"Yes, one more topic," said Jace. "I saw the demon man. He visited me in the forest and told me to bring Lannon to the ruins of Serenlock Castle--that he would face Lannon in a duel to the death."
Gasps arose from the High Council members. Cordus motioned for silence. "Why did you not report this immediately?"
Lannon shuddered. He hoped the Knights would not agree to the demon man's request. Considering what had happened the last time the demon man had gotten close to Lannon, he doubted they would.
"It happened earlier," said Jace. "I was focused on the evidence against Garrin Daggerblood and I didn't want to distract from this issue. Bear in mind that I am not a Knight. I don't have to report anything that doesn't pertain to the issue I'm being paid to resolve. Regardless, I have now reported the incident.
"And what do you think of his request?" said Cordus. "A trap?"
"Of course it's a trap," said Jace. "But my guess is that the trap is simply that the demon man thinks he can kill Lannon in combat. I believe he is mistaken. I believe Lannon can defeat him."
Lannon gulped. "But he almost killed me!"
"I have to agree with Lannon," said Taris. "Not only was the lad nearly slain, but Furlus and I were struck down."
"Lannon wasn't ready for that encounter," said Jace. "I believe the Eye of Divinity learns and adapts, that it will be better prepared for the next encounter. I suggest a small company of Knights and myself escort Lannon to Serenlock Castle. There, we shall let the duel take place. I'm confident Lannon will defeat his foe, and then we will have the demon man back in captivity."
"It's an extremely risky plan," said Cordus. "It seems we would be doing exactly what our foes want us to do. That is not the way of the Divine Order. We should bring surprise to them instead."
The Red Knight named Thrake Wolfaxe nodded. "Cordus speaks true. It is never wise to do anything our foes wish us to do--even if it seems we can gain an easy victory. It is always better to do the unexpected."
"Knightly logic," said Jace, "is not always, well, logical. This time, the situation is clear. The demon man thinks he can kill Lannon, and he is wrong. The surprise will be when he finds himself defeated."
"I don't like this plan at all," said Lannon, hoping the Knights would agree with him. "It's way too dangerous. I don't think I can win!"
"Yet I believe you must try," said Jace. "The demon man said that if you fail to partake in this duel, he will bring Dremlock to the ground--striking from the shadows. He also said he would attack innocents all over Silverland. Surely, many people will die if you refuse. Are you prepared to let that happen?"
Lannon bowed his head and didn't answer, trying to think of a way out. Looking up, he saw that Jerret Dragonsbane was gazing at him. Jerret looked very troubled, as if he harbored some grim secret. Lannon wondered how deeply the poison arrow attack had affected him. Lannon expected Jerret to look away, but Jerret just kept gazing at him with the same disturbing expression.
"The Squires may speak," said Cordus, "for they too are at risk."
"Can't you do something, Lannon?" Jerret blurted out. "I don't want to be assassinated. You have the Eye of Divinity!"
"I don't want to die either," said Timlin, his face pale. "If someone tried to kill Jerret, I might be next!"
"I think you can do this, Lannon," said Vorden. "You have far more strength than you realize. I know you can do it."
"This is your chance to be a hero, Lannon," said Aldreya. "Better to die as a noble warrior than live as a coward. You should welcome this opportunity to prove yourself."
Lannon's face reddened with shame. Aldreya's courage made him feel terribly weak. He couldn't understand her thinking. He wanted to be a great, honorable Knight, and in order to meet that goal, he would have to confront his foes. But on the other hand, if he ended up slain in battle, he would never become a Knight anyway. It was a frustrating situation. But he knew if he refused an order to face the demon man in combat, he would be considered a coward--and cowards didn't become Divine Knights of Dremlock no matter what skills they possessed.
"Taris," said Cordus, "you know that I trust your advice more than the advice of any man alive. What do you think we should do?"
Taris sat in silence for several moments, his scarred face furrowed in thought beneath his hood. At last he shrugged. "I don't know for certain. But I agree with Jace that the Eye of Divinity can adapt--though we must bear in mind that it is a power that is not easily understood and unique to each person who possesses it. I can accompany the Knights to Serenlock. I will guard Lannon with my life. Yes, I think we should attempt this, rather than let the demon man attack us from the shadows. No matter which path we choose, there is great risk."
