A knight fights for what is true, but what if all you knew were lies? Dewford Deuteronomy Duck was a legend! A warrior destined to surpass all others! At least that's what he would say. In truth, he was a ward and apprentice for his uncle. Donald Duck was the warrior, clumsy and hot-tempered, every enemy which had the bad luck to not know him easily believed he was nothing more than a fool. At least until his anger showed and they would fall. This skill even getting him to his position as a captain and as the Queen's personal knight.
In the attempt to protect his only family, Donald had Dewey merely maintain weapons in the forge. Trying to diminish his want to be a knight like him but in actuality, this only pushed Dewey to want to prove his own skill more. He had often watched his uncle train new recruits for the Victoria Kingdom, copying their moves with the weapons he fixed and created.
Thankfully, his teacher and best friend, Launchpad was the blacksmith in charge of the forge. He always let Dewey use any weapon he wanted so long as it came back before it was needed.
"Dewey! How's that bow coming along? I hear it's going to someone pretty important over in the next kingdom."
"Almost done LP, just adding a bit of that Dewey flare!" He shouted adding a bit of a gold lining to the bow. It was a special order after all from the Arian Kingdom which were famous for their secrecy and for their fighters who were said to be the best. Asking them for a weapon was a first as they usually made their own but came with the promise of more work if they made it well enough.
"Just not too much flare, your uncle burned his hand the last time you added 'flare'."
"Hey, I told him it was still cooling down but he never listens."
"No one ever does to a kid."
"You do."
"Well, because we're friends!" Dewey nodded, thankful for Launchpad's trust in him. Launchpad was known around for being clumsy and accident-prone, barely able to do anything without causing destruction. With how dangerous people believed him to be it was a surprise when they found he was immensely skilled in the forge. His weapons while a bit unorthodox in their development were top notch and so Queen Daisy promoted him to the position he's in.
Dewey dumped the bow in water, hearing an angry voice above the hiss of the steam.
"Wow, the captain is working them hard today."
"The queen is supposed to be evaluating them today. He wants to impress her I think. He's always like this when she's involved."
"You ever try to help him?"
"All the time! I mean who can deny that I am the most eligible duck in the whole kingdom!"
"Not many!" They shared a laugh and Dewey how Launchpad's love life was going, always enjoying the strange tales his friend had involving it. Mermaids, knights, thieves, even monsters! They were just finishing the orders of the day when the queen herself arrives with a kind smile.
"Keeping busy boys?" Launchpad and Dewey bowed and nodded as she entered the forge, looking round in approval of the condition of the equipment. "I don't know how you two do it but it's perfect as always. This dreadful heat, how do you two not burn up?"
"I'm the coolest guy around! That and Launchpad managed to get a water pump working right outside."
"Hmm, that explains where some of the water from the nobles' rooms are going. I won't tell if you don't, they waste far more than they use anyway. Who needs a two-hour bath every day?"
"No clue."
"You take baths every day?" Daisy left the forge with the boys behind her. They shared a drink as Donald's quacking caught their attention and Dewey noticed the smile Daisy had all the while.
"So Daisy- err I mean My queen-"
"I was the one who entrusted you to Donald after you were left at the castle Dewford, I see you both as close personal friends so Daisy is fine."
"Maybe but when I'm working I'm still Dewey the best blacksmith apprentice ever not friend Dewey."
"Well, what is your question apprentice Dewey?"
"I was wondering how you really feel about Uncle D?" Daisy seemed to blush ever so slightly before clearing her throat and standing proudly.
"I quite li-"
"My queen!" Dewey frowned at the interruption while Launchpad booed. The messenger whispered in Daisy's ear and she lost the kind expression and took on a more stone-faced one. She sighed deeply and rubbed the space between her eyes. Dewey rarely saw her like this and leaned back some, catching a bit of her conversation.
"I understand… though I do not enjoy these circumstances. Something must be done… I'll get my best on it." The messenger ran off and Daisy asked Launchpad for something to write with. He provided and she began to write a letter. "Launchpad I need you to take that bow and start the delivery to the palace in the Arian Kingdom. A young girl will be there to retrieve it. A letter and map will be provided to help you. Dewey, I need you to give this note to Donald as soon as the training is done. It's important."
"Got it."
"Thank you, boys." She gave Dewey the note she wrote and left while Launchpad went to get the order.
"Hey Launchpad can I go with you?"
"Sorry Dewey, you know the captain doesn't like you leaving the kingdom."
"Aww come on, we can dew it like Dewey!" He spun, posing, and aimed his fingers at him. Launchpad seemed to consider it before sadly shaking his head.
"Sorry pal… things can get pretty dangerous out there. You just ain't ready yet." Dewey pouted and watched Launchpad take the bow before leaving.
"How does anyone know that I'm not ready when no one will give me a chance?! I can be a knight just like my uncle!" He sat and looked at the note in his hand. "Important job, bleh I bet I could do it." He opened the note and read it over, blinking and tilting his head as he read it over.
Donald, I know you despise jobs like this but this one is of the utmost importance and you must complete it. I've gotten news that the prince of the Caspian Kingdom, Hubert McDuck has run away and may be heading this way. He must be brought to me by any means necessary. As a protector, this must go against your code but the boy can not be allowed to disappear. His duty is too important to the world and his disappearance could threaten all of us. If he escapes to any kingdom they can't be allowed to take him.
Dewey couldn't believe that Daisy was asking Donald to kidnap this prince but rereading the note he found himself angry. "What prince abandons his home? His family?" Dewey frowned and looked at his uncle before looking back at the forge. "This may go against his code… but not mine. If I bring him back… that should be enough to show them all I'm ready." He muttered before slipping the note in his pocket and walking back into the forge. He left a note for his uncle saying that Launchpad took him with him for help and company.
Quickly, Dewey looked over the weapons on the walls and grabbed a sword that had a blue hilt. He slipped it on over his back and grabbed a knight's helmet seeing it was the only other bit of armor that fit him. He spared another glance back to his uncle before shaking his head and running off towards city gates to be ready for when the prince arrives.
"I'll make you proud of me."