Knights: Book 03 - The Heart of Shadows by Robert E. Keller Page A
Authors: Robert E. Keller
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danger of keeping them for study is too great. It has already
cost us Thrake Wolfaxe, one of our greatest warriors, and it nearly cost us the
White Flamestone and the Eye of Divinity, which would have been devastating to
our kingdom. We can't afford to have any more of these Dragon Knights roaming
around."
Lannon nodded. "But what about
Shennen?"
Taris
shrugged. "I will inform Shennen of my decision after the messengers have
already departed. Meanwhile, you will keep quiet about this whole affair.
Shennen is too obsessed with those bones, and I fear he will share Thrake's
fate. He has become pale and angry. He no longer looks or acts like a Birlote.
Even though his heart remains uncorrupted, the bones have clearly affected him.
I have no idea how he will react to my decision, but better he finds out
later--after the Dragon's remains are gone from sight and mind forever."
"But
what if Shennen blames me?" asked Lannon.
"He
won't," said Taris. "You simply informed me of Thrake's warning.
Shennen will blame me for giving the order to bury the bones."
"What
about Thrake's words concerning the fall of Dremlock?" said Lannon.
"I once heard Trenton speak similar words when he was dazed."
"It
may be a sign that Dremlock is in grave danger," said Taris, "but
nothing is certain. Ghosts sometimes possess knowledge beyond that of the
living. And sometimes bits and pieces of the future are revealed to Knights
through dreams that are possibly sent by the Divine Essence. But they are only
observations of what might come to pass. I do know that the war against
the Deep Shadow has escalated in the past decade and our foes have grown
stronger."
"But
we slew the Dragon," said Lannon, "and captured Dorok's Hand. Also,
Tenneth Bard is dead and Vorden is gone from our world."
Taris
nodded. "Great accomplishments, certainly, but no guarantee of victory in
this war. Even the acquiring of the White Flamestone and the Eye of Divinity
are not guarantees. We sought you out of desperation, Lannon--in spite of
knowing what had become of the Dark Watchmen. We welcomed you into the kingdom,
even though some on the High Council feared what you could become if the Deep
Shadow found its way into your heart. And the fact that the Divine Essence gave
a piece of itself to foolish mortals like us is a sign of our god's fear for
the future."
Lannon was puzzled. "Shennen told me I
need to train as the Dark Watchmen once did--that I will likely end up dead if
I don't. But shouldn't I avoid anything related to the Dark Watchmen?"
"Shennen
has no patience these days," said Taris, his face darkening. "He
tries to push things ahead too quickly. He has grown cynical toward the fate of
our kingdom. But he is correct in his belief that one who uses the Eye of
Divinity properly will learn to focus it as the Dark Watchmen once did. The Eye
is not simply about seeing deeper truths or moving objects. It is a tool designed
to enhance the skills of a Blue Knight. However, learning to control your power
comes through experience, and you must be allowed to grow at your own pace and
not be forced into anything too soon. Shennen doesn't agree with me on that and
seeks to bypass my authority."
"But
Blue Knights are assassins," said Lannon. "Am I expected to sneak up
on people and attack them from behind?"
"Not
all Blue Knights are assassins," said Taris. "Just a few of them.
Shennen is one. But assassination missions are rare and reserved only for
enemies who are deemed hopelessly lost to the Deep Shadow."
"Were
the Dark Watchmen assassins?" asked Lannon.
"In
spite of their skills," said Taris, "the Dark Watchmen did not
partake in assassination missions. They were warriors who preferred to face
their enemy in honorable combat. Therefore, it does not surprise me that you're
opposed to such missions. But bear in mind that if an assassination is done for
noble purposes in a time of war, it is not dishonorable according to the Sacred
Laws."
"Nevertheless,"
said Lannon,
cost us Thrake Wolfaxe, one of our greatest warriors, and it nearly cost us the
White Flamestone and the Eye of Divinity, which would have been devastating to
our kingdom. We can't afford to have any more of these Dragon Knights roaming
around."
Lannon nodded. "But what about
Shennen?"
Taris
shrugged. "I will inform Shennen of my decision after the messengers have
already departed. Meanwhile, you will keep quiet about this whole affair.
Shennen is too obsessed with those bones, and I fear he will share Thrake's
fate. He has become pale and angry. He no longer looks or acts like a Birlote.
Even though his heart remains uncorrupted, the bones have clearly affected him.
I have no idea how he will react to my decision, but better he finds out
later--after the Dragon's remains are gone from sight and mind forever."
"But
what if Shennen blames me?" asked Lannon.
"He
won't," said Taris. "You simply informed me of Thrake's warning.
Shennen will blame me for giving the order to bury the bones."
"What
about Thrake's words concerning the fall of Dremlock?" said Lannon.
"I once heard Trenton speak similar words when he was dazed."
"It
may be a sign that Dremlock is in grave danger," said Taris, "but
nothing is certain. Ghosts sometimes possess knowledge beyond that of the
living. And sometimes bits and pieces of the future are revealed to Knights
through dreams that are possibly sent by the Divine Essence. But they are only
observations of what might come to pass. I do know that the war against
the Deep Shadow has escalated in the past decade and our foes have grown
stronger."
"But
we slew the Dragon," said Lannon, "and captured Dorok's Hand. Also,
Tenneth Bard is dead and Vorden is gone from our world."
Taris
nodded. "Great accomplishments, certainly, but no guarantee of victory in
this war. Even the acquiring of the White Flamestone and the Eye of Divinity
are not guarantees. We sought you out of desperation, Lannon--in spite of
knowing what had become of the Dark Watchmen. We welcomed you into the kingdom,
even though some on the High Council feared what you could become if the Deep
Shadow found its way into your heart. And the fact that the Divine Essence gave
a piece of itself to foolish mortals like us is a sign of our god's fear for
the future."
Lannon was puzzled. "Shennen told me I
need to train as the Dark Watchmen once did--that I will likely end up dead if
I don't. But shouldn't I avoid anything related to the Dark Watchmen?"
"Shennen
has no patience these days," said Taris, his face darkening. "He
tries to push things ahead too quickly. He has grown cynical toward the fate of
our kingdom. But he is correct in his belief that one who uses the Eye of
Divinity properly will learn to focus it as the Dark Watchmen once did. The Eye
is not simply about seeing deeper truths or moving objects. It is a tool designed
to enhance the skills of a Blue Knight. However, learning to control your power
comes through experience, and you must be allowed to grow at your own pace and
not be forced into anything too soon. Shennen doesn't agree with me on that and
seeks to bypass my authority."
"But
Blue Knights are assassins," said Lannon. "Am I expected to sneak up
on people and attack them from behind?"
"Not
all Blue Knights are assassins," said Taris. "Just a few of them.
Shennen is one. But assassination missions are rare and reserved only for
enemies who are deemed hopelessly lost to the Deep Shadow."
"Were
the Dark Watchmen assassins?" asked Lannon.
"In
spite of their skills," said Taris, "the Dark Watchmen did not
partake in assassination missions. They were warriors who preferred to face
their enemy in honorable combat. Therefore, it does not surprise me that you're
opposed to such missions. But bear in mind that if an assassination is done for
noble purposes in a time of war, it is not dishonorable according to the Sacred
Laws."
"Nevertheless,"
said Lannon,
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