"Done," Sir Syndil said, both taking a step back to admire their work. "How does it feel?"

"Good," said Danny, testing his mobility by rotating his arms at the shoulders, finding only a slight hindrance to the movement.

"Even though the armor is not fitted to your body, it is perhaps the best match possible, given the time restraint," said Sir Syndil, stroking the point of his chin.

"It's so light," Danny said, hopping up and down.

"Such are the wonders of enchanted steel, Squire," replied Sir Syndil. "However, that is only one of its properties. In addition to protection, dueling armor is designed to simulate the wounds one might suffer in an actual battle."

"I don't understand."

"Allow me to demonstrate," said Sir Syndil, turning toward Sabrina. "I require Squire Firoth's blade, please," extending his right hand. Sabrina passed the longsword over and took a single step in retreat. "Thank you," said the Elf, turning back to Danny, freeing the naked blade with a soft ring of steel. Holding the tip level to Danny's chest, Sir Syndil continued, "You see, Squire, the dueling armor will react to any enchanted metal that touches the surface."

Before Danny could question the statement, Sir Syndil tapped the tip of the blade on the base of the breastplate, causing the entire suit, from helmet to greaves, to stiffen like stone. Paralyzed within, Danny struggled to move, finding his body completely restrained. His confined movements, combined with his inability to control his balance, found him falling backward, thudding onto his back.

"What did you do to me," grumbled Danny through gritted teeth.

"As I said, Squire Firoth, the armor responds to any enchanted steel that touches the surface."

"Why can't I move?"

"Because you were struck in the chest, Squire," said the Elf with a smile. "In a real battle, a blow to the chest would cripple or kill most. Thus, a strike to the chest plate causes the armor to simulate death. Were we competing in a duel right now, you would have lost."

"That's great and all, but could you please get me out of this," said Danny, still struggling to move.

"But of course," said the Elf, retrieving a small glowing stone from his pocket. About the size of a marble, the pebble radiated a soft blue light. Leaning down, he touched it to the brow of Danny's helm.

Danny breathed a long sigh of relief as the armor returned to its normal state of mobility.

"Up you go," said Sir Syndil, slipping the glowing stone back into his pocket, offering his hand.

Danny reached up and allowed the Elf to pull him back to his feet. "What's that in your hand?"

"A release stone, it is given to professors, as well as ranking officers in the eight armies, for training purposes."

"Why didn't you tell me what would happen instead of freezing me like that?" Danny asked as his voice relayed annoyance.

"As we have already discussed, you cannot truly understand something unless you experience it for yourself, Squire Firoth," said Sir Syndil, ignoring Danny's aggravation. "The chest is only one of the targets that represent a kill," continued the Elf without skipping a beat. With a flick of the wrist, he angled the sword upward, leveling it at Danny's head and said, "The head." Then, lowering the point of the blade just below the breastplate, he added, "And the groin. All three of these areas represent a killing strike, contact with any one of them will cause the armor to become immobile, as you have already experienced. So if you hit your opponent in any one of these three locations, you will have won the duel."

"Sounds simple enough," said Danny, his mood lightning. "But what if I get hit in the arms or the legs?"

"I am glad you asked," his smile widening ever-so-slightly. Brushing the blade downward, he nicked the tip against the middle part of the greaves that protected Danny's right kneecap.

Danny's lower right leg, from the spot struck, down to his toes, became instantly stiff, causing him to stumble to the side as he fought for balance.

Then, with a quick twist of the wrist, Sir Syndil angled the sword upward, striking Danny's left arm at the elbow.

Again, the armor responded, Danny's left arm, from elbow to hand, went rigid. Unable to use the frozen appendage for balance, Danny thrashed wildly as he toppled over, landing on the marble floor once again. Using his right arm and left leg, he struggled to his feet.

"If struck in the arms or legs, the armor will immobilize you from the location hit, down your extremity."

"That's quite awkward," Danny relayed, bobbing from side to side in an attempt to remain standing.

"One would surmise that, in a real battle, losing an arm at the elbow and a leg at the knee would prove quite awkward."

The point wasn't lost on Danny as he tried to maintain his balance.

"As I said previously, the armor is designed to mimic possible wounds in a real battle."

