Chapter Text
The land of Zaron was almost that out of one of the many leather bound storybooks that sat comfortably in the vast libraries of almost every ruling family’s fortress. Beautiful diverse landscapes that faded seamlessly from lush, moist bustling forests to barren, scorching dry deserts. From mountainous regions where dragons hoarded their gold in screeching silence, to bog lands and marshes turned dismal and dreary by the hand of the Grim Prince. It was truly a breathtaking region, envied by its landlocked neighbours that dared not tread near its borders, for although conflict often arose within these ancient landscapes between warring tribes and kingdoms, they would always find ways to unite under a common enemy.
Our chapter of this fabled tale resides off in the northern provinces, and begins with the ‘esteemed’ McCormick family.
The McCormicks were not regarded highly in the vast land of Zaron, only known as simple minded royalty ruling simple minded people. Once perhaps it may have been a stunning, thriving kingdom of great fortune and richness. Though in this present day, it has fallen to poverty and weakness, all this fostered mainly from the years of neglect from their ill fitting ‘King’. The only thing of beauty left in the small ragged kingdom were the kings children, most famous of them all, Princess Kenneth McCormick.
She was the second offspring of the three noble scions. Given the name ‘Kenneth’ by her mother, Her Majesty Carol McCormick, who had been near to certain she would be born a male. Even despite the midwife declaring the young princess to be a maiden, the name had already stuck.
However unknown to the impoverished kingdom- No, the entire nation of Zaron, was the soiled and muddied bloodline of the McCormick lineage. Though King Stewart was an elf born from elven parents, The Queen herself was not elf nor man, not barbarian nor a maiden from the sea. No. Carol McCormick was a pure-blooded orc. This of course, had a natural effect on the descendants of the bloodline, making the three young heirs, unbeknownst to all but the parents themselves, half-breeds.
Despite the genes being most prevalent in the young princess, no one seemed to notice nor care about her sharp lower fangs that stuck out in a harsh underbite, nor her slightly downturned ears and discoloured eyes. To the small and unadorned kingdom, she was a maiden to be praised and adored, expected to be sought after by many suitors from wealthy tribes and kingdoms.
Of course, with the ‘young’ princess being in the midst of her adolescent years and being well aware of her influence, she held high standards for herself and her family.
— — —
She seemed to care little for the infamous status of her kingdom, or at least she masked the feeling incredibly well, holding her head high as the polished gates of Kuppa Keep opened to the music of a perfectly timed chorus of medieval instruments. The village that lay crammed inside the tall polished granite walls was bustling and up-kept, smooth stone streets led the small rustic carriage towards the lavish castle that sat comfortably atop a large hill.
Complete with spiralling towers and slit windows that showed a glance at the curling stairways, draped in carpet and lined with golden bars. The exterior of the castle was as well decorated as the interior, multicoloured banners draped over the entrance the princess found herself walking towards, accompanied by the only two servants her family could still afford to keep around. After the welcoming ceremony (which in her mind almost felt like a confirmation of ‘bartering’ her like some stable horse) the servants would return home and she would be left on her lonesome. New servants, new room, new guards… Complete with of course, her new superior.
Although they would be considered to stand on equal ground of status (if her not more-so), the Grand Wizard was known for his egotistical views of himself and his kingdom-
“LADY MCCORMICK! I see your shit-stained chariot has finally managed to arrive at my castles front steps!”
The booming voice of the large wizard echoed throughout the great hall. And of course, Kenneth had forgot to mention one thing, the Grand Wizard was a HUGE dickhead.
“Yes… My stallions managed just fine thank you.”
Her voice had a venomous sharp tone to it, cold and commanding. She glared deep into the round whiskey-coloured eyes of her host, who sank comfortably into his hulking throne.
Unnoticed by the princess however, was a newly appointed paladin that stood at the Grand Wizard’s side. His face was soft and light, dusted with a warm salmon hue from merely gazing upon her beauty that he was so blessed to witness.
Leopold Stotch was only recently christened the title of ‘Paladin Stotch the Merciful’ by his mentor weeks prior. However, most if not all residents of Kuppa Keep elected to still call him ‘Paladin Butters’, a foolish nickname given to him as a young squire by his ‘more than gracious’ peers.
