Chapter Text
“Five thousand years ago, my ancestors flew to this Kingdom on the backs of Dragons. Massive, ancient beings of sheer power; with these dragons, King Henry the Firebringer, the founder of my House, brought an end to the thousand years of war between the Elves of the woods, the Dwarves in their mountain halls, the Merfolk of the sea, the Orcs of the Highlands, and the humans of the valley under one banner, that of the Great House of Dragonsbane. Nowadays, of course, Dragons no longer exist; they haven’t for a thousand years, but the House of Dragonsbane still sits on the throne of the great Kingdom of Emberstone. And under my family's rule, the different species of this vast land have learned to live in peace and harmony. Specifically, on this, the twentieth year of my rule, I ask you all to remember the dark times and be thankful for what you all have under my family’s rule and protection. A toast to you all,” King Lucas V said, smiling and raising a wine glass to a crowded room of supporters, who all clapped enthusiastically.
Beside him, his Queen Ariana clapped and smiled politely too, before turning to her youngest son, Prince Timothy, and wiping his face with a gold-trimmed napkin. “You have some sauce there, my sweet son,” she said happily, smiling and cleaning off his face.
“Yay, the Feast is done… may Lexi and I be excused, please,” pleaded the red-headed Prince Rory, the middle son of the couple, who was sitting a few seats along from the King and Queen at the long table.
“Yes, please, mother, these festivities go on for hours and they are sooo boring to us,” added the long-haired brunette Princess Lexi, who was just as eager as her twin brother to get out of there.
“Oh yes, of course,” said Queen Ariana, smiling, “Just don’t get into any trouble,” she added, before turning her attention back to Lil Timmy.
Rory gave his best innocent little prince smile. “Yes, thank you, mother, we will be on our best behavior.” He took his sister's hand and the pair ran off laughing. “Do you think she knows?” whispered Rory, as they ran hand-in-hand out of the banquet hall.
“Of course not,” said Lexi sharply, “And it’s gonna remain that way if you wish for it to continue,” she added, glaring at Rory as they ran up the castle stairs to their bedroom in the West Tower.
Meanwhile, the couple’s oldest son and the heir to the throne, seventeen-year-old Prince Henry, was currently dozing off at the table next to his father, who was droning on about some war stories.
Standing behind him, his sworn protector and dearest friend, Ser William of the Kingsguard, tapped Henry on the shoulder and whispered, “Sir, stay awake… your father wouldn’t be pleased if he saw you dozing off in a public space.”
Henry smiled, shaking himself and sitting up straight. “Thank you, William,” he said quietly, “I really don’t know what I would do without you.” The Prince smirked as the pair locked eyes.
William smirked back. “I don’t either, your Grace.”
Turning quickly away, Henry stood up suddenly and turned to the King. “Father, if I may interrupt…”
King Lucas smiled. “But, of course, my son. It is your right to address my subjects, as one day they will be your people.”
Henry nodded, a smirk still pulling at the corner of his mouth even as he put on a regal smile. “Oh, good people of Emberstone, you have come far and wide to admire my father on this, the twentieth year of his reign, and I for one want to thank you… want to thank you all for bringing your very beautiful, and single, daughters to come admire me, the real life Prince Charming.” Henry said, smiling wide as his pearly whites glittered in the bright candlelight of the hall.
The Lords all laughed heartily at this while their daughters all swooned. Leading the applause for the young Prince, King Lucas patted his son on the back. “Lords and Ladies of the Court, please give it up for my pride and joy, and your future King, Prince Henry.” The crowd all did as they were ordered and clapped enthusiastically once again.
Looking down from the long table, Henry smiled and waved, and even winked at a few of the girls, making one or two literally faint. “Thank you all, you are too kind,” he said graciously, “And with that, I must bid you all a good night. I have much work to do, training to be a King is hard work.” Henry smiled at the King, bowing, before he turned to William. “See me to my chambers, Ser William.”
William nodded, bowing to both the Prince and the King. “Of course, your Grace,” he said at once, before escorting Henry out of the room and directly to his chambers.
Once upstairs in the Prince’s chambers, Henry casually tossed his crown aside onto the richly-carpeted floor and began to unbutton his stupid tight tunic. “Oh, how I hate those things,” he grumbled, “All the stupid, fat, drunk Lords and their ugly whores for daughters, all batting their eyelashes at me, all trying to win my affection… It's ghastly work,” Prince Henry sighed dramatically, tossing his tunic to the ground and kicking off his boots.
“It is your duty, your Grace,” Ser William said, a little reproachfully, “As the heir to the throne, you are expected to do these things.”
The now shirtless Henry turned and glared at Williams, getting right up in his face. “What did I tell you about the ‘your Grace’ shit?” he growled, “Only in public… in private, you shall address me as…”
William smirked as he leaned in close and whispered in Henry’s ear, “Daddy.”
Henry smirked. “Damn right.” He then pulled William into a passionate kiss and began to help the knight remove his armor, as the secret lovers locked their tongues in this forbidden tango.
But before they could get too far, the door to the chambers burst open and Prince Timmy came running into the room. “Hey Hen!!!” he cried, then stopped and stared at the pair, “What are you doing?!?”
Henry backed away from William as quickly as he could, pulling his pants back up. “FOR FUCK’S SAKE, TIMMY, LEARN HOW TO KNOCK!” Henry snapped furiously at his little brother, who backed up a little, frowning from the Prince to his Knight
“What were you doing with Ser William there… and why are you almost naked?” Timmy demanded.
