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