The Ballad of Lenore (part 26)

All too uneasy for victorious joy

We dismounted and cautiously advanced

They'd been frozen in place, whatever they did

Some were circled by a firepit in mid-dance

I drew the Bear sword, and struck off a head

The elves began to follow suit

I picked up an orc axe, heavy it was

But I'd not dull my sword on iced brutes

We shattered and struck them for hours

We'd break them all day for sure kills

Their numbers were greater than I'd counted

When the Wakening Bear crested over the hill

Then a true cheer gave them greeting

I was especially overjoyed

My arms were aching and my sweat ran

Their faces were both scared and annoyed

"Not much battle they give you" said Gaston

"Did they really freeze solid at night?"

"Tis the magic of the sylphs who cut you" said I

"Our war will be won without a fight" 

My father was carried in a palanquin

I sought him out, to see him alive

"Daughter, did the elven wizards do this?"

"No, Father, I asked ghosts them to soul-shrive"

He stared at me disbelieving

But Elandon behind me confirmed

They then clasped arms in reconcile

The Bear and Gryphon in victory affirmed

The shattering of icy orcs continued

Until every last one was in shards

Then their firepit blazed and we celebrated

Our happy tale that night sung by bards

THE END

©Kiku Koibito poem 2015/2016

The Ballad of Lenore (part 25)

In the silence we descended
Icy fog obscured all sight
No camp guards we encountered
Though we'd welcome any fight

Elandon gestured me to him
"The camp is beyond that river's bend?"
I nodded in confirmation
"But we should have seen guards at this end"

We waited to gather all warriors
The fog lifting, we'd ride as a group
We numbered well over a thousand
Together, we forded a shallow river's loop

After a while in the distance
The orc camp was barely in view
No movement was seen but their standards
Which flapped idly, when a weak breeze blew

Our tension and confusion unbearable
We expected to be fighting by now
What witchery was this, no enemy?
Or were they hidden, where? How?

Then we were close enough to see them
They stood grey and still as stone
The hairs on the back of our necks raised
So unnatural, fear-chilled to our bones

Closer we came with caution
Until I saw their frost-rimmed eyes
I suddenly knew what had happened
"The sylphs have frozen them, they've died!"


(to be continued)

©Kiku Koibito poem 2016

The Ballad of Lenore (part 24)

Three days' mountainous going

The cold never did let up

We adapted and got used to it

Welcomed hot soup at night to sup

The icy road narrowed to a footpath

The dreaded Valley was now quite near

Supplies from the carts were distributed

Elandon ordered the carters to camp here

The warriors readied their weapons

My Bear Sword was sharpened and keen

"No fires tonight, we'll at them this dawn"

He said, "We'll have this Valley clean"

Oriel and I shared a tent as before

During the cold journey's nights

She'd taken to elbowing me when I snored

But this evening I couldn't sleep right

We'd seen no orcs, no sign of patrols

My worry was constant of discovery

And whether Baylen's army would arrive in time

And no small doubts for Father's recovery

No dreams for me, I saw the first light

And was up readying my mare

Oriel dressed silently also

Battle nerves and tension filled the air

Our approach downhill would be in stealth

Our bridles we muffled with rags

We moved single file down the footpath

All we'd need in our saddlebags

(to be continued)

©Kiku Koibito poem 2016