Robert Keller - The Hand of Tharnin

Drastically weakened, Lannon collapsed to the floor and lay struggling to catch his breath. Moments later, the sounds of shouts, howls, and clanking weapons came from below. The Divine Knights had chosen to invade.

Lacking the strength for battle, Lannon simply lay there and listened, praying the Knights would dispatch their foes swiftly. Regardless, his mind was haunted by a grim realization.

"I have killed my master," he whispered, groaning.

The battle was over quickly. The Knights dispatched the Goblins and freed the High Council with no further loss of life. Some of the Goblins fled below the keep into the mines, but a company of Knights was waiting to put an end to their escape. The Goblins had tried to execute the High Council members, but somehow Cordus Landsaver had broken free of his ropes and slain the would-be executioners. He'd suffered a deep claw wound to the cheek and a broken wrist, but otherwise was unharmed and in good spirits.

That the Goblins had underestimated Cordus was not a surprise, for the Lord Knight of Dremlock possessed many deeply hidden secrets that made him extremely dangerous and difficult to imprison. In his arrogance, Garrin had believed he knew all of Cordus' secrets and that his plan was flawless.

But now Garrin was dead, his broken body sprawled in a bed of flowers beneath the window from which he'd been flung. In the days that followed, Garrin was stripped of his Knighthood yet still given a burial in Dremlock Cemetery in an area reserved from those who had fallen to the charms of the Deep Shadow. The Knights who had died in the tunnels below the North Tower-as well as Zannin Firespear-were given a grand funeral followed by a huge feast. The damaged treasures of the North Tower were repaired, and security was tightened in the mines.

Lannon was deeply troubled over what he'd done, even though it had been an act of self defense. In spite of receiving a new ribbon for his sash and lectures from some of the Knights on how he should be proud, he felt terrible inside. Even Taris, with his deep wisdom, couldn't console Lannon. And Jace-who remained Lannon's closest companion-seemed to dismiss the incident as if it were not worth mentioning, whenever Lannon brought it up.

An equally troubling situation arose when Timlin Woodmaster once again earned the wrath of the Knights-this time for allegedly stealing an ancient, jeweled dagger from the North Tower. The dagger had been torn from a display case by a Goblin, and Timlin had been seen removing it from the Goblin's corpse and concealing it in his tunic. In spite of appearing deeply contrite and apologetic, Timlin had pushed Taris too far. The Tower Master ordered Timlin imprisoned in Dremlock Dungeon until his fate was decided by the High Council. A meeting was scheduled where evidence would be heard concerning Timlin and where a plan concerning the captured demon man would be discussed.

Lannon, Vorden, Jerret, and Aldreya were granted permission by Taris to visit Timlin in the prison below the North Tower. It was a somber affair in the musty, shadowy hall that lay underground. The Dark Knights of Dremlock-Grey Dwarves, mostly-who guarded the mines paced around with the clanking of armor and weapons, their faces grim. The guards moved away from the cell at Lannon's request to give them some privacy.

The four Squires entered Timlin's cell and sat down on a bench. Lannon looked at Timlin and then lowered his gaze. The small Squire was curled up on a dirty cot, his hands wrapped around his bony knees. He looked thoroughly miserable. Lannon couldn't help but pity him.

"You want to know why I did it, right?" said Timlin, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Why would little Timlin throw away his chance to be a Knight?"

"Of course we want to know," said Vorden, his face furrowed in concern and anger. "We're friends. We've trained and fought together."

"What you did was dishonorable!" said Aldreya, leaning against the stone wall and looking almost dazed. "I still cannot believe it."

"You shouldn't be surprised," said Timlin. "I'm not honorable at all. I'm a thief, and I should never have come to Dremlock because I can't control myself."

"Timlin, why would you do it?" said Lannon. "Over a silly dagger? Did you think you could sell it somewhere?"

"I didn't think anything ," said Timlin, his eyes narrowing. "I just saw it and wanted it, so I took it. I have no idea how I was caught. There was absolutely no one watching me."

"Taris said something about a spy in the North Tower," said Vorden. "It doesn't matter, Timlin. A Knight doesn't steal!"

"I'm not a Knight," said Timlin.

"And you'll never be one now," said Aldreya. "They're going to banish you from Dremlock. I'm certain of it."

"Well, I'm not so certain," said Vorden. He stood up and paced. "Lannon is in control here. The Knights do whatever he tells them."

Lannon shook his head. "I can't do this anymore. You chose your fate, Timlin. The High Council will have the final say." In spite of his pity for Timlin, he was weary of Timlin's total disregard for Dremlock's Sacred Laws.

Timlin sat up, sneering. "Fine words coming from someone who killed Master Garrin! I don't think I can ever forgive you for that!"

Lannon looked away, stung deeply by Timlin's words.

"That's not fair, Timlin," said Vorden. "Lannon had no choice, and he feels terrible about it. I know you loved Garrin like a father and he really seemed to like you as well. But he betrayed everyone, and he got what he deserved. Like it or not, that's the way it is."

Jerret Dragonsbane stood up and leaned against the cell bars, his hands in the pockets of his tunic. His long blond hair hung partially in his eyes. "Timlin, you just keep making trouble. Taris has gone out of his way for you."

"Who cares what you think, Jerret?" said Timlin. "I never liked you."

Jerret smiled. "I don't care what you think, either. And since you've stated your true feelings, then I'll state mine. You're nothing but trouble-to yourself, everyone around you, and this entire kingdom."

Aldreya bowed her head. "Sadly, Jerret speaks true, Timlin."

"If you all hate me," said Timlin, "then why did you come down here? All my life people have hated me, and I've got the scars to prove it. I've never had any real friends and I don't need any now."

His face turning crimson with anger, Vorden seized Timlin's tunic. Vorden was huge compared to the little Squire, muscles rippling down his arms. Timlin shrank back. "Don't you dare say I'm not your friend! I'm the best friend you could ever have, Timlin!"

Timlin nodded, looking startled. "Fine, you're my friend. And Lannon is my friend. But these other two are not. Especially Jerret."

The color fading from his face, Vorden released Timlin. "We're all your friends, even Jerret. And we're going to help save your chance at Knighthood. There is simply no way I'm going to give up on you."

Lannon sighed. "And how will we do that, Vorden? Timlin was seen stealing a sacred dagger, which he doesn't deny."

"It's a very serious situation," said Vorden, smoothing back his neatly trimmed black hair and adjusting his black tunic. "Very serious. But we are not ordinary Squires. Aldreya is Taris' most prized pupil and a member of some Birlote royal house. I am-with no attempt to be vain in saying this-the most talented Squire at Dremlock. And you, Lannon, are the most valuable of anyone at Dremlock. We can get this done and give Timlin one more chance."

For an instant, Timlin's eyes lit up with gratitude. Then he slumped down on the cot and bowed his head. "It won't happen. I'm finished."

"I do regard myself as your friend, Timlin," said Aldreya. "I also respect your amazing skills with the bow. You shoot as well as the best of the Birlotes. I want to help you. But you must promise that you will never break the Sacred Laws again for any reason."