"I can send five Archers," said Krissana Windsword, "led by Fadar Stonebow, to follow on horseback and take position in the hills around Serenlock in case of an ambush."
"The Five Archers of Dremlock!" Aldreya said excitedly, to Lannon. "They were trained in my homeland of Borenthia before they came to this kingdom. Fadar Stonebow is the greatest Archer who has ever lived."
"Then who will guard the wall?" said Cordus, frowning. "Those Archers are essential to protecting our kingdom from outside invasion."
"We have other skilled Archers for that task," said Krissana. "Yes, the wall will be weakened in the absence of Dremlock's elite, but it will remain guarded. And protecting Lannon is vital to our kingdom."
"I don't like it," said Cordus, "but I'll trust your judgment on it, Krissana. And we do need to be alert to an ambush. We will send out the Elder Hawks to scour the land and make sure no large battalion of Goblins or Legion Soldiers is lurking along that route. If the way is clear, we will go ahead with the plan."
"I don't think I can do this," Lannon insisted. "This is a mistake! That demon man is far too powerful." He could feel his heart hammering in his chest. He couldn't believe the Knights were agreeing to Jace's mad plan.
Cordus' face hardened. "You will do as you are ordered, Lannon. And I am ordering you to do what you must to defend this kingdom. But you will not be without protection. I hereby call for a Divine Shield."
The other High Council members spoke their support.
"The Divine Shield," Cordus went on, "shall consist of Taris, Jace, and Lannon's friends and fellow Squires who share his peril." Cordus then ordered the huge Red Knight, Thrake Wolfaxe to join, along with the two Blue Knight guards, Willan Shadowwalker and Zannin Firespear. He also made Furlus an honorary member. Those present had to swear an oath to protect Lannon at all costs.
"The Divine Shield is strong," said Taris. "May our foes break against it."
Aldreya smiled at Lannon. "We'll defend you to our last breaths."
"That's right," said Vorden. "If you die, we die first."
"No enemy will get close to you, Lannon," said Timlin. He beamed. "This Divine Shield is a great idea."
"We're all in this together now," said Jerret. But he rubbed his shoulder, his face looking uncertain. The blond-haired Squire was usually cheerful and optimistic, but his eyes looked haunted. He seemed as terrified as Lannon.
Jace smiled at Lannon. "There are few men in this world who are defended by such quality warriors--and friends--as those who defend you."
Lannon did not return the smile. He was being ordered to fight a battle that seemed impossible to win. He'd felt the power of the demon man's gauntlet--power beyond any Knightly skills or even his Eye of Divinity. How could Lannon feel anything but misery when he was certain that nothing but death awaited him in the ruins of Serenlock Castle?
Chapter 6: The Duel
Two days later, the company of Knights and Squires departed on horseback for Serenlock Castle. The Squires were provided with their own horses. It was a cloudy, foggy spring morning with a light rain falling, and the road down the mountain was muddy and slippery in places. Boulders and massive pines loomed in the mist around them, providing excellent cover for an ambush. Lannon was grateful the others had sworn to protect him, but h
e doubted they could stop a poison arrow if one flew from the mist in his direction.
Whatever fears Lannon harbored over using the Eye of Divinity were overruled by his fear of assassination As he searched the fog for dangers, the Eye revealed many strange things about the mountain that he ignored--bits and pieces of knowledge that tried to take shape. It was a fairly weak use of the Eye, and he was able to sustain it for long periods of time without tiring.
The five elite archers--three woman and two men--rode a short distance behind Lannon's group, their green and gold clothing adorned with intricate Birlote designs. Their longbows were made of pale Borenthia oak, from the great tree city. Their leader--Fadar Stonebow--carried a green banner displaying an image of a white leaf, the symbol of the Birlote Royal Family. The sight of these magnificent archers boosted Lannon's confidence that he would be safe on the journey.
Vorden, who rode alongside Lannon, smiled at his friend. "It feels good to be out riding, doesn't it? This is why we came to Dremlock--for adventure. Sure beats training and studying with the other Squires."
