Before any other squire could respond to his question, Calador spoke first. "Yes, Squire Martinez, I do mean breakfast. Now, off to bed with you."

The squires dispersed, the boys ascending the stairs on the left and the girls on the right.

Alonso flopped down on his bed and said, "I don't know if I like that blind Elf."

"He's stern, but respectful," said Chris. "He reminds me of my dad. I like him."

"Elves are an amazing race," said Doug. "After meeting Syndil, I did some research on them. Did you guys know they can live well beyond two hundred years?"

"How do you even know if that research is accurate?" Matt asked. "Where did you look, the school library? Up until a few months ago, you didn't even know Elves existed. Nor do most people, whatever you researched was most likely based on fairy tales."

"It's because he has a crush on that Elvin girl, Briza," added Danny, slumping back in his bed.

"Oh, you have room to talk!" Doug said, raising his voice. "At least I said something to the girl that I have a crush on."

Danny's heart skipped a beat at the thought of Sabrina. Spurred on by Doug's jeering, he responded angrily. "Said something? More like thought out loud and she just happened to hear you."

"Hello," said a voice at the door before Doug could respond to Danny's claim.

All five boys looked toward the open doorway, a rather large brutish-looking boy stood there, peering in. Dressed in a tight white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, he sported short brown hair, blue eyes and a daunting physique, causing him to take up nearly the entirety of the door frame. With broad shoulders, sizable biceps that rivaled, if not surpassed, Chris's, and a puffed-out chest, he was an intimidating sight.

"Hi, I'm Anthony, I was wondering if I could bunk with you guys since you have an open bed?"

"Sure, man," said Chris, waving Anthony in. "The only bed left is the one in the corner."

"Thanks," said Anthony, moving into the room, tossing his belongings on the bed.

"Don't let those two bother you, we're all friends here," said Chris, giving both Danny and Doug a stern look of warning. "You have a last name, Anthony?" he asked, returning his attention to the newcomer, nonchalantly sizing the larger boy up.

"Bath," said Anthony, "my full name is Anthony Bath."

"My name is Chris Greene," added Chris, prompting everyone else to introduce themselves.

Twenty-four crisp chimes broke the silence, announcing midnight. Following the final tone, the single ball of flame floating in the middle of the room darted into the hall, joining the others, leaving the room bathed in the dim glow of the moonlight.

"I guess that means lights out," said Anthony.

"We should all get some sleep," said Chris, stretching out on his bed.

Despite his lingering anger toward Doug, as well as himself, Danny suddenly felt tired. He soundlessly agreed and fell back into the confines of the soft bedding. Although the exciting events of the day and thoughts of Sabrina danced through his mind, exhaustion overtook him quickly, forcing him into a deep sleep.

Chapter 14 - Looking the Part of a Squire.

anny woke up to the soft shake of a hand upon his shoulder. Coming awake with a squint, he looked up to find Chris towering over him.

"Get up, the eighteenth bell has come and gone," said Chris.

Beyond the single window of the room, the storm created by the Eye raged on, unending, blocking out the morning rays of the sun. High above the wall of black clouds, the deep blue sky contained a lone white cloud that reflected the missing light.

Danny yawned, stretched and climbed out of bed.

Suddenly, Danny found Doug standing next to him. "I'm sorry about last night," said Doug, extending a hand toward Danny.

"Me, too," said Danny, shaking Doug's hand in a gesture of friendship and acceptance.

"Is anyone else really hungry? I am," Chris asked.

At the mention of food, Danny's stomach began to rumble, forcing him to place his hand on his stomach. "I guess I am, too."

"I'm starved," said Anthony, admiring his reflection in the only mirror in the room.

"Let's head down to the common hall," said Chris. "I wouldn't want to miss breakfast."

Danny looked over his shoulder and said, "Someone needs to wake up Matt first."

After a few minutes of jostling, Matt stirred and sat up. "Has anyone seen my glasses?" he asked through sleep-matted eyes. He rifled through the sheets of his bedding. "Never mind, I found them," he said, laughing, he was already wearing them. Wiping them clean with his shirt, he placed them back on the bridge of his nose.

Together, Danny, Chris, Alonso, Matt, Doug, and their new friend, Anthony, descended the stairs to the common hall. At the base of the steps, the alluring aroma of freshly-prepared food greeted them. In the middle of the common hall, where the black leather couches had been the night before, there was a long wooden table heaped high with just about every breakfast food they could imagine.

"Man, this place just gets better and better," said Chris, rushing over to the table.

