by D. M. Fife
Chapter 8 - Departing on the Wings of a Dragon
oon after taking the test, Danny learned that Chris, Doug, Matt and Alonso had also passed it. However, due to his overwhelming excitement, the rest of the school year passed slower than Danny would have thought possible.
But the school year did end. Spring thaw transitioned into summer's sunny days, marking the last day of school.
Jumping off the bus, Danny sprinted across the road, crossed his yard and entered his house. He'd finished packing a week ago. The pamphlet had advised prospective students to pack only the essentials, suggesting that everything else would be provided once they arrived at the Academy of Light. Danny also packed a change of warm clothing at the suggestion of Sabrina's father. Apparently, the journey would be a cold one.
Grabbing his loaded backpack, Danny slipped the dagger he'd received as a gift from Tyramear into a side pocket, and sat near the door, rhythmically tapping his foot, waiting for his mother to return from work so that his adventure could begin.
Thirty-one minutes later, the familiar jingle of keys announced her arrival.
Danny ran to the door and yanked it open before his mother could even put the key in the lock.
Startled, Patricia Firoth placed her hand on her chest, "Danny, you almost scared me to death."
"Sorry," said Danny, he added, "Can we go now?" even before the sincerity of his apology could register.
"Can I at least come in and put my things in the house first?"
It was then that Danny noticed his mother had a handful, a brightly-colored red bag, an orange lunch box and a large sack of groceries. "Here, let me get the groceries," reaching for the sack, which his mother allowed him to take. After taking the hefty assortment of foodstuff, Danny stepped back, giving his mother ample room to enter the house.
She placed her red bag on the floor and walked into the kitchen, with Danny following closely behind. She placed her lunch box on the counter while Danny placed the bag of groceries next to it.
"Okay, can we go now?"
"My, you are in a hurry, aren't you?"
"Yes," he nodded dramatically for effect.
"Well, do you have everything packed?"
Danny held up his bag.
"Is that all you're taking?"
"You read the pamphlet, Mom. Everything we need will be provided for us once we get there, including clothes."
"Okay, okay? you're growing up so fast but I still see you as my little baby," rubbing the top of his head affectionately.
"Mom," Danny said, embarrassed by her loving gesture.
"Before we leave, I have something for you," returning to the hall and reaching into the bag she had brought home from work.
Danny followed her every movement with his eyes; he watched her as she rummaged through the bag and pulled out a present wrapped in glittering blue paper.
"Here, open it."
Danny took the package and began stripping the paper away, revealing a yellow-colored box with a phone pictured on it.
"You got me a phone?" his eyes widening in surprise.
"So you can call me while you're gone."
Danny's excitement faded as he eyed his mother, "Mom, the pamphlet said no phones allowed."
"I know," admitted his mother with a smile. "But you can at least call me when you get there."
Danny shrugged away her reasoning, "Okay, but can we go now?"
"Yes," she said with a laugh.
The ride to Sabrina's house was brief, Danny was sure that he would be the last one to arrive. He had only been to her house once, but with directions from Sabrina, they found it without too much trouble. Pulling into the gravel drive, Danny looked out in awe at the amount of land the two-story house was on, something he never noticed during his previous visit, it had been too dark. Sweeping cornfields stretched out on both sides of the driveway, towering pine trees created a corridor all the way to the house.
"Wow," said Danny's mother, also taken aback by the beauty.
After driving on the winding road for less than a minute, they pulled up to the house. The gravel driveway transitioned to cement, allowing for a smoother ride.
Tyramear stood on the porch, he walked toward the moving car in even steps as Danny's mother rolled the vehicle to a stop.
Getting out of the car, Danny got his first look at the backyard, more like a field than a yard. Like the driveway, the grounds rested between two vast cornfields. However, unlike the entrance, the backyard was devoid of trees, rocks or anything else, for that matter. It was simply a long strip of unkempt land.
"My goodness," said Danny's mother, getting out of the car, seeing the same scene as her son.
"Good evening," said Tyramear, stopping in front of the car.
Closing the car door, Danny's mother said, "Hello, I am Danny's mother, Patricia."
"I am Sabrina's father, Tyramear Drake. A pleasure to finally meet you," said Tyramear, extending his hand in greeting.
"You have a lovely home," said Patricia, shaking Tyramear's hand gently.
"Why, thank you." Then, turning toward Danny, "And, it is, of course, nice to see you again, Danny."
"Yes, sir, I mean, Mr. Drake. Is anyone else here yet?"
"I am afraid you are the second-to-last to show up, Danny. Mr. Mickler, Mr. Martinez and Mr. Garrett are waiting inside. Sabrina is in her room, packing. Once Mr. Greene arrives, we can begin preparing for the journey ahead."
Putting his bag on his shoulder, Danny turned toward his mother. "Well, Mom, I guess I'll see you in a few months."
"Not so fast, mister," bypassing her son. Digging through her pockets, she pulled out a square piece of paper and handed it to Tyramear.
