Dragonheart 3: The Sorcerer's Curse

Hundreds of years ago,

when the Romans occupied Britannia,

the clans of the north were a people impossible to tame,

and so the emperor, Hadrian,

erected a wall across the isle

to stop their deadly raids and control the countryside.

Though Rome eventually fell,

the Wall still stands.

Knights of the southern kingdoms guard its ramparts,

ever fearful of the mysterious north,

where some clans, led by a wise circle of druids,

are content to work their lands in peace,

while others envision a day

when the wall comes tumbling down.

May the fire carry our voices

to the stars under which we sleep,

let the spirits bless our homelands

as we honor the old codes we keep.

Oh, heavens,

druids from every clan gather here to understand your mysteries

and learn of the future.

A falling star

from the constellation Draco.

This is a sign

to gather swords, go over the wall

and claim the wealthy lands that are rightfully ours.

Put this in our trove for safekeeping.

Brother Brude,

sometimes you must leave

well enough alone.

Are we not guides to our people of the north?

Why learn the spells of the ancients

if not to use them for a just cause?

I'm beginning to doubt this druid circle

can effectively lead the Celts any longer.

This falling star could mean

a new era for the Celts.

An era of peace.

Our people are tired of fighting.

That is why I invited the Painted Tribe to join us.

The Picti.

To spur the clans to war.

They can be quite motivational.

I will take

you!

By sun and moon

switching stance, two as one,

druids, dance!

By the light of the moon, by which all power flows,

we will show our people the way forward

with blood

and iron!

All right,

you puking foot-lickers!

Tomorrow, the squires who have pleased me

will be knighted

and earn a Silver Sword.

This is your last test

of combat.

And the winner

gets a cut

of the collections.

Begin.

Don't take it too hard, we can't all be knighted.

I'm sure you'll make a fine soldier.

I'm not taking orders. I'm giving them.

Put some weight in it!

Get a blade!

Finally, something interesting.

I'm getting a seat at the knight's table.

Do you always need two friends to get your sword up?

I've been waiting a long time

to give your tart mouth a beating.

It's obvious you should quit, Gareth.

I don't quit.

You Will.

I quit.

Oh, now he'll see.

I quit.

Please, Gareth.

Sir Gareth.

First day of the month! Pay up!

Make your payments!

Pay up!

Pay your respects to Sir Horsa.

What? No.

Please, sir.

Here's your blood money.

And much good may it do you.

Watch your mouth!

Pay up!

Come on, pay up!

Coins.

What good will a few coins from a poor man do you?

You think that wall is enough to protect you from the savages?

Show some respect.

It's that time! Everyone pays!

These last few months, they've been preparing for war.

How'd you like us to let them meet your daughter?

Get inside. Go.

Who did you think defends the garrison, eh?

You there. You're next.

We're about to fetch you some of those coins, squire.

Old man!

Got clay in those ears?

It's time for your tribute.

Trade's dried up.

People are scared, they've moved south.

I haven't sold enough to give you a cut.

You know the routine.

Need me to remind you?

Oh.

You've got a good eye.

Twelve days of my life in that.

How much of yourself have you ever put into one thing?

Is he giving you trouble in there?

No!

Just showing him who's in charge.

Feels light.

Some of them were short, master.

But they won't do it again. Keep my share.

A squire walking away from his cut?

I only meant to honor you.

You honor me

by obeying my command.

Kneel.

Lower.

Lower.

You remember that smell?

It's the stench of the poor and the common.

Why do you want to go back there, boy?

I'm not a boy anymore, master.

And I don't want to go back.

I want to be a knight.

This is what you've worked so hard for,

and you'd throw all that away.

For what?

Mercy.

You're good with a blade but you've cost me money.

Get your kit and get out.

You're not gonna be knighted.

But I've done all you've ever asked.

I've oiled your armor, tended your horses.

I've got nothing else.

By my count, you owe me a hundred crowns.

Bring it to me.

Then you can have your sword.

You can be one of us!

You can be a knight.

I'd have to steal to earn that much.

Better get started then.

Swear by your life.

I swear my affinity.

Swear by your life.

I swear my affinity.

More knights, more war.

All rotten to the core.

Arise, knights of Sir Horsa's Guard!

My roof leaks,

but not this much.

Come on.

More soup, Begilda.

He's a grown man.

The legends say that when dragons were alive, they served mankind.

So I thought tableware seemed appropriate.

But no one buys it.

Who wants to touch a lizard every time you need a drink?

It'll be popular again, you'll see.

People need a sign to believe in.

Five years.

You asked how long I put myself into something?

Five years cleaning my master's boots.

And is that an order you still want to belong to?

Plague took my parents.

Priests got rid of me as soon as they could.

Being a squire was hard,

but I belonged.

When you're a knight, you get respect.

I'll find those hundred crowns and my sword.

I won't be poor anymore.

Where I come from, we say,

"The poor are first to suffer, but also first to help."

There's honor in that.

The heavens weep!

What sorcery is this?

Oh, it's a sign.

It's a sign! It's a sign!

Of what? Maybe an opportunity!

Tell the gate to double the watch.

This could be a Celt-skin trick.

Yes, sir.

My father used to mine soil and rocks, and sometimes, he said...

Ah! His tools!

He said sometimes,

the heavens would drop a rock to the Earth,

a rock full of riches.

It is north of the wall.

There are painted flesh-eaters everywhere.

You're right.

But I bet there's gold