Chapter 7 - The Trials of a Knight
all soon turned into winter, blanketing the ground with fluffy snow, which then melted away and gave way to spring. Six months passed without any sign of the Shadows. Even Steven Rooney kept his distance. Sabrina and Danny became fast friends. Anticipating the upcoming examination of the Light, Danny spent the majority of his time studying the only thing he knew, Knights.
On the first day of spring break, marked by a lazy morning without school, there was a soft knock at Danny's front door.
"Danny, get the door!"
Danny dropped his spoon in his half-eaten bowl of cereal and walked to the front door. Beyond the warped glass, he saw the dark silhouette of a tall man. Opening the door, the stranger greeted him with a brimming smile and golden eyes.
"Salutations, young Danny Firoth," said the man, dipping his head downward in greeting. His facial features were sharp, with high cheekbones and a pointed chin. He wore a silver business suit with matching dress shoes, golden cufflinks and a brass-colored tie. His long hair was a glossy black, it drooped down the slope of his shoulders. In his right hand, he held a black briefcase. However, what truly caught Danny's attention was the gold-hilted longsword braced in his left hand, the base of the pommel was shaped in the form of a half-moon.
"You're a Knight of the Light," said Danny in absolute awe.
"Well, it seems you have passed the first test, Mr. Firoth," the man said in a musical voice.
"Well, who is it?" Danny's mother asked, rounding the corner, coming to a stop as she spotted the visitor.
"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.
"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.