145 lines
5.0 KiB
Plaintext
145 lines
5.0 KiB
Plaintext
HUNTER'S WARNING
|
|
-
|
|
I have a tale, all grim forbode
|
|
of one who sought the night.
|
|
He mounted, then in darkness rode
|
|
to work upon the height.
|
|
-
|
|
Control and power over all,
|
|
the essence of his quest.
|
|
The people he would hold in thrall.
|
|
Ill omen was his crest.
|
|
-
|
|
He found a cliff beside the sea.
|
|
A glowing circle cast,
|
|
with magic burnt the Sacred Tree
|
|
and drawing sword, stood fast.
|
|
-
|
|
The ocean swelled, and gale winds cried-
|
|
a storm of ice and chill.
|
|
Bright lightnings slashed and burned the sky
|
|
imposed by dark'ning will.
|
|
-
|
|
A gateway through the Other World
|
|
was opened by his hand,
|
|
For from the clouds a funnel swirled
|
|
and Bifrost's road did stand.
|
|
-
|
|
A raucous army then came down
|
|
and rode upon that coast.
|
|
Weird hoofbeats rang upon the ground
|
|
from steeds who were as ghosts.
|
|
-
|
|
Just from the Hunt they had returned
|
|
to challenge fox, and deer.
|
|
And from the leader, one eye burned
|
|
and sighted down his spear.
|
|
-
|
|
'What magus honors not my name?',
|
|
a booming voice then cried.
|
|
'What fool does play this ill wrought game?
|
|
Best answer quick - or die.'
|
|
-
|
|
'My title matters not, O Lord.',
|
|
the sly tongued one did speak.
|
|
'We share the spirit of the sword-
|
|
your wisdom I would seek.'
|
|
-
|
|
'My secrets will I gladly give
|
|
to all who share my way-
|
|
but test ye must, to die or live-
|
|
one chance to go or stay.'
|
|
-
|
|
'Though death is not the thing I crave,
|
|
your questions will I bear.
|
|
And favour lacking, to the grave
|
|
and thralldom will I swear.'
|
|
-
|
|
'But I am learn'ed, wise and strong
|
|
so if your test surpassed
|
|
you must then swear before your throng
|
|
your power you will pass.'
|
|
-
|
|
The Hunt Lord scowled, and it was done,
|
|
then said with frosty breath:
|
|
'Unto me you will answer one-
|
|
what purpose does serve death?'
|
|
-
|
|
'My foes have often met their end.
|
|
I glory in the kill.
|
|
My way will use the death to bend
|
|
the people to my will.'
|
|
-
|
|
The Goddess Freyja then impart:
|
|
'What say you of the dove?
|
|
What use to you are things of heart?
|
|
Regard ye what of love?'
|
|
-
|
|
'I scorn all love, I favour wrath,
|
|
tis best left for the meek.
|
|
And peaceful ways cross not my path,
|
|
tis only for the weak.'
|
|
-
|
|
'War is my art, so answer this:',
|
|
spoke grim one handed Tyr.
|
|
'Affairs of state, when go amiss-
|
|
is honor in your sphere?'
|
|
-
|
|
'All honor I return to friends
|
|
and other Lords deserved.
|
|
I say again, foes meet their ends
|
|
when wrath has been incurred.'
|
|
-
|
|
'Unto us now, one more reply
|
|
before you hear our will.
|
|
of spells and power - magic high,
|
|
of what does this fulfill?
|
|
-
|
|
'To honor you, I would enshrine,
|
|
the world then I would take.
|
|
To snare, all shiftless peoples bind
|
|
with forces I would wake.'
|
|
-
|
|
All Asgard's dwellers, looking grim,
|
|
then nodded to this king.
|
|
Triumphant mein came over him-
|
|
his darkened soul did ring.
|
|
-
|
|
But Odin set his rage filled face-
|
|
the mages blood ran cold.
|
|
'Ye think that thou hast won our grace
|
|
with naked evil bold?'
|
|
-
|
|
'All death is but the way to birth
|
|
and peace is men's desire.
|
|
Our way is to renew the Earth-
|
|
despoiling not in ire.'
|
|
-
|
|
'This and the magics meant to heal
|
|
and guide on wisdom's path.
|
|
So this is why the powers wield-
|
|
you have incurred our wrath.'
|
|
-
|
|
'But go in sorrow - life we give,
|
|
along with this one curse-
|
|
That ever long as you shall live
|
|
your life now is reversed.'
|
|
-
|
|
'Harm with your magic, and you die
|
|
a death forever long.
|
|
Hurt with your guile, and you shall cry-
|
|
your way is twisted, wrong.'
|
|
-
|
|
They rode like leaves upon the wind.
|
|
Ensorcelled mage grew mad.
|
|
He wanders - never trust or friends.
|
|
Just woe, dark soul, nomad.
|
|
-
|
|
Pay heed, all seekers on the path
|
|
to shadow's knowledge earned.
|
|
To evil go, you gain the wrath
|
|
of Powers great and stern.
|
|
-
|
|
- J.A. Bordeaux 8 Mar 89
|
|
|