Chapter 5:
The Lawkeeper and His Bitter Tongue
The next morning, Vorden was still in rough shape. Dallsa took him into her care, bringing him food and water. However, Vorden would not allow her to examine or treat his wound, even though he was running a very high fever and seemed to be in intense pain. Everyone at Ollanhar was deeply concerned. Based on Lannon's description of the battle, they knew Vorden had received a wound that would have killed a lesser Knight instantly. Dallsa was afraid that malicious sorcery might have invaded Vorden's flesh and was continuing to do damage, but Vorden dismissed her concern, pointing out that he was already infested with dark sorcery and that a little more of it wouldn't harm him.
Lannon, on the other hand, was feeling much better physically. As the morning sun cast its golden light over the tower grounds, he stood beneath the ancient apple tree that was still wet from the dew. He blamed himself for Vorden's condition and vowed that in the future he alone would explore Ollanhar Tower. Only a Dark Watchman was meant to venture into the forbidden places and unlock the secrets of the keep. He told himself that he had been a fool for taking Vorden on such an adventure.
Dallsa emerged from the tower and approached, shaking her head in frustration. "Why does Vorden have to be so stubborn? He's risking his life to prove a point, and...well...it's just stupid."
Lannon nodded. She was right, but there was nothing to be done about it. Lannon had given up on trying to reason with Vorden.
"You seem calm," she said, "considering the situation." She glared at him. "Why are you always so calm, Lannon?"
Lannon brushed a leaf from his cloak, and said nothing. He wanted to be alone. He was calm because he had trained himself to be calm, because being a Divine Knight and a Dark Watchman required great mental focus. He had learned to keep his emotions in check and put duty ahead of everything else, so that fear and other blinding forces would not disrupt his clarity. Dallsa, however, had not yet been properly trained, and her emotions often ran wild.
She pressed close to him. Her black hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her round, pale face was inches from his own. "What was Vorden doing down there, anyway? I thought that area was forbidden to anyone but you. That was a rule established by you and Aldreya."
She was close enough Lannon thought she might try to kiss him. He turned away. "I don't know. I wish I hadn't taken him down there. I felt sorry for him because he doesn't have a suitable weapon. I thought we might find one."
"You risked his life for a weapon?" she said, wrapping her arms around him. Her eyes were wide with disbelief. "That's not like you, Lannon."
Lannon pulled away from her and leaned against the apple tree. "You're right. What can I say? I just wasn't thinking clearly."
"What can't I give you a hug?" she asked, looking annoyed. "Aren't you my friend?"
"We're definitely friends," said Lannon, feeling uncomfortable. "But the Sacred Laws..."
"What about them?" she asked, hands on her hips. "Are you trying to say I want more than just friendship?"
"Kind of," he admitted. He was guessing his face had gone red.
She frowned. "And what if that were true?"
"The Sacred Laws forbid it, Dallsa," he said sternly. "Therefore, it would be impossible."
She gazed at him for a moment, then nodded. "You'll never break the Sacred Laws. At least, not for something like..." She sighed. "I know you too well. You're way too stubborn for that." There was a hint of pain in her eyes.
Dallsa did know him well. Lannon would not break the Sacred Laws for Dallsa, even though he had broken those laws before. He had matured since then, and his belief in Dremlock and Ollanhar was too important to him. In fact, it bothered him that she had even considered such a thing.
"Are you happy with your life," Lannon asked. "As a healer?"
"Yes," she said. "And no, I wasn't intending to break the Sacred Laws. I just...wanted to know where you stood."
"But you already knew," he pointed out.
"Yes," she said, and again there was a hint of pain in her eyes. "But I needed to hear you say it. Now I'll just forget about it."
"Can you?" he asked.
She gazed back defiantly. "I can, and I will."
Lannon let the issue rest and examined the apple tree, with its mossy trunk and sprawling branches that hung low and touched the ground. This tree had once been thoroughly infested with the Deep Shadow, but Dallsa had worked tirelessly at freeing it and some of the evil sorcery had diminished. Strength and wholesomeness was returning to the tree once again, and perhaps eventually it would bear delicious fruit that one could eat without fear of being infected by darkness. The Birlotes had planted this tree, and it was special--able to live for centuries. The fruit had once contained healing properties, filling the body with vigor.
Lannon patted the trunk. "I could use a good apple right now."
"Me too," said Dallsa, pinching his arm. "But if I may have your attention, High Watchman, a visitor just entered the grounds. And he looks to be from Bellis Kingdom."