Doug and Matt, on the other hand, groaned in reluctance as Sir Fredrick took off at a brisk run, the two columns of squires followed reluctantly behind him.

A mile later, Sir Fredrick slowed to a walk before stopping in front of a towering curve that formed the base of the Great Dome. Huffing and puffing, the once-straight lines of squires, now chaotic and disorganized, happily stopped dead in their tracks.

Danny slumped over, placing his hands on his knees as his body begged for air.

Chris, Alonso and Anthony, all three used to training, looked only somewhat winded as they took long deep breaths.

Matt and Doug were nearly on their last leg as they slumped to the ground and sprawled out prone. They weren't alone, others followed suit. During the mile-long trek, both had fallen behind at least once, causing the group to slow, a fact that most didn't seem to mind.

"A decent first run," said Sir Fredrick, turning to face the group.

Danny noticed that, despite wearing a suit of plate mail and carrying a Bonded greatsword, Sir Fredrick didn't even seem to be winded in the least. His breathing was slow and calm, as if he had just taken a leisurely stroll around the block.

"Who can tell me where we are?"

Briza's slender arm came up in response.

"Yes, Squire," Sir Fredrick acknowledged, pointing Briza out from the rest of the squires.

"The Great Dome, Sir Fredrick," she said. Her voice was calm and her breathing was focused, she, too, had been un-affected by the run.

"And what is the Great Dome used for?"

Briza's hand shot up once again. However, Sir Fredrick called upon another squire, a boy with brown hair who was standing toward the front.

"The Great Dome is where the eight armies compete in mock battles," said the squire through haggard breaths.

"Compete for what?" Sir Fredrick asked.

Briza's hand ascended once again.

With no other choice in sight, Sir Fredrick called upon her.

"...The Chalice of Light, Sir Fredrick."

"Do any of you wish to be a member of the army that eventually wins the Chalice of Light?"

"Yes," said the mass of squires, some with a groan and others whispering. The defining voice belonged to Briza.

"I will attribute such a weak response to your current conditions, Squires," said Sir Fredrick, crossing his arms. "If you so desire to earn the Chalice of Light, it begins right here, right now. Train hard and become strong." After waiting for a moment in order to allow his message to sink in, he began again. "The Great Dome is made up of five inner chambers. The main chamber, located in the middle, the largest of the five, is used to determine which of the eight armies is worthy enough to receive the Chalice of Light through a series of simulated battles. The other four chambers are used for training; it is within one of these four chambers that I will introduce you to the weapon you carry. Now, stand to!"

Caught off-guard by the sudden command, many of the squires, including Matt and Doug, rose to their feet too slow and assumed the recently learned position.

"I am afraid that simply will not do, Squires." Sir Fredrick frowned. "You two, you, and you three," he said, pointing to six squires in particular, two of which were Matt and Doug, "you all look very tired," he said in a mockingly sympathetic voice. "Please return to your resting positions on the ground."

Matt and Doug reluctantly followed the actions of the other four squires and sat back down.

"Better?" Sir Fredrick asked in a soft voice. However, before any of the six could even contemplate an answer, he yelled out, "Stand to!"

Quicker than Danny would've thought possible, Doug and Matt jumped up and fashioned their bodies into the appropriate position.

Sir Fredrick smiled widely. "Good. Now that you are all warmed up, we can really begin."

"The run was just a warm-up?" whispered Matt, his tone full of despair.

"I'm way past warmed up," said Doug in the same hushed tone.

"...To me, Squires!" Sir Fredrick yelled, marching off toward a pair of white doors, hauling them open. "...This way!"

Upon entering the Great Dome, Danny noted a high, sloping ceiling and a vast courtyard full of rich green grass. However, the most striking feature within was a series of small boulders placed in ascending rows from smallest to largest. The smallest were around the size of a watermelon, while the larger ones were about the size of a compact car.

"Pick a stone, Squires," said Sir Fredrick, closing the doors behind him. "I suggest that you choose one according to the size of the blade you wield. For example, those of you with lighter weapons, rapiers and scimitars, should keep in mind the option of one of the smaller stones. For those of you with heavier blades, bastardswords or greatswords, it would be more beneficial for you to choose a larger stone."

"What'll we be doing with the stone we choose, Sir Fredrick?" Doug asked.

"I shall make that clear to all of you after your stones have been chosen, Squire."

If Danny had learned anything since coming to the island of White Rock, it was that anything could happen next. Unsure of the purpose behind this exercise, he moved among the rocks and found a medium-sized boulder, its height barely reaching his knees.

Chris and Anthony moved down the rocks in ascending order. Both found boulders that came to their waists.

Matt and Doug both found smaller-sized stones toward the opposite end, while Alonso found one similar in size to the one Danny had chosen.

Briza moved among the stones with a smile fixed upon her face, as if she already knew what to expect and how to confront it as well. With sure steps, she stopped behind a large rock of a height that surpassed her knees and stopped midway to her thighs.

