Carabrook and Baynora

The sun was weak, a dismal light

Bare pierced the clouds, nor banished night

Entire though dawn was past

And on the moor past Gorathain

Upon that bleak and dismal plain

A sight that souls would blast

A hundred wretches, hundreds more

Of trollish figures, score on score

In battle lines held fast

With savagery no man could tame

Foul scarlet slaughter was their aim

This horde of monsters massed

 

But on the hill crest silver gleamed

From lances long bright pennants streamed

As without fear there rode

Down yonder slope, from yonder heights

A squadron grim of Kaevil's knights

A tide of fury flowed!

The trollkin howled and battle cries

Rang from their throats and rent the skies

With mockery they crowed

For secret in their midst they knew

A trollish witch whose powers true

Oft victory bestowed

 

Now with the knights, Ser Carabrook

The forward vanguard point he took

And battle joined at last!

The troop sprang forth and all around

Steeled hooves tore up the battle ground

“For Kaevil!  Forward!  Fast!”

Ahead the trollish ranks he spied,

He couched his lance and leaned aside

From boulder crudely cast

The point struck home to brutish breast

And from its carcass, life was wrest

"Hold fast, true knights, hold fast!"

 

But fearless steed then fearful shied

And Carabrook the hag espied

Within those monsters massed

Tall, hunched and foul, a loathsome curse

Croaked from her lips, unholy verse,

Fear took him; and aghast,

He fell from charger’s saddle high

Still, deathly still there did he lie

As though he’d breathed his last

 

But with the knights Baynora rode,

The Iron Face had swift bestowed

This hero to the fight

With swiftest sword of sharpest steel

Sure justice did Baynora deal

For duty and for right

Where darkness spread this knight would roam

But ever heart would turn  to home

And to that one delight

 

A wife so fair, so fair and wise,

With starlight shining in her eyes

With grace and second sight

To her were words of power known

To her were truths long hidden shown

‘tis said upon her knight

Charms of protection she had laid

That never in the fray dismayed

Would falter in the fight

 

Beside the fallen Carabrook

Baynora stood, and standing took

Unwavering a stance

Of boldness, courage and sure calm

As though no dread or thought of harm

Could ever have its chance

Baynora’s countenance displayed

An Iron Face, and foes dismayed

Shrank from that burning glance

Then on they came, by haggish will

To match brute strength against cold skill

In frenzied, deadly dance

But charm and martial skill prevailed,

When all fell still, that hero mailed

With sword and broken lance

Among the countless dead stood tall

And turned and to those comrades all

Called out “Yet on! Advance!”

 

So Carabrook survived the fray

And stirred from Trollish Hag’s dismay

Was given aid to stand

"Take heart, take heart," Baynora said,

"The horde is routed, foes have fled,

We'll drive them from the land."

“When battle’s bitter music’s done”

Said Carabrook, "When war is won,

And peace once more’s at hand

Your name I’ll sound, and sure make known

The valour dauntless you have shown

In battle and command”

Baynora said in modesty

"My wife has won this victory

And spared you from the sand,

Her skillful art and chanted charm

Did save me from that haggish harm

That fear to withstand.

If praise is due, I tell you, ser,

That praise is due alone to her,

I pray you understand."

 

And far away, far from the fray

At that same moment that same day

While comforting their child

Baynora's wife, a peace she knew

And guessed her charm had proven true,

And kissed the infant mild,

"All is safe," she sang, "and sure,

And peace and mercy will endure,"

Alostreona smiled.