Knights: Legends of Ollanhar

Knights:
 
Legends of Ollanhar

by Robert E. Keller

Book 2 of the Ollanhar
Series

Smart
Goblin Publishing 2015

This
book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are
products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance
to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely
coincidental.

 
Original and exclusive cover art by
Carolina Mylius

Copyright © 2015 Robert E. Keller

Content Notice:

 
A complete
92,000 word fantasy novel.

About the Author:

 
Robert E. Keller is a fantasy
writer who has had more than 30 stories published in online and print
magazines, and he is the author of several epic fantasy novels. You can find
more information on his projects at
www.robertekeller.net

Table
of Contents:

Chapter 1:
 
The
Miser's Gleaming Hoard

Chapter 2:
 
The Gloomy
Path to Freedom

Chapter 3:
 
The Town
called Red Barrel

Chapter 4:
 
The Land
of Mud and Mayhem

Chapter 5:
 
The Master
of Illusion and Shadow

Chapter 6:
 
The
Ranger's Impossible Dream

Chapter 7:
 
The
Haunting of Faindan Stillsword

Chapter 8:
 
The
Endless and Watchful Hills

Chapter 9:
 
The Joyous
Execution Ceremony

Chapter 10:
 
The
Choices of a Lost Knight

Chapter 11:
 
The
Lonely Path of Trenton Shadowbane

Chapter 12:
 
The
Giant of Callaboren

Chapter 13:
 
The Lake
of Legends and Bones

Chapter 14:
 
The
Temple of the Great Light

Chapter 15:
 
The
Lurker in the Oaks

Chapter 16:
 
The
Clash Upon the Waves, Part 1

Chapter 17:
 
The
Clash Upon the Waves, Part 2

Chapter 18:
 
The
Quiet Waters at Dusk

Chapter
1:
 

The
Miser's Gleaming Hoard

The mountains had come to despise them--and not in the
usual way the Deep Shadow showed its hatred. This was another level of spite, a
feeling that poisoned the air and turned dreams into horrific nightmares.

The Divine Knights of Dremlock Kingdom would find no rest
until they left the bitter grasp of the Soddurn Mountains. They had slain the
ruler of those peaks--the ancient demon known as Lord Hathannis--and they had
displayed their banners proudly in defiance of Tharnin.

Such grave insults had consequences.

But the Knights could not yet depart, for they were waiting
for a lone Elder Hawk to descend from the sky with news from Dremlock. What
path would they be ordered to take? One that led back to Ollanhar Tower, or one
that led deep into strange lands on a quest for another of the mighty
Flamestones?

Like the others, Lannon Sunshield was growing impatient. He
wandered the camp like a detached shadow, often circling it beyond the cluster
of tents with his hand on his sword hilt--walking mostly unseen and unheard by
the others in his dark cloak and soft leather boots, the Eye of Divinity
sweeping the forest for danger. It wasn't just the foul children of the Deep
Shadow that concerned him--but also the constant threat of Bellis Kingdom and
its vast armies.

The dense fog remained everywhere, concealing the dark forces
that plotted against Lannon and his companions. Lannon dared not let down his
guard for even an instant. A poison arrow could end everything.

A few hours earlier, from out of that fog had come a huge
Ghoul, slipping quietly into camp. It had tried to carry off Taith, but one of
the Greywind horses had come to the boy's rescue, driving its hoofs into the
Ghoul's back. As the Knights emerged from their tents, weapons drawn, the Ghoul
had fled with Taith's silver Birlote dagger (an expensive gift from Aldreya).

Lannon was eager to track down the monster and retrieve the
dagger. It angered him that the Ghoul had sought to claim the boy--no doubt for
some sinister purpose such as twisting his mind with the Deep Shadow. But he
was waiting for word from Aldreya, who seemed frustratingly indecisive lately.

As Lannon stood by a gnarled pine, Lothrin Windbow stepped
from the mist, clothed in brown and equipped with bow, arrows, and a long
dagger. The lean Birlote Ranger bore an eager expression on his handsome face.
His silver hair seemed to blend with the fog, while his copper-colored skin
looked very dark in contrast to the pale mist. His eyes were wise and
thoughtful, yet Lothrin was also cunning and aggressive. He was every bit as
dangerous as he looked--a warrior that Lannon couldn't comprehend, his skills
extraordinary even for a Divine Knight. The leaf-shaped birthmark on Lothrin's
cheek held some great significance concerning his bloodline, though Lannon
wasn't sure exactly what it meant.

"Ready to go?" Lothrin asked. "It's just the
two of us."

Lannon nodded. "It appears Aldreya doesn't consider
this mission much of a priority." Lannon was letting his emotions dictate
his actions--something a Divine Knight was never supposed to do. But he didn't
care. He wanted that dagger returned to Taith, who already seemed like an
adopted son to Lannon.

