Charles de Chevalet was born the second son of Duke Jean de Chevalet IV and Duchess Mira de Chevalet. He spent his days growing up on the family estate with his brother Louis de Chevalet who will one day become Duke and his sister Marie. His younger years were spent playing on the family estate, or attending functions at his Grandmother’s estate or at the castle of his Great Uncle the King of Diransi. Without the pressure of inheriting the title, he became a precocious child, but even at an early age his wit and charisma just as often got him out of trouble as it got him into it.
At age eight he entered the Diransi Military Academy. The Academy is where noble families send their children that are destined for military service. Surprising his father Charles showed a great aptitude for Military Studies and Theory. Not only did he do well with the academics, but he also exceled at sword play, particularly the one on one fencing style. During his 7th year, he won the annual Academy fencing tournament, the first time that a student not in his last or second to last year won. By his 9th year, he was prohibited from fighting in the tournament having won it in his 8th year and routinely beating his instructors during practice. In his 10th and final year, he was elected Cadet Major by his class mates. He graduated as the number two cadet academically, and the number one cadet in fighting skills.
Due to his accomplishments, his father threw a gala event upon his graduation including a three day festival that was attended by the King. At the festival the King commissioned Charles as a Lieutenant in the King’s Blades, and elite unit that is composed of the best swordsmen and military minds in the Kingdom of Diransi. In honor of is appointment, his father presented him with his Grandfather’s Rapier, a weapon that has been in the family for many years. His brother presented him with a hatchling that was from the finest hunting falcon in the entire kingdom, and his brother would help train him while Charles was serving in the army.
Charles first year in the King’s Blades was uneventful. He made a name for himself as a fair leader that had the respect of his men and his unit distinguished itself during a series skirmishes with the raiders from the Airest Islands that wanted to disrupt the kingdom’s trade. During this time his skills with a blade impressed even the eldest members of the Blades. For his 19th birthday he was given a month’s leave to return home. During that time he met Constance Borgeaux, the second daughter of Count Borgeaux. They spent much time together before he had to return to his unit. Over the next year, they would send letters to each other and their love grew. When he was on leave, with the blessing of his and Constance’s father, he asked her to marry him. She accepted and the date was set for the following year.
During his second year in the regiment he was responsible for preventing an assassination attempt on the King. The raiders decided the only way they could achieve their ends was to destabilize the Kingdom of Diransi, and the best way to achieve this was to cause chaos by assassinating the king. They sent two teams of assassins to attempt this, but both failed. Even though he was responsible for stopping the lone assassin that got close enough, he gave the credit to his men and so only he, the King and his men know the truth. Also during this time he led a daring mission into the heart of the Airest Islands that paved the way for a tentative treaty between the Kingdom of Diransi and the Airest Islands. He declined promotion to Captain much to the relief of his men; in return he and his unit were promoted to be the King’s personal body guard.
In addition to serving as the King’s personal bodyguard, he and his men performed several secret missions on the King’s behalf. During his third year, he began to train his replacement as his commission was set to expire at the end of the year. Throughout the remainder of the year he split his time training, performing missions for the King, and planning his wedding. As his third year ended, the King threw a banquet to honor Charles and his unit’s service. With his service complete, Charles planned to return home for his impending wedding.
The scariest day of his life was entering the church to get married. His brother was his best man and his entire unit along with the King and Queen were in attendance. Constance joked that the most daring mission his unit ever undertook was making sure that he made it to the altar. The wedding was an event and went off without a hitch. Charles spent the next year with Constance on the small estate presented to him by his father and the King for his service. The falcon his brother had given him had become the greatest hunting falcon in the kingdom and he enjoyed hunts with his family when time permitted. At the end of the year he reluctantly agreed to follow the family tradition and travel outside the kingdom for a period of time.
He left with his weapons, a horse, his falcon and a small amount of gold. He chose the name Andar Mandrake to travel under. He made sure to get home to Constance when he was able, but spent much of his time traveling around Alyeria. During his travels he managed to learn much about the world, and his view expanded beyond that of a solider and he started to develop more of a nuanced view of the world. While in Lapuzi he accepted a commission from a merchant to track down some goods that had been stolen from him. It took him about a month, but he finally tracked down the bandits and recovered the property. In payment the merchant gave him a piece of armor that was exceptionally light and allowed him to move freely while fighting.
While traveling in Sollie, he was attacked one evening on his way back to his inn. The man did not have much skill, but he fought well, and though the fight was over quickly Andar was surprised that it took as long as it did. After picking up the man’s main-gouche he realized it was not normal. While holding it he felt his defense was stronger. He carried it for many months, but when his current main-gauche broke during a fight he grabbed it and it worked well for him. While in Gaden he had the blade reworked and hilt rebalanced so that it works better for him. He has not named it yet.
