"I have never..."

"That's enough, Alonso," interrupted Chris.

Alonso crossed his arms, "Whatever."

Danny guessed that Alonso's sudden submission was because Chris knew him better than anyone else sitting at the table. Both were on the football team as well as the wrestling team. Danny had always thought that Alonso looked up to Chris because most of his lies tended to coincide with whatever endeavor Chris was currently chasing.

"Are you telling the truth, Danny?" Chris asked softly.

"Of course I am. Why would I lie about his? All of you have seen the proof with your own eyes," he said, pointing at the dagger in the center of the table. "Everyone else saw a pen while you saw a dagger. How could I make such a thing happen?"

"Okay, now what?" Chris asked.

Before Danny could answer, Matt raised his hand in question.

"What?" Danny asked. "You don't have to raise your hand," he added.

Matt put his hand down. "Can I look at it now?"

"Yes."

Matt took up the blade and unsheathed it, bathing the corner of the library in a soft white light. "Is it really magical?"

"You tell me."

Motivated by Danny's comment, Matt placed the sheath tip-first on the tabletop, pushed his glasses up, and held the glowing brand before his eyes for a closer inspection. Flicking the edge, causing the steel to sing from the vibration, he said, "It's definitely made of metal." Touching the tip with his finger, he added, "Sharp, too." Then, after attempting to twist the hilt, he said, "Well, there's no place to put batteries." Matt sheathed the dagger, placed it back in the middle of the table and said, "It seems real to me."

"...So, what now?" Chris asked once again.

"You must all decide," said Danny, looking from face to face, meeting the eyes of each friend in turn. "Whether you believe me or not, all of you have the gift of sight. So you can either choose to live a normal life or be tested to become a Knight of the Light just as I have chosen."

"I believe you, Danny," said Chris with a steady tone. "I choose to be tested."

"Me, too," said Matt.

"Count me in," said Doug.

All eyes locked on Alonso, awaiting an answer.

"Give me a minute," the black-haired boy said. Silence passed as Alonso looked at the dagger, Danny, Sabrina, and then finally, Chris.

"Well?" Danny asked.

"Whatever... fine... yes."

"I shall let my father know," Sabrina said with finality.

Chapter 7 - The Trials of a Knight.

all soon turned into winter, blanketing the ground with fluffy snow, which then melted away and gave way to spring. Six months passed without any sign of the Shadows. Even Steven Rooney kept his distance. Sabrina and Danny became fast friends. Anticipating the upcoming examination of the Light, Danny spent the majority of his time studying the only thing he knew, Knights.

On the first day of spring break, marked by a lazy morning without school, there was a soft knock at Danny's front door.

"Danny, get the door!"

Danny dropped his spoon in his half-eaten bowl of cereal and walked to the front door. Beyond the warped glass, he saw the dark silhouette of a tall man. Opening the door, the stranger greeted him with a brimming smile and golden eyes.

"Salutations, young Danny Firoth," said the man, dipping his head downward in greeting. His facial features were sharp, with high cheekbones and a pointed chin. He wore a silver business suit with matching dress shoes, golden cufflinks and a brass-colored tie. His long hair was a glossy black, it drooped down the slope of his shoulders. In his right hand, he held a black briefcase. However, what truly caught Danny's attention was the gold-hilted longsword braced in his left hand, the base of the pommel was shaped in the form of a half-moon.

"You're a Knight of the Light," said Danny in absolute awe.

"Well, it seems you have passed the first test, Mr. Firoth," the man said in a musical voice.

"Well, who is it?" Danny's mother asked, rounding the corner, coming to a stop as she spotted the visitor.

"Ah, you must be, Ms. Patricia Firoth. I am afraid your son has yet to invite me in," he finished, widening his mesmerizing smile.

"That's because I taught him not to invite strange men into the house," said Patricia, coming to stand next to Danny. "You seem to know my name but I am afraid I don't know yours."

"Professor Syndil Sartak Tribolari, at your service," said the tall man, bowing elegantly.

"My, that is a mouthful, is it Italian? And aren't you a little young to be a professor?"

"I am named for a distant ancestor, Ms. Firoth," regaining his rigid stature, "I am afraid my lineage is quite complicated. Furthermore, to answer your second question, I was always taught that you should never judge a person by their appearance."

"What can I do for you, Mr. Syndil?"

"I am here to administer a test to your son, Ms. Firoth. Your son has taken an interest in a special summer school for talented youth."

Danny noticed his mother staring at him curiously. "And what is the name of this school you represent?" she asked, looking back toward the professor.

"The White Rock Academy of Illumination."

"I'm afraid I have never heard of it."

"Nor would I expect you to, Ms. Firoth. The school I represent is not interested in recognition. However, I can assure you that our alumni have gone on to accomplish some amazing feats."

"And how much will this summer school cost?"

