The Hand of Tharnin

Jerret nodded, relief flooding through him at the thought that Vorden only wanted him to deliver a message.

"After you give my message," said Vorden, "why don't you ride north? You could fight by my side. The Blood Legion does not turn away good fighters-even lazy and undisciplined ones like you."

"I'll consider it," said Jerret.

Vorden smiled. "You'll consider it, huh? You'll do whatever is best for you, Jerret. Like you always do."

Jerret's gaze was fixed on the gauntlet-the glowing blue stones that seemed to draw him in. He desperately wanted this meeting to end, but he sensed Vorden wasn't done with him. Vorden had delivered his message, but he wanted to play games. And games could lead to Jerret's death.

Vorden held up his gauntlet. "You like this? Apparently, since you can't take your eyes off it. I've never possessed power like I do now. I feel invincible-like I could tear this kingdom to the ground. Do you envy me, Jerret?"

"Yes, very much," Jerret lied, hoping he was saying what Vorden wanted to hear. He was certain that Vorden could easily change his mind about using Jerret as a messenger and simply kill him.

"You are a liar," said Vorden. "You think I'm hopelessly possessed, my mind overcome by the demon. Yes, I am possessed, but I'm also the same person I always was. I know perfectly well what I'm doing. I have just been shown a new way-a better way. I embrace it willingly. I was a fool to want to be some heroic Knight battling the forces of Tharnin. I now realize this world is ugly and evil compared to the world of Tharnin. Now I am truly a Divine Knight!"

Jerret said nothing, fearing that any words at this point would work against him. He found he couldn't look Vorden in the eye, for the evil there was too terrible. Vorden was overflowing with dark sorcery.

"You fear I will kill you," said Vorden. "But that's not my goal. Yes, you are a pathetic excuse for a friend, but you are still my friend-until you betray me. Lannon and Timlin are my friends as well."

"What about Aldreya?" said Jerret.

Vorden hissed, and Jerret shrank back. "No Birlote is a friend of mine, least of all a member of the royal house! The Tree Dwellers are the enemy of Tharnin and all that is sacred. Do not speak her name again."

"Sorry," Jerret said. "I promise I won't."

Vorden sneered. "You're a wretched coward. You just do whatever I tell you. You can't stand up to me or think for yourself."

Jerret nodded. "I'm afraid."

"Of course you are," said Vorden. "You're trapped in a kingdom full of misguided fools. Lannon bears a great power, but he wastes it in the service of some filthy beast lurking below Dremlock that some call a god. You should be afraid. I was afraid too, though I hid it well. Not anymore. I fear nothing! I have a clear purpose, a grand purpose-to bring justice and peace to this world. Now I want an honest answer. If you lie to me, I will kill you. When you have delivered your message, will you ride north and join us in our cause?"

Jerret hesitated, certain that a wrong answer would mean his death. So he simply didn't answer.

With a scowl of rage, Vorden reached out with the gauntlet and seized Jerret's throat, the metal fingers locking down tightly and partially cutting off his air. "I will crush your throat! Now give me an answer!"

Jerret squirmed under the iron grasp, struggling to breathe. The grip loosened a bit so he could talk. His fear gave way to sudden anger. "The answer is no. I'll never betray Dremlock or join the Blood Legion. Yes, I'll come north. You bet I will! I'll be riding with the Divine Knights into battle!"

Jerret couldn't believe what he'd just said. He was astounded at his own courage. He believed he was about to die for his words.

Vorden's eyes widened, and then he nodded. He shoved Jerret to the ground. "Bold words. Honest words. I like that. Give the Knights my message, and then get out of Dremlock. I don't want to have to kill you."

Still overcome by anger, Jerret said, "I came here to be a Knight. And I'm going to be a Knight, if I can help it. So save your words, Vorden!"

Vorden raised his gauntlet, and the air grew so hot Jerret had to shield his face. "I guess I will kill you after all!" Vorden bellowed. Flames rose up around him as the gauntlet descended toward Jerret.

Jerret cried out in dismay, but the Hand of Tharnin paused in its descent. Vorden threw back his head and laughed. "Just kidding, my friend. But I'm deadly serious when I tell you to flee Dremlock. Tell Lannon to do the same. The end of the Divine Knights is coming soon. I hope not to see you again, unless you've chosen to fight by my side. And I wish you luck, as weak and lazy as you are!"

"I wish you luck as well," Jerret said. "I hope you can free yourself and come back here. I hope you can still be a Divine Knight."

"I have already freed myself," said Vorden, smiling. "Actually, the Hand of Tharnin has freed me. At last, my heavy burdens are lifted. Maybe you'll come to understand what I mean. Eventually." With that, Vorden turned and strode off amongst the trees.

"Don't count on it," Jerret muttered. He rose to his feet, and drew his sword. The gleaming blade caught the starlight from above the river. Jerret was shaking with rage, and he continued muttering aloud to himself. "I'm not the coward I thought I was, Vorden. The Knights were right when they recruited me as a Squire. You should have killed me. In fact, Tharnin will come to regret that my life was spared, and so will you!"

Chapter 10: The Dark Mothers

When Jerret delivered Vorden's message to the Knights, another meeting was immediately called in Dremlock Hall, with the same members present as before (with the addition of Furlus Goblincrusher and the absence of Taris Warhawk, who was still too sick to get out of bed). Furlus entered the chamber slowly, leaning heavily on a cane, but he seemed in good spirits. Willan Shadowwalker displayed a black eye from Jerret's blow, his face bearing a sullen expression in the torchlight. Cordus Landsaver seemed upbeat and determined, but his eyes were bloodshot and he smelled strongly of wine. A jug sat on the floor beside the Lord Knight.

Lannon was pleased to see Furlus up and walking again, cane or not. However, he was concerned with Cordus, remembering Garrin's insistence that Cordus was drinking too much. It was clear there had been some truth to Garrin's words. Lannon had simply never noticed it until Garrin had pointed it out.

"We have confirmed," Cordus began, "that Vorden has escaped into the mines through a forgotten shaft in the mountain. The shaft was sealed with bars of Glaetherin, but our foes tunneled around them at some point. It is my opinion that we should send a search party down there to find him."

Furlus scowled. The Grey Dwarf looked like he'd aged a year or two since his ordeal, but his body still retained its huge, muscular bulk. "Vorden will be long departed by then. Everyone knows the mines lead out of Dremlock in spite of our efforts to seal all the exits."

"Yes," said Cordus, "but Vorden may simply choose to hide down there and then ambush us later. His message to Jerret about journeying north to the Bonefrost Mountains could have been a lie."

"I agree," said Krissana Windsword. "The battle for Dremlock always takes place in the mines. We seal them off, yet more tunnels are dug. It's an endless war. There is no reason to assume Vorden won't plan an attack from below."

"Jace, what is your opinion?" asked Cordus.

Trenton Shadowbane scowled. "What about my opinion? I am the Investigator of Dremlock, not Jace. Jace isn't even a Knight. I'm not sure why you value his opinion so highly, Lord Knight. Perhaps…you've consumed a bit too much wine."

Cordus glared at Trenton. "I can handle a bit of wine, Investigator. That is none of your concern." He softened his expression. "Yes, I value Jace's opinion. He is an expert on the ways of Tharnin. And so are you, Trenton. Your skills are invaluable to Dremlock. Thus, I seek the opinions that both of you hold."