Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart (The Knights of Arrethtrae)

Sir Dalton, a knight in training, seems to have everything going for him. Young, well-liked, and a natural leader, he has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow knights, as well as the beautiful Lady Brynn. But something is amiss at the training camp. Their new trainer is popular but lacks the passion to inspire them to true service to the King and the Prince. On top of this, the knights are too busy enjoying themselves to be concerned with a disturbing report that many of their fellow knights have mysteriously vanished. When Sir Dalton is sent on a mission, he is captured by Lord Drox, a massive Shadow Warrior. Bruised and beaten, Dalton initiates a daring escape, but what will become of the hundreds of knights he'll leave behind? In a kingdom of peril, Dalton thinks he is on his own, but two faithful friends have not abandoned him, nor has a strange old hermit who seems to know much about the Prince. Can Dalton face the evil Shadow Warrior again and survive?