The Blood of Kings (Book 4)

by Robert E. Keller

  Due to Vesselin's age, this was a more lighthearted and expected announcement, and the crowd cheered for him.

  Cordus smiled. "Perhaps I will go fishing with you on occasion, old friend. We will have much to talk about."

  Vesselin nodded. "And I will visit your inn, though I do not drink wine anymore either--or any other spirits for that matter."

  Cordus grinned. "We can sip milk and chat about old times!"

  The crowd laughed--yet some of the more sentimental Knights had tears in their eyes and quickly wiped them away.

  "I have...new knowledge," said Vesselin, "that I would like to share before I go. Knowledge given to me by the Divine Essence. I hope it will serve this kingdom well." With that, the old man sat down again.

  "Now that everyone has feasted," said Cordus, "I would like to close this Hall to all but Taris Warhawk, Bekka Nightspear, and the Divine Shield. Everyone else can return to their business, whatever it might be."

  ***

  When the others had left and the Great Hall was quiet, Taris poured a cup of tea. He sipped at it thoughtfully and frowned. "Bellis used up all the good tea and left us...this. A cheap Norack blend. Very unfortunate."

  "The same is true of the wine and ale," said Daledus. "Only the best for Verlamer and his rats." He winked at Lannon. "I hope you squeezed his neck a little harder for replacing our Olrog ale with his Norack swill."

  "Actually, I had no idea," said Lannon. "I don't drink ale."

  Daledus shook his head in bafflement.

  "I like Norack ale," said Jace. Unlike the others, he was still eating--after clearing two platters of food. Before him was a heap of sliced bread and cheese. "It's a bit mild compared to the Dwarven stuff, but otherwise it's fine."

  "Norack ale is vile," said Trenton, a disdainful look on his face. "I hate to say it, but our wine, ale, and tobacco is vastly inferior to that of the Olrogs and Birlotes. Jace, you seem so enlightened about history and culture, and yet you indulge in any cheap Norack products you can get your hands on."

  Jace shrugged. "My snobbery is not reserved for food, drink, or pipe leaf. If it has a hint of flavor, pass it over to me."

  "I'm fine with Norack products," said Lothrin, rising to add a log to the fireplace. He stirred the fire with a poker and added, "Of course, I've spent most of my life living as a lowly Ranger. You learn to appreciate simple pleasures."

  "Exactly," said Jace. "I too have wandered the land--sometimes with barely enough to eat. They don't call me The Wanderer for nothing."

  Trenton smiled. "You wandered right into a trap."

  "It's not the first time I've been snared," said Jace. "And you were right there with me, as helpless as a newborn baby. But why didn't you escape, Trenton? Surely that cell couldn't hold you."

  Trenton shrugged. "The same could be asked of Lannon, who can open locks without touching them. I defer the question to him."

  "I considered escaping," Lannon admitted, "but I was afraid of what might happen to the rest of you. I guess Verlamer had me convinced not to try it."

  "That was my reasoning as well," said Trenton. "Oh, I wanted to break free. It took great patience to wallow in that dungeon cell."

  "What about you, Jace?" asked Daledus, who was seated next to the giant. "Surely a sorcerer of your skill should have been able to get through those bars somehow. Couldn't you teleport to freedom or something?"

  Jace smiled. "Sadly, my teleportation skills are somewhat lacking."

  "But couldn't you have found a way out?" asked Daledus, nudging Jace with his elbow. "Taris managed it. Is he that much better than you?"

  Jace shrugged. "I was too busy sleeping."

  "Sleeping?" The Dwarf shook his head. "I'll never understand you spell casters. By the way, how did you escape, Taris?"

  "I walked between the bars," said Taris.

  Daledus laughed heartily, then stopped when he saw that Taris' face bore a serious expression. The Dwarf took a huge drink of ale, then said, "Anyway, glad we all survived. I'll drink to that."

  "Or anything else," said Furlus, tipping up his own oversized mug. Some of the ale ran down his great beard, and he slammed the empty mug down on the table. "Pass me some more of that Norack swill!"

  "What shall I drink to?" said Galvia, gazing at her mug. Her smooth, round face was aglow in the firelight with happiness. "There are so many possibilities."

  "I'll drink in honor of the future Lord Knight," said Jerret, "and the future East Tower Master." He raised his wooden mug, which was carved with an image of a winding Dragon. "Dremlock will be stronger than ever."

  "East Tower Master," said Trenton, nodding. "I like the sound of that. I had grown a bit weary of my role as the Investigator."

  "I thought you wanted to retire, Trenton," said Shennen. "Weren't you recently whining about how old you were getting? What happened?"

  "And I thought the same of you, Shennen," said Trenton. "It appears we've both decided there is more work to be done."

  "Yes, we are fools," said Shennen. "Yet if my dagger had pierced King Verlamer's heart, I would have retired--in life or in death. But that miss continues to haunt me and motivate me. So...let us drink to being fools. To the bitter end!"

  They raised their mugs and drank.

  "Indeed," said Taris, "it is difficult to retire when so much is at stake. Many changes must occur if Dremlock is to survive--and that is the purpose of this meeting. We have a serious topic to discuss."

  Daledus' eyes widened. "What is this serious talk, sorcerer? I just want to relax. You mean we're not here merely to feast and drink?"

  "Hardly," said Taris, setting his teacup aside. "We are here to ensure that what happened to Dremlock never happens again. We were pushed right to the edge of destruction--closer, perhaps, than ever before."

  "But thanks to Lannon we won," said Dallsa, her eyes shining as she gazed at the Dark Watchman. "You're the absolute best, Lannon."

  "Thank you," said Lannon, feeling a bit uncomfortable from the attention. "I just did what I thought was necessary."

  "It wasn't just Lannon," said Taris. "King Verlamer had another problem on his hands, which I shall refer to as the Lower Army."

  "The Dark Knights," said Daledus, proudly.

  "Yes--and something more," said Taris, "which Cordus spoke of earlier. I will only say that the Divine Essence sometimes recruits its own fighters, and they are mighty. Nevertheless, we could have lost this conflict. And we could still lose. Tenneth Bard may still be alive and plotting against us. The Blood Legion will try to rebuild, as it always does. The war against Tharnin continues. And King Verlamer may break his agreement. Or a future king may do so. Cordus was right. We need to get active, and that begins with expanding and finding new resources."

  "Lannon will lead the first expansion," said Furlus. "He will establish a fortress at Ollanhar, like we had in ancient times. This fortress is sure to be challenged by Bellis, but we will not back down."

  "The Watchman's Keep?" said Lannon, surprised at the suggestion. "But it's corrupted by the Deep Shadow."

  "Yes," said Taris. "It will need to be cleansed. The task won't be easy and will require the help of the White Knights."

  "I can help you, Lannon," said Dallsa. "Well, if I get some training."

  "You'll get plenty of training," said Aldreya, smiling.

  "There are areas of Silverland," said Taris, "that are still free of Bellis. We must act quickly to occupy those areas and begin pushing back. This is a direct order from the Divine Essence."

  "Our god has decided on a new strategy," said Furlus. His eyes smoldered fiercely with pride. "One that I fully embrace. For the sake of Gallamerth, we must begin expanding, until Bellis has reason to fear us."

  "We are the Council of Ollanhar," said Taris. "Everyone in this room is now charged with restoring and maintaining that tower fortress. Lannon and his Grey Keepers are now the Knights of Ollanhar. Much is demanded of you, and you must strive to take your skills to a higher level. You will also
have a host of Blue and Grey Knights at the tower and some Orange Squires under your command."

  Lannon bowed. "I am ready to serve."

  End.