Chapter 7: The Temple of the White Guardian
Early the next morning, the three Squires were awakened by a Blue Knight. He was young and average in size, with wavy black hair and a thin mustache and beard. He wore a cloak representing his color, with no weapons visible, and soft leather boots that made virtually no sound as he walked. He smiled and spoke in a quiet voice. "Greetings. I am Garrin Daggerblood. And I already know who you three are, so you need not introduce yourselves."
Lannon sat up hurriedly. By the look of the sunshine streaming in through the window, it was already late in the morning.
"I guess we slept past breakfast," Timlin said nervously.
Vorden yawned and stretched. "Nobody told us exactly when we should get up, Timlin, so what does it matter?"
Garrin chuckled. "Not to worry, Squires. I allowed you to sleep in, for there is little that needs doing this day. After lunch, we must attend a meeting at the Temple. And then I'll bring you back here where you'll be pretty much on your own until dinner, for I have obligations to attend to and your training does not truly begin until tomorrow morning. Now let us go eat. And don't forget to wear your sashes. You must always have them on whenever you leave your room."
They followed Garrin down to the Dining Hall. This room had one table that stretched nearly the entire length of it. A fireplace stood against one wall, containing only grey ash, next to the kitchen door. Drethess Silverknight--the Red Squire they had met on the previous evening--sat at the table eating lunch with another youth. A Blue Knight was seated there as well, sipping at a big wooden mug. He appeared to be in his twenties, yet was already balding on top. His face held a gloomy expression that brightened only slightly when Garrin came in.
Drethess greeted the Squires with a nod and went on talking to his companion. The Blue Knight nodded. "Greetings, Master Garrin."
Garrin smiled, and then his face grew somber. "It is good that you have returned, Kaelist, even if the others could not."
Kaelist shook his head. "My journey went very poorly. Trevek and Dolan were lost, as was Selenar, the Ranger who helped us once before. She was... She...died bravely. They all did. I barely escaped with my life, for whatever that's worth."
Instantly Lannon thought back to Saranna, the beautiful Ranger woman they had met on the North Road. He was glad it wasn't her who had been killed.
"This is sad news," said Garrin. "Yet I'd already heard about it--just before the Color Trials began. When will they be honored?"
"Three days from now," said Kaelist.
"I liked Trevek and Dolan very much," said Garrin. "I didn't know Selenar personally, but I'd heard of her courage. I will be there for the ceremony. Meanwhile, I would help ease your grief somehow, were it possible."
Kaelist shook his head. "It doesn't matter. My grief means nothing, for it cannot bring them back." His face suddenly held a wounded, haunted look--his eyes sinking in and his mouth hanging open. "It was all for nothing, and now I fear that no hope for us remains."
"We need not speak of this now," Garrin said quickly, glancing at his three Squires. "If you wish, we can go to my quarters and talk in private."
"Not now, Master," said Kaelist, staggering up from his chair. "For now I desire only to be alone." Kaelist left the Dining Hall, and that was the last Lannon and the other Squires ever saw of him.
Garrin sat down, his face troubled, while beckoning the others to do the same. When they had done so, an Orange Squire came out and took their orders. At Garrin's suggestion, the lads ordered stew and bread. Timlin tried to order two bowls, but Garrin gave a disapproving shake of the head. "Food is not endless here, Timlin. Scrape one bowl clean before you request another."
"I doubt he could handle even one bowl," mused Vorden. "Timlin has the eyes of a giant and the stomach of a mouse."
The stew was delicious, the bread baked to perfection. Lannon and Vorden ate quickly and heartily, while Timlin picked away at his soup, apparently finding many ingredients in it he didn't care for.
"That Knight seemed troubled," said Vorden, his mouth full of bread. "Looks like he had a rough time of it."
"Some of his close friends fell in battle," said Garrin, gazing at Vorden sternly. "These are dark times for Dremlock Kingdom. But you need to stay focused entirely on your training."
"What will our training be like?" asked Vorden.
"You'll train in the morning with the rest of the new Squires," said Garrin. "You will learn weapon skills and sorcery. But your special training as Blue Squires will be somewhat different. You will practice stealth, climbing, and picking locks. Yet do not think that you are becoming thieves or assassins, as some silly rumors suggest. Blue Knights serve a different purpose." He paused, smiling.
"What purpose?" said Vorden.
"When I feel you're ready, I'll answer that question," Garrin said. "But I assure you, Vorden, it will take nothing from your honor."
Vorden nodded. "That's good to hear. After what Cartlan said, I was afraid I'd be learning how to be a backstabber."
Garrin shook his head. "Foolish rumors, Vorden. But you will be trained to kill quickly and silently, without direct confrontation. This is not murder--especially when performed on Goblins, as is usually the case. It is simply another way of defeating an enemy. You're a smart lad. You should have guessed as much."
Vorden's face reddened and he said nothing.
"Why were we even chosen Blue?" said Timlin.
"Because of talent and necessity," said Garrin. "In these times, Blue Knights are badly needed, and you three have the rare talent that a Blue Knight requires. In the Color Trials, the Wood test alone determined that. It takes great focus and great Knightly essence to break that plank. Few Squires ever accomplish that feat."
"I didn't break it," said Lannon.
"No, you did not," said Garrin. "Nevertheless, you were chosen for Blue and you must not question it."