The Rose and the Skull Page 28

  Valian nodded. "Yes, milord." Jessica also nodded, although she didn't understand why she was being trusted with this secret, especially since Liam knew her desire to leave the Knighthood.

  "You know, of course, that you can trust to my discretion," Seamus said.

  Liam walked to the fireplace and turned to face the dark elf.

  "Sir Valian, I want to extend to you an invitation, to join the Knights of Solamnia. Your honor and your courage are beyond question. As for your past deeds, that is something you and your maker will have to deal with, when that time comes," Liam said.

  "Lord Ehrling, you know as well as I do, that if you accept me into your Knighthood, you will lose the support of the elven nations. I am a dark elf, and nothing can change that," Valian said. He blinked, then turned his gaze to the fire. "I won't destroy the delicate alliance between the Knighthood and the elves. One person's feelings cannot outweigh the common good."

  Liam sighed. "I thought you'd refuse, but I wanted to make the gesture."

  "Thank you, sir. Your offer touches my heart," Valian softly answered.

  A knock on the door interrupted them. It opened and a Knight stuck his head in the door. "He is here," he said.

  "Send him in," Liam said.

  The door opened wider, and Uhoh strode into the chamber. He looked about in some confusion at those gathered. For the most part, his wounds had healed, leaving no obvious scars, but something about him was different. There was an air of caution about him and even a haunted look.

  "Uhoh Ragnap, I want you to meet your legal counsel, Seamus Gavin of Palanthas," Liam said.

  Uhoh turned to the elderly man, staring curiously at him. Seamus shifted uncomfortably, spilling a few papers from his lap.

  "Ahem… Yes. Master Uhoh. How do you do? I've waited a long time to meet you."

  "Hello," Uhoh said.

  Seamus turned to Liam. "Well?"

  Liam looked at the ceiling, as if seeking guidance from the heavens. "Go ahead, Master Uhoh. Seamus has something to tell you about Papa Gunthar," he sighed.

  Seamus smiled and nodded appreciatively to Liam.

  "Master Uhoh, Lord Gunthar made you one of his rightful heirs."

  Uhoh's face sank. Tears sprang to his eyes. "Papa," he sniffled."Papa gave me hair?"

  "He has made you master of Castle Kalstan," the barrister added, " You are Uhoh Ragnap uth Kalstan now."

  "Under one condition," Liam interrupted.

  "What's that?" Seamus asked.

  "That Lady Jessica serve as his seneschal, liaison between the new lord of my family castle and the Knights of Solamnia," Liam said.

  "Lady Jessica?" Seamus asked. "Do you accept?"

  "Yes," she whispered.

  "So, Master Uhoh Ragnap uth Kalstan, as Lord of Castle Kalstan and honored guest of the people of Xenos and all the Knights of Solamnia, what is your first desire? Would you like a feast for all your gully dwarf friends?" Seamus asked. "How about a nice big bed?"

  Uhoh set his candle on the floor. The echoes of the door still reverberated down the empty stairs and low dusty hall. He climbed atop the crate which Jessica had brought for him to stand on, and steeling himself, looked down.

  Hesitantly, he touched Gunthar's hand. "Poor Papa," he cried as he buried his face in the old man's beard.

  Gargantuan dragons soar over Krynn, battling for control of the lands below. On the isle of Sancrist, the weakened Knights of Solamnia ask their old enemies the Knights of Takhisis, for help. At the insistence of Lord Gunthar, the knights renew the alliance forged during the last days of the Chaos War. But when the Grand Master of the Knights of Solamnia abruptly dies, the leadership of the knights – in fact their very existence – is challenged.