"You can't blame yourself, Lannon," said Aldreya. "Timlin had a dark spirit that was bound to lead him to trouble. And Vorden knew the risks. Take heart in the hope that Vorden can still be saved."
"Except we can't even find him," said Jerret. "Day after day goes by, and no one even catches a glimpse of him. The Knights think he might be in the mines or that he fled the kingdom altogether. I say he's probably hiding in the woods, plotting to kill us or bring about Dremlock's doom. I'm telling you-I'll bet he is in Knightwood somewhere. It's just a feeling I have."
"We've searched Knightwood extensively," said Lannon. "They even brought wolves to seek his scent. I doubt he's hiding in there."
"We still have hope," Aldreya insisted.
"I'm thinking Vorden is beyond hope," said Jerret. "It was just luck that the gauntlet was ever removed from the demon man to begin with. And I hear the demon man is actually a weakling with no combat skills. I think Vorden will be a far more dangerous foe, especially with all of his abilities. It was foolish of Jace to pick someone as skilled as Vorden to try to unlock the gauntlet. That decision could be the doom of Dremlock."
Lannon shrugged. "I don't know. I just have to find a way to save him. I know he would do the same for me at all costs."
Jerret sighed and rubbed his knees. "I'm going to have to be honest here, Lannon. I didn't really want to move in with you and train as a Blue Squire. Vorden had a lot of influence over me, but without him around, I'm just not that interested in being part of all the trouble that you're part of. Does that make sense?"
"Yes, it does," said Lannon. "You would rather be off training with the other Squires and socializing and not risking your life every day by being drawn into my miserable little world."
"Jerret, that's cowardly," said Aldreya, her green eyes flashing with anger. "You came to Dremlock to be a Divine Knight. Now you were asked to be at Lannon's side and give him friendship and support, and you would shun that?"
"Well, yes," said Jerret, shrugging. "If I was allowed to."
"I find that attitude repulsive," said Aldreya.
"Of course you do," said Jerret, glaring at her. "You're a Birlote snob. I've tried hard to…to warm up to you. You're a beautiful girl with a kind heart, yes. But you are also quite clueless."
Aldreya's mouth dropped open. "How dare you insult me?"
"I'm not trying to insult you," said Jerret. "But what happened the other day, when I asked you for a kiss in the trail?"
"I slapped your face, of course," said Aldreya.
"Yes, you slapped my face," said Jerret, looking hurt. "No one was watching, and I just wanted a friendly kiss."
"I should have reported you," said Aldreya.
Jerret rolled his eyes. "Why? Because a man wants a little attention? It figures you would be against that."
Aldreya rose. "Listen here, Jerret, I'm not as clueless as you seem to think. I know the type of attention you want from female Squires. You're just as bad as Timlin in that you seem incapable of acting like a Knight."
Jerret looked genuinely surprised. "You think so?"
"I do," said Aldreya. "You have no manners or respect. Do I speak the truth, Lannon?"
"She speaks the truth," Lannon mumbled, his mind on other topics.
Jerret looked appalled. "You're supposed to side with me on this, Lannon. By the Divine Essence, we're both men!"
"The Sacred Laws are clear," said Lannon. He lay back on the bed, not caring much about the issue between Jerret and Aldreya. He kept thinking of Vorden-how terrified his friend had looked when the gauntlet bound itself to his hand. He couldn't seem to shake the image from his mind.
"I'm sorry, Aldreya," said Jerret. "I'll try to behave more like a Knight." He extended his hand. "Do you accept my apology?"
"It matters not," said Aldreya. "Your actions will determine whether or not you are truly sorry." Yet reluctantly, she took his hand. "However, I accept your apology regardless. This time."
Jerret gazed at her smooth, copper-colored hand. "Thank you, fair lady. You have a beautiful heart." Then he kissed her hand.
Aldreya slapped his face. Then she strode back to Timlin's bed and sat down, her eyes betraying no emotion.
Jerret rubbed his cheek, looking dismayed. "Unbelievable."
Jace strode into the room, closing the door behind him. His huge form seemed to fill up the chamber. The demon man was with him-now dressed in a green robe and looking very small next to Jace. "This is Vellera," said Jace, to Lannon, "whom you've never actually met."
Vellera nodded. "Pleased to meet you, Lannon."
Lannon hesitated, feeling revulsion at the sight of the former demon man. Then Lannon nodded in return. "So is there any news on Vorden?"
"None," said Jace, sighing. "The reason I brought Vellera here is so you can understand that anything Vorden does-anything evil-is by no fault of his own. The gauntlet takes complete control of whoever wears it."
"This is true," Vellera said in a shaky voice. "My sons and I attacked a group of Goblins near our farm. We killed them, and found the gauntlet in their possession. Foolishly, I put my hand in it and my mind was overcome. I fled from my farm and was driven by the desire to do evil. That desire led me to the Blood Legion, who took me in. Together, we formed a plan to kill you, Lannon. I knew what I was doing, but I was powerless to stop it. Rest assured that your friend Vorden cannot control his actions."
Vellera was shaking as he spoke. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I'm sorry that happened to you," Lannon said. His revulsion faded and was replaced by sympathy.
"That's a terrible story!" said Aldreya.
"Even though I had no control over my actions," said Vellera, "I blame myself constantly. It may be a long time before I can learn to forgive myself."
Jerret stood up, looking uncomfortable. "I'm going to wander around a bit, stretch my legs."
Jace turned a piercing gaze toward Jerret. "Is everything okay, Squire? You have a troubled aura. Don't forget you are part of Lannon's Divine Shield. And until the Shield is dissolved, you are required to guard him at all times. If you need a break, you must ask a Knight."
Lannon looked away in disgust, knowing Jerret was eager to abandon him. He didn't want Jerret as one of his defenders.
"What about me?" said Aldreya, looking agitated. "I can't very well share a room with these boys. It's not allowed."
"Of course not," said Jace. "You will continue to sleep in your own room at night. But during the day, you should be at Lannon's side. Taris was disappointed to hear that you two have not been fulfilling your oath, which is why he gave the order for Jerret to move into Lannon's room."
Aldreya looked horrified. "But I didn't know I was supposed to be with Lannon all the time. I just didn't think about it. No one told me!"
Jace chuckled. "Well, now you know. To be a Divine Knight, you can't wait for people to tell you everything. You need to ask questions, read books-take action. You can't expect everyone to do everything for you. This is a good lesson for you Squires. Make the most of it, and you will impress the Knights."
"Very well," said Jace. "You can have your food, but don't wander outside the tower-for your own good. No one is guarding you, Squire, and an attempt on your life has already been carried out by an assassin who was never caught. The safest place you can be is by Lannon's side, under heavy guard. But go if you must. And bring me back a bowl of rice pudding."
"I will do better next time," said Aldreya.
"Me too," Jerret mumbled. "So, um, can I have a break? I didn't know I was going to be stuck in this room, and I need to take care of something important. It won't take much time."
"I'm not a Knight," said Jace. "However, I am a member of the Divine Shield who has a bit more freedom than the rest of you, since I am also conducting an investigation that Dremlock's own fine Investigator is ill-equipped to handle." He smiled. "I will take over for you. How long do you expect to be gone, and what is your purpose?"