Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight (43 page)

"Yes," said Danny bluntly, his patience
running out.

"And what did you find?"

"We could find nothing that matched Danny's
description of the object," Chris piped up, as if sensing his
friend's frustration.

Calador dropped his head, lost in thought
once again. "It predates the records of the Light?"

"Briza said that the Elvin Elders might know
something," added Chris.

Calador nodded. "It is true that Elvin
history predates that of the Light by far. However, there is no
guarantee that they would have any record of the object you
described."

"Couldn't we at least try to contact them?"
Danny asked.

"We, you say?" Calador questioned. "You are
but Squires of the Light. Your place is to train here on the island
and mine is to oversee that training. Besides, Elsmelda, the
capital of my race's homeland, is located far to the south, deep
beneath the Antarctic shelf; it requires weeks of travel by any
normal means to get there. By the time we arrived, requested an
audience with the Elders and gained access to the archives, it
would already be too late."

"Then what're we supposed to do?!" Danny
demanded, his anger beginning to resurface.

"You did not allow me to finish, Squire
Firoth," said Calador, displaying a soft smile, a behavior that
drew Danny's immediate attention, the Elf rarely smiled.

Danny held his tongue.

"As I was saying, it would be impossible for
us to make the journey by any normal means, and with such limited
time. However, I know someone who can travel by other means and is
still in good standing with the Elvin Elders."

"And who might that be?"

"An old friend," Calador said
cryptically.

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fter the following day's long regiment of
training, Danny, along with Alonso, Matt, Chris, Anthony, Doug and
Briza, met Calador just outside the double doors of the first-year
barracks.

"We're here," said Danny, wondering who
Calador’s old friend was but respectful enough to keep his
curiosity to himself.

"Who're we going to meet?" Alonso asked
boldly, expressing his own thoughts uncaringly.

"Please, follow me," said Calador, ignoring
Alonso's brashness. With that said, the Elf turned and began
walking at a steady pace.

Everyone, except for Alonso, followed him,
meeting Calador stride for stride. Hesitating, Alonso said, "That's
just rude," before jogging to catch up.

Calador didn't respond to Alonso's comment as
he continued walking briskly in the direction of the two white
towers that soared into the sky and marked the location of the
distant Castle of Light.

"Are we going to the Castle of Light?" Danny
asked, a smidgen of anxiety in his tone.

"Our destination lies within a part of the
castle, yes."

"You promised me that you wouldn't involve
the King of the Light," argued Danny.

"And so I shall not."

"Then why are we traveling to the
castle?"

"There are those that reside within its high
white walls other than the King of the Light, Squire Firoth."

Unsatisfied with the Elf's answer, knowing
that he wouldn't receive a clearer response, Danny followed
silently.

Calador led on, striking a path through the
winding streets of the island before coming to stand before the
white gates of the Castle of Light, two armored Knights of the
Light, wearing gleaming suits of full plate mail, stood in a silent
vigil.

"How are we going to get inside?" Matt
asked.

"We are not going inside," said Calador, his
head turning to the right, tilting up. "Our destination is the
Western Spire."

Danny followed the Elf's gaze to the slender
white tower that extended high into the sky, the distant tip
obscured by a swirl of dark clouds.

"How are we supposed to get to it if we
aren't entering the castle?" Doug asked.

"The Western Spire is not located within the
boundaries of the castle walls," explained Calador, striding off to
the left without waiting to see who followed him.

Everyone followed in pursuit, pacing equally
behind him.

"The Western Spire is reserved for the Head
Wizard of Light," Calador continued, once everyone had caught up.
"Most Knights of the Light do not think very highly of those that
delve into the realm of magic. Therefore, the reason the Western
Spire is located beyond the walls of the Castle of Light is to
signify this unrest."

"But magic is such an important part of the
Light," observed Matt, adjusting his glasses. "Without it, the
Light would be lost."

"The irony lies therein," said Calador.
"Wizards tend to be quite political and often war with each other
from within. From what I can understand, they constantly struggle
among themselves for power and knowledge. For this very reason,
many users of magic have turned to the Dark, or even the Grey. In
my opinion, wizards often focus on the immediate gains of power
promised to them. Unlike the Light, they refuse to see the
long-term effects of their decisions. The Light sees them as
haughty and, as such, only allows a certain number of wizards into
the ranks at one time, requiring a full battery of tests designed
to analyze their loyalty to the Light."

"So, do wizards have a place where they
train, like us?" Matt asked.

"Yes, there are a few schools of wizardry
scattered throughout the world, but that is another subject to be
breached another time," said Calador, stopping at the base of the
looming white tower.

Danny stood in awe of the structure in front
of him, the sheer height of the tower extending well beyond the
twisting black clouds created by the Eye.

Taking a single step forward, Calador moved
within striking distance of the two pearly white doors that marked
the entrance. Made from pure ivory, the doors portrayed twin
dragons with red rubies for eyes.

Danny mimicked the Elf's movements and
started to move forward, only to be stopped by Calador's
outstretched hand.

"Wait!" ordered Calador, his voice stern as
if in warning.

Danny stopped mid-step, taken aback by the
authority in the Elf's voice. However, his shock only lingered on
Calador for a split-second as the dragons carved upon the doors of
the tower began to move. Their long, snake-like bodies uncoiled,
swirling across the ivory door as if it was made of liquid.

"What's happening?" Doug asked, taking a few
steps back.

