To Follow in His Footsteps

“The sudden death of King Luke Decordolas III shocked every living being and shattered many hopes for peace. Garenthia’s people have always lived in fear of the possible chances of a world war thanks to King Theoin. King Theoin and his supporters wanted all of the kingdoms to unite and be ruled by one king. Of course that one king would be Theoin, that dirty pig! Many rebelled, many were killed until King Luke of Daucon bravely faced him at the Battle of Jallea. Luke was an inexperienced swordsman compared to Theoin and suffered more injuries than he, but as Theoin was about to deliver the final blow, Luke thrust his sword through his unprotected chest and won the battle. People everywhere cheered and sang of the noble deeds of King Luke as he returned to his throne at Daucon.

“Two months later, King Luke fell ill and died, leaving behind his wife and seven daughters and no successor. Unless the Queen marries another man of noble blood and produces a son, the throne will go to Luke’s eldest daughter.  If the throne goes to Princess Xelina, our arranged marriage will be called off. My father will not like that; he may start a war if that should happen. I am Donovan Cadfael, prince of Garenthia. Some title huh? I have been training all my life, with help from my best friend Brendon, on how to run the kingdom- but I never imagined this…”

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          “Hey Donovan, wake up! It’s nearly noon already.” I heard Brendon shout as he pounded on my door. I was already awake and dressed in my usual brown pants and velvet purple shirt with gold trim. My messy brown hair was brushed to allow my long jagged bangs to rest before my ears. My eyes were clear of any eye crust. I was ready for the day, but then again I wasn’t. Neither my father nor I have recovered from the death of the Dauconese king four years ago. I respected King Luke because he had been a great hero and a good friend of my father’s. But things have gotten worse since the news that Princess Xelina may have to take the throne. My father said that Luke had promised that I could marry his first daughter- but she can’t be the queen of two kingdoms. I often wonder why I couldn’t marry one of Luke’s other six daughters or, better yet, someone I actually like. Its bad enough I have to be king soon. All I knew about Xelina is that she isn’t as pretty as her little sister, Kariem. She is intelligent and she has the qualities of a good ruler, though. Does that mean she is ugly, unemotional, and incapable of loving?

“Donovan, what are you waiting for?” I turned to find Brendon in my room. Brendon is the son of the noble knight, Cintava. He looks almost exactly like me, except he is shorter, thinner, has longer hair, and has blue eyes instead of amber.

“I don’t want to go out there today…” I told him as I turned back to the mirror I was previously glaring into. He smiled and adjusted his large blue shirt.

“I came to tell you that the king has raised the war flags and sent the troops to Daucon.” I thought my eye was twitching after that. This is just perfect. I placed my hand over my eyes in hopes this incoming headache would go away.

“I’m about to be king in seven days and my father starts a war with a neighboring kingdom just because my fiancée has become the queen if it. Greaaat.” I looked up as Brendon started laughing hysterically.

“I was joking. The noise this morning was just the messenger. I think he brought good news because the king is happy today.” He wiped away the tears that were forming from his heavy laughter. I grabbed the hilt of my sword, but did not pull it out of its sheath. Brendon’s smile faded instantly as he backed away in fear and apologized repeatedly.

It’s funny how the son of a knight can be so weak and cowardly. Now it was my turn to laugh as he tripped on a chair and fell to the ground. This turned out better than I planned- I was only going to scare him to get back at him for the war news, but this was funnier because he kept falling back down when he tried to get up and the look on his face was priceless.

“Oh come on! You didn’t really think I would hurt my best friend did you?” I said to him as I offered my hand. He gave me a dirty look and took my hand.

“Ha, ha, ha, very funny…Anyway let’s go find out what the messenger brought. I’m kind of curious.” I nodded to him. He pulled out his large floppy blue hat and puts it on his head before he walked out. I sighed as I followed him. I was relieved that there wasn’t going to be a war coming anytime soon. Needless bloodshed had thankfully been avoided.

“Brendon. Brendon!” We turned to find Maria running towards us with a sword. Maria is a young nurse working at the castle’s infirmary and has a little crush on Brendon. He is studying to become a doctor and so he goes to the infirmary everyday with her. I think he’s falling for her too, but every time I tease him about it, he denies it.

