Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight (11 page)

"Ah, you must be, Ms. Patricia Firoth. I am
afraid your son has yet to invite me in," he finished, widening his
mesmerizing smile.

"That's because I taught him not to invite
strange men into the house," said Patricia, coming to stand next to
Danny. "You seem to know my name but I am afraid I don't know
yours."

"Professor Syndil Sartak Tribolari, at your
service," said the tall man, bowing elegantly.

"My, that is a mouthful, is it Italian? And
aren't you a little young to be a professor?"

"I am named for a distant ancestor, Ms.
Firoth," regaining his rigid stature, "I am afraid my lineage is
quite complicated. Furthermore, to answer your second question, I
was always taught that you should never judge a person by their
appearance."

"What can I do for you, Mr. Syndil?"

"I am here to administer a test to your son,
Ms. Firoth. Your son has taken an interest in a special summer
school for talented youth."

Danny noticed his mother staring at him
curiously. "And what is the name of this school you represent?" she
asked, looking back toward the professor.

"The White Rock Academy of Illumination."

"I'm afraid I have never heard of it."

"Nor would I expect you to, Ms. Firoth. The
school I represent is not interested in recognition. However, I can
assure you that our alumni have gone on to accomplish some amazing
feats."

"And how much will this summer school
cost?"

"The White Rock Academy is a not-for-profit
organization, its expenses are reimbursed by its predecessors, Ms.
Firoth. Should your son pass the test I am going to administer to
him, his enrollment will be paid in full by the school."

"Sabrina is going this summer too," said
Danny.

"Yes, young Sabrina Drake has already been
accepted for the coming semester."

"So that's what this is about," said Danny's
mother, looking over at him.

It was true; Sabrina was a contributing
factor. However, even without her presence, he would've chosen to
become a Knight of the Light.

"I'm glad that she is going, Mom, but even if
she wasn't, this is still something that I'd like to do," said
Danny, making his thoughts verbal.

"You're sure about this?"

Danny nodded, "Yes."

"Then come in, Mr. Syndil."

The professor complied, stepping into the
house.

"Would you like me to take your umbrella, Mr.
Syndil?" Danny's mother asked, gesturing toward the long object in
his left hand, which Danny clearly saw as a sword.

"No, Ms. Firoth, I am quite comfortable
carrying it," he said with a smile. "You never know when a storm
might pop up."

Danny's mother responded with a strange look
as she closed the front door. "I'll be outside if you need me."

"Thank you, Ms. Firoth," said Syndil, before
turning back to Danny. "Please, lead on, young Firoth."

Danny walked through the short hall, went
past the kitchen and gestured toward an oval-shaped table
surrounded by green-upholstered chairs.

Professor Syndil eased himself into the seat,
placed his briefcase on the table, and rested his long sword on his
lap.

Danny found a seat next to him and sat
down.

Unlatching the case, Syndil opened it away
from Danny so he couldn't see the contents.

"Well, you obviously have the gift of sight,
young Firoth, or you would not have been able to see my
Bonded."

"I know you," Danny said, his eyes grew wide
and his voice jumped up several octaves.

"Really," said Syndil matter-of-factly.

Danny pulled a glossy piece of folded paper
out of his pocket. There was an assortment of cards pictured on it.
Pointing to the one in the middle of the page, he held it up for
both to see.

"There,
Sir Syndil Sartak Tribolari
,"
reading the bold print off the depicted card. "Your card is one of
the rarest in the series. I have been trying to get it for some
time now." Danny dropped his head and stared at the piece of paper.
"It says that you're the greatest swordsman ever."

"If I was a man, then perhaps so," said
Syndil with a chuckle. "But, alas, I am an Elf, not a man." Pulling
his long black hair aside, he revealed his ears, distinguished from
the traditional by a flat stretch of skin where his earlobes should
have been, and triangular-shaped arches.

Danny's jaw dropped in surprise. Dragons were
one thing, but Elves. "You're an Elf?" Danny asked, stating the
obvious.

