Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight (30 page)

"Careful, Squire," Sir James said, suddenly
behind Danny, "some of them don't like to be handled."

"Yes, sir," said Danny, placing the miniature
back on the table. Confused by the cryptic statement, he gazed down
at the figurine with a squint, almost expecting it to move.

"I am Sir James Wallen," began Sir James,
this time addressing the class as a whole, "and I will be your
instructor in the art of strategy." His head tilted to the side in
a subtle tic. "This course will be one of the most important
studies in your training. What you learn in this classroom will
help you in the Great Dome once you earn your Bonded and join the
ranks of an army. Within this room, you will all compete against
each other in mock battles. You will learn to command armies of
your own so that, perhaps later in your training, some of you will
be able to attain the rank of lieutenant or possibly captain."
After another sudden twitch of the head, Sir James continued,
"Please take note that you are all sitting two to a table. The
squire opposite you will be your opponent for this day."

Danny shot Chris a curious look; Chris
returned the gesture with a shrug. Chris, well-known for his
strategic mind on the wrestling mat, as well as his quick wit at
Knights, would make a worthy adversary. Danny felt nervous, at the
same time, he was excited to be facing his friend. However, before
Danny could ponder the thought further, Sir James continued.

"The tables in front of you are imbued with
the same magic as the Great Dome. For those of you that are not
aware, the Great Dome can generate random terrain for every battle
that takes place within. Therefore, no battle is ever the same. The
miniatures in front of you will be your army. Once the battle
begins, you will play the part of captain and tell your army where
to go and what to do. Just like real Knights of the Light, every
figure has certain strengths and weaknesses. It will be your job as
captain to decide how to best use them on the battlefield. Are
there any questions so far?"

Sir James waited for a hand that never rose.
"Good," he said, with a quick tic of the head and a grunt to clear
his throat. "The first round will be a practice round to get used
to the controls." After another grunt, he produced a green sphere
about the size of a marble that glowed with a soft jade-colored
light. Taking the stone in hand, he touched it to the table.

Danny's eyes widened as the surface of the
table changed from its original color to a dark brown. The surface
grew rough as it turned to soil, thin stalks of grass began to
sprout. Next, miniature trees grew slowly, pebbles and boulders
popped up like popcorn, populating the surface. Lastly, the middle
of the table bulged upward, creating a steep hill.

Gasps of amazement filled the room as Sir
James made his way to each table in turn, touching it with the
shining stone. Each table formed into its own distinct environment.
Some became mountainous; others had valleys, rivers and even
ponds.

However, the magic was not finished, the
miniature knights stirred to life and formed a straight line at the
edge of the table. Unsheathing their tiny weapons with soft rings
of the metal, they stood at the ready.

A soft glow drew Danny's eyes back to his own
table, one of his knights stood encircled in a globe of light.

"You will notice that one of your knights is
surrounded by a circle of light," explained Sir James, before Danny
could question him. "This simply means that it's that particular
knight's turn. The movement of the knight is limited to the area
within the light. You may use basic commands, such as advance,
retreat, attack or defend. However, the commands you give are
limited only by your imagination. You can make them charge, climb,
or even dance if you so choose." After a quick jerk of his head,
Sir James added, "Go ahead and give it a try, Squires."

Danny surveyed the field of battle for a
brief instant before leaning over and saying, "Move forward and
take cover behind the boulder directly in front of you."

The small knight paced forward with even
steps, reached the rock, and ducked beside it, pressing his
shoulder against the hard surface. The globe of light vanished and
transferred to the opposing side of the table, illuminating one of
the figures that belonged to Chris.

"That was a very good command, Squire," said
Sir James between two quick twitches of his head.

"Thank you, Sir James."

"How long will it keep dancing?" a familiar
voice shouted out, Danny recognized Matt’s voice.

The entire class turned and giggled, some
even stood to get a better look as Matt's knight twirled and hopped
in a graceful ballet.

"Until it is that particular knight's turn
again," said Sir James with a smile.

Matt shrugged as his knight continued to
dance.

"Leave it to Matt," was all Chris had to say
on the subject.

"Now, the opposing squire should have a
knight to move. Please do so whenever you are ready."

Chris nodded, took a slow and steady breath
and said, "Charge forward and cut down anything in your way."

The figure instantly responded to Chris's
command, sprinting ahead and cleaving into a small sapling that
stood in its path. Cut at the base, the slender tree toppled over,
allowing the knight to bolt forward and then stop as it met the
edge of the lighted area.

"Good, Squires, very good," Sir James said,
making his way around the room. "Now that you have a basic
understanding of the controls, I leave the battle to you."

"This is going to be fun," said Danny, as the
light disappeared from Chris's figure and enveloped one of his
own.

The battle progressed as Danny commanded the
full complement of his forces up the middle of the table, toward
the high ground of the steep hill. Chris split his army in half,
sending a cohort of ten around the side of the table in a flanking
maneuver, while the rest worked their way to meet Danny's host on
the hill. A hard-fought contest ensued as Danny's army repelled
Chris' frontal assault. However, as Chris moved the other half of
his army into position, Danny had no choice but to fight a
two-front battle. Attacked on both sides, Danny's army dwindled to
the last figure, not without causing heavy casualties of his own.
Chris, left with two miniatures remaining, waited for what would
most likely be Danny's last turn.