"If I wasn't going to this duel," Lannon mumbled, "I probably would enjoy it. But all I can think about is that demon man. I guess I don't have the confidence everyone else seems to feel. I still can't believe we're going through with this."
"I'm with you on that, Lannon," said Jerret, who rode a few paces behind, alongside Aldreya. "When I was attacked in Knightwood, I never saw the arrow coming. I never heard a thing. It was like all my Knightly training was useless. I guess my confidence has taken a serious blow as well."
"But you're alive, Jerret," said Vorden. "That speaks well of your training. I'm assuming you did something to save yourself."
"I just got lucky," said Jerret. "The arrow deflected off a metal button of my tunic, of all things. It grazed my shoulder. It was strange. I was poisoned, but it was such a small amount the White Knights managed to cure me. I'm still kind of dazed over it. It's like...I can't seem to forget about it." He sighed and ran his fingers through his tangles of blond hair. "I just keep seeing it in my mind--how close I was to death. I know it's cowardly, but I can't forget it."
"It's not cowardly," said Lannon, who knew exactly how Jerret felt. "You were close to death. That's not an easy thing to deal with."
"Knights face death all the time," said Vorden, shrugging. "It's just something we have to get used to."
"We're not Knights," said Jerret. "We're Squires--and not even grown men. We're not ready to face death, but we've been forced into it by circumstance."
"I'm ready," said Vorden. "More than ready."
"I feel the same," said Aldreya. "It's an honor to die in the service of my kingdom, if it comes to that."
Aldreya's unyielding courage was beyond Lannon's comprehension. He decided that Birlotes in general were beyond his comprehension. The Tree Dwellers were very proud of their ways and seemed to know their place in the world. Lannon, on the other hand, felt detached and uncertain. Vorden didn't have Aldreya's upbringing, but he was never at a loss for confidence and Lannon envied him as well. Vorden and Aldreya seemed born to be Knights.
"Stay alert, Squires," Taris called back. "And I want Willan and Zannin to flank you whenever possible, Lannon, with drawn blades."
Lannon's friends moved away, and the two Blue Knights took position on either side of him, their weapons drawn. They were sullen, quiet men, lean of build and adorned with leather armor. Both held swords, and their dark eyes shifted about constantly as they scanned the mist.
"Those Blue Knights are two of Dremlock's best, Lannon," said Taris. "I want them close to you because I believe we're going to face an ambush."
"Why do you think that?" Lannon asked, his heart beating faster. He'd been letting the Eye of Divinity wane a bit, but he sent it out with renewed vigor. He knew from experience that Taris was seldom wrong about such things.
Taris ignored him and rode on. The Birlote sorcerer's grey cloak seemed to blend with the fog. He looked small compared to the towering figure of Jace who rode next him. Thrake Wolfaxe rode at the head of the group, battle axe in hand.
Suddenly, Lannon glimpsed something in a grove of pines about thirty yards away--an unknown menace that appeared to him as an evil, crouching shadow. The shadow seemed to consist of squirming, smaller shadows--as if the being were made of writhing serpents. The distance was considerable and Lannon couldn't seem to summon the strength to determine exactly what manner of foe was hiding amongst the trees. At last he called out a warning to Taris.
"What do you see?" Taris asked, drawing his stone dagger.
Lannon pointed at the pines. "I'm not sure what it is."
Taris motioned to Thrake Wolfaxe and the two rode into the grove of pines. Lannon waited, hardly daring to breathe. Moments later, Taris and Thrake returned, their faces grim.
"Whatever was there," said Thrake, "departed rather quickly. We found the remains of a deer, and it looks as if the creature was feasting. It could have simply been a stray Goblin from the Bloodlands--or perhaps even a wolf or bear."
"My instincts tell me otherwise," said Taris. "I could feel a lingering aura of evil in the air--the stench of a powerful Goblin."
"It wasn't a natural animal," said Lannon. "It was something dark and strange--something that was plotting evil. I could sense that much, at least."
"The demon man?" asked Jace.
"I don't think so," said Lannon. "It was like nothing I've ever seen or felt, like a creature made of smaller creatures."
Jace frowned, as if puzzled. "If it's a Goblin, then it's one I've never heard of. Or perhaps I've forgotten. There are so many..."