“It is no concern of yours, Orcbreath!” snapped Henry, “NEVER ENTER MY CHAMBERS WITHOUT KNOCKING AGAIN!” he shouted, shoving his little brother out into the hall and slamming the door behind him.
William sighed, sitting down on the bed and looking up at the Prince. “We can’t keep doing this, Hen… we are surely going to get caught, and then my head will be on a spike.”
Henry sat down beside him and caressed William’s cheek. “I will never let that happen… you understand that… I will never let anything harm you,” Henry said, pulling William into a heated kiss. He then helped him strip the rest of his clothes off before the two of them lay down on the bed and started to go at it.
Across the kingdom, just outside the tiny village of Williamsburg, there was a lovely meadow, filled with tall grass and willow trees. For the local teenagers of Williamsburg, this meadow is where they would go to do… things… away from the prying eyes of adults, especially on warm summer afternoons such as this.
This particular afternoon, local farm boy Parker Green had brought his girlfriend Cassandra Smith out to the meadow. The pair were sitting under the willow tree in the dappled sunlight, the warm rays playing across Parker’s bare back.
The sun was beginning to set in the distance as the two teenagers embraced. Parker’s shirt lay on the grass where he had tossed it aside. He was stroking Cassandra’s hair as they made out, lips locked together and the world around them fading away.
“You’re so pretty, Cass,” said Parker, smirking a little as he pulled back to look at her for a moment.
“Not so bad yourself, Green,” she replied, running a finger across his lips and down his neck.
Parker smiled. “In the summer sunlight, you’re just so beautiful,” he said, with the air of a poet reciting a sonnet.
Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Okay, Green. Just shut up and kiss me.”
Parker frowned a little. “Can’t I tell my girl how much I love her?”
“Ugh,” groaned Cassandra, pulling Parker towards her, “If I wanted to talk about my feelings, I’d hang out with my girlfriends from the forge.
As the sun set beyond the meadow, the pair resumed kissing, Parker now feeling a little put out. As they kept making out, their hands steadily moved lower and lower, Cassandra’s down Parker’s back, while he tried to slip his under her blouse and around her corset.
“I really wanna make love to you,” Parker whispered in her ear as he hickeyed her neck.
Cassandra shook her head. “Nuh-uh, Green, you know we can’t. Not till we’re married, I’m not that kinda girl.”
“I know,” sighed Parker, even as he felt a frustration burning in his loins, making his pants feel as tight as her corset. “But you got me so worked up, Cass.”
Parker grinded against her a little, hands still searching in vain for a way into her corset as she stroked his slightly sweaty back while they made out against the willow tree.
“One day, Parker,” she said softly, nibbling his ear, “One day we will be together properly, and it’ll be worth the wait.”
Parker let out a moan of frustration. “I know it will,” he mumbled, “But couldn’t you just, you know…” He made a gesture with his hand and poked his tongue into his cheek, before glancing down at the bulge in his pants. “It barely counts, it wouldn’t hurt your honor or anything.”
He paired the request with his most adorable, appealing puppy-dog look, and she sighed, relenting, and shook her head with a smile.
“Go on then, Green,” she said, reaching down to unlace his pants.
Parker leaned back against the tree and closed his eyes in pleasure and satisfaction. As the sun finally began to go down, so did his girl, and Parker ended his evening in the meadow with soft moans and his pants around his ankles.
Parker was walking down the path, lacing up his pants and pulling his shirt down after his rendezvous with Cassandra. He was feeling quite happy, but he wanted more. “Erik will know how to get her to put out more for me, surely,” Parker said to himself, referring to his older brother as he strolled down the streets of Williamsburg.
Lost in his own thoughts, Parker bumped into a hooded figure as he approached the farm. “I’m sorry,” he said at once, turning to the stranger, “I wasn’t paying attention. My mind is on… different things.”
The stranger looked up at Parker, not taking his hood down. “It would be wise to pay more attention,” he said, “You never know what is going to happen when you are not looking. You could lose everything, at no fault of your own, and then where would you be?” And following this ominous proclamation, the hooded figure turned and walked off without another word.
Parker shrugged. “That was weird, but whatever...” He continued walking down the path up to a rather quaint but homely old shack in the grounds of a modest farm. This was the Green family farm and had been in Parker’s family since the time of King Henry the Firebringer. Parker’s father, Ryan, had been a skilled farmer and a good and kind father, but the years of hard work had finally caught up with him two years earlier, when his heart gave out. And so now, Parker’s brother Erik, his mother Diana, and himself had the task of keeping the farm going; it wasn't easy, especially with Baron Williams constantly raising the local tax.
And speaking of… Parker glared as he approached the house, seeing Baron Williams standing by the front door speaking to his mother right now.
“Why do you keep making this so hard on yourself, Diana? There is a simple solution to your money problems. All you have to do is accept my hand in marriage and you will never have to worry about money again,” the Baron said, caressing her cheek, “A fine flower such as yourself should never go unplucked.”
Diana slapped his hand away, looking disgusted. “Touch my face again and I shall write to the King and have him remove that hand,” she said, smirking.
Parker smirked too; it brought him great pleasure to see his mother putting that weasley Baron in his place. “You tell him, mom!” Parker said, smiling encouragingly as he approached the farmhouse.
Baron Williams chuckled. “You think you have the King wrapped around your little finger because you served as his chambermaid, what, twenty years ago?” He laughed hard. “Don’t make me laugh, Diana, the King probably doesn’t even remember you exist.”
