Shadow of the Knight (The Orb Book 3)

by Matt Heppe

  A flash of light caught her attention. Telea lifted her head and gasped at the sight of a woman wreathed in white light walking towards her. The woman was beautiful, radiating goodness in waves, just as if she sang the Song of Hope.

  You bring a dark spirit, the glowing woman said. It angers the Great Spirit.

  “I mean no harm,” Telea said.

  You also bring song. Orlos dies. Save him. Go now.

  Before Telea could speak, the light faded and the woman disappeared.

  Telea sat up. Did I dream that?

  Not a dream. Another demon. A young one, but strong, the demon said from within her.

  That wasn’t a demon, Telea thought. I’ve seen demons, and they don’t look like that.

  Not all demons are the same. Because of me you can hear her. She and I are different but the same. Demons both.

  Why did she seek me out? Who is Orlos? Telea glanced around for Sulentis and spied him nearby. She went to him and shook him awake.

  “What is it?” he said as he sat up, clearly alarmed.

  “The glowing lady you mentioned to me. She spoke to me.”

  “What? When?”

  “Just moments ago. She said Orlos is dying.”

  Sulentis sprang to his feet, immediately awake. “We have to go.” He roused Escalan and some of the Landomeri, and when he told them of Telea’s vision, they rushed to aid them in their departure.

  “All this on my word?” Telea asked as they made their final preparations.

  “The Landomeri are very close to the Great Spirit. They’ve been through a lot saving her and Orlos.”

  “Who is Orlos?”

  “The last of the spiridus. To us he appears a young man, but he’s much more. The Landomeri believe their future rests in him, and they will do anything to save him.”

  “We’re ready,” Escalan said as he finished his last check on the spare horses. “This has been rough on them.”

  Telea’s muscles protested as she mounted. So much so that she almost didn’t make it onto the saddle. There were many Landomeri gathered around them. Many said they’d follow on foot.

  Telea raised her voice in the Song of Hope. The Landomeri fell silent, listening to her. She let the song touch them but focused it on the horses. They would need their strength. She smiled as she realized Sulentis and Escalan were singing along with her. They had heard the song so many times over the past few days they knew the words.

  There was no magic in their voices. They were not true singers, and neither had gone through attunement, but they were good fire singers and their voices did no harm.

  They departed the village for yet another long ride. Three Landomeri came with them on foot while others prepared to follow later. It rained as they rode, the cloud cover and forest canopy making the darkness complete. Given the difficult terrain, the Landomeri had no problem keeping up with their horses.

  Unlike Sulentis and Escalan, Telea found she could see remarkably well. There was something odd in her vision though, as if she were seeing in bright greys of odd hues.

  It is dark in Dromost, the demon said. I lend you my vision.

  Is there a sun?

  Never. Only shades of night.

  Despite the slow pace, they pushed on. Telea couldn’t get over the feeling that someone was watching her from the forest. A few times she caught glimpses of movement.

  The demon watches. She will devour us, Telea’s demon said.

  The Spirit of Landomere is good. We know legends of her in Belen.

  There’s no such thing as good. Only strength.

  All the stories say the Great Spirit is a creature of good, Telea thought. Why would I believe you?

  “Sulentis,” Telea said aloud, breaking the silence of their journey, “the lady in light, she was different than the voice I heard when I first entered the forest.”

  “You know the story I told you on our journey?” he said. “The one about Hadde the Landomeri, who killed Akinos.”

  “Yes.”

  “A year and a half later she died saving her child from abductors. She played a large part in saving Orlos as well.” He paused a moment as he dodged a tree branch. “Nobody knows what happened for certain, but when she died, she returned to Landomere as the Lady of the Forest. At least that’s what Orlos calls her. I don’t know if anyone else has ever seen her.”

  “Why did she choose me?”

  “The Great Spirit’s knowledge is unfathomable. We don’t even know how closely the Great Spirit and the Lady are related. Perhaps one or the other recognized your magic.”