Tyramear took it without question.
"At the top is my home address, our home phone number is next, then my cell phone number and my email address is at the bottom. I know the school already has this information, but I thought you should have it if you needed to get in touch with me in an emergency," instructed Patricia, as Tyramear looked it over.
"Of course, Ms. Firoth," said Tyramear with a sincere smile.
Turning back toward Danny, "Well, give me a hug, then."
Danny stepped into her arms and found her familiar scent comforting. He was nervous about the coming months at the Academy but he was excited, as well. However, this would be his first time away from home; he would be lying to himself if he denied the fact that he was a bit frightened. He attempted to pull free from his mother's embrace, only to find her vice-like grip locked around him. He wasn't the only one who was worried.
"Mom," he said, his tone rising.
"Just give me one second more," she said, chuckling.
Again, Danny attempted to break free, but to no avail. "Mom," he said once more, this time with some conviction.
"Okay, okay." She released him and pulled away. "I love you." holding his head in both of her hands so that his eyes locked with hers.
"I love you, too, Mom."
With one last arm squeeze and kiss on the forehead, she freed him and made her way back to the car.
Danny took up a position next to Tyramear as his mother got back into the car, waving a final goodbye.
"So, Danny, are you ready to begin your training to become a Knight of the Light?" Tyramear asked, once Patricia Firoth's car became but a distant blur up the drive.
"I am," said Danny confidently.
"Good," said Tyramear with a smile. "Then you better get some rest, we leave at dusk."
"Shouldn't we leave sooner? It's a long drive."
Tyramear's smile widened and his eyes flashed with sudden delight. "We will not be driving."
"We won't?"
"You packed a set of warm clothes like I asked, correct?"
"Yes," his face showing confusion.
"Good," patting Danny lightly on the back. "Go inside and get some rest, you are going to need it for tonight."
Danny shrugged, picked up his bag and walked into the house. Once ins
ide, he found Matt, Alonso and Doug resting on the floor on makeshift beds of different colored blankets.
All three boys glanced up, their eyes alert; resting was the farthest thing from their minds.
"What's up, Danny!" Matt yelled, pushing the thick glasses up on his nose.
"Be quiet," whispered Doug, who was lying next to him, followed by a swift kick from Alonso.
"Ouch," said Matt, rubbing the spot where Alonso had struck him. "What was that for?"
"We're supposed to be quiet, resting," informed Doug before Alonso could answer.
"Hey, guys," said Danny, laughing.
"Shouldn't you boys be resting?" Sabrina's mother said. "?Oh, hello Danny." Her features softened into a smile as she saw him.
"Hello, Mrs. Drake."
"You boys have a long trip ahead of you this evening. You really should get some rest." She swiveled back toward Danny. "You, too, Danny, there are more blankets and pillows in the closet for you," pointing to a white door behind her. "There should be enough for two more. There is one more coming, right?"
Danny nodded, "Yes, Mrs. Drake."
"Call me, Moon," she said with a smile.
"Yes, Moon," said Danny, his voice unsteady. "Where's Sabrina?" he asked before Moon could return to the kitchen.
"She's upstairs in her room doing the same thing that you should be."
"Yes, Mrs. Drake. . . I mean, Moon."
Moon disappeared beyond the swinging door of the kitchen.
Danny walked to the closet and grabbed a set of soft blue blankets and a pillow. Picking a spot between Doug and Matt, he plopped down on the floor, took his shoes off and sprawled out. After a few moments of silence, he whispered, "I don't know if I'm going to be able to fall asleep, I'm too excited."
"Are we driving there, or what?" Matt asked in the same hushed tone.
"We're definitely not driving."
"Then how are we going to get there by tomorrow if we aren't leaving until tonight?" Doug asked.
"Beats me," said Alonso.
Danny was about to say something when the front door squeaked open. Chris walked through the threshold and closed the door behind him. Danny waved in greeting.
"Hey, man," Chris said in an unrestrained tone.
Danny put his finger to his lips, signaling Chris's silence. "We're supposed to be resting."
"Yeah, Mr. Drake mentioned that," said Chris, matching Danny's hushed voice. "Something about a long trip tonight, right?"
"Yeah," said Matt, pushing his glasses up again.
"So . . . are we going to be driving?"
Chris's question caused a fit of nervous laughter to erupt from the four boys on the floor, unsure of the answer themselves.
"Did I say something funny?"
"No, man," said Danny, stifling his snickering, "we were just wondering the same thing."
"Oh," said Chris, unconvinced.
"There are more blankets and pillows in the closet," said Danny, pointing to the door. "If Tyramear suggests we get some rest, it's probably a good idea."
That was explanation enough for Chris as he walked to the closet, pulled out a pillow and a set of matching red blankets, and found a spot on the floor next to Danny and Doug.
A couple of hours later, after a lot of nervous chatter, boredom and suggestion gave way to sleep.