“Maria! What are you doing here?” A blush crept across his face as she smiled and stared at him with her large green eyes.

“You left your sword in the infirmary.” She handed him the sword, then blushed and giggled when their hands touched. Maria curtsied to me before running away. I watched her long blonde hair flow in the breeze. She stopped and waved before she disappeared. Brendon tried to hide his embarrassment by tying his sword to his belt. I was trying hard to suppress the smirk that was forming on my lips so I faced the other direction.

“Have you asked her out yet?” I asked him once he was finished.

“There is nothing going on between us…,” was his immediate reply. We continued on to the courtyard where my father was resting. His white hair glowed from the sunlight and his brown eyes showed his happiness as much as his smile did. Now I was beginning to wonder what news the messenger had brought. He was seldom this happy.

“Ah Donovan, my son. It’s so good to see you finally up and about,” he greeted me warmly. Brendon politely bowed to him as I approached him.

“You seem very happy today, father. May I inquire why?”

“Queen Sarafina has sent a letter saying that she is getting married.”

“Ooh! I love weddings! Can we go?” Brendon asked me with sarcasm in his voice. I chuckled and pulled his hat over his face as he returned the laughter. So that was why my father is happy. If the queen produces a son for the Dauconese throne, then Xelina would be the queen for Garenthia.

“This letter was sent weeks ago. I believe she has already had the wedding,” my father informed us. As he turned to face me, he added, “The queen said that Xelina will arrive the day before your crowning. I have made preparations for your wedding to be held three days after.”

“Ooh! I love weddings! Am I invited?” Brendon shouted again in the same sarcastic tone, but he voice was muffled by his hat. This time I pulled the hat off his face and said, “If you love weddings so much why not get married to Maria?”

“I told you, it’s not like that! …Am I invited?” I laughed at his pitiful attempt to change the subject, but answered anyway.

“Of course you’re invited! You’re the best man and the hired assassin for the princess. Oops! Did I say that out loud?” Brendon grinned while I covered my mouth in fake embarrassment.

“Donovan! Be serious!” My father bellowed angrily. I instantly regretted what I had said. After all, I’m supposed to be his successor to the Garenthian throne and my little jokes will only upset him. I kneeled down before him.

“I apologize father…” His expression turned somber as he nodded.

“Donovan, I need to speak with you alone.” Now I really felt awful. I didn’t think my remark would upset him that much. I turned to Brendon, who was looking a little uncomfortable with the current situation.

“Um…I’ll just go to the…” he began.

“…The infirmary?” I finished for him. He stared at me wide eyed.

“How did you know?” He then scowled at me when I laughed at him. He stormed off in the direction of the infirmary. Now father and I were alone. I had been worried about him for the last couple of days. Even when he was not thinking of the problems in Daucon, he still seemed to have a distant, sad look on his face.

“Donovan, you have grown up to be a fine man. You make me very proud. I think it is time I gave you this…” He lifted the family medallion off of his neck and placed it around mine. This medallion is passed down to the successor of the throne. It has an engraving of a cloaked shadow on the front and on the back it says ‘Stealth’.

“Father…I…” I didn’t know what to say. This was overwhelming. Wearing this medallion made me feel like I really could rule Garenthia. He just smiled at me. It was no ordinary smile; it was a smile a proud father gives his son when he has proven himself to be a man.

“…Thank you.” I finally whispered.

“There is no need to thank me. I am only following tradition as my father did for me and as you will do for your son.” I blinked back the tears that were forming. I will not cry. Not in front of my father.  I felt a hand on my shoulder. He stood before me with that same smile.

“You will be a fine king my son.” He then walked out of the courtyard and left me to my thoughts.

