Knights: Book 01 - The Eye of Divinity (26 page)

"He's telling the truth," said Vorden. "He needs us."

Jerret fidgeted uncomfortably and glanced at Aldreya.

Lannon stayed quiet, taking comfort in the fact that it was at least partially true. As far as he knew, he still needed Vorden and Timlin to summon the Eye.

"We believe," said Cordus, "there are other wheel locks down there which we cannot open. Otherwise, the Squires wouldn't be needed."

The Red Knight, Caldrek, shook his head in disgust. "I find it absurd that the Lord Knight and his Tower Masters should encounter places in our kingdom we cannot access. What were we thinking in designing such locks?"

"The locks are necessary," said Furlus. "They have protected Dremlock from invasion both above ground and below for centuries. If their secrets have been forgotten in some cases, whose fault is that? Not the Olrogs who forged them."

"The search party," said Cordus, "shall depart this very evening. Time grows short and we can wait no longer. Once this task is complete, we must take Lannon to confront a Goblin Lord. But right now it is necessary to learn what kind of threat exists down in the mines."

"Do you know who the assassin is?" Caldrek asked.

"We have no clue," said Cordus.

"Actually," said Taris, "Lannon thinks he knows. Why don't you tell the others what you believe, Lannon?"

Lannon hesitated, his eyes fixed on the floor. He could imagine how they might react to what Taris wanted him to say. Finally he said, "I think it was Tenneth Bard, the Black Knight."

The Knights exchanged surprised glances. Saranna looked confused.

"But that's impossible," said Cordus. "Were that true, he would have to be hundreds of years old. No Norack man can live that long."

"On the contrary," said Taris. "The aging process can be slowed dramatically, even stopped in some cases. Throughout history elite sorcerers have managed it--only to end up dying of other causes."

"Yet I can scarcely bring myself to believe it could actually be Tenneth Bard," said Cordus, "whose statue still stands in the ruins of Serenlock."

"I, too, find this hard to believe," said Caldrek.

"It's ridiculous," said Furlus.

"It was him!" said Lannon, surprised at his own insistence. "I recognized his eyes."

"Just his eyes?" scoffed Furlus. "Who can recognize a man by his eyes alone? Further proof is needed to back such a claim."

"I believe what you say, Lannon," said Taris. "And bear in mind," he said to the others, "that the Eye of Divinity reveals many truths."

A moment of silence followed. Then Cordus said, "Regardless, we know our enemy is powerful, and so we must proceed with great caution." He pointed to where the top of the altar lay shattered in pieces. "We're dealing with a foe that even fully trained Knights might not be a match for--which is why I must send my best fighters. Now I believe Saranna has something important to tell us."

"Despite the weapons and other supplies Dremlock sent to us," Saranna said, with bitterness in her voice, "the North Road has fallen to the Goblins. The Rangers that managed to escape have vowed never to return there. I myself share that vow. Yet I have come here not just to bring the bad news, but also to see if I can somehow help in your war against the Goblins. They killed many of my good friends. I want to play a part in their downfall."

As Lannon watched her speak, he admired her courage and beauty. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a ponytail, just as it had been the first time he had seen her, but now her green eyes held a hurt, defiant look. Her rugged chain mail bore unmistakable claw marks. Just gazing at her caused his own courage to swell, and he sat a little taller and straighter.

"So you want revenge?" said Cordus.

"If that's what you wish to call it," said Saranna. "Goblins are my sworn enemy, and I'll see them all destroyed, if I'm able."

"Whatever your reason," said Cordus, "we gladly accept your help. We can use your tracking skills to hunt down our enemies below ground. Though you are not a Knight, it would please me to have you join the party I'm sending into the mines."

"I'll go," Saranna said quickly.

Cordus nodded, and then his gaze on fell on Taris. "So you actually believe Tenneth Bard yet lives. But what would he have been doing all this time? Hiding out somewhere, dreaming of revenge?"

