The Heartsteel Knight

The Heartsteel Knight

The first time Maxon Hart stood between a monster and a village, he carried no legendary armor and wore no crown of glory. He was just a stubborn young man with a battered shield, a steady gaze, and a habit of stepping toward danger when everyone else ran. No one watching that day could have guessed they were looking at the future Heartsteel Knight.

To the people, he was known as the Heartsteel Knight-the only man in the land chosen to wear the ancient armor of Heartsteel. It was said the armor could not be stolen, bought, or inherited. It chose only the one whose heart was strong enough to bear its power.

With it, Maxon protected the kingdom from beasts, raiders, and shadows that crept from the old forests.

But before he was a legend, before songs were sung about him, before children carved his symbol into wooden shields, Maxon was simply a young man trying to do what was right.

His closest companion was not a king, a prince, or a fellow knight.

It was a horse.

Ghostwind.

The fastest steed in all the land.

No rider had ever been able to tame him. Many had tried with ropes, commands, and force. Maxon did not. He simply waited. Day after day, he sat near the wild horse with an open hand and a quiet heart.

And one morning, Ghostwind came to him.

From that day forward, the horse carried no rider but Maxon Hart.

Together, they became a legend.

But every legend has a beginning.

And every heart, no matter how strong, can be broken.