Melody stole away in the night without a word to anyone, including the father of her child. What coins she had were used to book a passage on any available ship, casting her lot to fate. Distraught and alone, it didn't matter to her if she survived except for the life she carried. The ship made a few stops but she remained aboard for the ones that ran it were kind. She clung to what little was offered in help as a lifeline. It's last stop was Heathfield for it was one of Bovee's mercantile ships carrying mostly cargo but always had room for a few passengers. She was instructed to the Thistle where there was no cost, another godsend for the few coins she had left. She would have a place to stay and food. She was not one to live off of others and so she started out by being one of the chambermaids, she worked diligently and hard.

Jack Healey frequented the Thistle to get out and socialize. He was a quiet man more than the usual handsome men that stood out from the rest. It didn't bother him as he liked his quiet life. It was void of sharing, however, and he eventually longed for a relationship. It was here he met Melody one summer afternoon, newly off the boat a few weeks and she seemed as cast off into her own little world as he. The started talking, became friends, eventually she confided in him her present condition which was not really showing but she knew soon would. She feared losing her job more over becoming an outcast or ostracized. Jack had already fallen for his sweet Melody as he found well she had for him although she felt she was not suited for such a gentleman. He married her and took her to his small manor home to live with him the rest of their years. He raised Lancely as if he'd been of his own blood for he loved him the same. He and Melody brought two more lives into this world, Kevin and Arleen. Kevin now twenty- three and Arleen twenty-one.

Lancely's childhood was filled with love by both parents. Their household was a warm and happy one overall minus the trials and errors of life that brought on harder days to manage through. Jack noticed Lancely's natural ability and skill with his first wooden sword when he was only three. He encouraged him and took him to watch the knights practicing when allowed. As he got older, Lance would sneak off to watch the men training when he had free time. Every minute of such was to watch how these men moved, swords along with their bodies. By the time he was eight he asked his mother to show him how to dance having noticed the correlation between such movements. She willingly obliged him along with his sister and brother. Even if Kevin would not follow his brother's goal of becoming a knight one day, he would more than likely be attending balls and such social events that required dancing. Kevin was more interested in his father's business and a natural when it came to sums and setting up financial security.

Lancely grew drawn intensely to learning all skills of a warrior along with the codes to live by that would set him apart in the making of a knight. This was not to say that any knight was not human or with varying personalities. It meant they were honor bound to the crown or whomever they served. They could be the epitome of a gentleman, quiet reserved, stoic or even surly but what made them a knight was the devotion they had in serving the ones pledged to. They were ready to lay down their lives in their protection. They also had skills that excelled even the average warrior, there were the best of the best. That was what drove Lancely, a force within his psyche that had him pushing himself without the need of one over him to become the best he could be. This drive coupled with natural abilities saw his goal a reality when he was knighted under King Peter James O'Neill of Innis Daingneach, a man who was a tournament champion himself. Under him, King Karl of Heathfield and his horsemen, Lancely had the opportunity to learn from the best.

When Lancely reached eighteen, considered a man, his father gifted him with a unique equine, Appaloosa, for his achievements in his goal to become a knight. He had already been acceleration through the various ranks of a promising career.

It would be after Lancely's twentieth birthday that Jack, the only father he ever knew would die of pneumonia. The sickness coupled with his aging years being a decade older than their mother he was not able to pull through it.  Melody grieved deeply the loss of the man she grew to love and worship. Two years later she followed him in death, some felt it was more a broken heart than the unknown sickenss she came down with.

The Joust

The crowd hushed to a low roar as the suited knight came riding out on his white horse. Lancely fitted the knight in shining armor that rescued the fair damsel. Equinox pawed the ground impatiently as he shook his head with a snort. Lancely adjusted his seating as he waited speaking low to soothe the equine. The colors under the saddle and over the rump were of purple and gold with the dragon curled around the white cross. The pink-purple of thistle lending it a contrast. Banners waved in the breeze in a colorful display.  The lance was notched into the holder at his hip. A guard signaled as the held flag was brought down and he backing away to let the two ride. Heels nudged the sides of Equinox having him reared up then surged forward in a charge as hooves dug in sending sod, sawdust and hay blend in clumps behind them. Eyes narrowed in focus through the slit of the visor as he leaned in lifting the lance at the precise moment hitting its mark. The clash had the crowd go wild in cheers with the jolt knocking his contender to the ground. Equinox was reined in as the broken lance was tossed off and another handed. He was ready to go again.

The Gauntlet