Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight (52 page)

"Somehow, I do not think that will be a
problem for you anymore, Squire Mickler," said Calador.

It was true. Danny glanced at Matt. The
training they all had undergone had transformed Matt the most. The
plump bulge of his belly had disappeared, the once-soft places of
his body had been replaced with hard muscle.

"Besides, everyone here will never let that
happen," stated Chris. "If anyone is going to bully you, it will be
us."

"I agree with Matt," said Doug. "Not about
the bullying part, but the allure of this place." He glanced over
at Briza. "I find the Elvin race fascinating and I could never
continue to have a normal life knowing such amazing things exist in
this world. I'll continue my training."

Briza returned Doug's look. "I am Lightborn.
It is my duty to continue my training."

"Of course, I have chosen to return," added
Anthony, puffing his chest out. "I hope to become the strongest of
the knights."

Danny turned to Sabrina and awaited her
response.

Sabrina smiled. "I am a second-year squire.
There is no reason for me to quit now."

Danny returned her smile and glanced back to
meet the steady gaze of Sire Koltair. "I choose to return and
continue my training as a Squire of the Light, as well as the
Mageknight."

Sire Koltair smiled. "So shall it be, Squire
Firoth, Mageknight of the Light."

With that, loud joyous whoops escaped the
mouths of Danny's friends.

"Quiet," shushed Sir Virgil, coming up behind
Chris and Alonso. "Please, I still have other patients who need
their rest. Speaking of which, I believe Squire Firoth has had
enough for the day. That means you as well, my king."

Out of respect, Sire Koltair nodded in the
healer's direction and said, "Of course, Sir Virgil." Turning in
the direction of everyone else present, he continued, "Come, let us
allow Squire Firoth to rest." To Danny, he said, "Should you need
anything more, Mageknight, let Sir Virgil know and I shall see to
it." With that said, the King of the Light began ushering everyone
out before turning to leave himself.

One at a time, Chris, Alonso, Matt, Anthony,
Briza and Doug said goodbye to Danny; Sabrina lingered at Danny's
bedside.

"Wait."

Sire Koltair stopped and turned. "Yes, Squire
Firoth?"

"What about my father's Bonded?"

"That should not be your concern, Squire
Firoth. Please leave that to the Light. I have some of our elite
knights looking into the matter. I recommend that you concentrate
on recuperating your strength, maintaining your studies and
completing your training."

Danny hesitated for a moment. Losing his
father at such a young age had been such a hard experience, a
tragedy he'd never fully recovered from; to lose him for a second
time left a deep pit of despair in his stomach. "I'll try," was all
he managed to say.

"That is all I could ever ask for,"
encouraged the King of the Light. His gaze lingered on Danny a
moment more before moving to Sabrina as she stood at the side of
the bed. "Will you be joining us, Squire Drake?"

"I will only be but a moment."

"As you wish," said the king. He turned,
escorted everyone out of the infirmary and closed the doors behind
him.

"He really does need his rest, Squire," said
Sir Virgil, stopping on the opposite side of the bed. "His wounds
should be fully healed by the morrow. You will have plenty of time
to talk on the journey home."

Sabrina nodded. "I will really be only a
moment."

Returning the nod, Sir Virgil said, "Of
course, but
only
a moment." With his rounds complete, he
retreated, leaving the two of them alone.

Sabrina waited a few seconds before turning
to Danny. "About what was discussed a few months ago before your
duel with Squire Rigil?"

"About me being a distraction for you?"

Sabrina visibly hardened; her posture became
more erect and her expression stern. "I have come to think it is
the other way around, Danny."

"I don't understand."

"You are the Mageknight. As such, your duty
is to lead the Light in the extermination of the Dark. For this
task, you will require focus and dedication. I cannot allow your
feelings for me to cloud the path before you."

"You can't be serious," said Danny, pushing
himself up, ignoring the pain that would follow.

"I have already made up my mind."

"Fine, but first, look me in the eyes and
tell me that you don't feel the same way."

"My feelings for you are secondary to the
fate of the Light, Danny."

"So you
do
have feelings for me?"

"It does not matter whether I do or do
not."

"Of course it matters. It matters to me."

Sabrina turned away from him. "I have already
decided, Danny. The Light is more important than either one of
us."

"Don't I get a say in this?"

Sabrina turned back toward Danny, her face as
firm as stone. "No, you do not."

A short period of silence passed between
them. Danny slumped back into the bed, unsure of what else he could
say to change her mind.

Sabrina broke the silence. "I will forever be
your friend, as well as your comrade in arms, Danny, but that is
all I can offer you. I will understand if you desire neither of me
from this moment forward."

"No," said Danny, his focus fixed at the foot
of the bed. He refused to meet her eyes due to a growing pit of
emptiness in his stomach. "I value your friendship more than
anything, and I'd be lost without it. I just need… time."

"And rest," added Sabrina. "We have a long
journey back home tomorrow. You should sleep."

"Yes," said Danny, feeling awkward, wondering
if Sabrina felt the same way.

"Then, I will leave you to it," said Sabrina,
turning toward the door stiffly, her movements lacked her usual
grace.

Danny allowed her to go, confused about what
had just transpired. After several minutes, just thinking, he took
a deep breath and reached for the hilt of Magear. Wrapping his hand
around the pommel, he noticed that the blade felt warm to the
touch, like a proper handshake.

Magear…

I am here, Danny.

So, what am I supposed to do now?

If I may, you might consider that your
friend is right.