“Oh, but that’s where you are wrong, Reginald,” she said, clasping at her necklace, “He was so devastated when I left his service to return home to Ryan, Erik, and the farm that he gifted me this necklace,” Diana said, smiling.
Reginald’s eyes flashed with fury; he reached out and ripped the necklace off her neck. “That oughta cover this month's taxes,” he spat at her, “You can have it back when you MARRY ME!”
This was the final straw for Parker; he’d had more than enough and charged at Baron Williams. “GIVE IT BACK, YOU SON OF AN ORC!!!” he cried as he tackled the Baron to the ground and started beating the shit out of him. “LEAVE US ALONE, YOU SLIMY BASTARD!!!”
“PARKER, FOR THE GODS’ SAKE, STOP IT!!!” Diana cried, trying to pull him off but falling to, as her frail frame was no match for her son’s young and fit frame.
Hearing the commotion, Parker’s brother Erik came running around the corner. “PARKER, STOP IT!!!” Erik cried, as with much effort he finally managed to pry Parker away from Baron Williams and hold him back.
“Oh, let me at him, Erik! He deserves it!!!” Parker cried, struggling to get free of his brother’s grip.
Baron Williams got to his feet and wiped the blood off his lip. “One hell of a left hook your boy has there, Diana,” he muttered, glancing from Parker to his mother, “I’ll return next month, and if you can’t make the taxes, you know what you must do. As for you, son, since I am in a good mood, I’ll let you off with a warning for your little outburst. But I’d watch myself if I were you, boy, for Emberstone is a dangerous place when you make enemies.” Baron Williams gave a cruel smile before heading to his buggy and returning to his mansion.
Parker shoved Erik away and glowered at his brother. “I could have taken him out, you know!”
“I know you could have, Park,” sighed Erik, “That’s why I stopped you. If I hadn’t, you’d be spending the night in a jail cell. What is it dad always said, huh?!?” Erik asked.
Parker mumbled something indistinctly.
Erik smacked Parker. “Clearly, Orcbreath!”
Parker sighed. “There is no problem you can solve with your fists that couldn’t be better resolved with your words,” he said dully.
Erik smiled and nodded. “That’s it, Park. So, what the hell was that all about, huh?”
“I just don’t like the way he talks to Mother. And now, him taking that necklace… I just wanted to stop him,” Parker said angrily.
Diana smiled and patted Parker on the shoulder. “My sweet boy, it’s not your job to fight for me, I’m the parent here. Reginald is a vulgar and disgusting man but at the end of the day, he is better then some. It’s just a necklace, Parker, from a time long ago,” Diana said, thinking back for a moment, “It was a different time, boys… now then, get cleaned up, I’ll prepare dinner.” Diana smiled at her sons, before stumbling as she turned too quickly.
Both Parker and Erik rushed to her side. “Mother! You have been doing that a lot lately, little stumbles,” Erik said concerned.
But Diana just shook her head. “Mommy is fine, just getting older. This comes with age, you know… don’t worry, boys, I’m fine,” she said, smiling as she went to go prepare dinner.
Erik shook his head, turning to his brother. “She’s not just fine, Park… she needs to see a Maester.”
Parker scoffed. “Yeah, but there's no Maester from here to Dragonsnest we could afford,” he sighed, “Let’s not discuss it right now… I have less depressing matters to ask about,” Parker said, sitting on his cot.
Erik sat down next to him. “Such as what, little brother?”
Parker smirked. “She finally gave me head today, dude, and boy, can she give some good head!” Parker said, thinking back to his excellent blowjob just a bit ago.
Erik patted Parker on the back, grinning proudly. “Attaboy,” he said, before looking past him, a dreamy expression on his face, “I remember my first one… Jessica Miller, oh gosh, we were fourteen or fifteen, underneath the old willow tree...”
“Same bro,” said Parker, grinning, “I wonder how many firsts that tree has seen… but that’s as far as it got… what about you and Jessica, did she let you get, ya know, below the corset?” he asked eagerly.
“Jessica? Oh yes, not at first, but after a few rendezvous and enough buttering up, she spread those puppies wide open for me to go to town… and go to town I sure did,” Erik said, smirking.
Parker gazed in awe at his brother for a minute. “So, how do I get Cassandra to spread, to let me even gaze upon her womanhood?” he asked eagerly.
“Women like to be wooed, baby bro,” said Erik, “They like to be pampered and noticed. Simple things, Park: flowers, chocolate, and compliments and soon, she will melt like butter in your hands.”
“I told her she was pretty,” said Parker, a little unsurely.
Erik rolled his eyes. “No wonder all you got was a blowie, bro. It’s gonna take more than that. Just make her feel special, really treat her, that’ll seal the deal.” He smirked.
“Then I can get that puss!” Parker said eagerly.
Erik laughed. “Fuck yeah, you can, baby bro!”
Diana shook her head as she came over to them. “That is enough talk of that, you two,” she said sternly, then sighed, “Such vulgar and dirty talk could only come from the mouths of men. Come along, dinner is ready,” she said, smiling as she sat at the table.
Parker smiled apologetically. “Sorry, Mother.” He and Erik joined their mother at the table and thanked her for the meal before digging in, laughing and talking as they enjoyed their meal like a true family, a far cry from the stiff and formulaic banquets of the Capital and the royal family. For this is how life should be; for Parker, this simple life was the best, he had it all. A loving home, a great mother, brother and even a girlfriend. Parker Green was on the top of the world… little did he know that would all change over the next twenty four hours. It would change dramatically...
