Knights: Legends of Ollanhar Read Online Free PDF Page A

in the
back of a wagon. She could have chosen to be warm and dry, but she was
determined to share in the misery of riding through the storm.
    Bekka glared at him. She shook her head. "When I rest,
the nightmares return. I would rather stay awake."
    "You sound stronger," said Lannon. "Your
voice."
    She nodded. "I keep pushing myself, and it's making me
recover faster. Just getting up and walking really helped."
    "Sorry about the helm," he said. "I truly
believed it was going to fit. For some reason I felt like you were destined to
have it."
    "Why?" she asked, her voice barely heard above
the rain. "I'm nothing special. That helm was crafted for royalty."
    They fell silent for a moment. Then Bekka said, "Now
that I can talk more...I just want to say that this pain is rotten. Beyond
belief. Agony like...fire throughout my body. Getting better, though." She
swallowed.
    "I can't imagine it," said Lannon. "Or the
nightmares."
    Bekka shuddered. "The nightmares are worse than the
pain. The Ghoul is with me, in my dreams. He has tortured me...over and over.
At first I wanted to die, but I kept fighting like a warrior." Her eyes
were fierce and proud.
    "You are a warrior," said Lannon,
"like no other. The way you handle pain reminds me of Taris Warhawk."
He sighed. "Maybe I thought that's why the helm would work for you."
    "Enough," she said wearily. "Forget the
stupid helm, Lannon. I just want to get my strength back and resume my
training. I'm so angry...you can't even understand. I want to destroy the Deep
Shadow!"
    Jace, who rode just behind them, said, "Forgive me for
listening in, but your words are music to my ears, Bekka."
    They turned to gaze at the hulking sorcerer.
    Jace's eyes gleamed with secret knowledge as he gazed at
Bekka. "All Divine Knights should think like you. Yes, the Deep Shadow
must be completely eradicated from our land--down to the last smelly
Goblin."
    "Not likely," said Lannon. "It would take
years of warfare just to cleanse these mountains--let alone the entire
continent. I believe the Deep Shadow will always have a presence on
Gallamerth."
    "I disagree," said Jace. "It can be
done--and ultimately it must be done, or there will be no peace. The Deep
Shadow is not native to our world. It entered Gallamerth when a portal was
ripped open by a huge, falling rock that landed in the ocean and exploded. It's
not supposed to be here. Therefore, logic dictates that removing it is not only
possible but completely necessary."
    "Okay," said Lannon, not in the mood to argue.
"So what is your plan?" He didn't expect Jace to actually have a
plan.
    "We have to seal all the portals to Tharnin,"
said Jace, "and then destroy the Bloodlands. If we do that, eventually
Goblins will become extinct. We would need the Flamestones--including the
crimson one--to accomplish these tasks. I actually intend to do this
stuff."
    Looking skeptical, Bekka turned away.
    "I suppose it's possible," said Lannon. "But
it seems farfetched."
    "Of course it's farfetched," said Jace. He
grinned. "If it wasn't, it wouldn't interest me. I have big plans, Lannon.
Actually, huge plans. I want to save the world." He waved his arms
about dramatically, as rain dripped from his long nose. "Why not me? Why
not us, Lannon? Someone has to do it."
    Lannon yawned. "If you say so."
    "Will you help me, Dark Watchman?" asked Jace.
    "With what?" asked Lannon, his mind wandering. He
had learned to filter out Jace whenever he seemed to be talking nonsense.
    "Saving the world, of course," said Jace.
    Lannon nodded. "You can count on me."
    "Excellent," said Jace. "I will seek you out
in about...thirty years, then. I will come knocking on your door, bearing a
chocolate cake with your name written on it in white frosting--to mark the
birthday of this agreement. And then you can help me on my quest. After we eat
cake. I'm holding you to it."
    "Sure," said Lannon, smoothing back his soaked
blond hair. Then a strange chill ran over his flesh. Jace bore a somber
expression--as