  “But you have magic as well. Powerful magic.”

  “Perhaps your magic is what Orlos needs.”

  The rain ended as morning arrived. They ate a cold breakfast and then rode faster through the day. The Landomeri fell behind, wishing them good speed. Once again, Telea drew upon song to sustain horse and man as they made their way to Belavil.

  The forest seemed less threatening now. Did the Great Spirit recognize she was here to help? The demon within Telea remained hidden. She felt its fear.

  After two days of near constant riding, Belavil came into view. The city was magnificent. Gleaming white stone rose out of the forest, the terraces covered with gardens and flowers. The buildings were a beautiful mix of old ruins and new construction. All of it merged together like some perfect piece of art.

  There were no walls, Telea saw. The Landomeri either had no enemies, or the forest was their defense. It would be no easy task to fight through the hills and ravines of Landomere with an army of archers and woodsmen harrying every step.

  No one stopped them as the path became a paved road and they entered the lower reaches of the city. In fact, they didn’t see anyone at all until they were half way up the steep hill.

  Sulentis stopped his horse near two women holding babies in their arms. “We heard word that Orlos was in danger. Where is he?”

  The woman clutched her child close to her. “He’s trapped under Belavil,” she said, clearly upset. “Three days now, and they can’t get to him.”

  “Where?”

  “Under the old temple on the top terrace.” She pointed up the road.

  “Thank you.”

  “Are you here to help?”

  “Yes, if we can.”

  They rode up streets that became narrower and steeper as they climbed. There were more people here. Some climbing, fewer descending. There was no laughter, only glum faces.

  “Let us through, please!” Sulentis called out when the crowd became too thick to pass.

  “Why, what’s your business here, Saladoran?” The Landomeri wore mail and carried a longbow in his hands. There were other armed men and women nearby. Telea was surprised to see a woman bearing arms. She’d seen none in Salador. There were a few in Belen, but it was a rare sight.

  “I’m Sulentis. A friend of Orlos’s. I’m an elementar. I’ve come to help.”

  One of the armed women stepped close to the man and whispered in his ear. The man nodded and said. “You can go. You have to dismount here. And no weapons on the high terrace.”

  They dismounted and Escalan gave up his sword. The woman warrior led them through the crowd. The sun was high in the sky now, and the day hot, but crowds still gathered in the open. The terrace was covered with ruins interspersed with beautiful gardens. There were a few intact structures, but Telea’s group headed for a fallen temple.

  When they got closer to the temple, a line of Landomeri held the crowds back. All stared at what appeared to be a construction site. Men and women worked around a hole in the ground. There was a pile of rubble nearby, and every few moments someone came up with another stone.

  A large man with a crooked nose came up to them. Dust and dirt covered his clothes and even his hair. He clasped Sulentis’s arm and then did the same with Escalan. He gave Telea a curt bow, saying, “Ma’am.”

  “This is Telea, a traveler from distant Belen,” Sulentis said.

  “I’m Kael,” the m
an said. His eyes went to her face and then her hair, but he refrained from mentioning her appearance. “I wish we could be better hosts.”

  “What’s happened, Kael?” Sulentis asked.

  “You know of the dreams that have troubled Orlos? The dreams led him to a secret tunnel under the temple. It was blocked, but we managed to dig much of the way through. But then it became unstable and we had to stop.” He paused, shaking his head. “Orlos couldn’t wait. He went further and then the tunnel collapsed.”

  “He survived?”

  “We don’t know. We think there would have been some sign from the Great Spirit had he perished. We’re digging in hopes of finding him alive.”

  “Someone said it’s been three days,” Telea said. “How close are you?” Three days was too long for someone to be trapped.

  Kael shook his head. “The passage is still unstable. We have to shore it up every foot. Even then we risk our lives. Fendal and Wenla are, ah, helping.” He glanced at Telea.

  “She can know,” Sulentis said. “They’re shoring up the rock with their magic?”

  “Yes, but they are exhausted. Fendal is resting. Wenla is down there now. They both need more than rest. They need true sleep.”

