Last week in the read-through of my Very First Novel, we were introduced to the Man, the Myth, the Legend: Evan Ramsey, Lord of Rocklawn, who informed our heroes about the legend predicting their arrival and their mission: to find the Lost Island in the Southern Forest, retrieve the prince therein from the Raccoon Brethren, and in so doing save the country from the evil Lord Taradash. Now, some people would undertake such a quest in great secrecy and stealth, not wanting said Lord Bad Guy to find out about it, right? Well, in chapter nine we learn Evan Ramsey follows another school of thought…
The next day, the three kids, plus Luther, prepared to set out for the Lost Island. Lord Ramsey had given them all the supplies they would need for the journey. He had also given them weapons. He had issued Sean with a light rapier like his own, long and slender with a fine basket hilt, together with a thin sheath and a small round shield. Conrad had received a fine saber, with a long, slightly curving, single-edged blade and a leather-bound hilt, with a piece of rock crystal for the pommel stone. Lord Ramsey had also given Conrad a decorated sheath for the saber, and a tri-cornered shield, slightly larger than Sean’s. There was no sword light enough for Lucy to handle, but the Lord of Rocklawn found a keen-edged dagger for her, plus a bow and quiver full of newly fletched arrows. Luther needed no weapons, with his fearsome talons and curved beak.
The three kids had spent all morning practicing with their new weapons, and even Lord Ramsey admitted that they were not half bad. He praised Lucy especially for her skill with the bow and arrow. Lucy shrugged modestly, explaining that she had taken archery class at summer camp for several years.
Lord Ramsey also made good his promise to provide a guide for them. About an hour before noon, as the three kids were practicing in the courtyard of Rocklawn, Lord Ramsey approached. “Prithee, excuse my interruption, but methinks thou wilt be pleased to know I have secured a guide for thy quest, who canst take the to Mirk, where the Sapphire River doth branch off from the Diamond River, and who canst also help thee when thou sleekest the Raccoon Brethren!”
“Great!” Lucy exclaimed. “So, um, where is he?”
“Ah, forgive me,” the baron apologized. “He standeth beside me. Lucy, Sean, Conrad, and Luther, may I introduce to Dwayne Bushfield, and I might say that thou couldst have no better one to guide thee on thy quest.”
Luther immediately opened his beak to protest, for the guide that Lord Ramsey offered was none other than the same burly jackrabbit who had poked fun at the owl the day before. Dwayne Bushfield was a powerful animal, with long, thin ears, long hind legs, and thick, brawny arms. His fur was brownish-gray, with patches of white on his chest and arms. His face was craggy and weathered, but beneath his rugged exterior, he appeared to be concealing a smile as Luther started to berate Lord Ramsey for choosing an 'uncultured, uneducated, uncivilized creature’ to accompany them on their quest.
The owl's vehement objections were cut short as Conrad said, "We'd be honored to have Mr. Bushfield help us find the Lost Island, isn't that right, Luther?" Conrad shot a warning glare at the owl.
"Hmmph,” Luther sniffed, which was probably the least eloquent thing he had said since they'd met him. “If you will kindly excuse me, I have work to do!''' he snapped, before turning huffily away and stalking off towards the castle.
"Well," Dwayne drawled, "Ah thank that thar bird is a maht mad at meh. Ah jist caint imahgine whah, can y’all?" Despite themselves, the three kids had to laugh.
It quickly became apparent that Dwayne was a real warrior. He helped them practice with their weapons, giving them several tips on how to become better at swordplay and archery. He also demonstrated his skill with a sling, as he loosed a pebble into the air, quickly reloaded the sling, and whipped another pebble into the air, which struck the first one before it reached the ground.
Dwayne shrugged off the three kids’ compliments. “Ah, taint’ nothin’, whah anyone can do that if they’ve a mahnd to it. Ah’ll betcha y’all could get that good if’n y’all trahd hard enough.” From the look of his two tough leather slings hanging from his belt, they could tell Dwayne had certainly met that requirement.
Later that afternoon, the five companions were in the final stages of preparation for the journey to the journey to Mirk. Luther had finally rejoined them. The owl had reluctantly resigned himself to the fact that Dwayne was accompanying them on their quest, but he was plainly not pleased.
Finally, all was in readiness. Their haversacks of food and other essential supplies were packed and ready, the three kids had been outfitted with comfortable Sirian clothes, their weapons were prepared and sharpened, and Dwayne and Lucy had been given a fully supply of throwing pebbles and arrows.
