The Boy's Companions - Chapter 1

Heroes that fell in the war could peacefully rest in a cemetary several miles from the castle. The cemetary's groundkeeper lived in a small cottage not far from where he worked. There weren't many in the kingdom knew the extent of his duties, only that they would inevitably be passed on to his son when he was no longer able to fulfill them.
    To prepare his son for what was to come, he sat the young boy on his lap, and told him tales of the heroic knights that had been laid to rest not far from their home. Despite having heard these stories every evening, the child still listened with wide-eyed curiosity and genuine interest.
    The groundkeeper's son was named Oliver, and like most children, he looked up to his father, and aspired to be like him when he grew up. Others outside the family understandibly found it odd for a young boy to look forward to watching over a graveyard someday. However, they didn't know the legend that accompanied the job. 
    Told to him by his father, and before that his grandfather, Oliver found himself completely fascinated with a secret aspect of the work that very few knew about.
    It told of a contract signed by only a few knights whom had volunteered. The contract was bound by magic, and it allowed a knight to serve his kingdom one last time before passing away for good. More specifically, it stated that even after the signer died, they would rise again one more time when the kingdom was once more in peril. 
    The knights who signed the contract were the ones buried in the graveyard Oliver's father worked at. If they were ever reanimated, it would be his job to guide them and assist in whatever way necessary.
    He was intructed to do this using an heirloom that had been passed down the family line for 100 years. It appeared to be a thick, gold medallion strung on a small chain. One side of the medal had a compass on it that had never worked, and the other side had a mirror. The purpose of the object was unclear, but the groundskeeper would supposedly know what to do with it when the time came.
    The heirloom was given to Oliver earlier than expected, as his father had to go away for a few days. He had been summoned by the king, and planned to stop in a nearby town on the way back to purchase medicine for his wife, who was pregnant with their second child.
    Before he left, Oliver's father tenderly placed the medallion in his son's tiny hands. He knew it wasn't fair to burden a young boy with such an important job, but it couldn't be helped. 
    Realizing her husband's worries, his wife reassured him with a reminder that everything would be fine.
    He thanked her for being so understanding, and kissed her goodbye. He then kneeled down and put his hand over her swollen belly.
    "Don't worry," he said aloud, "I'll be back before you get here."
There was one last round of goodbyes and hugs, and then he reluctantly opened the door. Emerging from the warm comfort of his home into the chilly unknown of the evening, he readied a carriage and departed.