A Quest of Heroes (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring)

cause a lot of damage. Years ago, one
slipped in and murdered half the children of a village before he was caught.
The Sword does the bulk of the work, but we are an indispensable part.”
    Thor
took it all in, wondering. The Canyon seemed so grand, their duty so important,
he could hardly believe that he would be part of this great purpose.
    “But
even with all that, I haven’t explained it very well,” Reece said. “There’s
more to the Canyon than just that,” he said, then fell silent.
    Thor
looked at him and saw something like fear or wonder in his eyes.
    “How
can I explain it?” Reece said, struggling for the proper words. He cleared his
throat. “The Canyon is far bigger than all of us. The Canyon is…”
    “The
Canyon is a place for men,” came a resounding voice.
    They
all turned at the sound of the voice, the stamp of a horse.
    Thor
could not believe it. There, trotting up beside them, bedecked in full
chainmail, with long gleaming weapons hanging over the side of his incredible
horse, was Erec. He smiled down at them, keeping his eyes fixed on Thor.
    Thor
looked up, in shock.
    “It
is a place that will make you a man,” Erec added, “if you are not one already.”
    Thor
had not seen Erec since his jousting match, and felt so relieved at his
presence, to have a real knight here with them as they headed for the Canyon—no
less, Erec himself. He felt invincible having him, and prayed he was coming
with them.
    “What
are you doing here?” Thor asked. “Are you accompanying us?” he asked, hoping he
didn’t sound too eager.
    Erec
leaned back and laughed.
    “Not
to worry, young one,” he said. “I’m going with you.”
    “Really?”
Reece asked.
    “It
is tradition for a member of The Silver to accompany members of the Legion on
their first patrol. I volunteered.”
    Erec
turned and looked down at Thor.
    “After
all, you helped me yesterday.”
    Thor
felt his heart warm, buoyed by Erec’s presence. He also felt lifted up in the
eyes of his friends. Here he was, being accompanied by the greatest knight of
the kingdom, as they headed towards the Canyon. Much of his fear was falling
away.
    “Of
course, I shall not go out on patrol with you,” Erec added. “But I will lead
you across the bridge, and to your camp. It will be your duty to venture out on
patrol, alone, from there.”
    “It
is a great honor, sire,” Reece said.
    “Thank
you,” O’Connor and Elden echoed.
    Erec
looked down at Thor and smiled.
    “After
all, if you’re going to be my first squire, I can’t let you die just yet.”
    “First?”
Thor asked, his heart skipping a beat.
    “Feithgold
broke his leg in the jousting match. He will be out for at least eight weeks.
You are my first squire now. And our training might as well begin, shan’t it?”
    “Of
course, sire,” Thor responded.
    Thor’s
mind was swimming. He could hardly believe it. For the first time in a while,
he felt as if luck was finally turning his way. Now he was first squire to the
greatest knight of all. He felt as if he had leapfrogged over all his friends.
    The
five of them continued on, heading west into the setting sun, Erec walking
slowly on his horse beside them.
    “I
assume you have been to the Canyon, sire?” Thor asked.
    “Many
times,” Erec responded. “My first patrol. I was your age, in fact.”
    “And
how did you find it?” Reece asked.
    All
four boys turned and stared at him as they went, rapt with attention. Erec rode
on for some time in silence, looking straight ahead, his jaw set.
    “Your
first time is an experience you never forget. It is hard to explain. It is a
strange and foreign and mystical and beautiful place. On the other side lie
unimaginable dangers. The bridge to cross it is long and steep. There are many
of us patrolling—but always, you feel alone. It is nature at its best. It
crushes man to be in its shadow. Our men have patrolled it for hundreds of
years. It is a rite of passage. You do not fully understand danger without it;
you cannot become a knight without it.”
    He
fell back into silence. The four boys looked at each other, queasy.
    “Should
we expect a skirmish on the other side then?” Thor asked.
    Erec
shrugged.
    “Anything
is possible, once you reach the Wilds. Unlikely. But possible.”
    Erec
looked down at Thor.
    “Do
you want to be a great squire, and one day, a great knight?” he asked, looking
right at Thor.
    Thor’s
heart beat faster.
    “Yes,
sire, more than