Knights: Defenders of Ollanhar

  Chapter 12:

  The Trail of Darkness and Deception

  After Lannon and the others had rode out of camp, Galvia found herself pacing about restlessly in front of the bonfire. She was vaguely aware that Taith was watching her. The boy was sitting on a rock, hands in his pockets, looking gloomy. Galvia wondered why her, of all the Knights, had to be left at camp. Surely her friends were going to find themselves engaged in brutal combat and would need her skills to ensure victory. Recently, her abilities had reached a new level. She had mastered her rare gift of Fire, a form of sorcery unique to the Grey Dwarves. She was eager to put it to the test against the servants of Tharnin.

  "You look worried," said Taith. He picked up a stick and tossed it into the fire. A winged shadow soared across the campsite--an ugly shadow that indicated a Goblin Vulture out on the hunt. The horses snorted and stomped. Taith shivered.

  Galvia glared at him. "I'm not worried--just pondering things. And you should be in bed." She waved him away. "Go to your tent and sleep, little man. We have a lot of riding to do tomorrow...after the others return."

  Taith didn't move. "I'm worried too. What if Lannon never comes back? Who will look after me? Not Daledus, I hope."

  "Daledus is a great warrior," said Galvia. "Show him some respect. He may seem harsh to you, but he would defend you with his life."

  "That Dwarf scares me," said Taith, "and he's extremely loud like my father. I'm afraid he might beat me. But Lannon isn't like that. Lannon treats me kindly most of the time. I don't want anything bad to happen to him."

  "Lannon is a Dark Watchman," said Galvia. "He can look after himself." The winged shadow passed over the campsite again, and Galvia glanced up, catching a glimpse of a dark, hideous shape.

  "What does that mean?" asked Taith. "To be a Dark Watchman?"

  Wolf howls came from the peaks, and then more howls erupted in response from another direction. Taith looked around fearfully. Goblin Wolves, by the sound of them. Other noises could be heard--strange cries and shrieks. The mountains were thoroughly infested with Goblins and other terrors.

  Galvia hesitated, wondering how to respond. She wasn't sure she was qualified to answer that, considering how little she knew about Lannon and his predecessors. At last she said, "It means he's not a normal Knight. He's much more powerful--more like Taris Warhawk the sorcerer. But different even than Taris."

  "Like Kuran Darkender, maybe?" asked Taith. "I saw his statue in the shrine. He looked very strong. Was he a Dark Watchman?"

  Galvia shook her head. "Kuran Darkender was a shield-bearing Brown Knight, which was the first color class appointed by the Divine Essence. He was very powerful for a Knight, but he wasn't a Dark Watchman. Lannon has a special gift that not even Kuran Darkender possessed--the Eye of Divinity. It makes him more of a sorcerer than a warrior." She wasn't sure why she was bothering to explain all this to a mere lad, but talking about it seemed to make her feel better and restored her confidence that Lannon and the others would prevail.

  "I have that power too," said Taith. "Well, I can't make it work right now, but maybe when I get older. I can't wait to learn how to use it."

  Galvia nodded. "Your time will come, Taith."

  They sat in silence for a while, gazing at the fire. The winged shadow did not return. The mountains seemed suddenly very quiet.

  "Who would win in a fight?" asked Taith, finally breaking the silence. "Lannon, or Kuran Darkender? I'm betting Lannon would win."

  Galvia laughed. It was a childish question, but one she found very interesting to contemplate. "It is said that Kuran Darkender was nearly invincible, but who knows? He never fought a Dark Watchman, to my knowledge. I've seen Lannon fight, and I know what he is capable of." She hesitated, not daring to suggest that Kuran Darkender could lose--but not wanting to diminish Lannon's stature either. At last she simply shrugged and said, "It would be an intriguing battle."

  "I'd love to see that," said Taith, "as long as it wasn't to the death. You look like a strong warrior too, especially for a girl. You look like you could break me in half! I'm glad you're here to protect me."

  Galvia nodded. "Amongst the Grey Dwarves, many of the women are as strong as the men. We can do everything they can do."

  "Then where is your beard?" asked Taith. "Daledus seems to love his beard, even though he told me some of it was burned off. He said a thick beard is very important to a Grey Dwarf, yet you don't have one."

  "Thankfully," said Galvia, rolling her eyes. "The men boast of their beards, but the women know it is meaningless and are just fine without them. It's all talk. Does a beard help in combat? No, it only gets in the way."

  Taith laughed. "You would not look good with a beard. I just pictured that in my mind. It was not a pleasant thing to imagine."

  "I would guess not," said Galvia, and they shared a laugh.

