Sire Koltair shot the black-haired squire a quizzical look. Alonso's stone-faced expression caused a series of small chuckles to erupt from his friends.

Matt sighed and shook his head. After adjusting his glasses, he said, "Who wouldn't want to come back to a place like this, where magic exists alongside creatures of legend and fantasy? I'll return, even at the risk of my own life. I can't go back to being the nerdy kid at school, being bullied on a daily basis."

"Somehow, I do not think that will be a problem for you anymore, Squire Mickler," said Calador.

It was true. Danny glanced at Matt. The training they all had undergone had transformed Matt the most. The plump bulge of his belly had disappeared, the once-soft places of his body had been replaced with hard muscle.

"Besides, everyone here will never let that happen," stated Chris. "If anyone is going to bully you, it will be us."

"I agree with Matt," said Doug. "Not about the bullying part, but the allure of this place." He glanced over at Briza. "I find the Elvin race fascinating and I could never continue to have a normal life knowing such amazing things exist in this world. I'll continue my training."

Briza returned Doug's look. "I am Lightborn. It is my duty to continue my training."

"Of course, I have chosen to return," added Anthony, puffing his chest out. "I hope to become the strongest of the knights."

Danny turned to Sabrina and awaited her response.

Sabrina smiled. "I am a second-year squire. There is no reason for me to quit now."

Danny returned her smile and glanced back to meet the steady gaze of Sire Koltair. "I choose to return and continue my training as a Squire of the Light, as well as the Mageknight."

Sire Koltair smiled. "So shall it be, Squire Firoth, Mageknight of the Light."

With that, loud joyous whoops escaped the mouths of Danny's friends.

"Quiet," shushed Sir Virgil, coming up behind Chris and Alonso. "Please, I still have other patients who need their rest. Speaking of which, I believe Squire Firoth has had enough for the day. That means you as well, my king."

Out of respect, Sire Koltair nodded in the healer's direction and said, "Of course, Sir Virgil." Turning in the direction of everyone else present, he continued, "Come, let us allow Squire Firoth to rest." To Danny, he said, "Should you need anything more, Mageknight, let Sir Virgil know and I shall see to it." With that said, the King of the Light began ushering everyone out before turning to leave himself.

One at a time, Chris, Alonso, Matt, Anthony, Briza and Doug said goodbye to Danny; Sabrina lingered at Danny's bedside.

"Wait."

Sire Koltair stopped and turned. "Yes, Squire Firoth?"

"What about my father's Bonded?"

"That should not be your concern, Squire Firoth. Please leave that to the Light. I have some of our elite knights looking into the matter. I recommend that you concentrate on recuperating your strength, maintaining your studies and completing your training."

Danny hesitated for a moment. Losing his father at such a young age had been such a hard experience, a tragedy he'd never fully recovered from; to lose him for a second time left a deep pit of despair in his stomach. "I'll try," was all he managed to say.

"That is all I could ever ask for," encouraged the King of the Light. His gaze lingered on Danny a moment more before moving to Sabrina as she stood at the side of the bed. "Will you be joining us, Squire Drake?"

"I will only be but a moment."

"As you wish," said the king. He turned, escorted everyone out of the infirmary and closed the doors behind him.

"He really does need his rest, Squire," said Sir Virgil, stopping on the opposite side of the bed. "His wounds should be fully healed by the morrow. You will have plenty of time to talk on the journey home."

Sabrina nodded. "I will really be only a moment."

Returning the nod, Sir Virgil said, "Of course, but only a moment." With his rounds complete, he retreated, leaving the two of them alone.

Sabrina waited a few seconds before turning to Danny. "About what was discussed a few months ago before your duel with Squire Rigil?"

"About me being a distraction for you?"

Sabrina visibly hardened; her posture became more erect and her expression stern. "I have come to think it is the other way around, Danny."

"I don't understand."

"You are the Mageknight. As such, your duty is to lead the Light in the extermination of the Dark. For this task, you will require focus and dedication. I cannot allow your feelings for me to cloud the path before you."

"You can't be serious," said Danny, pushing himself up, ignoring the pain that would follow.

"I have already made up my mind."

"Fine, but first, look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't feel the same way."

"My feelings for you are secondary to the fate of the Light, Danny."

"So you do have feelings for me?"

"It does not matter whether I do or do not."

"Of course it matters. It matters to me."

Sabrina turned away from him. "I have already decided, Danny. The Light is more important than either one of us."

"Don't I get a say in this?"

Sabrina turned back toward Danny, her face as firm as stone. "No, you do not."

A short period of silence passed between them. Danny slumped back into the bed, unsure of what else he could say to change her mind.

Sabrina broke the silence. "I will forever be your friend, as well as your comrade in arms, Danny, but that is all I can offer you. I will understand if you desire neither of me from this moment forward."

"No," said Danny, his focus fixed at the foot of the bed. He refused to meet her eyes due to a growing pit of emptiness in his stomach. "I value your friendship more than anything, and I'd be lost without it. I just need... time."

"And rest," added Sabrina. "We have a long journey back home tomorrow. You should sleep."

"Yes," said Danny, feeling awkward, wondering if Sabrina felt the same way.

"Then, I will leave you to it," said Sabrina, turning toward the door stiffly, her movements lacked her usual grace.

