Disclaimer: I do not own Dungeons and Dragons it is the copyright property of Hasbro
Author's Note:
Hey if you are here for a dnd story I would like to thank you for choosing mine to entertain you. This is set in my own home brew world and I hope at least one of my players is reading this. I wish to thank all of you for reading this.
The Origins of the Green Knight Chapter 1: Haden Harrows
Trudging through the dense woods Haden Harrows cut away the thick Foliage with an unyielding zeal. He gritted his teeth each time he had to take more then one swipe with his ax to cut away the bothersome plants.
He bent over and heathed, trying to catch his breath. These woods are not kind to one who has spent his last fourteen years in a city, he thought of the time he spent in his aunt's care and this irritated the young boy. He swung furiously at a nearby tree slashing marks that would never truly heal.
Haden was a boy of seventeen years but, he knew the hate of a man twice his age. He would have his revenge.
The thoughts of his aunt also brought back memories of his parents. They would be laughing if they saw him now. Dehydrated and weak in the woods where they used to make their livelihood. I am a disgrace but I will avenge their deaths
Haden had been gone from the city but a few weeks and his meager supplies were nearly diminished. He would need to hunt soon. Could I remember what father taught me about hunting when it comes to it. I guess I'll have too. I can't die not until I find him and he makes me powerful enough to challenge my aunt.
Haden finished his rest and continued his trek. The boy found a familiar cusp of trees and discovered something that set dread into his addled mind I've been going in circles.
As a toddler Haden would explore these very same woods and his parents claimed he could never be lost in them. But they were wrong about him.
Haden fell to his knees and violently coughed. He wiped his brow and found that he was burning up. I think I may have contracted a fever Haden had spent many a rainy night without shelter. He was feeling sick and he puked his minuscule lunch on the ground.
He stayed on the ground for a moment more before rising. He weakly limped towards the comforting support of a tree trunk. And their he saw it… moss.
Haden was elated, one of the few lessons he remembers from his mother was that moss points north. With this I can find my way
Haden follows the tree line and moss to regain his footing.
Eventually, Haden came upon a wooden hut built into a tall oak tree. It was seamlessly integrated in the old wood and the smell of the smoke reminded Haden of home. It poured out and reeked with the sickly sweet smell of roasted pork.
Haden crept toward the house and opened the door. The creaking of wood scratching across the floor echoed in the home. When Haden looked into the den he saw a fully stocked kitchen with herbs and spices hanging from the walls. A trio of dead rabbits were pierced on a hook over the stove. Haden saw a fire pit with copper pot which was the source of the smoke. The smells of hickory smoke mixed with the pork's aroma.
I wonder could this be where he lives? Is my search finally over? His train of thought was interrupted by the call of an animal in pain. Haden rushed outside and could swear he heard the stomping of hooves causing the boy's mind to wander to uncomfortable territories.
Oh no they've found me. My aunt's men. Not now! Not when I'm so close. Haden ran into the safety of the dense forest to hide but his retreat was short lived because out of the clearing came not a horse or a man but a cruel amalgamation of both.
Haden knew what this creature was and what it was capable of.A centaur? But I thought they stayed in the plains.
The beast let out a cry of anger and charged towards Haden.
He took up his ax, readied an attack stance, and prepared for impact with the horse-man's leg. Haden was not a muscular boy but neither was he scrawny, a lot of his fat was worn off by his flight from his imprisonment.
The boy swung his weapon at the Fey creature, he missed, and was met with a hoof to the head. Haden then felt the pressure of a horse's nervous stomping. Haden held his head, curled up in a ball. But he was not spared the brunt of the centaurs brutal assault. The hoofs pounded into Haden's chest if it wasn't for the boiled leather that protected his torso he would be long gone. Before Haden could collect his thoughts he felt he snap of his right leg. His screams were louder then thunder.
The horse would have killed him had an arrow not found it's way into the beast's chest.
Haden looked up and what his weary eyes saw was an elf dressed in rabbit hide wielding a long bow.
The elf had already nocked another arrow before the creature could comprehend what had transpired.
The second arrow also found it's home in the centaur's neck. A small spurt of blood came out of the wound.
The horse-man screamed as the sickening sound of flesh burning penetrated Haden's ears. Cold iron. He thought the natural enemy of all fey.
The mad beast charged the elf. It had murder in it's eyes and drew close to it's foe.
The elf meanwhile calmly put down the bow and gently drew his scimitars which he then leveled in a combat stance perfectly.
He must have practiced that for years. He is truly a seasoned warrior. Haden thought. His head felt woozy, he was quickly fading into and out of reality.