"I have just announced that I am, young
Firoth," said Syndil with a sympathetic smile. "However, I am not
here to talk about me. It is you who requested testing for
knighthood, yes?"

"Um… yes," regaining his wits, "I'd like to
become a Knight of the Light."

"Good," fluttering his hair back around his
shoulders so that it covered the most marked feature of his race.
"Let’s get started, I would like to ask you a few questions."

Danny nodded.

"Obviously, you are familiar with Knights,
correct?

"Yes."

"May I ask what faction you play, the Light,
the Grey, or the Dark?"

"I play with the Light," said Danny with
confidence.

"Why?"

Taken aback by the question, Danny took a
moment to answer. He knew why he never chose to play with the
opposing forces of Grey and Dark, but he'd never thought about why
he'd chosen the Light. Danny smiled.

"Do you have an answer?"

"I play with the Light because battling with
the Grey or the Dark simply doesn't feel right. I chose to play
with the Light because, in a way, it is an extension of who I
am."

Syndil returned his smile, "A careful,
well-thought-out answer, Mr. Firoth. So, then, apart from Lady
Drake's enrollment, why is it that you have chosen to become a
Knight of the Light?"

Danny dropped his eyes and said, "I'd be
lying if I didn't say it was for the adventure. Dragonics, Shadows,
now Elves, who wouldn't choose to enter such a world."

"Be forewarned, Danny, this is not a fairy
tale of fancy," said Syndil, his voice growing deep and stern, yet
remaining respectful. "There is a war going on, with losses on both
sides. There are dark forces at work, sinister things that will
seek your destruction. This is no simple game of cards, Danny
Firoth."

"I know that," said Danny, looking up,
regaining eye contact. "I guess I want to become a Knight of the
Light because the alternative, simply being normal while knowing
that such things exist, is unbearable. If you know something
terrible is happening, and you have the ability to help, it's your
responsibility to do something, right?"

"I don't know, Danny, you tell me."

"I think it is. Yes."

Syndil nodded in approval. "I have just a
couple more questions for you before we begin with what rests in my
briefcase."

Danny gulped down his anxiety.

"Was your father a Knight of the Light,
Danny?"

The question took Danny by surprise, he
dropped his gaze. Danny never talked about his father with his
mother; it was a sore subject, "Not that I know of."

"Tell me about him."

"My father was a soldier; he died a hero, I
was very young at the time."

"I am sorry, Danny. I did not mean to open
old wounds."

"It was a very long time ago," regaining his
courage, facing Syndil.

"Did he leave you any kind of keepsake,
something he cared very deeply about?"

"No."

"Are you sure?" Professor Syndil was
insistent.

"No… nothing. Why do you ask?"

"No reason in particular, Mr. Firoth. I was
only going to suggest that possessing something once close to the
person one has lost is sometimes beneficial." Syndil allowed a
silent moment to pass. "I have one more question for you." Leaning
closer, he asked, "Do you possess any other ability other than the
gift of sight, like the ability to see things before they
happen?"

Danny froze as his mind drifted back to the
memory of what happened during his fight with Steven Rooney. Danny
explained the event in detail, hoping that was what Professor
Syndil was looking for.

Syndil listened with active intensity,
nodding, giving vocal cues to encourage Danny to continue. When
Danny was done, Syndil sat back in the chair and stroked his chin
in concentration. "A most intriguing ability, Mr. Firoth," he said
after a moment. "Is this is the only incident involving its
use?"

"Yes, Professor Syndil, I've tried to use it
again, but whatever happened that day hasn't happened since."

"Have you told anyone else about this?"

"No, you're the first person."

"I suggest that, until it happens again, you
keep it that way."

"Why?"

"Other knights might become weary of such
strange powers, Danny," explained Syndil, leaning closer, smiling.
"Should you be accepted into the Light, I would consider it an
honor to help you hone your ability, if you wish."

"Really," asked Danny with raised
eyebrows.

"But of course," said Syndil with a sweeping
smile. "However, before any such promises can be made, you must
pass two tests."

"What kind of tests?"