The following day around noon found Parker walking down the road from the farm into the village. It had been a long, hard morning working on the farm for Parker. After his chores, he was hot, sweaty and dirty, but at least it was all done, at least for today. He reached the water pump at the edge of the village, washing his hands under the spout, his shirt slung over his back and the sun on his back.
As he passed the baker’s shop, the door swung open and a smiling, curly-haired boy ran out into the street. He made a beeline for Parker and threw his arms around him in an almost bone-crushing hug the moment he reached him.
“Hey Jupiter!” said Parker brightly. The boy’s real name was James Baker, but no one ever called him James. “Dude, we only saw each other yesterday,” Parker laughed, as Jupiter finally let go of him.
Jupiter shrugged. “I know. But you’re my best friend.” He smiled again as he fell into step beside Parker and the two of them walked through the village together.
“Aww, you’re mine too,” said Parker, “But I’m all sweaty and dirty from walking on the farm. And now your shirt is all ruined,” he added, looking down at Jupiter’s white linen shirt, which was now covered in soil and dirt.
Jupiter shrugged. “I don’t care.”
The two of them continued walking, heading through the center of the village, past the inn and the shops, their destination being a run-down old cottage on the far side, where their friend and mentor, the wise old wizard Æthelwulf lived.
“You ever think we’ll make it out of this town, Jupe?” asked Parker, as they reached the hill up to Æthelwulf’s cottage and looked back at Williamsburg, at its little stone houses all clustered around the village square.
“I will!” exclaimed Jupiter confidently, “One day, I’m gonna go to the capital, to the great observatory on Dragonsnest Mount. I wanna see the stars. For real, like.”
Parker smiled at his friend. “I’m sure you will, Jupe. You’ll see the world and go on all kinds of adventures, I know it.”
Jupiter beamed happily. “And you can come with me, Parky,” he said, “We’ll take on the world together.”
They heard a derisive laugh coming from around the corner. Turning, they saw Blake, son of the Baron Williams, smirking unkindly as he walked towards them.
“You’re delusional, Baker,” he sneered at Jupiter, before turning to Parker, “Green, why do you hang around with this loser? He’s just a pathetic dreamer, always with his head in the clouds, looking up at the stars so much, no wonder he always trips over his big feet.”
Parker stepped forward, putting himself between Jupiter and Blake as he glared at the Baron’s son. “Shut up, Williams,” he spat, “Go run home to your daddy. I’m sure he needs you to shine his shoes or cook his dinner or something, after his busy morning harassing the local women.”
Blake glared back at him, sneering coldly at Parker. “Scoff all you like, Green. But unlike you two, one day I will be a rich man. As soon as I turn 18, I’ll be heading to the Capital to join the Kingsguard.”
Parker and Jupiter looked at each other; both rolled their eyes. “Well, you have fun with that,” said Parker mockingly, “We’ve got better things to do. Come on, Jupiter.” He turned his back on Blake as the two of them started climbing up to the Wizard’s cottage.
“Oh yeah, have fun hanging out with that creepy old coot,” Blake called after them, “You know, he’s lucky my father lets him keep that crumbling old hovel…”
The two of them ignored them, as they headed up the path to the cottage. The front door swung open before they even had a chance to knock, and in the doorway stood the Wizard himself, Æthelwulf the Wise. He looked like a handsome, twenty-something year old, with dirty blonde hair, freckles and arms for days… but he was really thousands of years old, no one was quite sure exactly how old, and had seen and done more than any other person in Williamsburg, probably in the whole of Emberstone.
“I saw you guys coming,” said Æthelwulf brightly, smiling at the pair of them as they approached, “Come in, come in, my favorite younglings.”
“Hey Æthelwulf,” said Parker, as he and Jupiter followed the Wizard into the cottage, a small, round and dimly-lit stone building with one room inside, a multi-colored fire crackling in the fireplace on the far side of a large wooden table. Shelves lined every wall, stacked with books, scrolls and various gems, potions and various shiny magical objects.
Æthelwulf cleared a space for them around the table, which was piled high with an assortment of old books and ancient-looking magical cards. “I confess I was distracted,” said the Wizard, “If I’d seen you coming sooner, I would have baked a cake. But wait… what’s this?”
Parker laughed and Jupiter applauded as Æthelwulf conjured a large vanilla sponge cake out of thin air, placing it down on the table before the boys.
“Ooh nice!” said Jupiter, reaching for a slice, “I prefer chocolate, but…”
“Ah, but it is chocolate,” said Æthelwulf, with a mischievous wink. And to Jupiter’s surprise, the slice of cake changed color before his very eyes as he took a slice. Both Jupiter and Parker laughed as they took their seats at the table. “Would you young sirs care for a drink?” asked Æthelwulf.
“Yes please,” they said together.
The Wizard grinned. With a wave of his hand, a bottle of glittering red liquid appeared in mid-air. Æthelwulf caught it and opened the lid; at once, a stream of red fire and a roaring sound burst from the bottle, making both boys jump. “Dragonwhiskey,” said the Wizard, “Shhh, don’t tell your moms,” he said, winking as he poured them both a glass of the bubbly, sparkling liquid.
Parker took a swig of the whiskey and coughed; it felt like it was burning his throat on the way down.
Jupiter clapped him on the back. “So what got you so distracted?” he asked, looking up at the Wizard, who had already finished his glass of whiskey and was pouring another.
