At World's End
CHAPTER 1
It was about five years ago that young, teenager Toby Cavanaugh decided that he would fight for his kingdom. The decision was easy to make, since it was after the traumatic experience of losing his mother— Marion Cavanaugh, an innocent woman. When the kingdom of Ravenswood had rampaged the town in an attack, Marion was raped and killed. After the loss of his mother, Toby didn't want to stand by and watch others in his own kingdom get hurt, and that's why he had to fight. Becoming a knight was a tough profession, but it felt right to him.
He wasn't some peasant, but he was also not the richest one in town. Knights were higher than many, but still not as high-up as the nobles and heirs to the throne. It was a paternal switch for thrones, and in the highest position was King David Campbell, and his wife, Lady Cynthia Campbell. They were the king and queen of Rosewood, ruling with high power. They had two sons, Jasper Campbell and Andrew Campbell, who were the future rulers. However, Jasper was the true heir to becoming king. He was barely older than Andrew, but King David chose him to be the prince. When David died, Jasper was in line to being the next King, along with his fiancé Margaret becoming his queen.
Of course, this upset Andrew. His barely older brother would get to be the king, and he would only become the prince, which Jasper already was. He didn't understand why his parents wanted Jasper to become the king. Andrew always thought he was smarter and better than his brother, but clearly, his parents didn't feel the same way. He wanted to be king more than anything. He should have been the prince first, not Jasper. Well, that was what he believed things should have been like.
"Good evening, Hastings family," he greeted warmly, stepping into their large home.
Veronica Hastings smiled and said, "Ah, Sir Andrew, it has been a while. I suppose you are looking for Spencer, right?"
"Of course," he said, nodding his head. "As my father ages, the time becomes closer and closer to when the throne shall become mine, and we must plan for the future. Rosewood will not stand a chance against the kingdom of Ravenswood if we do not have a plan."
"Yes, but Jasper is in line for the throne next, is he not?" Veronica asked.
"That is true, but I am going to be prince," he answered.
She smiled and said, "Still excellent. Long live the Campbell reign, I say!"
"Is that Andrew that I hear?" Spencer asked, making her way down the stairs.
"Oh, pardon me, I shall leave the two of you alone," Veronica announced. "I have to prepare for the banquet tonight. Andrew, your father will be making the final decision of who is going to become king tonight. Jasper is currently in line, but if you can sway him, you may take the throne."
He nodded his head as Veronica exited.
"It is time for me to take control of the kingdom of Rosewood, Spencer, and I am going to rule this kingdom with all of my might," he explained. "I shall definitely sway my father's vote. I have shown nothing but responsibility. I believe he will pick me to be his heir, and Jasper will not take the throne. And when I do have the throne, I want you to have my hand in marriage, for I have long loved you, but now is the first time I am able to say it. Will you be my Lady when I am the king?"
"Oh Andrew, you want me to be the queen of Rosewood?" she asked, shocked.
"I am not asking you to become princess, only queen," he said, smiling. "Jasper shall remain the prince, and he and his wretched lady Margaret will not have the throne. We will. And we will rule together. Perfectly. My love for you is so strong, Spencer."
"But what if King David selects Jasper?" she asked.
"Then I will not have it!" he cried. "I am not going to allow Jasper to take the throne, and I will do whatever it takes to win us the crown. You are going to be my Lady, and we are going to rule Rosewood, taking down Ravenswood at once."
King Frederick Mason of Ravenswood was not a good man. He would do whatever it took to destroy the kingdom of Rosewood. Getting on his horse, he rode to the opposing kingdom, with his son William Mason aiding him. They were planning on taking the lives of women in the town, and also, Frederick wanted his son to learn how to rape women.
"You must be ruthless," Frederick warned his son. "Do not let them disagree, do not let them fight back. Threaten your sword if they fight, and get what you desire, or do not try at all. Am I clear, Young William?"
William Mason nodded his head, dismounting from his horse, taking his sword out from his belt. He scanned the premises, selecting which house to raid first. Of course, he picked none other than the Hastings house. And unlucky for daughter of Peter and Veronica, she was all alone. William got a sign of approval from his father, and rammed the door open. Rushing inside, he grabbed Spencer as quickly as he could.
"I, from the kingdom of Ravenswood, will forever rule you," he whispered aggressively, yanking the sleeves of her gown off.
"You immature—" she screamed, looking for a weapon to attack him.
The sound of screaming and fighting reminded Toby of his mother. What would she have sounded like when the disgusting men of Ravenswood attacked her? And that's why he barged his way into the Hastings home. Spencer was a complete stranger to him, but he was still going to do whatever he could to save her from William.