It was quite frankly a shock that he would be appointed by the Grand Wizard himself as a general of his personal guard, the paladin didn’t hail from a particularly wealthy family, only simple merchants. Although at the same time maybe it wasn’t that unexpected. Leopold was loyal and trusting almost to a fault. His naivety made him the perfect asset to the Wizard, following his orders without the bat of an electric blue eye allowed him to quickly become one of the most feared and respected paladins throughout the vast land of Zaron.
Though all the holy power he was claimed to be blessed with and channeled through his mighty hammer that trumped him in size almost instantly evaporated once his eyes laid their gaze on her. For he could never compare to her divine beauty and it’s celestial power that had bewitched the paladin, leaving him frozen in his stance. He felt too terrified to move a muscle, lest her very image fade away, akin to an angelic dream conjured by his cursed mind.
This monologue continued in the walls of his mind whilst a slightly uneasy induction came to a somewhat peaceful conclusion. The princess was known not only for her beauty but as well her sharp mind, this would be useful to the Grand Wizard in the upcoming war against the Grim Prince, so she was elected to join his council on the morrow.
Though for now she would be assigned her quarters and personal guards…
“BUTTERS! Get your head out of the clouds and escort your new charge to her chambers… quickly.”
Snapping out of his mellow daydream the paladin’s mind was suddenly invaded with panic. His WHAT?! He was assigned to protect the princess?! To be her personal paladin?! Well by Thor and Odin’s grace if he wasn’t already tinted a salmonberry hue, now he certainly was.
Nodding sharply and giving a small bow to show respect he strode with false confidence towards the woman who held his mortal heart on a pristine silver plate.
Clearing his throat before he spoke he tried so very hard to keep his voice steady.
“Your Highness...”
In a moment of stupidity he had overlooked his training. Clouded by desire and affection it had completely slipped his mind that it was incredibly inappropriate of him to even dare start a conversation with royalty.
‘For Gods sakes! Don’t speak unless spoken to! Stupid Leopold’, he told himself over and over during the silent walk up the many flights of stairs.
Though throughout the silence, Kenneth found his demeanor quite adorable. He was sweet and easily flustered, took his duties incredibly serious, and was astoundingly attractive in her humble opinion. Not to mention the fact he was already well known throughout Zaron as a fierce warrior, yet here he was stumbling over his words and forgetting his manners. Yes, she thought, she’d be quite happy here with him as her guard.
“Dear Paladin?” She lilted with a sweet rich tone as smooth as honey, “If you are to be by my side at all times, I believe I should have the courtesy to learn your name. I do not believe i caught it earlier?”
Leopold eyes only grew to the size of saucers at her request. Not only was he so blessed to hear her delightful voice, void of its usual coldness, but to have it directed towards him? With a question nonetheless? The Gods must have really smiled on him today. He gave a sharp, slightly clumsy nod of his head, remembering he actually had to respond to the maiden.
“Oh! Uhm, yes… My name is Sir Leopold Stotch your majesty, I swear I shall do my very best to ensure your safety and comfort for as long as I shall be by your side.”
That sounded okay, right? Maybe he overdid it? But by the gentle smile and the rosebud pink that dusted her fair skin made him think perhaps he was quite alright.
“Well dear Stotch, I shan’t make your duties too difficult. After all, what good would it be for the famed Paladin Stotch to waste his time guarding some lowly princess?”
She smirked with a knowing glint in her amethyst colored eyes, she always enjoyed playing these sorts of games, watching what made people tick and such. It was entertaining to watch one of the most feared warriors in Zaron stumble over his words and the carpet at the same time.
“Nay nay! Worry not princess, guarding you shall be a duty I shall cherish. After all many men are famed warriors, yet none will ever guard a maiden as pretty as yourself! Or- as heavenly?- fair? Oh fiddlesticks…”
Feeling her heart’s pace quicken she allowed a small chuckle to escape her lips, he was quite the charming paladin, no?
“You’re too kind my sweet Stotch, perhaps I may have you show me around the castle grounds later? I’d much prefer your skilled guide over one of the servants.”
Turning on her heel once the two halted at the large, dark oak door, complete with gold lining of exquisite craftsmanship, she faced the blonde, towering over him from her natural given height (with a bonus of the slightly dirtied heels she wore). She stopped, almost as if she had wished to add something more before turning to enter.
“Thank you my dearest Stotch, I shall be seeing you come eventide?”
He smiled,
“Of course, and if I may be granted a single request from your blessed lips my lady, please, call me Leopold.”