Knights The Hand of Tharnin

chapter 10: The Dark Mothers

When Jerret delivered Vorden's message to the Knights, another meeting was immediately called in Dremlock Hall, with the same members present as before (with the addition of Furlus Goblincrusher and the absence of Taris Warhawk, who was still too sick to get out of bed). Furlus entered the chamber slowly, leaning heavily on a cane, but he seemed in good spirits. Willan Shadowwalker displayed a black eye from Jerret's blow, his face bearing a sullen expression in the torchlight. Cordus Landsaver seemed upbeat and determined, but his eyes were bloodshot and he smelled strongly of wine. A jug sat on the floor beside the Lord Knight.

Lannon was pleased to see Furlus up and walking again, cane or not. However, he was concerned with Cordus, remembering Garrin's insistence that Cordus was drinking too much. It was clear there had been some truth to Garrin's words. Lannon had simply never noticed it until Garrin had pointed it out.

"We have confirmed," Cordus began, "that Vorden has escaped into the mines through a forgotten shaft in the mountain. The shaft was sealed with bars of Glaetherin, but our foes tunneled around them at some point. It is my opinion that we should send a search party down there to find him."

Furlus scowled. The Grey Dwarf looked like he'd aged a year or two since his ordeal, but his body still retained its huge, muscular bulk. "Vorden will be long departed by then. Everyone knows the mines lead out of Dremlock in spite of our efforts to seal all the exits."

"Yes," said Cordus, "but Vorden may simply choose to hide down there and then ambush us later. His message to Jerret about journeying north to the Bonefrost Mountains could have been a lie."

"I agree," said Krissana Windsword. "The battle for Dremlock always takes place in the mines. We seal them off, yet more tunnels are dug. It's an endless war. There is no reason to assume Vorden won't plan an attack from below."

"Jace, what is your opinion?" asked Cordus.

Trenton Shadowbane scowled. "What about my opinion? I am the Investigator of Dremlock, not Jace. Jace isn't even a Knight. I'm not sure why you value his opinion so highly, Lord Knight. Perhaps...you've consumed a bit too much wine."

Cordus glared at Trenton. "I can handle a bit of wine, Investigator. That is none of your concern." He softened his expression. "Yes, I value Jace's opinion. He is an expert on the ways of Tharnin. And so are you, Trenton. Your skills are invaluable to Dremlock. Thus, I seek the opinions that both of you hold."

"My opinion," said Trenton, "is that we should launch an immediate search of the mines. Make no mistake, Vorden will be lurking down there."

"I disagree," said Jace. "I think Vorden meant what he said--that he wants us to ride north. I think he intends to stain the snows in Knightly blood. The Blood Legion would love to battle Dremlock in their territory, where they would have the advantage of knowing the terrain. And with Vorden on their side, they would feel confident they could score a great victory. It makes perfect sense to me."

"May I speak?" said Willan.

Cordus nodded. "Speak freely, Blue Knight."

"I want to apologize for my failure," said Willan. "I allowed Jerret to catch me by surprise. I am very disappointed in myself."

"It was all my fault, actually," Jerret said, sighing.

"No," said Willan. "You were under Vorden's control, Jerret. I take full responsibility. I am deeply ashamed."

"And you should be ashamed," said Shennen Silverarrow. "That should never have happened--a mere Squire rendering a fully trained Blue Knight unconscious. What an embarrassment! You lowered your guard like a fool. However, I'm not going to strip you of rank, Willan, considering what you've been through recently. I expect you to do far better from this point on."

Willan nodded, his face gloomy. "I will not disappoint you again, Master Shennen."

Cordus smiled. "You are wise and lenient, Shennen. Now that you are Lord of the Blue Knights, I am certain you will end up on the High Council with us. I know you have my vote, at least."

Shennen bowed. "Thank you, Master Cordus, for the kind words."

"I would second that vote," said Furlus, winking.

"I need a sip of water," Cordus mumbled, and he drank deeply from the jug. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve. The smell of wine was strong in the air. Krissana and Trenton exchanged an embarrassed glance. Furlus lowered his gaze.

Jace smiled. "So I assume a search party is headed into the mines. Very well. That's Knightly business, of course. But I would like to discuss my status. My investigation was successful and the gauntlet was removed from the farmer Vellera. I have done what I was paid to do. Unless there is any further need of my skills, I will move on and seek employment elsewhere."

Cordus frowned. "Yet the gauntlet remains with our foes, on the hand of a valuable Squire no less."

"True," said Jace, "but you understand how to remove it now. Your blacksmith, Hench Ironfingers, knows everything I know."

"You are part of Lannon's Divine Shield," said Cordus. "You swore an oath to protect him when you accepted that duty. Are you planning to break that oath?"

"Of course not," said Jace. "That is why I would first ask to be set free of the oath and for someone else to replace me. Unless..."

"Unless we pay you," said Cordus. "You want to be compensated for protecting Lannon or be released from the obligation."

Jace shrugged. "I have to earn a living, Lord Knight. I will be willing to guard Lannon and use all the skills I possess to protect him, but I must be paid for it at the current rate. My services are seldom free. Are the Knights of Dremlock not being compensated for their services too?"