"Not merely hiding," said Taris. "The Blood Legion has been around throughout the centuries, making mischief. I believe he may have continued to lead it in secrecy. Or perhaps he went away for a while and has recently returned. It is a grand mystery, and we're not close to solving it."

"I'll speak to the other High Council members," said Cordus. "We'll finish preparing Dremlock for war and send some of our Knights down the mountainside to protect Hollow Deep and the surrounding dwellings. Yet our kingdom needs a strong final defense, since it is possible, though very unlikely, they could find a way through Darkender Tunnel. Or they may try to scale the walls or mountainside--a very difficult but certainly not impossible feat, especially for Goblins."

"I would place many defenders at Darkender Tunnel," said Taris. "If the assassin went below, he must know how to solve a wheel lock. The wheel locks might all be worthless now, if their ultimate secret has been discovered. I would gather half of your forces near the Tunnel mouth, and the other half here at the Temple, in case of an attack from below. Also, I would have some of the more highly trained Squires prepared for battle as well. And put our
special
Knights on alert, if they haven't been already."

Cordus sat quietly for a moment, and then nodded. "Your advice is sound, Taris. I'll certainly consider it."

"Won't the rest of the High Council question our absence?" said Taris. "Maybe Furlus should remain above ground, to draw away suspicion."

"What do you think of that idea, Furlus?" said Cordus.

"I'm going with the search party," Furlus said. "I haven't had a chance to wield my axe in quite some time. Taris, why don't you stay behind?"

"I need to remain with Lannon," said Taris.

"The party needs an Olrog," said Cordus, "to help navigate the mines. I have chosen Furlus to lead the party because of his navigational abilities and knowledge of the mines--both of which are unmatched in Dremlock. (Furlus beamed at these words, looking smugly at Taris.) Yet we also need sharp Birlote instincts to warn of danger, as well as your vast knowledge of sorcery, Taris, in dealing with a foe who obviously uses magic. Both of you will go on this quest. I'll deal with the High Council myself, if they grow suspicious. I have authority here, and they must obey me."

"What if another vote for your removal is called?" said Taris.

"They can call another vote," said Cordus, "but the entire High Council must be present for it to be carried out. If it isn't, new Council members must be temporarily appointed in place of the missing ones. By then, you should be back from your journey."

"And if we are not?" said Taris.

"This must be done," said Cordus.

Caldrek nodded in agreement. Shennen, the Birlote, continued to sit in silence, his hard face empty of expression. He appeared relaxed, yet watchful--his eyes taking in everything around him. His hands were never far from his short swords.

"Now unless there is anything else," said Cordus, "we should get our plan underway."

"Agreed," said Furlus, standing up. "We should gather food and water, extra torches or lanterns, blankets, and matches. We don't know how long we're going to be down there. We also will need plenty of rope, grapple hooks, iron spikes, and hammers, as well as medical supplies."

"I could send a White Knight," said Cordus.

Furlus shook his head. "The going may be rough, and a healer might only slow us down. We'll just have to take our chances."

"Then let us begin," said Cordus.

The others waited at the Temple while Taris and Furlus went to gather supplies. Soon they returned. Some muttered words were exchanged between them as they entered the chamber bearing sacks stuffed with the items. The supplies were quickly distributed among the Knights and the Squires.

"If the danger below becomes too extreme," said Cordus, "or if there is evidence of a trap, turn back at once. Dremlock cannot afford to lose its Tower Masters or the one who possesses the Eye of Divinity. Your goal is not so much to hunt down an assassin as it is to see what might be going on down there in this area of the mines. We need to know if a significant threat lurks below."

"We'll do our spy work," said Furlus, "
and
bring back the assassin."

"He won't escape us," Caldrek said confidently.

"I believe the fate of our kingdom will be decided below," said Cordus. "Good luck to you all." With that, the Lord Knight left the Temple, leaving Dremlock's fate in the hands of his Tower Masters, two specialists, and five uncertain youths.

