The Ballad of Lenore (Part 8)

Oriel had a gracious manner

She gestured up to the stair

Where stood a huge marble gryphon

On guard with a great marble bear

We smiled, I knew what she meant

Our families are set in stone

Danger felt is danger shared

We'll litter the ground with their bones!

"Why are you not called Princess?" she asked

"Your parents were High Queen and King."

"My father did not want to marry me off

By law, no strife could I bring"

"The Coastal Kings are a contentious lot.

Every one of them would kill to rise

I'll not be a bone in a pack of wolves

In this, my father was so wise."

"Gods bless them, though, they've joined as one

Prepared for the coming storm

All fighting armies mustered now

The Wakening Bear is formed."

"But all assembled soldiers

Look to be barely enough

The orcs have been breeding for too many years

And winter campaigns are so rough."

"They never come when convenient." she said

We'll be canceling the Winter Games."

"Have them in the Grimrocks Valley." I said

Count orcs' heads to honor great names" 

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 7)

"Dozens of sylphs accompanied me

My knights were bloodied, beat back

I bade them make camp at the edge of the field

I took the courier's pack"

"The ghosts, they wanted me to come with them

I cannot say how that I knew

Or why they attacked and harried my men

They're your neighbors, perhaps you do?"

"They are inexplicable." he said

"But they can read the hearts of men

No live wood can be taken there

Travelers disappear, now and then"

A frosty chill went up my spine

Orsen came and sat next to me

"The mages are all keen to meet you now

When you've eaten and slept, we'll see."

Though the food set before me was wondrous

Large trout from clear mountain streams

I suddenly felt my exhaustion

Between bites, I fell into dreams

I was back home, the Baylen Keep

The orcs were at our gate

I cried out, and woke myself up

Staring down at an elvenwork plate

Elandon's hand was on my shoulder

"Oriel, my niece, would you take her upstairs?

It is a long, cold path with sylphs through the forest

She's worn out with duties and cares."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

  

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 6)

A footman bowed, and offered to take

My bags, my cloak and my sword

That I might dine in civilized mien

To keep a weapon, untoward

I surrendered gracefully

Felt and showed no mistrust

To win their aid, I'll win their hearts

Only reasonable common menace be crushed

I sit, Elandon speaks again,

"Does your father know you are here?

It is astonishing you travel alone

And carry the Sword of the Bear."

"My father knows of age, 

And old wounds' agonies

No, he lies insensate

But he entrusted the Bear to me."

"How did your half-brother like that?"

He grinned, obviously well-informed

"He blew up in rage and took to his bottle

Only himself does he harm."

"I'm sure that is what your father intended

When he passed the duty to you.

But to travel our forests unaccompanied

Seems less than wise to do."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito