Knights: Book 03 - The Heart of Shadows by Robert E. Keller Page B
Authors: Robert E. Keller
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more talented group of Squires in all my years. And I
would gladly die protecting you, as you are the future of Dremlock
Kingdom."
The
Squires exchanged delighted glances (with the exception of Lothrin whose face
betrayed no expression) and thanked the famed Red Knight for his kind words.
Jerret looked especially pleased.
"Master
Thrake," said Jerret, "you're the greatest Knight of all."
Thrake
chuckled, his face reddening a bit. "No, Jerret, that praise belongs to
our Lord Knight, Cordus Landsaver."
"But
you'll be Lord Knight someday," said Jerret. "I know it!"
Thrake
gazed at Jerret in silence for a moment. Then he said, "If I had a son, I
would want him to be like you, Jerret."
Jerret
bowed, a broad grin on his face. "I appreciate the kind words, Master!
I've learned a lot from you and...and I owe you so much. The training you gave
me in Dorok's Hand did wonders for me."
Thrake
shook his head. "You owe me nothing, Jerret. But you owe it to yourself to
become a great Knight, my young friend. Even if your color class does have to
be Blue." He scowled as he spoke that last statement, then winked.
"Not that Blue isn't a fine class, of course."
Jerret
sighed. "I'd rather be Red like you."
"You
still might get your wish," said Thrake. "Clearly, you were not meant
to be a Blue Knight and this could be a temporary assignment."
"I
can only hope," said Jerret.
"Anyway,
I'm so very proud of all of you!" said Thrake. He drank deeply from a
flask, and the smell of wine was strong in the tent. "Our future is
bright, and we will triumph over the Deep Shadow!"
Prince Vannas clapped his hands together.
"Well said!"
"Agreed,"
said Lannon, his mood soaring. He suspected the wine had softened Thrake's
normally cold and gruff personality, but he deeply appreciated the Red Knight's
kind words and optimism.
"I
have something else to tell you," said Thrake, a troubled expression
settling over his face. "I want you to beware of..."
Thrake
let his words trail off as Shennen stepped into the tent. The Lord of the Blue
Knights gazed sternly at Thrake--his shining Birlote eyes contrasting his pale
face. "What going on in here?"
Thrake
shrugged. "Just having a friendly chat with the Squires and drying myself
off. Nothing important."
Shennen's
eyes narrowed. "You're supposed to be standing guard outside, Thrake, not
sitting in here indulging in comforts."
Thrake
nodded. "Sorry, Shennen. But what does it matter? If I'm in here, I'm
still guarding them."
"Because
I want the Squires in this tent alone," said Shennen. "You may check
on them briefly through the entrance."
Thrake
looked troubled. "Why?"
Shennen
hesitated. "Reasons of my own, and none of your concern."
"I'm
part of the Divine Shield," said Thrake, glowering. "So it is my
concern! I find your insistence on the Squires being alone in here to
be...unsettling. I realize there was that assassin at Dremlock, but
still..."
Shennen
glowered back. "I am the Lord of the Blue Knights, Thrake. Are you the
Lord of the Red Knights? No, there is someone ranked above you named
Furlus Goblincrusher. So therefore, I am also ranked above you, Divine Shield
or not. So therefore, you will submit to my commands. Is that understood?"
The
Squires exchanged tense looks.
"It's
understood, Shennen," Thrake said. "But know this--I will be checking
on the Squires quite a bit."
"Good,"
said Shennen, giving a forced smile. "I would expect no less from you. And
tell Jace he is not allowed in here either, if he tries to enter."
Thrake
sat in silence for a moment looking almost helpless, then gave a shrug.
"If you order it, I guess I have to obey. But I strongly question this and
will take the issue to Taris when my guard duty has ended for the night."
Shennen
nodded. "Speak to Taris all you want. I care not." His piercing gaze
fell on Lannon. It seemed to hold a warning of doom that made Lannon's heart
sink. "Those who question me should beware!"