"Filthy bastard!" Toby yelled, swooping his sword out.
Due to William's cockiness—he came with only a sword, and nothing else. He was foolish. He thought a woman would not have the strength to attack back, so he did not bring any armor with him. His father never did, and that made him believe that he did not need to, either. William turned around, shocked to see the knight there, sword in hand.
"God damn," William muttered, searching for his sword in his belt.
Toby did not even hesitate before thrusting his sword towards William. However, the son of the king was not a fool. He effortlessly dodged the thrust, smirking proudly. Despite this, he forgot that women were perfectly capable of attacking. From Spencer, the person he least expected to attack him, came a strangulation. Her hands wrapped around his neck, choking him. He tried to kick her, although he found it hard with his lack of oxygen.
She let go, and he fell to the floor, gasping for air. Toby offered the complete stranger woman a smile, before plunging his sword into the man's chest. He groaned as the sword cut through his skin. Toby left the blade inside of him for a moment, and then removed it. He watched while the Ravenswood king's son died right there on the floor, in complete pain. Immediately, he went to the aid of Spencer.
"You were quite brave out there, young lady," he said with a smile, cleaning the blood off of his blade.
"No, no, you saved me," she said with a soft smile. "And along with that, you have killed the rival king's son! King David of Rosewood is going to be so pleased with your honorary actions. King Frederick will be devastated at the loss of his son. He is an animal, and deserves that very death."
"If William Mason is out here, do you not think that his father is outside?" Toby asked curiously.
"I haven't a clue, but surely it is possible that he is," she answered. "Shall we check? If we were to slay King Frederick, or keep him captive, we would end the feud. Ravenswood's people would cry for their sweet king to return to them, but we would only return him at their surrender. Or else we could end King Frederick's bloody life!"
"Oh, you think like a warrior," he laughed. "Perhaps you should be in battle."
"I could not," she said, shaking her head. "I am supposed to be the woman who does nothing. King David's younger son offered me his hand in marriage. He is going to be the prince of Rosewood for sure, but tonight, there is a banquet, and he is determined to sway his father to pick him over his brother Jasper, the current prince of Rosewood."
"I am speaking to the future queen of Rosewood?" he asked, smiling. "It is my honor."
"Why thank you," she laughed quietly. "We must hurry and see if King Frederick is out there, and slay him if he is. We cannot let him hurt the people of Rosewood."
"Certainly!" Toby exclaimed, gripping his sword and running outside alongside Spencer.
"William, my son, have you finally ret-" King Frederick began, but then saw the knight and the lady aiding him. "Dear Lord! Has my boy been slain in this bloody fight? What brutality this is! Uncalled for!"
"Sir, you know damn well that he is far from a saint," Toby said, holding his sword out. "Your defeat is near. We shall not allow you to harm the people of Rosewood any longer. The end is going to come."
King Frederick smacked his horse, and ran away at full speed. Toby attempted to follow him, but the horse was much faster than man on foot. He sighed, returning to Spencer, feeling defeated.
"King Frederick could have been slain then and there," he said sadly. "I bantered too much, and now the demon has escaped. He will continue to harm our people, and it is no fault but mine."
"You are not to blame!" Spencer cried. "You have done more than enough. You nearly had slain Frederick, but you have already slain his monstrous rapist of a son. That bastard, William Mason, has been slain, and now Frederick must mourn the loss of his young one. At his vulnerable point, you can destroy him with your knightly skills."
"Are you alright?" Toby asked. "I could see that William was quite brutal with you. Shall I fetch you fresh water from the well?"
"That is fine," she said, shaking her head. "But thank you for your generous offer. I am pleased to have just met a soul as kind as yours. Perhaps you would like to join me in the banquet tonight? We can announce your brave slaying of William Mason. My family, as well as the royal blood, will be incredibly pleased. And you can meet the future prince and king of Rosewood, as well as the current Lady and Lord!"
"You are inviting me to the royal banquet?" Toby asked.
"Of course. You have saved my life, and the royal family should reward you for your great accomplishment today," Spencer told him. "You are an honorary knight. What is your name, sir?"
"Toby Cavanaugh," he answered. "And you are, my lady?"
"Spencer Hastings," she answered with a small smile. "Tonight, the royal Campbells, the family of the lady of Jasper Campbell, and my family, will all be attending. You may be my guest of honor. I am sure my Andrew of the Campbells will not mind a kind soul, such as yours. You have offered a good deed to our kingdom, and Andrew is a future leader of the kingdom. Anyone contributing to the well-being of the kingdom will surely be on a positive note with him."
"Then it is settled- I will see you tonight, Spencer Hastings," he said, kissing her hand.