Richard Parker Short Story

General Richard Parker was not a nice man. Considered cruel by many who knew him personally, he likely would have been put to death long ago if he had not been a military genius. Several years ago he had won several battles that had enlarged the Kingdom's lines and since then the King had been more than willing to overlook Richard's extracurricular activities. At the moment he was apart of a small fist of his men; only five hundred strong. Richard was on his way home, after spending months on the front lines he needed to get a better understanding of the battle field in order to plan his next move.

Having been away on the battlefield for so long Richard as taking advantage of all the comforts of home. That morning he had managed to have himself a nice warm bath, and his military gear had been nicely cleansed by the serving maids in the tavern he had stayed the night in. While being able to wash in a real tub was wonderful, he was desiring a comfort that was much more personal. Towards that end Richard had decided to check on a story he had heard one of his lieutenants had told back on the front lines. Of three very beautiful and innocent stories living just outside the
village he had come from. The lieutenant was dead now, but that didn't mean Richard couldn't honor the man's memory by enjoying the girls he had often dreamed of.

Having sent his scouts ahead of time Richard knew the Baine's farmhouse existed, he knew three girls did live there, and he knew where it was. Upon spotting it from the road his piercing blue eyes studied the simple farmhouse. He easily picked out a girl in a pink dress running from the apple orchards and stopping among two other girls doing menial tasks. A small smile formed on his lips as his chestnut horse Charger trotted down the dirt path. Although it was barely just afternoon and the small fist of men could've traveled farther that day Richard intended to stop, and his men had clear orders. As they neared the farmhouse his men spread out, circling the farmhouse with about fifty yards in between the house itself and the ring of men.

Richard himself rode up the small group of girls.
His eyes slowly looked each girl up and down, admiring the way their dresses tightly hugged their fine curves. Once his eyes had roamed up and down each girl he dismounted off of Charger, his black boots solidly landing on the ground. Being a general, Richard himself didn't fight on the front lines, so he wasn't required to wear the heavy plate armor, or even chain mail. He wore simple, yet elegant black leather armor that hugged his muscles even more tightly than the girl's sundresses hugged them. A simple sword and dagger hung from his belt, and his left forearm had four white ropes tied around them, signifying his rank. As Richard stepped up to the girl's a soldier ran from his camp in order to take Charger's reins and lead him back into the
camp.

“I am Grand General Richard Parker. My men will require your land for the night, and whatever food you can offer. I will require your farmhouse for personal use and the three of you for my own pleasure. What are your names, and ages – and where is the man of the farm?” A man used to being in command, he spoke with authority and a tone that demanded obedience. His eyes moved slowly and calmly between each girl, and while his words had been directed at all three of them, he was expecting the eldest to reply.