"Good," said Sir Fredrick, after every squire present had chosen a stone. "Most of you have chosen wisely. Now, draw your blades."

Everyone, except for Briza, hesitated, causing the lonely ring of a single steel blade slipping from the sheath to echo throughout the huge chamber.

Chris and Danny were next, pulling their own blades free. Everyone else mimicked them; the training chamber of the Great Dome rang out with a chiming crescendo of steel sliding against steel.

"Good," said Sir Fredrick. "Now, cut the stone in half."

"That's impossible," said Doug before anyone even attempted to try.

Sir Fredrick's expression remained serious. "Is it?"

"It would take at least a week to chop through this rock," argued Doug.

"You think so, my young squire?" Sir Fredrick asked, walking toward one of the largest boulders in the chamber. "Then, I shall demonstrate." He stopped before a stone that nearly matched him in his seven feet of height. With the song of steel, he pulled his greatsword free. The thick, naked blade glittered as if a thousand diamonds lay embedded within the steel.

"I would like to introduce all of you to, Wartok, my Bonded," he said, hefting the huge blade upon his right shoulder and holding it steady with a single hand. "Watch carefully." He gripped the emerald-encrusted hilt in both hands and positioned the heavy blade overhead. Taking a single step forward, sweeping Wartok in a downward arc, the edge of the sword blinked through the stone and ended in a poised position at Sir Fredrick's left side. He took a couple of retreating steps and sheathed the blade before repositioning it upon his back.

"But the stone is still whole," observed Doug.

"Is it, Squire?" Sir Fredrick asked, raising his right leg and stomping once upon the ground. A sidelong cut appeared on the boulder as the top half slid free, thudding to the ground at an angle.

"That's impossible," said Doug.

"Epic," Matt piped up loudly, using his glasses as a magnifying glass to get a better look.

"It is not impossible, nor is it very... epic, such feats will be like child's play once all of you are fully trained."

"But, Sir Fredrick, you're using a Bonded," said Danny. "All we have are basic weapons."

"Then give me your sword, Squire, and I shall demonstrate once again."

Unsure, delaying for a moment, Danny walked within arm's reach of the towering knight, offering his blade.

Sir Fredrick took the longsword without a second thought. "Stand clear, Squire," he said, motioning Danny away. Testing its balance, he swung the sword. Once satisfied, he bent down, gripped the top chunk of rock that he'd just cut in half and propped it up. Opening with a sidelong cut, then an overhead chop, ending with an upward arc, he sliced the bowl-shaped boulder into six separate pieces as easily as he might cut the air. The slabs of stone tumbled at his feet as he turned, walked within striking distance of Danny and offered the longsword to him, hilt first.

"As I said before, it is not the blade, Squire. It is the mind, heart, body, arm and hand wielding it." He locked his gaze with Danny's shocked stare. "Now," he said, overlooking Danny and acknowledging the other squires, "you all have stones to cut. I suggest you get to it."

Danny took his blade back, amazed by what he'd just witnessed. He tested the sword in his grip as if he was seeing it for the first time. All around him, the noise of steel clanging against stone rang out in crescendos that sent tingles down his spine. Shaken from his self-doubts, Danny returned to his chosen stone, intent on cutting it in two.

Chapter 17 - The Way of the Sword.

ith bruised and calloused hands, Danny, along with all the other first-year squires, followed Sir Fredrick to the building which he bid them enter. Sore and tired, Danny funneled through the wooden double doors.

Danny had failed to cut his stone in half, chipping away small slivers to within about the midway point of the boulder. Briza was the only squire who'd succeeded, dealing her stone a lethal blow on the fifth try. Anthony had followed in a close second, slumping down beside the boulder that had been nearly his own size with a cleft one-third of the way through. Chris was third, taking two final swipes after Anthony had given up, leaving Matt, Alonso and Doug nearly the last to finish, with their stones looking unscathed. Many of the other squires had fallen somewhere in between.

Thinking about the exercise, Danny looked down to his side, where his longsword rested in its sheath. He was amazed that even after clanging against stone, the blade looked unblemished. Truly, Sir Bartlett Firebeard, the master smith, and the Dwarves of the Forge were skilled experts of their craft.

"Please, take a seat within the circle," said an inviting familiar voice.

Pulled from his thoughts, Danny peered up to find Sir Syndil Tribolari standing before him. The Elf stood still and steady in the center of an intricate circle grooved into the stone floor. He wore the same silver business suit Danny had first encountered him in during his testing, a day that now seemed so long ago.

As if noticing the large room for the first time, Danny saw a vast assortment of bladed weapons lining the walls, ranging from daggers to greatswords, as well as pole arms, arranged from shortest and smallest to the longest and largest.

"Thank you, Sir Fredrick, I shall take it from here," said Sir Syndil, giving the other Knight of the Light a curt graceful bow.

Sir Fredrick grunted as he nodded and closed the doors in his wake.

