Knights: Defenders of Ollanhar

  Chapter 20:

  The Banners of Ollanhar

  At Ollanhar, after funerals were held for the fallen Knights, a special ceremony took place outside on the tower grounds to honor Faindan, Furlus, Valedos, and the rest of the Nine Axes. Three days had passed since Tenneth Bard's defeat, and it was a warm summer evening, the heavens filled with stars. A feast was held, and a fire was blazing. Orange Squires served drinks while a pair of bards wandered about between the tables and entertained the crowd.

  Faindan, Furlus, and Valedos sat apart from the others at a table. It was a pleasant evening, but Valedos was sullen--still feeling pain over the deaths of two of the Nine Axes at the hands of Tenneth Bard. Nevertheless, Valedos had already cleaned two platters of food and had consumed three jugs of ale.

  "What are we to be now?" he asked. "The Seven Axes?"

  "Seven are better than none," said Furlus. "But there are other Dark Knights who would qualify. What about Garndon Steelbreaker? He is one of the stoutest Knights I've ever seen. Why haven't you recruited him?"

  Valedos nodded. "Yes, I can find others. But the original Ten Axes fought together for so long I had come to believe we were invincible. Yet now three of us are dead. I thought the catacombs beneath Dremlock were as dangerous as things could get, yet all three perished above ground."

  "No man is invincible," said Furlus. "Not even Faindan here." He nudged Faindan's arm, smiling. "But he sure looked invincible when he knocked Tenneth Bard off his horse and injured him so deeply. It's just a pity we were not able to successfully hunt down the Black Knight afterwards."

  "I don't know what I did," said Faindan. "I just noticed my sword was wrapped in white fire, and I lashed out at him. I still can't believe what happened."

  "What happened," said Furlus, "is that you caught Tenneth Bard off guard. He wasn't expecting the white fire. If he survives his wounds, the next time he faces you he will be more prepared."

  "What is the white fire?" asked Faindan.

  Furlus frowned. "Didn't you pay attention during your studies as a Squire? You should have learned about the white fire."

  "I hated study time," Faindan admitted. "My mind was always wandering."

  "The white fire," Furlus said, "is an extremely rare ability that only a handful of Knights have ever possessed. Kuran Darkender was the first, and there have only been eight others since over the centuries. Faindan, you are the tenth overall. The white fire is extremely powerful, allowing a blade to cut through almost anything--even stone or steel."

  "Like the White Flamestone itself," said Faindan, in awe.

  Furlus shook his head. "While there are similarities, they are not the same. The white fire that you wield is something unique. It is the common Knightly fire taken to an extreme level. We believe that any Knight has the potential to unlock the white fire--but for whatever reason, only a few succeed."

  "But what does this mean for me?" asked Faindan. "And what about the vision of Kuran Darkender I had? Does that mean anything?"

  "Possibly," said Furlus. "Do you know what every Lord Knight who has ever served Dremlock Kingdom has in common? They all had a vision of Kuran Darkender when they were in a time of great need. In fact, such a vision is one of the major qualifications to becoming a Lord Knight."

  Faindan shook his head in amazement. "So not only do I wield the white fire, but...if I worked extremely hard, I could be Lord Knight someday." He couldn't help but laugh. "A one-handed Lord Knight."

  "Stranger things have happened," said Furlus.

  "Let's not jump to conclusions," said Valedos. "You fought well, Faindan. But you have much to learn, and the white fire can be difficult to master. And I hate to say it, but now you will be a major target of the Deep Shadow--right up there with Lannon Sunshield and Prince Vannas."

  "Great," said Faindan. "I find out I have a rare power and the potential to be a Lord Knight--but now I have to constantly worry about being assassinated."

  Furlus nodded. "Striking such a terrible blow to Tenneth Bard will have consequences for you. It is the way of things."

  "What should I do now?" Faindan asked.

  "Eat, drink, and enjoy this fine evening," said Furlus. "Whatever happens will happen. And that goes for you as well, Valedos."

  Valedos' hand clamped around his ale mug. "We already know how our stories will end. They will end with death. But what will we do in the meanwhile? What great deeds will we accomplish? There is still time."

  "At least I have another chance," said Faindan. "Not long ago I thought I was finished as a Divine Knight. I am truly blessed to be here."

  "Any word from Lannon and the others?" asked Valedos.

  Faindan chuckled. "Aldreya probably thinks I'm long gone, that I quit in shame. She's going to be in for quite a surprise."

  "A Hawk has not arrived yet," said Furlus, "but I doubt there is any reason for worry. They're probably beyond the Soddurn Mountains now and well into new lands. Soon the Green Flamestone will be ours."

  "The future is bright," said Faindan, raising his ale mug.

  They banged their ale mugs together, as a bard broke into a new song about hope, peace, and justice in the land of silver.