Against The Dragon

A Tale of Votlr
The King of Shanaras
Against The Dragon
Cermano Tarvanad


Then the Dragon came..........destroying the land
Black as night..........lightning on legs
Earthquake with arms..........genius amid catastrophe
Terrifying the victors..........of war with the Shanir

King Votlr knowing..........his people’s weariness
Resolved to go..........and face it alone
One last time he said..........to his faithful steed
We go to war..........to avenge our country

But his loyal Earls..........ignoring his decree
Went with him..........serving him as always
Going to war..........to avenge their country
Confidant in their sons..........to keep the Kingdom

They hunted the Dragon..........east and west
Finding nothing..........month after month
But villages and forts..........razed to the ground
Burnt with their folk..........the King’s people

Finally they caught it..........high in the mountains
Cold and furious..........tired and resolute
In the dead of night..........Iosr the King’s Karl
Guided their steeds..........straight to the Dragon’s lair

Into the dark cave..........they slowly went
The King and his Earls..........with grim faces
Spears held before them..........white knuckles
Breath heavy with fear..........stomachs empty

Albr led them..........steadfast Earl of Baras
Past narrow tunnels..........and across waterfalls
Deep inside..........past the mountain roots
Where even the air..........was red and scorched

The Dragon struck..........through his byrnie
Long fangs bit..........piercing his heart
Blood gushing..........Albr struck up
Leaving his spear..........in its throat

With his shield..........high above him
Branr charged..........fierce Earl of Nakra
Setting his spear..........on the chink in its scale
And striking well..........roars exultation

The Dragon struck..........smashing his shield
Shattering it like..........so much kindle
And even through..........his mighty helm
Cruel talons breaking..........his thick skull

And seeing this..........around its side
Leapt Valdr..........bright Earl of Aros
And grasping his spear..........tightly in both hands
Went straight..........for the heart

The Dragon struck..........chopping at legs
With tail barbed..........like a war arrow
Whipping across..........out of nowhere
Leaving him..........against the wall

Now taking his chance..........and onto its back
Climbed Waltr..........clever Earl of Fanador
Crawling up..........taking aim at its nape
Gathering strength..........holding on tight

The Dragon struck..........from beyond
Calling on the moon..........and mysterious power
Dazzling light..........engulfing Waltr
And throwing him..........off now blind

Seeing this yet..........without despair
Votlr stepped forward..........defiant King of Shanaras
Now with the blade..........gleaming with keenness
And taking Albr’s hand..........struck at his eye

Following him..........yet without despair
Young Cermr..........brave Earl of Darn
Spear heavy..........in expectant hands
Looked to..........poke out the other

Both valiant..........warriors of Shanaras
Now attached..........to his snout
The Dragon struck..........one last time
Breathing molten steel..........over them both

Soon Waltr..........climbing to his feet
Burning with shame..........surviving and blind
Took his King’s blade..........amid his friends
And their foe..........and planted it deep

Another may need this..........great and mighty blade
To slay one as this..........an ancient Dragon
And only those..........pure and valiant
May draw the blade..........clean out of the oak

The Gunnari Sagas

So these kin of Dunan
Born of their father
Bright and fearless
Ambushed by
Scheming
Lynx

His brothers were cut down
Arrows from above
Without honour
Remorseless
Ravens
All

He leapt up beside them
Hacking left and right
Getting them and
Gutting them
Leaving
None

All around him enemies
Snow drinking their blood
Gunnar’s last son
Drew his last
Final
Breath

Saga of Taran Kunan

from the Askenji verses:

Dinan’s first son
Looked out towards
The Great Mountains
Long in the tooth

From high towers
And the strong walls
That Asken’s Kin
Built long ago

Dreaded purpose
Death awaited
Glorious end
Never promised

But Asken’s Kin
Knew of his plight
And joined his search
Graves dug by now

They followed him
Deep into caves
Towards their end
Demons lingered