Chapter 6: Explanation

Derek looked at the circle of faces before him. Marilyn, Carter, and the newly introduced Robert looked back at him. They had guessed something was strange about him at their first meeting, they way he hadn't told them his true name, and the constant traveling around the whole kingdom. Now they wanted an explanation.

Derek sighed. "Where shall I begin?"

"I want to know why you're always moving around." Marilyn spoke up. "I thought we would get to see you at one of the havens, but you're never there."

Derek hung his head, hesitant to tell them. "I…I'm a hunted man."

The shock was evident on their faces. "What do you mean by that?" Robert asked.

"Have you heard of Lord Daylen of Norwex?"

They all nodded. Lord Daylen was said to be one of the Dark Knight's most cruel Vinceros. Knights of the Prince had found it hard to establish a haven there because of the relentless persecution.

"Well…" Derek paused, not wanting to say too much. "Let's just say I did something that greatly angered him."

"How did you do that?" Carter questioned.

"You know that Lord Daylen had a son?"

Marilyn, Carter, and Robert nodded. His son was said to be more opposed to the Knights of the Prince than even Daylen himself–if such a thing could be possible.

Derek looked up at them. "Do you know what happened to him?"

They shook their heads.

"Lord Daylen's son was on his way to do more terrible deeds when a voice in the village square stopped him. It was a Knight of the Prince; he was speaking to the people out in the open. Telling them of the Prince's plan of hope and salvation for the kingdom.

"The young man had never really listened to the message, but for some reason he did that day. And he continued to come back, again and again he came and listened. Until he came to believe in the message. He became a Knight of the Prince.

"The very night he accepted the Prince he told his father of his decision–and was outcast because of it. Because of the constant danger he was in–being hunted by his own father–he disguised himself under a new name. He called himself the 'Wandering Knight'."

Silence reigned for a long time, until Marilyn commented: "You seem to know a lot about Lord Daylen's son. Do you know him?"

Derek looked into her eyes. "I am he."

A/N: Now they know who Derek really is! How do you think they'll react? Keep reading to find out!