"Quiet," said Calador in an even tone as he
held his ground.

Completely uncoiled, the twin dragons broke
free from their prison of ivory and slithered into the open air
above as their tails lingered behind, still connected to the
doorway.

"What…" began the dragon on the right.

"…business do you have," continued the dragon
on the left.

"…here?" the dragon on the right
finished.

Their voices were gritty and deep.

"I am Calador Varackice Con Dillion, and
those behind me are Squires of the Light. We seek an audience with
Alamber Ordvack Halfelvin, Head Wizard of the Light."

"Wait..." said the white dragon on the
right.

"...here," finished the twin on the left.

With a flash of its ruby eyes, the dragon on
the right slithered back into the door and disappeared from sight,
leaving the ivory surface void of any trace that it had once held
the intricate carving of a dragon. Lingering overhead, the dragon
on the left waited, peering down curiously upon the gathered
group.

"What was that about?" Matt asked, half in
fear and half-in awe of the ivory dragon above him, as he adjusted
his glasses for a better look.

"The Light uses knights to guard their doors,
wizards use magic," explained Calador. "The dragon you see above
you is simply the guardian of this tower."

"Epic," said Matt, taking a single step
forward, which caused the dragon's red, glittering eyes to focus
down upon him. Uncomfortable with the dragon's attention, Matt took
two steps back.

Moments later, the other dragon appeared from
within the confines of the door and slithered out to mimic the
position of its twin.

"Head Wizard Alamber Ordvack Halfelvin…"
began the newly-returned dragon.

"…bids you all welcome," continued the dragon
on the left.

"…and summons you to his quarters," finished
the dragon on the right.

Both dragons melded back into the doors,
followed by a click as both doors swung open to reveal a path of
pure white light.

"Come," Calador said without hesitation as he
stepped through the portal of light and disappeared from sight.

Briza was next as she moved forward with Doug
in tow.

"Wait," argued Doug. "Are you sure this is
safe?"

"Trust me," Briza said with a sweeping smile,
her fine features beautifully accented by the soft light of the
doorway.

Instantly assured, Doug allowed Briza to pull
him through the portal, both disappeared.

"Elves," was all Alonso had to say on the
subject as he proceeded into the light.

Anthony simply shrugged as he followed
behind.

"This place is so much better than the church
camp my mom usually forces me to go to," said Matt, stepping
forward, stopping within touching distance of the glowing doorway.
Right and outstretched, he placed his palm deep within the light.
"It tingles," he said with a giddy grin. Then, without a second
thought, he stepped through, disappearing in a flash.

Danny peered at Chris, who returned the look.
"…After you, Squire Greene."

"No, by all means, after you, Squire Firoth,"
said Chris.

Both hesitated for a moment. "Together," they
said in unison. After chuckling, they both walked up to the edge of
the glimmering gateway and stepped through.

Danny felt his entire body take flight for an
instant as the flash of light engulfed him. He felt weightless, as
if in a free-fall. The surface of his skin tingled, causing goose
bumps to shiver down his spine. Then he felt solid stone beneath
his feet as he stepped out of the light and into a vast circular
room.

Bookshelves lined the curved walls on both
sides of him, stained dark red and filled to the brim with old and
new tomes. On the opposite side of the room was a steep, winding
set of stairs that led up to what Danny could only guess was a
second level. A single square window seemed to be the only visible
exit to the outside.

In the middle of the room sat two wine-red
couches facing each other, with a long table between and a scorched
brown rug providing comfort from the stone beneath it. Placed upon
the table was a silver platter containing a tall ceramic pitcher
with steam rising from the contents within, a collection of cups
and saucers surrounded it.

Calador and Alamber stood just off to the
side of the couches, embraced in a shake of the forearm.

"'Tis good to see you again, my old friend,"
said Alamber, wearing an orange robe accented with white
underclothes and a yellow sash.

"We're on the top level," said Matt as he
peered out the window, uninterested in the exchange between the two
Elves.

"Technically, the top of the tower contains
my personal chambers, which are up those stairs," corrected
Alamber, gesturing to the twisting staircase behind him.

"But we were just at the base. How could we
be at the top without going up any stairs?"

"'Tis the convenience of magic, my young
squire," said Alamber with a smile, the folds of his scarred face
pulling the skin taut across his cheek.

"How'd you get those scars?" Alonso asked,
pointing out the obvious, without the slightest thought of
disrespect.

"That is a bit rude," interrupted
Calador.

Alamber stretched out his right hand in a
peaceful gesture. "No, it is quite all right. Do you mean these
scars?" Alamber questioned, pointing to the four jagged marks that
ran from just above his left eyebrow down to his jaw.

"Yes," said Alonso, oblivious to the rising
discomfort of those around him.

"'Twas a freak-quill sharpening accident, I
am afraid," said Alamber with a half-smile.

Everyone responded with a light chuckle at
the jest, except for Alonso, he sneered with a sarcastic smile.

"Now that we have that out of the way,"
continued Alamber without missing a beat, "shall we discuss the
reason you have brought these first-years to my quarters,
Calador?"

Calador gestured toward Danny. "I am afraid
that rests with Squire Firoth."

Danny felt self-conscious as Alamber's one
good eye focused on him with a curious gleam.

"Please, be seated and make yourselves
comfortable," said Alamber, as if sensing Danny's distress. Taking
the initiative, the Half-Elf gathered his robes about him and sat
down. "Please," he added, motioning toward the opposite couch.