Chapter 20 - A Well-Deserved Rest
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.
The final day of the week, Saturday, introduced them to the unarmed arts, taught by Lady Guinn Wellington, a course in which Chris seemed to be un-paralleled. However, Chris seemed more focused on Lady Guinn than the course itself.
Sunday morning, Danny woke to the seventeenth chime of the eighteenth bell. He groaned as he sat up, his muscles were sore and aching. The first week of training was over, Danny welcomed the day of rest. However, now used to the routine of getting up, eating breakfast, and meeting Sir Fredrick for the morning run for the past six days, he had difficulty falling back asleep.
"I feel like I should get up and get ready," said Chris, verbalizing Danny's thoughts.
"Yeah, I can't go back to sleep either."
"Why am I awake?" Doug asked after the lingering hum of the eighteenth bell.
"I'm hungry," said Alonso, tossing the covers from his body and standing up.
"Me, too," said Anthony.
Swiveling his legs over the side of the bed, Danny turned to find Matt sound asleep. Yawning and stretching, he said, "Somebody, wake Matt up."
They decided to get some breakfast.
In addition to sore muscles, Danny was half-asleep as he descended the stairs to the common hall and sat down at the long table to eat breakfast. Chris and Doug found seats next to him.
Before Danny could take his first bite, Doug reached out and knocked over a tall glass of milk. "Careful," scolded Danny as he turned toward his friend. However, Doug didn't hear him as he stared straight ahead, across the common hall. Danny followed Doug's gaze, watching as Briza gracefully descended the last step that led up to the girls' barracks.
"Just go talk to her, man," said Chris.
Before Doug could respond, Briza's attention focused on all six boys, lingering there for a moment, before she turned and began walking toward Calador.
"I think she heard you, man," said Danny.
"Elves," was all Doug said as he watched her with dreamy eyes.
"You really should talk to her," said Danny.
"I don't know if I can."
"I really do think she likes you," imparted Chris.
"Really, you think so?" Doug asked, raising both eyebrows.
Briza turned toward them and smiled once again before turning back toward the much taller Elf and her current conversation with him.
"See, man," Chris emphasized.
"Okay, I'm going to go talk to her," said Doug confidently. Getting up from the table, he walked over to stand near Briza and Calador, both still locked in conversation.
"What do you think his chances are?" Matt asked, once Doug was out of earshot.
"Zero, I predict an epic fail," said Alonso with a snicker just before stuffing his mouth with a piece of jellied toast.
Anthony refused to comment as he piled his plate full for the second time.
Both Calador and Briza turned to receive Doug as though they'd been expecting him. Calador nodded, smiled and then took his leave, attending to other squires. Unable to hear what was being said, Danny suddenly wished he had the ears of an Elf as Doug and Briza began their conversation alone.
"He's doing better than I thought," said Alonso.
"I told you guys she liked him," said Chris.
"Quiet," ordered Danny. "He's coming back."
Briza smiled and disappeared, walking back up the stairs to the girls' barracks. Beaming, Doug made his way back to the long table, sat down and resumed eating.
Alonso dropped his forkful of eggs, awaiting details. Chris and Danny looked on curiously, also waiting for Doug to speak. Even Anthony stopped stuffing his mouth full of food in order to hear what Doug had to say.
"Well?" Matt asked finally.
Chewing a mouthful, then swallowing, Doug positioned his silverware upon his plate. Adjusting himself in his seat, he leaned forward and grunted, clearing his throat.
"Oh, come on!" commanded Matt.
"She has invited us to train with her."
"…Us?"
"Apparently, her conversation with Calador concerned reserving the northern section of the Great Dome for training, and she invited us to go with her."
"What about you?" Chris asked. "I thought the whole purpose of you going to talk with her was to discuss you and her."
"Well, I'm included in the 'us' part," said Doug, making a quotation mark motion with his fingers.
"I suppose it's a start," conceded Chris.
