Rogue (Bardic)

By: Nyomi Posted on: October 16, 2008

I was on a stroll through bright, sunny Ceylon,

Just there for the trial, didn't plan to stay long,

When I ran into Severian, who'd lost his map,

He said "Fetch it for me, please, as a matter of fact,

Fetch my map and I'll teach you all six cities.

I won't ramble on and I'll try to be witty."

So I do, and he does, and once the errand's ran,

He sits me down to tell me about Ashtan,

"Ashtan's up north, and mighty cold,

Home to some heroes, brave and bold,

So bold, in fact, they all live in slums,

Their cities' ruined, adn they live off rum,

So how about you become an unwashed hero?"

"No thanks," say I, "Better to be a clean zero."

"How about Shallam, they defend the weak!

Paths of righteousness they do seek.

They protect justice by slapping wrists,

By losing wars and pounding fists,

Would you fight for the light in vain?"

And I say "Futile fights don't suit this dame."

"Well then, try Hashan, they stand for something,

No one's quite sure what, but it isn't nothing,

Long time at peace, almost never at war,

'Cause they're not sure what they're fighting for,

So will you join them, fighting for whatever?"

And I say "What, me? Why, I'd never."

"How about Eleusis it's...Well, it's green!

And the games played there are a sight to be seen,

They're childish and lewd, but still, they're fun,

And they go from dawn 'till the setting of the sun,

So will you give the forest city a whirl?"

And I say in anger "I'm not that kind of girl!"

"Sorry, sorry," He said, "Let's just move along,

To Cyrene, the grand city of peace and song,

They're netural, there, and their defenses are song,

And the Bards of Ty Beirdd keep them happy all day long,"

I say "I must admit, Cyrene sounds great,

But it just so happens I be an Apostate."

"Oh, right," he says, "I see what you mean,

So let's try out the Mhaldorian scene,

They're strong and they're fierce, and they're plain evil, too,

So I'd stay well within their good graces, were I you."

"Well," I say, "They're very strong, and they're no fools,

But that place just has far too many rules."

"Well," he says, "I've shown you all the cities six,

So I geuss now you're just in a fix,

There's none left to see, and nothing to do,

But I guess none of them are right for you."

I shrugged, and thanked him, and though cities be in vogue,

That's why I choose to wander alone, as a citiless rogue.