Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight (12 page)

"Are you ready?"

Danny took a deep breath and nodded. It was a
lie.

"Alright, Danny, right hand first, just like
before."

Hesitating nervously, Danny wrapped his right
hand around the top of the hilt.

"Good," instructed Syndil in a soothing tone,
"now hold it with your left hand."

Taking another deep breath, Danny placed his
left hand around the pommel. Expecting his sight to go dim, he
cringed. However, his vision never wavered. He felt a slight
tingling sensation in the center of his chest. The feeling trickled
up into his shoulders, down through his arms, and into his hands,
causing the hilt to glow with a soft illumination. The light
transferred to the top where the blade should have been. Gathering
its force, the light formed into a slender beam of radiance that
extended into the air and melded into the solid shape of a glowing
sword edge.

"Congratulations, Danny, you have passed the
last and final test."

Danny felt light as a feather as he admired
the ghostly edge of the sword. "What was this test about?"

"Having the gift of sight is one thing,
Danny, but not all of those who possess it are able to wield a
Bonded. By passing this test, you have proven that, once you
qualify to receive such a gift, you will be compatible to possess a
Bonded."

"…Really?"

"Really," said Syndil, extending his right
hand. "…If I may?"

Nodding, Danny removed his left hand from the
base of the hilt, causing the glowing brand to dwindle and
disappear completely.

Syndil retrieved the handle and placed it
back in his briefcase. Lingering for a moment, he produced a
pamphlet, folded into three sections. Presenting it, he said, "Give
this to your mother."

"What is it?"

"It is a brochure briefly describing the
White Rock Academy of Illumination. Your mother will no doubt have
questions. This leaflet will ease the suspicion of its true
training purposes."

"Can't I just tell her the truth?"

"Of course you can, but that decision is
ultimately up to you."

Lost in thought, Danny skimmed over the
pamphlet, wondering whether to tell his mother the truth or to lie.
He wondered if she would believe him if he told her the truth.
After a moment of musing, he concluded that she wouldn't; he could
hardly believe it was happening himself.

"Do you have any other questions before I
depart, Mr. Firoth?" closing his briefcase and locking it.

"How will I get there?"

"Transportation to the school has always been
arranged from Dodge Island in Miami, Florida. From there, you will
travel by boat to White Rock Island. Sir Tyramear has already
offered to ferry you to the Port of Miami, where you will board the
Radiance
, our most prized vessel." Syndil held up his right
hand and pulled the cuff of his sleeve up his arm, revealing a
golden wristwatch. "I am sorry, Danny, but I have a few other
appointments I must attend to this day. I am afraid I must take my
leave now."

Standing, Syndil hefted the black case as
well as his Bonded in his left hand. Extending his right hand, he
said, "It has been a pleasure, young Firoth. I look forward to
instructing you at the Academy."

Feeling the need to stand, Danny took the
Professor's arm at the wrist, just as Sabrina's father had done
when they first met. Shaking once, he noted the feel of the Elf's
frail fingers; he also acknowledged the tremendous strength of his
grip.

Syndil smiled widely at the contact, the
expression was warm and welcoming—yet something about it put Danny
on edge. Ignoring the feeling, he released his grasp and showed
Syndil to the door.

"Good day, Danny Firoth," said Syndil,
stepping beyond the threshold.

"Good day," Danny repeated, watching as
Professor Syndil Sartak Tribolari turned and walked gracefully
toward a sporty silver car.

back to top

oon after taking the test, Danny learned that
Chris, Doug, Matt and Alonso had also passed it. However, due to
his overwhelming excitement, the rest of the school year passed
slower than Danny would have thought possible.

But the school year
did
end. Spring
thaw transitioned into summer’s sunny days, marking the last day of
school.

Jumping off the bus, Danny sprinted across
the road, crossed his yard and entered his house. He'd finished
packing a week ago. The pamphlet had advised prospective students
to pack only the essentials, suggesting that everything else would
be provided once they arrived at the Academy of Light. Danny also
packed a change of warm clothing at the suggestion of Sabrina's
father. Apparently, the journey would be a cold one.

Grabbing his loaded backpack, Danny slipped
the dagger he'd received as a gift from Tyramear into a side
pocket, and sat near the door, rhythmically tapping his foot,
waiting for his mother to return from work so that his adventure
could begin.

Thirty-one minutes later, the familiar jingle
of keys announced her arrival.

Danny ran to the door and yanked it open
before his mother could even put the key in the lock.

Startled, Patricia Firoth placed her hand on
her chest, "Danny, you almost scared me to death."

"Sorry," said Danny, he added, "Can we go
now?" even before the sincerity of his apology could register.

"Can I at least come in and put my things in
the house first?"

It was then that Danny noticed his mother had
a handful, a brightly-colored red bag, an orange lunch box and a
large sack of groceries. "Here, let me get the groceries," reaching
for the sack, which his mother allowed him to take. After taking
the hefty assortment of foodstuff, Danny stepped back, giving his
mother ample room to enter the house.

She placed her red bag on the floor and
walked into the kitchen, with Danny following closely behind. She
placed her lunch box on the counter while Danny placed the bag of
groceries next to it.

"Okay, can we go now?"

"My, you are in a hurry, aren't you?"

"Yes," he nodded dramatically for effect.

"Well, do you have everything packed?"

Danny held up his bag.

"Is that all you're taking?"

"You read the pamphlet, Mom. Everything we
need will be provided for us once we get there, including
clothes."

"Okay, okay… you're growing up so fast but I
still see you as my little baby," rubbing the top of his head
affectionately.