"…Training?" Matt asked, pushing his glasses farther up on his face. "Like that's going to happen. We just spent a whole week training and I'm not about to waste a day off."
"That's for sure," added Alonso.
"If I remember right, you could both do with more training. Your skills in technique class were pathetic," said Chris.
"As if you could make me," said Alonso.
"You know I could," said Chris.
"Fine," conceded Alonso before adding, "I was going to go anyway."
Defeated, Matt grimaced.
"I'm always up for training," mumbled Anthony, his mouth full of food.
"…You coming, Danny?" Chris asked.
Although Danny would have liked to have gone with them, he had a strong urge to find Sabrina. "No, I'm going to see if I can find Sabrina."
"And how are you going to do that?"
"I suppose I'll start by going to the Dragon Army barracks."
"Are you insane, man? After what happened at the King's Banquet?"
Finished, Danny got up from the table and shrugged in response.
"You want me to come with you?" Chris asked.
Danny shook his head. "I'll be fine. Besides, I think these four need your help way more than I do," he said, pointing out Anthony, Alonso, Matt, and Doug. "I'll catch up with you guys later."
"Be careful, man," Chris insisted.
"Aren't I always?"
"No," said Chris with a smile.
Danny returned the smile and struck out on his own. He made his way past the barracks of Horse Army and Griffin Army and stopped in front of the familiar flag of Dragon Army, two rather large squires stood guard with Bondeds at their side. Taking a deep breath, Danny took both steps in stride and stopped before them.
"What do you want, newb?" the larger squire to the left asked.
"I'm looking for someone, Squire Sabrina Drake."
"We don't associate with newbs," said the smaller guard on the right, his hand moving threateningly to the rounded hilt of his Bonded.
"Please, squire, she is a friend of mine."
"You'll get no answers from them, laddie," said a familiar voice from behind.
Danny's heart sank as turned to find Squire Rigil standing at the base of the steps.
"I, however, may be persuaded," continued the red-haired boy as he stepped up. "I told you this thing between us wasn't over," he added, adjusting a single piece of plate mail upon his bulky left shoulder, inscribed with the depiction of a dragon, marking him as a lieutenant.
"You know this, newb, Lieutenant Rigil?" one of the guards asked, indicating Danny.
"Aye, I know the lad." A small crowd began to pool behind him. Some wore the red robes of Dragon Army; others sported the varying colors of the other armies.
"Please, Squire Rigil, just tell me where Sabrina is and I'll be on my way."
"Why should I? And dats lieutenant to da likes of you," said Rigil. He crossed his arms over his chest.
"Do you play Knights, Lieutenant Rigil?"
"Aye, I do."
"I'll play you for Sabrina's location. If I win, you tell me where she is."
"Are ya challenging me to a duel, newb?"
"Sure, I guess so," said Danny. However, he'd never heard a game of Knights referred to as a duel.
A wide smile crossed Rigil's face as he turned to the small crowd and yelled, "A duel has been issued and the challenge has been accepted."
Whoops and cheers erupted from those gathering around as the mass of squires began to build, creating a rainbow of colored robes.
"Danny?" a familiar voice questioned from behind him.
Danny turned to find Rogen exiting the Dragon Army barracks, a look of pure confusion upon his face.
"What are you doing here?" the blond-haired squire asked.
"Dis here newb has challenged me to a duel," said Rigil in Danny's stead.
"I've challenged Rigil to a game of Knights to find out Sabrina's location," clarified Danny.
Rogen appeared dumbfounded. "A duel is not a mere game of cards, Squire Danny. If you have challenged Lieutenant Rigil to a duel, then it is swords you will cross, not cards."
"No," said Danny, shaking his head. "I challenged him to a game of cards," he tried to explain. However, turning back toward Rigil, he noticed a sweeping smile growing across the larger boy's face.
He'd been tricked.
"I didn't agree to a battle of blades."
"A challenge has been issued and accepted. It's the law," said Rigil, placing his hand on the blue, twisting hilt of a thick-bladed longsword.
"…The law?" Danny questioned.
