Walters

*You are right here in your story. Don't skip ahead.*
Massie Burnson, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 32
**WARNING: SPOILERS FOR *PRINCE LANDER & THE DRAGON WAR* ARE AHEAD; CAUTION IS ADVISED.**

## Book information

### Appears

• *The Black Star of Kingston*
• *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*
• *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

**C****aptain Walters** was a buck who served as a captain under King Whitson Mariner.

## Biography

### *The Black Star of Kingston*

Walters visits Whitson and his wife, Queen Lillie, in order to tell them of Lord Grimble's recent speeches against the king. Whitson thanks Walters for his report, and dismisses him.

### *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*

Walters is present at King Whitson Mariner's party on board *Steadfast*.

Later, *Vanguard* suffers a devatating wreck at the hands of Captain Grimble. The survivors, including Walters, take shelter on an island. Brindle Cove asks Captain Walters for his opinion as to when *Steadfast*, which remained at Halfway Harbor an extra day, would come. Walters responds positively. Just then, a commotion sparks the two bucks' attention, and they are drawn to the edge of the forest, where a disguised Galt is hiding.

When *Steadfast* arrives, Walters helps bring it to port. Whitson decides to take *Steadfast* upriver to meet Grimble's ship, *Desolation*, and Walters accompanies him. In addition to help rally the crew, Walters also takes responsibility for ensuring that Queen Lillie, Lander, and Galt— all of whom had been in an entirely different part of the island— reach the ship safely.

As *Steadfast* nears battle with *Desolation*, Walters takes part in Whitson's plan and fights alongside his king and crew. He helps surround to Captain Grimble and force him to surrender. After the battle is over, Walters and Massie Burnson see to the prisoners taken.

### *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

Captain Walters congratulates King Whitson on his capture of the traitors Lord Arben and Captain Danker. King Whitson tells Walters that, while he did want a treaty with Grimble, he'd never thought it likely. Walters asks if he should re-form their usual defense, and Whitson told him yes, to do so at once.

When Prince Lander lands on Grimble Island to rescue the oathbreakers' children, he looks back at Captain Walters on the other shore, who was ready to launch larger boats when he was signaled. When Nickel Drekker shows up, Lander tells him that he doesn't need help as Captain Walters is his backup.

After the injury of Prince Grant, Captain Walters enters and tells King Whitson that there is trouble outside. Lander volunteers to see to it, and Captain Walters says that would probably be best. As Lander and Captain Walters walk toward the door, Walters tells Lander that the Frustrated Band of Hot Youngbloods are angry. He says that they love Prince Grant, that they have heard him question the king and think he has the right ideas, and that they think King Whitson killed Prince Grant by his madness, that they might believe Whitson was eliminating a rival. When Filmun comes up to speak with Lander, Captain Walters commands the guards to let Filmun approach Lander. When King Whitson and Prince Grant come out to speak to the band, Lander realizes that Captain Walters must have told them what was going on.

After Prince Lander and Prince Lemual return from the Drekker camp, they ask where King Whitson is. Queen Lillie tells them that he was meeting with Captain Walters. As they entered the house, they found Captain Walters leaving. He bowed to Queen Lillie, and Lander, sensing something was off with Walters, asked if all was well. Walters said he was not sure, and that it was probably best if they asked King Whitson. Lander thanks him, and bows to Captain Walters.

When Nickel Drekker is invited to counteract Grimble's tricks, Captain Walters questions if this is the best use of their intelligence and time. Chief Heckle glares at him, asking if he did not have time for 'Drekker nonsense' and stood up, saying he knew they would be this way, and began to leave with Nickel. King Whitson, putting his hand on Chief Heckle's shoulder, begs him to stay, and asks Heckle to forgive him for the times when they have not done well in welcoming the Drekkers. Captain Walters bowed to Chief Heckle, and said that while he had his doubts about this scheme, it was not his place, and asked Chief Heckle to forgive his outburst. Chief Heckle did, adding that he himself would have been very surprised if someone had told him they would be relying on Nickel's schemes in their hour of need. Nickel proceeded to (correctly) predict that Grimble would send a strike force to make them eager to seek peace. Different members of the council reacted differently; Captain Walters stood and started to protest, but he closed his mouth and sat back down, waving apologetically. Chief Heckle said that dismissing the Drekkers was long in Walters' line, and Walters said that may be so, but he'd fought beside the Drekkers many times and he didn't doubt their bravery or their skill in battle. Chief Heckle said that yes, they are fierce fighters, but that he hoped they would be seen as more. Walters bowed to Chief Heckle, and Nickel said that he hoped Captain Walters could see that they could also come up with a heap of deceptive tricks, to which Chief Heckle rolled his eyes and called Nickel the idiot of the world.

When the Grimble faction attacks, Prince Lander is sent to organize the defense. He sends Walters to secure the central fort. Walters salutes as he runs off in the snow.

After the attack is dealt with, Captain Walters finds Prince Lander and hurries up to him. He bows, and Lander asks about his brothers. Walters says that Prince Grant fares the same, that Prince Lemual has left with the Third Scouts, and that no one knows where King Whitson is. Lander, after taking a moment to recover, asks how long Whitson has been gone and who was the last to see him. Walters says that they are getting those details now, and that he himself didn't see Whitson return from the battle. Queen Lillie arrives and tells Lander that he has gone to the place where Flint's sword is buried. Lander thanks her, and before he leaves he asks Walters to secure the camp.

