***
For the next three days, almost all activity in Dremlock ceased, and people stayed indoors. This was a further gesture to honor Caldrek--along with all the other Knights who had died fighting for Dremlock.
On the fourth night, most of Dremlock was called to a huge feast in the Great Hall. It had been a warm day, with a light spring rain falling, and everyone seemed in good spirits as they gathered at tables. Though its warmth was hardly needed on this night, the huge fireplace was ablaze. Cordus Landsaver, dressed in his silver cloak, alone spoke at this gathering, before the food was served and the great celebration began.
"I have things to inform you of, Squires," the Lord Knight said. "I know that by now all of you are wondering just what is taking place in our war against the Goblins. I also know that all of you must have learned through rumor much of what we once sought to keep secret. But now the truth shall be known, so that afterwards, you may all focus on your training and put everything else out of your minds.
"First of all, the city of Kalamede was successfully defended by our Knights, and the Goblins driven deep into the Bloodlands."
Cheers erupted amongst the crowd, and Cordus smiled. "Secondly," he continued, "the evil below Dremlock has fled deep into the mines, and new doors of Glaetherin have been forged to replace the old ones. These doors bear more complicated wheel locks that require two wheel masters to solve, so Dremlock should be well protected from below. Also, we have taken other means, which I shall not mention, to protect our kingdom from any threat that might exist beneath us.
"The rumors that Tenneth Bard is alive," said Cordus, "or was alive, have turned out to be completely false. The Blood Legion was led by a sorcerer named Arnin, who was not even pretending to be Tenneth Bard, as a member of the Blood Legion informed us. As far as we can tell, Arnin had no connection to that long-dead Black Knight whatsoever. Arnin was slain some time ago in the mines. While it is true that all we could find was a pool of blood where his corpse once lay, the signs indicated he was dragged off by a Cave Troll and undoubtedly devoured. We certainly have nothing more to fear from him.
"And I have one more thing to add, before we begin a special promotion ceremony. Moten Goblinsbane is no longer on the High Council, and he will not be returning. Shennen Silverarrow has been promoted to Green and will replace him." Cordus motioned to Shennen, who stood up and bowed. The Birlote now wore a green cloak rather than a blue one. "And I believe," Cordus added, "Shennen will bring much honor to the High Council.
"Now, before we eat, I want Lannon Sunshield, Aldreya Silverhawk, Timlin Woodmaster, Vorden Flameblade, and Jerret Dragonsbane to come forward and stand before me." The Lord Knight spoke sternly, and the Squires hurried over to him, their hearts pounding anxiously.
"I have called you up here, Squires," said Cordus, "to commend you for your bravery in the mines. You did Dremlock a great service, and now you will be appropriately rewarded." Cordus smiled and winked at them. "Your sashes are looking rather dirty, Squires. Why don't you give them to me?"
Confused, the Squires removed their sashes and handed them to Cordus, while the other Squires grinned and whispered amongst themselves. The younger ones looked baffled, while the older ones exchanged knowing looks. The Lord Knight carried the sashes to the fireplace and, one by one, tossed them into the flames, while Lannon and his friends glanced at each other in uncertainty. Was the Lord Knight being sarcastic? Were they actually here to be punished rather than praised?
Turning back to them, an amused smile on his lips, Cordus said, "Fear not, Squires. We call this the Burning of the Sashes--an ancient ritual here at Dremlock. I have new sashes for you. Better ones."
Cordus nodded to an Orange Squire, who brought him a wooden box containing five new sashes. He handed one to each of the five Squires, while the spectators applauded loudly and vigorously. Each new sash had a single silver ribbon stitched onto it, as well as the Silver Axe insignia.
With trembling, excited hands, the Squires put on their new sashes. An Orange servant brought them a pitcher of water, and the Squires wetted the fabric, watching while their names appeared out of nowhere.
"The Silver Axe," said Cordus, "will allow you to perform limited Knightly duties. As to you other Squires who may be feeling a bit envious, you should know that Promotion Day is coming soon, when the rest of you shall have a chance to earn your silver ribbons. Now let our feast begin!"
As the Squires helped themselves to an abundance of delicious foods, Vorden glanced at Lannon and said, "Do you believe that, Lannon? Do you think it was actually someone other than Tenneth Bard?"
Lannon studied his friends' faces. Aldreya, Vorden, and Timlin watched him intently, and he knew they already believed it had been the Black Knight. Jerret, who hadn't actually confronted Tenneth Bard, watched with simple curiosity. Lannon thought back to the insane, violet eyes and then pictured the statue amid the ruins of Serenlock Castle in his mind, and he nodded. Even if the man hadn't spoken as if he were Tenneth Bard, the eyes alone were a giveaway.
"It was him," Lannon said. "I don't care what anyone says."
The others looked relieved. "I'm glad you think that," said Vorden, "because I know in my heart it was."
Timlin kept running his tiny hands over his sash.
"You're going to wear that thing out," laughed Vorden, "if you keep rubbing it that way. You'll make it unreadable."
"We're almost Knights now!" Timlin said excitedly.
"Not quite," said Jerret, grinning. "We still have a lot to learn, Timlin."
"But it is a step in the right direction," said Aldreya. "Now, if we do well during Promotion Day, we'll already have two ribbons."
"Why only two?" said Vorden. "I'm going for three altogether, at least. What about you, Lannon?"
"I'm happy I got this one," said Lannon. "That way if I don't get one on Promotion Day, at least I'll still have made progress."
Vorden shook his head. "I see not much has changed with you since the Color Trials, Lannon. You still lack confidence in yourself."
Lannon considered Vorden's words, and then dismissed them. Truthfully, a lot had changed--including some things deep within that he was perhaps barely aware of. Things had changed faster, and more thoroughly, than he had ever believed they would. Tenneth Bard's words echoed through his mind: "Not over yet... Just beginning..."
End.
And now here is a preview of Knights: The Hand of Tharnin (Book 2 of the Knights Series), which is currently for sale in various ebook stores.
Knights: The Hand of Tharnin
by Robert E. Keller
Book 2 of the Knights Series
Smart Goblin Publishing 2012
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2012 Robert E. Keller