The Hand of Tharnin

Oaran was enraged at Timlin. "You little fool! You had a chance to finish me and save yourself. Now we're both going to die."

"I couldn't do it," said Timlin, shrugging.

"Tolus would love to keep you alive," said Oaran. "But you're dangerous and don't follow his orders. I'm dead no matter what, but if you can convince Tolus that you're sorry and beg for a second chance, he might well grant it."

"It doesn't matter," said Timlin. "I just can't bring myself to kill people in the arena. I don't want to die, but I guess I'd rather die than murder people."

"It's not murder," said Oaran. "It's survival."

"Whatever it is," said Timlin, "I want no part of it."

Oaran bowed his head, his face gloomy, and the two sat in silence for a while. Then Tolus rushed into the hall and, with shaking hands, unlocked their cell. Tolus was alone and his sword was sheathed.

Timlin rose, ready to make a move. But the fearful look on Tolus' face warned Timlin to hold back.

"Timlin, you're free to go," said the Grey Dwarf.

"Why?" said Timlin, wondering if it was a cruel trick of some sort.

Tolus shook his head. "No time to explain, but I'd rather you left that cell and got out of here. I don't want any further trouble!"

"Trouble with who?" asked Timlin, completely baffled.

Tolus frantically motioned to Timlin. "The Blood Legion has come to Rogue Haven, and they want you. Now just go!"

Oaran rose, his eyes hopeful. "Better do it, Timlin. Just get out of here. It might be your only chance!"

Timlin started forward, and then a clanking sound arose. A bulky, armored Knight entered the hall, accompanied by two bearded giants carrying battle axes. The Knight wore dark, exquisitely crafted armor and his face was concealed by a helm from which two yellow eyes peered out. Timlin gasped when he saw the large gauntlet that covered the Knight's right hand and forearm-the Hand of Tharnin.

"The demon man!" Timlin cried, shrinking back.

"Something evil comes!" Oaran said, his eyes filled with fright.

Tolus stepped aside, his face pale. He pointed at Timlin. "Here he is, and as you can see, your lordship, he is unharmed."

The Black Knight and his giants paused before the cell. Timlin could sense the aura of the Deep Shadow-immensely strong and radiating from the gauntlet, yet somehow carefully controlled. "Timlin Woodmaster," said the Black Knight, in a deep voice that sounded vaguely familiar to Timlin. "We are together again, and I couldn't be more pleased!"

"What do you want with me?" Timlin said. "I'm not part of Dremlock anyone. I don't care about you."

"Yet I care about you," said the Black Knight, "my dear friend. I had a bit of trouble tracking you down, but now that I've found you, I have a question for you. How would you like to be a member of the Blood Legion?"

Timlin gazed on in confusion, wondering if this was some wretched prank that Tolus was playing. But Tolus looked genuinely frightened.

"You think I'm the demon man, huh?" said the Black Knight. He chuckled. "Perhaps if I remove my helm, you won't look so terrified." He removed his helm-to reveal the smiling face of Vorden Flameblade.

Timlin gasped. "How…how can this be?"

"I too betrayed Dremlock," said Vorden. "I stole the Hand of Tharnin and now I control it. I am now the leader of the Blood Legion." He raised the gauntlet, and the blue stones captivated Timlin. "It's all thanks to this. Turns out the so-called demon man was weak, and the gauntlet controlled him. But once I claimed the device for myself, it opened my eyes to the truth. I realized Dremlock is the true evil in Silverland. Instead of making a pact with Tharnin, the Knights continue their foolish war and so many lives are lost. The Blood Legion wants peace for the land and knows exactly how to achieve it."

Timlin nodded, but remained uncertain. When he'd left Dremlock, he'd been full of rage and ready to join with Dremlock's foes. But something had changed in him a bit, and he'd begun to question himself and what was right and wrong. "But are you sure you control the gauntlet, Vorden?"

"Very sure," said Vorden. "If I didn't, I would probably kill you just for fun. Instead, I want you to be a Legion Master."

"What about the Legion Council?" said Timlin, stunned at Vorden's statement. "Wouldn't they have to approve such a thing?"

"My word is law," said Vorden. "The Legion Council obeys me. Unlike Dremlock, the Blood Legion has a supreme commander-a Black Knight who all must serve. I have been appointed to this position. "

"There was another who was called a Black Knight…" said Timlin, thinking of the man who'd claimed to be Tenneth Bard. Timlin wondered what had become of him, and if Vorden had somehow taken his place. He shuddered inwardly at the thought, but he was hopeful Vorden was not a slave of Tharnin as Tenneth Bard had seemed to be. If anyone could resist the power of the Deep Shadow, Vorden seemed to possess the strength of will for the task.

"I am in charge now," said Vorden. "Do not question it."

Timlin again found himself gazing at the gauntlet's hypnotic blue stones, and his fears slipped away. He grinned. "This seems too good to be true! I never would have imagined I'd see you here, in command of the Blood Legion. I almost feel like I'm asleep and will awaken in misery in my prison cell."

"You're not dreaming, my friend," said Vorden. "Master Timlin… How do you like the sound of that? You will fight by my side."

Tolus shrank back, his body trembling.

Oaran simply gazed at them with wide eyes.

Timlin fixed his angry gaze on Tolus. "So I'm now a Legion Master, Vorden? Does that mean I command those giants?" Timlin felt a rush of exhilaration at the thought that he was in command-gone from slave to leader in an instant.

"They are at your service," said Vorden, a glint of anticipation in his eyes.

Timlin pointed at Tolus. "Seize him!"

Scowling, the giants grabbed Tolus' arms. They roughed him up a bit and forced him to kneel, yanking his head back to expose his throat.

"Release me!" Tolus pleaded. "I mean no harm!"

"This Dwarf made me a slave," said Timlin. "He beat me and starved me, and made me fight against my will."

Vorden's face darkened. He turned and seized Tolus' throat with the Hand of Tharnin. "Give the word, Timlin, and I will crush him!"

Timlin considered it, then shook his head. "I don't want him dead. But I want all of these slaves freed. Can we do that, Vorden?"

"We can do whatever we want," said Vorden, grinning, "and if anyone opposes us, they will quickly regret it."

"Then after we free the prisoners," said Timlin, "I want this whole tavern burned to the ground. Boot everyone out and we'll set it on fire!"

It was easy to see that Vorden had changed-his yellow eyes alone told the tale. Timlin feared what he'd become. Yet Vorden did seem confident and in control of his destiny, and Timlin was too focused on his current situation to fret over such things. He could worry about Vorden later.

Vorden laughed heartily, while Tolus begged them not to destroy his business. "I like your thinking, Timlin," said the Black Knight. "Let us burn this dung pit and leave this pathetic Dwarf to rule over ash."

Timlin smiled at Oaran. "You're free to go and see your family, and you'll never have to kill again. Good fortune has found you today, my friend. It has found both of us!"

But Oaran did not return the smile. His face was grim. He stared at Timlin with a look that would haunt the lad-a mix of fear, pity, and disgust. And then he fled the hallway without looking back.

Chapter 17: Giants in the Snow

Timlin was surprised to find that fall had surrendered to an early, vicious winter while he'd been in the dungeon. As the tavern burned to the ground behind him, black smoke curling up toward the heavens, Timlin stood in the swirling snow that was piling up in the little town of Rogue Haven.