Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight (24 page)

Returning to his room, he dressed in the
clothing provided, slipping on a pair of heavy knit pants and a
soft white shirt. Next, he pulled on a pair of matching thick socks
and a pair of black leather boots. Finally, Danny put on the white
robe, the symbol of Light stitched boldly upon the back in black
thread. The robes, made from a delicate material, felt lightweight
as he secured them with his sword belt.

"Not bad," he said, admiring himself in the
mirror.

"I'm not so sure," said Alonso, pulling at
the sturdy fabric of his own robes.

"I like it," said Chris, making his way
between Danny and Alonso, looking himself over in the mirror as
well. Unlike Danny or Alonso, Chris' uniform required a set of
double leather belts, one around his waist as well as one over his
shoulder, in order to hold the heavy blade he had chosen.

"I think they're rather comfortable," added
Matt, finishing his uniform by positioning his glasses upon his
face.

"We should probably join the others," said
Chris, tightening his shoulder strap.

Danny, Doug, Matt, Alonso, Chris, and Anthony
made their way downstairs to the common hall to join the other
squires.

Whispers of excitement and curiosity filled
the hall as the group of squires waited with a growing sense of
eagerness. Calador, ever calm, stood at the front, waiting for the
full complement of squires to assemble.

Danny and the others found two free couches
and sat down, everyone except for Doug, he remained standing with a
wide-eyed expression on his face.

"She's stunning," he said, eyes fixed upon
Briza.

Danny turned and followed his friend's gaze,
finding Briza standing on the last step of the staircase that led
to the girls' side of the barracks. Dressed in the robes of her new
station, she cut a lean stunning figure. With her lithe hand placed
upon the pommel of the slender rapier at her side, she descended
the last step with a graceful elegance. Danny could see why Doug
was so smitten with her.

"You should be aware that, even from this
distance, she can hear you, Squire Garrett," said Calador from the
front of the group, his mouth warping in a sharp smile.

Doug's silent admiration switched to
embarrassment as Briza's deep emerald eyes turned in his direction.
Breaking contact, Doug took his seat on the couch, his face turning
a rosy shade of red.

"That is everyone," said Calador a few
moments later. "Please, follow me." He turned and exited the
barracks.

Calador led the group of squires through the
winding roads of the city toward the towering spires of the castle
that loomed over the island like a distant mountain. The closer
they came to the sizable structure, the more aware Danny became of
its immense size. After a decent amount of walking, they arrived at
the gates. Two large doors, at least twenty feet high and four feet
thick, swung outward in greeting. The gates appeared to be the only
way in or out of a fifty-foot wall that ran the length of the
castle.

On the ramparts, Danny could see the
reflective sheen of armor. Knights of the Light walked the wall in
a constant vigil and stood at sturdy attention at the base of the
gates.

Stepping forward, Calador bowed, placing the
folded fist of his right hand to his chest, he said, "For the
Light."

The Knights of the Light mimicked the hand
motion and said, "For the Light." With that, they ushered Calador,
as well as the squires, through the gates.

Beyond the mighty wall was a luscious
courtyard of green grass. A single, wide, white brick road carved a
path through the lawn with detailed statues of knights past,
posing, bowed in respect, creating a corridor of pointed
swords.

Calador led the group through the hall of
heroes toward the towering structure of the castle. Twin golden
doors greeted them, propped open with two Knights of the Light
standing at rigid attention, one on either side.

"Good evening, Calador," said an echoing
voice from somewhere within the inner keep of the castle.

Danny watched as Calador's ears perked up at
the sound of his name, a small smile crossed his face.

"Good evening, Alamber," said Calador, as a
slender man exited the golden doors and entered into the fading
light of the day.

His hair was a rusty red; he sported a long
beard of the same color, tied up at the base with a sliver of blue
cloth. Descending the few steps that led up to the doorway, his
bright orange robes fluttered out beneath him.

"Ah, these must be the first-years," eyeing
each squire one at a time.