Thrake
thrust out his chin defiantly. "Beware of
would gladly die protecting you, as you are the future of Dremlock
Kingdom."
The
Squires exchanged delighted glances (with the exception of Lothrin whose face
betrayed no expression) and thanked the famed Red Knight for his kind words.
Jerret looked especially pleased.
"Master
Thrake," said Jerret, "you're the greatest Knight of all."
Thrake
chuckled, his face reddening a bit. "No, Jerret, that praise belongs to
our Lord Knight, Cordus Landsaver."
"But
you'll be Lord Knight someday," said Jerret. "I know it!"
Thrake
gazed at Jerret in silence for a moment. Then he said, "If I had a son, I
would want him to be like you, Jerret."
Jerret
bowed, a broad grin on his face. "I appreciate the kind words, Master!
I've learned a lot from you and...and I owe you so much. The training you gave
me in Dorok's Hand did wonders for me."
Thrake
shook his head. "You owe me nothing, Jerret. But you owe it to yourself to
become a great Knight, my young friend. Even if your color class does have to
be Blue." He scowled as he spoke that last statement, then winked.
"Not that Blue isn't a fine class, of course."
Jerret
sighed. "I'd rather be Red like you."
"You
still might get your wish," said Thrake. "Clearly, you were not meant
to be a Blue Knight and this could be a temporary assignment."
"I
can only hope," said Jerret.
"Anyway,
I'm so very proud of all of you!" said Thrake. He drank deeply from a
flask, and the smell of wine was strong in the tent. "Our future is
bright, and we will triumph over the Deep Shadow!"
Prince Vannas clapped his hands together.
"Well said!"
"Agreed,"
said Lannon, his mood soaring. He suspected the wine had softened Thrake's
normally cold and gruff personality, but he deeply appreciated the Red Knight's
kind words and optimism.
"I
have something else to tell you," said Thrake, a troubled expression
settling over his face. "I want you to beware of..."
Thrake
let his words trail off as Shennen stepped into the tent. The Lord of the Blue
Knights gazed sternly at Thrake--his shining Birlote eyes contrasting his pale
face. "What going on in here?"
Thrake
shrugged. "Just having a friendly chat with the Squires and drying myself
off. Nothing important."
Shennen's
eyes narrowed. "You're supposed to be standing guard outside, Thrake, not
sitting in here indulging in comforts."
Thrake
nodded. "Sorry, Shennen. But what does it matter? If I'm in here, I'm
still guarding them."
"Because
I want the Squires in this tent alone," said Shennen. "You may check
on them briefly through the entrance."
Thrake
looked troubled. "Why?"
Shennen
hesitated. "Reasons of my own, and none of your concern."
"I'm
part of the Divine Shield," said Thrake, glowering. "So it is my
concern! I find your insistence on the Squires being alone in here to
be...unsettling. I realize there was that assassin at Dremlock, but
still..."
Shennen
glowered back. "I am the Lord of the Blue Knights, Thrake. Are you the
Lord of the Red Knights? No, there is someone ranked above you named
Furlus Goblincrusher. So therefore, I am also ranked above you, Divine Shield
or not. So therefore, you will submit to my commands. Is that understood?"
The
Squires exchanged tense looks.
"It's
understood, Shennen," Thrake said. "But know this--I will be checking
on the Squires quite a bit."
"Good,"
said Shennen, giving a forced smile. "I would expect no less from you. And
tell Jace he is not allowed in here either, if he tries to enter."
Thrake
sat in silence for a moment looking almost helpless, then gave a shrug.
"If you order it, I guess I have to obey. But I strongly question this and
will take the issue to Taris when my guard duty has ended for the night."
Shennen
nodded. "Speak to Taris all you want. I care not." His piercing gaze
fell on Lannon. It seemed to hold a warning of doom that made Lannon's heart
sink. "Those who question me should beware!"
Thrake
thrust out his chin defiantly. "Beware of
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