The Knight Life

In the mud I wade in my blood. My armor rendered asunder: my helm hewn in two, my blade dulled and my shield in shambles. There in my pond I look upon my foes, a great pile like a mile. My brothers lay strewn around me, some still breathing, others fleeing. All of us bleeding. The weight is so heavy, my arms so weary, I grow tired of fighting, I long to remain lying. The goblin horde descends upon us with their swords, devoid of the Lord, they prepare to gut us some more. With the last ounce of my strenght, I rise to meet my enemy. I pray God keep me as I lean on my blade like a cain. The demon assails me, I go a tumbling, into the mud and blood, there to strangle love. It claws, it tares, it trys to weaken my armor. I reach and take, its neck I did break. There in a sea he is no more, while I float evermore. The horde circles me, it begins raining. The weight pulls me beneath, suffocating, agonizing to breath. This is not what I imagined, no one told me this was what its like in war. I thought the knight life was going to be perpetually pleasent, full of beautiful maidens and blssful havens, not a long dance with Satan.

My foes string their bows,  making ready to fill me with flaming arrows. What is to become of me? Am I to die in this crimson pool like a fool? Am I to dwell until the arrows delve and steal my zeal? Is this what it means to be a hero? As I sank beneath, they unleashed their shafts upon me. Was this my end? Suddenly the memory of better days came to me. I saw myself shining amongst ladies, sipping vintage as the beautiful Elizabeth payed me visit. She was unlike any other, her splendor beyond words. I found myself in that instance full of zest and life, I wanted immediatly to make her my bride, to call her my wife.  I remember sitting in her presence one afternoon, she was making a cornet of flowers for her hair, I sang her a ballad which did amuse her. What came after was more than I could bare, she disclosed that she was to be wed to another. This rendered my heart asunder, for I loved her. Shortly after I rode off to battle and now like my soul drown in this pool.  

As the shards of steel embraced my body shield, I began to yield. Sinking, sinking to the bottom of the pool. There I laid, waiting for the invitable. I felt cold, I began to loose my hold, my mind began to waunder, my mood grew somber. As I began to decay in that place, a voice awoken within me. It beckoning me to rise, to fight, to die at least with a shred of honor. I ignored and let go my sword. Again it cried from within, like a lion it trumpeted, and suddenly I felt myself begin to soar. I grabbed ahold of my dull sword and pushed off the bottom of the pond. My armor drew me back, again I sank. I then began to strip myself of armor, removing my helm, breastplate, and rest of my plate. All that remained was chain and some leather train. Still I could not rise, I felt my life begin to die, water began to fill my lungs. With a finally effort I removed the rest of my armor and srambled for air the awaited up there. The Goblin horde had left, arrow shafts laid strewn around the pond. As I breathed in the sweet air, I felt despair, I beheld a graveyard. I felt naked upon the field, shivering, trembling, when I felt comforting arms of lift me aloft. I hung in those arms, I made no inquiry, my mind once again waundering. The stranger took good care of me, he took me to a tree and beneath gave me wine to drink. When I had gathered my faculties I asked his name. The Stranger gave no reply, he simply watched over me. Three days and three nights, I slept most of the time. 

He fed me, clothed me, and kindled a fire to warm my frozen heart. On the fourth day I awoke and he was gone, I felt new life in my arms, my vigor restored. Rising I found my armor, sword, and a crucifix. I took ahold of the Holy Rood, I tried to recall his face, but it twas in vain. The hosts of the enemy stirred, I could see their torches and spears marching to the field. Beyond lay a village, a place they sough to pillage. I kissed the cross and slung it across my neck. I doned my armor and brandished my sword. I had been spared by the Lord, now was my turn to rescue those forlorn. A white steed neighed behind me, I went to it and mounted it presently. I knew what awaited me was not pretty, that in that city dwelt the cruel enemy, but this time I would not give way to self pity. I would do my duty, I would hew the adversary, and fight to the whatever end. For I am a knight, sworn to uphold the light, to fight in the darkest of nights, to subdue evil plight. This is my life, I choose to bare my cross with pride, as long as there is life within me, I shall defend the city, I will do battle with the devils and protect those who tremble. To victory everlasting!