Chapter 13: The Passage of Summer
But as the weeks passed, no decision was made to go north. Lannon spoke to some of the High Council members about the issue, but they seemed reluctant to discuss it. Lannon began to suspect that Jace had turned the High Council against the idea, and he found himself annoyed with the former Knight.
Meanwhile, Lannon worked on summoning and controlling the Eye of Divinity, and his skills did seem to improve. But every day he worried that he would receive news of Taris' death and wondered when, and if, they were going to seek out Vorden and the Blood Legion. None of the members of his Divine Shield seemed to want to discuss the issue either, except for Jerret, who had seemed to take on a new attitude in wanting to journey north.
Jerret was supposed to be a Blue Squire, but he continued training on his own as a Red Squire-relying on melee combat and heavy armor. With his ribs fully healed after the ordeal in the mines, he seemed suddenly obsessed with training, and the new muscles that bulged on his arms reflected that determination.
Lannon's room had been turned into a training arena complete with bulky swords, straw dummies, weights, and heavy lances. It had taken a fair amount of persuasion on Jerret's part to obtain these special items, but since he was part of the Divine Shield and needed to maintain his skills, Shennen had allowed the few accessories to be placed in the Squires' room. The problem was that the room was small, and Jerret's training was constantly getting in Lannon's way and even putting him (and Aldreya, when she was present during the days) in danger from swinging and thrusting weapons. It seemed unnecessary, and Lannon wished Jerret would simply be allowed to train with the other Squires. He'd suggested it to Shennen, but Shennen would have none of it. Shennen insisted Jerret stay with Lannon at all times, even though Jace and the Knights came and went.
Another annoying issue was that Jerret constantly pestered Lannon to spar with him, but Lannon refused, instead limiting his training to the Eye of Divinity. Thrake Wolfaxe occasionally came in to instruct Jerret (which Lannon found odd, considering that Jerret was supposed to be training as a Blue Squire). The whole thing seemed like a mess. Lannon's ears rang from the constant clatter of weapons, and even worse, Jerret insisted on talking out loud while he trained. Lannon became so frustrated with it he found himself wanting to punch Jerret in the face. Lannon was ashamed of the urge, but he couldn't help it. Every time Jerret would learn something new, he would brag about it for hours-once even gleefully shoving a burning sword dangerously close to Lannon's face while proudly announcing his weapon enchantment skills were improving.
Just when Lannon was beginning to think they would never go north, Jace strode into the room muttering to himself. He sat down on a bed next to Aldreya and glared at her. She rolled her eyes and glanced over at Jerret, who grinned back.
"What's wrong?" Aldreya finally asked.
"What's wrong?" he said, frowning down at her. "Everything is wrong, Squire! The High Council is preparing to send a large battalion north against my expert advice. I'm considering leaving Dremlock. Why should I ride to my death? That's no way to make a living. Yes, the pay has been good, but it only matters if I'm alive to spend it."
Lannon stood up, relief flooding through him. At last the long wait seemed to be over. "We're going north? When?"
"In two more weeks," said Jace. "The High Council has already voted and decided. Now I have to decide what I'm going to do."
"Two weeks?" said Lannon, his heart sinking. He wasn't sure he could take another two weeks of waiting. "Why so long?"
"The High Council wants time to prepare," said Jace. "This is going to be a major undertaking. Dremlock's spies have delivered news that makes the High Council think we can strike a great blow to the Blood Legion. Many of the Knights have been called back to Dremlock, leaving the surrounding lands unprotected. The Knights seem to be harboring some secret plan or weapon that will perhaps soon be revealed. Still, I can't help but feel it's all one huge trap."
Lannon nodded. He felt the same way, but he couldn't forget Taris' plight. "I guess we just have to trust the High Council."
Jace sneered. "Wonderful. We'll trust them right to the bitter end."
"The High Council is wise," said Aldreya. "They've earned the right to decide what's best for the kingdom. Why should we doubt them?"
Jace glared down at her again. "Because, my stubborn little friend, they likely don't know what they're talking about. So the spies have returned with news-news that the Blood Legion wanted us to learn. I believe it's all part of the ruse. But who am I to talk? I was thrown out of Dremlock and now I'm no better than a Ranger for hire. My opinion means nothing."
"True," said Aldreya, smiling.
Jace rapped her on the head lightly with his knuckles. "You weren't supposed to agree with me."
She giggled. "Sorry, but I do have faith in the Council."
"I like the decision," said Jerret, nodding as if to reassure himself. "I'm more than ready to ride north."
"You've gotten rather bold, Jerret," said Jace. "All that recent practice must have trained the wits right out of you."
Jerret shrugged. "I'm just dedicating myself to the path of Knighthood. It's a great honor to be a Squire at Dremlock. I've come to realize that."
"Perhaps," said Jace, "but common sense is never to be ignored. But I've done my best, and the decision is made. So there is no use complaining."
"You should go north with us," said Lannon. "We need you, Jace. You have skills and knowledge that are unique."
"I know you'll come with us," said Aldreya, gazing up at him. "You still love this kingdom and what it stands for."
"I must admit," said Jace, "that I would hate to abandon Dremlock in this time of great need. I'm not merely about money-I'm also waging a bit of a war myself against Tharnin. I have been for decades. If Dremlock were to fall, the entire continent would be in grave danger-maybe even the entire world. How can I turn my back on something so important?"
"Then you'll remain part of the Divine Shield?" said Lannon.
Jace sat in thoughtful silence for a moment, then nodded. "Though it may cost me my life, I suppose I will ride north."
Lannon smiled. "Glad to hear it."
Aldreya punched Jace lightly in the shoulder. "Me too! I'm more than happy to have the friendliest giant in Silverland fight by my side."
Jace glared down at her, and then his face broke into a smile. "Friendly giant? Is that how you see me? And here I thought I was intimidating."
Aldreya laughed. "Hardly."
"Maybe you can write a book," said Lannon, "about the journey north. I'm sure there will be plenty of adventure to tell of."
"I'm done writing books," Jace muttered. "And I have no urge at all to write one concerning my journey to the Bonefrost Mountains, for that book would likely go unfinished when I fail to survive the trap that awaits us."