  "Are your parents still alive?" asked Taith.

  Galvia nodded. "Alive, and still fairly young by Olrog standards. I just got a letter from them two weeks ago. They are very proud of my progress. I haven't had a chance to write them back yet." That last statement made her anxious. Her father especially was waiting to hear from her, and she had so much to tell both of them. Emotion gripped her heart, but her face remained stony.

  "Where did you grow up?" Taith asked.

  "In a mountain city," said Galvia. "I spent most of my youth in tunnels and caverns. Life was very hard. All I did was work and study. Be glad you're not an Olrog, Taith. It's so much easier for me at Dremlock. It wasn't at first, when I was a Squire, but now that I'm a Knight I have more freedom. That's something you can look forward to."

  "I want to be a great warrior like Lannon," said Taith. "I know he'll look after me and make sure I do my best."

  Galvia smiled. "You've changed rather quickly. Not long ago you were very obnoxious, but now I find myself enjoying your company."

  "Daledus changed me," said Taith, frowning. "He scares me. I never know what he's going to do or say. And his fists are huge."

  "Don't be afraid of him," said Galvia. "Just show him respect."

  Taith nodded, his eyes wide. "Definitely."

  Garaloth Demonfoe, the self-appointed bard, approached them. He shivered, moving closer to the fire. "The night grows cold, my dear friends, and we are left to fend for ourselves against the mountains. The cold is everywhere thanks to the Deep Shadow." He raised his flute. "Perhaps a song would warm us."

  "Later," said Galvia, not in the mood for music.

  Garaloth bowed. "No worries. I only play to entertain and when everyone is in agreement." A shadow darkened his face. "Perhaps I wanted a bit of music only because the mountains seemed so quiet all of a sudden. It seems the Goblins have all gone to sleep for the night."

  "Or perhaps they are feasting," said Galvia.

  Garaloth shuddered. "I would be honored to assume the first period of guard duty. I'm wide awake, you see--still fired up from that magnificent Crimson Feast. I still cannot believe the Divine Essence actually spoke through me!" He shook his head in amazement. "I will always consider that my greatest honor as a Knight, no matter what happens in the years to come."

  Galvia smiled. "Of course. And that's why you will be second in command here, Garaloth. The Divine Essence must have chosen you for a reason. That will probably earn you a promotion from the Council."

  Garaloth bowed twice, his expression eager. "I can only hope."

  "About the guard duty," said Galvia. " I want three warriors on watch all night--at three different points around the camp. Our enemies might choose to attack us while our numbers are diminished and Prince Vannas and Lannon are away."

  Garaloth glanced about, a flicker of fear in his eyes. "Ah, I didn't think of that. I figured we would be safe here, while the others would be the ones in peril. But you're definitely right about that."

  Taith rose, his eyes wide. "We're going to be attacked?"

  Galvia realized her mistake in speaking freely in front of the boy. "It's a p
ossibility, Taith, and nothing more. But rest assured we will do everything possible to protect you. We have many stout Knights on hand."

  Garaloth winked at the boy. "Fear nothing, Taith, for the Divine Essence will protect us. I shall play a song for you on my flute. If Galvia will allow it."

  Galvia nodded. "For Taith, then."

  Garaloth played a soft and gentle tune--a haunting melody that made Taith close his eyes and appear to drift off to sleep. The music merged with the crackling of the fire, and a peaceful feeling settled over the camp, promising that it would be a night of warmth, safety, and pleasant dreams in spite of their grim surroundings.

  Galvia sat down with her back to a tree, her war hammer lying next to her. She closed her eyes, letting the music relax her toward sleep. She thought of Jerret--already missing her best friend. Time seemed to slow until it became meaningless, drifting away like the notes in the air, until all that remained was the timeless music that existed beyond mortal pain and fear. Convinced that nothing would harm them, she said a prayer of thanks to the Divine Essence for blessing her with Knighthood and then let herself drift into a peaceful slumber.

  She fell asleep convinced all would be well.

  Yet when Galvia awoke sometime later, when the fire had died down to coals and Taith and Garaloth were sound asleep, she realized it was all an illusion. There was no peace or safety to be found in the Soddurn Mountains. This was a place of terror and death, and something ugly was bound to happen here. Yet the attack did not come from the creatures of the peaks--but from Bellis.

  The Lawkeeper and his warriors had entered the camp with their weapons drawn--intent on bloodshed. Their faces were twisted with malice, and they never spoke a word as they charged in for the kill.

  "Flee, Taith!" Galvia cried, to the sleeping lad--causing him to snap awake. She rose, war hammer in hand--dread gripping her heart.

  This was a fight to the death.