"Mom," Danny said, embarrassed by her loving
gesture.

"Before we leave, I have something for you,"
returning to the hall and reaching into the bag she had brought
home from work.

Danny followed her every movement with his
eyes; he watched her as she rummaged through the bag and pulled out
a present wrapped in glittering blue paper.

"Here, open it."

Danny took the package and began stripping
the paper away, revealing a yellow-colored box with a phone
pictured on it.

"You got me a phone?" his eyes widening in
surprise.

"So you can call me while you're gone."

Danny's excitement faded as he eyed his
mother, "Mom, the pamphlet said no phones allowed."

"I know," admitted his mother with a smile.
"But you can at least call me when you get there."

Danny shrugged away her reasoning, "Okay, but
can we go now?"

"Yes," she said with a laugh.

The ride to Sabrina's house was brief, Danny
was sure that he would be the last one to arrive. He had only been
to her house once, but with directions from Sabrina, they found it
without too much trouble. Pulling into the gravel drive, Danny
looked out in awe at the amount of land the two-story house was on,
something he never noticed during his previous visit, it had been
too dark. Sweeping cornfields stretched out on both sides of the
driveway, towering pine trees created a corridor all the way to the
house.

"Wow," said Danny's mother, also taken aback
by the beauty.

After driving on the winding road for less
than a minute, they pulled up to the house. The gravel driveway
transitioned to cement, allowing for a smoother ride.

Tyramear stood on the porch, he walked toward
the moving car in even steps as Danny's mother rolled the vehicle
to a stop.

Getting out of the car, Danny got his first
look at the backyard, more like a field than a yard. Like the
driveway, the grounds rested between two vast cornfields. However,
unlike the entrance, the backyard was devoid of trees, rocks or
anything else, for that matter. It was simply a long strip of
unkempt land.

"My goodness," said Danny's mother, getting
out of the car, seeing the same scene as her son.

"Good evening," said Tyramear, stopping in
front of the car.

Closing the car door, Danny's mother said,
"Hello, I am Danny's mother, Patricia."

"I am Sabrina's father, Tyramear Drake. A
pleasure to finally meet you," said Tyramear, extending his hand in
greeting.

"You have a lovely home," said Patricia,
shaking Tyramear's hand gently.

"Why, thank you." Then, turning toward Danny,
"And, it is, of course, nice to see you again, Danny."

"Yes, sir, I mean, Mr. Drake. Is anyone else
here yet?"

"I am afraid you are the second-to-last to
show up, Danny. Mr. Mickler, Mr. Martinez and Mr. Garrett are
waiting inside. Sabrina is in her room, packing. Once Mr. Greene
arrives, we can begin preparing for the journey ahead."

Putting his bag on his shoulder, Danny turned
toward his mother. "Well, Mom, I guess I'll see you in a few
months."

"Not so fast, mister," bypassing her son.
Digging through her pockets, she pulled out a square piece of paper
and handed it to Tyramear.

Tyramear took it without question.

"At the top is my home address, our home
phone number is next, then my cell phone number and my email
address is at the bottom. I know the school already has this
information, but I thought you should have it if you needed to get
in touch with me in an emergency," instructed Patricia, as Tyramear
looked it over.

"Of course, Ms. Firoth," said Tyramear with a
sincere smile.

Turning back toward Danny, "Well, give me a
hug, then."

Danny stepped into her arms and found her
familiar scent comforting. He was nervous about the coming months
at the Academy but he was excited, as well. However, this would be
his first time away from home; he would be lying to himself if he
denied the fact that he was a bit frightened. He attempted to pull
free from his mother's embrace, only to find her vice-like grip
locked around him. He wasn't the only one who was worried.

"Mom," he said, his tone rising.

"Just give me one second more," she said,
chuckling.

Again, Danny attempted to break free, but to
no avail. "Mom," he said once more, this time with some
conviction.

"Okay, okay." She released him and pulled
away. "I love you." holding his head in both of her hands so that
his eyes locked with hers.

"I love you, too, Mom."

With one last arm squeeze and kiss on the
forehead, she freed him and made her way back to the car.

Danny took up a position next to Tyramear as
his mother got back into the car, waving a final goodbye.

"So, Danny, are you ready to begin your
training to become a Knight of the Light?" Tyramear asked, once
Patricia Firoth's car became but a distant blur up the drive.

"I am," said Danny confidently.

"Good," said Tyramear with a smile. "Then you
better get some rest, we leave at dusk."

"Shouldn't we leave sooner? It's a long
drive."

Tyramear's smile widened and his eyes flashed
with sudden delight. "We will not be driving."

"We won't?"

"You packed a set of warm clothes like I
asked, correct?"

"Yes," his face showing confusion.

"Good," patting Danny lightly on the back.
"Go inside and get some rest, you are going to need it for
tonight."

Danny shrugged, picked up his bag and walked
into the house. Once inside, he found Matt, Alonso and Doug resting
on the floor on makeshift beds of different colored blankets.

All three boys glanced up, their eyes alert;
resting was the farthest thing from their minds.

"What's up, Danny!" Matt yelled, pushing the
thick glasses up on his nose.

"Be quiet," whispered Doug, who was lying
next to him, followed by a swift kick from Alonso.

"Ouch," said Matt, rubbing the spot where
Alonso had struck him. "What was that for?"

"We're supposed to be quiet, resting,"
informed Doug before Alonso could answer.

"Hey, guys," said Danny, laughing.

"Shouldn't you boys be resting?" Sabrina's
mother said. "…Oh, hello Danny." Her features softened into a smile
as she saw him.