Knights: Book 01 - The Eye of Divinity

by Robert E. Keller

  "Come on," he said. "Let's get out of here!"

  The Squires raced through the tunnel and out onto the ledge. They could hear the slurping, sucking noises coming from the Mother Nest below. As they ran across the ledge, a clawed hand reached up and grabbed Aldreya's leg, nearly tripping her. She screamed, kicking furiously in an effort to escape.

  A small Goblin clung to the roots on the cliff face, snarling. It wasn't much bigger than a Tree Goblin, but already it had clusters of deadly claws. Aldreya kicked its arm, and the Goblin lost its grip on the roots and tumbled back down into the darkness. Bleeding wounds were left in Aldreya's leg.

  Vorden searched his pack for cloth to bandage it, but Aldreya grabbed his arm. "I'm okay for now," she said. "Let's just get away from here!"

  They continued on and entered the small tunnel where they were forced to crawl upon aching knees. When the tunnel widened enough to stand, Vorden took the time to bandage Aldreya's leg. After that they pushed their way through tangles of Iracus roots. The Squires hurried as fast as they were able. Their backs felt exposed as they raced along, and often they found themselves glancing behind them.

  At one point, Vorden again asked the others not to mention his new sword. "I could be cast out for using this blade," he said. "This is obviously no ordinary weapon. It must be magical."

  "Then maybe you should leave it here," said Lannon. "Otherwise, you might get caught with it, and get banished anyway."

  "I'll take my chances for now," said Vorden, tucking his sword away beneath his cloak. "I just can’t leave it behind! It's extraordinary--better than your dragon sword, Lannon."

  "I'm happy with my dragon sword," Lannon replied, shuddering at the thought of Vorden's dark blade which had done so much damage to Tenneth Bard.

  At last the Squires reached the stone bridge, and to their delight, they encountered the Knights and Saranna. The adults were on the other side, about to start across. When they saw the Squires, Taris ordered them to halt.

  "Come no closer," he said. "The creature yet lives."

  "We can make it," Vorden said to Taris. "We did it once already."

  Taris nodded. "One at a time, then. And be swift!"

  Vorden raced across without incident, swiping up his axe on the way. (He kept his other arm pressed to his body, holding the sword in place beneath his cloak.) Timlin and Aldreya managed to make it, and then it was Lannon's turn.

  Lannon suddenly found he had lost his nerve. The last thing he wanted was to be flung into that dark chasm and end up alone--with all the Iracus Trees and Goblins down in these mines.

  Then Lannon's gaze fell on Saranna, and he blushed. Not wanting to appear cowardly in her eyes, he pushed his fears aside and bounded across the bridge. Yet when he neared the pool, a wooden hand suddenly rose up, wiggling its leafy fingers. Lannon froze, watching in horror.

  Then Lannon remembered the Eye of Divinity, which was still at the ready, and he directed it at the creature in the pool, hoping it would do more than just reveal things about the monstrosity. Lannon willed the Eye to grasp the beast, and it responded to his command, squeezing the bulky thing motionless. The creature fought fiercely but could not break the invisible force that held it. The hand stayed fixed in the air above the pool.

  Still holding the monster in check, Lannon drew his dragon sword and slashed through the wooden arm. The light, ultra sharp blade easily severed it, and the leafy hand dropped into the pool with a splash.

  Calmly, Lannon walked the rest of the way across the bridge, while the others watched him with open mouths and raised eyebrows. When he reached the other side, a sick feeling overcame him, and he released the creature and drew the Eye all the way inside him. He held his stomach for a moment, feeling the urge to vomit.

  "Are you okay?" Taris asked.

  Lannon nodded. "I just need to clear my head."

  "What happened to you Squires?" the sorcerer asked.

  Lannon explained how they had encountered Tenneth Bard, and how the Black Knight had tried to kill him. "I used my power to overcome him," Lannon said, with a sharp glance at Vorden. "Tenneth Bard is dead."

  "So your power has grown," said Taris. "And an old enemy has met his end. This has been a great night for our kingdom thus far. Now, if only we knew what Tenneth Bard was planning exactly."

  "I do know," Lannon said excitedly. "He was planning a diversion. The actual attack on Dremlock won't come from under the Temple. It will come from somewhere else--maybe another entrance to the mines."

  "Old Keep is well defended," said Furlus. "As is the Deep Forge. There must be another passage into the mines--one we've forgotten about."

  "We must make haste," said Taris.

  As they entered the tunnels, three figures suddenly stepped into the lantern light. One was a giant, bearded man dressed in black plate armor, bearing a battle axe that glowed with crimson fire. Two Goblin Lords stood side-by-side behind him, holding twisted staffs. The staffs smoldered with black flames. Though they seemed outnumbered, they regarded the party with calm, focused expressions.

  "Your master lies dead," Taris said. "Stand aside, or join him."

  The giant spoke in a gruff voice. "No matter. The Blood Legion has functioned without him for a thousand years. We shall endure. And we have other masters who are unknown to you. We have come to destroy you and the Squires. Then Dremlock will follow."