Cordus nodded. "Does anyone object to Jace being paid to remain a member of the Divine Shield?"

"I object," said Trenton. "And I have a note from Barlow Whitesword stating his objection as well. As everyone knows, Barlow is still in seclusion at the Hall of Healing for reasons we will not discuss in front of those who are not members of the High Council. But, yes, he sent along a note."

"Wonderful," Cordus muttered. "Of all the things he could have chosen to send a note about, he chooses this topic. His note will be added to the Records. However, he must vote in person or his vote doesn't count."

"Barlow is aware of the rule," said Trenton. "He just wanted to voice his objection. He is a very wise man."

"Do we need a vote?" said Cordus. "Or are we all in agreement? Trenton?"

"So we can't protect Lannon ourselves?" said Trenton. "We need an outsider to come in and do it for us? What does that say about Dremlock, when we have to rely on a failed Knight to guard one of our Squires?"

"I vote that we pay Jace," said Cordus, taking another drink from his jug. "Jace is a good man, a wise man, and Lannon is safer with him around."

"That is my vote as well," said Furlus. "Though Jace carries no weapon, he is a stout warrior. There is no harm in having another guard."

"Jace has proven himself worthy," said Krissana. "We have no issues with hiring Rangers to fight for us when needed. So why not hire a man of Jace's skill and knowledge?"

"I can see that I have lost this debate," said Trenton. "With some of the High Council absent, I don't feel the vote is fair. But very well. Let the record show that I oppose the decision to hire Jace for guard duty on the grounds that it makes us look foolish in that legendary Dremlock Kingdom is unable to protect a Squire with its own Divine Knights!"

"I'm not trying to steal your job, Trenton," said Jace, smiling. "I'm just here to earn money and enjoy the fine food. And maybe seek a bit of adventure. You will still be the Investigator after I have departed."

Trenton glared at him. "You think I'm jealous of you? Ha!"

"Meldan," said Cordus, addressing an Orange Squire who was recording the meeting, "make sure Trenton's protest is carefully noted."

"Thank you," muttered Trenton.

"Moving back to the more important topic," said Cordus, "I think the search party should consist of Lannon, his Divine Shield, and three Dark Knights who are familiar with the mines. Does the High Council find this acceptable?"

"I object to the idea," said Trenton. "Why send Lannon down there? He is too valuable to be put in danger needlessly. We can search the mines without him. The Eye of Divinity is not the only power we possess."

"Yet the Eye is a great asset," said Cordus, "when searching for someone. Also, Lannon's sorcery offers some protection against that gauntlet. I don't want to put Lannon's life at risk, but I don't want some of my best Knights to be slain, either. We recruited Lannon for missions like this one, and we're going to use him if I have my say. He has learned quickly, and he is well trained."

Trenton nodded. "I suppose I can agree with that. We must be careful, though. We are not likely to find another Squire who has use of the Eye, which means Lannon is irreplaceable. I believe the High Council has been reckless with this boy--sending him off to face the demon man in a duel and then sending him alone into the North Tower when it was crawling with Goblins. Foolish!"

"I agree," said Cordus, "that sending Lannon into the North Tower alone to face Garrin the Traitor was a bad decision. It was Taris' choice and I'm sure he had his reasons. But this journey into the mines is nothing extraordinary and a perfectly valid reason to make use of Lannon's power."

"And I am making another request to join this Divine Shield," said Trenton, "or at least be allowed to accompany the search party. I am the Investigator, and this is an investigation of the mines. I am weary of being restricted!"

Cordus frowned. "Yet you handle the investigations above ground, here in the kingdom. If you go below, who will take over for you?"

"Kline Skyhammer," said Trenton. "He is the Enforcer of Dremlock and supposed to conduct investigations in my absence."

"Of course," said Cordus, stroking his unkempt beard thoughtfully. "Well, I'm sure Kline is up to the task. Shall we vote on this?"

"I must object yet again!" snarled Trenton. "I know I will lose the vote, as I did previously when I asked to join the Divine Shield. So I'm opting not to ask for that. Instead, I believe it is my sworn duty to investigate the mines. I know the High Council doesn't trust me. Ever since I unlocked my...special ability I have been treated differently, treated like some slave of Tharnin. It's not fair!"

"It's not that we don't trust you, Trenton," said Furlus.

"Is that so?" said Trenton. "Well, then what is it?"

Furlus scratched his head and hesitated. Finally, he said, "The situation with Lannon is delicate. Those who surround him have been examined very carefully. Their ways are known and trusted."

"You trust an outsider like Jace over me?" said Trenton, his eyes wide. "Jace, who was expelled from the order for dabbling into forbidden sorcery, which he uses quite freely now with those oversized hands? Jace could be an assassin sent to kill Lannon, for all we know."

"That's ridiculous," muttered Jace.

"Yet entirely possible," said Trenton. "And here I am--a member of the High Council and an Investigator who has weeded out many traitors at Dremlock, and Jace is more trusted than I am? That is folly!"

"I would trust Jace with my life," said Cordus, "though I'm not going to go into detail as to why that is so. Just accept what I say."