The beast was closing in and when it was within breathing distance of the elf it raised itself on its hind legs to strike.
"Look out!" Haden exclaimed, trying to warn the elf. "Move!"
The elf in one swift motion swung it's blades at the horse's hind-legs. Faster then a human eye can see the elf surged forward and was behind the centaur before anyone knew what happened.
The beast fell down on it's sides crying in pain.
Haden looked on, astonished at the elf's precise attack. He could swear that he saw the scimitars glow a faint emerald light when the elf had sheathed them.
The elf took out his knife, bent down on one knee, and leveled it at the beast's throat.
Hedan heard him say something to it in a language that He didn't understand, which was weird because he was taught elvish.
The elf soothed the creature like it was a sick child. When the knife entered it's veins, the Horse-man struggled for but a few moments more and then passed peacefully into it's eternal slumber.
The elf turned it's gaze toward Haden and gracefully walked toward the boy.
"I have come a long way to find you...green knight." Haden said, before he closed his eyes and feel unconscious.
Hedan's head was damp from the wet rag that was placed on it. He was wrapped in thick blanket. He tried to rise but was stopped by a hand gently being placed on his chest.
"Rest now, you will need your strength to recover." his voice was even and calm. He had a bowl in one hand and a spoon in the other. He gave both to Hedan.
The boy smelled the bowl and found it was a pork stew. He ate greedily of the contents and after he was done the elf once again placed his hand on Hedan's shoulders.
"Why have you come here? What is it you seek?" he asked, looking deep into Hedan's eyes with a gaze backed by piercing auburn pupils.
"I come to seek you green knight."
"What makes you think I'm the green knight?" He looked at Haden appraisingly.
"I saw you fight with that monster. You are a legendary warrior. You must be the green knight."
"To defeat an iron-mad fey is not a thing that makes you a figure of folk tale." The shrill whistle of a teapot called the elf's attention. He went toward the stove, removed the pot from the fire, and poured himself a cup before coming back to Haden. "Why do you seek the green knight."
"I want him to train me and give me the powers of his order."
The elf took a long sip of his tea never taking his eyes off the curious boy. He placed his cup down gently and took a breath "Why do you seek such power?"
"I want to avenge my parents. They were killed by my aunt."
"And who is your aunt?"
"Arch druid Cerilla Severlen."
The elf got up, walked toward the fire in his chimney, and sat there for a few moments looking into the flame.
If may be the fever but Haden could swear he heard voices in the flame. The elf was speaking into the fire once again in that strange language.
"I cannot train you."
"What!? Why!?"
"What you seek is not justice but revenge."
"Please I come requesting help."
"Find it elsewhere. You may stay until your fever breaks and then I will lead you out of the woods and back to the safety of civilization."
"Please, I must be your student. Let me learn the powers of the green knight."
"Why!? So you can blacken your soul with selfish murder!"
"It's not murder, it's vengeance!" Hedan exclaimed his throat strained at his shout.
"The fact that you cannot tell the difference proves you unworthy."
Haden looked beggingly toward the elf and took off his glove. On his palm he revealed a crown shaped mark that looked like it was made of twigs and leaves.
The elf noticed the birthmark and in a surprising show of speed, rushed to the boy and grabbed his hand. He examined the mark extensively.
"See I have the mark of nature's favor. that's what the druids look for in potential candidates. It has brought me only woe but I can hope that it makes you reconsider. I remember stories my dad told me about the green knight being an ally to the druids."
The elf released Haden's hand and walked back to the flames.
Haden once again heard the flame's voice and the elf's reply all, though he could not understand what they were saying, he knew the familiar sound of an argument.
"Boy, what did you say your name was?," The elf said, not even looking at Haden.
"Harrows, Haden Harrows sir knight."
"Can you hear the flame's speak?"
"Yes. Though I don't speak that strange language you use."
"You will, in time."
"You mean you're going to take me under your wing."
"Yes, but I must first hear your story."
"Thank you! You're not going to regret this."
"Rest now. I will get herbs and when you're well again we will begin our talks."
Haden was excited and if he wasn't bed ridden he would have celebrated. He had succeeded in his task. He had found the green knight. Mother, father, you will have your justice soon. I will make sure Cerilla pays for her transgression.
But, Hedan's small victory was spoiled when sleep claimed him and he was imprisoned by the torturous nightmares depicting the day his parents died. It was all my fault. He thought when he awoke he cried into his hands. "I'm sorry." he was unaware that the elf was listening and had shook his head in disappointment.