Chapter 15:
 
The Goblin Puzzle

With Furlus leading the way, they readied their weapons and descended the steps that led below the altar. Saranna stayed at the rear to guard the Squires' backs, her saber in hand and her wolf at her side. The Squires all carried lanterns, leaving the adults free to more easily wield their weapons. On the way down, Vorden whispered something to Jerret and Aldreya that no one else could catch a word of.

As they stood before the wheel lock, Vorden and Timlin got on either side of Lannon, while Jerret, looking uncomfortable, took a position behind him and placed his hand on Lannon's back. For a moment, Aldreya stood next to Taris, looking uncertain. Then she stepped forward and also placed her hand on Lannon's back.

Lannon could feel the Tower Masters gazing at him, and he wasn't immediately able to summon the Eye due to his nervousness. Also, the two hands pressed into his back were distracting, though Lannon realized Jerret and Aldreya were simply pretending to be helping with the process.

After several failed attempts, the Knights began to grow restless. "Is there anything we can do to help?" asked Furlus.

"Are we distracting you?" asked Taris.

Lannon shook his head. "Sometimes it takes awhile."

"What are these Squires up to?" said Caldrek, to Taris.

Taris did not reply, and they all waited in silence.

At last the Eye emerged, and a moment later Lannon had solved the wheel lock. As the wheel stopped spinning and the click arose, Caldrek whispered in awe, "The Eye of Divinity," to Shennen.

Shennen nodded. "Only the Eye could do this."

Furlus clapped Lannon on the back. "Good work, boy!"

All of Lannon's attention had been focused on the lock, but now, acting on a whim, Lannon turned and directed the Eye upon Taris Warhawk. And he saw nothing. The Eye of Divinity reached forth, probing the Birlote sorcerer from head to toe, but the only thing that came to Lannon's mind was an image of darkness. Then he realized that Taris was smiling at him from beneath his hood.

"You wish to learn my secrets?" Taris mused. "Yet you have not mastered your powers well enough for that task. I do not wield the power of Tharnin, if that is what you're wondering. My mind and body are shielded from you for another reason. You should beware of what you gaze upon, young Lannon, until you're able to deal with the things you are shown. You still have much to learn."

Embarrassed, Lannon turned away. As he did so, Darius, who was sniffing around by the door, suddenly let out a warning growl. Before the others could react, the door of Glaetherin burst open, knocking Darius aside, and something dark leapt through, long talons swiping at Lannon. Lannon caught a glimpse of half-developed bat wings, a rodent-shaped head that had no eyes and tapered into a wolf-snout, and long, crooked arms that ended in clusters of deadly claws. A sickening stench--both physical and of evil itself--flooded the passageway. The will of the Deep Shadow gripped their souls.

It was a Bloodfang, like the one the Squires had glimpsed in the dungeons below Old Keep. Only this one was not caged.

Screeching insanely, the Bloodfang hurtled at Lannon with a blur of wings, teeth, and claws. But Furlus grabbed Lannon with one meaty hand before the beast could maul him and tossed him out of harm's way. The Blood Fang's claws ripped into Furlus' plate armor, and the Grey Dwarf was born backwards to the floor, locked in a death struggle. The claws tore at his chest, while the teeth sought to pierce his throat. Furlus fought furiously, protecting himself with his hands and knees. His great beard helped to defend his throat, for the creature's claws became momentarily tangled in it.

The others recovered from their surprise. Caldrek leapt at the beast, and Taris raised his burning stone dagger. But Shennen got there first. His shimmering short swords moved with blinding speed, cleaving deep wounds in the Bloodfang, yet he failed to dislodge it from Furlus.

Caldrek plunged his own gleaming blade into the monster's back an instant later, which caused a shudder to run through the Bloodfang but again could not drive it off of Furlus. Cursing, the Red Knight twisted the blade around inside the beast--but to no avail. The Goblin still refused to give up on the Grey Dwarf.