"Please, find a seat within the circle," said Sir Syndil, his tone polite and patient.

Danny took a quick moment to check out the carved circle which the Elf indicated, noting strange runes written in a language unknown to him. Within the circumference, a pair of etched triangles rested just off-center, mirroring each other on opposite sides.

Sir Syndil waited until everyone was seated before he spoke, "Good afternoon, Squires. My name is Sir Syndil Sartak Tribolari, Knight of the Light, your instructor in the techniques of the blade. Within these walls, I will teach you the proper handling of the weapons you currently keep on your person. Be forewarned, I am patient, but I am also a perfectionist. I will work tirelessly to make sure that your technique is flawless. I only ask that you return the favor. I assume that Sir Fredrick had you hacking at stones this day?"

A low moan erupted from the group of squires.

"A strong sword arm is a good tool," continued Sir Syndil with a sly smile. "However, such a tool will do one little good if one cannot properly strike the enemy. This course will be your most important subject of study. Every aspect of a knight begins with a strong base in proper technique. Someday, but sooner than you think, your life will depend on the lessons you learn here. Are there any questions before we begin?"

The gathered squires sat quietly with no questions forthcoming.

"Good," said Sir Syndil, "then, by all means, stand, find a suitable safe distance from one another and draw your weapons."

Danny found a spot near the edge of the circle. With a soft ring of steel, he drew his longsword and held it before him.

The room echoed with the sound of metal scraping against metal as swords slipped free from their sheaths. The collection of naked blades caught the light of the noonday sun as it trickled in through a series of vaulted windows.

"Every maneuver begins with a strong stance," said Sir Syndil, gliding between the squires, "and every stance is unique. Like a fingerprint, a stance depends on the weapon you wield, in combination with the physical structure of your body. The two main stances that you will learn under my instruction are defensive and offensive. We will begin today by practicing an offensive stance." After a moment, he added, "So, if all of you will please assume an offensive stance, I will come around and correct you."

Unsure about what Sir Syndil was asking him to do, Danny did his best. Squaring his shoulders, he wrapped his hands around the hilt of his blade and positioned it in front of him at an angle.

Sir Syndil stalked through the room, inspecting and then adjusting the poses of the other squires. "Stand firm," he said to one. "Do not be afraid of the weight, hold the blade steady in your hands," he said to another. After working his way through the group, he came to stand before Danny. "Does that stance feel awkward?"

"...A little." However, Danny was quite sure that any position he found himself in would feel odd. It was his first time holding a blade in any particular kind of manner.

"Is the blade heavy in your hands?"

"Not really."

Sir Syndil nodded and smiled with an empathetic curve of the mouth. "A longsword is a fine weapon, Squire Firoth. Its strength rests in versatility. If needed, a longsword can be wielded with two hands for a more powerful stroke. In the same respect, it is light enough to hold with only one hand, leaving the other free to hold a shield or grab an opponent. If you would indulge me, please release your left hand and hold it out in front of you."

Without hesitation, Danny complied, finding the blade light enough to sustain with his right hand.

"Good, now, position the sword behind you and allow the weight to distribute throughout your entire arm instead of just one spot."

Taking a steadying breath, Danny positioned his sword behind him at the ready.

"Excellent," said Sir Syndil with a smile. "How does that feel?"

"Comfortable," said Danny, returning the smile.

"From your current position, you can begin any number of offensive maneuvers. It is a strong stance." With that, Sir Syndil moved off to the next squire, continuing his instruction.

By the end of the lesson, Danny noticed that Chris and Anthony required minimal correction. However, Matt and Doug, molded into their stances by Sir Syndil, needed the most attention. Alonso had a tendency to argue and would've needed less fine-tuning than he'd received if he had listened. Briza, on the other hand, was the star pupil, having no need of Sir Syndil's instruction, a fact that seemed to aggravate many of the other squires, except for Doug, who watched her with a dazed expression on his face.

"Very good," said Sir Syndil, after inspecting and correcting the last squire. "Now that all of you have a general understanding of an offensive stance, it is time to see what your skill level is," he continued, walking toward the far wall and selecting a finely-crafted longsword from the array of weaponry. Moving to the middle of the circle on the floor, he pulled the blade free from the scabbard and smiled. "Please, gather at the edge of the circle." After waiting for his instructions to be followed, he added, "I need a volunteer."

Briza stepped forward.

"Excellent, please, take your position in the opposite triangle." Turning to address the squires surrounding him, Sir Syndil said, "The circle before you is a dueling circle. You will come to know it well. Since this is the first day of your training and we have not been properly introduced, I shall learn who you are by participating in a mock duel with each one of you. Truly, dueling is the fastest way to learn about someone. Since this young squire has volunteered to go first, I would encourage you to watch and learn. Are there any questions before we begin?"

Doug slowly raised his hand into the air.

"Yes, Squire?" Sir Syndil questioned politely.