“Ah yes,” said Æthelwulf, pulling a big old book from the stack he’d cleared off the table, “I was reading this fascinating ancient history of our little village. Now, see here, where the dragon markings are out by the old well…”
But as the boys leaned in eagerly to look at the book, there came a sudden, deafening sound from somewhere outside. A chilling sound that seemed to send ice through their hearts and made their blood run cold in their veins. The sound of shrill horns, blaring in the distance.
Æthelwulf dropped his glass, which shattered on the stone floor of the cottage, as Parker and Jupiter turned to look fearfully at each other. Jupiter’s eyes were wide in horror and shock, while Parker felt confused, unsure why the sound scared him so much, but knowing it could only herald something bad.
Æthelwulf stepped out of his cottage with Parker and Jupiter and looked into the distance in the direction the horns had seemed to sound from a moment ago. “Oh no… this isn’t good not at all!” Æthelwulf said, very worriedly running back into his cottage and frantically searching his shelves for things.
Parker frowned, still confused. “Æthelwulf, what is it, what’s going on? What was that noise!” he asked.
Æthelwulf sighed and turned to them, a grave expression on his face. “Boys, that is the sound of an Orc army marching rapidly towards our beloved town.” The Wizard tossed Parker a sword. “You’ll need this, my friend.”
Parker looked down at the sword and his eyes widened. “This blade… It's Dragonsteel!” he breathed, awe-inspired as he gazed at it.
“Indeed,” said Aethelwulf, “That sword belonged to a very dear old friend of mine. But enough about that, you and Jupiter need to go at once to tell the Baron to gather as many men and boys as he can to fight off the coming army… I must prepare here, I shall join the fight as soon as I can,” Æthelwulf said, pushing the two boys out of the door and locking it behind them.
“Come on, Parker!” cried Jupiter, “This is exhilarating, finally, something is happening in Williamsburg… it’s what I have been looking for!” he said eagerly, running down the hill towards the town square.
Parker sighed and followed him. As they reached the town square, they heard an unpleasantly familiar voice. “Look what the dwarves dragged in, it’s a couple of Orcs!” Blake sneered mockingly, as he stood beside his father, both of them looking down their noses at Parker and Jupiter.
“More than a couple, dungbrain,” snapped Parker, “There's a whole army of Orcs headed directly for our city… Æthelwulf confirms it!”
The Baron and Blake both scoffed, laughing cruelly. “ORCS?!?” Blake snorted.
Baron Williams shook his head. “You stupid boy,” he sneered, “There haven’t been Orcs this far south for over a thousand years, not since the time of Dragons. Æthelwulf is a crackpot old fool with delusions of the past!” Reginald said. The mocking expression on his face had barely faded before he was pierced through the heart by an Orc arrow.
A terrible sound met their ears as an Orc screeched and raised its sword, pointing towards the village as the Orc army appeared on the hill and came charging down towards Williamsburg.
Parker glared at Blake, who was crouching down, grasping his father’s dying body. “Believe me now, asshole?” he yelled.
Blake nodded, gulping, before calling out, “MEN, GATHER YOUR WEAPONS! DEFEND YOUR HOMES AND YOUR WOMEN!”
Parker drew his blade of Dragonsteel; he began swinging at the Orcs as they came storming over the village walls and causing chaos everywhere.
Blake ran into the town hall. He grabbed the ancient sword of the House of Williams, Debtbringer , and used it to fight off the Orcs. “Hah, you call that a sword, Green! This is a sword!” Blake said, smirking.
Jupiter just rolled his eyes. “Can you two compare your swords later?” he cried in exasperation, “Now, we fight!!!” He leaped forward, brandishing two daggers as he fought off the Orcs.
Erik came running to Parker’s side. “Brother!!” Erik had grabbed the hoe from the shed; as he drove it into an Orc’s head, he shouted, “Where the hell did these Orcs come from?” He and Parker stood back to back, fighting off the invaders.
“I don’t fucking know… but Æthelwulf sensed them from miles away and gave me this awesome sword to help fight them. Dragonsteel!” Parker said, chopping down a few more Orcs as they came at him.
“Awesome, little bro.” Erik said, driving his hoe into the head of a nearby Orc, who collapsed at his feet.
Now, most Orcs wore very pathetic armor, not even covering their faces, but as Parker turned to face his next attacker, he noticed that this particular Orc wore some very shiny armor and a helmet covering his entire face; not only that, but he too wielded a Dragonsteel sword. When he saw Parker, he said, “Pathetic shara, kigija shezag belongs ve alnej!”
Parker glared at the Orcish General and said, “Listen, you stupid green shit, I don’t speak your damn language. If you're gonna insult me, do it in the common tongue!” Parker charged at the general and clashed blades with him, getting into an epic sword fight as the villagers fought bravely around them.
The Orc laughed. “Jiak kij General Sharkub ro ul 500th Orcish fleet! Khe ku useless ve try ve koga alnej matuurz!” he said, nearly disarming Parker in the process.
Parker jumped onto a nearby table. Swinging his sword, he said, “Still don’t speak Orcish, asshole.” He kicked the General in the face, disorienting him, and then ran towards his house to check on his mother. “Mom, are you okay?!?” he cried, bursting through the front door.
Diana was hiding in the closet. Hearing Parker’s voice, she nervously ventured out to look at her son, covered in blood and wielding a sword. “Parker!” she cried, “What is going on out there? I hear fighting!!!”
“Orcs, mom,” said Parker, “I don’t know how and I don’t know why, but this Orc army has invaded our home. They killed the Baron… we are trying to fight them, but there's too many of them… I came to get you to safety!!!” Parker said.