Saranna reacted slower than the other two, but made the most effective move, slicing her saber deep into the Bloodfang's neck in an effort to behead it. But as good a stroke as it was, the razor-sharp blade still could not cleave all the way through the knotty flesh and bone. The Bloodfang screeched and loosened its grip some, swiping at Saranna with one claw that shredded her chain mail and drew blood. Meanwhile, Darius lunged at the monster and bit into one of its legs.

The Squires stared on helplessly, their faces gone pale. In Lannon's shock, the Eye of Divinity retreated partially back into him, and he could only lie on the floor where Furlus had thrown him and watch as the frantic struggle took place.

Then Taris hurled a blinding fireball from his dagger and it exploded into a shower of sparks against the Bloodfang's skull. The Goblin collapsed on top of Furlus and went limp, green smoke rising from its head and dark blood pouring from its jaws.

Furlus lay coughing and sputtering for a moment, and then he shoved the creature off of him. He wiped the foul Goblin blood from his beard. Then he clambered up from the floor. "One less filthy Goblin," he remarked.

They studied the fallen monster. A steel chain was fastened to its leg, leading beyond the door to an iron ring embedded in the tunnel floor.

"Placed here to guard the passageway," said Caldrek. "Not a bad choice, I must say. I've never seen a Goblin quite like it."

"There are worse ones down here," Furlus said grimly.

Shennen knelt by the creature, his cold eyes glittering in the lantern light. "Who could have captured one of these in such a manner? A simple chain on its leg? Surely the beast would have torn its captor apart."

The others had no answer.
They gathered by the doorway.
 
As the watched in tense silence, a figure stepped from the shadows and began walking towards them down the tunnel. It was a Goblin Lord--a Foul Brother dressed in a black robe and carrying a dark, twisted scepter that seemed to radiate a purple glow. Black runes were painted on its bald head and face, making its cunning, evil eyes stand out. It grinned at them, showing yellow, lumpy teeth. "Greetings, Knights of the Divine Order," it hissed.

Taris pulled Lannon near to him, and called forth the fire into his dagger.

The others readied their weapons.

None among the party had imagined such an event would occur. A Goblin Lord in the mines beneath Dremlock was strange enough. Yet for it to walk casually towards them, its staff held loosely in its hand, was a sight no one was prepared for. For several moments no one said a word. The Goblin stopped just a few yards away from them, its grin broadening into sheer malicious glee.

Then Taris Warhawk spoke. "What game have you come to play, showing yourself so boldly?"

The Goblin Lord gave a choked-sounding laugh. "I want the same thing you want. I've come to give you what you seek."

The others stood silent, confused.

"The Eye of Divinity," said the Goblin Lord, its black eyes growing wide. "You wish to use it on me? Well, isn't that correct? You want to find my weakness. The boy..." It pointed a bony finger at Lannon. "Go on, lad, use your power upon me. I will not resist."

Trembling, Lannon glanced towards Taris.

"Do nothing, Lannon," said Taris, "until I tell you to."

"Why hesitate?" said the Goblin Lord. "Now is your chance, while I give it freely."

"This is a trap of some sort," said Furlus. "Obviously."

"No trap," said the Goblin Lord. "Just an offer."

"We don't want your filthy offer," said Furlus.

Caldrek stroked his mustache, shaking his head. His blue eyes were narrowed into slits. "How dare you show your face like this? So many friends of mine perished trying to rid Silverland of your evil..."

"And more will perish, feeble Knight," said the Goblin Lord. "That is--if Dremlock does not surrender. You know what is taking place. You know that I serve a master who seeks your downfall. And you know that Goblins are no longer mindless animals hunted down by the Knights of Dremlock for their amusement. We have a voice now and a purpose. You speak of
your
companions who were killed? What of my brothers, who have been hunted mercilessly by the so-called Divine Knights for centuries?"

