Author's note: Plan to have AT LEAST one chapter a month! Sometimes two if need be. Pardon me if this chapter is short, lost motivation for the second half, but proud nonetheless! Excited to introduce the new characters as we go!

#KingsArm

Jody Joveson-short for Joanna-, the second child of the king, was a feisty young doe, much unlike her calm twin; Whitbe. She was loved by her father, and she could not help but dream of being the heir, however, unlikely-Jupiter had 12 sons and three daughters, along with Glenda being due any day now with another child- it was unlikely and quite rare for her to the chosen one, but other than being a helping hand in any way she could. Jody was a masterful doctor and wished to help in the war.

She wanted to be a field medic.

Her mother and father were surprised at first, then pleased and supportive of her decision.

But, as time wore on, her dreams deflated, her father had said he would assign her to a battalion. But the number of bodies brought in-dead and alive- made the king paranoid and distressed. How could he let his beloved Joanna enter that world of blood? Not like it was any better inside the walls, sickness, and death always found a way to sneak in through the cracks.

So Jody sat in her room, specifically on her bed. In the middle of a rather stormy night, she heard voices down the hall. Curious, Jody got up, she hadn’t been able to sleep that night, she’d been thinking about something she had seen the day before.

She’d always thought her brother Whitbe or Winslow would become the next king, being the eldest and the closest to their father she assumed they would take the throne. But everything changed when her very youngest brother was born.

Even before Smalden could speak-dubbed Smalls by the littles-Jupiter always seemed happy around the youngest, he said because he saw a lot of his father in his son, mostly because of the white fur he claimed. And as sweet as Jody thought it was, and as hilarious it seemed that the last would be first, she accepted her father’s choice.

But the way her father coddled and spent so much time with Smalls worried her, perhaps it was her perfect father’s only fault.

For she had started to notice how much jealousy the others seemed to radiate, as if...they too knew the fate of their youngest brother.

Jody sighed and ran into something-rather someone-and fell backward, she yelped and tried to catch herself, arms flailing. She felt a strong hand grab her forearm. She was stopped short seconds before hitting the ground, looking up she saw a black-furred buck. Steadying herself, she let go of the buck’s hand.

“Th-thank you sir…?” she started.

“Helmer.” The graveled voice responded.

In a flash, Jody bowed to the Lord Captain, “Ah! Sorry, my Lord, I didn’t realize it was you!” How embarrassing! To not only run into, but fall in front of him! She blushed slightly, “Sorry for my intrusion sir, but I must be going!” And so she scurried off.

Helmer watched the red doe runoff, he hoped he hadn’t scared her too badly, the dim room hadn’t brought much light, and from the submissive way she had spoken to him. Made him assume she was merely a servant.

Shrugging, he yawned and walked home.

Helmer walked slowly on the street, dodging puddles as he went, a satisfying jingle coming from his bag of coins. He was simply on his way to the supermarket, though it was early, it was better. Avoiding the rush of the oncoming day suited Helmer’s way of life much more. He turned a corner to see the stands and shops. Walking down a long aisle, he stopped at a stand that had a sweet aroma at it.

A small buck waved at him, “Aye, the usual Lord Captain?”

“Yea Randy.” Helmer tossed a few coins to him.

Helmer leaned against the stand, the warm aroma of coffee wafted into his nose. He looked around at the streets-already busy at the early hour-and saw a young buck walking down the street, his clothes torn.

Helmer watched the shady kid, his grey gold pelt was dusty. The young buck looked around sneakily, then bent over a fruit stand. He reached out a hand and...THWACK! The buck tumbled and twisted, Helmer jumped and looked over, besides the stand, out of sight. The shop keeper had a long belt in his hand.

“Yee scoundrel!” the buck said, while the child rubbed his hand, “I oughta end yee! KEEP YER FILTHY HAND AWAEE FROM MAH APPLEZ!”

The rascal flinched as the round man cracked the belt again and raised it over his head for another-harsher-beating.

Helmer had a split second to act, and act he did.

Helmer lept in front of the young buck, and swiftly placed his forearm up, blocking the smacking blow with his arm, the belt thwapped and made contact. The sting lashed across his arm but he barely felt it.

“WHAT ARE YE DOIN?!” the angry shopkeeper snarled. His face hardening, “This rascal tried to sneak mah applez from the barral!” He whipped his head up and stared at Helmer, his eyes widening as he recognized the hard face of the Lord Captain. “Wha- Captain?!”

Helmer ignored the flabbering apologies of the buck and turned to the small one.

“You ok?” He asked, his gravelly voice hard.

The young buck looked up at him-or, squinting actually-he quickly looked away and rubbed his hand, he didn’t speak. Helmer watched him closely, then knelt down beside him and held out his hand. The buck narrowed his eyes but took his hand. Helmer pulled him up with him.

The kid snarled at him. Then jerked his hand away. Helmer’s face hardened, “Look lad, I was just trying to-”

“I don’t need your help.” the buck’s little voice squeaked. Then with a quick glance back at Helmer, he turned and ran off. Helmer frowned and turned away.

My auto-correct HATED me talking like the shop-keeper! Chapter Question: (I'll start doing these babies!) Theories?