By: Sobremus Posted on: October 29, 2004
"Cantare del Cavaliere"
- Canto Un -
When shadows, dark, did cover the land
'twas a Pentharian Knight who lent a hand
He donned his armor and hilted his blade
And to his fair lady, farewell he bade
From the southeastern holylands, westward he rode
Atop his white steed, with nary a load
Along a dirt path, he steered that fair horse
Looking for evil to vanquish of course
And to what did fate bring the young lad
But a Mhunnish village, frightened and death clad
"What be't that troubles ye?" asked the Knight, with pride
"The orcs, lord," the young Mhun, with a sigh, replied
The Knight bellowed a laugh, and drew his great blade
And vowed to protect the village from raid:
"Here, tonight, I shall lie my head
And if I hear orcs, I shall spring from my bed
Slay every vandal, 'til the orcs have all fled
And fill the hearts of their people with dread"
And with this great boast, the Knight did lie down
Waiting, in silence, for the first orcish sound
When late in the night, the orcs did approach
The Knight lay in wait, ready to poach
When the battle-horn wailed, and the orc-lords roared
The Knight stood alone, with no help to afford
The firsts of the beasts charged with great might
But were found lacking in Pentharian's light
Stronger foes, yet, did challenge the Knight
But inasmuch were destroyed in the ensuing fight
Further still, advanced the warmongering brutes
With their weapons held high but their fight without fruits
One by one, the orcs were defeated
By the sword of the Knight, who never retreated
At last, the orc leader was the only remaining
Still the Knight stood firm, though his body was paining
With one last call the orc made a charge
And ran to his death with his sword and targe
The Knight raised his blade and with one great slash
Took the head of the orc who fell with a crash
"The battle is won! They'll raid ye no longer!"
The Knight cried aloud having slain the warmongers
At once all the halflings poured out of their homes
And wrote the Knight's story in the most sacred of tomes
"Please won't you stay? An honor it would be,"
The Mhun chief offered, his eyes filled with glee
Tired from travelling and preventing the pillage
The Knight quickly agreed to rest in the village
"I'll stay for the night, but tomorrow I ride,"
The Knight, in all of his glory replied.