Donovan was a mercenary in Gambino's band to whom Gambino sold Guts as a child prostitute for one night for three silver coins. During the night, Donovan, a notorious pederast, appeared in Guts's tent with intent to rape him, and although Guts attempted to fight the brute off, he could not reach his sword and was eventually sodomized when Donovan told him that Gambino had sold him to the mercenary for the night, paralyzing Guts with disbelief and allowing Donovan to overpower him. The attack left Guts with an aversion to being touched that would continue into adulthood.