"She wants the camp well defended," said Lothrin.
"And I don't blame her. After all, Jerret beheaded King Verlamer's
infamous Lawkeeper. I'm shocked that we haven't faced retaliation already. Oh,
and because of that foul demon you killed, the mountains quiver with
rage."

"Killing the demon was justified," said Lannon.
"That evil tyrant left us no choice. What Jerret did was different."
An image flashed through Lannon's mind of Jerret's sword cutting through the
Lawkeeper's neck and the severed head rolling down the rocky slope. He
shuddered. That act of revenge had cost Jerret his Knighthood and left him as a
mercenary with no direction in life.

"Are you sure it was so different?" asked
Lothrin. He pulled a piece of bark from a pine and studied it thoughtfully.
"Both were servants of the Deep Shadow in one way or another, and evil to
the core. Both were killers and tormentors without conscience. The world is now
a better place."

"Jerret broke the Sacred Laws," said Lannon.
"There is no excuse for that. He deserves his punishment." Talking
about Jerret's banishment left Lannon feeling sad and weary, but the topic kept
coming up.

"I'm not so sure," said Lothrin. "I've given
it much thought. Surely there is a place for vengeance in the heart of a
Knight."

"Not according to the Divine Essence," said
Lannon. "Justice is what we seek, not vengeance. For the pursuit of
vengeance never ends."

In an instant, Lothrin readied his bow and had an arrow's
steel tip pointed at Lannon's eye--before Lannon had time to react. Lannon's
power flooded through him, but he held back, wondering what the Ranger's game
was.

Lothrin smiled. "Look upon that flawless arrow,
Lannon. It can be driven by the fires of both justice
and
vengeance, for
the benefit of all."

Lannon pushed the arrow aside. "Okay, but I'd rather
not have that aimed at my eyeball, if it's all the same to you."

"Sorry," said Lothrin, "but I felt I needed
to make a strong point."

"You can make a strong point," said Lannon,
"without threatening to pierce my skull. I could have attacked you on
instinct."

Lothrin laughed. "Not you, Lannon. Your control is too
precise. Think about that arrow, my fiend. Vengeance and justice--locked
together as one in a beautiful union. Always together."

"Let's find that Ghoul," Lannon mumbled. The
Ranger was odd to begin with, but he was also a Birlote--a Tree Dweller with
pointed ears and claw-like fingernails and toenails for digging into bark. His
way of life was strange to Lannon--to the point of being almost unfathomable.
Lannon had given up trying to understand Birlotes and just accepted them as
they were.

Lothrin shook his head in amusement. "You don't
understand. That's fine, though. You and Prince Vannas are actually very much
alike. You're both terribly stubborn and unyielding--refusing to question the
Divine Essence on anything, even though our god is not perfect."

"The Divine Essence is wiser than mortals," said
Lannon. "Prince Vannas knows that and does as commanded."

Lothrin's face darkened. "I don't want to discuss
this."

"Fine by me," said Lannon, relieved. Lothrin
seemed troubled lately, his mood shifting to various extremes. He was also
growing increasingly argumentative, and Lannon had no urge to debate him.

They walked side by side in silence through the fog, as
Lannon searched for the trail of dark sorcery that would lead them to the
Ghoul.

Then Lothrin paused. "You believe Prince Vannas is
under the guidance and protection of the Divine Essence. You believe he is
faring so wonderfully. But I know the White Flamestone has changed him deeply,
turned him into something unnatural. The High Council knows it too, but they're
hiding the truth. You of all people, Lannon, should not be fooled."

"I thought you didn't want to talk about it,"
said Lannon, with a heavy sigh.

Lothrin watched him in silence.

"I don't think anyone is fooling me," Lannon said
at last. "I just see things differently than you. Prince Vannas has grown
more powerful, and yes, it has changed him. I've changed too, since becoming a
Knight. All of us have."

Lothrin rolled his eyes. "You know I'm talking about
something else. The prince no longer acts like a warrior, but more like some
type of crazed sorcerer or...or even a god. He thinks he is above mortals. As
his power expands, so does his ego. It is frightening to behold."

"The prince always had a large ego," said Lannon.
"Yet I think he has done a remarkable job of handling his vast power. He
is aware of his limitations. But most importantly, he is letting the Divine
Essence lead the way. And because of that, I believe he is on the right
path."

"You trust too much in our god," said Lothrin.
"That strange creature below Dremlock has schemes of its own, Lannon. It
will use Prince Vannas against the Deep Shadow, and if the prince meets his
doom in the process, so be it. What is the life of a single mortal worth, when
so much is at stake?"

"Good question," said Lannon, gazing at him.

Lothrin looked away. "This isn't just about Vannas' doom.
With all that power flowing through him, he could bring doom to us all. What
will happen when he loses himself completely? Will he become like the Dark
Watchmen of old, who were also blessed and guided by the Divine Essence before
they turned wicked? If it could happen to them, why not to the prince as
well?"