But at that moment, Sharkub kicked down the door of the house and jumped on Parker, sending him tumbling to the ground.
Sharkub laughed cruelly. “Todklr lat mat tor ul glory ro ul Orcish porandor!” he said, drawing a poisonous dagger from his belt.
Before Parker could react, Erik grabbed Sharkub, pulling him off of his brother. “GET OFF OF HIM, YOU FILTHY ORC!!” Erik yelled angrily.
Sharkub laughed coldly as he stabbed Erik through the heart with the poisonous blade. “Egor shara!” he spat.
As Parker stared in horror, Erik instantly began to feel the effects of the poison; he stumbled and fell to the ground.
Sharkub laughed and picked up his sword. Eyes flashing behind his helmet, he swung in preparation to slay his enemy.
Parker screamed and charged at Sharkub, but he only managed to grab the tassel of his helmet and pull it off his head.
Sharkub let out a loud screech as his helmet was removed and his hideous face exposed.
Parker just stared for a moment, dumbfounded. “What the…” he cried, “You're… HUMAN?!?” Parker spluttered, staring at Sharkub’s dirty yet still white human skin and his head of blonde curls.
Sharkub hissed furiously. “Shara! Jiak kij General Sharkub! Ul mightiest ro orcs!” He pried his helmet from Parker’s hands and put it back on his head. “Wok. Lat mat!” He swung his blade, only to be suddenly blinded by a blinding light that blazed from over the hill.
The bright light was coming from Æthelwulf’s cottage; he had done it, cast the spell to repel the Orcs! “LEAVE THIS PLACE AND NEVER RETURN, ORC KIND, OR FACE MY WRATH.” Æthelwulf roared, holding his arms in the air as the blinding light blazed around him.
Sharkub glared at Parker. “Jiak'll ek lat some dautas!!!!” he spat, before he fled with the rest of his army.
It seemed the humans had won, but at a great cost. Parker ran to Erik’s side. “BROTHER!!” he said, crying.
Æthelwulf came running into the Green family cottage and saw the dying Erik, lying in Parker’s arms on the floor. “Oh gods.”
Diana teared up. “Æthelwulf, please, save my boy!!!” she cried.
Æthelwulf nodded, turning to Parker and holding out an arm. “Help me, son, get him up onto the table, let me see what I can do!” the Wizard said urgently, hoping it was not too late for him to save Erik’s life.
Æthelwulf and Parker placed Erik on the kitchen table. “Help me get his shirt off, son,” Æthelwulf instructed and Parker did just that, ripping his brother’s shirt off his chest. It wasn’t a pretty sight; Sharkub had stabbed Erik just above his heart and the poison had already affected his bloodstream severely.
“Æthelwulf, what do I need to do? How do we save my brother’s life?” Parker asked pleadingly, turning to the wizard as tears burned his eyes.
Æthelwulf shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry, this Orcish poison acts so fast... to heal him is beyond my magic.” The Wizard sighed gravely, looking down at Erik.
Parker shook his head. “But you’re a wizard! The greatest fucking wizard in the world. Wave your magic staff, do something!!!” Parker demanded.
“You flatter me,” Æthelwulf sighed, and shook his head again, “But even my magic has limitations. I am accomplished in many things, conjuring especially, but healing is not my strongest suit.”
“No, that’s not true!” cried Parker, “You healed Jupiter’s arm last week, when he fell out of that tree stargazing. And you cured me of the pox last winter.”
The Wizard sighed. “Breaks and scrapes, minor injuries, those I can do. But this poison… I’m sorry, Parker.” Æthelwulf looked gravely down at Parker, and there was a helplessness behind the Wizard’s ancient eyes in the youthful face that he had never seen before. “But time is short,” he said, after a pause, “Instead of being angry or upset, spend these last moments with your brother, treasure every last second. Or I fear you will regret it forever.”
Parker teared up. He took his brother's hand as their mother took his other in hers. “This is all my fault, Erik,” he sobbed, “I brought Sharkub to our home. If I hadn’t led him here, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Erik shook his head weakly, looking up at Parker. “It’s not your fault the Orcs decided to attack us. And Sharkub would have found us anyway. You were defending mom, so I defended you, the way any good big brother would,” Erik said, smiling, “I know you, Parker,” he added, “You are going to blame yourself and do something crazy like seek vengeance on that Human-Orc General thing… I need you to not do that. Mom is gonna need you more than ever, and so will the farm. You’ll need to step up and be the man of the house in me and dad's place, and never forget his words.”
Parker sighed, and recited, “There is no problem you can solve with your fists that couldn’t be better solved with your words. I know.” Parker teared up. “I’m not ready to let you go, Erik. Please don’t die on me,” Parker pleaded, full-on crying and holding his brother's hand tight.
Erik smiled, his eyes closing as his strength left him. “I’m sorry, baby bro… I don’t have a choice in this matter. Don’t forget me and the lessons I have taught you. Be the best you can be for Mom and remember me. I love you, Parker… I’m sorry, Mom, sorry I have to leave you now.”
Diana was a crying mess, but she pulled herself together and placed her hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, baby, you can rest now,” she whispered softly, tears falling from her eyes and splashing on her son’s cheeks.
Erik smiled weakly back as the light left his eyes; his hand went limp in Parker’s as his facial features slumped and he passed from this mortal realm.
