Trenton Shadowbane, the Investigator, at last came to escort him to the trial. He entered the Hall and approached Lannon with a grim look on his face, while taking quick puffs of a small wooden pipe. "The trial is set to begin," he said, "so hurry up now. We can't keep the Council waiting. Your things are under the bed."
Lannon grabbed his pack and donned his winter cloak, but noticed that his weapons and armor were missing. He never went anywhere without his armor and sword these days, and he felt naked without them. He glanced questioningly at Trenton.
"Where is my sword and armor?"
"You are a possible threat to this kingdom," Trenton said, frowning. "Your weapons will be returned to you if you are found innocent." He smiled-a predatory grin that showed perfect teeth. "But if found guilty, you won't be needing them anyway, of course."
Lannon nodded, gazing at the floor. "Where are my friends?"
"I escorted them to the North Tower earlier," said Trenton. "They are in Dremlock Hall, where all trials are conducted. Now let us be off."
Lannon followed Trenton from the Hall of Healing. It was another cold day, with a grey sky from which sprinkled snow. The path to the North Tower had been shoveled out after the blizzard, leaving snow banks taller than Lannon on either side. The Investigator made great strides as his boots crunched along the path, puffs of smoke from his lips blowing a sweet tobacco scent back towards Lannon, who had to struggle to keep pace with him. The lad was shaking from the cold and his anxieties as he stumbled along, and he was weary from lack of sleep. His stomach felt like he'd swallowed a lump of lead. Lannon could not see the Temple, which lay upon the opposite side of the North Tower, and he was glad of that. He had no desire to look upon it this day.
"You and your friends have caused quite a turmoil," said Trenton. "Some Council members are calling for your heads…not literally, of course. Well, actually, maybe some are being literal, but that's not my point. You need to be punished, and punished severely. Dremlock doesn't need this foolishness right now!"
Lannon kept silent, knowing if he said the wrong thing, it could make his position worse-if that were possible.
But Trenton would not let it be. He stopped and turned towards Lannon. "Don't think you're going to get away with this, boy. Tell me, what motivates you, Lannon Sunshield? Do you like things as they are?" His grey eyes shone with accusation as he glared at Lannon. He reminded Lannon very much of a wolf studying its prey, and out of sheer nervousness, Lannon was forced to speak.
"I regret what I did," he said.
The grey eyes narrowed. "How pathetic, child. You lack conviction in your words. There can only be one fate for the likes of you."
Lannon sighed, already knowing what Trenton's vote would be. If there were more people like this Investigator on the High Council, his career at Dremlock was definitely finished.
"I get your point," Lannon said, losing his temper. "You don't like me. But there is no use in beating me over the head with it!"
Trenton raised his eyebrows. "It has nothing to do with my personal feelings toward you. The Sacred Laws must always be obeyed!"
Trenton started walking again at an even faster pace. Lannon had to practically run to keep up. The North Tower was nearly the width of the East and West towers combined, and at least thirty feet taller than either, with six balconies encircling it. The black and silver Crest of Dremlock was emblazoned upon a giant flag that stood atop the peak. Six Red Knights, heavily armed, stood guard atop stone steps that led up to a towering iron door. They didn't move a muscle as the two approached, and their bearded faces were stern. They were part of the elite force of Knights that would defend the North Tower to their last breaths.
As the two ascended the steps, the guards pulled the door open. They nodded to Trenton, but the Investigator ignored them and strode on through. Lannon glanced at them, and saw pity in their eyes directed his way. He wished he hadn't looked at them. The door was pushed shut behind them.
They stood in Dremlock Hall. It resembled the Great Hall in the West Tower, except everything within was larger and grander. The floor was covered in a rich silver carpet, upon which sat five long tables bearing fancy adornments, such as candy dishes, wine jugs, and jars of tobacco. Fifteen foot tall paintings of Knights lined the walls, with one twenty foot masterpiece depicting Kuran Darkender that hung above a huge iron fireplace. On either side of the fireplace stood a door, one labeled Green Hall and another labeled Main Hall. Ten large Knights-bearing full plate mail, crossbows, battle axes, and shields-lined the chamber, with five on either side. A Grey Knight stood near the fireplace, holding a green crystal rod in her hands that she slowly turned this way and that while her gaze wandered the room.
The High Council was gathered at one of the tables, along with Lannon's friends. Timlin, Jerret, and Aldreya were pale and anxious-looking, but Vorden appeared relaxed, leaning back with his arms folded across his chest. Taris and Furlus flanked the four Squires, with a chair beside the Squires left open for Lannon.
Trenton pointed to the empty chair. "Go sit by your friends and keep still. Speak only if you are granted permission."
Lannon went and sat down. At first he avoided looking at anyone, but then his gaze began to wander about, searching the faces of the Council members for any sign of hope. But he could tell nothing from their expressions.
Clearing his throat, Cordus said, "We are here to discuss the fate of these five Squires. I must remind you all that this is a closed trial, and anything spoken here should not be discussed once this meeting has ended."
"What is there to discuss?" said a Green Knight named Kealin Lightsword. "The Squires have admitted their guilt, and now a vote must be taken." Kealin was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a thin beard and mustache. Deep lines cut through the flesh of his cheeks and forehead, and his mouth was always set in a cold, cynical line.
"Not all of them have admitted wrongdoing," said Taris. "Lannon Sunshield has admitted nothing, as far as I know. He may have been a prisoner, dragged along against his will." The sorcerer's hood was thrown back, revealing his silver hair, pointed ears, and bright green eyes. He seemed very human to Lannon all of a sudden, lacking the mysterious aura he usually possessed.
"This is ridiculous," muttered Kealin. "Guilt has already been established beyond a reasonable doubt. This trial is about punishment alone. I suggest we get on with our vote, so we may then proceed with more important matters."
"Well said, Kealin," spoke another Green Knight. This one was an Olrog named Moten Goblinsbane, a short, bald, and heavyset Grey Dwarf with a peculiar feature-his beard had been trimmed short, while his sideburns remained extremely bushy.
"These Squires have violated our Sacred Laws," said Kealin. "And there can only be one punishment for that-banishment from the kingdom."
"Let me remind you all," said Cordus, "of Lannon Sunshield's importance to this kingdom. He alone possesses the Eye of Divinity, which has the potential to solve the Goblin Puzzle that has caused us so much trouble."
Lannon's heart leapt with hope. If Cordus Landsaver was on his side, surely he would not be banished. Lannon couldn't believe the others would dare go against the Lord Knight. Cordus seemed too commanding and powerful to be challenged.
But Lannon was wrong, and if he held any illusions after several months of being at Dremlock about how the kingdom was run, they were shattered an instant later.
Kealin slapped the tabletop with his hand. "Nonsense, I say! This is just another way of pushing the burden off our own shoulders. It's time we stop pointing fingers at fate, or the Deep Shadow, or riddles. We are the Knights of Dremlock, the ones who must defend this kingdom-not a mere boy who lacks honor. This Eye of Divinity-this ancient magic that few know anything about-is not the answer. We must bear the responsibility for what has happened to Dremlock and our Knights."