"Yet you wouldn't trust me with your life?" said Trenton. "This is very shoddy treatment of a respected and loyal Green Knight. Therefore, I am insisting I accompany the party into the mines as part of my sworn duty. You can vote the decision down, but I will call for a Reading of the Sacred Laws."

Cordus sighed. "A Reading will not be necessary and is not what Dremlock needs right now in our time of great troubles. We need unity. Therefore, do what you must, Trenton. You're a good man and a good Investigator."

Lannon didn't like the notion of going down into the gloomy, Goblin-infested mines below Dremlock. In fact, that was always the last place he wanted to go. But he could see the Knights were going to go through with it. And Lannon was certain that Trenton secretly hated him. He could see it in the Investigator's malicious gaze. Trenton seemed like a cold-hearted man who nobody liked, at best, and at worst he was possibly aligned with the Deep Shadow and the Blood Legion.

***

The search party set out that very night, entering a mineshaft in the mountain. The torchlight revealed rusted mining gear and wooden splinters from barrels and crates along a tunnel that sloped downward into the earth. Lannon found himself missing Vorden and Timlin, whom he'd lived with and trained with the entire time he'd been at Dremlock. He felt alone in spite of the crowd that surrounded him--alone and gloomy. The mines were infested with the evil aura of the Deep Shadow and the stench of Goblins, stirring dark feelings. Lannon probed the shadows with the Eye of Divinity, trying to ignore the bizarre knowledge that was revealed to him from ages past--as some hidden truths were better left buried.

Shennen stayed by Lannon's side, while Thrake and Willan scouted ahead for danger. Jace also flanked Lannon. Trenton, who was accompanied by two white wolves, was next, followed by Jerret and Aldreya. The three Dark Knights guarded the rear. It was a small yet formidable group, typical of the way Dremlock operated. Each member had their own unique skills and could contribute something. Yet Lannon also found himself missing Taris' wise, confident presence. In no way was Trenton Shadowbane a comforting replacement. Lannon had never actually seen Trenton fight, but the Investigator was slightly below average in size for a Knight, and his weapon of choice was a slender sword.

"This tunnel looks barely used," said Shennen. "Aside from Vorden's obvious tracks in the dust, it looks like no one has passed this way in a long time. The detour around the bars must have been dug years ago."

Using the Eye, Lannon was able to confirm Shennen's observation. "This tunnel has been neglected for decades, Master Shennen."

"That's rather strange," said Jace. "You would think our foes wouldn't neglect a perfectly good route into Dremlock."

"The presence of the Deep Shadow is exceptionally strong here," said Shennen. "And the stench of Goblins is overwhelming. Yet there is no sign of Goblin activity. I suspect this might be some sort of trap or ambush."

"How could it be a trap," said Jace, "if there is no sign of activity? You said yourself that it looks as if the tunnel has been abandoned."

"I don't understand it," said Shennen, shrugging.

Lannon reached out with the Eye as deep into the tunnel as he could go, but he couldn't see any dangers. He reported his findings.

"I suppose we can go a bit farther," said Shennen, "in light of that news. I trust the Eye of Divinity over my instincts."

"I say we continue on," said Jace. "Lannon can keep checking the tunnel. With the Eye of Divinity on our side, we shouldn't fall into any trap."

"It is my decision," said Trenton. When everyone kept moving, he snarled, "Halt! I am still pondering the situation!"

The company halted, while Trenton stood silently in the torchlight flanked by his wolves. With his silver hair, lean body, and dark eyes, he looked almost wolf-like himself. At last he said, "I guess we will proceed with caution."

"Thank you, Master Trenton," said Shennen, sounding slightly sarcastic. "We shall do our best to stay alert."

Trenton seized Lannon's shoulder, causing the Squire to shudder at the Investigator's icy touch. "You just keep searching for danger, lad," said Trenton. "Death lurks in this tunnel. Make no mistake."

"Okay," Lannon mumbled, chills creeping along his spine. He didn't like Trenton following so closely behind him, especially when all of Lannon's focus was directed ahead.

The tunnel began to narrow to the point where they could barely fit through. Jace, the largest of the bunch, had to practically crawl. Armor scraped on stone, and there were occasional muttered curses whenever an elbow or a knee banged against rock. As a Blue Squire, Lannon wore lightweight, leather armor which didn't hinder his movements. He slid easily and silently along the tunnel. Jerret, however, shuffled along clumsily in his chain mail--almost carelessly. It annoyed Lannon that Jerret was so poorly trained, and equipped, for stealth.

"This tunnel was carved for Dwarves and not giants, obviously," said Jace. "Must have wanted to keep Ogres out or something."

Lannon caught a glimpse of danger ahead--a serpent-like root that was lying in wait to snare someone. He cried out a warning, but he was a moment too late. He heard Thrake bellow a curse.

"It has seized Shennen!" Thrake growled. "Looks like a nasty tree root. It has wrapped itself around his mouth so he can't speak!"

"It must be from a Dark Mother!" Jace called back. "Hack through it before it chokes the life from him!"

"I can't find him!" Thrake said, panic in his voice. "The tunnel has given way to a huge cavern!"

