Legends are made by the people who take heart and master their confidence. A cowardly soldier sabotages the battle, but a wise and cautious townsperson saves the lives of many.

Such was the life of Jamie D. Frankenhouser, the youngest-born of King Alfred. He was a soldier, not a prince, and though he had royal blood, the spotlight shone on his older brothers and sisters. Ever since his now deceased mentor, Carelinn, had bestowed upon him the Golden Sword of Ages, he swore to keep it safe and bring honor to his family.

Of course, that was years ago; now, his father, mentor, and eldest brother were dead, meaning the crown had passed to the second-born of King Alfred; Joseph. A deceitful man with a rat’s heart, he had persuaded half of the Great Kingdoms to fall under his leadership, causing a great economic crash. Now in poverty and a distrusting society, they hadn’t won a battle in years against the wealthier and stronger kingdoms.

Jamie rotated the golden sword in his palms. No one knew how important it was. Forged in the great mountains surrounding the First Kingdom ever built in this world, it had been the sword of King Dwight had slain many foes in battle with the sword. One day, in the midst of a losing battle, he’d given the sword to one of his servants, ordering them to keep it safe. He’d died, and the sword had gone “missing”, but had secretly been passed down to Jamie’s mentor, Carelinn.

Footsteps sounded nearby, and Jamie tensed when he heard the familiar clanking of old armor. Standing stiffly, he saw his brother, King Joseph, dismounting his horse.

“Greetings, dear brother,” he sneered. “The cool shadows of this great oak seem to only serve you now, do they?”

“Worries about trees, I see,” Jamie said tautly. “Rather than the protection and survival of your people. You always were short-sighted.”

Drawing out his polished silver sword, Joseph traced his fingers across its edge. “No, not short-sighted. Just patient.” His eyes narrowed at Jamie, with power and anger deep in his gaze. “And do not mock me. Every castle, every tree, every blade of grass in the hills are mine.”

Shaking his head, Jamie muttered, “we are not brothers, if you are that selfish.”

With a roar, Joseph leapt on him with his sword, meeting the Gold Sword’s edge with an ear-ringing CLANG. Heart pounding, Jamie shouted, “what on earth are you doing, Joseph?”

“What I should have done a long time ago,” he shouted. “You’ve always been concerned about the kingdom, and I knew that if the people discovered your silly empathy, then I would lose my support. You were always the sibling I most hated.”

Glancing past his shoulders, Jamie saw people ambling tiredly through the streets. His heart ached for them, and their boring and fear-filled lives. He loved them like a shepherd loved his sheep.

Just then, his sword came down, and [Jamie] saw the faces of his people in [the] blade…