the warriors vision
standing at the mouth of a dark cave, a lone warrior stands.armor strapped,sword sharp,shield and torch in hand.
a rugged man,strong and brave,wind blows his long beard that's tied in a braid.
thinking back to all the battles he fought,as a veteran,his dues been paid.
the cave is the lair of a wizard,a sooth-seer, or so he was told,
he came to ask him what his future might hold.
tired and scarred from wars, tired of the fight,
he seeks out the wizard to ask what he might.
he holds his torch high and ventures inside.
he notices many crevices where evil things can hide.
the damp cold of this cave and its musty smell
sends in him chills, and the dripping sounds as well.
further and further in this dark he walks,on the hard stone ground.
he slows his pace to listen to a scuffling sound.
the sound up ahead like scratching on rock,
and in a distance he hears the ticking of a clock.
closer he moves as he enters a great chamber so dimly lit,
he readies him self as he sees a throne and moves closer to it.
"what dost thou want great warrior of old?"
"dost thou interest in what the future will hold?"
"beware great fighter your weapons are no good here,
this is no longer the above world,magic rules in this place,are we clear?"
he nods his head and steps closer to the old man cloaked in moons, stars,and suns.
he snaps his fingers and soon is surrounded by demons,
this wretched old man from a bookcase removes a tome,
the warrior is almost overwhelmed by the smell of brimstone,
"do not fear the demons my son,
they fear you from the battles you've won."
"old man i fear only your magic too black.
i feel i should leave and not come back."
the wizard looks and gives a crooked smile
"a shame that would be, you've come many a mile.
a powerful wizard am i,i can see the heavens and the pits of hell.
i can see the future and yours as well.
a small price must be paid for my services you see,
i can do what you want but my work is not free."
"i have a bag of jewels and gold for you hear on my side.
it is all yours but i will have no lies."
"fool,do you think trinkets and bobbles my price?
for payment in full,kings have gave me their lives.
i want not jewels or gold that you have earned,
i want only a favor in return.
a favor later ill ask your concern,
refuse it and in my fire you will burn."
the warrior accepts this devilish deal with a fist across his chest.
the old man runs the demons off as if shooing a pest.
he waves his hand and raises the fire.
the fire grows larger and larger and higher and higher.
from the book he reads these strange words and chants.
the fire starts dancing as he rants.
"look deep into the flame,warrior of steel,
look at what your future will wield."
the warrior looks in the fire as he is told,
he hopes its good what his future holds.
as he looks on images appear,
little by little they become clear.
he sees himself in a battle,a war.
one that he has not been in before.
he sees fallen enemies bleeding at his feet.
a terrible fate these enemies must meet.
he then sees himself with a crown,a king.
ruling a land and beside him a beautiful queen.
ruling proudly over a peaceful land.
his enemies fear him and his iron hand.
wealth and power surround his name.
the kingdom of plenty under his reign.
then it flashes to when he is old,
on his death bed his body is cold.
his sons rule now just as he had done.
proud to finish the work he begun.
the flame flickers and dims its light.
"did you see what you wanted this night?"
"i saw all i hoped for and more.
now what is this favor which you have in store?"
"i am an old man,of simple design.
your favor will be upon you in a reasonable time.
take what you have learned in you vision and go,
what i want from you soon will you know."
the warrior turns and leaves his hall,
excited to leave these slime covered walls.
he climbs his way to the exit, so close.
and in front of him an image of the old man arose.
"tis a shame the glorious sights you did see,
sorry for you i cannot let you leave.
a wonderful life you would've had,and this troubles me,
but I'm sorry brave one its time for my demons to feed."
he heard the wizards bellowing laugh.
his sword and his shield the warrior grasped.
"for this you will pay,you wretched old fool.
swinging at the demons with his warriors tools.
claw after claw they brought the warrior down.
and ravenously feed as his blood stained the ground.
the breaking of bones and the gnashing of teeth,
perhaps what he saw was better unseen.
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