The party surged forward into the cavern, waving torches around. Lannon sensed terrible danger in there and yelled several warnings that went unheeded. The Knights were too intent on saving Shennen.

Black, warty-looking tree roots closed in around them, completely blocking off the tunnel mouth. Bloated Mother Trees filled the cavern, rooted deep into the stone--the reason why the mineshaft had been abandoned. The Dark Mothers had taken over, a menace to every life form except young, nursing Goblins.

The roots moved with terrible speed, winding around the Knights and Squires with a crushing grasp. Jerret--who was not exceptionally strong for a Squire and who possessed very little sorcery--took immediate damage, screaming in pain as some of his ribs cracked beneath the pressure. The others managed to resist by means of muscle or sorcery but were still immobilized.

Lannon was weak from prolonged use of the Eye, and could barely manage to hold the roots in place that were trying to crush him. Aldreya's eyes were closed as she focused on protecting herself. Jace tore his roots free and nearly broke loose, before they closed around him again. The others were wound up tight and struggling just to stay alive. The two white wolves had held back from entering the cavern, and they stood inside the narrow tunnel, whining and pacing. The three Dark Knights had also been cut off, and they hacked at the roots--but their weapons did little damage and the roots kept shifting into new positions.

"Lannon, get yourself free and go get help!" Jace grunted.

Lannon struggled fiercely, but couldn't summon the strength to escape. "I'm too exhausted. It's not going to happen."

"These are very ancient trees," said Jace, wearily. "Difficult to kill.

Thrake bellowed and shook with rage, but to no avail. The roots were too strong even for the massive Red Knight to escape.

They heard Shennen groan somewhere beyond the torchlight. "I'm alive," he called out a moment later. "The trees cannot crush us easily, but will instead seek to wear us down and weaken us. Do not give up the fight!"

"I think my ribs are broken!" Jerret called out. "The only thing saving me is my armor!"

"Focus your mind, Jerret," Shennen said. "Use it to shield your body."

"I'm not trained at that very well," said Jerret. "But I'll try."

Once again, Jace tore himself loose and dove for the passageway, but the roots were too fast, winding around him and lifting him off the floor. "Well isn't this wonderful," the giant muttered, panting from the strain. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think they have no intention of letting us go."

"We're hopelessly snared!" Thrake said bitterly. "We can't use our weapons. We've blundered into the worst trap possible."

The trees began to shift around, dragging the captives with them in an effort to separate them. Jace, Shennen, and Thrake were pulled far off into the darkness, their voices growing a bit fainter. The others were pulled deeper into the cavern in another direction--into a thick maze of warty, writhing trees. At last, the movement ceased, but the attempt to crush them continued.

"I'm getting tired," said Trenton, in a muffled voice, his face half covered by a root. "But I might be able to free myself...if left with no choice." He still held a torch in one hand, and in its light, his face looked ghastly pale.

"We don't have many options," Lannon said, wondering how Trenton could possibly break free. "So if there's something you can do..."

"My sorcery is weakening," said Aldreya, her face tense from the strain.

"Do something, Trenton!" Jerret moaned. "My ribs are caving in!"

Trenton sighed. "It seems I must. The trees will never let us go. They will crush us and devour us so that we become milk for young Goblins."

Lannon's power slipped, and the root squeezed him more tightly. "Trenton! I'm losing ground here!"

"Very well," Trenton muttered. "But you Squires must swear an oath never to reveal what you're about to see. I'm very serious about this. If you break that oath, you will pay a grim price."

The Squires swore not to reveal it.

"It is done, then," said Trenton. "You just swore an oath to a Green Knight. If you break that oath, you could be expelled from the Order and imprisoned."

"Just get on with it!" Jerret whimpered. "I'm dying!"

Trenton fell silent, and a chill seemed to sweep through the chamber. A feeling of rage permeated the air. As Lannon watched in horror, Trenton's face began to change in the torchlight--becoming covered in shifting shadows. His flesh bubbled and cracked open, and then coarse black hair sprouted all over it. His nose and mouth stretched into a long, wolf-like muzzle. His fingers warped into wicked claws. His eyes gleamed with pure malice.

Trenton Shadowbane was gone--replaced by some sort of wolf-like monster. The beast ripped the vines apart that held it, attacking with mindless fury. Even as the roots tried to retreat, the creature pounced on them and tore them into pieces. Soon lots of severed and twitching roots lay in piles, leaking black blood.

The beast then seemed to focus its evil, rage-filled eyes on Lannon. The Squire trembled as the creature approached him, but the wolf monster merely tore the roots away from him. As the roots tried to retreat, the beast dispatched them into bloody pieces. Soon all of the roots drew back, and the Dark Mothers moved away, leaving a path through the cavern.

"We must save the others!" said Lannon, but the wolf beast ignored him and started off through the cavern.

Having no choice, the Squires followed. The Dark Mothers continued to avoid them, allowing them to escape. At last they entered another narrow tunnel and the cavern with its bloated trees was left behind.

Shifting shadows crawled over Trenton's flesh in the torchlight, revealing the human form of the Investigator--fully clothed and without a mark or stain. Trenton still looked weary, however--mentally if not physically. "Well, now you know, Squires, that I am more than just a man."

