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THERE WAS A LONG, thoughtful silence "Yes," Paris Skyle finally e for the boy"

"I said I did not want to bring Darren into this!" Mr Crepsley objected

"No," Mika contradicted him "You said you didn’t want hie is not a punishreed "If the boy proves himself in a test, your decision to blood him will be accepted and no more need be said about it"

"And the dishonor will be his if he fails," Arrow added

Mr Crepsley scratched his long facial scar "It is an honest solution," he mused, "but the decision is Darren’s, not e on him"

He turned to me "Are you prepared to prove yourself to the clan and clear our naeted uneasily onabout exactly?" I asked

"A good question," Paris said "It would be unfair to pit hiainst one of our warriors - a half-vampire is no ," Arrow said

"That leaves the Trials," Mikaaround, I spotted a red-faced Kurda striding toward the platform "I won’t stand for this!" he shouted "The boy isn’t ready for the Trials If you insist on testing hi," Mika growled, rising to his feet and taking a few steps toward Kurda "We wield the authority here, Kurda Smahlt - you’re not a Prince yet, so don’t act like one"

Kurda, stopped and glowered at Mika, then dropped to one knee and bowed his head "My apologies for speaking out of turn, sire"

"Apology accepted," Mika grunted, returning to his seat

"Have I the permission of the Princes to speak?" Kurda asked

Paris checked with Mika, who shrugged curtly "You have," he said

"The Trials of Initiation are for experienced vaned for children It wouldn’t be fair to subject him to them"

"Life for vampires has never been fair," Mr Crepsley said "But it can be just I do not enjoy the idea of sub Darren to the Trials, but it is a just decision and I shall stand by it if he agrees"

"Excuse me," I said, "but what are the Trials?"

Paris smiled kindly at me "The Trials of Initiation are tests for vampires ish to become Generals," he explained

"What would I have to do?"

"Perfore," he said "The tests are picked at rando to the botto a droppedboulders In another youcoals Some tests are reat, and though most vampires survive, death by ree to this, Darren," Kurda hissed "The Trials are for full vah You’ll be signing your death warrant if you say yes"

"I disagree," Mr Crepsley said "Darren is capable of passing the Trials It will not be easy, and he ht he would be completely out of his depth"

"Let’s vote on it," Mika said "I say it’s the Trials Arrow?"

"I agree - the Trials"

"Paris?"

The oldest living vampire shook his head uncertainly "Kurda has a point when he says the Trials are not for children I trust your judgment, Larten, but fear your optiest another way?" Mika snapped

"No, but" Paris sighed deeply "What do the Generals think?" he asked, addressing those in the Hall "We have heard fro to add?"

The Generals ure stood and cleared her throat - Arra Sails "I respect Darren Shan," she said "I have shaken his hand, and those who know me kno much that means to me I believe Gavner Purl and Larten Crepsley when they say he will be a valuable addition to our ranks