The sun rises over the red mountains. The light is orange and bright. Everett wakes up first. He feels the cold handle of his silver sword. He looks at his friends. They sleep on the hard ground, but they look peaceful.
The Knight Errante stands outside the tent. He looks at the black glass tower. The tower is very tall. It looks like a needle that pokes the purple sky.
"It is time," the Errante says. He does not look back. "The Citadel is open. But remember, the tower does not want your strength. It wants your heart."
The four kids stand up. They eat a quick breakfast of dried fruit. Robbie puts the Blue Ball in his bag. It glows softly through the leather.
They walk toward the Citadel. The closer they get, the hotter the air becomes. The black glass of the tower reflects the fire from the volcanoes. It looks like the tower is burning.
They reach the great doors. The doors are made of heavy iron. There is no handle. There is no keyhole. In the center of the door, there is a small round hole. It is exactly the size of a marble.
"Robbie," Everett says. "The Ball."
Robbie takes the Blue Ball out. He is careful. He places the marble into the hole in the door.
The door hums. The iron becomes warm. A blue light spreads across the metal like a spiderweb. With a loud *creak*, the doors swing open.
Inside, the tower is dark and cold. There is a long bridge made of thin glass. Below the bridge, there is a deep pit of swirling smoke. The smoke looks like gray ghosts.
"We must cross," Clara says. she opens her notebook. "Rule Number Eight: A Knight walks straight, even when the floor shakes."
Audacia steps onto the glass bridge first. She holds her shield tight.
"I am not afraid," she whispers.
But as she walks, the smoke below begins to rise. The smoke takes the shape of a giant monster. It has many eyes and many teeth. It roars a silent roar.
Audacia stops. Her legs shake. "It is huge," she says.
"It is a trick!" Everett shouts. He runs to her side. "The Errante says the tower tests us. The monster is just a shadow!"
"But it looks real!" Robbie cries. He stays at the door.
The bridge starts to tilt. The glass becomes slippery. The monster reaches out with a claw made of smoke.
"Do not look at the monster!" Clara calls out. She walks onto the bridge. She does not look down. She looks at her friends. "Look at the Rulebook! Rule Number Nine: Friends are the bridge when the ground disappears."
Everett grabs Audacia's hand. Audacia grabs Clara's hand. They reach back and grab Robbie. They form a human chain.
They walk together. They do not look at the smoke monster. They look at each other.
The monster roars louder. The bridge shakes harder. But the kids do not let go. They move slowly. One step. Two steps.
Suddenly, the monster vanishes. The smoke turns into white clouds. The bridge becomes solid stone. The kids reach the other side.
In front of them stands a pedestal. On top of the pedestal sits a sword. It is not made of silver. It is made of red crystal. It looks like a flame that is frozen in time.
"The Sword of Daring," Everett whispers.
He reaches out. He touches the handle. A spark of red fire travels up his arm. He does not feel pain. He feels warm. He feels like he can do anything.
He lifts the sword. It is light as a feather.
"We have the first gift," Everett says. He raises the red sword. It shines like a new star.
But the tower begins to rumble. The black glass walls start to crack.
"The dragon knows!" Clara yells. "We must go, now!"
The kids run back across the bridge. They grab the Blue Ball from the door and fly outside. Behind them, the great Citadel of Valoria groans. The shadows of Egomania's wings cover the sun.
The quest is moving fast. The first gift is theirs, but the Dragon is very angry.