“We had trouble that first year,” Aldan muttered, “trying to figure out what we should do for our own needs. Your mother and I finally agreed that we could see other people as long as they would mean nothing and our hearts remained with each other. We managed not to rouse any sort of suspicion within the city and our family has maintained a level of normality.”

Donovan felt nothing by this point; any feeling of revulsion, terror, and anger had dwindled away within the last hour of his mother’s tale. He felt empty and the realization that his family life had been nothing more than a lie seemed to gnaw at his gut, telling him that even the love his parents had given him was all a ploy to make sure no one suspected his mother of being anything but what she once had been. Donovan pushed himself out of his chair and walked towards the door, “Good night.” He was hoping that sleep would wash away the memories or, at least, the feelings that the night had brought.

“Will you promise not speak to anyone about this,” Keira asked but she received no reply as her son left the room.

Any hope for sleep was gone completely by the time Donovan walked down the hallway, his eyes studying the large window as his mind replayed the sight of his mother murdering someone before him. He still went through the routine of preparing himself for bed but as he lay beneath the covers, staring at the ceiling, all he could think about was his mother. He forces himself to go through his childhood memories, recalling images of his mother all those years ago and wondering why he hadn’t noticed that she never aged. As he dug further into his memories Donovan began to remember horror stories cropping up of people being attacked by monsters within the city walls and farm animals being ripped apart in the night.

“I should have known something,” Donovan murmured.

**********

Somehow Donovan had managed to fall asleep the night before but when he awoke he found himself in pain once more; Ba’alint was summoned and Donovan was given more of the sour tasting liquid. Donovan remained in his room, denying his parents entry as he continued to think over the previous night’s stories. As angry as he was with his parents for keeping those secrets he began to understand why and knew that he couldn’t hate them for doing all they could to have their family survive.

“Donovan?”

“Father, I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed today,” Donovan spat as he crawled out of bed.

“Actually it’s me, Aston.”

Donovan sighed as he pulled off his night shirt, “Sorry, come in.” He pulled out a rust colored tunic from the chest had rummaged through the night before and slipped it on as Aston slowly walked in. “I hope I didn’t sound too upset,” Donovan motioned for him friend to sit at the table.

“Your father said you might not be in the best of moods,” Aston shrugged, “but he didn’t tell me you were still feeling ill.”

“I was unable to sleep last night.” Donovan took a seat across from Aston and rested his head against the back of the wooden chair. “Ever since the other night things haven’t been the same; I feel like I’m slowly going crazy.” It was only half a lie but Donovan felt horrible that he couldn’t tell Aston the truth; he knew that the Knight’s code made it clear that anything undead had to be destroyed and the last thing he needed was for his best friend to kill his mother.

Aston pondered for a moment before clapping his hands together. “Your father’s caravan is heading out tomorrow for supplies, right?”

Donovan shrugged, fighting off the memory of his mother that were triggered by the word, “I suppose they are, why?”

“You don’t seem to be doing too well and I think that going with the caravan will be a nice way to get some fresh air.” Aston cleared his through, “That and you wouldn’t have to take that mage’s potions anymore; I still think he is causing all these problems.”

“Do you really think my father will let me do this?”

“If you tell him it’s because you want to learn more about the business, then I bet he’d let you shoot him in the foot with an arrow. If he thinks you’ll get into trouble I can always come with to make sure everything goes well.”

“Agreed,” Donovan laughed. “I’ll let my father know while you go and do what ever it is you have to. Meet me here tomorrow.”

Donovan followed Aston to the first floor, seeing his friend out before looking for his father. He wasn’t too surprised to find him in the room they had been in the night before, sitting before the fireplace and watching the last embers burn themselves out. Donovan settled in a seat across from his father, watching him for a moment before telling him Aston’s idea. It took a few moments of thought but Aldan agreed to the idea and told him that he would send word to his caravan leader about the sudden change. His father seemed happy that Donovan hadn’t been deterred from the previous night’s discussion and was more than happy to have him join the caravan and see how the business was run. Servants helped Donovan pack his bag for the journey and informing him that his first trip to the neighboring kingdom may not be fun but it would be worthwhile in the end.

Aston arrived with the rising sun the next morning with his horse ready to go and waiting for Donovan to prepare himself and for the caravan to turn up. He hadn’t packed much, nothing more than a change of clothes, some gold to buy gifts for his parents, and his sword which his superiors asked him to bring, worried about recent reports of brigands appearing on the stretch of road. Aston was more than happy to act as the caravan’s lead of security, telling Donovan straightaway that he would take point with the caravan’s leader to keep a watchful eye. Though he agreed with the idea Donovan had a feeling that Aston would spend most of the trip by his side, the two talking about their parents or possibly the goings on of the city to pass the time.

“Your mother wants you be careful,” Aldan said as he walked with to the stable with Donovan. “She was a little apprehensive when I told her what you were doing but agreed that you needed to go along. She also wanted me to give you this.” Aldan slipped a sheathed dagger into Donovan’s hand as he mounted his horse; Donovan gawked at the blade before giving his father a questioning look. “You were never trained in combat and though Aston will be with you the dagger will be there to protect you if you are separated.”