As Alamber glanced closely at Danny, he
noticed a striking series of scars that ran downward across the
left side of the man's face, from eyebrow to cheek and one eye a
milky white. The other unusual feature of the man were his ears,
which poked out beyond his hair and came to exaggerated points, the
ears of an Elf. However, he lacked the striking bone structure that
marked Calador and Briza as Elvin.

"Greetings, Squires, I am Alamber Ordvack
Halfelvin, Head Wizard of the Light and professor of the magical
defense courses."

"You're a Half-Elf?" Doug asked, though his
expression betrayed the fact that it wasn't his intention to make
the comment vocal.

"I am, my young squire," said Alamber with a
smile. "However, such discussions must wait for another time. The
King of the Light is expecting you."

"Of course," said Calador.

"If you would all please follow me," said
Alamber.

"Of course," said Calador once again.

With that, Alamber pivoted on the balls of
his feet, swiveling around in an about-face, adding, "This way,
please."

Calador, along with all the squires, followed
behind.

After a trek down a long corridor and up a
set of stairs, Alamber led them through a set of ivory double
doors. The room beyond opened up into a vast hall with an arched
ceiling. On the opposite side of the room was a high-backed throne,
upon it sat a man with a beard as white as freshly fallen snow. He
wore a suit of ornate armor, his heavy plate mail as white as
ivory. Around his brow, he wore a crown that glowed with a soft
white light. Whether it sparkled in the reflected balls of dancing
light that hovered just below the ceiling or from magic, Danny
couldn't be certain. His right hand was placed upon the armrest of
the white throne and his left hand rested on the hilt of a golden
sword, its details difficult to decipher from the distance.

A few individuals familiar to Danny sat on
both sides of the throne, behind an elongated table covered with a
white tablecloth, accented in silver embroidery. However, there
were many that he didn't recognize. Danny recognized Sir Syndil
Tribolari, Sir Bartlett Firebeard and Mathis Deandrow from the
group.

The room contained nine large circular
tables, each with the middle section missing in order to allow
seats to be placed inside the ring as well as on the outside. Three
sets of tables, descending in size, but similar in shape, were
placed within each of the nine larger, allowing for ample seating.
Each table appeared to represent one of the eight armies, leaving
the last table, which rested in the immediate middle of the room,
reserved for the first-years, or so Danny assumed.

Unconcerned with such matters at that moment,
Danny found what he sought, the round set of tables marked with the
dark red robes of Dragon Army. Searching the faces, he locked his
gaze on the familiar features of Sabrina. She sat along the outer
ring of the largest table; she smiled back at him in greeting.

"Your table is the one in the middle. Please
be seated so that we may begin," said Alamber, ushering them
forward.

Danny's stare lingered for a few seconds
longer before he moved toward his assigned table and found a seat
in the second to largest ring, next to Chris and Doug. He watched
as Alamber bowed, excused himself, and found his seat beside the
throne, joining the other heads of the Light.

The once-soft static of whispering died down
to a still silence as the King of the Light stirred. Pushing
himself up, he paced forward. With the confidence of an experienced
warrior, he stepped up to a white marble podium. Placing his right
hand on the stand, leaving his left hand to rest upon the hilt of
the Bonded at his side, he scanned the room from left to right.

Danny could feel the weight of his eyes as
the intense gaze of the king swept over him and continued on to the
other side of the room.

"Good evening, Squires!" the king said in a
boisterous voice that echoed throughout the room.

"Good evening," said the gathered squires as
one in a half-hearted reply.

"By the Light, that will not do," grumbled
the king. "I said, good evening!"

The answer echoed in a chorus of voices that
surpassed the first attempt. "Good evening!"

"Much better, for those of you that do not
know me," focusing his eyes on the first-year squires, "I am Sir
Koltair Rillinan Voran, King of the Light. For those of you that do
know me, I welcome you back to the Island of White Rock to continue
your training to become knighted members of the Light. Starting
from left to right, I will introduce you to your professors for
this year.

"First, we have Sir Fredrick Ferdessa, he
will be the acting physical trainer," said King Koltair, pointing
to a large man at the end of the elongated table.

Sir Fredrick stood up to his full height of
over seven feet and nodded in the direction of the first-years. His
shoulders were broad and stocky, made to look larger by the heavy
metal plates of his armor. At his side was a huge, emerald-hilted
greatsword that was nearly as tall as him.