Lannon could not dispute Lothrin's words. The prince could
indeed lose himself to darkness--just as Lannon could if he wasn't endlessly
careful. Both Lannon and the prince were prime targets for recruitment by the
Deep Shadow. At last Lannon said, "You're right, of course, but we still
need the White Flamestone to save this land and our kingdom. Without it, how
could we ever defeat Bellis and the servants of Tharnin? We can only hope that
Prince Vannas maintains his wisdom and honor. We must have faith in him."

"I will only admit this once," said Lothrin,
"and I pray you will keep it a secret. If I had a chance, I believe I
would flee with the White Flamestone and hide it from the prince until the end
of his days."

"Don't do it," Lannon warned. "It would make
you a criminal, and there is nowhere you could hide from the Eye of Divinity. I
would find you, and your sacrifice would mean nothing." Anxiety gripped
Lannon, for he was positive the Ranger meant what he said.

Lothrin shook his head. "You would let me go, Lannon,
and tell no one." His eyes were distant. "Yes, you would let me
go...if the time was right. I'm certain of it. You would do it to protect
Dremlock."

"I won't break the Sacred Laws," said Lannon.
"And neither will you, Lothrin, if I can help it. This conversation is
over." Discussing it was pointless, as ultimately the Ranger would choose
his own path.

Lothrin nodded. "I hear you, Lannon. I won't speak of
it again anytime soon. But remember what I said. That's all I ask of you."

Lannon didn't reply. He wondered why every conversation had
to turn so grim lately. Couldn't they just hunt down a Ghoul without having to
discuss topics that had already been discussed to death and did nothing to improve
one's mood? Lannon loved his life as a Divine Knight and had no interest in
seeing doom and gloom in everything. He knew they lived in dangerous times and
could all meet a horrible fate, but he refused to let that spoil his love of
heroic deeds and adventure.

As if sensing Lannon's thoughts, Lothrin managed a smile
and said, "Anyway, it's nice to be on a hunt with you. The Ghoul doesn't
stand a chance. Yet I feel like I should be doing the tracking."

"Just leave that to me," said Lannon, as he led the
way between the towering pines and boulders. The trail of dark sorcery was easy
to follow, and it was quite fresh. The Ghoul was not far ahead. The creature
probably assumed it was safe, that the Knights wouldn't bother to pursue it.

Lannon paused to rest, leaning against a boulder. He drank
deeply from his water flask. He was tired from so much guard duty lately, from
hours of wandering about the camp and watching for enemies. His mind drifted
off in thought, contemplating the future and what a journey to distant lands
might be like.

Meanwhile, Lothrin paced back and forth for a while,
apparently lost in his own thoughts. Then he suddenly turned and drew his long
dagger. He motioned for Lannon to hold still, then leapt forward and drove the
blade at Lannon's shoulder. Lannon tensed up, shielding himself with his power,
but the dagger never touched his flesh. A hiss arose next to Lannon.

Lothrin stepped back--to reveal a fat, writhing Centipede
skewered on his blade. "Goblin Spawn," he said. "Very sneaky,
deadly poison."

Lannon moved away from the rock. "Good work with your
blade." Lothrin's skills never ceased to impress him.

Lothrin smiled. "Thank you. Goblin Spawn are nothing
to fool with. Centipedes, Bats, Spiders, Lizards...the tiny, sneaky creatures of
our world twisted by the Deep Shadow. Once they get on your body, you have to
remove them quickly--otherwise they inject their venom. They love to cling to
stone, especially mossy stone. They blend in and wait to ambush their
prey."

"Good to know," said Lannon, a shiver passing
over his flesh. "I won't be leaning on any more boulders." Instead,
Lannon leaned against a pine.

"They hide on tree bark too," said Lothrin.

Lannon stepped away from the tree. "Wonderful. I think
I've had enough rest. Let's finish this and get out of these wretched
mountains."

After continuing on for a bit, they encountered an ugly
cave that led into the mountain. A huge dead pine stood near the mouth of it,
its pale, skeletal branches partially covering the entrance. The cave and the
dead pine loomed before them out of the drifting fog, the Ghoul's trail ending
there.

"It would be polite to knock before entering,"
said Lothrin, with a wink. "After all, we are uninvited guests."

Lannon hurled a large rock into the cave, making an echoing
clatter. Then he drew his sword. "Does that qualify as knocking?"

They waited, as the fog drifted around them.

"Come out and face us!" Lothrin yelled into the
cave.

Still there was no response.

Lannon sighed. "I guess we'll have to go in."

They started forward and then a long, pale arm thrust forth
from the fog and struck Lothrin's shoulder like a battering ram. The Ranger was
shoved viciously against the rocks, and he fell to the ground, the fight taken
out of him.