seem to forget about it." He sighed and ran his fingers through his tangles of blond hair. "I just keep seeing it in my mind-how close I was to death. I know it's cowardly, but I can't forget it."

"It's not cowardly," said Lannon, who knew exactly how Jerret felt. "You were close to death. That's not an easy thing to deal with."

"Knights face death all the time," said Vorden, shrugging. "It's just something we have to get used to."

"We're not Knights," said Jerret. "We're Squires-and not even grown men. We're not ready to face death, but we've been forced into it by circumstance."

"I'm ready," said Vorden. " More than ready."

"I feel the same," said Aldreya. "It's an honor to die in the service of my kingdom, if it comes to that."

Aldreya's unyielding courage was beyond Lannon's comprehension. He decided that Birlotes in general were beyond his comprehension. The Tree Dwellers were very proud of their ways and seemed to know their place in the world. Lannon, on the other hand, felt detached and uncertain. Vorden didn't have Aldreya's upbringing, but he was never at a loss for confidence and Lannon envied him as well. Vorden and Aldreya seemed born to be Knights.

"Stay alert, Squires," Taris called back. "And I want Willan and Zannin to flank you whenever possible, Lannon, with drawn blades."

Lannon's friends moved away, and the two Blue Knights took position on either side of him, their weapons drawn. They were sullen, quiet men, lean of build and adorned with leather armor. Both held swords, and their dark eyes shifted about constantly as they scanned the mist.

"Those Blue Knights are two of Dremlock's best, Lannon," said Taris. "I want them close to you because I believe we're going to face an ambush."

"Why do you think that?" Lannon asked, his heart beating faster. He'd been letting the Eye of Divinity wane a bit, but he sent it out with renewed vigor. He knew from experience that Taris was seldom wrong about such things.