"You heard me talking to Sabrina?" Danny
asked aloud, his shock caused him to verbalize his words.

Danny felt Magear's mood lighten.
We are
Bond mates, Danny. I can feel your emotions and hear your thoughts
just as you have equal access to mine.

Looking around to see if anyone had overheard
him, Danny pulled the sword to his chest. …
Even if I'm not
touching your hilt?

Even if, for we are connected by a stronger
bond than simply the touch of skin.

That's a little disturbing.

On the contrary, Danny, I find it rather
comforting. It would be most difficult if I had to bear this
isolation without anyone to share my thoughts with.

I'm sorry. I didn't realize…
Danny
allowed his thoughts to trail off as he attempted to imagine the
loneliness that must come with becoming a Bonded.

Do not be sorry and do not pity me, Danny.
It was an honor as well as my duty to choose the existence of a
Bonded.

Danny adjusted his position in the bed to one
that was more comfortable, he relaxed his rigid muscles.
So, you
were the Mageknight once, right?

In a manner of speaking, yes, I was.

Well, from one Mageknight to another, what
is it that I'm supposed to do?

I am afraid that is something you will have
to figure out for yourself, Danny. You see, my previous life is
nothing more than a flash of images. The details are a confusing
mess of garbled memories. See for yourself.

Danny's grip tightened around Magear's hilt
as flashes of random pictures invaded his mind—a great battle, a
large black dragon, a glowing green sword, a smiling woman of
breathtaking beauty and hundreds more.

"Stop!" Danny begged, putting his hand to his
brow. The visions vanished at once, leaving Danny with a throbbing
headache. "What was that?"

Forgive me, Danny, I did not anticipate
your reaction to my memories,
his voice soft and soothing as it
entered Danny's thoughts.

Danny slowed his breathing and forced himself
to relax.
Those were your memories?

They were.

Will you ever get them back completely?

I do not know.

Then it's up to me to figure out what I'm
supposed to do,
Danny thought, more to himself than Magear, as
he relaxed into the bed and drifted off to sleep.

back to top

anny packed the last of his belongings into his
heavy duffel bag. Dressed in the same khaki shorts and T-shirt he
wore on the initial journey to White Rock, he felt odd and almost
out of place, no longer wearing the traditional robes of a squire.
The clothes he currently wore were tight in some places, loose in
others since he'd gained muscle and trimmed excess fat. Hefting the
bag over his shoulder, he tensed, awaiting a pain that never came.
His wounds had been severe. Thanks to Sir Virgil, he'd healed
completely in less than three days, a feat that would've taken
months under normal circumstances. However, the wounds of Syndil's
betrayal flowed far deeper and would most likely never fully
heal.

Forcing the dark thoughts from his mind, he
picked up Magear, gripping the sheath just below the hilt. Giving
the room one last look, he turned to find Calador standing in the
doorway, his arms crisscrossed across his chest. Normally, he might
have been startled, but over the past few months he'd become quite
familiar with the blind Elf's tendency to sneak up from behind.

"Are you prepared for the journey home,
Squire?"

"As prepared as I can be," said Danny,
plopping down the heavy bag in front of him. "I really don't want
to leave."

"Squires are required to return home so that
they may remember the reason for their training. One needs a reason
to fight, and it is difficult if that reason becomes distant or
forgotten. Do not worry, Squire Firoth, the battle will still be
here when you return. It may even follow you home."

"Thank you, Calador, for
everything
."

"It was simply my duty as your caretaker,
Squire." Calador stepped forward, stopped within an arm’s length
and extended his right hand. "As of this moment, I relinquish that
duty and offer you my friendship in its stead."

Switching Magear to his opposite hand, Danny
reached out and took the Elf's arm in his, both gripping each other
at the wrist, instead of the traditional Human handshake. "I accept
the offer."

"I look forward to seeing you develop into a
Knight of the Light first-hand, Squire Firoth."

"Me, too," Danny added with a slight smile,
the gesture most likely lost on the blind Elf.

Calador relinquished his grip and stepped to
the side, giving Danny a clear path to the door. "Go then, Squire,
your friends anxiously await you."

"Thank you again, Calador."

Calador bowed with the grace of a swordsman
and said, "An honor."

Hefting his bag back to his shoulder again,
Danny left the room in search of his friends. Descending the
stairs, he spotted them, awaiting him in the common hall, along
with all of the other first-year squires he'd come to know. Looking
out among them, he could feel the collection of eyes upon him.
Slowing his pace, he felt self-conscious when their focus lingered
on his presence.

"Over here, Danny!" Chris yelled, waving him
over.

With the spell broken, Danny made his way to
the long table where his friends awaited. It was odd to see them
all without their usual training robes on, especially Doug and
Matt; they had both slimmed down so much that their regular clothes
looked more like large sacks drooping from their shoulders.
"Information travels fast," he said, taking up a position between
Chris and Anthony.

"Everyone is talking about you," said
Doug.

"Well, that and Syndil's betrayal," added
Matt.

Chris placed a reassuring hand upon Danny's
shoulder. "You're a hero and the Mageknight. Supposedly, you
defeated Syndil all by yourself, as well as an army of Shadows, in
addition to some other impossible feats, so say the rumors going
around the squires."

Danny shook his head. "That's not what
happened at all."

"They are just rumors," added Anthony.

"If I were you, I'd milk it for all it's
worth," said Alonso.

"You probably would," Chris accused, with a
slight chuckle lightening the mood.

Alonso failed to catch the joke. "I would,"
he said seriously, causing everyone to pause for a laugh.