  “I can help,” Sulentis said. “I’m an elementar as well, Kael.”

  Kael snorted a laugh. “Should have guessed, I suppose. You’re lot are everywhere, aren’t you? These two as well?” he asked, nodding at Escalan and Telea.

  “I’m not,” Telea said, “but I can help.”

  “I’m just the muscle,” Escalan said.

  “Let me into the tunnel,” Sulentis said. “Wenla can rest.”

  “Take me as well,” Telea said. “I’ll support you.”

  Sulentis nodded. “Take us in, Kael. We can help.”

  Kael led them forward and they joined the line of porters re-entering the tunnel. The stairs were narrow and steep and dust filled the air. Men and women passed them the opposite direction carrying stone and baskets of rubble. Oil lamps lit the tunnel, but only dimly.

  They made a turn and then went down again. More porters passed them. A man came bearing a woman in his arms. “Watch out! Make way!” the man called.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Sulentis asked.

  “She’s worked too hard,” the man said, not bothering to stop.

  “Should I go and help?” Telea asked. “Maybe she needs healing.”

  “No,” Sulentis said. “That was Wenla. She’s an elementar, and she’s pushed herself too hard. She just needs sleep. I need you here with me.”

  Kael led them further under the hill. The tunnel was partially blocked with beams piled along the corridor. The ceiling was heavily shored up. Stout posts rose every few paces. They had to make way for more traffic going up but only advanced a short distance before halting again.

  Exhausted workers stood before them. They held hammers and picks, but no one was working. Two men stood arguing at the furthest extent of the tunnel.

  “What’s happening here,” Kael asked. “You’ve made some progress.”

  “Not any longer,” one of the men said. His greying beard was filled with dust. There were six other workers crowded in the tunnel. Most wore scarves over their mouths, the dust was so thick. “There’s a large stone blocking us, and without the elementars, it will take forever to drill and split.”

  “Let me see it,” Sulentis said. The man shrugged and moved aside.

  Sulentis went forward and paused before the boulder blocking the passage. As he touched it, Telea saw the glow of music on his hands. The music spread, lightly across the stone before fading.

  “What’s he doing?” the bearded man asked.

  “He’s an elementar,” Kael said. “Let him work.”

  “He is? Another one?”

  “Quiet,” Sulentis commanded. He reached up and touched the ceiling. Again Telea saw the glow of magic. Tendrils of light spread across the ceiling. The others in the hall didn’t react. She was certain they couldn’t see it. Only attuned singers could see the glow of music, and she was sure it was the same for elementar magic.

  “I have to secure the ceiling first,” Sulentis said.

  “It’s been shored up.” The foreman crossed his arms across his chest.

  “No, it hasn’t. If this rock is broken you’ll likely all die.” Sulentis turned to Telea. “I want you to help me. Sing for me while I work.”

  She nodded. “I’ll do it.”

  “Sing the Song of Hope first. Then the other one you sometimes sang. The Song of Life.” Sulentis waved everyone else back. “Give us room,” he said.

  Telea shook her head. After only a week, Sulentis knew so much about the magic of song he could give her instructions. “I’ll sing what you need. Not what you think you’ll need,” she said.

  He opened his mouth as if to reply but shut it again at her glare. Then he gave her a quick smile and said, “Of course.”

  The tunnel behind them had become crowded with workers who had returned for loads of rubble. There were some grumbles, but soon Sulentis and Telea stood together at the head of the shaft.

  Sulentis nodded to her, and she started her song. It took a moment to adjust to the echoes off the narrow passage walls, but after just a few notes she had the music where she wanted it. She sent it to Sulentis as he reached for the ceiling again.

  The glow around Sulentis’s hands was brighter now, but instead of sending it out across the rock, he pushed it deep inside. He wasn’t moving, but Telea saw the strain his magic was putting on him. She strengthened her song and surrounded him with music.

