Knights: Book 03 - The Heart of Shadows Read Free Page A

means, to stand alone? Your duties come before friendship.
Timlin is our sworn enemy, and your duty is to view him as such."
    Lannon
felt cold inside. He felt the Knights were too demanding of Squires, shoving
them into battle and leaving them to sort out their thoughts alone. Taris had
given Lannon much guidance, but ultimately, Lannon felt alone most of the time,
left to suffer in silence and work out his troubles on his own. He knew it was
expected and demanded of him. It was the way of Dremlock to build total
self-reliance while providing only what guidance was absolutely necessary. But
Lannon wasn't fond of it nonetheless. Dremlock could quickly and easily turn
its back on a traitor like Timlin and expect Lannon to do the same, while
offering him no wisdom or comfort for making such a harsh decision. Duty was
all that mattered.
    "Timlin's
heart is completely lost to darkness," said Furlus. The Grey Dwarf's
bearded face showed a hint of sadness. "When I looked into that lad's
eyes, before the gates of Dorok's Hand, I saw only pure evil."
    "And
that is why Timlin is doomed," said Shennen, in a tone of voice that
chilled Lannon to the bone. "The Blue Knights will not accept failure in
this matter. Yet we only mark for death those who have become the most vile
creations of Tharnin, those who would never surrender anyway."
    Lannon
glanced at Jace for hope, and Jace winked at Lannon. "Who knows what the
future has in store?"
    Lannon
nodded, cheered up a bit by Jace's optimism. Jace seemed able to affect
Lannon's mood with ease--almost as if he were using some form of sorcery on the
lad. Lannon didn't know what Jace was capable of, because the giant was somehow
shielded completely from the Eye of Divinity. Lannon still didn't fully trust
Jace, but the Knights--with the exception of Trenton Shadowbane, the
cantankerous Investigator of Dremlock--seemed to trust him enough. Regardless,
Lannon was once again grateful for Jace's presence.
    "Don't
give the boy false hope, Jace," said Shennen, glaring at the sorcerer.
"It will only make this worse for him."
    Jace
blew a shaky smoke ring and frowned at it. It was such a terrible smoke ring
that he batted it into ruin with a huge hand. "No false hope, just
reality. The future is unknown to us."
    "It
troubles me," said Taris, "that a former Squire is marked for death,
but Timlin was spawned by the Hand of Tharnin--a weapon so evil and unstable
that even the Tharnin Lords have condemned its use. He is the last link to that
bitter device. Yet Timlin is aware of our Sacred Laws. If he chose to come to
us and surrender, we would be forced to spare his life and lock him in a
dungeon. But he will never do that. He will resist to the bitter end."
    Lannon
knew they were right, but he still couldn't bring himself to accept it. Timlin
was purely evil--a monster in armor infested with the Deep Shadow. Timlin would
seek to bring death and suffering to the Divine Knights and the people of
Silverland. Even his own Blood Legion feared and despised him, in spite of
being forced to obey his commands.
    "For
now, my friends," said Taris, "we need to find this assassin and
capture him alive, if possible, so we can learn why Timlin sent him and
anything else he might know of the Blood Legion's plans."
    "I
have a request, Taris," said Shennen. He hesitated, looking uncertain.
"I would like to spend some time alone with Lannon, as I have need of his
skills. I want him to examine the bones of the Dragon. I know this may not be a
good time, but my research is very important."
    Taris
stood in silence for a moment. At last, he nodded. "I will allow it, but
take care of your business quickly. After that, I want Lannon and his friends
under constant guard. And take Jace with you."
    Shennen's
expression soured. "Jace? But why?"
    Taris
gazed at the Blue Knight sternly. "Jace's vast knowledge may prove helpful
to your research. Also, I'm not an expert concerning Dragon bones, but I'm
guessing this could be a dangerous