"The White Rock Academy is a not-for-profit organization, its expenses are reimbursed by its predecessors, Ms. Firoth. Should your son pass the test I am going to administer to him, his enrollment will be paid in full by the school."

"Sabrina is going this summer too," said Danny.

"Yes, young Sabrina Drake has already been accepted for the coming semester."

"So that's what this is about," said Danny's mother, looking over at him.

It was true; Sabrina was a contributing factor. However, even without her presence, he would've chosen to become a Knight of the Light.

"I'm glad that she is going, Mom, but even if she wasn't, this is still something that I'd like to do," said Danny, making his thoughts verbal.

"You're sure about this?"

Danny nodded, "Yes."

"Then come in, Mr. Syndil."

The professor complied, stepping into the house.

"Would you like me to take your umbrella, Mr. Syndil?" Danny's mother asked, gesturing toward the long object in his left hand, which Danny clearly saw as a sword.

"No, Ms. Firoth, I am quite comfortable carrying it," he said with a smile. "You never know when a storm might pop up."

Danny's mother responded with a strange look as she closed the front door. "I'll be outside if you need me."

"Thank you, Ms. Firoth," said Syndil, before turning back to Danny. "Please, lead on, young Firoth."

Danny walked through the short hall, went past the kitchen and gestured toward an oval-shaped table surrounded by green-upholstered chairs.

Professor Syndil eased himself into the seat, placed his briefcase on the table, and rested his long sword on his lap.

Danny found a seat next to him and sat down.

Unlatching the case, Syndil opened it away from Danny so he couldn't see the contents.

"Well, you obviously have the gift of sight, young Firoth, or you would not have been able to see my Bonded."

"I know you," Danny said, his eyes grew wide and his voice jumped up several octaves.

"Really," said Syndil matter-of-factly.

Danny pulled a glossy piece of folded paper out of his pocket. There was an assortment of cards pictured on it. Pointing to the one in the middle of the page, he held it up for both to see.

"There, Sir Syndil Sartak Tribolari," reading the bold print off the depicted card. "Your card is one of the rarest in the series. I have been trying to get it for some time now." Danny dropped his head and stared at the piece of paper. "It says that you're the greatest swordsman ever."

"If I was a man, then perhaps so," said Syndil with a chuckle. "But, alas, I am an Elf, not a man." Pulling his long black hair aside, he revealed his ears, distinguished from the traditional by a flat stretch of skin where his earlobes should have been, and triangular-shaped arches.

Danny's jaw dropped in surprise. Dragons were one thing, but Elves. "You're an Elf?" Danny asked, stating the obvious.

"I have just announced that I am, young Firoth," said Syndil with a sympathetic smile. "However, I am not here to talk about me. It is you who requested testing for knighthood, yes?"

"Um... yes," regaining his wits, "I'd like to become a Knight of the Light."

"Good," fluttering his hair back around his shoulders so that it covered the most marked feature of his race. "Let's get started, I would like to ask you a few questions."

Danny nodded.

"Obviously, you are familiar with Knights, correct?

"Yes."

"May I ask what faction you play, the Light, the Grey, or the Dark?"

"I play with the Light," said Danny with confidence.

"Why?"

Taken aback by the question, Danny took a moment to answer. He knew why he never chose to play with the opposing forces of Grey and Dark, but he'd never thought about why he'd chosen the Light. Danny smiled.

"Do you have an answer?"

"I play with the Light because battling with the Grey or the Dark simply doesn't feel right. I chose to play with the Light because, in a way, it is an extension of who I am."

Syndil returned his smile, "A careful, well-thought-out answer, Mr. Firoth. So, then, apart from Lady Drake's enrollment, why is it that you have chosen to become a Knight of the Light?"

Danny dropped his eyes and said, "I'd be lying if I didn't say it was for the adventure. Dragonics, Shadows, now Elves, who wouldn't choose to enter such a world."

"Be forewarned, Danny, this is not a fairy tale of fancy," said Syndil, his voice growing deep and stern, yet remaining respectful. "There is a war going on, with losses on both sides. There are dark forces at work, sinister things that will seek your destruction. This is no simple game of cards, Danny Firoth."

"I know that," said Danny, looking up, regaining eye contact. "I guess I want to become a Knight of the Light because the alternative, simply being normal while knowing that such things exist, is unbearable. If you know something terrible is happening, and you have the ability to help, it's your responsibility to do something, right?"

"I don't know, Danny, you tell me."

"I think it is. Yes."

Syndil nodded in approval. "I have just a couple more questions for you before we begin with what rests in my briefcase."

Danny gulped down his anxiety.

"Was your father a Knight of the Light, Danny?"

The question took Danny by surprise, he dropped his gaze. Danny never talked about his father with his mother; it was a sore subject, "Not that I know of."

"Tell me about him."

"My father was a soldier; he died a hero, I was very young at the time."

"I am sorry, Danny. I did not mean to open old wounds."

"It was a very long time ago," regaining his courage, facing Syndil.