The Squires stared at him in shock. If the Squires had feared Trenton before, they now found the Investigator to be utterly terrifying. Trenton barely seemed human, and he certainly didn't seem like a Divine Knight--but more like some creature of the Deep Shadow. Lannon could understand why the High Council didn't trust him. What manner of bizarre sorcery could turn a man into a raging beast? Lannon had never heard of such a thing and would not have believed it could exist. Furthermore, he found it hard to believe such sorcery was permitted at Dremlock.

"We have to save them!" said Aldreya, referring to Jace and the missing Knights. "They might still be getting crushed in that cavern!"

"I agree," said Lannon, though he shuddered at the thought of venturing back into the lair of the Dark Mothers.

Jerret held his ribs and groaned. "I need a healer."

"We dare not go back," said Trenton. "The Knights are capable of defending themselves, and it would be far too dangerous."

"What about..." Lannon dared not finish his statement. He wondered why Trenton couldn't simply transform again into that beast.

Trenton's lips tightened. "I know what you are hinting at, Squire, but it isn't possible right now. A period of rest is required before I can make the transformation again. And bear in mind that you swore an oath not to speak of it. We shall try to find a way back to the surface, so we can return with a large company of Knights and make a full assault on the Dark Mothers."

"But they might be dead by then!" said Aldreya.

"Do not question me!" snarled Trenton. "I am weary of Squires with bold tongues. Just do as I command."

Aldreya bowed. "Yes, Master Trenton." She exchanged an unhappy glance with Lannon.

Lannon scanned the tunnel with the Eye of Divinity. Although weakened, the Eye revealed traces up ahead of Goblins and humans that had been through there recently. As they went a bit farther, the tunnel split in two around a large pile of iron ore. At the foot of the ore heap Dwarven bones and skulls were strewn around. Lannon could sense danger in both tunnels, but he couldn't tell which tunnel was safer. Yet the others stood watching him, waiting for him to lead the way.

"We should go right," he said, as if he knew what he was doing. Without hesitation, Trenton led the way into the right tunnel.

They heard a thump behind them and whirled around to find an enormous Ogre staring at them. The creature filled the tunnel with its bulk. It stood motionless, its black eyes shining in the torch fire.

"Flee, Squires!" Trenton cried.

The company ran down the tunnel, with the Ogre lumbering after them. They could hear it scraping against the stone walls and smell its foul stench. It was so close they could feel its hot breath as it panted.

Then it stopped--as if the Ogre had suddenly given up. But the company continued to flee along the tunnel. Jerret stumbled over a loose stone and fell hard to the floor, crying out in pain. Trenton hauled him to his feet.

"I can't go on," Jerret groaned. "Too much pain."

"Act like a Knight," said Trenton, scowling. "The Ogre may have abandoned us, but we can't stay here forever. And I refuse to carry you."

Wincing with each step, Jerret started off again, holding his ribs. Aldreya lent him some support.

A growing terror began to build in Lannon's mind, and the Eye of Divinity retreated inside him. It was the same old frustrating fear that kept him from using his power--only it seemed much stronger now. He felt that the truth behind the fear was about to be revealed, some dreary and evil truth that he wanted no part of. He said nothing about it, because he wasn't sure what to say. He didn't know if what he was feeling was a legitimate warning of danger or just a phantom terror.

But Trenton seemed to catch on somehow. "What's wrong with you, Squire? Your face had gone deathly pale."

"I'm just afraid," said Lannon. "I don't know why. I don't sense any danger, but..." He shook his head. "Something is bothering me."

Trenton frowned. "Well, unless we want to battle that Ogre, we can't go back." He waved the torch ahead and squinted. "I have no idea where we are beneath Dremlock. My sense of direction is hopelessly lost."

"I think we should turn back," Lannon said. His words were unexpected and startled him.

"And confront an Ogre?" said Trenton. "I'd rather not."

"Do you see something with the Eye?" asked Aldreya.

"It's a feeling," said Lannon.

"Well, feelings are just feelings," said Trenton, "and matter not. If the Eye isn't speaking to you, we must move on."

Lannon nodded, but the fear was so strong it seemed to be choking him. He could almost hear whispers in his mind, and when he closed his eyes, he could just barely glimpse crimson runes flowing downward, as if some evil sorcery was at work in his mind. The runes seemed to drain his strength and will--to smother his ability to call upon the Eye--and leave only fear.

Trenton seized Lannon's arm and practically dragged him along. The tunnel soon widened, with pillars hewn from the stone that displayed Olrog runes. Stone coffins stood in chambers on either side, smashed open with bones strewn around as if from Goblin activity. The mines were said to contain many Olrog tombs, as the Grey Dwarves were known to bury their dead in caverns deep underground, but they were usually sealed off. This tomb stood wide open, the extravagant coffins proudly displayed--perhaps once guarded by Olrog warriors.