  "Looks to me like you're outnumbered," said Caldrek. "And in case you haven't heard, we know how to defeat the Goblin Lords."

  The giant smiled. "Yes, but the Goblin Lords have turned the odds in my favor. Or haven't you noticed?"

  "I can't move," Shennen whispered.

  "I can't, either!" Timlin cried. "What's happening?"

  Lannon tried to call the Eye, but it wouldn't work. Nor could he move. A force similar to Tenneth Bard's Whispers was at work within him.

  Even Darius was rendered motionless.

  "Just some foul magic," said the giant, sighing. "It will hold you fast while I cleave off your heads." He spoke matter-of-factly.

  Furlus bellowed with rage, but he too was held immobile by the invisible force. All his strength would not avail him against these bonds.

  "I should have been alert to this," Taris said quietly. "I have failed us all." Then he closed his eyes and fell silent.

  The Squires could scarcely believe their ears, for never had they heard Taris speak in such a grim tone. Lannon fought to unleash the Eye, yet it seemed to lie just beyond his grasp. He knew in his heart there was a way to reach it, but he couldn't seem to summon the will to do it. His helplessness frustrated him to the point where he felt like he was going to explode, and he begged the Divine Essence to give him even the slightest assistance. But still the Eye of Divinity remained just out of reach.

  The giant shook his head. "Don't blame yourself, sorcerer. These are Priests of Tharnin, and their magic is a match even for yours."

  "If I could only move!" Caldrek muttered. "I'd show you three. At least finish me first, so I can die with honor."

  The giant nodded. "It shall be done." He stepped forward and raised his axe for the kill, a passive look in his eyes.

  And then Caldrek struck. The Red Knight lashed out with his blade and cleaved into the giant's armor. For an instant, the Squires' hearts lurched with glee, for they were certain Caldrek would prevail and all would be well. But the giant somehow reacted swiftly enough to twist sideways and avoid serious injury. Bringing his axe down, he knocked Caldrek's blade aside and then stepped back.

  Caldrek cursed. "Almost had you--you lucky devil!"

  The giant glanced questioningly at the Goblin Lords, but their eyes were narrowed with focus as they struggled to maintain the sorcery they had cast over the party. With a shrug, he calmly waited for Caldrek to make another move.

  "Guess your priests couldn't hold us all," said Caldrek. "And now it's just you and me, big fellow."

  The giant nodded. "As it should be. A fair fight."

  The two me
n moved in on each other, looking for an opening. Caldrek's blade burned blue as he brought his own sorcery into play. The giant stood guard before the two Goblin Lords, always staying close to them should Caldrek try to disrupt their focus.

  Their blades finally met with a clatter and a burst of sparks. Back and forth they went, slashing furiously at each other with their weapons. Then Caldrek caught a glancing blow to the shoulder that staggered him. He retreated a bit.

  "Not bad," Caldrek said. "But it will take more than that."

  Lannon gave up on trying to call the Eye, and he simply stood and watched, hoping Caldrek was skilled enough to beat this foe. The fact that Caldrek seemed highly regarded by Cordus and his Tower Masters gave Lannon confidence he would find a way to defeat this servant of the Blood Legion. It was the two Goblin Lords that worried Lannon the most, for if they could hold Taris in check, and the Eye of Divinity, who knew what they were capable of?

  Caldrek leapt in and they traded another flurry of blows, and this time the Red Knight took a partial slash to the ribs that drew blood. Again Caldrek retreated, and this time a shocked look appeared on his face. Sweat dripped from his brow and mustache, and he used his sleeve to wipe it from his eyes. He was panting hard.

  "I can't believe it!" he said, with a sideways glance at Shennen. "This fellow is faster than anyone I've ever sparred with."

  "Stay focused," Shennen urged him. "You can defeat this foe. If you fail, all of us will die. Do not let that happen."

  "Fail?" Caldrek gave a little laugh. "You know me better than that, Shennen. I'll get him for you. Don't worry."

  The giant did not speak, and his face remained passive. Again he waited for Caldrek to strike, preferring to stay on the defensive.

  Caldrek moved in on him and again they clashed, and this time Caldrek ripped a small wound in the giant's arm. For an instant the Red Knight seemed to gain the upper hand, as the giant retreated, wincing in pain. Caldrek lunged after him, determined to finish him while the giant was off balance.

  Yet the giant quickly recovered his composure, and in response, he drove his axe at Caldrek with a slew of vicious strokes. The Red Knight blocked all but one of them--and that one caught him in the throat.

  Caldrek gazed in disbelief as he staggered back, clutching his throat. "Can't...believe...you..." His words disintegrated and he collapsed, his sword clattering to the stone floor. The fire died in his blade.

  The Squires cried out in dismay, and again Lannon strove to summon the Eye, realizing if he did not, his head would end up separated from his neck. Panic gripped him and he gave everything he had, yet still it was not enough. It was like groping unsuccessfully for something only an inch away from his fingertips.

  The giant bowed his head with respect to Caldrek, and then started forward. "Time to get this over with," he muttered. "I'm not fond of killing men in this fashion, but it must be done in a time of war." He raised his axe, going for Taris first.

