Knights: Book 03 - The Heart of Shadows Read Free

He was
chilled at the prospect of what he might find when he lifted away the cloth.
    But Lannon was honor bound to put aside his fear and learn
why two young Knights were dead. Whoever, or whatever, had killed them had
dispatched this beast in the same fashion. If Lannon surrendered to his fear,
more Knights could turn up dead. His hand feeling numb, he touched the edge of
the cloth. A cold shudder passed through him. For several moments he held that
pose, fighting his internal battle against fear while he gazed at the dark
outline of the face from which the evil sorcery was radiating so potently.
    At last he shored up his will and Eye of Divinity
responded, engulfing him like armor. Lannon seized the cloth and tore it
away--to find himself gazing at a shockingly pale face with two crimson eyes,
the beast's closed muzzle stained with blood. There was something deeply
unsettling about that face, and Lannon was overwhelmed by the urge to cover it
again.
    In that instant, the slain Jackal's muzzle parted to reveal
crooked fangs and its claws shot up and locked onto Lannon's throat. With a
cry, Lannon tore away from its grasp and reeled back, as his vision went black
for a moment.
    When Lannon's vision returned, the dark cloth still covered
the Jackal's face. Lannon had never actually removed it, but had fallen victim
to an illusion that the Eye had failed to see through. He told the others what
had happened.
    "A foul trick of the sorcery," said Taris.
"It seems the answer is buried too deeply for even the Eye of Divinity to
discover."
    Jace looked troubled as he smoked his pipe. "Power
that turns away even the mighty Eye. Just what manner of assassin are we
dealing with?"
    "I suppose the only way we'll know," said Taris,
"is to hunt him down. Meanwhile, let this fallen monster be laid to rest
with a proper burial."
    "We
should summon the other Squires," said Furlus. "Any of them could be
targets. The Divine Shield must be assembled immediately."
    Taris
fixed his gaze on Lannon. "Our spies have informed us that your old friend
Timlin Woodmaster is now the leader of the Blood Legion. We believe he is
determined to launch an attack on this fortress in the near future. This
assassin--as powerful as he seems to be--may simply be an attempt to distract
us."
    A
shaft of pain pierced Lannon's heart at the mention of Timlin, but his resolve
did not crumble. "I'm still hoping he will surrender."
    Taris
sighed. "Young Squire, you still don't understand the ways of this world.
The Deep Shadow will never surrender its hold on Timlin now--just as Vorden is
forever lost to it. You should harden your heart in preparation, for Timlin is
now our greatest enemy and marked for death by Dremlock."
    "Marked
for death?" said Lannon, though the statement needed no explanation.
Lannon's stomach churned at the thought.
    "What
that means," said Shennen, stepping close to Lannon, "is that Timlin
is on the assassination list of the Blue Knights. As a traitor to Dremlock and
someone corrupted by Tharnin, his death would be a blessing upon this
land." Shennen's eyes were cold, holding a glint of grim purpose in the
dim, flickering torchlight.
    "I
can't give up on my friend," said Lannon.
    "He's
not our friend anymore, Lannon," said Jerret, his head bowed. "He
hates us now, just like Vorden does. We have to accept that."
    "Jerret
speaks true," said Taris. "Timlin would kill you in an instant,
Lannon, if he had the chance. He is no better than a savage Goblin now. Tenneth
Bard is dead and Vorden is gone from our world. While Timlin is still here
physically, he is just as lost as they are. Face up to that fact."
    "I
can't do that," said Lannon.
    "I
know," said Taris, giving Lannon's shoulder a squeeze. "You have a
noble heart. I admire that quality. But there comes a time when you must begin
to think and act like a Knight--and make the harsh choices. Knights are not
coddled. A Knight must stand alone, even with his fellow Knights at his side.
Do you know what the