Danny followed behind, claiming a seat beside his friend, piling his plate with two slices of French toast, a large spoonful of scrambled eggs, four strips of crispy bacon, three biscuits drizzled with sausage gravy and a handful of hash browns. After a second helping, Danny sat back, resting his hands on his stomach.

"That was good," he said, to no one in particular.

Chris, working on his third plateful, nodded as he stuffed his face with a blackberry pastry.

Anthony had found a seat opposite Chris, keeping pace with him bite for bite, to see who could eat the most.

"Good morning, Squires," said Calador, standing at the head of the table.

"Good morning," said the mass of squires in a half-hearted harmony.

"I am sorry but I believe I said, good morning, Squires," said Calador again, raising the volume of his voice.

"Good morning!" everyone said again, the combined voices resonating into a boisterous response.

"Well, it seems that we are missing a few this morning," said Calador. His voice was quiet, so only a few sitting toward the front of the table, including Danny, could hear him. "In a matter of minutes," continued the Elf, resuming his commanding tone, "the seventeenth bell will chime. After this occurs, I expect you all to be standing outside the double doors of this barracks. We have much to accomplish on this day, do not dawdle." Calador headed off toward the boys' side of the barracks and ascended the steps.

By the time the seventeenth bell chimed, Calador had gathered three sleepy boys and two tired girls. He ushered them outside where the other squires waited, and, just as he'd promised the night before, they weren't allowed to eat breakfast.

"While you are here, you will learn self-discipline," said Calador evenly. If he held any spite toward the three boys and two girls who hadn't listened to his directions, his voice didn't show it. "Punishment should not be considered a means of cruelty, but a tool for learning. Learn from your mistakes and take pride in bettering your performance." The Elf waited but a moment for the message to sink in before he continued. "Now, please follow me."

Calador turned and began walking at a brisk pace in the direction of the distant, towering castle.

"I wonder where we're going?" Doug asked in a whisper.

"You lack equipment, Squire Garrett," said Calador, speaking first before anyone else could respond. "Surely, you did not think that you would begin your training with nothing but the clothes on your back?"

"No, I guess not," said Doug, confused about how the blind Elf had guessed his identity.

"Do not be alarmed, Squire Garrett, I have memorized the sound of your voice," said Calador, as if reading Doug's thoughts. "If you recall, such was the purpose of the introductions last night. Not only did everyone learn the names of their fellow squires, but I can now recognize every squire here simply by their voice."

"That's amazing," said Doug.

"All Elves have similar abilities," said Briza. The Elvin girl walked next to Doug, matching him stride for stride, sporting a slight smile in his direction.

Doug returned the smile, his face growing flustered with a deep red hue.

"Indeed," said Calador. "Due to my blindness, my sense of hearing, as well as my other senses, has been amplified beyond those of any mortal realm. However, to answer your initial question, we are currently en route to see the tailor. You cannot dine with the king without wearing the proper attire."

"We're going to see the king?" Danny asked, his voice rising in pitch.

"Indeed," said Calador matter-of-factly. "It is a tradition here at the Academy that all squires attend a celebratory dinner with the king before they start their training. You will also be introduced to your instructors during this time. However, as I said before, you must first be fitted in the appropriate clothing, which brings us to our destination." He stopped beneath a thick plank of wood with a needle and thread upon it. "Please, follow me."

Danny and the other squires followed, entering the large brick structure. Inside there was a line of men on the right and women on the left, standing behind a series of high wooden tables draped with assorted colored pieces of cloth, holding tape measures at the ready.

"Good morning, Squires." A man stepped forward, he wore a flowing blue robe of the finest weave, complete with silver embroidering. His features were sharp, accented by his long black hair, which was braided into three tails that draped down his back. "My name is Mathis Charles Deandrow III," he said with an elegant bow. "I am the head tailor and I oversee the making of and the maintenance of all uniforms, including yours."

"Are you a Knight of the Light?" Danny asked.

"No, Squire, I am not," said the tailor with a slight chuckle. "My weapons consist of needle, thread and thimble. I am afraid I would not know what to do with a blade, even if I owned one. You will find that, like most cities, the population of White Rock is made up of many professions, not just knights." Mathis remained silent a few seconds before adding, "We all fight against the Dark the best way we know how, Squire.

"Now, if there are no other questions, we have much to do. The men and women you see behind me are my faithful staff. They will be taking your measurements this morning in order to fit your uniforms to you properly. Throughout your training, you will see my staff and I for alterations in order to ensure that your uniforms stay fitted, for your bodies will change. Some of you will grow larger and stronger and some of you will lose the weakness of your waists. In either case, we will make sure that you feel as comfortable in your attire as possible. Now, if you would, please form lines, boys on the right, girls on the left."

