Chapter 2 Shadowsworn #2
“No,” Voski said shortly. “Shadowfang can come from any wing, Bren. Any Furyknight who isn’t one of us doesn’t even know we exist. But just like our squads, we’re assigned groups within this order. We can be sent on mission as part of a squad, or individually.
“I’m your Wing Leader in the Shadowfang. And, because he already knows you and volunteered, Gil will be your Advocate.”
“Advocate?”
“Just a brother who watches out for you,” Gil said easily.
“Trust me, you’ll need one. Things can get hairy fast. We’re all just lucky we now have three Shadowfang in our squad.
Most Shadowbrothers have no one else in their squads.
That makes it a lot harder.” Then he eyed me from the side. “Did you tell anyone you were coming?”
I snorted. “No. But I almost woke Donavyn. If this is how we do this, it’s going to be tricky. The man has ears like a cat.”
Voski shrugged, unconcerned. “Most of the time when there’s a meeting called, I don’t sleep in the barracks.
I make an excuse to be out or gone. Sneaking out is a pain.
You’ll figure out what works for you. But, no matter where you are, or what time of day, always have a plan to extricate yourself.
Always. Meetings are usually at night, but can be called at any time. ”
“You can only talk about Shadowfang with those who are in it,” Gil added. “Only, Bren. No exceptions. And even then, only in dire need. You don’t even speak the word Shadowfang unless yours or someone else’s life depends on it.”
That sounded ominous, but secretly I was thrilled. If this was truly so covert, that meant they believed I could help… right? It was clear that Voski and Gil carried this duty as an honor. I was determined to do the same.
“This is all very dramatic,” I mock-grumbled. But then I smiled at them both. “I should have known you two would be behind it.”
“Oh, we aren’t,” Voski said with a grim smile. “You’re going to wish we were the ones running this show,” he said.
I frowned. “What do you—?”
But then we stepped around the corner and out of the dark tunnel into a cavernous space lit only by wide-spread torches spaced along the walls.
Stalagmites and stalactites pierced the nearly-circular space from floor and ceiling.
A large fire had been laid at the center.
As I blinked to let my eyes adjust to the light, I counted a couple dozen men sitting around it—on rocks, on cut-stump rounds, and some on their cloaks on the floor.
Every one a Furyknight. Every one older, stronger, and larger than me. Our movement caught their attention and they all turned.
For a moment, my blood went cold—but then a cheer rose to echo in the chamber.
‘Congratulations, gorgeous. Well done.’
My jaw went slack as Donavyn’s deep voice, vibrating with love, growled in my head through the bond—he couldn’t do that unless we were fairly close together.
Shocked, I scanned the room and found him standing with Captains Olve and Gunnar, both Wing Commanders of the Furyknights.
Olve was our leader in the Fang wing, the stealth riders.
Gunnar lead the Flyers. There was another Captain, Mont, who led the Flames.
They were our primary offensive attack riders. It seemed strange he wasn’t here.
But it was Donavyn who held my gaze, standing between them, clapping along with the men, stifling a beaming smile—I knew, because I could feel his pride and delight in the bond.
I couldn’t find words for a moment as the men all applauded, including Voski and Gil, who were both grinning from ear to ear.
‘How… what…?’ I sent to Donavyn, trying hard not to stare at him, because none of these other men knew what existed between us.
‘You’re going to be great. Trust me. You were born for this,’ he said, his tone warm and proud.
He meant the words. I could feel it. But I could feel a thread of fear in him, too.
Before I could ask, he leaned into Olve’s ear as he sent to me through the link. ‘It was very hard to keep a straight face when you were sneaking out. Especially when you fell out of bed.’
‘I didn’t fall. I rolled! And why didn’t you tell me so I could have just left!’
‘Because it was a test.’ For the first time, the sweet joy left his tone, and his eyes locked on mine for a second, before he turned back to his peers at his side.
‘And the tests will keep coming, Bren. With or without me. This society only succeeds as long as its members truly protect it. Any orders you receive, don’t assume I know them, though I usually will.
Our duties here are… almost sacred. Many lives hang in the balance.
You’ll be tested over and over. But I know you can do it. ’
That tiny shriek of fear was still there, but Olve stepped forward to greet me as the men stopped clapping. The Captain gave a little speech about welcoming me under the shelter of the wings of the Shadowfang.
And as I looked around and recognized many faces I’d seen, but few that I knew, I was stunned to see none of the dark looks, or sullen disapproval I often met in the dining hall, or when we flew with other squads.
These men all seemed quite content that I was here. It was surprising. But then Olve turned to face me again, and addressed me personally.
“…such important work, and so vital to protect. Each one of us has a different role to play, but there’s one that we all must embrace to our bones: Silence.