Parker let out a bloodcurdling scream. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Æthelwulf sighed. “May the gods watch over his soul and guide him to the eternal plane of rest,” Æthelwulf murmured softly, waving his staff over Erik’s body and blessing him.
Parker got to his feet. He wiped his tears away and angrily punched a hole in the wall, as their mother just wept over her slain son’s body. “That fucking human-looking Orc…” he growled, “I’m gonna fucking kill it, I’m gonna go chop its head off and serve it up for lunch!!” Parker stormed around the room in a furious mood.
But Æthelwulf shook his head sadly. He took Parker by the arm and looked at him. “What did your brother say?” he said gently, “He said, don’t do that and what do you want to do? Just that!”
Parker shook his head. “I need some air… I’ll be back, I promise.” He ran outside, tears streaming down his face again.
Outside the farmhouse, Jupiter was helping usher wounded civilians to be treated when he saw Parker crying. He ran to his best friend's side at once. “Parker, what happened?” he cried.
“Erik…” choked Parker, “He’s g-gone, Jupe…. He’s really gone.” Parker broke down crying as Jupiter embraced him tightly.
Jupiter swallowed hard as he sighed, gently patting his friend’s back. “Oh gods… Parker, I am so sorry! We lost so many good men in that fight. Including the Baron who, despite his flaws, was an okay guy… better than his replacement anyway… Ugh, I can’t believe that smirking sack of shit Blake is now our Baron.”
Parker looked around, frowning. “Where is that bitch anyway?” Parker asked, then shook his head. “Never mind, I need to go check on Cassandra… thank you, Jupiter, you are my rock.” Parker kissed Jupiter on the cheek and ran off towards Cassandra’s house.
Jupiter blushed and rubbed the cheek Parker kissed, before returning to helping the wounded.
Parker ran off towards Cassandra’s house on the other side of the village. He decided to go around to her bedroom window and climb in that way; he really did not want to deal with any small talk right now with her parents. “Cass, baby, I really need you now,” he said, climbing in the window, before looking up and feeling his jaw hit the floor.
Whatever he had expected to see, it wasn’t that. Cassandra was butt-naked with another man, making out with him as he fucked her hard… and that man was none other than Blake Williams. “Oh yes, Blakey, fuck me harder!” Cassandra was moaning.
Blake smirked. “As you wish, baby.”
Parker slammed the window shut behind him, making them both jump. “WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!?” he cried, staring at them both.
Cassandra gasped, looking up at Parker with wide eyes. “Oh gods! Parker, I can explain!!”
Parker shook his head, scowling. “No need,” he muttered, “I get it, he’s the Baron now, he’s promised you wealth beyond your wildest dreams and whatever. And in exchange, you have given him far more than you ever gave me in our two years of dating,” He swallowed hard, “I lost my brother and my girlfriend in the span of an hour.”
Cassandra moaned as Blake continued to fuck her. “I am sorry, Parker, he is too wealthy and… HOT to resist… OH HARDER, BLAKE, HARDER!!!” She pulled him into a sloppy kiss and they made out right there in front of Parker.
Blake smirked. “Sorry, not sorry, Green.” He said, ramming his cock as hard as he could into Cassandra’s tight hole.
Parker shook his head. “Screw the both of you… I need to be with my mom right now anyway in this, our time of grief.” Parker climbed out the window and ran straight back home, not looking back.
Meanwhile at the Orc Encampment
Sharkub sat beside the fire and thought about the words Parker had said. “You’re human!” Sharkub shook his head in disgust and muttered (in Orcish, translated to English for viewing simplicity) “I can't be human, I am the Prince of the Orcs, heir to the throne.”
Next to him, an Orcish grunt said, “Well, sir, you must have noticed by now that you do look different than the rest of us. Far uglier than any other Orc, so pasty and pale...”
Sharkub screeched in fury. He grabbed the grunt and ripped his throat out, tossing his body aside into the fire. “HOW DARE YOU INSULT ME!!” roared Sharkub, as he threw his helmet into the crowd. “Is that what you all think of me?!!? Huh?” he demanded, “Your Commander, Your Prince! Am I…” He gagged, “Human? Or am I an Orc like you all?!?”
Muttering fearfully amongst each other, the Orcs knelt and all said in unison, “You are one of the finest Orcs, our Prince and Commander, sir!!!”
Sharkub smirked. “That’s what I thought. Stupid human had no idea what he was talking about.” Sharkub looked down at the burning carcass of the Orc grunt he killed. “LOOKS LIKE MEAT'S BACK ON THE MENU, BOYS! EAT UP!!!” Sharkub said, laughing hard as his fellow Orcs went to town on their fallen comrade. Sharkub looked off into the distance and said, “Watch your back, Parker Green, one day I’ll get you and make you pay for those vicious lies you tried to spread.”
Meanwhile, back in Williamsburg, Parker returned to his family home only to find his mother had suddenly fallen deadly ill and was unconscious in bed. “WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?” Parker exclaimed, running to her bedside.
Æthelwulf sighed. “Sit down Parker… allow me to explain,” Æthelwulf said, gesturing to a nearby chair.
Parker took his seat, feeling tears in his eyes again as he looked in panic and confusion between his mother and the Wizard, who sighed again and turned to look directly at him.
“Your mother has fallen victim to a rare and ancient sickness,” Æthelwulf said, “It is something the Orcs bring, wherever they invade farmlands. It has poisoned the fields and your mother was unlucky enough to prick her finger on an infected plant. That’s all it took for the poison to enter her body.”