"Great, even here we have to freaking
participate in P.E.," grumbled Matt under his breath.

"I have a feeling that we won't be playing
baseball or basketball, man," said Chris in the same hushed
tone.

"Thank you, Sir Fredrick," said the king, the
larger man slumped back into his chair. "Teaching techniques, once
again, will be Sir Syndil Tribolari," continued the king, extending
his arm in the Elf's direction.

Sir Syndil scooted his chair out from beneath
him and stood up. Danny found it odd to see Sir Syndil wearing
something other than the silver business suit that he'd originally
met the Elf clothed in. He now sported an ornate suit of silver
armor with subtle blue veins. With a curt bow, the slender Elf sat
back in his seat.

"Still filling the role of the expert on the
History of the Light, Sir William Torjan," said the king.

At the sound of his name, Sir William, using
his black-hilted blade as a crutch, groaned as he struggled to his
feet. With a long greying beard and wizened blue eyes, the old man
produced a slight smile before slumping back into his chair.

"Thank you, Sir William," said the king. "You
have been with us for some time now. Your historic wisdom is most
appreciated." After waiting for the old man to seat himself, the
king continued. "Next, we have Sir Bartlett Firebeard, Master of
the Forge and Keeper of the Bonded, and Mathis Deandrow, the
resident Master of the Stitch and Tailor to the Light."

Danny's eyes flashed to the squat Dwarf who
waddled out of his chair and held his warhammer high above his head
in acknowledgment, followed by the slender tailor who produced a
low bow.

"You both do the Light a great honor,"
imparted the king, motioning for both to sit. "Now, on my right, I
would like to introduce you to Lady Gwinn Wellington. She will be
taking over the instruction of hand-to-hand combat. Some of the
more senior squires may remember her, she was a squire one-year
past. Despite her youth, she is now a Knight of the Light; those of
you that do remember her may recall her exceptional skills in the
unarmed arts."

With the elegance of a dancer, which reminded
Danny all too well of Briza, Lady Guinn stood at the mention of her
name. In white robes, she had the toned build of a warrior, yet she
retained the shapely form of her femininity. Stern-faced, she
placed her left hand on her hip and her right hand on the slender
pommel of a dark-hilted dagger.

"It is a pleasure to have you with us, Lady
Guinn," said the king, turning in her direction.

Lady Guinn responded with a slight bow,
causing her long brown hair to dip in front of her icy blue eyes.
After slipping her unruly hair back behind her ears, she took to
her seat.

"Next, we have Sir Ranald Buttle, one of the
foremost experts on the Shadow realm and the continuing professor
of Shadow lore."

Sir Ranald stood up by placing a steadying
hand upon the table in front of him. With sandy blond hair and
piercing green eyes, he swept his right arm across his stomach in a
low bow, shuffling his white robes to the side, nearly touching his
head to the table. The movement caused a glimmer of light to
reflect off the golden hilt of the longsword at his side. Just as
quickly as he stood, he reclaimed his seat.

"Thank you, Sir Ranald, your studies and your
knowledge are invaluable." After pausing, the king continued.
"Keeping with the subject of the Shadows, may I introduce Sir
Keargrow Pain, he will be continuing his instruction of the
defensive arts against the Shadows."

Danny took in a deep breath as the man named
Sir Pain took to his feet. Nearly seven feet tall, Keargrow Pain
had a face full of scars and jet-black eyes. He wore a suit of
black plate mail and held a large bastardsword colored to match. He
was the most intimidating sight Danny had ever seen.

"He's a Knight of the Light?" Matt questioned
in a low tone, verbalizing Danny's thoughts.

"Looks more like a serial killer to me,"
added Alonso in the same whispered voice.

"Thank you, Sir Keargrow," said the king,
motioning the larger man back into his seat. "Next to Sir Keargrow
we have Sir Filix Grorgan, he will be instructing you in the lore
of the Dark, and his brother, Sir Rilix Grorgan, will be overseeing
your studies in the lore of the Grey."