"And Squire Rigil's armor will work the same?"

"Yes, strike him in the head, chest or groin and you win. Strike him in the arms or the legs and you turn the duel to your advantage. However, there is still the factor of Squire Rigil's Bonded," said Sir Syndil, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the release stone. Taking a single step forward, he touched it to the pauldren protecting Danny's left shoulder.

Instantly, Danny regained the use of his right leg and left arm.

"I'm aware that Squire Rigil has mastered the first Awakening," he said, flexing his left hand.

"I assume that you have Squire Drake to thank for that," sheathing Danny's sword and offering the blade, hilt first.

Glad to have the sword back in his hands, Danny strapped it around his waist. "What I don't know is what power Squire Rigil's Bonded holds."

"The name of his Bonded is Whiril. It is a most effective weapon, it can create and control the wind," explained Sir Syndil, stroking the point of his chin.

"The wind?" probed Danny, hoping for more information. Even Rogen and Sabrina perked up when they heard that; if they wished to progress within the ranks of Dragon Army, Rigil was one of the four lieutenants they would have to best in a duel.

"Yes, not only can the wielder of Whiril create strong air currents, they can also control them. It is this very power that has helped Squire Rigil assume the rank of lieutenant. You see, wind is nearly invisible to the eye."

"How do you fight such a thing?" Rogen asked.

Sir Syndil turned to address Rogen's question. "Unless you can see the wind for yourself, one would be at a significant disadvantage."

"Has a first-year squire ever defeated a senior squire who could wield the powers of an awakened Bonded?" Danny asked.

Turning back toward Danny, Sir Syndil produced a grin. "No, should you defeat Squire Rigil, you will be the first."

Chapter 23 - A Duel of Squires.

elmet in hand, Danny gasped as he entered the side chamber of the Great Dome with Sabrina at his side, a large crowd of multicolored robes awaited within.

"Word gets around fast," observed Rogen, coming to stand behind him, placing a reassuring hand upon Danny's back.

Danny welcomed the gesture as the gathered squires, including a few Knights of the Light, began whispering among themselves. However, he felt much better when he spotted Chris, Alonso, Matt, Anthony, Briza and Doug emerge from the crowd, making their way toward him.

"Are you crazy, man?" Chris asked, coming to stand before Danny. "They say the one you're gonna duel is a third-year squire and a lieutenant, at that."

"Fourth-year squire, if you count the current year," corrected Matt, holding up four fingers for emphasis.

"It wasn't by choice," said Danny, glaring at Matt. "He tricked me."

"What're you going to do?" Doug asked.

"Attempt to win," said Danny, with a confidence he didn't feel.

"You will be fighting at a significant disadvantage," said Briza. "The odds of you landing a single blow are quite low. It is actually more likely that you will be physically injured or possibly killed."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"I merely speak the truth, Squire Firoth," said Briza frankly.

"Sorry, she's had very little interaction with Humans," Doug explained. "Elves prefer to be straight-forward, they don't account for feelings."

"I meant no offense," offered Briza.

"Your friend speaks the truth," said Sir Syndil. "It takes a bit of practice to tiptoe around the truth with Humans, they do not always want to hear it. Speaking of which, I believe we should get to it," added the Elf, as the first of seven chimes announced the beginning of the hour. Without another word, he breezed past Danny and silenced the crowd with two outstretched arms.

Danny felt two strong arms turn him in Sabrina's direction. With quick and practiced hands, Sabrina double-checked the straps of his armor. Once finished, she stood straight up, met Danny's gaze and smiled.

"You will do fine," she said, but she lacked confidence, her tone betrayed her.

"I would've thought descendants of the Dragonic would more likely speak like an Elf," said Danny, returning the smile.

"Quite the opposite," said Sabrina. "Dragonics are more prone to talk in riddles, they often conceal their true intentions, as well as their feelings."

"Good to know," said Danny, as the final chime of seven lingered in the air.

"It is time!" yelled Sir Syndil from somewhere within the crowd. "I would ask that both combatants please make their way to me."

Shouldering a deep breath, Danny faked a smile in Sabrina's direction and turned toward the awaiting crowd.

"Good luck, man," said Chris.

"Pwn him," encouraged Matt.