  Sulentis lowered his hands and went to another place. Again he touched the ceiling, his hands aglow. What could the others see? Did they see anything at all, or was it just her singing and Sulentis touching the ceiling? If they thought anything amiss, no one interfered.

  Finally Sulentis lowered his hands. He smiled at Telea and mouthed, thank you. She nodded in reply as she continued singing. Sulentis stepped forward and placed two hands on the boulder, leaning into it as if he meant to push it over.

  Sulentis’s hands glowed even more brightly now. Telea responded by pouring everything she had into the Song of Hope, focusing every note on strengthening Sulentis’s resolve.

  Glowing lines appeared on the boulder like some mad spider’s web. Sulentis’s shoulders shook, and his head twisted and turned from side to side as if he was in agony. It seemed he would surrender to the pressure at any moment.

  Telea felt the tension in the hall. She felt it in the men and women just behind her. With a tremendous crack, the boulder shattered. Sulentis stumbled forwards, falling into the rubble. Telea stopped her song and she and Escalan ran forward to pick Sulentis up.

  Stone shards and a wall of dust struck them and then, for a moment, all was quiet. Sulentis shrugged off their supporting hands and ran forward. He threw his hands down and the dust instantly settled to the floor.

  The boulder was gone, broken into a dozen large pieces, and many smaller ones. Sulentis grabbed some of the larger stones and started rolling them back down the tunnel. “Take these!” he called out. “Clear this rubble.”

  He pushed forward, into the gap cleared by the shattered stone, and Telea followed. The rocks were smaller here, and she and Sulentis pulled them down so that the workers could drag them away.

  “Your song let me do that,” Sulentis said. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “You did the hard work,” she said. Escalan joined them, but the tunnel was too narrow for any others to fit. The three of them heaved stones behind them.

  “How much further? Can you tell?” Escalan asked.

  Sulentis shook his head. “Not yet. Wait a moment.”

  The ceiling was low here. Sulentis raised his hands and touched the rock above. The moment she saw the glow of magic, Telea sang. He was exploring at first, and then she saw his magic change. She could tell he was manipulating the stone in some way.

  He lowered his
hands. “That should stop it.”

  “Stop what?” Escalan asked.

  “Stop the ceiling from crushing us.”

  Escalan glanced up. “Should? Shouldn’t you be a little more certain than that?”

  Sulentis shrugged. “Even with Telea’s help, I’ve used a lot of my strength in getting us this far. If I seal the ceiling completely, I’ll have nothing left.” He pulled at a large stone in front of them. It took all three of them, but they toppled it out of the way. Telea shook her head as it revealed yet another boulder.

  Three days he’s been trapped. She didn’t know this Orlos, but it was her mission to save those she could. And three days was too long for anyone to be trapped. At least… at least they hadn’t come upon a body, crushed in the rubble.

  Save him, and they’ll help you.

  Telea paused. Had the voice been hers? Or was it the demon speaking inside her?

  I’m a healer. It’s my duty to save him, she thought.

  There was no reply.

  Sulentis pushed closer to this new boulder and shoved his head towards the highest point he could manage. “There’s a gap,” he said. The tunnel was too narrow for Telea and Escalan to fit in, forcing them to watch from behind.

  “This is it,” Sulentis said. “There’s a room beyond here.”

  “Can you make a passage?” Telea asked.

  “I don’t know.” He paused. “I have no choice but to try.”

  Telea reached out and touched his back. She cleared her voice and sang.

  Sulentis glanced over his shoulder and smiled. She felt him draw a deep breath as he hunched forward and pressed his hands against the stone. The power of music glowed around his hands as he pushed the magic deep into the stone.

  Telea sang to him, directing her song only at Sulentis. She felt his struggle through his back. He shook and contorted, sweat dripping in muddy streaks down his face.

  The effort sapped him, and her song wasn’t enough.

  There was a tremendous crack and the top of the stone shattered. Sulentis fell forward as the rubble gave way. He’d split off the top of the rock. There wasn’t much space, barely enough to crawl through.