The Hand of Tharnin

"Careful not to set our tent ablaze, cousin," said Vannas, winking at her. He unsheathed his own dagger and followed Aldreya's lead.

"I can't control the fire with such precision," said Jerret, gazing at them with envy. "I would just burn my clothing."

"I can't do it either," said Lannon. Actually, Lannon couldn't produce fire at all. His sorcery practice sessions had been limited to the Eye of Divinity, and as far as Lannon knew, the Eye did not generate heat.

"I'll gladly do it for you, my friend," said Vannas, "once my own clothing is dry. There is no reason any of us should suffer such discomfort."

"Thank you," said Lannon, thinking that Vannas was turning out to be a fine companion.

"Will you dry my clothing, Aldreya?" Jerret asked.

"Are you speaking in jest?" said Aldreya, with a laugh.

Jerret's face turned red. "No, I was just asking for your help. But forget I said anything."

Aldreya sighed. "Yes, I will dry your clothing, Jerret. But you should learn to control your sorcery."

"I'm trying," said Jerret, shrugging.

"Yes, you are trying hard," said Aldreya. "I'll give you that."

Eventually, Vannas and Aldreya had dried out everything in the tent. The tent itself was waterproof, and so conditions within became comfortable. The Squires ate jerky, cheese, and cake that had stayed dry thanks to careful wrapping. They had tea to drink (which was heated by dagger point).

Shennen popped his head in, rain dripping down his face. "Just checking to make sure everyone is dry and has food. I'm going to my tent to dry out and eat, and I'm leaving Buke Songblade to stand guard."

"Yes, by all means have a break, Master Shennen," said Vannas. "You've earned it. And we're obviously safe enough amidst an army of Divine Knights."

Shennen nodded and withdrew, sealing the tent door.

Moments later, Jace strode in and sat down, his cloak damp from having moved between tents. Immediately, Aldreya hurried over to dry him. Jace smiled and pinched her cheek. "What would I do without my favorite Squire?"

"Sit there waterlogged?" Aldreya answered, pinching him back.

Jace chuckled and lit up his pipe. He looked especially large in the tent.

"What brings you here?" asked Vannas. "Just a friendly visit?"

"Of course not," said Jace. "Though I'm fond of all you Squires, I would rather be sleeping right now. No, I've come to give you a dire warning."

Aldreya drew back at his somber tone, the fire diminishing in her dagger. "A dire warning?"

"You heard me," said Jace, gazing at her sternly. "I am growing increasingly convinced that we are in fact riding into some extraordinary trap that we can't even imagine. My feeling is that the Blood Legion does not fear us and is well prepared to deal with us. The Knights won't hear of it-especially Furlus, who is far too stubborn to listen to a banished Knight like myself."

"Are you sure you're not giving in to irrational fears, Uncle Jace?" said Aldreya. "The Knights have knowledge they won't share with you."

"Uncle Jace?" said Vannas, laughing. "He's clearly not one of us, dear cousin. Not that Jace isn't a wise man and a fine warrior, from what I've heard."

Jerret rolled his eyes. "Uncle Jace? That's silly, Aldreya."

"I consider it an honor," said Jace, winking. "Anyway, this is not about fear. I want you Squires to be truly prepared for what lies ahead."

"We are prepared," said Vannas, producing the black pouch that held the White Flamestone. "Remember, we now have the greatest weapon in all the land. Even the mighty Hand of Tharnin must shatter before it."

Jace ran his fingers through his curly black hair and sighed, looking utterly distraught. "Overconfidence is the doom of all warriors, my good prince. As each day passes, I wonder just how bitter an end we are facing."

Vannas' face reddened. "I realize you are not a Knight, Jace-that in fact you were expelled from the Order. You may not feel obligated to show me respect, but I am still a Prince of Borenthia. I strongly question your judgment in calling me overconfident. How can I have too much confidence when I hold this?"

Vannas withdrew the White Flamestone from the pouch, and a pale, piercing glow filled the tent. "This is power above all of Tharnin!"

Jace turned, as if to shield his eyes. "Nonsense, lad. It is a powerful weapon, yes. But the war against the Deep Shadow has raged for centuries. Even the greatest piece of the White Guardian-the Crimson Flamestone-did not destroy the Eye of Tharnin. The great beast lives on and possibly always will."

"I believe you are wrong, Jace," said Vannas. "You have no idea how much power is locked within this crystal. What would a warrior know of sorcery, a clumsy giant who fights only with his bare hands?"

Jace's eyes gleamed with sudden malice in the pale light of the Flamestone. His cloaked form seemed to fill the tent. "What would I know of sorcery? All the years I have walked this land, and you dare ask that? That is bold even for an arrogant prince."

Aldreya clutched Jace's shoulder. "My cousin means no harm."

Jace's hand shot out with the speed of a striking snake and clamped around the prince's hand, engulfing the White Flamestone. Vannas struggled but seemed unable to move, his eyes wide with shock. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

"I could kill you," said Jace, in a cold whisper. "You cannot move. You cannot activate the Flamestone. All you can do is wait for my next action. You say I know nothing of sorcery, yet my sorcery has rendered you helpless."

"Jace, let him go," Aldreya said. "He is a prince!"

"Not my prince," said Jace. "He's just an arrogant young man to me-one who has a lot to learn. And the learning process has begun."

Vannas tried to speak, but no words came out.

Jerret grinned. "I'm liking this."

Lannon, however, didn't like what he was seeing at all. Jace seemed to have overstepped his authority. Lannon wondered if he was somehow under the control of Tharnin. "What are you doing, Jace? Let him go!" Lannon summoned the Eye of Divinity but held it in check, waiting for Jace's response.

"Very well," said Jace. "My point is made." He withdrew his huge hand, and the prince was able to move again.

His face burning with humiliation, Vannas put the Flamestone away. He was shaking with anger. "You've made quite a mistake in laying hands on me. At the least, you will lose your place in the Divine Shield."

Jace shrugged. "Do you think I care? It would be a gift to me. All I wanted to do was warn you Squires that nothing is certain in life. No power is too great to be overcome. Vannas, if the Hand of Tharnin had seized you like that, you would be dead right now. I merely showed you the truth of things."

"Jace is right," said Aldreya, though she looked uncertain. "He shouldn't have laid hands on you, cousin, but he did make a valid point."

Vannas glared at her for a moment, and then his face softened. He sighed. "You speak the truth, Aldreya. You have far more wisdom than I do. Jace, as much as I cringe in saying this-I thank you for the lesson."

Jace raised his eyebrows. "I'm impressed by your wisdom and humility, Prince Vannas. Perhaps there is hope for this quest after all. I'm sorry for seizing you like that, but I felt it was the only way to make you understand."

"You have made me more aware of the dangers we face," said Vannas. "And truthfully, we are far better off with you accompanying us."

Jace rose into a stooped position. "Well, I guess I'll return to my tent now. I have nothing more to say. I hope we can all remain friends."

Vannas bowed, his face still red with embarrassment. "We shall talk again."