Trenton turned and glanced at the Squires, a nervous glint in his eyes. The Squires felt the same fear the Investigator was feeling as they glanced at the broken coffins. Olrog skulls seemed to gaze at them with empty eye sockets. Trenton read aloud an inscription on a stone pillar:

The Gates of the Mountain

Baltan's Way

The Way of Warriors

The Restless Dead

The Second Temple

"The Second Temple," Trenton repeated. "There are three temples dedicated to the Divine Essence at Dremlock. The Sacred Temple, the Temple of Oracles, and the Temple of Radiance. The Temple of Oracles was abandoned long ago thanks to excessive Goblin attacks and the fact that Dremlock stopped using oracles due to unreliable predictions."

"What does this mean?" Lannon asked.

"Obviously," said Trenton, "we stand at the gates of a temple that was abandoned to the Goblins long ago, a temple that stands at an exit tunnel from the mountains. I have no idea what to expect if we continue on. We might do better to go back and confront that Ogre. It's almost as if the Ogre wanted us to come this way, to send us into some foul snare."

"I agree," said Jerret, "let's go back. I can't keep wandering around. I need to get to the Hall of Healing."

"We can deal with the Ogre," said Aldreya. "Right, Lannon?"

"I don't know," said Lannon. "The Eye of Divinity is very weak right now. In fact, I'm not even using it." That was a half-truth, since it was actually his strange fear that was preventing him from summoning it.

"I too am quite weak," said Trenton. "Drained and weary. I think we'll have to continue on and take our chances. We could potentially escape the mountain through the temple, and from there it would be an easy journey to Dremlock."

They proceeded along the tunnel, which widened into a large cavern. Tall pillars created a path that led them to the entrance of the Temple of Oracles. The torchlight revealed a half-dome building carved from the stone of the mountain, with a sculpture of a wolf's mouth forming the entrance. The temple was very intimidating, almost gloomy or evil in appearance--vastly different from the Sacred Temple that stood above ground.

"Well, in we go," mumbled Trenton, stepping into the wolf's mouth with the others following reluctantly.

The temple's stone door stood open wide. They slowly and cautiously made their way through the interior, passing between iron benches toward the altar. A statue of a White Knight--an Olrog healer in a long robe and holding a thick book--was suddenly revealed in the torchlight, so lifelike it startled the Squires. The White Knight's eyes seemed to regard them sternly, making them feel like intruders.

"The door is probably beyond the altar," Trenton whispered. "It should take us into a long tunnel that will lead into open air."

But as the torchlight fell upon the altar, the companions gasped in shock. Standing before the flat, rectangular stone was Vorden. The former Squire seemed at ease, his arms folded across his chest, with the large gauntlet reflecting the torch flames. His eyes gleamed yellow. "Welcome, Lannon," he said," his gaze fixed on the Squire. "I've been waiting for you."

"Vorden!" Jerret gasped. "What are you doing down here?"

"Are you hard of hearing, Jerret?" said Vorden. "I said I was waiting for Lannon. Well, and finishing up a little business."

"What do you want with me?" said Lannon, struggling fiercely to summon the Eye. But his fear and weakened will would not allow it.

"I just wanted to give you a stronger warning," said Vorden, "than what Jerret could deliver. Abandon your quest for Knighthood, Lannon. I don't want to have to kill you. If you ignore me, you will die by my Hand."

"You will surrender immediately, Vorden," said Trenton, though he looked uncertain, and his hand trembled on his sword hilt.

Vorden sneered at the Investigator. "Even a Green Knight is no match for me. Don't even try it, Trenton. I'll crush you with ease."

"Vorden, you are corrupted by evil!" said Aldreya. "Let us help you. We can remove the gauntlet and free your soul."

"Silence, Birlote!" said Vorden. "I do not speak to your kind!"

Lannon sighed wearily. "Vorden, if you don't surrender and let us help you, Taris may die. Are you going to walk away and let that happen?"

Vorden seemed to hesitate for a moment. Then he scowled. "I have no love for Birlotes. Not even Taris. I don't care if he dies."

"Then you are a puppet," said Lannon.

"If you won't surrender," said Trenton, "then die!" With that, he drew his sword and it burst into blue flames. He leapt at Vorden, swinging for his head. It was a fantastic leap that carried Trenton right over the altar, and he swung his sword so swiftly it seemed that Vorden stood no chance of defending against it.

But Vorden deflected the sword with his gauntlet and seized Trenton's throat with his other hand, lifting the Investigator into the air. "Good effort," Vorden muttered, "but you're too weak to defeat me. I could defeat the entire High Council in battle--maybe even an entire legion of Divine Knights if it came to that. I should kill you for attacking me."

"Vile wretch!" Trenton croaked, struggling to break Vorden's grasp. "You...will...end up..."

Vorden hurled Trenton to the floor with such force that the Investigator went still, blood pooling around his head.

"You've killed him!" Lannon cried. He lifted Trenton's torch and knelt by the Investigator. Trenton was breathing shallowly.

Vorden shrugged. "He'll likely survive. He's a Green Knight and can take a beating. But it makes no difference to me either way. He attacked me first."

"I've had enough of this, Vorden," said Lannon, standing up. "I won't play your games, whatever they are."