Danny did as he was told and stopped before a tall man with short brown hair.

"Your name, Squire?"

Danny said his name and watched as the man dipped a quill pen in a small cup of ink and scribbled it on a yellow piece of parchment. Then the man went to work, measuring Danny's extremities and jotting down the numbers, one at a time on the piece of paper. Once finished, the man smiled and said, "Thank you, Squire. You may rejoin your chaperone." He pointed at Calador, who stood quietly and patiently in front of the entrance.

Danny found a place on Calador's left side. The tall Elf didn't seem to notice. However, Danny knew that he had.

"Where are we going next?"

"One cannot be a knight without the proper tools of war, Squire Firoth," said Calador with a smile. "Our next destination is the forge."

Although Danny's curiosity felt far from satisfied, he waited silently for everyone else to get measured.

The moment the last squire was fitted and joined the ranks of the others, Mathis stepped forward. "Thank you for your time, young squires. Now, if you would kindly excuse my staff and me, we have much work to do in order to ensure that your uniforms are produced on time for your engagement with the king this evening. I wish you all good luck in your upcoming training and I look forward to overseeing your future alterations."

"Come, Squires," insisted Calador. He nodded at Mathis and then pushed the double doors open.

Danny noticed that the tailor nodded in kind, a gesture most likely lost upon the blind Elf.

"Follow me, Squires," heralded Calador, as he turned in the direction of a billowing column of black smoke that seemed to rise from the middle of the island.

"Where's that smoke coming from?" Matt asked.

"What smoke? I am afraid I do not see it."

"It's just ahead of us," argued Matt, squinting through his glasses. "Toward the middle of the..." He stopped mid-sentence when he saw the subtle smile appear on Calador's usually straight face.

"Forgive my jest, Squire Mickler," said Calador. The smile disappeared from his face. "It is the smoke from the forge that you see. It is where you will receive your sword and eventually your armor, as well as your Bonded once you return as a second-year squire."

Danny felt the urge to question the Elf further but he knew that it would do little good.

Calador led the party down a series of white brick roads, winding through a city created from the same stone, the toiling dark smoke growing thicker with every step. Rounding a sharp corner, they came to a crossroads, each corner sporting a high tower. Knights of the Light stood in front of each one, wearing armored suites of polished plate mail. In the center of the converging roads stood an intricate water fountain, the edges marked by four statues of knights kneeling in respect, their swords outstretched before them.

Danny felt his stomach churn. "What is this place?"

"...The Pool of the Mageknight. It marks the exact center of the island," said Calador, "and the location of the Eye."

"...The Eye of Darkness?" Danny asked, his voice growing soft with shock.

"The very same," said Calador.

"Then where is it, the Eye?" Alonso asked, his head darting in every conceivable direction.

"Deep underground, Squire Martinez," said Calador, dipping his head downward as if he could see it through the white brick of the road. "The Eye is guarded by Knights of the Light all hours of the day and night."

Creeping toward the middle of the road, feeling drawn to the fountain, Danny asked, "Why do you call it the Pool of the Mageknight?"

"Have a look, Squire Firoth, and you shall see," said Calador in a cryptic tone.

Danny stalked to the edge of the fountain, finding a place between two of the bowing statues. The water within was a clear blue and calm, resembling glass. Just beneath the surface of the water, and in the exact center of the pool, rested the most beautiful longsword Danny had ever seen. The hilt, made from what looked like pure sapphire and wrapped in silver wiring at the grip, sparkled as it reflected the rays of the sun. The deep blue blade appeared almost transparent; the length of the brand swirled with a series of softer blues, like liquid distilled into a solid form. From somewhere within the blade's depth emanated a faint light.

Danny's hand reached out to claim the calling blade, dipping into the water. However, his hand stayed as Calador's voice continued just behind him.

"It is said that only the Mageknight can pull the sword from the pool," said Calador, moving next to Danny. "Many have tried, Squire Firoth. All have failed."

"Is it a Bonded?"

"It is."

"I can get it," said Alonso confidently, moving to the opposite side of the fountain, thrusting his hand deep into the blue pool of water. Danny watched as his friend's hand passed through the glossy surface of the water, the disturbance causing the slightest of ripples. Alonso missed the hilt by mere inches, catching nothing but water. "It moved," he said, looking up at the gathering faces to confirm his failed attempt.

"No, you missed it," said Matt.

"Watch," said Alonso, trying once again, as his hand passed just beneath the hilt of the blade. "See, it moved."