"Yet an illusion can be dangerous," said Jace. "I believe Lannon should avoid this task until he better understands what he's dealing with."
Shennen's face darkened with anger. "You've reached this conclusion so quickly, because of a simple illusion? I have studied these bones extensively, and my finding is that it is perfectly safe for Lannon to proceed."
"I was ordered to protect Lannon," said Jace, with a shrug. "Therefore, I cannot allow him to continue this research."
"You're exceeding your authority," said Shennen. "I will not take orders from a failed Knight who is only here because he is being paid!"
Jace shrugged. "Take it up with Taris. My feeling is that these Dragon remains are radiating too much evil sorcery for a young man like Lannon to cope with. However, I understand the importance of your research, Shennen, and I'm willing to assist you if you will accept my help."
Shennen scowled. "Jace the Wanderer, always trying to make everything his business. It grows tiresome. Nevertheless, I like you, Jace. I'm not Trenton. But you're beginning to annoy me. I guess I will indeed speak to Taris about this, and the issue shall soon be resolved."
"Good," said Jace, puffing his pipe. "That is all I ask."
Shennen scowled. "I know that Taris doesn't fully trust the Blue Knights, especially after what happened with Garrin Daggerblood. It's a shame, but I suppose it's just the way of things."
Shennen was clutching one of the Dragon's charred rib bones, his knuckles white in the torchlight. A strange shadow seemed to have fallen over his face, making him look more sinister and devilish than usual. Knight and Dragon seemed bound together somehow by invisible strands-inseparable. Lannon shuddered, wanting Shennen to let go of that rib bone.
Jace's eyes widened. "You look different, Shennen. What has happened to you? Perhaps we should speak to Taris right now!"
But then Shennen stepped away from the bones. He appeared normal again, aside from his pale skin. "Relax, my friend. I have allowed my impatience to anger me, and you have allowed your fears of Tharnin to get the best of you. However, you are correct in that we have to be very careful in dealing with these remains. We will consult with Taris in due time, but for now, let us concern ourselves with the assassin and see to it that Lannon and his friends are well protected."
Jace hesitated, then nodded. "Agreed." But Jace's eyes were filled with doubt and conflict. He held his pipe loosely in one hand, as if he'd forgotten about it. This was the first time Lannon had ever seen the sorcerer appear truly afraid.
When Lannon returned to his bedchamber, he told the other Squires of his latest encounter with Tenneth Bard (or the illusion that had been impersonating the Black Knight, if that was the case). Aldreya Silverhawk, whose knowledge of sorcery far exceeded that of the other Squires, dismissed the incident as a trick of the Deep Shadow. But Lannon still wasn't convinced. It had seemed too vivid to be a mere illusion. In fact, his throat still felt sore from being choked.
"And you fear that Shennen is possessed by Tharnin," said Aldreya, giving Lannon a piercing stare as she ran a brush through her curly silver hair. They were sitting across from each other on beds in Lannon's room. Jerret and Prince Vannas, Lannon's roommates, were also present. A single lantern on a small table between the beds lighted the chamber. The cold of the mountain hung in the air and they shivered beneath their fur cloaks.
Lannon nodded. "And I think Jace feels the same."
"This proves nothing," said Aldreya. "Shennen is always very focused on anything he does, to the point of getting angry if someone interferes. It's just his way. It doesn't mean he has been corrupted by the Deep Shadow. You should have some sort of proof before you say such a thing."
Lannon knew Aldreya spoke true, but he couldn't help what he was feeling. "I'm not accusing Shennen of anything yet."
"This whole fortress seems corrupted by the Deep Shadow," said Jerret, as he paced the room. "I can't wait to get back to Dremlock. It's always dark and freezing cold in here. Maybe if I was a Dwarf I'd find it more appealing."
"I don't believe it, Lannon," said Prince Vannas, a flash of anger in his green eyes. Unlike the others, Vannas wasn't wearing a simple fur cloak. Instead, he wore a thick, fur-lined blue robe with gold trim, and his long, silver hair was pulled back in a ponytail, revealing his pointed ears. He held a leather-bound book of Birlote poetry in one hand. "Shennen has a noble heart and a great deal of wisdom. I don't know what you saw or felt, my friend, but you were mistaken."
Aldreya nodded to her cousin, who sat next to her. "I couldn't agree more. Shennen is so careful in everything he does. It just doesn't seem possible. Some Knights are simply beyond the reach of Tharnin."
Jerret placed his hand on Aldreya's shoulder. "Anything can happen, my dear. You should know that by now. And as much as we respect Shennen, if he has fallen victim to the Deep Shadow's charms, we're all in great danger. We'll have to report this to the High Council and watch him closely."
Aldreya shrugged off Jerret's hand and rose, the copper-colored skin of her face turning crimson with anger. "Shennen is not a puppet of Tharnin. I know that for a fact!"
"How can we know anything for a fact?" said Jerret, shrugging his broad shoulders. "Just because Shennen is a Birlote like you doesn't mean he…" Jerret let his words trail off as Aldreya gave him a death stare.
Aldreya sat down again, her face troubled. As Aldreya matured, she was also growing more sullen and stubborn. Lannon noticed that in spite of her beauty and kind heart, she rarely smiled these days. She'd come to Dremlock with visions of advancing as far as her considerable skills would take her in a shining and noble kingdom. But the relentless darkness of Tharnin had clearly sapped the joy from her heart. Now she was just another desperate and hunted Squire hiding in a cold mountain fortress. Aldreya had once seemed almost snobbish, but her ego appeared to have shrunk and she treated everyone equally. Lannon liked her better now, finding her far easier to relate to, but he wished she seemed a bit happier.
Prince Vannas, on the other hand, seemed to be growing more arrogant and demanding by the day. Nothing seemed to please him and Lannon and Jerret could barely tolerate him as a roommate. And he talked endlessly of the White Flamestone, as if he were obsessed with it and cared about little else.
"Shennen has royal blood in him," said Vannas, scowling at Jerret. He slammed his book of poetry down on a stand. "I've heard enough! The notion of him being deceived by Tharnin is ridiculous. This wretched fortress is getting to all of us, making us imagine things. It's not right to live so far under earth and stone. That's not why I wanted to be a Divine Knight. I'm supposed to be at Dremlock Kingdom, not in some frozen hole in the ground some call a fortress. It's not fair that I am being kept in this miserable place."
Lannon sighed, tired of Vannas' complaints. He almost didn't respond, but then the words slipped out: "You chose to become a Squire, Prince Vannas. And we Squires have to act in the best interests of the kingdom, remember? There must be a good reason we have been ordered to remain at this fortress."
"I'm well aware of my duties," Vannas grumbled. "But the Dragon is dead, the Hand of Tharnin is gone forever-along with Tenneth Bard. I just don't see why I'm needed here any longer. Furlus and Taris are polite to me, but they keep making excuses to keep me here. I'm being treated rather poorly! Now I hear these accusations against Shennen, and it makes me think everyone has lost their wits. I should have stayed in Borenthia and lived a life of luxury."
"Why didn't you?" said Jerret, looking truly perplexed. "Why risk your life fighting Goblins when you could have lived like…well, like the prince you are? Honestly, you should have stayed in your tree city."