Ballister Blackheart is a mischievous but lonely villain from the kingdom. His trauma originates in his past at an institution for heroes. It was there where he trained with his best friend Ambrosius Goldenloin. However, this soon changed as a result of a simple joust between the pair. Ballister won the match, but his opponent and friend Goldenloin felt he had deserved to win instead. In a seemingly jealous fit of rage, Goldenloin shot Ballister’s arm off after losing the joust to him, thus ending Ballister’s career as a hero. It appears Goldenloin is a sore loser and a cheat, both of which are not qualities of a hero. Ballister claims, “...but Ambrosius hates to lose” (Stevenson 5). Ballister believed Goldenloin had injured him because he
After many years of being enemies, Goldenloin reveals the truth about the joust so many years ago. He confesses that the institution was behind the incident at the joust. He had been given the ultimatum of injuring Ballister or giving up his chance to be the institution’s champion. On the night before the joust, Goldenloin was called to the direstress’ office where, “She told [him] that [he] had promise. That [he] was her choice for the institution’s champion. But she said [he’d] have to prove myself against [Ballister] or that chance would go away” (Stevenson 182). The directress was blackmailing Goldenloin into hurting his best friend, and he naively trusted her and followed her orders. It is obvious Goldenloin was and still is insecure about his position as a hero at the institution and may feel he is not truly brave enough to be what he claims to be. After this confession, Ballister claims to feel relief from the truth about the incident, but that he does not forgive Goldenloin.Although it is not directly stated, it appears Ballister later forgives Goldenloin for betraying him and costing him both his arm and his position at the institution. Ballister truly still loves Goldenloin and wants to re-establish a relationship with him, that is why they have yet to kill each other after so many years of rivalry. They can not bear the thought of living without the company of each other. Ballister’s relief from the truth is expressed as forgiveness when Goldenloin is later injured during a battle with Nimona. Ballister comes to Goldenloin’s rescue and remains by his side while he is treated at the hospital. While being questioned about why he was in the room, Ballister says, “Someone should be with him. For when he wakes up” (Stevenson 250). This shows his undying love and loyalty to his friend, which never really left his heart, despite the grudge he held against him for so