When Lander and Whitson return, they find Captain Walters and Chief Heckle arguing. Captain Walters is saying that he isn't willing to risk his life for a mad scheme, and Chief Heckle cries back that what is really mad is that Walters is so conventional that he is 'as predictable as a sleepy old codger' and 'as easy to defeat as a nattering old man'. Walters stood up, saying that what was predictable was that Chief Heckle was as foolish as he looked, and Chief Heckle stood up too, saying that was over the oval and calling Walters 'Captain Bellypaunch'. Whitson raised his hand for silence, and when they saw the king they looked embarrassed and awkwardly stood at attention. Captain Walters began to say something but trailed off, and so did Chief Heckle. Whitson looked at Nickel and asked if he had a scheme for them. Nickel says that he does, and tells about the boat with a secret compartment he and his sister built together. Walters, indignant, asks how the king gets away if the betrayal comes (Lander correcting him to when the betrayal comes) and Nickel says to calm down, as he hasn't heard all.

After Grimble kills King Whitson and the boat carrying Lander and Hollie reaches the shore, Lander sees Captain Walters and Captain Cove leading a band of rabbits. Lander shouts for them to fight for Whitson Mariner, and they all yell back. As the dragons approach he calls for them to fight for the king, and Captain Walters takes up the call, yelling to fight for King Lander. Lander is unsettled, as he had meant King Whitson, but he remembers Mother Saramack's words that he must be who he is, so he calls for the bucks to rally to their king. As the dragons arrive on shore and the Battle of Barren Point begins, Captain Walters calls to the soldiers to hold the line. King Lander, however, attacks the first dragon. Walters and Nickel come to his aid, and the three become a good dragon-killing team. Walters fights bravely, and well, against the dragons until the battle is won.

When they return to Lener's Crossroads, King Lander calls a war council. Lander tells the lords, captains, and Mother Saramack that he needs their advice. Captain Walters bows, then begins, saying that King Whitson emphasized the west gate because of where the enemy would approach—dragons would come at them from the north and west, but Lord Grimble would come from the south, so they must be strong there too. Chief Heckle said that Lander should look for surprises at the north gate, as the enemy might hit there again, thinking Lander won't expect it. Walters stood, saying they must move the bulk of the defense west as Whitson always emphasized the west gate and they shouldn't throw that away. Chief Heckle stood, saying that Walters must not be accusing him of controverting Whitson's word, as the Drekkers will fight on the west gate and die on their feet doing it, but that all he is saying is that... He doesn't finish, as Walters interrupts, saying that all Chief Heckle is saying is that he knows better than King Whitson, but that he can't see that as he fought alongside Whitson for years. At this point, many councilors had stood up and started arguing, leaning over the table and pointing at one another. Mother Saramack shouts that is enough, and the council quiets. She glares at everyone until they sit down, ashamed. Mother Saramack says that no one else knows the layout and tactics better than Lander. Captain Walters nods, saying that Mother Saramack is right, and asks Lander to forgive him.

After the council, Captain Walters runs up and says that the army is coming apart. Lander hurries to organize them again. He tells the army that he is honoring his father by honoring his values the best way he can, and while it might look a little different, he believes it's the same good cause and good hope that motivates his decision. The rabbits begin to murmur, some asking if he will surrender to Grimble. Captain Walters looked at Lander with concern, and stepped closer to Lander, looking disbelieving. He said that surely Lander would not surrender to Namoz, and the army began shouting. Lander held up his hands until it was quiet, and then he said that he would never surrender, nor will he defend. He shouted that they would attack. He informed them that he was starting a volunteer army, and Captain Walters was among those who volunteered at once.

Captain Walters organized the army to fit Lander's plans while Lander was unburying Flint's sword. Later, Walters meets with King Lander, telling Lander the reports from the scouts. He is also able to provide a good guess as to when the dragons were planning attack, so that Lander could attack them first.

Massie Burnson shows up to join Lander's scalebreakers, even though Lander had wanted him to command the left flank. As soon as Lander agrees to let Massie be a scalebreaker, Walters shows up, saying that all is ready. Lander said that Walters should also be with the left flank, alongside Captain Gavin, but at that point Gavin showed up. Lander asked if this was a conspiracy, and Massie assured him it was. Lander accused them all of being rogues, and then thanked them. Walters saluted, saying the army was in good hands, and Lander replied that he was too.

During the Battle of Dragon Mountain, Captain Walters was one of those flanking Lander as he hurried ahead. Walters helped lead the scalebreakers. Later on in the battle, a dragon strikes Walters down with his tail, and then leaps on him. Lander realizes that the faithful captain was dead.

After the battle, Lander says that they lost too many faithful bucks, naming Captain Walters first. He mourns the death of this faithful buck. Lemual proposes a toast to the fallen, and Lander agrees.

## Physical appearance

During his time in Seddleton, Walters is described as a "long, lean rabbit". By the time of Whitson Mariner's death he is described as having a "rounded belly".

## Personality and traits

Captain Walters was hardy, loyal, and valiant. He took orders well, and was devoted to King Whitson Mariner, being willing to fight alongside him at any time. Prior to the Battle of Ayman Lake he seems to have been more awkward, hesitating over delivering unpleasant news to the king.

## Trivia

* The name "Walters" is of English and Germanic origin and means "ruler of the army."