Vorden nodded. "No games, my friend. Just a very serious warning. Leave Dremlock now. With your skills, you could have a good life in a city somewhere. You could be a rich man. I'm practically begging you, Lannon. You are my best friend and I'm going to great lengths to save you."

For an instant, Lannon considered Vorden's words. Vorden was right in that Lannon probably could live comfortably thanks to the power of the Eye, but Lannon realized he would never find peace if he fled Dremlock. "I can't do it, Vorden. I came here to be a Divine Knight, and I swore an oath to defend Dremlock."

Vorden sighed. "I'm not alone in this temple. If you had use of the Eye, which I know you do not, you would sense that my master stands nearby in the shadows. He may decide to kill all of you for your stubbornness. In fact, that would be a logical decision on his part. So again I beg you to agree to leave Dremlock forever."

Lannon waved the torch around but could see no one else. "How did you know...?"

"That you can't summon the Eye?" said Vorden. He smiled. "Because my master is whispering in your mind, invoking the fear that drains your will. He has been draining your will for months, preparing the trap you now find yourself in. You would be dead already, except that I have stayed his hand to make this appeal to you. This is a life or death decision."

Lannon glanced at Trenton, wondering if he would soon join the Investigator in a pool of blood. He considered lying to Vorden, but he somehow knew Vorden would see through him. "Nothing will change, Vorden. I will remain a Squire and fight against Tharnin and the Blood Legion. But I'm asking that you spare our lives out of friendship."

Vorden looked troubled and hesitant.

A dark figure stepped from the shadows and into the torchlight--a figure that was a mass of shifting shadows. Violet eyes glared at Lannon and froze his soul.

"Tenneth Bard!" Lannon whispered.

The dark figure pointed a finger at Lannon that vaguely resembled a talon. "You have sealed your fate, Squire."

"Master," Vorden said to the mass of shifting shadows, "I ask that you give Lannon time to reconsider."

"He has been given enough time," came the hissing response. "His time has run out. He has done enough damage to my plans."

"Then leave me to the task," said Vorden. "I have agreed to serve you in all ways and never betray you. Do that much for me."

The violet eyes flashed in rage. "And then you will spare them, of course. And then they will come north and we will be forced to deal with them in battle, when they are stronger. Tell me this isn't your plan?"

Vorden bowed his head. "I won't lie to you, Master."

"I will grant you your favor," said the dark figure. "As a test. If you are truly loyal to me and worthy of Knighthood in the Blood Legion, you will kill them now. But if you fail, and jeopardize everything I have worked for, I may have to reconsider your worth. Choose carefully, Vorden."

With that, the mass of shifting shadows vanished into the darkness, leaving Vorden alone at the altar.

"You won't kill us," said Lannon. "I know it." Inside, though, he wasn't so sure. Under the command of the demon-infested gauntlet, Vorden might be capable of anything.

"I have to kill you," said Vorden, "or my master will not respect me. He has just taken a huge gamble, knowing that if I can summon the strength to execute my closest friends, I will be his loyal servant forever."

"But you won't do it," said Lannon. Somehow, he was certain Vorden would spare their lives.

Vorden leapt over the altar and seized Lannon's throat with the gauntlet. Lannon immediately struggled to breathe. "I'm sorry, my friend. But my master has commanded me to do a task, and I cannot refuse. We are the Knights of the New Order, and unlike the weaklings of Dremlock, we are required to show no pity and give no quarter."

Lannon gazed into Vorden's yellow eyes without flinching. Aldreya hurled green fire at Vorden from her dagger, but it deflected away harmlessly. Vorden stayed focused on Lannon and ignored the Birlote sorceress.

"You can't do it," Lannon whispered. "Not yet." Lannon was terrified, but his confidence that Vorden would spare him never wavered. He focused on overcoming his fear, and he felt sudden anger at Tenneth Bard for invading his mind with his evil whispers. At last, Lannon drove the fear out of his heart and summoned the Eye of Divinity. As the Eye emerged, it felt stronger in some way Lannon couldn't explain. Still, he waited for Vorden to decide.

"Not yet," Vorden echoed. He released Lannon and stepped back. "You know me well, Lannon. Yes, I will spare you this time and disappoint my master. I think perhaps he knew I would. I wanted to prove him wrong, but he is never wrong. Now I will be punished."

"Thank you, my friend," said Lannon.

"Yes, you may still refer to me as a friend," said Vorden. "But this is the last time we shall meet as friends, if you continue to stay on the path to Knighthood. Don't come north, Lannon. You will find a new man waiting in the mountains--a Black Knight who will crush you without remorse."

Lannon said nothing. He knew Vorden spoke the truth.

"I have failed my master," said Vorden. "Now I must go and learn what my punishment will be. I am certain my master will require that I eventually kill you in order to redeem myself. This is somehow all part of his plan."

"A twisted, evil plan," said Lannon. "A plan to destroy Dremlock!"

Vorden grinned. "Indeed. My master is too wise for the Divine Knights, and his ways will remain a mystery to them. There is no doubt that Dremlock is nearing an end at last. And I am grateful to be part of it."