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          It was early evening when I finished my daily training. I was sitting in my chair letting the cool breeze that was flowing from the windows hit my face. My mind was at ease as the crickets chirped. I unconsciously touched the medallion around my neck. I recalled a story my mother has once told me about this medallion when I was very young. It was one of the nine magical amulets that were created for each race in the world from the soul of a warrior. ‘Stealth’ was given to the Humans. ‘Speed’ was given to the Elves. ‘Healing’ was given to the Faeries. ‘Strength’ was given to the Dwarves. ‘Insight’ was given to the Feliods. ‘Defense’ was given to the Golems. ‘Magic’ was given to the Dragons. ‘Wisdom’ was given to the Owls, and ‘Bravery’ was given to the Dogmen. There are only eight races, but nine medallions existed so ‘Stamina’ was given to another Human. Legend says that someday ‘Stamina’ will fall into the hands of someone from a new race. Suddenly, the smell of something burning alerted me. I opened my eyes and looked outside to find the city burning. I rushed outside and found the castle servants running around in a frantic hurry. I ran into Brendon who was bent over trying to catch his breath.

“What’s happening?” I asked him gently as I helped him up.

“Daucon…army…attacking… Hiding…king…said…to get…you…out of…city.” He gasped in between breaths. I put the fragments together and came up with ‘My father is hiding and he wants me to leave the city.’ Why would he want me to leave the city? I need to stay here and fight the Dauconese army…

“Why would he want me to leave the city? I need to stay here and fight the Dauconese army!” I repeated out loud to Brendon. He only gasped more.

“They…want…medallion.” Now I understood. Father wanted me to get out of here with the medallion so they couldn’t get it. I could always organize an army in the other towns for a surprise attack on the invaders.

“Come on Brendon, let’s get out of here,” I ordered while helping him walk away. We headed towards the infirmary and saw no sign of Maria or Dr. Hermethay. There was no time to go searching for them. I pulled on a candle holder and a secret passage opened up. Brendon and I used to play hide and seek in these. I let Brendon sit down and rest as I closed the door. Only one torch was providing light in the dark tunnel. Brendon’s breathing became normal as we rested. It was getting really quiet now. So quiet, I could hear the clanking of metal and sounds of the enemy ransacking the infirmary though the wall.

“Is this the passage that leads outside?” I whispered to him.

“I think so…” he whispered back.

“Okay, once we are outside, we are going to try to sneak out of town. I know you are not going to like this, but we may have to fight some soldiers on the way.”

“Donovan, you know I’m not as strong as you are.” He cringed.

“I know, but you are a fast runner. If things start to look bad, I going to give you my medallion and I want you to run as fast as you can out of here. Make sure those Dauconese losers never lay a finger on it.” I hoped it never came to that. He looked a little hurt and squeezed his eyes shut.

“Alright…I’ll do my best.” I nodded at his answer then stood up and grabbed the torch. Once Brendon got up, we walked down the dark passageway. At the end of the passageway a spiral staircase led down to lower hallway. There were five well-furnished bedrooms on each side of the hallway. At the end of this one was another stairway that led to a small room with a ladder. I climbed up and opened the small wooden door just a little so I could see outside. This door opened in the alley by the castle gates and Brendon’s house. I turned to the right and saw our soldiers trying to lead the women and children to safety and some were fighting Dauconese soldiers. Most of the fighting was within palace walls so the coast was clear. I signaled to Brendon to follow, but he pulled me down.

“Why don’t we go to sleep in one of the rooms down here then try to leave in the morning if Dauconese army is still here?” I shook my head. He was chickening out again.

“Brendon, there’s no guarantee that the knights won’t find this secret passageway and it would be even harder sneaking out during the day.” He gave me a defeated look and climbed the ladder after me.

The heat of the fire was intense as we ran against the crowd. The Dauconese Knights were rounding up the townspeople and herding them into the courtyard of the palace. We traveled unnoticed in all the confusion. Halfway through the city, there were no more people and everything was silent. I thought we were going to make a clean get away until a knight appeared from around a corner. I drew my sword and blocked his attack just as he swung his axe at us. Although my sword couldn’t penetrate his armor, I managed to knock him down with two swings.

The sound of his crashing to the ground alerted the other knights. I grabbed Brendon’s arm and had to drag him toward the city gates, because he was currently frozen on the spot. I skidded to a halt and ran into the nearest alley when I realized there were knights coming toward us from both sides.

“Donovan! This is a dead end!” Brendon shouted. I signaled him to be quiet before I threw him behind some barrels. I jumped behind some crates on the other side as six knights approached the area. There were too many of them. I could take down two, maybe three whereas Brendon could take down a half of one.

