Robert Keller - The Eye of Divinity

"I doubt he could handle even one bowl," mused Vorden. "Timlin has the eyes of a giant and the stomach of a mouse."

The stew was delicious, the bread baked to perfection. Lannon and Vorden ate quickly and heartily, while Timlin picked away at his soup, apparently finding many ingredients in it he didn't care for.

"That Knight seemed troubled," said Vorden, his mouth full of bread. "Looks like he had a rough time of it."

"Some of his close friends fell in battle," said Garrin, gazing at Vorden sternly. "These are dark times for Dremlock Kingdom. But you need to stay focused entirely on your training."

"What will our training be like?" asked Vorden.

"You'll train in the morning with the rest of the new Squires," said Garrin. "You will learn weapon skills and sorcery. But your special training as Blue Squires will be somewhat different. You will practice stealth, climbing, and picking locks. Yet do not think that you are becoming thieves or assassins, as some silly rumors suggest. Blue Knights serve a different purpose." He paused, smiling.

"What purpose?" said Vorden.

"When I feel you're ready, I'll answer that question," Garrin said. "But I assure you, Vorden, it will take nothing from your honor."

Vorden nodded. "That's good to hear. After what Cartlan said, I was afraid I'd be learning how to be a backstabber."

Garrin shook his head. "Foolish rumors, Vorden. But you will be trained to kill quickly and silently, without direct confrontation. This is not murder-especially when performed on Goblins, as is usually the case. It is simply another way of defeating an enemy. You're a smart lad. You should have guessed as much."

Vorden's face reddened and he said nothing.

"Why were we even chosen Blue?" said Timlin.

"Because of talent and necessity," said Garrin. "In these times, Blue Knights are badly needed, and you three have the rare talent that a Blue Knight requires. In the Color Trials, the Wood test alone determined that. It takes great focus and great Knightly essence to break that plank. Few Squires ever accomplish that feat."

"I didn't break it," said Lannon.

"No, you did not," said Garrin. "Nevertheless, you were chosen for Blue and you must not question it."

***

After breakfast they left the tower, stepping out into the sunlight that shone down upon the mossy stones of the shallow valley. A few enormous, puffy clouds hung in the sky, occasionally shadowing the sun as they drifted past. The air was warm, and birds whistled and chirped amid the pines that stood beyond the river. Garrin lit a pipe, and led them onward slowly, often pausing to take in the sights and sounds.

"We shall visit the Temple," said Garrin. "There we will see the Sacred Scriptures, which give the earliest history of Dremlock Kingdom."

Vorden sighed. "I'd rather just get to the training."

Garrin stopped and turned towards him. "So you care little about the histories of our kingdom. Yet how could you ever call yourself a Divine Knight of Dremlock without knowing why you are Divine? What makes Dremlock special, and the Knights who defend it?"

Vorden shrugged. "Talent, I guess."

Garrin shook his head. "If it were talent alone that made us, Dremlock would have fallen to Bellis or the Goblins or the Blood Legion long ago. Do you think Kuran Darkender was merely talented?"

"He was blessed by the Divine Essence," Lannon said. "I read that in my book Tales of Kuran Darkender ."

Garrin nodded. "The Divine Essence is our true god. It is the great enemy of the realm of Tharnin and of the Deep Shadow."

"I want to know about the Deep Shadow!" Vorden said eagerly.

A frown darkened Garrin's face. "Do not be so eager to hear of the scourge of our world, Vorden, lest its hand fall upon you ."

Vorden lowered his gaze. "I was just curious, Garrin."

"I understand," said Garrin. "It's just that we can never be too cautious when dealing with the Deep Shadow. Now first of all, I would prefer you address me as Master Garrin, since I am to be your trainer part of the time. And I suppose I will tell you the basic history of the Deep Shadow while we walk to the Temple, since it is something everyone should know.

"There was an age once, over twelve thousand years ago, when the only two races on our continent of Gallamerth were Olrogs and Noracks. The two races made bitter war upon each other, and hatred and bloodlust ruled the land. They worshipped pagan gods and such things as chivalry and honor were rare. But then one night, a Great Light appeared above a place known as Stormy Mountain-so called because storms rage endlessly above the peak-and from that light came a pale, glowing creature which would come to be known as the White Guardian. It journeyed down the mountainside and blessed the land, teaching Noracks and Olrogs the ways of peace and justice."

"What about the Birlotes?" Timlin asked. "Where were the Tree Dwellers?"

"Please do not interrupt me," said Garrin. "Now as I was saying-the White Guardian, which one might view as the child of the Great Light above Stormy Mountain, became the protector and teacher of the races, and Gallamerth seemed to have a very bright future indeed. The Guardian dwelt on our land for over five hundred years, and during that time the two races prospered.

"But then disaster struck. A massive rock fell from the heavens one night, landing in the ocean just off Gallamerth's shores. It devastated our land, destroying much life. But the Noracks and Olrogs survived, as well as most of the other species-though some were lost forever. Our continent was plagued with a terrible winter that lasted four years and caused the destruction of even more life."

"What about the White Guardian?" said Timlin. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt again."

"When the huge rock hit our land," Garrin went on, "the White Guardian was shattered from the shock waves, and the pieces of it were hurled far and wide across our continent. The rock's impact had a peculiar effect on the Guardian-causing it to explode violently into many pieces-almost like crystal being shattered by sound, if any of you Squires have ever witnessed that. These fragments, which still pulsed with life, were known simply as Flamestones-for they appear to be rocks that burn endlessly."

"Like the Birlote torches," Vorden said. "Are they actually Flamestones?"

"They are just imitations," said Garrin. "True Flamestones possess great power, and represent different parts of the Guardian's body-such as the Blood, the Flesh, the Heart, and the Mind."

"Did anyone find the Flamestones?" Lannon asked.

"Yes, many were found," said Garrin. "Entire wars were fought over them, and they have changed hands many times since those days. Right now most are owned by the Birlotes, who keep them locked away in the Hall of Sorcery in their tree city of Borenthia. Some have fallen into evil hands, while others still remain undiscovered. This may come as a great surprise to you, but the Divine Essence-our god-is nothing less than the Mind of the White Guardian. It is the greatest of all the Flamestones."

The Squires exchanged amazed looks.

"Will we get to see the Divine Essence?" Timlin asked excitedly.

"Unfortunately, no," said Garrin. "No one is allowed down there but the Lord Knight. Yet I can tell you a little bit about it. The Divine Essence exists in a crystal chamber somewhere below the Temple. Kuran Darkender-the first Lord Knight of Dremlock-had a vision of it calling to him from the darkness of the Olrog mines beneath his fortress, and he and his Knights journeyed below, battling Cave Trolls and other Shadow spawn before finding the chamber containing the Essence. The Essence spoke to him, telling him he must forge a great kingdom-rather than the mere fortress that they had at the time-to battle the expanding Bloodlands. The Divine Essence gave us a purpose. And that is how Dremlock began."