Just as they were completing some last-minute preparations, Lord Ramsey approached them. He made some light small talk, discussing a few minor details and trivialities, but the Lord of Rocklawn appeared slightly disturbed and uncomfortable about something. He hemmed and hawed for a moment before finally coming right out with it. He addressed Conrad, who despite Dwayne's seniority had found himself in a leadership position among the five. Dwayne himself insisted on remaining as more of a guide and pathfinder than leader. "Prithee, wouldst thou grant me a boon, sirrah?"
Conrad shot a glance at the other four before answering. "What is it?"
Ramsey gestured behind him to where two stalwart figures stood together. Conrad recognized them from the painting in the Great Hall and realized that these must be Lord Ramsey's sons, They looked remarkably like twins, for each appeared about eighteen years old. and each had light brown hair and dark eyes like their father.
The resemblance ended there. One was tall, saturnine and constantly had a bored expression on his face as if he would rather be doing something else. His movements were slow and deliberate, and he carried a long rapier like his father.
The other of Lord Ramsey's sons was shorter and thinner than his brother. He looked vibrant and active, as if he couldn't. wait to get moving on something, or become involved in sonic kind of energetic activity. He constantly moved about restlessly, and fidgeted with the curved scimitar that hung from his belt. (Shenan had taken the scimitar from some pirate foxes who had tried to capture Rocklawn).
"I beg thee," Lord Ramsey asked, "take my two sons with thee. They had lived at Rocklawn all their lives, but methinks they have need to venture out into the world beyond. My son Shenan," and here he indicated the second one, the one who looked excited and restless," will soon become rebellious if I keep him here overlong. He longeth to see the outside world and fight. against the tyranny of Lord Taradash. And my other son, Alexan, needeth to experience life in the outside world, adventure and peril, otherwise he would become too wearied with the peaceful life here. I promise thee that they wouldst be a welcome addition to thy band, for they are both valiant fighters and can readily defend themselves against Lord Taradash. I pray thee, honour my request and permit my sons to travel with thee!"
Conrad had a quick conference with the others, than turned back to Lord Ramsey. “Of course we’ll take him. We’ll need all the help we can get!”
Lord Ramsey was greatly pleased. He drew forth his deadly rapier and held it upright in a warrior’s salute. “Thou art truly a noble lad, yea, both thou and thy comrades. Because of thine manifold friendliness to the Ramsey line, I, Evan Ramsey, Lord of Rocklawn, do solemnly swear that thou, and all thy friends, shalt forever be welcome at Rocklawn so long as one of my noble lineage rules there. Thou shalt always be receive with gladness, and given weapons or provisions or anything that thou needest. And if thou succeed in thy noble quest which thou hast taken on, I promise thee that thy name wilt be remembered here for as long as Rocklawn stands. And I also swear that I will personally beseech the King, to grant thee all lands and riches and whatever thou desire. Moreover, I wilt request that the title of knighthood be bestowed upon all thy number. This I swear by my oath as a Sirian Lord!”
The five companions felt immensely proud, and unworthy at the same time, to receive such honor from the Lord of Rocklawn. They finished their final tasks and prepared to set out. Shenan and Alexan, anticipating that the five would agree to let them join the quest, had already packed supplies and provisions, and had readied their weapons. The two joined the others at the gateway of Rocklawn.
A large crowd had gathered to see the seven comrades off. The jackrabbits cheered wildly for Dwayne, letting off cries of 'Yippee-yi-yay!’ and 'Yeehaa!’ and other Texan cowboy shouts. The dogs of Rocklawn howled and barked loudly in support of the questing party, Other animals, mice, squirrels, deer, and the odd sparrow encouraged the adventurers in their own ways, and the humans of Rocklawn gave constant rounds of applause and many hearty cheers. Finally, Lord Ramsey stood and called for silence.
“This day is a great day in the long history of our proud kingdom! For today, these seven who stand before me doth go forth to do that which has never been done before! They go forth on a great and noble quest, to seek out the Lost Island, to befriend the Raccoon Brethren, to find the son of Lawrence the Lionhearted, to bring him out of the Southern Forest and set him on his rightful place as King of Sirilan, and to drive Taradash and his evil hordes from our land forever!" Lord Ramsey's speech was interrupted by many frenzied cheers. He waited for the reverberating applause to quiet down, and when it did, he continued. “And so, I, Evan Ramsey, Lord of Rocklawn, Baron of the Eastern Plain, doth herewith send these seven, Lucy Shackleford, Sean Christopher, Conrad Stephens, Lutherian Antonius Julius Themarius Dwayne Bushfield, Shenan Ramsey, and Alexan Ramsey, to fulfill their valourous quest, and by so doing save all Sirilan! Go then, and may thy journeys be pleasant, thy weapons unconquered, thy provisions bountiful, thy friends unfailing, and thy hearts courageous!''
