Danny took the package and began stripping the paper away, revealing a yellow-colored box with a phone pictured on it.

"You got me a phone?" his eyes widening in surprise.

"So you can call me while you're gone."

Danny's excitement faded as he eyed his mother, "Mom, the pamphlet said no phones allowed."

"I know," admitted his mother with a smile. "But you can at least call me when you get there."

Danny shrugged away her reasoning, "Okay, but can we go now?"

"Yes," she said with a laugh.

The ride to Sabrina's house was brief, Danny was sure that he would be the last one to arrive. He had only been to her house once, but with directions from Sabrina, they found it without too much trouble. Pulling into the gravel drive, Danny looked out in awe at the amount of land the two-story house was on, something he never noticed during his previous visit, it had been too dark. Sweeping cornfields stretched out on both sides of the driveway, towering pine trees created a corridor all the way to the house.

"Wow," said Danny's mother, also taken aback by the beauty.

After driving on the winding road for less than a minute, they pulled up to the house. The gravel driveway transitioned to cement, allowing for a smoother ride.

Tyramear stood on the porch, he walked toward the moving car in even steps as Danny's mother rolled the vehicle to a stop.

Getting out of the car, Danny got his first look at the backyard, more like a field than a yard. Like the driveway, the grounds rested between two vast cornfields. However, unlike the entrance, the backyard was devoid of trees, rocks or anything else, for that matter. It was simply a long strip of unkempt land.

"My goodness," said Danny's mother, getting out of the car, seeing the same scene as her son.

"Good evening," said Tyramear, stopping in front of the car.

Closing the car door, Danny's mother said, "Hello, I am Danny's mother, Patricia."

"I am Sabrina's father, Tyramear Drake. A pleasure to finally meet you," said Tyramear, extending his hand in greeting.

"You have a lovely home," said Patricia, shaking Tyramear's hand gently.

"Why, thank you." Then, turning toward Danny, "And, it is, of course, nice to see you again, Danny."

"Yes, sir, I mean, Mr. Drake. Is anyone else here yet?"

"I am afraid you are the second-to-last to show up, Danny. Mr. Mickler, Mr. Martinez and Mr. Garrett are waiting inside. Sabrina is in her room, packing. Once Mr. Greene arrives, we can begin preparing for the journey ahead."

Putting his bag on his shoulder, Danny turned toward his mother. "Well, Mom, I guess I'll see you in a few months."

"Not so fast, mister," bypassing her son. Digging through her pockets, she pulled out a square piece of paper and handed it to Tyramear.

Tyramear took it without question.

"At the top is my home address, our home phone number is next, then my cell phone number and my email address is at the bottom. I know the school already has this information, but I thought you should have it if you needed to get in touch with me in an emergency," instructed Patricia, as Tyramear looked it over.

"Of course, Ms. Firoth," said Tyramear with a sincere smile.

Turning back toward Danny, "Well, give me a hug, then."

Danny stepped into her arms and found her familiar scent comforting. He was nervous about the coming months at the Academy but he was excited, as well. However, this would be his first time away from home; he would be lying to himself if he denied the fact that he was a bit frightened. He attempted to pull free from his mother's embrace, only to find her vice-like grip locked around him. He wasn't the only one who was worried.

"Mom," he said, his tone rising.

"Just give me one second more," she said, chuckling.

Again, Danny attempted to break free, but to no avail. "Mom," he said once more, this time with some conviction.

"Okay, okay." She released him and pulled away. "I love you." holding his head in both of her hands so that his eyes locked with hers.

"I love you, too, Mom."

With one last arm squeeze and kiss on the forehead, she freed him and made her way back to the car.

Danny took up a position next to Tyramear as his mother got back into the car, waving a final goodbye.

"So, Danny, are you ready to begin your training to become a Knight of the Light?" Tyramear asked, once Patricia Firoth's car became but a distant blur up the drive.

"I am," said Danny confidently.

"Good," said Tyramear with a smile. "Then you better get some rest, we leave at dusk."

"Shouldn't we leave sooner? It's a long drive."

Tyramear's smile widened and his eyes flashed with sudden delight. "We will not be driving."

"We won't?"

"You packed a set of warm clothes like I asked, correct?"

"Yes," his face showing confusion.

"Good," patting Danny lightly on the back. "Go inside and get some rest, you are going to need it for tonight."

Danny shrugged, picked up his bag and walked into the house. Once inside, he found Matt, Alonso and Doug resting on the floor on makeshift beds of different colored blankets.

All three boys glanced up, their eyes alert; resting was the farthest thing from their minds.

"What's up, Danny!" Matt yelled, pushing the thick glasses up on his nose.

"Be quiet," whispered Doug, who was lying next to him, followed by a swift kick from Alonso.

"Ouch," said Matt, rubbing the spot where Alonso had struck him. "What was that for?"

"We're supposed to be quiet, resting," informed Doug before Alonso could answer.

"Hey, guys," said Danny, laughing.

