Hero

CHAPTER 18: DAMIAN V

Damian Renway awoke in the hall of Kings and Queens in Skylance Castle. He was surrounded by statues of all the greatest monarchs of the past including Denbire The Great, the first ever king of Istoren who was appointed by the greatest wizards in the land. There was the statue of William The Hero, who had slayed the evil Traodor and banished them from the lands once and for all. There was even one of Lucy The Magnificent who had been known to be one of the kindest loyalist people to have ever lived in Fardawn.

He looked at the statues in awe hoping that one day he would be as brave and strong as all of them. Damian sat up scratching his left eye which had been aggravating him for the last few minutes. A sudden thought passed through his mind. It was the day of the jousting tournament. The day that his father had been looking  forward to so much until his untimely demise in The Forest of Dreams. His fathers killer was still out there and Damian was determined to find them but he knew he wouldn't stand a chance unless he had his brother Edward's respect. The only way to do this was to win the tournament, and the only way to win was to bet his luck on the strange potion he had been given.

Without anyone noticing he quickly drank the elixir and placed the bottle on the ground. He coughed vigorously unable to stop for a few seconds before finally getting a weird feeling from within.

Damian felt like he could do anything, he had never felt so confident in his entire life.

* * *

After he had put on his armour, Damian Renway walked out to hear hundreds of people cheering in every direction. The jousting tournament had already began. Currently jousting was his brother Edward and skilled fighter Tog Riverwade, a noble warrior from Lokinoor; one of the seven regions of Fardawn like Istoren. His fighting style differed strongly to that of Edwards who preferred charging straight into the battle compared to Tog who would attempt to parry many of his attacks from the centre of the field.

After around half an hour of tediously going up and down the field Tog was knocked off of his horse and Edward declared the champion of that round. Edward reached out a hand to Tog who took it and the two hugged.

"What a fight you put up laddy," said Tog smiling and patting Edward on the back, "Well deserved win, good luck in the next round."

"Why thank you Tog, send my regards to your father Bernard when you return home but by all means stay and enjoy the festivities after the tournament my friend," replied Edward.

"It would be an honour laddy," accepted Tog.

The two men walked off the field in the direction of Damian. Tog continued walking but Edward went up to his brother and whispered in his ear, "You're up brother. Good luck out there and remember that if you loose it won't effect your name in anyway."

"What do you mean?" questioned Damian who was pretty sure as soon as he had asked, what his brothers reply would be.

"We all expect you to anyway," chuckled Edward lifting his brother up onto a horse.

Everything fell silent. All of a sudden a small man stood up at one of the stands and shouted something as loud as he could. It sounded like he said rin amin ray versus lor or but after everyone around him started shouting it, Damian then realised the small man had said, Prince Damian Renway versus Lord Oreon.

Across the field was Lord Oreon on top of a black and grey stallion looking fierecely at Damian. After a small smirk, Lord Oreon who was surprisingly wearing very little armour came charging at Damian who was not ready at all. Damian quickly pulled down his helmet and picked up his shield just in time to fend off the strike from Lord Oreon. He noticed that his lance was still on the other side of the field so realised he would have to dodge another attack in order to make sure he got it.

"What's wrong your highness, missing something," laughed Lord Oreon, guarding over Damian's lance.

Damian panicked unsure of what to do next but this was quickly ended by a gust of confidence as Lord Oreons horse started stamping its hooves causing Lord Oreon to have to go to the other side of the field leaving space open for Damian to get his lance. He gave his horse a small tap on the side and galloped over towards the lance picking it up, turning round to face Lord Oreon.

"No I'm good thanks." replied Damian to the lords earlier remark and charging at him full speed.

Lord Oreons horse was still out of control allowing Damian to easily knock him off the horse. He could hear his name being chanted throughout the crowd. Damian did the honourable thing offering Lord Oreon a hand. He took it but pulled Damian close towards him.

"You're gonna regret this mate, mark my words." said Lord Oreon with malice but without anyone seeing. He pulled away from Damian with a smile on his face, bowed in front of him and walked off the field.

Damian stood confused for a few seconds but then celebrated as he had just beaten someone in some sort of fight. Something he had never done before. Marie walked onto the field and tapped Damian on the back whilst he was on the shoulders of two tall men with the crowd chanting his name.

"That was unfair Damian. His horse was out of control. You show little honour," said Marie with sadness in her voice.

"He charged at me without a lance, I hardly call that fair. I guess it's just my lucky day," replied Damian laughing.

Marie shook her head walking off the field in the direction of Lord Oreon. Damian Renway looked around enjoying the glory. Everyone smiled at him cheering his name. He had never felt so happy. He felt like his father Jared would have been proud of him.