A Ballad of Samurai

A Thousand Birds

Read in Landscape!!!

Across the harsh terrain they go the man and peasant maid
Now filled with stock from bandit's keep that almost served as grave.
And springtime falls atop the land the cherry blossoms bloom
A sight that almost eases task and lifts from heart their gloom.

Yet even on a handsome path they dare not turn aside
Nor long in any leisure great does pair yet long abide,
But ever on their task their bent to find the ancient blade
So wizard's men and mage himself be laid inside a grave.

They onward press the winding trail not any little deed
For many dangers made by mount the pair are force to heed.
Yet still they go not turning back as days do turn to weeks
And place where ancient saber's laid the pair does ever seek.

Then finally cresting top of path they see in vale below
A lake of mighty breadth and width where thing they seek is stowed.
The peasant paused to see the sight and turns aside to man
To speak and tell the eastern knight that thing for which she planned

At last arrived and time does draw yet nearer still to end
Where only task that warrior's left is wizards will to fend.

"This lake below is place our lore
For long has said you'll find the sword.
Your daring ways and courage great
Convinces maid you'll alter fate

Of all my tribe and find a way
To wizard set as king to slay
And free us all from constant keep
The ever-pressing chores he seeks.

Yet still unknown the trial ahead does lay
At least that's thing the ancient stories say,
And heart of man to self's at time unknown
As found when maid her feudal questions honed.

Yet still I think the heart you keep
Will find a way to challenge meet."

So both the pair now downward go from mountain path they stand
Into the thrush of growing things and lower laying land.
They move their feet and pump their legs and dare not turn aside
For ancient saber bold and great's the thing the pair must find.

Then finally pair through thrush do come beholding ancient lake
That both had sought for great and long, their hearts then brief abate.
Then forward step they slow at time to see the thing beheld
Enchanted lake where ancient sword from elder times did dwell.

In midst of spring and heat of day no stranger story gave
Across the water thinnest ice in clearest sheet was laid.
Atop the sheet the cherry blossoms fell that herald spring
Their gentle forms across it lay and great attention brings

Below the surface forms do lay of many ancient men
Who in this cursed and cryptic lake did surely meet their end.
They bore the armor made in times that long ago had passed
Though floating still below the ice by eldritch magic cast.

In midst of lake atop the ice there sat the magic blade
By ancient art and secret mold this sword was surely made.
It vig'rous curve and sharpened edge reflected noonday sun,
And caused the heart of warring man to quickly beat and run.

For briefest moment man begins to step toward the sight
Like moth to flame his eyes were drawn onto the saber's light
Then sudden maid against his chest does push and break his stare,
And looks at man with gentle heart belying angry glare.

"Though man before this time has shone
No hint of greed or malice owned,
And kept me well on mountain road
While forth on quest our feet were goad

To such degree you risked your life
And waged for peasant hardest strife
Against the bandits high on mount
That numbered well beyond a count.

Yet still at moment avarice shows on face
That bids you move and seek the sword in haste
Despite the bodies kept in waters grave
That just beneath the ice we see yet laid.