Lannon shuddered, realizing how far gone Vorden was already. The Hand of Tharnin had stolen his best friend and was turning him into a monster. The creature of shifting shadows that Lannon believed was Tenneth Bard was somehow draining the life and will from Dremlock Kingdom as easily as he'd drained Lannon of his use of the Eye. And Vorden now seemed to be his most prized puppet.

"Who is your master?" said Lannon. "Is he really Tenneth Bard?"

"Does it matter who he is?" said Vorden. "And you already know the truth. You have looked into his eyes and glimpsed his soul."

"So I was right all along," said Lannon.

Vorden pointed a metal finger at Lannon. "Don't come north. That goes for you as well, Jerret. That is my last warning. Goodbye, my friends."

"Goodbye, Vorden," Jerret whispered, but his eyes were cold and his hand was locked around his sword hilt.

Lannon didn't respond, but simply watched as Vorden turned and moved off into the shadows. Vorden's warning had fallen on deaf ears. Lannon had every intention of going where he needed to go and saving his friend from the grasp of the Deep Shadow. He never doubted it for an instant.

Moments later, Trenton groaned and sat up, his eyes glazed. "I was dreaming," he said, "of the fall of Dremlock. The Sacred Altar was bathed in wolf's blood. The...the shadow of the wolf stalks our kingdom beneath a frosty moon...a bleak future. I have seen the end of it all beneath the bitter moon, death in the tower..."

"Are you okay?" Lannon asked.

Trenton rubbed his eyes and shook his head. "What's that, Squire? Oh, I guess I was still dreaming..." He jumped up, his eyes wide. He clutched his head and winced. "What a rotten headache! Did Vorden escape?"

"Escape?" said Jerret, looking confused. "No, he let us live and walked away."

***

In the chamber of the Mother Trees, the three Dark Knights had managed to hack their way into the cavern. The Grey Dwarves had refused to give up, and at last their stubbornness had paid off as the roots parted before them. Their rune-covered, heavy armor and bushy beards were splattered with the foul black blood, and their eyes blazed with fury. Their flaming axes rose and fell to their battle cries, as the trees shrank back. Even the wise and ancient Dark Mothers seemed unprepared for the berserk onslaught of these Olrogs. The trees relied on each other for strength, their sorcery channeled with the blood that ran through the roots, and with each blow from a burning axe, their defenses weakened.

The white wolves held back, however, since their teeth were ineffective against the trees. They paced around in the narrow tunnel, growling--perhaps wondering what had become of their master Trenton.

The three Grey Dwarves were seemingly tireless, and bit by bit, they fought their way to where the company was entangled and chopped them free. Though weary, Jace, Shennen, Thrake, and Willan were not seriously injured and still had strength left for battle. Once free, they joined the Dwarves in attacking the trees. Jace seized writhing roots and tore them in two with his bare hands, black blood pouring out onto the cavern floor and making it slippery.

They beat back the trees, but could find no sign of Lannon and the others. They shouted to them as they fought, but hearing no response, at last they were forced to retreat back into the tunnel from which they had first emerged.

They leaned against the stone walls, gasping for breath and feeling fortunate to have survived the snare. None of them--not even the Dark Knights--had ever encountered such a powerful nest of Mother Trees, and they were shaken from the experience. They wondered how many other such nests existed below Dremlock, spawning legions of Goblins into the huge maze of tunnels that was the kingdom's greatest weakness.

"We've failed Lannon!" Shennen said. "The trees must have devoured Trenton and the Squires. The Divine Shield has broken."

"Not likely," said Jace. "Don't forget the noises we heard--the wolf growls. I suspect they are all still alive and in the tunnels somewhere."

"Of course!" said Shennen, his eyes lighting up. "That must have been Trenton. Then we might not have failed after all. But what now?"

Jace shrugged and wiped sweat and dirt from his face "You're the Knight, Shennen. That's up to you to decide."

"We have to search for them," said Thrake. "There seems to be no existing map of this area of the mines, but other maps might show us a way to bypass that foul cavern. Or we could return with a larger company of Knights and fight our way through. I like the latter idea."

Shennen took Willan aside and the two Blue Knights whispered to each other--words too quiet for the others to hear. At last Shennen turned to the others and said: "For now, we must return to the surface. Willan will remain below and attempt to use stealth to find them."

"I don't like that idea," said Jace. "It's too dangerous down here for any lone Knight to be sneaking around."

"I agree," said Thrake. "It would be folly."

"I have made my decision," said Shennen, "and Willan agrees with it. Lannon is too valuable to Dremlock not to attempt a search."

"We can regroup and search later," said Jace.

Willan bowed his head. "No, my master has requested that I search now. When the trees have settled down, I will try to sneak through the cavern. I have sworn an oath to protect Lannon, and I will fulfill it."

Thrake patted Willan on the shoulder. "I wish you good fortune, my friend. And if I knew the art of stealth, I would be glad to go with you."

"Willan has extraordinary stealth," said Shennen. "I am convinced he will find Lannon and return him to Dremlock."

Jace sighed. "We've rested long enough. Let's move on."

They started off down the tunnel, leaving Willan standing silently in the shadows, his sword gleaming faintly in the dark.

It was the last they ever saw of him.