"That's different!" growled Caldrek. "Everyone knows Goblins are the filthy spawn of the Deep Shadow. None of you are fit to live."

"And I say the same of your race," said the Goblin Lord.

"Your race was hunted by us Knights," said Taris, "because of your aggressions against Birlotes, Noracks, and Olrogs. Had you lived peacefully, Dremlock would have had no need to make war on you. But time and again, you have risen against us. Time and again, you have killed unjustly. That is why we seek to banish you from Silverland."

The Goblin's grin twisted into a sneer. "I have not come to beg mercy for Goblins, Tower Master. We neither need it nor desire it. It is the Divine Knights who will beg for mercy from us, soon enough. Now, will you accept my offer?"

Shennen stepped towards the Goblin Lord. "You have a weakness. Now it is my turn to search for it. And I do not fail so easily!"

"Wait a moment, Shennen," said Taris. "Maybe we do want his offer. Let the Goblin first tell us exactly what it entails. If the offer proves unworthy, you may then put your skills to the test. All of us will--and I very much doubt even a Goblin Lord could survive an attack by all of us combined."

The Goblin Lord went into a laughing fit, snorting and drooling. "No need for that, I assure you. My offer is simple. I will allow the Eye of Divinity to be used on me because I have no weakness. I will prove to you beyond a doubt that Goblin Lords are invincible, that Dremlock's fate is sealed. And then you will have no choice but to surrender."

"Surrender?" rumbled Furlus. "We shall see about that. I've heard enough of this nonsense. Let's see if you can put yourself back together again when Furlus Goblincrusher gets done with you!"

Taris stepped towards the Goblin Lord. "You think we are fools? Taris Warhawk is no fool. I have seen through your plan. Somehow, you know Lannon isn't ready to see the things you would show him, that he might find your weakness but not be able to speak of it because he would be driven mad."

The Goblin Lord glanced about with uncertainty and backed up a step. It held its gnarled staff before it in a defensive posture. Whether invincible or not, fear was clearly reflected in its dark eyes as its gaze passed over the party. It backed up another step, its muscled tensed as if in preparation to flee.

"But nevertheless," Taris said, "we will accept your offer."

Its eyes widening in surprise, the Goblin Lord hissed, "You will use the Eye on me?"

Taris nodded. "Lannon, release the Eye of Divinity upon the Goblin."

"What are you doing?" said Furlus. "If this is a trap, why are we going along with it? I say let's settle this the way an Olrog would! As you said, the boy could lose his sanity. We should not risk this, Taris."

"Leave this to me," said Taris, placing his hand on Lannon's shoulder. "I have prepared myself well for this situation."

Lannon stared at the Goblin Lord, hesitating. The Eye was still unlocked, waiting to either be sent forth or be sealed away. But what was this talk of him being driven mad? What would he see when he probed the Goblin?

"Do not be afraid," said Taris. "You can do this, Lannon."

Taris' words eased Lannon's mind somewhat, and he slowly reached out with the Eye, probing the outer surface of the Goblin Lord. He intended to proceed with caution, but the Eye was suddenly sucked into the Goblin Lord, revealing its secrets in a rush of feelings and images. Lannon saw and felt something abhorrent to nature, a mutating of life that had come to resemble a sort of living death. A dark power bound this creature together--one that radiated from its heart, which was protected by a thick shell of bone and existed in the lower back. As long as this heart was intact, it could bind the creature back together again under most any circumstances. To kill the Goblin Lord, the heart would have to be utterly destroyed--burned completely into ashes by magical fire.

But the Eye of Divinity probed deeper, revealing that the Goblin Lord did not actually possess the power that it appeared to possess. It was only a powerful illusion placed in the minds of those who confronted it. Goblin Lords did not regenerate after being cut into pieces, because it only
appeared
that they were cut into pieces. The blades actually hacked through empty air. The Knights would have to see through that illusion and destroy the Goblin Lord's heart that was the source of all its power. It would not be an easy task, but it could be done.