Dawn of the Dragonslayer

Balance, Will. Feet a shoulder width apart.

When you move, you slide. Never step.

Sword up. Elbows in.

That's the middle position.

Now close me down.

Remember, Will, a knight has honor.

- Very few others do. - I almost had you.

Almost is another word for dead, boy.

I'll check the traps. You move the sheep to the south fields.

I saw some soap flower on the south ridge. Maybe Crow will have something to kill it.

We need a nice heavy shearing to make it through the winter, to keep this place going.

- Drink that twice a day to take away the pain. - Ta, Crow.

The wool is buggered for sure. There's bloody soap flower everywhere.

- Hello, Crow. - Evening, boy.

Haven't got ought for that soap flower, have you?

I'd be a wealthy man if I had.

Maybe the secret is in you, Will.

Not much good at enchantments when you can't keep the sheep's wool growing.

We'll just have to see how bad it get's.

Come shearing there won't be enough wool to knit a pair of socks.

We'll just have to slaughter.

There's something else: Down by the river there are four sheep.

Torn up something dreadful.

Dog's again most likely.

- It's time you got off this mountain, Will. - What?

There's nothing for you up here.

You've a gift I won't have you waste it as a farmer.

There's a great man who goes by the name of Sterling. Take this to him.

- A low lander? - Take him that.

He'll take you on as a bondsman.

He's a Baron.

We all lost something in the plague, him more than most.

He's a clever man and he'll win favor with the new king.

He'll raise you up with him.

It's a future, Will, if you're smart enough to see it.

I'll carve my own future out right up here on these rock like you and Crow.

I am your father and you're a boy and that's...

- Will! - Leave him be, Tom.

He's got some pride in him, same as you.

Surprised it took you so long.

Some things are better left to the ones who come after.

Will, get into the north field and check those traps.

Did you hear what I said?

Da!

There's a half dozen more missing.

I don't think it's wolves, too big.

Bear, maybe.

A dragon.

There hasn't been a dragon in these parts for thirty years.

That's bad luck turned worse. That's us and our whole province finished.

In a month there will hardly be an animal left alive.

- Dragon means a nest. - Aye, within a 100 leagues of here.

- She didn't eat all these sheep, just killed them. - So?

Which means it was territorial. There must be a nest near here.

Dragon egg's are worth a 1000 gold a piece.

- How you so sure it's a she? - There's only way to find out.

No, we need to hole up, take care of what's left of the herd.

We can't fight it but we can track it. Watch the nest and then

sneak in when it leaves to kill some more of our bloody, useless sheep.

1000 gold will set us up for life.

You, you're mother's son, alright.

God help me.

That's where I'd be If I could fly.

Look at this!

Reckon, this is his home. Close to it.

But without wings I don't see a way up there.

That's because you're getting old!

A distinction I earned by not climbing cliffs.

Now you are going to die wondering.

No!

Troubles worse than you let on.

- You'll have to sell for sure. - Not selling.

I'm going to find that dragon, Crow.

Tomorrow, I'm going back. I'm going to find that nest and I'm going to kill it.

Are you deaf? Man can't kill a dragon.

Superstition. It's an animal, isn't it?

Tomorrow, you will pack your things and you will start your bonding for Sterling.

No.

Your time up here is over.

Train as a bondsman. Rise as a knight.

Respect your father's wishes.

A warrior garment. Passed down through my order.

I'm the last now and I have no need of battle.

Infused by prayers to a thousand Gods.

If a man wears it in faith, he will find protection in it.

I know you are not one to hold stock in such things.

Remember, you're mountain folk.

There is a power in us.

Thank you, Crow.

Pardon.

I say pardon.

What's the mather ya jike? Did your sheep run off?

They was getting over worked.

I'm bound for the Baron Sterling's manor.

About four leagues on, on the left.

I wouldn't bother, mate. He's not hiring.

Especially the likes of you.

Much obliged. I'll leave you scullions to your chores, then.

Get back over your mountain you dirty jike.

My dog had your mother twelve times last week.

The dog said you were better.

Hang on.