The company rode on. Lannon caught no more glimpses of danger, and he started to relax a bit. The Greywind he rode seemed to know exactly where to go, and Lannon let the horse keep its own pace.
But as they neared the bottom of the mountain, along a stretch of the trail where no houses stood--just trees and rocks--a dark figure slipped from the mist and blocked their path. The figure seemed to be a mass of shifting darkness with two yellow eyes. It was clearly some kind of Goblin, but Lannon had never seen anything like it. The Eye of Divinity seemed to falter and shy away from it.
"Halt!" Jace cried out to the company. "Do not move a muscle!" Jace's voice was tense--almost desperate sounding.
The riders came to a stop. "What is it?" asked Taris, his stone dagger burning with the green fire of sorcery.
"I think this is a Host Goblin," said Jace. "If I'm right, it will use smaller Goblins as projectile weapons. Beware of flying objects!"
The shadowy creature simply stood in the trail watching them, its flesh squirming as if in agitation. Lannon tried again to focus the Eye on it, but again he was turned away. He suspected the creature was shielding itself from him somehow. He could sense great danger, but the Goblin didn't look very powerful. In fact, it looked small and weak, hunched over as if with age.
"No one must move except to defend," Jace called back. He signaled to the archers to hold back. "If you move, you will be attacked. Taris and I will handle this. The goal is to flank the creature. I'll move closer and allow myself to be attacked. Then Taris will move closer. And slowly we will close in on it!"
"I hope it can't understand speech," said Taris, rolling his eyes.
Jace didn't reply. He guided his horse toward the Goblin. Immediately, the Goblin hurled something at Jace with blinding speed. Jace batted the projectile away--a shadowy centipede that landed unharmed and scuttled off into the fog. He slowly wiped sweat from his brow. "Taris," he said, "move around to its right side--just a couple of yards for now. Be prepared."
Holding his burning dagger in front of him with one hand, Taris prompted his horse forward. Immediately, the Goblin plucked a squirming Centipede off itself and threw it at him. The projectile's speed was arrow fast, but it struck the dagger's green flames and disintegrated.
"Excellent," Jace said calmly. "This is going very well." His face was tense, sweat dripping from it.
Jace started forward, but this time he was a bit too slow in blocking the Goblin's throw. A Centipede struck him in the face and knocked him off his horse into the mud.
Lannon's heart sank, but he dared not move to help Jace. He felt terribly helpless, like a prisoner confined to the saddle while his friends faced death.
"Hold your position--all of you!" Jace called from where he lay. A moment later, he jumped up and batted aside another Centipede projectile. His face was streaked with blood.
"How badly are you injured?" asked Thrake Wolfaxe. The Red Knight held his battle axe in one shaking hand--clearly growing tired from holding the heavy weapon in that position.
"I'm fine," said Jace. "I removed the Centipede before it could poison me--though it was a very close call. Taris, keep moving in."
Taris guided his horse closer--and blocked another squirming projectile that flew at his face. In spite of being blocked, this one hit with such impact it nearly threw him off his horse, but he remained in the saddle. His eyes smoldered with anger. "Vile creature!" he muttered.
Jace stepped around his horse, but the Goblin hurled a Centipede at Vorden this time. Somehow, Vorden's spider sword rose in time to slash the projectile from the air. Vorden cried out in triumph.
"Well done, Squire!" Jace called out, grinning. "Now, continue to hold your ground. We'll get through this."
But Timlin wasn't listening. The attack on Vorden drove him into a panic, and he leapt from his horse and ran for a boulder. The Goblin threw at him and barely missed--though the Centipede hit Timlin's horse in the neck and stuck there. The Greywind reared up, whinnying, and then collapsed in death. The Centipede scuttled away from the horse and vanished behind a pine.
Taris groaned in frustration. "Timlin, you cowardly wretch! Now you've lost a fine horse!"
"Did I not say to hold your ground?" Jace called out, his voice weary. "Fleeing will do no good. We must be patient."
Taris moved in. This time, the Goblin hurled a Centipede at Aldreya. The young Birlote sorceress had her own burning dagger in front of her. She screamed, even as the Centipede disintegrated against the blade, and toppled from her horse.
Knights: Book 02 - The Hand of Tharnin Page 6