Taking a deep breath, Danny sighed as he
searched for some way to win. The globe of light lingered around
his one remaining figure, surrounded on both sides by Chris' two
remaining knights.

"A well-fought battle," encouraged Sir James,
looking the table over.

Taking his eyes off the unwinnable scene
below him, Danny turned toward Sir James and said, "I've lost."

After a sudden, uncontrollable twitch of the
head, Sir James adjusted his glasses and said, "In every battle,
there must be a winner and a loser, Squire. However, this battle is
not yet over. It seems to be your turn."

"It's a two to one no-win scenario," pointed
out Danny.

"There are countless battles throughout
history where two on one would have been a blessing, Squire. There
are those that have faced even greater odds and won the day."

Taking another deep breath, Danny turned and
surveyed his last miniature, which stood at the top of the hill.
With an idea in mind, Danny leaned toward the table and gave the
figure a command. "Use your entire momentum, charge forward and run
the knight in front of you through with your longsword."

The instant the last word left Danny's lips,
the knight leveled his longsword and bolted forward. Both knights
met with a crash as Danny's knight forced the opposing miniature
back and over the crest of the hill. Both figures tumbled down the
steep slope and stopped at the base of the hill. Danny's knight
stood up, victorious. The halo of light left Danny's knight and
appeared around the single miniature at the top of the hill, which
belonged to Chris.

"I don't have enough movement to get to you,
that's not fair."

"An excellent display of strategy, Squire,"
Sir James said, placing a steady hand on Danny's shoulder.

Danny looked up and smiled.

"Use your sword for leverage and push the
boulder on your right down the hill toward the last remaining
knight," said Chris, leaning forward.

Danny turned and watched as Chris's figure
went to work, loosening the large rock at the peak of the hill and
pushing it over the edge. The lopsided boulder tumbled end-over-end
down the hill, slamming into Danny's figure, crushing it into the
ground.

"Nice," said Chris as he threw his hands up
in victory; the globe of light lingered on the only remaining
miniature standing at the crown of the hill.

"Well fought, Squire," said Sir James, moving
to the opposite side of the table.

"Epic game, man," said Danny, admitting
defeat with a smile.

"Game!" voiced Sir James. "What you have just
taken part in is by no means just a game, Squires. Each miniature
that was defeated represents a life. Thirty-nine souls perished
this day on one table alone. Any battle, mock or real, should
always be treated seriously."

"I meant no disrespect, Sir James."

Sir James took a deep breath to calm himself
as his head twitched to the side. "None taken, Squire, it's just
that I forget the innocence of youth now and again. What are your
names?"

"Chris Greene."

"Danny Firoth."

"Squire Greene and Squire Firoth, I must say,
both of you show great promise. It was wise of you to separate your
forces and attack from both sides, Squire Greene. It was also good
strategy to secure the high ground, Squire Firoth. Both of you have
strategic minds for the battlefield; I anticipate your ascensions
to lieutenant, and possibly even captain, during your coming years
at the Academy."

"Thank you, Sir James," they both said in
unison.

"Good battle, man," said Chris, extending his
right hand across the table.

"It is also more respectful to refer to your
fellow squires by their rank. After all, you are both Squires of
the Light now," Sir James added, striking off to observe the other
squires in combat.

"I will win next time, Squire Greene," said
Danny with a smile.

Chris chuckled, returning the smile. "I look
forward to the attempt, Squire Firoth."

Looking around, Danny noticed that Matt's
dancing miniature had ceased to move. It was apparent that Doug had
used his army to crush Matt's forces as five of Doug's remaining
knights surrounded Matt's one, ready to deliver the final blow.

Turning toward the opposite table, Danny
noticed that Anthony and Alonso looked evenly matched; only two
knights remained on either side. Both commanded their knights
forward into combat. However, Anthony won the day with one knight
remaining.

"Well done, Squires," Sir James said as the
last battle ended.

Danny watched, mesmerized, as the large hill
on the table receded into the ground; the trees shriveled up,
before disappearing and the soil reclaimed the rocks and boulders,
swallowing them whole. The knights, finished with their duty, stood
up, sheathed their weapons, and marched back to the side of the
table, where they stood once again, motionless.

"This concludes your first day of training,"
said Sir James, after a slight twitch of the head.

back to top

he first week of training passed faster than
Danny thought possible.

Each morning began with Sir Fredrick's
increasingly lengthy run and rock chopping, followed, always, by
techniques with Sir Syndil. Danny had grown accustomed to staying
after class for some personal instruction, practicing the deep
breathing and focusing techniques Sir Syndil was teaching him.
After techniques and lunch, the days of instruction varied, the
first day, of course, having been strategy with Sir James, a class
that had become Danny's favorite. Tuesday was lengthy with a class
on Shadow defense, taught by Sir Keargrow Pain, whose height, black
eyes and grim voice gave Danny the creeps. Packed into the same day
was a class on the history of the Light with Sir William Torjan, an
old Knight of the Light with a soothing voice.

The following day, Danny attended a class
with Sir Ranald Buttle, teaching Shadow lore, a subject that had
begun to interest Danny more than any other. Thursday turned out to
be rather boring, as Sir Rilix Grorgan taught Grey lore, a class
that seemed more like social studies, followed by Dark lore with
Sir Filix Grorgan. A class in defense against the magical arts,
taught by Alamber Halfelvin, took up the majority of Friday
evening. Danny realized that the Half-Elf had a way of making even
the most boring subject somewhat entertaining.