Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart Read Free

now Sir Dornan will be your source of instruction and guidance.” He turned to Sir Dornan. “I’ll be leaving now. Keep us informed.”
    “I will, sir,” Dornan nodded.
    The following day, two new recruits joined them at the training camp. Dalton thought them a bit strange. They seemed pleasant enough, but a little awkward—and much too serious for their young age. He guessedSir Koen was perhaps eighteen, his own age. Lady Carliss, Koen’s sister, appeared about two years younger.
    “Welcome to Salisburg.” Dalton held out a hand. Koen looked at Dalton with skeptical eyes before taking his hand. His light brown hair was a little unkempt.
    “This is Carliss.” Koen gestured toward his sister. Her brown eyes stared straight into Dalton’s. Something about them told Dalton that she viewed the kingdom differently than most youth. Her hair, nearly the same color as her brother’s, hung to her shoulders in casual waves of inattention. The resemblance between her and Koen was unmistakable.
    “Hello.” She offered him her hand and gave him a small smile. A few of the other trainees broke from their groups and joined Dalton in the greeting.
    “Where do you come from?” asked Makon.
    “We used to farm east of Bremsfeld,” Koen replied. “Things got tough there, and some of our kin have land near Salisburg, so…” He looked a little uneasy.
    “Been training long?” Dalton asked.
    At that, Koen’s face lit up. “Since we were young—by our father.”
    “But you said your father was a farmer,” one of the trainees said.
    “Yes, but he knows the art of the sword,” Carliss responded.
    “Sir Orland often visited us on our farm and helped train us too,” Koen added. “Do you know Sir Orland?”
    Dalton shook his head and looked at his companions. The name seemed unknown among all of them.
    “He came through our area some time ago and told us about the Prince,” Koen said with enthusiasm. “Our whole family became Followers, and he helped train us with the sword.” Koen glanced toward Carliss and allowed a slight smile to crease his lips. “We’re excited to be part of the haven and continue training.”
    Three more trainees came to greet Koen. Dalton noticed that Carlissstepped aside and was soon left by herself. He looked over at Brynn, but she was deep in discussion with three other female trainees.
    “Gather around, my young apprentices,” Sir Dornan called to begin the day’s lesson.
    The trainees formed a semicircle around him. Dornan drew his sword and held it out. It was a magnificent weapon, a true work of art. Dalton glanced toward Koen and Carliss, and their eyes seemed to swallow up the sword with anticipation. Oddly, Dalton’s heart stumbled slightly, and he was confused by his response. It was as if he had been thirsty for water but hadn’t known it until he saw thirst in the faces of these newcomers.
    “This is why you are here—to learn the art of the sword and to become trained Knights of the Prince.” Dornan drew his sword in a wide, slow arc over the heads of the trainees and then quickly sheathed it.
    “But you must first understand the kingdom and its people to be effective as a knight. There are many peoples, many cultures, many viewpoints, and we must adapt if we are to reach them and bring them freedom.”
    And so the daily instruction of the trainees began under the tutelage of Sir Dornan. He would lecture briefly on knighthood and then engage the trainees in dialogue on a variety of topics. Often the discourse would center upon an ethically challenging situation, with each trainee invited to voice an opinion. Dornan began to open their eyes to the many belief systems in the kingdom by sharing his own experiences. He spoke of his encounters with the nomads of Nan and also of the widely varying cultures now occupying the Kessons’ Territory. Afterward, he would lead the trainees in a few skill exercises, usually involving horses and the lance, and the sessions always