Donovan slipped the dagger into his boot with a slight nod. “I’ve joined you on hunting parties often enough that my use of a bow is better than most others and one of the servants was nice enough to pack it for me.” He gave a weak smile noticing the remnants of fear lingering in his father’s eyes, most likely because it was Donovan’s first trip away from either of his parents. At that moment he understood the fear gnawing at his parents as he felt it creep into his own mind. “You trust this caravan and I trust Aston; I’ll be fine, father.” Aldan nodded with a faint smile taking Donovan’s hand with a firm shake before turning away and disappearing into the house.

“I didn’t know your father could be drawn to tears,” Aston moved his horse towards Donovan. “My father’s response was that it was about time I went out and saw one of the other cities or kingdoms and that I should bring my mother something.”

“He has his reasons,” Donovan mumbled. “Lets go, I believe the caravan is waiting for us.” He led the way through the stable and into the street, where the caravan lingered. A man a little older than the two of them sat atop a black speckled horse and watched them approach with a broad smile. His hair was a dusty blonde and seemed unkempt but was hidden beneath a hat that shaded his tanned face. “I assume that you’re the caravan leader.”

The man nodded and sat straight in his saddle. “Your presumption is correct, sir, and I wish to congratulate you on becoming the owner of your family store. My name is Faris,” he extended a gloved hand which Donovan and Aston took in turn. “Since you’ve never done this before I suppose I should tell you how things are usually done; it’s nearly a three day journey there and another three days back and about two days spent gathering stock, if we’re lucky. We have rooms at an inn prepared for us already and food will be provided.”

“Wow,” Aston whistled, “Seems like you have a routine down pretty well. I hope we don’t get in your way.”

Faris laughed. “We’re flexible so we can work around any problem you could create. Now, if you’re ready we’ll head off.”

Much of the first day of the trip was spent talking to Faris about the caravan and what he did when he wasn’t running from city to city. Donovan felt a knot in his stomach form when he learned that Faris was the youngest son of Ra’is, the caravan leader that died during his mother’s attack. Faris explained that he felt it was his family’s duty to continue to work for the LeClair’s vowing that he wouldn’t let any of their caravans come under attack, seeing that the LeClair family had been so good to them when Ra’is died.

It was the second day that brought Donovan and Aston slightly behind Faris to talk amongst themselves. Aston began to wonder about winter training and if most of their courses would be canceled due to some of the mages foreseeing bad weather and the possibility of trouble on one of their borders. Donovan tried to reassure him that if his training had to be put on hold they spend their times at the inns visiting with bards or possibly going with his parents on their yearly trip to the country.

“I think I might have to decline the invitation to the countryside this year.” Aston smiled, “I’ve had my eye on a young lady.”

Donovan cocked an eyebrow. “Really; now who might this young damsel be?”

“Her name is Eluriana and she works for the palace mages as a scribe.” Aston looked off in the distance, his eyes seeming to sparkle with the memory of the woman. “I’ve met her only twice; once when I had to give a message to the mages and another time when she was heading to the royal library for some research. She has the sweetest smile and her eyes are the perfect shade of blue,” his voice dwindled to a sigh as he slipped back into his memories.

“Have you acted out any of your intentions,” Donovan laughed.

Aston’s face grew rosy and he shook his head franticly, “By the Gods, no; I wouldn’t know how. I mean, I’ve thought about writing her a note or seeing if I could have some flowers sent to her room in the mage’s house but I don’t think she’d know who I am.”

Donovan gave Aston an encouraging smile. “Well if she doesn’t know your name sign everything with something like, ‘from your devoted knight.’ I doubt she has been cavorting with any of the other trainees so she should only know one knight.”

“I suppose that’s true,” Aston grinned. “What about you; is there some young damsel that you’ve had your eye on?”

Donovan paused for a moment as the image of his mother appeared in his mind, causing him to close his eyes and curse under his breath. “No, there is no-one.”

“That’s a shame.” Aston stretched his arms with a bright smile, “I do think we should start looking for brides because there is no use putting it off anymore. I’ll take your advice and send her a note and if she returns my feelings I’ll try and speak with her father.”

“I suppose I’ll have my father do what needs to be done,” Donovan returned Aston’s smile. “I believe he told me once before that it wasn’t proper for me to court ladies left and right but he had to find suitable women.”

By evening on the third day the walls of Atlunana grew before them, marking the border of the Kingdoms of Cheval and Ostara. The site took Donovan’s breath away as the spires of Atlunana’s Mage’s Guild, bearing the symbol of their kingdom proudly on their walls, towered over them with the glow of magic. The gates to the city were open and the street leading in was filled with carriages and people traveling by horse.

“Sir,” Faris called, motioning for Donovan to join him. “The caravan has to go through a few checks before we can enter the city, but you and the knight can head through without a problem. Find a place called The Hall of the Jackals just on the other side of the gate and tell them who you are, they should give you a room.”

“Where should I meet you in the morning?” Donovan chewed at his lip as the feeling of panic slipped into his mind.

Faris waved his hand, “Don’t worry about helping us this time, sir. Since it’s your first time in Atlunana it would be wiser for the two of you to do some sightseeing; on your next trip with us I’ll put you to work.”