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 

The Ballad of Lenore (part 23)

Oriel told me, "Your brother has not awakened

When he does, he'll be escorted back

To the place where your men were waiting

With the petitions' replies in your pack"

The Coastal Kings will march then

The Wakening Bear will ride forth

Everything will come together

At Grimrocks Valley, to the north

We settled into the travel

The day was overcast and dark

The woods were silent on either side

Gathering crows our passage did mark

I draped my cloak atop my mare

The cold had such a fierce bite

She warmed my legs but my face froze

The edges of my hair frosted white

Most of the riders had donned their hoods

The wagons creaked slowly behind

We crested the summit of the pass

The first of several in kind

(to be continued)

©Kiku poem 2016

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 22)

The white sylphlights stayed by the trees

The red, blue and green flew aloft

They were definitely headed to the Grimrocks valley

"You've tamed them" said Oriel, low and soft

"Will you still march to the valley?" asked I

Elandon spoke, "Yes, I have said"

The mages had ceased their chanting

 "Dawn comes early, we must to bed"

Relieved of my armour, I stretched out

Wondering what the sylphs would do

How slowly would the elf army move?

Would the Wakening Bear be in time too?

Soon enough, I fell into dreaming

My father was well and on horse

He bellowed as I came with the Elf King

"You've chosen the most unwise course!"

I rode to him and offered the Bear sword

Then a knock came upon the door

It was Rosephron, dressed to travel

I waked to the true dayworld once more

I quickly suited up with his help

Then made to the stables for my mare

Though barely daylight, fields were crowded

All of the elf lords and warriors were there

Oriel saw me and gestured to her

A place was opened for me

The road was narrow through the mountain pass

Air so cold, our mounts snorted steam

(to be continued)

©Kiku Koibito 2016

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 21)

What power? thought I, as I climbed the stairs

The sylphs seemed to do as they pleased

Still they'd moved to some of my requests

If I ruled them, I'd bring orcs to their knees

I went up to my room for silence

To meditate, gather my thoughts

To clear my head of worry and fear

It is the victory for Baylen I sought

I sat quiet and emptied my mind

Naught but my breathing occurred

I closed my eyes and stilled my soul

As the sun sank low, not a thought stirred

A knock came upon the chamber door

The darkness had fallen by then

Oriel and Orsen came into the room

"The sylphs are gathering, we must ascend"

At the top of the tower, Elandon stood

His face stern and worried as theirs

The mages five were chanting again

The colors of bright ghosts filled the air

I reached deep inside my calm prepared mind

The sylphs whirled like rainbows of fire

I sent them pictures of the Grimrocks valley

And the orc encampments laid dire

And lo! They moved in that direction

Streaking off into the black night

The mages' voices, louder and higher

Helped send them along on their flight

(to be continued)

©Kiku Koibito poem 2015/2016

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 20)

Haylor walked into the Healer's Hall

In his hands, a colorful bag

The healer had removed the bandage

Gaston gave a weak cough and a gag

Haylor removed a book and a wand

From his purse of bright tapestry

He waved it over Gaston's wound

And recited strange poetry

The wound was sealed before our eyes

Gaston fell into peaceful sleep

Oriel and the healer were both smiling

My astonishment and gratitude were deep

"Never have I seen such great magic!"

"Not since last night." Haylor was wry

The sylphs had almost killed my brother

Now neither he nor my father would die

A great weight was lifted from my heart

My courage was swift returning 

Now I'll have help against the orcs

My desire for battle was burning

Outside the Hall, I could see preparations

The carts, elves and horses were massing

I looked out at the afternoon sun

The day was quickly passing

"When the light fades," said Haylor

"We must meet at the top of the tower

Elandon would have you tame the sylphs

Meditate, and focus your power."

(To be continued)

©Kiku Koibito poem 2015/2016

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 19)

Gaston then fell silent, sullen

He was going to make me ask

"How is our father?" I said quietly

"He's awakened, set me to this task"

I did not think he came for concern

But happy to hear his news

"Will he accept Elandon's help?"

"He's angry, you knew his views"

"No need to carry on a feud

You've apparently been forgiven

You must go back and have him see

Our need for allies, orc-driven."

He tried to rise from the pallet

But groaned, and broke open his wound

Fresh blood darkened his neck's bandage

As I pushed him back down, he swooned

Oriel said "It's beyond him."

I knew he'd need more than one day

A healer rushed up to attend him

I stood back, out of the way

(to be continued)

©Kiku Koibito poem 2016

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 18)

"The mages need you," Elandon said

"Your sylphs must be contained"

I followed him back to the tower

Unsure of how they'd be reined

Up top, we could not see them

The ghosts had faded away

Rod said, "They've settled into the woods

We'll meet back here at end of day"

We ate a hearty breakfast

Back inside the Great Hall

Oriel and I agreed to spar

The action would lift my pall

We dodged and feinted with cudgels

She scored with several swift blows

Now bruised, but far less anxious

I excused myself to go

I made my way to the Healer's Hall

Oriel accompanied me 

Gaston was awake, face bandaged

Only one eye could be seen

"The Lady who saved your life," I said

With your one eye, did you see?"

"She forgave me as I begged her pardon

Bleeding on bended knees"

"She should have given you her knee"

Said I, "You must leave as soon as you can

"Will the House of Elandon join us?"

He asked. I said, "Yes, that is the plan"

(to be continued)

©Kiku Koibito