"But it's forbidden," said Lannon. "The Divine Essence created the Sacred Laws, and I'm sure it had a good reason for doing so. And I could face being thrown out of the kingdom. And you could end up in a dungeon."
Jace laughed. "Nonsense, lad. Do you think the Knights would expel someone who possesses the Eye of Divinity? Were you thrown out last time? Of course not. As for me being put in a dungeon, it wouldn't be the first time. I'm prepared to face the consequences."
Lannon hesitated. "It just seems like a wretched idea."
"You're afraid," said Jace. "I can see it in your eyes. Well, you need to swallow your fears and act like a Knight. We've been charged with solving the mystery of the demon man and his gauntlet, and we'll do what we must to accomplish our task. I'm not getting paid to fail."
"I can see why you were expelled from the Order," said Lannon. "You're kind of reckless." He knew his words would probably anger Jace, but he didn't care. Jace's plan seemed like pure folly.
Jace's eyes held a strange gleam in the torchlight. He was a towering, shadowy figure who made Lannon feel small and weak. "So you've got me figured out, lad? That's amazing, because I'm not sure I have myself figured out. Not in the least. I've lived a very long time. You have no idea what scars and knowledge lie beneath this purple cloak-the things I have seen and endured."
Lannon shuddered, suddenly gripped by fear. "I probably don't want to know. I prefer to think of you as a writer."
Jace nodded. "I am a former writer. And a former Knight. And, last but not least, a former fool who still retains some of my old flaws. Does that make sense to you? Former fool, but still a fool?"
Lannon shook his head. He was growing more certain by the moment that Jace was crazy-or worse, possessed by the Deep Shadow.
"Rest assured you will find trouble with me," said Jace. "I am the essence of trouble, and Tharnin trembles in terror at the mere mention of my name. Why? Because I'm always digging my fingers into something. Yes, I am a very dangerous man. You might find your doom under my guidance. On the other hand, you might find your doom quite easily on your own. If you don't take action, young fellow, you will be assassinated. Are you prepared to die?"
Lannon shook his head. He wasn't prepared to die-not in the least. He felt he was far too young to die. "I want to live."
"Of course you do," said Jace. "Who doesn't? The only person who wants to die is a fool who can't wait to return to that which he was granted an opportunity to leave in the first place. You're a wise lad and not about to waste your opportunity at life. Now prove me right and we shall do what we must."
Lannon knew that on some level, Jace was right. Lannon needed to take drastic action for the sake of his survival. Yet he continued to hesitate.
Jace placed his hand on Lannon's shoulder. "I've been charged with looking after you while he work on solving the mystery. The Knights know of my reputation and I have their trust. Well, some of them trust me, and a few don't. Regardless, I will take full responsibility for this venture, should we be caught."
"But what if someone saw me leaving the East Tower?" said Lannon. "There are hidden spies in there. In the absence of Taris, they report to my trainer and Lord of the Blue Knights, Garrin Daggerblood, and he doesn't like me at all. If he knows I fooled the guards, I'm probably already in serious trouble. I'm certain the spies must have told him by now!"
"I doubt Garrin knows," said Jace, "or the Knights would be out searching for you. Jace motioned toward the abandoned trail. "Do you hear or see any signs of pursuit? Obviously, you managed to slip out unnoticed."
Lannon listened, and hearing nothing but occasional animal noises, he had to agree with Jace. If Garrin knew he'd duped the guards, surely the Knights would be closing in on him.
"Furlus and Taris are wounded," said Jace. "Your famed Tower Masters-struck down. Your life is in grave danger, should the so-called demon man choose to go after you, which he probably will. The Knights can't stop him. Soon they will order a Divine Shield placed around you-a group of Knights sworn to defend your life, who will guard you night and day. They are probably choosing the members of this Divine Shield even as we speak. Soon you will lose your freedom and perhaps lose your chance at finding a way to survive."
Jace's words seemed to reach deep into Lannon's soul, demanding he obey or pay a grim price. "Okay, I'll do it," Lannon said.
But Jace had already started along the trail. Lannon hurried after him, stumbling over a root. Lannon heard a strange, fluttering noise and whirled around-to glimpse a dark shape move swiftly across the trail and into the woods. He'd caught only a glimpse of it, but it had seemed almost man-shaped. He stood trembling for a moment, chilled to the bone and wondering what he'd seen.
"Did you see something?" Jace asked casually. "The woods are full of animals. It's nothing to be concerned about."
Still, Lannon hesitated, watching the shadows of the woods.
"Are you coming?" Jace asked, sounding annoyed.
Finally, Lannon turned and followed. Yet his back felt terribly exposed, and he kept glancing behind him.
Soon they reached the huge clearing where the Sacred Temple stood, with the North Tower rising up in the distance behind it. The sound of running water from the fountains that adorned the Temple grounds was loud in the still night air. The huge bronze statue of Kuran Darkender (the greatest Knight and foe of Tharnin who had ever lived) that stood atop the temple was a shadowy bulk beneath the stars.
The Temple door was locked, and Jace motioned to Lannon. Lannon hesitated, not wanting to summon the Eye of Divinity.
Jace frowned. "Aren't you a Blue Squire? Are you telling me you don't know how to pick a lock?"
"Huh?" said Lannon. "Oh, of course." His face red with embarrassment, he took out his tools and went to work on the lock. It was a difficult task and took some time, but at last he managed to get it open.
They crept into the Temple. The smell of incense hung thick in the air, a leftover scent from daytime gatherings. Lannon marveled, as he always did, at the sacred feel of the atmosphere in the Temple. He always felt like he was under the intense scrutiny of some higher power when inside there-as if the Divine Essence itself were watching his every move and judging him. Deep feelings of guilt gnawed at him, and a voice whispered in his mind that he was violating the Sacred Laws of Dremlock. This wasn't how an aspiring Divine Knight should behave.
Jace didn't seem troubled in the least by what they were doing. In fact, he whistled a merry tune as he studied the altar in the torchlight. The lid on the altar was sealed with a new, sophisticated lock. "Looks like a tough one," he said. "I think you'll have to use the Eye of Divinity."
Lannon cringed. "Maybe we should try again later."
"Would you mind closing the door?" Jace said.
Lannon heard something quietly scrape against stone behind him and he whirled around, but the door frame stood empty in the torchlight. Lannon wondered if he'd really heard anything or if his imagination was getting the best of him. He pulled the door shut and approached the altar.
"I don't think I can handle that lock," said Lannon, though he wasn't being entirely truthful. Though it wouldn't be easy, it was certainly possible he could pick the lock. He was simply hoping Jace would give up.
Jace sighed. "Give me your tools. I know a few tricks for a complex lock like this. Tricks of sorcery. I'll see what I can do."
Lannon tossed him the bag of tools and Jace went to work. Chills crept over Lannon's flesh. He turned and saw something shining in the darkness-a pair of small, crimson lights. He moved the torch, but the glow didn't extend far enough to reveal anything. Lannon drew his Dragon sword-the powerful weapon made of bones from a rare type of Goblin.