"Shouldn't you boys be resting?" Sabrina's mother said. "...Oh, hello Danny." Her features softened into a smile as she saw him.

"Hello, Mrs. Drake."

"You boys have a long trip ahead of you this evening. You really should get some rest." She swiveled back toward Danny. "You, too, Danny, there are more blankets and pillows in the closet for you," pointing to a white door behind her. "There should be enough for two more. There is one more coming, right?"

Danny nodded, "Yes, Mrs. Drake."

"Call me, Moon," she said with a smile.

"Yes, Moon," said Danny, his voice unsteady. "Where's Sabrina?" he asked before Moon could return to the kitchen.

"She's upstairs in her room doing the same thing that you should be."

"Yes, Mrs. Drake. . . I mean, Moon."

Moon disappeared beyond the swinging door of the kitchen.

Danny walked to the closet and grabbed a set of soft blue blankets and a pillow. Picking a spot between Doug and Matt, he plopped down on the floor, took his shoes off and sprawled out. After a few moments of silence, he whispered, "I don't know if I'm going to be able to fall asleep, I'm too excited."

"Are we driving there, or what?" Matt asked in the same hushed tone.

"We're definitely not driving."

"Then how are we going to get there by tomorrow if we aren't leaving until tonight?" Doug asked.

"Beats me," said Alonso.

Danny was about to say something when the front door squeaked open. Chris walked through the threshold and closed the door behind him. Danny waved in greeting.

"Hey, man," Chris said in an unrestrained tone.

Danny put his finger to his lips, signaling Chris's silence. "We're supposed to be resting."

"Yeah, Mr. Drake mentioned that," said Chris, matching Danny's hushed voice. "Something about a long trip tonight, right?"

"Yeah," said Matt, pushing his glasses up again.

"So . . . are we going to be driving?"

Chris's question caused a fit of nervous laughter to erupt from the four boys on the floor, unsure of the answer themselves.

"Did I say something funny?"

"No, man," said Danny, stifling his snickering, "we were just wondering the same thing."

"Oh," said Chris, unconvinced.

"There are more blankets and pillows in the closet," said Danny, pointing to the door. "If Tyramear suggests we get some rest, it's probably a good idea."

That was explanation enough for Chris as he walked to the closet, pulled out a pillow and a set of matching red blankets, and found a spot on the floor next to Danny and Doug.

A couple of hours later, after a lot of nervous chatter, boredom and suggestion gave way to sleep.

"Wake up," Danny heard someone say, drifting through his dream, stirring him to consciousness.

"Wake up," the musical voice called again; Danny's eyes opened a crack. Above him stood the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, her long black hair draping delicately around her head like a waterfall.

"Beautiful," Danny said to himself, with only one eye halfway open.

"Wake up, Danny," Sabrina called for the third time. "It is time to leave."

Wide awake now, Danny's face flushed as he realized what he'd just said.

"Smooth," said Alonso, standing just to the left, laughing.

Looking around, Danny found Matt, Doug, and Chris with the same stupid smile on their faces, his romantic blunder having been witnessed by almost everyone, except Sabrina, he hoped.

"Come, Danny, we have many leagues to go and a limited time in which to travel across them," said Tyramear from somewhere behind Danny.

Even more embarrassed, Danny propped himself up on his elbows and turned to see Tyramear looking at him with a widening smile.

"Yes, sir," said Danny with a sigh. Standing up, he noticed that everyone was dressed in warm clothes, long pants and sweatshirts.

"You remembered to pack some warm clothes right, Danny?"

Danny nodded.

"Good, go and change. The bathroom is down the hall, first door on the right. Meet us in the backyard when you are through."

Eager to get away from accusing eyes, Danny grabbed his bag and darted toward the bathroom. He changed slowly, hoping that his friends would quickly forget his recent slip-up. Once he was done, he exited the bathroom, made his way to the patio door and walked outside.

Near dusk, the sun lingered just over the horizon, shedding the last amber rays over the nap of the countryside. Danny noticed a large red barn with white trim a short distance from the house. Tyramear, along with his wife and the others, stood in front of the barn waiting for Danny.

Danny's eyes drifted from the imposing form of Tyramear to the elegant shape of Sabrina.

Sabrina turned and regarded Danny with a curious glare, accented with a simple smile.

"Good of you to join us, Danny," said Tyramear as Danny entered the circle of friends. "I was just about to explain our means of transportation."

Danny's head perked up, this was something he wanted to hear. He kept his silence, hoping that his lack of questions would urge Tyramear into a quicker explanation.

Tyramear turned, regarded the double doors of the barn before him and pushed them inward. A huge contraption complete with two rows of eight cushioned seats and a carriage compartment in the rear sat in the middle of the barn. Made from wood, polished to a sheen, the device contained etchings that seemed to resemble the scales of a dragon.

"What's that?" Alonso asked.

"This is my saddle carriage, it is a harness of the Dragonic, perfectly fitted to my back, so that I may ferry humanoids, like yourselves, through the heavens."