Trials of Death

Trials of Death is the fifth book in The Saga of Darren Shan by the author Darren Shan.

Plot

In this book, Darren Shan takes part in the Trials of Death. The trials are a series of tasks that vampires used to have to do to prove themselves to the princes. Now it is only used for people who want to become a general or if they want to show they are a good vampire, but Darren Shan has to do the trials because Mr. Crepsley blooded him when he was only a child and Darren chooses to stand up for his mentor.

The first of five trials is The Aquatic Maze, which is a maze that fills up with water while Darren has to get through while dragging a rock half his weight. The second Trial is The Path of Needles, which is a tunnel full of stalagmites and stalactites which splinter badly and are as sharp as knives (Darren must get from one end to the other, barefoot and in only leather shorts). The third Trial is The Hall of Flames, which is a metal room with holes that shoot out flames, Darren must remain in the room for fifteen minutes, trying not to get 'roasted'.

He completes three, and is rescued by Harkat Mulds during the fourth when he fights two 'blooded boars' (wild boards 'infected' with vampire blood). As the interference is illegal and counts as forfeit, he does not succeed, Darren is sentenced to die at the Hall of Death. Kurda persuades him to run away. They are halfway when Gavner catches up with them and tags along. They stumble across an army of 37 vampaneze. Kurda tells Darren to run and Gavner and Kurda fight them. Darren turns back and watches as Kurda swing his knife in a magnificent arc into Gavner killing him. It turns out that Kurda was in league with the vampaneze. Kurda argues that his intentions are noble, and that he just wanted the vampires to reconcile with the vampaneze. Kurda chases after Darren but Darren jumps into a river and shouts "Even in death, may I be triumphant!" as the current swiftly carries him away ending the book.