Hi everyone! I realized after I posted this that I forgot the disclaimer. Silly me thinking that everyone would know I don't own any of these characters. Unless the company can adopt me and give me unlimited access and ownership of said characters, they all belong to DC. Sigh...

Gotham Castle loomed unassailable on a small isle in between the banks of the three larger islands that made up Gotham Kingdom as a beacon of hope to it's denizens. It had stood stalwart through many a foe. The Kingdom was ruled by a young king by the name of Wayne. He had ascended the throne at the age of ten when his parents were killed by an assassin on their way home from a visit in a far off land. The prince had watched them die before his very eyes but was miraculously spared the same fate.

Many assumed that the young prince would be forced to abdicate, for such a lad was far too young to rule effectively. For several years many foreign rulers and zealots had tried to overcome the boy, some more effectively than others. Portions of the kingdom fell into ruin, but justice prevailed. With the elderly sage, Pennyworth, and the esteemed wizard, Lucius, by his side, the prince grew into a strong young man, worthy of the respect and honor due a king.

Many evenings the prince spent his time out in his kingdom with his fiercest knights, fighting to restore Gotham to it's former glory. Like any devil, they came in legions. Small bands of thieves, raiders, murders, and the like had risen up during Wayne's fight for his throne and now he struggled to force them out. Tonight, however, he spent with his knights, friends, and subjects alike, feasting in celebration of the latest victory.

The merriment abounded, the knights being the most rowdy as they regaled the populace with the tales of their king's might in battle. Wayne's youngest knight, William of Batson was easily the most enthused, despite the fact he was one of the only attendees who had not consumed a copious amount of ale. "I tell you truth! Wayne swung his mighty sword and cleaved the head clean off the dragon's shoulders! You could hear the clang of metal against bone throughout the battlefield. When the dragon's human minions heard it they frenzied to avenge their master, but we triumphed! Long live King Wayne!" The king was solemn as he turned to the knight, who was no more than twelve or thirteen years of age.

"You have a great power young William, more than that of ten or twenty grown men, let alone a boy your size. Remind me again, how did you come across such skill?" The boy looked puzzled, but answered his king. "It was a wizard, your highness, that gifted me with the magicks I possess." Wayne nodded in understanding. "And how do you think that the dragon we battled, who was once a man like myself by the name of Waylon of Jones, became the creature we fought today?" The boy's forehead knotted as he pondered the question. "Well, your highness, I suppose he came across a wizard as well." The king took a sip from his goblet, letting the meaning sink into the boy.

"You were lucky, William. The wizard you stumbled across was kind of heart and bestowed upon you a rich blessing. The creature we fought this morn was cursed to a fate worse than death. His intelligence was robbed and he struggled to retain the humanity with which he was born. Do you really think that you could have held on as courageously as he if you were in his stead? Do not be so quick to judge, William. For we do not know what the future holds for any of us." A twinkle flooded the king's eye, showing William that though his words were stern, he was not truly angry with the lad. "Well, perhaps Lucius. He is a wizard after all!" The boy chuckled and the king turned away from him to survey his knights.

He had personally chosen them all, each with the valor and integrity that the job required. For many years he had tried to fight alone, but now, with his friends beside him, he was finally beginning to make a difference.

To his right sat one of his most trusted companions, Sir Kent of Krypton. Though most days the jovial giant grated the King's nerves, he fought with the strength of a hundred men and as long as he was still standing most battles were bound to be victorious. Beside Sir Kent sat Sir Stewart. Sir Stewart had no home town of which he boasted, but his war tactics were of legend. He had risen up through the ranks from a simple squire and had earned his position with his own sweat and blood and his imagination and cunning had yet to disappoint. On the end sat the wizard, Lucius.

To Wayne's left sat Sir Oliver. The man was a mighty archer who had been born into an earldom. Then he had been stranded in the wilderness for five years. He came back a changed man who fought for those who were not strong enough to fight for themselves. Next was Sir Oliver's wife, the elegant Lady Dinah, who claimed she was fleet of foot and strong of arm enough to lay down any of the king's men, though they were hesitant to put her to the test. Pride was at stake if either party came out the victor. Last but not least sat the king's squire, Dick of Grayson. His parents had been part of a travelling minstrel show that had ended in tragedy. The king, in remembrance of his own grief, took pity on the lad and brought him into the castle.

Looking at his warriors, Wayne felt a sense of peace. As long as his sentinels stood Gotham would not fall prey to the evils beating at it's gates. Just as he reached forward to retrieve another sip of wine, however, the atmosphere changed. The doors to the dining hall burst open and Wallace of West, the kingdom's courier, came stumbling in with a young woman. The red haired man was barely winded, but a look of concern marred his usually carefree features. The girl beside him was covered in filth and her green eyes held the expression of a wounded animal. Dried tears were streamed down her face, showing their paths through the dirt on her cheeks.

"Your majesty!" Wallace cried before bowing low. "I found this girl wailing outside the far gates. She comes with a quest, my lord." Wayne stood and descended the dias. "Woman, tell me your business." The girl trembled, but gathered herself enough to speak. "My name is Delanor. I come from the Narrows." The room quieted. The Narrows were the poorest area of Gotham Kingdom. The Narrows were also where most of the city's rogues developed their evil plots. "Months ago now a pretty young witch came to the square and began to tell tales of a far off land. She told of a kingdom that was ruled by a wise queen, a kingdom without men. This of course perked up all the menfolks' ears."

"The witch told us that the queen had a daughter, beautiful beyond compare and as wise as Athena herself. She went on to explain that as there were no men in the kingdom, the queen needed a husband for her daughter. The men grew even more excited. They hung on her every word as she spoke of three trials. Any man who passed the three trials would gain an audience with the queen and the opportunity to win the princess's hand. This stirred up the crowd even more.

"The witch told them that she would bring any volunteers to the far away land and my brother was among them. Days, then weeks passed and we worried for their safety, but we knew that travel was going to take time so we went about our business. Then one of the men stumbled back into the Narrows. He was stricken with fever and so beaten that we barely recognized him. He spoke to us of a trap but before he could explain he succumbed to the grave. I know that my brother is most likely dead, but I need to know of his fate and save others from the same. Please, my king, follow my brother's footsteps and put an end to this madness!"

The room stayed silent as knights and commoners alike turned to their ruler. His icy blue eyes studied the woman calculatingly. "And how am I to know that you are who you say you are and not the witch who led the others to their deaths? What proof have you?" In one accord the room's gaze swiveled back to the woman. "I have nothing to prove my tale to you, only the promise of adventure and a warning that others will follow those who have already disappeared." Sir Kent stood and came up behind King Wayne so he could whisper in the King's ear. "Either way this is a trap, Wayne, be it the woman's or that of the witch. If there truly are men in danger we need to investigate. We could end up saving lives." King Wayne eyed the waif carefully. "Swear on your life and your brother's life that what you tell us is truth."

The girl nodded. "I swear it. Please, my Lord. Save my brother."