Danny allowed her to go, confused about what had just transpired. After several minutes, just thinking, he took a deep breath and reached for the hilt of Magear. Wrapping his hand around the pommel, he noticed that the blade felt warm to the touch, like a proper handshake.

Magear...

I am here, Danny.

So, what am I supposed to do now?

If I may, you might consider that your friend is right.

"You heard me talking to Sabrina?" Danny asked aloud, his shock caused him to verbalize his words.

Danny felt Magear's mood lighten. We are Bond mates, Danny. I can feel your emotions and hear your thoughts just as you have equal access to mine.

Looking around to see if anyone had overheard him, Danny pulled the sword to his chest. ...Even if I'm not touching your hilt?

Even if, for we are connected by a stronger bond than simply the touch of skin.

That's a little disturbing.

On the contrary, Danny, I find it rather comforting. It would be most difficult if I had to bear this isolation without anyone to share my thoughts with.

I'm sorry. I didn't realize... Danny allowed his thoughts to trail off as he attempted to imagine the loneliness that must come with becoming a Bonded.

Do not be sorry and do not pity me, Danny. It was an honor as well as my duty to choose the existence of a Bonded.

Danny adjusted his position in the bed to one that was more comfortable, he relaxed his rigid muscles. So, you were the Mageknight once, right?

In a manner of speaking, yes, I was.

Well, from one Mageknight to another, what is it that I'm supposed to do?

I am afraid that is something you will have to figure out for yourself, Danny. You see, my previous life is nothing more than a flash of images. The details are a confusing mess of garbled memories. See for yourself.

Danny's grip tightened around Magear's hilt as flashes of random pictures invaded his mind-a great battle, a large black dragon, a glowing green sword, a smiling woman of breathtaking beauty and hundreds more.

"Stop!" Danny begged, putting his hand to his brow. The visions vanished at once, leaving Danny with a throbbing headache. "What was that?"

Forgive me, Danny, I did not anticipate your reaction to my memories, his voice soft and soothing as it entered Danny's thoughts.

Danny slowed his breathing and forced himself to relax. Those were your memories?

They were.

Will you ever get them back completely?

I do not know.

Then it's up to me to figure out what I'm supposed to do, Danny thought, more to himself than Magear, as he relaxed into the bed and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 36 - Preparing for the Journey Home.

anny packed the last of his belongings into his heavy duffel bag. Dressed in the same khaki shorts and T-shirt he wore on the initial journey to White Rock, he felt odd and almost out of place, no longer wearing the traditional robes of a squire. The clothes he currently wore were tight in some places, loose in others since he'd gained muscle and trimmed excess fat. Hefting the bag over his shoulder, he tensed, awaiting a pain that never came. His wounds had been severe. Thanks to Sir Virgil, he'd healed completely in less than three days, a feat that would've taken months under normal circumstances. However, the wounds of Syndil's betrayal flowed far deeper and would most likely never fully heal.

Forcing the dark thoughts from his mind, he picked up Magear, gripping the sheath just below the hilt. Giving the room one last look, he turned to find Calador standing in the doorway, his arms crisscrossed across his chest. Normally, he might have been startled, but over the past few months he'd become quite familiar with the blind Elf's tendency to sneak up from behind.

"Are you prepared for the journey home, Squire?"

"As prepared as I can be," said Danny, plopping down the heavy bag in front of him. "I really don't want to leave."

"Squires are required to return home so that they may remember the reason for their training. One needs a reason to fight, and it is difficult if that reason becomes distant or forgotten. Do not worry, Squire Firoth, the battle will still be here when you return. It may even follow you home."

"Thank you, Calador, for everything."

"It was simply my duty as your caretaker, Squire." Calador stepped forward, stopped within an arm's length and extended his right hand. "As of this moment, I relinquish that duty and offer you my friendship in its stead."

Switching Magear to his opposite hand, Danny reached out and took the Elf's arm in his, both gripping each other at the wrist, instead of the traditional Human handshake. "I accept the offer."

"I look forward to seeing you develop into a Knight of the Light first-hand, Squire Firoth."

"Me, too," Danny added with a slight smile, the gesture most likely lost on the blind Elf.

Calador relinquished his grip and stepped to the side, giving Danny a clear path to the door. "Go then, Squire, your friends anxiously await you."

"Thank you again, Calador."

Calador bowed with the grace of a swordsman and said, "An honor."

Hefting his bag back to his shoulder again, Danny left the room in search of his friends. Descending the stairs, he spotted them, awaiting him in the common hall, along with all of the other first-year squires he'd come to know. Looking out among them, he could feel the collection of eyes upon him. Slowing his pace, he felt self-conscious when their focus lingered on his presence.

"Over here, Danny!" Chris yelled, waving him over.

With the spell broken, Danny made his way to the long table where his friends awaited. It was odd to see them all without their usual training robes on, especially Doug and Matt; they had both slimmed down so much that their regular clothes looked more like large sacks drooping from their shoulders. "Information travels fast," he said, taking up a position between Chris and Anthony.

"Everyone is talking about you," said Doug.

"Well, that and Syndil's betrayal," added Matt.

Chris placed a reassuring hand upon Danny's shoulder. "You're a hero and the Mageknight. Supposedly, you defeated Syndil all by yourself, as well as an army of Shadows, in addition to some other impossible feats, so say the rumors going around the squires."

Danny shook his head. "That's not what happened at all."

"They are just rumors," added Anthony.