Knights: Legends of Ollanhar Read Online Free PDF Page B

aside,
if it comes to that."
    Lannon seized Jerret's shoulder. "That's enough. We
will hear Dallsa's argument and discuss this peacefully."
    Jerret pulled away from Lannon and sheathed his sword.
"Discuss it all you want. What do I care? I'm just earning my share of
silver." He walked away from the others and sat with his back to the cave
wall, looking sullen.
    "Why do Divine Knights argue?" asked Taith.
    "Differences of opinion," said Lannon,
"obviously."
    "Aren't you all supposed to think alike?" asked
Taith.
    "Thankfully, no," said Aldreya. "But we will discuss this issue like civilized warriors who respect each other."
    "There is no need for discussion," said Vorden.
His yellow eyes narrowed. "These filthy Goblins need to die. And I hate to
say this, Lannon, but you're just taking Dallsa's side because she's...your
woman. Think about it. In a way, she is. Sorry to be so blunt, but it couldn't
be more obvious."
    " My woman ?" Lannon was gripped by
anger. "That's utter nonsense, Vorden. The Sacred Laws wouldn't allow it.
Dallsa is, however, a member of the Council and my good friend. And we will
hear her argument."
    "Indeed," said Aldreya. "We're not
barbarians." She glared at Jerret. "At least most of us aren't. Go
ahead and speak, Dallsa."
    Dallsa cleared her throat. "Thank you. My argument is
that as Divine Knights we should protect all life--even Goblins that are
peaceful in nature. We defend animals--only killing them for food or clothing.
Divine Knights have saved wolves and eagles and other creatures that were being
threatened by poachers. So why not these Foul Brothers? Don't they too deserve
to live?"
    "I hear you," said Bekka, nodding to Dallsa.
"But I disagree. It's not our way to spare Goblins. We must obey the
Sacred Laws."
    "They must be destroyed," said Lothrin.
    " All Goblins must die," said Prince
Vannas.
    "Here is my expert opinion," said Jace.
"Remember, I wrote the book on Goblins. These Foul Brothers will
eventually wander from the mountains and our enemies will find them. Then they
will be converted into Priests of Tharnin--the most dangerous foes we can face.
There shouldn't even be a debate about this. And the Dark Mother is a grave
danger as well, for this tree will nurse any and all Goblins and strengthen
them. The whole nest must be eradicated."
    Severely outnumbered, Dallsa turned to Lannon for help.
"Well?"
    Lannon sighed. He admired her courage and the fact that she
valued all life so highly, but he couldn't disobey the Divine Essence.
"I'm sorry, Dallsa. But Jace is right. A Mother Nest has to be destroyed."
    Looking saddened, Dallsa lowered her gaze and stepped
aside. "Then you do it, Lannon. If you believe they should die, then kill
at least one of them yourself. Or would you make someone else do it?"
    Unlike Dallsa, Lannon had killed many Goblins in the past,
and it didn't trouble him. It was the duty of a Knight. He drew his sword,
knowing he had to prove that he stood by his beliefs. He stepped forward and
gazed at the Foul Brothers. They gazed back at him with their dark eyes that
seemed to hold a hint of sadness. Lannon hesitated, and troubling thoughts
seeped into his mind, as if projected there by the Deep Shadow in an effort to
prevent him from completing his task. It wasn't their fault they had been born
Goblins. Lannon wasn't fond of killing at all--especially when his foes weren't
fighting back. He wanted them to lash out at him, but they remained calm and
passive, waiting and watching.
    Lannon's troubled thoughts annoyed him. He knew it was the
Deep Shadow trying to play tricks on him so he would spare the Goblins. It was
doing whatever it could to protect the monsters standing before him.
    Suddenly Lannon was smoldering with anger. "Stupid
beasts!" he muttered. Something was seizing control of him--a grim feeling
of power that flooded through his body. He was a Dark Watchman, not some
weak-willed loser who worried about whether or not Goblins should live or die.
A quick stroke of