"He doesn't know," pleaded Rogen, stepping forward, standing at Danny's side. "Besides, he doesn't even have a suit of dueling armor."
Rigil looked both boys up and down, nodding in agreement with some wicked plan. "Since ya seem to have taken a liking ta dis here newb, he can use your dueling armor."
"He is just a first-year squire," argued Rogen. "You cannot expect…"
"It is the law," said a voice from the back, interrupting Rogen.
Every squire, including Rigil, turned to find Sir Syndil standing just beyond the crowd. Silence ensued as the mass of squires parted, allowing the tall Elf to wade through to the middle.
"Professor Syndil, sir," said Rigil, with a nod and a smile, as the Elf stopped before him. However, Sir Syndil didn't return the gesture.
Instead, Sir Syndil turned to Danny and asked, "What are the terms?"
"I just wanted to know where Squire Sabrina Drake was," said Danny.
Sir Syndil nodded, turned to Rigil, and asked, "And you?"
"When I prevail, dis here first-year will have no furtha contact with Squire Drake," said Rigil with a smirk. "She's a member of Dragon Army and has no reason to associate with first-years."
"That's not fair!" Danny said, only to be silenced by the outstretched hand of Sir Syndil.
"At the chime of the seventh bell, the duel will commence within the southern chamber of the Great Dome," said Sir Syndil. "You have until that time to prepare. I suggest that you use your time wisely. However, if either one of you fail to appear, you will have violated the Law of the Light and be condemned to judgment."
"I need no preparation," said Rigil. "Why not begin now?"
"You dare to question me, Squire?"
Rigil dropped his brown eyes in submission. "I…" began Rigil hesitantly, only to be interrupted by Sir Syndil.
"Squire Firoth is a first-year squire, as such, he will be given time to prepare. Is that understood?"
"Aye, Professor Syndil, sir," said Rigil, his head still bowed. However, before stalking back into the Dragon Army barracks, he turned toward Danny and added, "I look forward ta seeing ya on the seventh hour, lad." With that said, he disappeared through the double doors of the barracks, followed by a group of his fellow red robes.
A series of whispers began to echo throughout the crowd of remaining squires. However, they were soon staunched as Sir Syndil turned to address them. "It is a day of respite, Squires. Surely, there are other matters you must attend to?"
Quicker than they had gathered the host of squires dissipated, leaving Sir Syndil standing alone with Danny and Rogen.
"You never cease to amaze, do you, Squire Firoth?" swiveling on the balls of his feet.
"I'm not sure I know what you mean, Sir Syndil."
"Of course you don't," said Sir Syndil with a smile. "Come, let us retire to a place beyond prying ears," he added, looking at the guards who stood just outside the Dragon Army barracks. "Come with us as well, Squire Rogen." He turned and walked off, clearly assuming that both boys would follow.
They did.
Stopping in an abandoned street, Sir Syndil turned and asked, "Do you know where Squire Drake is, Squire Rogen?"
"Yes, sir, I do," said Rogen, with a slight nod of the head. "And I would have told you if you had simply waited a few seconds longer!" he added, addressing Danny.
"If I could predict the future, then I would've waited," said Danny, growing angry at Rogen's insinuating tone.
Sir Syndil's right eyebrow lifted ever-so-slightly at Danny's comment. However, before Rogen could snap back, Sir Syndil held his right hand up, demanding silence. "There is no one to blame." Then, after looking at both boys carefully, he added, "Squire Rigil was right, you are both nearly of the same stature."
Rogen and Danny exchanged curious glances, before either squire could comment, Sir Syndil continued.
"Squire Rogen, you will take Danny to see Squire Drake and then gather your dueling armor. On the last chime of the ninth bell, I will look forward to seeing both of you in my classroom chambers."
"…Yes, Professor."
With that said, Sir Syndil walked off, with other urgent matters to attend.
"Come," urged Rogen, striking off. "I will take you to see Sabrina."
"…So much for a day of well-deserved rest," said Danny.