When the gallant knights returned they were battered and bruised. It was clear to see that the group of 200 had been thinned out. Yet what filled the villagers wasn’t grief. They were instead extremely happy.

A great celebration feast was held for the victorious knights, on the very same day they returned. When they had drunk and devoured enough to puke, those who survived could crash at home and maybe sing a few songs of valour and tell about their grand kills.

William didn’t get to see Harvick, but at least they knew from their unschathed father, that the boy also survived. He had even contributed a lot, even though Harvick was a greenhorn, who had never feasted on blood and carnage before.

Seeing how lively his father and the other knights were, William couldn’t help but wonder if these battles really were that bad? Maybe taking another person’s life was a piece of cake? Even fun and exiting?..

As these thoughts began to surface, William had to scold himself for thinking too much like a psychopath. He thought: Take it easy there William… You don’t want to yearn for blood and killing others now… Even though I’ve always wondered how it would be to actually take someones life?

****

Unbeknownst to anyone. A young boy sat inside the castle walls. He had recently been the talk of the evening, with bright smiles and approval headed his way. Yet here alone in his room, he felt he could finally let the well molded mask crack a bit. Enough to let a clear stream run down his cheeks. For he deeply regretted what his future looked like.

Bound in silver and golden robes, there was a sharp sword hidden, thirsty for blood.

An illusion had been broken on his first campaign. Apparently it was only the beginning of a long lasting power struggle for land and riches. And they wouldn’t stop before his new father, lord Blaise, was satisfied…

After the first battle was settled, envoys came to negotiate the spoils and territory of their own lands. Including talks of alliances and peace negotiations. This was however futile, because lord Blaise had discovered, that he now had a great warrior on his team: Namely Harvick.

The youth had found his ability and it was quite useful in large scale battles.

So it didn’t take long before a smaller band of knights, including Harvick, were send out to fight some more and expand the territory along the way. Harvick left with these words from lord Blaise: “If you can win these battles and take over Halbal’s castle, I’ll let you become their new appointed lord. Of course, you’ll still be under our banner, with me as the head of our family. Now go forth, Harvick my son! And bring us glory!”.

As they rode out the village, Harvick caught a glimpse of his little friend. He couldn’t help but clap Liberto and make the dinosaur stand still. This made it easier for the little girl to catch up on them before they left.

William yelled “Why are you leawing again!? And so few ow you!?”.

Harvick smiled wryly and said “That’s because we have been given an honorable mission. Ah! This lad might become a lord one day! Isn’t that great, Mirabelle? Hehe…”. However hearing this, William only got confused. This feeling of being lost, was truthfully plastered on his face. So Harvick felt he had to explain more in depth: “Mirabelle… You see… Since the last battle, I have been able to control my ability with Liberto… It’s quite powerful, so that’s why we’re so few this time around... It’s because lord Blaise has great expectations for me”.

William nodded, still a bit confused. But he did manage to catch on to something. This new tid bid of information made him really excited, so he asked immediately “Harvick! What ish your ability!?”.

To this, Harvick only painfully laughed and accused “Not you too, Mirabelle”. He was a bit disappointed in the child for some reason.

With a pause, Harvick looked a bit closer. What he found, lightened his mood. It was the pure eagerness displayed in William’s eyes, that he couldn’t deny. How could such innocent eyes be with any ill intent? So he decided to spill the beans, even though it was for the best that as few as possible knew of this.

“I have the ability to make a powerful shout with my lungs… Simply put, you could say that with wind and words I can pummel the enemy and sent them flying hundreds of meters into the air… It’s very effective”.

William gaped at this. He could hear the theme song from a game he once played, burst in the back of his mind… He muttered out loud “Are you the dragwonborn or somewhing? Wtf…?”. These words were gibberish in Harvick’s ancient ears. So he asked “What? I didn’t hear you clearly, Mirabelle”.

While sweating profusely, William quickly shook his head and withdrew his words.

Then he shrieked “Nothing!.. I just saib that I hope you’ll come bwack soon! Haha!”. Harvick clapped his dinosaur and said “Me too… I’ll take my leave now... Oh! And, don’t go spreading this information around to anyone! Understood?”. William replied with a firm “Yes!”.

After this meeting, he didn’t see Harvick again, before a tragic event hit their island…