Protection. Selflessness. Everything that passes here is for the good of your brothers and sisters and families.
” He gestured towards those watching me.
“Most of whom will likely remain ignorant that you saved their lives. And they must stay that way. So our brotherhood here is precious. Only here are we recognized for our true purpose. Only here are we safe to set down the burdens given to us by God. Now, come. It’s time for your vow. ”
Vow?
The Captain beckoned to me to follow him to the other side of the fire, where my hand was clasped by Gunnar and Donavyn in turn—whose eyes sparkled when we touched, but his expression gave away nothing.
To my surprise, Donavyn was the one to swear me in. As they organized themselves and the other men looked on, I was positioned in front of him. He was flanked by Captains Olve and Gunnar, while Voski and Gil stood to either side of me.
Olve, standing closest to the fire and the other men, gave me a brief smile, but then his stern countenance returned.
“Furyknight Kearney, you have proven your skill and commitment to the safety of this Kingdom. And so, tonight, you are sworn as a sister of the Shadow. Every man who witnesses this vow has also offered it. We stand in conclave. We stand in unity.
“This vow supersedes even your vow as Furyknight. You have named yourself willing, Brennan Kearney, and our King named you worthy. So, offer your vow with these witnesses, and receive your Wing.”
I didn’t understand what was happening, as Olve drew a massive, age-dark Dragon fang from inside his jacket.
It was as long as my forearm from wrist to elbow.
He clamped it in his hand, extending his arm to place it between us.
Gunnar gripped it above Olve’s hand. Then Donavyn placed his hand above theirs.
“Put your hand on the top,” Voski urged quietly. My hand wasn’t large enough to do more than curve the first knuckle of each finger over the sides. I suddenly felt very, very small compared to these men. And this task.
When I had a grip, they all looked at me.
“Repeat after me, Bren,” Donavyn graveled.
And while his face gave nothing away, there was a wave of pride and joy—and nerves—in the bond.
And as he spoke, it seemed the very air thickened.
My tongue turned thick, and my lips numb.
But my skin blistered with heat at the words that both lifted and seared my heart.
“I am the silent breath, the unseen flame. My loyalty is to Shadowfang—above blood, above name, above love.”
Donavyn’s eyes pinched. I felt a tiny scream in the bond, but then the rush of his love and warmth, and I kept going.
“I forsake comfort, favor, and the weight of my past. I bind my will to the mission, my heart to the cause, and my soul to the Creator’s flame that forged us.
“I will serve where others cannot, and walk with those I do not trust, if it leads to the truth that must be claimed. I will protect my brothers to the death, and carry what they learn for the sake of the kingdom.
“I am weapon and whisper, watcher and wraith. No duty shall hold me tighter, no oath but this shall try me.”
As I reached the final line, the clapping started again, then swelled, along with whistles and calls to a crescendo that almost drowned out the words. “Sworn in the darkness, witnessed by the Divine. Bound to my soul… Until I am ash, under the eyes of God, I am Shadowfang.”
Their cheering became a roar that buffeted the six of us, then the cavern echoed with the rumble of men rising to their feet in anticipation of victory, and rushing towards us. I swallowed hard, but Donavyn’s eyes hadn’t left mine and none of the men around me moved, so I stayed.
The vow was thrilling, but terrifying too. Surely it didn’t mean… surely he wasn’t saying…?
I barely noticed the rush of new brothers to surround us, cheering and stamping, shaking me and celebrating. It was only Donavyn’s eyes, locked on mine. Only his heart, reaching for mine. And only his voice.
‘Well done, Bren. Very, very well done,’ he sent. I would have smiled. Would have cried happy tears at the pride in his tone. But that black seed on the blazing surface of his heart crackled and swelled, just a hair. Something in my chest went cold.
‘Donavyn, what’s wrong? Why do you feel so uneasy?’
My mate answered me with a rush of love, but I didn’t miss the churning in his heart as well. ‘Don’t worry, Bren. It’s just the truth coming to rest on my soul.’
‘Truth?’ I tried to give my smiles and thanks to my brothers, accept their congratulations. But all my attention on was Donavyn. ‘Why would truth make your heart dark?’
It took him a moment to respond, and I was so nervous, I almost turned to look at him, plead with my eyes, despite the witnesses.
Then I felt the warm blanket of his love through the bond, underlined by his cold, steely determination as he replied.
‘Because, I am Shadowfang, also. Yet, I’d break that vow for you.
’ His voice in my head was heavy with conviction.
‘God knows I’d burn the world for you, no matter my mission.
And ask His forgiveness after the fact.’
Then he tipped his head at the Captains on either side of him and turned on his heel, disappearing through the crowd that had surrounded us, leaving me gaping at my brothers and scrambling to understand.