  "You must break free now," Taris grunted. "Do it, Furlus!"

  Apparently, Taris had been using his own power, working on freeing the strongest member of the party, and now Furlus, his face gone purple with strain, suddenly managed to break the invisible bonds with the sorcerer's help. A flash of blue erupted, momentarily blinding everyone, and Furlus Goblincrusher was free. The others, however, still remained locked in place by the spell.

  His bearded face bearing a scowl, the Grey Dwarf leapt towards the giant, and their axes clanged together deafeningly. The glowing crimson axe met Olrog Glaetherin, and a shower of sparks erupted. Growling like a bear, the Dwarf drove the giant backwards with maddened strokes. The giant's passive look disintegrated into one of surprise, so taken aback was he by the Olrog's fury. Furlus shook with rage, and his axe blows were delivered with the legendary vigor of a battle-crazed Dwarf.

  The giant was on the defensive, struggling to regain his composure. In a fatal move, he saw a brief opening and tried to take Furlus' legs out from under him. The Olrog leapt over the blade, and in the same motion, Furlus drove his axe into the giant's chest, crunching through armor. The force of the blow sent the giant tumbling into the two Goblin Lords, breaking their spell in a fizzling flash of light. The giant crumpled to the ground and lay still.

  The Goblin Lords turned to flee, for even two Priests of Tharnin were no match for the entire party. Still on the attack, Furlus caught one of them even as the Goblin turned, his axe cleaving the creature in two. The other one made it a little farther before Shennen's blade cut him down.

  Taris stepped in and destroyed their hearts with his burning dagger.

  Furlus quickly searched the corpses, and stuck a couple items in his pack without commenting on what they were.

  Shennen lifted Caldrek's body. "It must have been that Goblin Worm’s poison," the Blue Knight said. "He was still weak from it, or Caldrek would have beaten that big fellow. I know it in my heart. He saved us all, and we must honor him well. We survived many perilous missions together. He was my friend."

  Furlus bowed his head.

  "He shall receive the highest honor," said Taris. "The White Blood will adorn his body, and he shall be promoted to Green. I'll see to it, my friend."

  Then the party hurried onward, bearing their slain companion.

  ***

  They made it back up to the Temple without further incident, sealing all the doors they passed through. When they at last reached the top of the stairs, they felt as if a great burden had been lifted off their shoulders, though Caldrek's death left them very disheartened. Twelve Knights of varying color classes stood guard in the Temple, and when they saw the group emerge, they quickly gathered around, some expressing cries of dismay when they beheld Caldrek's corpse.

  "We encountered Goblin Lords below," said Furlus, "and members of the Blood Legion. Cordus was wise to send you here."

  "Spread the word," said Taris, "that Caldrek died saving us."

  "We shall!" the Knights swore. Their faces were pale over what they saw, and dismayed to the point where some had tears in their eyes. Caldrek had been a legend to many of them, a warrior no one wanted to spar with, who was used only for the most important and dangerous missions. He had seemed almost like an immortal presence, someone who inspired hope and who never lost his sense of humor, whatever the situation. It would be some time before these Knights could put this behind them, and talk of his days would linger on for weeks.

  A sorrowful feeling gripped Lannon, and he did not glance at the body. Not long ago, Caldrek had been a powerful, living Knight, yet now he was nothing more than a part of history. Lannon could feel strongly his own fragile mortality, and he realized how easily he could be removed from the world. And when that happened, like Caldrek he would be just a piece of history, and like all history, he would eventually be forgotten. It had come close to happening in the mines (more than once), and he wasn't even yet a Knight. He took some comfort in knowing he possessed the Eye of Divinity, which could protect him, but that was balanced by the knowledge that it also had made him a target.

  They laid Caldrek before the altar, and held a moment of silence in his honor. Then the Tower Masters discussed their plans.

  "Shennen and Saranna," said Taris, "you should guide the Squires to the East Tower, while Furlus and I take our evidence to Cordus. Lannon should come with us, for we may need him to locate the place where the attack will come from."

  "Lannon might need our help," said Vorden, obviously not wanting to miss out on the action. "What if he has to summon the Eye?"

  "He will not need your help," said Taris, "and so there is no use putting you other Squires at risk. You will do as I say, and be thankful."

  "Once the Squires are safely in their quarters," said Furlus, "have them placed under guard. Then both of you should come to the North Tower. We will probably have need of your skills before this night is through."

  "What about Caldrek?" said Shennen.

  "We shall leave his body here," said Taris, "and return late
r for it. Let him rest peacefully by the altar of the Divine One for the time being."

  "We will look after him," the guards said. "And if anyone dares come forth, we will be waiting! We shall fight in his name."

  Cries of agreement arose among the other guards. "Let no foul Goblin or failed Knight dare set foot in this Sacred Temple," one of them said. "For to our last breaths, we shall fight to honor Caldrek!"

  "Caldrek will be avenged!" another cried, tears flowing freely.

  Furlus nodded. "Your words ring true. I see that the Temple is left in worthy hands, and know it will be well defended."

  Taris turned to Shennen and took him aside, whispering so no one else could hear. The Blue Knight nodded several times.