The Hand of Tharnin

"My opinion," said Trenton, "is that we should launch an immediate search of the mines. Make no mistake, Vorden will be lurking down there."

"I disagree," said Jace. "I think Vorden meant what he said-that he wants us to ride north. I think he intends to stain the snows in Knightly blood. The Blood Legion would love to battle Dremlock in their territory, where they would have the advantage of knowing the terrain. And with Vorden on their side, they would feel confident they could score a great victory. It makes perfect sense to me."

"May I speak?" said Willan.

Cordus nodded. "Speak freely, Blue Knight."

"I want to apologize for my failure," said Willan. "I allowed Jerret to catch me by surprise. I am very disappointed in myself."

"It was all my fault, actually," Jerret said, sighing.

"No," said Willan. "You were under Vorden's control, Jerret. I take full responsibility. I am deeply ashamed."

"And you should be ashamed," said Shennen Silverarrow. "That should never have happened-a mere Squire rendering a fully trained Blue Knight unconscious. What an embarrassment! You lowered your guard like a fool. However, I'm not going to strip you of rank, Willan, considering what you've been through recently. I expect you to do far better from this point on."

Willan nodded, his face gloomy. "I will not disappoint you again, Master Shennen."

Cordus smiled. "You are wise and lenient, Shennen. Now that you are Lord of the Blue Knights, I am certain you will end up on the High Council with us. I know you have my vote, at least."

Shennen bowed. "Thank you, Master Cordus, for the kind words."

"I would second that vote," said Furlus, winking.

"I need a sip of water," Cordus mumbled, and he drank deeply from the jug. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve. The smell of wine was strong in the air. Krissana and Trenton exchanged an embarrassed glance. Furlus lowered his gaze.

Jace smiled. "So I assume a search party is headed into the mines. Very well. That's Knightly business, of course. But I would like to discuss my status. My investigation was successful and the gauntlet was removed from the farmer Vellera. I have done what I was paid to do. Unless there is any further need of my skills, I will move on and seek employment elsewhere."

Cordus frowned. "Yet the gauntlet remains with our foes, on the hand of a valuable Squire no less."

"True," said Jace, "but you understand how to remove it now. Your blacksmith, Hench Ironfingers, knows everything I know."

"You are part of Lannon's Divine Shield," said Cordus. "You swore an oath to protect him when you accepted that duty. Are you planning to break that oath?"

"Of course not," said Jace. "That is why I would first ask to be set free of the oath and for someone else to replace me. Unless…"

"Unless we pay you," said Cordus. "You want to be compensated for protecting Lannon or be released from the obligation."

Jace shrugged. "I have to earn a living, Lord Knight. I will be willing to guard Lannon and use all the skills I possess to protect him, but I must be paid for it at the current rate. My services are seldom free. Are the Knights of Dremlock not being compensated for their services too?"

Cordus nodded. "Does anyone object to Jace being paid to remain a member of the Divine Shield?"

"I object," said Trenton. "And I have a note from Barlow Whitesword stating his objection as well. As everyone knows, Barlow is still in seclusion at the Hall of Healing for reasons we will not discuss in front of those who are not members of the High Council. But, yes, he sent along a note."

"Wonderful," Cordus muttered. "Of all the things he could have chosen to send a note about, he chooses this topic. His note will be added to the Records. However, he must vote in person or his vote doesn't count."

"Barlow is aware of the rule," said Trenton. "He just wanted to voice his objection. He is a very wise man."

"Do we need a vote?" said Cordus. "Or are we all in agreement? Trenton?"

"So we can't protect Lannon ourselves?" said Trenton. "We need an outsider to come in and do it for us? What does that say about Dremlock, when we have to rely on a failed Knight to guard one of our Squires?"

"I vote that we pay Jace," said Cordus, taking another drink from his jug. "Jace is a good man, a wise man, and Lannon is safer with him around."

"That is my vote as well," said Furlus. "Though Jace carries no weapon, he is a stout warrior. There is no harm in having another guard."

"Jace has proven himself worthy," said Krissana. "We have no issues with hiring Rangers to fight for us when needed. So why not hire a man of Jace's skill and knowledge?"

"I can see that I have lost this debate," said Trenton. "With some of the High Council absent, I don't feel the vote is fair. But very well. Let the record show that I oppose the decision to hire Jace for guard duty on the grounds that it makes us look foolish in that legendary Dremlock Kingdom is unable to protect a Squire with its own Divine Knights!"

"I'm not trying to steal your job, Trenton," said Jace, smiling. "I'm just here to earn money and enjoy the fine food. And maybe seek a bit of adventure. You will still be the Investigator after I have departed."

Trenton glared at him. "You think I'm jealous of you? Ha!"

"Meldan," said Cordus, addressing an Orange Squire who was recording the meeting, "make sure Trenton's protest is carefully noted."

"Thank you," muttered Trenton.

"Moving back to the more important topic," said Cordus, "I think the search party should consist of Lannon, his Divine Shield, and three Dark Knights who are familiar with the mines. Does the High Council find this acceptable?"

"I object to the idea," said Trenton. "Why send Lannon down there? He is too valuable to be put in danger needlessly. We can search the mines without him. The Eye of Divinity is not the only power we possess."

"Yet the Eye is a great asset," said Cordus, "when searching for someone. Also, Lannon's sorcery offers some protection against that gauntlet. I don't want to put Lannon's life at risk, but I don't want some of my best Knights to be slain, either. We recruited Lannon for missions like this one, and we're going to use him if I have my say. He has learned quickly, and he is well trained."

Trenton nodded. "I suppose I can agree with that. We must be careful, though. We are not likely to find another Squire who has use of the Eye, which means Lannon is irreplaceable. I believe the High Council has been reckless with this boy-sending him off to face the demon man in a duel and then sending him alone into the North Tower when it was crawling with Goblins. Foolish!"

"I agree," said Cordus, "that sending Lannon into the North Tower alone to face Garrin the Traitor was a bad decision. It was Taris' choice and I'm sure he had his reasons. But this journey into the mines is nothing extraordinary and a perfectly valid reason to make use of Lannon's power."

"And I am making another request to join this Divine Shield," said Trenton, "or at least be allowed to accompany the search party. I am the Investigator, and this is an investigation of the mines. I am weary of being restricted!"

Cordus frowned. "Yet you handle the investigations above ground, here in the kingdom. If you go below, who will take over for you?"

"Kline Skyhammer," said Trenton. "He is the Enforcer of Dremlock and supposed to conduct investigations in my absence."

"Of course," said Cordus, stroking his unkempt beard thoughtfully. "Well, I'm sure Kline is up to the task. Shall we vote on this?"

"I must object yet again!" snarled Trenton. "I know I will lose the vote, as I did previously when I asked to join the Divine Shield. So I'm opting not to ask for that. Instead, I believe it is my sworn duty to investigate the mines. I know the High Council doesn't trust me. Ever since I unlocked my…special ability I have been treated differently, treated like some slave of Tharnin. It's not fair!"