"I am afraid I cannot disclose the details,"
said Syndil, reaching into the black briefcase. "The only thing I
can tell you is the rules of the test, I suggest you listen to very
carefully." He pulled out an obsidian hilt, minus the blade.

"What's that?"

"Your first test, Mr. Firoth," Syndil
commented seriously, his smile gone.

Danny's heart pounded in his chest; Professor
Syndil’s stern look sent goose bumps across Danny's skin.

"What do I have to do?" Danny asked, gulping
down more courage.

"You must hold it, Danny, but you cannot let
go until I tell you. No matter what happens, you must hold it until
I instruct you otherwise. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Good," presenting the blade-less black
pommel. "Now, grasp it with your dominant hand first."

Reaching out with his right hand, Danny
gripped the rough hilt at the top.

"Good, now with your left hand."

The instant his left hand touched the cool
surface of the pommel, the room turned to utter darkness. "I can't
see!" Danny said, panic evident in his voice.

"Do not let go of it," instructed Syndil.

Frightened, holding strong, Danny did as
instructed. At first, he felt nothing but the weight of the hilt in
his hand, warming to his touch. However, as the seconds ticked by,
the surface of the handle began to burn, beyond the normal transfer
of body heat. Within moments, the pommel grew hotter and hotter,
scorching the palms of Danny's hands; his hair standing on end as
the pain passed beyond his tolerance.

"It burns," said Danny, through clenched
teeth.

"You must not let go, Danny," instructed
Syndil.

Syndil's voice seemed distant as Danny fought
through the sting of the searing heat. He could feel the flesh of
his hands begin to blister and pop; he could smell the aroma of
sizzling skin. Seconds turned into separate eternities until he
could tolerate it no more. With a heavy grunt, he dropped the
wicked hilt to the floor, it clanged as it collided. Taking a deep
breath, his vision returned, Danny regarded his hands, expecting to
see them burnt to the bone. Holding his palms before him, he
noticed his skin was pink and unblemished. "What happened?"

"You have passed the first test, Danny
Firoth," said Syndil with a gentle reassuring smile. Leaning down,
he retrieved the jagged hilt and placed it back in his
briefcase.

"But I let go before you told me," said
Danny. "Shouldn't I have failed; I disobeyed?"

Syndil let out a light chuckle. "I have
already said that you have passed, yet you argue for your own
failure. You are an interesting young man, Mr. Firoth."

Danny's expression turned to that of
confusion.

"Allow me to explain the test," said Syndil,
noticing Danny's bewilderment. "The purpose of this test was not
entirely about simply following directions. Of course, a Knight of
the Light must be able to take orders and fulfill them. However,
one must also know when such a demand is beyond one's ability. You
did well following my commands, not letting go—you held onto it
longer than most, I might add. That shows me that you are loyal to
those you trust. You pushed yourself far beyond the boundaries of
your pain threshold for my sake alone. Additionally, you have only
known me for a little less than an hour, you might be too
trusting.

"When you made up your mind to let go, you
proved to me that you can think for yourself and, on some level,
you realized that I was simply asking too much of you. You showed
courage in the face of your fear, perseverance when you believed
that your hands were burning intensely and you still held on, and
intelligence by realizing your limits and letting go. All of these
attributes are vital to becoming a Knight of the Light."

Danny slumped back into his chair in relief.
His hands began to tingle, an after-effect. He'd never thought
about having any of the attributes Syndil had just described.

"You doubt yourself?" Syndil asked, as if
reading Danny's thoughts. "Do not for a moment, for what I have
said is true. I would not have said so if I did not believe it
myself. The test does not lie, Danny."

Finding confidence in himself, Danny sat up
and smiled.

"So, are you ready for the last one?" Syndil
asked, returning the smile.

Danny gulped and said, "Yes."

"You see, my boy, you are brave." He reached
into the briefcase as his smile widened. This time, he pulled out
an alabaster hilt similar to that of the first.

Danny's heart stopped dead in his chest, his
stomach became like a bottomless pit. His thoughts turned to dread
as he looked on at the blade-less white handle.