Parker shook his head, frowning at the Wizard. “No, no! Not her too. Please, Æthelwulf, surely you can heal her. Please!!! NOT HER TOO!!!” he cried in despair.
Æthelwulf swallowed hard, reaching out to put a hand on Parker’s shoulder. “I told you before,” he said, as gently as he could, “I am not a Healer. This kind of sickness, it is ancient and deadly magic. Only the Maesters of the Capital have the skills to save her.”
“But that’s too far away!” cried Parker, “Even if we could get them to come here. Which they won’t, cuz we’re poor. And she’s too weak to travel…” Parker looked down at his mother, lying unconscious on the bed, her face pale and sweaty. “No, no! I can’t lose her too, not after Erik… not after…”
Jupiter put his arms around Parker and held him close as Parker sobbed into his shoulder. Æthelwulf looked from the boys to Diana, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“I… may be able to slow the spread,” he said, after a few moments. Parker looked up at him expectantly. “She only pricked her finger… it’s possible, if we act fast… I can make a potion which will put her into an enchanted sleep. With any luck, it will keep the poison at bay until we can find a Healer to cure the sickness properly.”
Parker wiped his eyes and turned to Æthelwulf. “Do it then,” he said, “And I will make the journey to Dragonsnest. I will find the Healer and bring him here to cure my mother.”
Æthelwulf nodded. He turned and hurried out of the farmhouse, back to his cottage on the other side of the village.
“Mother,” Parker said, taking Diana’s hand and looking down at her, his eyes still glistening with tears but a look of fierce determination on his face, “I swear to you by all the gods, I will do whatever it takes to find you a cure. You will be fine, I promise you.”
Æthelwulf returned a short while later, carrying a glistening blue potion bottle. He nodded to Parker as he leaned over the bed and gently poured the liquid into Diana’s mouth. “This potion will keep her alive, in a deep sleep. But it will last no more than one sun cycle,” he said gravely, “You must be swift on your quest. Without a cure, I fear your mother will not see another summer.”
Parker nodded. “I will be back before then, I swear it,” he said, speaking more to his mother than to the Wizard, who nodded anyway.
“Then I wish you a good journey, my young friend. And I will also give you this,” Æthelwulf added, handing a small talisman on a silver chain to Parker, “If ever you need me, you can contact me using this. And I can update you on your mother’s condition. You have my word that I will watch over her and you night and day till you return.”
“Till we return, you mean,” piped up Jupiter.
Parker turned to him, frowning slightly. “We?” he repeated.
“Oh, come on, you don’t think I’d let my best friend head off on a dangerous quest alone, do you?” said Jupiter, “We’re a team, till the end.”
“Oh, Jupe!” cried Parker happily. And this time it was he who threw his arms around his friend. Jupiter hugged him back, before they turned to the Wizard, who handed them both satchels with supplies.
“Good travels, my young friends,” Æthelwulf said, “May your quest be swift, safe and fruitful.”
“Parker!” croaked a weak voice. Turning, Parker saw his mother had stirred slightly, though she was still too weak to move or open her eyes, “Be safe, won’t you? My sweet boy.” Her voice faded as she fell back into a deep sleep.
Parker leaned across and kissed her softly on the forehead. “I will, mother,” he said quietly, “I will. I’ll be back before you know it.” He got to his feet, swung his satchel over his shoulder, and turned to Jupiter. “Off we go, then. To Dragonsnest!”
“To Dragonsnest!” said Jupiter, swinging his own satchel over his shoulder and following Parker from the farmhouse.
As evening fell over Williamsburg, Parker sat by the newly dug grave of his older brother Erik as tears filled his eyes. “I don’t know what I am gonna do without you, my brother, but I swear I will not let you down, I will make this journey to Dragonsnest and I will save our mother, whatever it takes,” Parker said determinedly.
Jupiter tapped Parker gently on the shoulder and smiled. “It’s time to go, my friend, if we wish to reach the next village in a timely manner, that is.”
Parker nodded, patting his brother’s grave and then taking Jupiter's hand to help him up. Together, the two young friends set out down the path out of the village into the setting sun, on the long journey towards the distant capital. What dangers and adventures lay ahead, neither of them yet knew. All they knew is that they would not return to their village until their quest was completed.
As they reached the very edge of the village, Parker stopped and looked back. He could just make out the farmhouse in the distance, nothing but a square shape against the darkening sky. “I’ll be back, mother,” he said softly, before turning away again and walking with Jupiter out of Williamsburg. But little did they know that the mysterious hooded figure was following them close behind them along the winding road to Dragonsnest.
The Epic Quest of Parker Green: The Journey to Dragonsnest
Episode 1: “The Farm Boy”
Starring:
Parker Bates as Parker Green
Noah Jupe as James “Jupiter” Baker
Nolen Dubuc as The Hooded Figure
Preston Oliver as Prince Henry Dragonsbane
Maxwell Jenkins as Ser William Sutherland
Walker Scobell as General Sharkub of the Orcs
Landon Gordon as Prince Rory Dragonsbane
Madeleine McGraw as Princess Alexandra “Lexi” Dragonsbane
Kaz Womack as Prince Timothy “Timmy” Dragonsbane
Karen Gillian as Queen Ariana Dragonsbane
Elizabeth Olsen as Diana Green
Prestyn Bates as Erik Green
London Cheshire as Blake Williams
McKenna Grace as Cassandra Baker
David Harbour as Baron Reginald Williams
With
Chris Hemsworth as King Lucas V
And
Matt Lintz as Æthelwulf the Wise