"You can do it," said Doug, giving Briza a look, trying, with his eyes, to persuade her to keep her thoughts to herself.

Anthony nodded and gave Danny a heavy pat on the back while Alonso shook his head as if to impart his doubt.

Breaking away from his friends, Danny felt the heavy burden of all eyes upon him. Making his way through gathered spectators, he heard whispers containing his name and noticed looks of skepticism. It seemed as though no one believed he could do it, a fact that was beginning to wear him down, turning his stomach inside-out with tension. Emerging from the crowd, seeing Sir Syndil's smiling face, provided Danny with a small comfort. However, his respite disappeared as he spotted Squire Rigil, standing on the opposite side of the clearing.

Danny had thought that the squire was large before, but he looked massive now, wearing the full complement of his dueling armor. Danny guessed that the armor added almost half a foot to the larger squire's stature. However, as intimidating as Squire Rigil looked, it was the figure standing next to him that drew Danny's attention, Squire Vyce Ven Lasko, Captain of Dragon Army.

Although he was shorter than his lieutenant, Captain Vyce had an aura about him that demanded attention. His deep blue eyes seemed to peer right through Danny.

"Make an example of him, Lieutenant Rigil," the captain said candidly, his gaze unwavering as he met Danny's stare. With that said, he pivoted, paced to the edge of the crowd and did an about-face.

"I did na think you'd show, lad."

Danny leveled his gaze toward his opponent. "I'm surprised that you did," said Danny, with a confidence he did not feel.

Rigil simply smiled and rested his hand on the spiraling hilt of his Bonded.

"Are you both ready to begin?" Sir Syndil asked, appearing between them.

"I request a change to the terms of this duel," said Danny, stepping forward.

"You can't change..." began Rigil in protest, only to be silenced by Sir Syndil's slender arm.

"State your reasoning."

"The initial terms of this duel have already come to pass," explained Danny. "I no longer need Squire Rigil's assistance to locate Squire Drake. Therefore, this duel has already been settled."

"Cowardly newb!" said Rigil. "Ya think ta squirm your way out of this?"

"I only wish to change the terms," said Danny, hoping that his voice didn't betray the butterflies fluttering within his gut.

"The terms?" Sir Syndil asked.

"Should I be the victor, I only ask that I be allowed to visit Squire Drake openly on the seventh day of every week, our day of rest."

"Are these terms satisfactory?" Sir Syndil inquired, turning toward Squire Rigil.

The larger boy's face tightened with anger as he looked to Captain Vyce for permission. "Agreed," said Rigil, after receiving an acknowledging nod from his captain. "It's not like ya going to win anyhow, newb."

"Then the terms are agreed upon and the duel will commence," announced Sir Syndil. "All that is required is the proper environment," he added, reaching into his pocket, producing a glowing green orb about the size of a marble, similar to the bauble Sir James had used to transform the surface of the table during his instruction of strategy.

Danny watched in awe as Sir Syndil bent a knee and touched the stone to the sand. Instantly, the white sand shifted as a small quake lurched beneath Danny's feet. Cracks formed into proper angles as the sand solidified into bricks of white stone, forming a large circle that dipped low into the ground. Danny nearly lost his balance, the stone beneath him stopped suddenly as the final details etched themselves into the surface, creating the familiar symbols of a dueling circle, four times the size of the one in Sir Syndil's classroom.

Looking around, Danny's jaw dropped further, the chamber had transformed into a proper arena, complete with stair-step seating. When the rumbling of the ground ceased, he found himself at the bottom of a large circular pit, surrounded by a wall of stone at least six feet in height with the crowd suspended above. Peering across the dueling circle, he noticed that Squire Rigil seemed unimpressed, obviously he was familiar with such an overwhelming display of magic.

"Prepare yourselves!" Sir Syndil said, stepping between them, securing the jade orb back within his pocket.

Squire Rigil went to work instantly, securing his helm upon his head.

Danny did the same.

"A strike to the head, chest, abdomen or pelvis is an automatic win," instructed Sir Syndil. "A strike to the extremity is a crippling blow, but it does not assure victory. Should one of you suffer loss of consciousness or death, victory will go to the squire still standing. Are there any questions?"

Both boys shook their head, indicating that they understood the rules.