As Lord Ramsey finished his stirring send-off, the crowd applauded wildly and cheered till their lungs ached as the seven companions turned, strode out the gateway of Rocklawn, and set off on the quest for the Lost Island!
In the dark throne room of Castle Taradash, a shadowy form slipped through the great doors and prostrated itself in front of the marvelous throne. There was a short pause, then an iron voice rang out into the dismal room. “What news do you bring me? Were you successful in the task which I gave you?”
"My Lord Taradash,” the rat spoke, fighting to keep his voice from trembling as two jet black eyes bored into him, "I was successful in the task you gave me. I gained entrance to Rocklawn and was detected by no creature there. I was able to steal some weapons and a few provisions, and I heard many words spoken by Lord Ramsey and his friends.”
"Skivvel," Taradash’s voice had an ominous edge to it, "unless you tell me something of interest in the next five seconds, I will sentence you to imprisonment in the court of Cavanessa Montashleigh. And I don't think you want that."
A shiver of fear ran up the spying rat's back. Skivvel knew what the Catqueen did to her prisoners. "Sire, I saw seven, four Sirians and three children from another land setting out to find the Lost Island!"
A long pause filled the throne room. Then Skivvel heard a sound that few had ever heard before. It was the sound of Lord Taradash laughing! Harsh, grating laughter rang out and filled the throne room. Skivvel wondered for a second if the tyrant ruler of Sirilan had finally snapped.
Taradash's laughter soon subsided. He causally toyed with his sword as he spoke to Skivvel. "Skivvel, someone starts every day to find the Lost Island. No one has ever found it. Few have ever come back alive. 1 sent you to Rocklawn to gather useful information, not news of another useless expedition to search for a dead prince on a nonexistent island, Skivvel." Skivvel quaked with terror at the tone of his master.
"Sire," he protested, "Lord Ramsey has sent his two sons with the three children, also Dwayne Bushfield and Luther Themarius! He has given them weapons and supplies! All of Rocklawn watched them go!"
"This is idle talk," Lord Taradash stood abruptly. "So Lord Ramsey has sent his worthless brats, an insolent rabbit, and that featherbrain dolt of an owl, along with three other young idiots on the quest. Skivvel, I need information, not useless fairy tales!"
"But Sire, the legend!" Skivvel squealed in panic.
Lord Taradash stopped. An ominous hush fell over the throne room. "And what legend would that be?"
"The Legend of the Lost Island, sire!"
Lord Taradash raised his sword. Suddenly he flung it towards Skivvel! its point slammed down into the floor, not an inch away from the rat's muzzle. "Tell me all."
Skivvel hurriedly told the Lord of Castle Taradash all he had heard, including the entire conversation between the three kids, Luther, and the owl concerning the Legend of the Lost Island and how Sean, Conrad, and Lucy fulfilled the rhyme and how they were setting off to the Southern Forest, When he had finished, Lord Taradash strode over to him. The tyrant king of Sirilan pulled his sword from the floor and aimed it at Skivvel’s head. His voice rang out, stern and unyielding.
"Go, call Rakkla. Tell him to gather his most cunning warriors and strongest fighters. Tell him to hunt down those seven from Rocklawn, and dispose of them. Oh, and Skivvel, tell Rakkla this also. Fail me again, and I will dispose of him as well!”
2023 me’s comments:
Yeah. Is it a coincidence that I gave Lucy a bow and arrows just like C.S. Lewis did with Jill Pole and Susan in Narnia? Oh, absolutely (not). Did I go overboard with Evan Ramsey’s speeches? Totally. Was it a dumb idea to announce the quest in broad daylight which practically guaranteed the Evil Tyrant King with Hordes would find out about it? Yeah.
Other than that, great writing, no?
Anyway, next week we’ve got a battle! Tara Raiders vs. Conrad and Co.! Who wins? (I mean, you know it’s gonna be the good guys, right, but maybe there’ll be some interesting character development, yeah? Keep hope alive, there’s the spirit!
Until next time,
Michael
I’m still not over the fact that his name is Evan Ramsey. In this whole fantastical world, there’s all these magnificent names and then also Evan Ramsey who probably is related to the budget guy and yet he gives the most grandiose speeches.
A delight, as always!