“I thought I saw them come this way.” One of the knights said. I watched them through a large hole in one of the crates. Another shook his head.

“I didn’t see anyone. Are you sure it was Prince Donovan?”

“I’m sure it was him! He had the medallion we’re looking for!” The first one shouted back. He must have been the one I struck earlier. They split up and ran off in different directions. I slowly came out of hiding and Brendon soon followed suit.

“What do we do now? There are Dauconese knights around every corner.” he whined. I looked around. We were in between two adobe houses and the fire hasn’t reached as far as the town gates.

“Maybe we can climb-” I heard a crash behind us. It was another Dauconese knight laying face down on the ground. Brendon hid behind me as I pulled out my sword and held it up to the knight’s throat. He backed away until he was against the dead end wall. I heard a strange gasp emit from him. It was too feminine to come from a man, but then again I have seen some strange things.

“Remove your helmet!” I ordered. The knight hesitated before doing so. Long hair tumbled out of the helmet and some covered half his face. I couldn’t see very well in the dim light, but I knew my suspicion was correct.

“…A woman?” I lowered my sword. Daucon allowed women to learn how to fight, but they are not allowed to become knights or fight in wars.

Brendon somehow gained a little bravery and drew his sword.

“What are you doing in armor wench?!” he spat as he held his sword up to her throat. I was about to stop him but a gauntlet hand slapped the sword out of his grasp. Before I knew it, the woman was standing up and was holding Brendon by the collar of his shirt.

“Don’t act brave because you know I’m a woman! I can still beat you up!” she sneered before throwing him back. He ran back behind me after that. Poor Brendon.

“What are you doing here? Who are you?” I demanded. She looked at me and I saw a green eye in the dim light.

“You’re Prince Donovan, right? The story I am about to tell you may sound absurd, but it’s the truth and you have to believe me!” She then told me about Daucon’s new king and how he suddenly declared war the minute he came into power. She said she could not serve a false king so she dressed up in knight’s armor and snuck aboard a ship that was bound for Garenthia with several other knights to come here and help me. She was right, her story did sound absurd, but I couldn’t help but believe her. After all, there was a penalty if she was caught wearing knight’s armor. I looked to Brendon who had doubt written all over his face.

“I don’t believe a word of it.” Brendon snapped. “You say the army doesn’t want to attack us, but what I see out there tells me different.”

          She lowered her head and said in a low voice, “Would you defy your king?”

“No, I wouldn’t. If that’s the case, then why are you defying your king? What makes you above the law?”

Brendon had a point. Why was she so different from everyone else? Why would she break the law when everyone else would obey it? Rebels do not stand alone like that.

“It’s a long story and we do not have the time.” They looked at me, waiting for my answer.

“Alright, you can help us.”

“What!? You can’t be serious!” Brendon yelled, glaring at her.

“We don’t have much of a choice and I didn’t say I trust her.” I turned to her, “I will keep a close eye on you. You are going to have to earn our trust.”

“Fair enough.” She answered with a relieved smile. Brendon looked defeated again.

“There they are!” We turned to find seven knights blocking our only escape. I looked up to where the adobe houses had cracks large enough for us to climb up, but we needed a boost to reach them.

“You guys push the crates next to the wall so we can reach those cracks up there. I’ll hold off the knights.” I ordered as I ran to the knights. Knights wear very heavy armor so they can be knocked down and are unable to get back up. Sometimes they can be knocked unconscious from falling. I managed to bring two down with four blows each from my sword. The woman followed me and pulled out her sword, taking down two more men from one strong blow each. That was a hard to learn Dauconese technique. She also brought down a third by kicking him in the chest, but she fell over from the weight of her armor. She completed her move by taking off her gauntlets and aimed for his head. The thick metal gloves brought him down in a second. I knocked one more down before the remaining knight fled from battle.

“I’m in trouble now. They recognized me and he’s going bring even more knights over here.” She said as I helped her up. She had already gained my trust. No one could attack their own side with out a really good cause.

“Thank you for your help.”

She waved off my gratitude by saying, “No need to thank me, I vowed to protect you until you get back on your throne.”