What are you doing?

Your pardon, miss. There is just a bit of trick to it.

Should have guessed you were a conjurer from your handy work.

I am no such thing. Impertinent scab!

I hope you are not expecting to be paid, there's no work here. Best be on your way

Not looking for pay but maybe you can help a traveller find his whereabouts.

- Where are you headed? - Sterling Manor.

- Then you're going the wrong way. - What?

There's a fork in the road two leagues back, should have headed west.

What? Those lying...

- Obliged for your help, boy. - I'm not your boy.

You get lost, mountain man?

- Where might I find Sterling? - I'll see to your business.

I can see to my own business and my business is with Sterling.

He's in his rooms, there ain't no house servants to see you.

These days no live ones. Master's too dirt poor for live ones now.

Careful though, the last hill folk he saw squatting on his land

He drove them off with a whip.

Master don't like jikes.

That's not fit work for a women grubbing about like a peasant.

If not me, then who father, who?

The men are all dead or turned thieves and run off.

There's a wonder there's a chair left to sit on.

Sam and the others are busy in the fields.

This is my land too, I will not allow it to go to ruin.

I had hoped the sisters would teach you to act like a lady.

- A lady? - An obvious waste of time and money.

Tell me who would wive such a she-devil?

What would you gain after I've gone? Do you think you can run this place, by yourself?

The king is looking to have his coffers filled.

Your throat will be cut within a week. This land with no heir will be forfeit to the crown.

I do not need a man telling me what to do.

- Lord Sterling? - How did you get in here?

Father, this is the man I was telling you about.

We don't need any men. Get out!

Go to the stable ask Sam to share some supper.

You can sleep in the stable tonight but then you will have to go.

My name is Will Shepherd, sir. I've come to train as your bondsman.

I don't train bondsman, now be off with you.

I brought this.

Kate, leave us.

I'll just go see to my embroidery then, shall I, father?

Shepherd, eh?

- Do you know the contents of this? - No, sir.

Mountain boy, huh. Are you a conjurer?

- No, sir. - I'll have no conjuring in this house.

- Do I make myself clear? - Yes, sir.

- Can you ride a horse? - Aye.

- Useful type, eh? - I try to be.

At least with walls.

Well, you can stay for now.

Find Sam he'll put you to work in the morning.

Thank you, sir.

Here we go. One, two...

Well, still lost, boy?

- Pig pen's around back. - Could have fooled me.

Sterling said you'd find me a mattress and some work in the morning.

Well, that's a shame see.

These two don't like jikes.

I reckon you'd be better off finding some place else to sleep.

I'll take that one.

- Didn't you here what I said, boy? - Let it be, Sam.

Save something for tomorrow.

Go on dig that dirt, boy!

What are you doing here?

I was!

Bring me that! Don't look at me, look over there.

- You were watching me. - I was handing you a shirt.

- No, before that. - No.

Well... yes. No.

I didn't know you were going to be in there fresher than a new born baby.

Oh, my father's favorite shirt.

Well, don't just stand there.

So, you're here to be a bondsman to my father?

- Yeah. - Well, where are your people?

Dead.

My ma died when I was wee and my dad died not long ago.

Oh sorry. How?

Dragon.

I didn't think there were any left.

- You assumed I was a conjurer, why? - Your ring.

I've seen that symbol before on all kinds of devilry.

- Enchantments your peoples speciality? - Not mine.

What did it say in the letter you gave to my father?

- It wasn't for me. - Of course.

My father needs farmers not bondsman.

I doubt he'll train you in anything but ploughing and insubordination.

Why is there a fire in the front hall? Who could father be expecting?

- I didn't come here to be a farmer. - Take up the basket will you?

- How far have you come today? - It's been a few hundred miles.

- and you had a good trip? - Yes. Very good.

- You have a new horse? - Yes, you have to see it, it's a fine breed.

Rogan, lovely to see you.

And likewise.

My, my how you've blossomed.

Lord Sterling, your daughter has become a magnificent peach

Ripe for the plucking.

I'll take that at it's most chaste and thank you for it.