The Flamingo Feather

On a bleak winter day in 1564, sixteen‑year‑old Réné de Veaux leaves the only home he has ever known, driven by the loss of his parents and the promise of a new purpose. Accompanied by his loyal childhood servant François, he journeys to Paris to meet his distant uncle, the Chevalier Réné de Laudonniere, a hardened soldier whose reputation is built on daring voyages to the New World. The boy’s resolve to leave his tears behind marks the first step from boyhood to manhood.

The uncle, fresh from a recent expedition with Admiral Jean Ribault, is already planning a second venture to establish a haven for Protestant refugees across the Atlantic. As Réné is drawn into the preparations—learning the ropes of navigation, handling supplies, and proving his worth—he discovers a world of ambition, faith, and danger that lies far beyond the walls of his chateau. When the fleet finally rolls out of the harbor under a bright May sky, the young heir stands at the bow, ready to face the unknown seas.