“Finished!” Brendon was already climbing to the top of the building. We walked up to the crates and stared at them. The woman looked a little uneasy.

“Ladies first.” I said politely, but she still wouldn’t budge.

“Go ahead, I’ll be right behind you. …I’m still trying to get over that fall I had earlier.” She chuckled nervously. I began climbing the crates and soon heard the clanking of armor as she followed me. She was slowing down from the weight so I was able to get to the top and have a private chat with Brendon.

“We just have to run straight ahead and we’re out of here. We can leave her now.” I shook my head.

“We can’t leave her now. She said they recognized her. They will kill her if they find her.”

“Well that’s her fault for being such a tomboy.” He retorted.

“Tomboy, eh?” Her head and some of her upper body were on the edge of the building. I rushed over to help her up.

“At least I’m a better man than you are.” She snapped.

“Pardon me, miss?”

“That reminds me…” I suddenly say, surprising both of them, “What is you name?”

“My name?” she looked shocked, “It’s um…Myrcella.”

“Myrcella? That’s a beautiful name.”

“Thank you.” She responded. Brendon huffed.

“I thought you would have a more boyish name like Jake, Will, or Butch.” Instead of getting angry from his insult, she gave him a sweet smile.

“Listen, we got off on the wrong foot. Why don’t we just start over?” Brendon didn’t look like he wanted to get along with her. I didn’t want to rush, but the sound of clanking footsteps alerted me that we were running out of time.

“We’ll continue this later okay?” I pushed them toward the gates.

          We reached the gates and there was no one in sight. Myrcella jumped first, then Brendon, and finally me. I stood up and brushed off the dirt when suddenly Myrcella jumped in front of me with her arms outstretched just as an arrow bounced off her armor and on to the ground.

“Stand aside.” The owner of the arrow bellowed to her, “Our orders do not include his safety.”

“If you want to kill the prince, then you will have to go through me first.” She returned in an even voice. A teenage knight stepped out of the shadows and approached her.

“The new king gave me a special order. He wants you dead too.” He had his bowgun set to aim in between her eyes.

“And to think we were once childhood friends.” She said with sarcasm.

“If we had a good childhood together, then you would be in my bed waiting for me to come home.” He laughed.

“I seriously doubt that…” Just as he pulled the trigger, I grabbed Myrcella by the waist and Brendon by the collar of his shirt and pulled them out of the arrow’s way. He was soon surprised when I pulled out my sword and sliced his bowgun in two and shoved him back. All of a sudden, her sword penetrated through the hard Dauconese armor and he fell to the ground, dead. She was on her knees with tears in her eyes.

“I didn’t want to kill. I didn’t” she whispered. We heard shouting from the gates.

“Donovan! They’re coming!” Brendon pointed in the direction of the shouting.

“Run!” He complied with my order. I sheathed my sword and picked up Myrcella’s. I then placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I know this must hurt, but you can mourn later. We need to get to the next town before the enemy reaches us.” She nodded then took her sword before running after Brendon. I followed her and looked back once at the home I was leaving. We ran over the hills and were out of sight of Garenthia. I briefly wondered if I would ever see it or my father again.

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Character Bios

At the end of most chapters will be short descriptions on new characters that Donovan meets.

Donovan Cadfael                                                                                      Brendon Fadul

Age: 20                                                                                                                Age: 18

Hair: Brown, short with jagged bangs                                      Hair: Brown, short and neat

Eyes: Amber                                                                                                    Eyes: Blue

Birthplace: Kingdom of Garenthia                                  Birthplace: Kingdom of Garenthia

Uh…I’m me.                                                                              My best and only friend.

King of Garenthia                                                                                        Maria Reddia

Age: 68                                                                                                                Age: 16

Hair: White, very long                                                            Hair: Blonde, long and wavy

Eyes: Brown                                                                                                 Eyes: Green

Birthplace: Kingdom of Garenthia                                  Birthplace: Kingdom of Garenthia

My father.                                         Brendon’s girlfriend- I mean a nurse at the infirmary.

Myrcella

Age: 19

Hair: Auburn, long and covers half her face

Eyes: Green

Birthplace: Kingdom of Daucon

A mysterious Dauconese girl.