Read in landscape!

By shroud of night the pair now stole to hide inside it's shade
In hope that cold defers the guards from path on which they lay,
And falling snow might cover tracks obscuring way they take
To try and free the whole of realm and alter dreadful fate

That wizard grants to all who live inside the hold he claims
Though none by any feudal law upon his head was deigned.
So fast as silent steps allow through village keep they crept,
Though neither one in ways of stealth was ever made adept

They still in face of daunting fear did ever on aspire
And kept their heart to do their chore though chore was very dire.
Between the hovels both did rush before they paused each time
To use the boards and makes of home to serve them both as blinds,

And nearer grew the edge of hold where peasant's houses lay
For soon the pair would leave this place and go the mountain way.
And closer stance to freedoms held the greater heart did beat
As dread did grow along with hope that pair might leave the fief.

A pause of breath in dead of night the stillness gave by air
The final step to foreign land did either one yet dare?
The silence made their beating heart to sound like warring drum
And fear that thing might warn the guards did rise with growing thrum.

Then pausing brief with final step the pair did great aspire
To leave the hold and risk the march in lands so fell and dire.
Inside the woods they hastened forth now hoping danger's gone
At least the one that guards present that weighed on mind so long

As pair had planed their great escape to leave the ancient hold
At last they both released their stress to reach this part of goal.
Then gasping loud the maid now spoke to man beside her stood
To warn the warrior off rejoicing great at fortune's good.

For many trials both would face before they found the sword
The only weapon pair could use to face the wizards horde.

"Don't think to long on fortune's boon to pair
That both from shack inside that hold we dared
Succeeded great in stealing far from tribe
Where guards' of wizard current live and bide.

The trek we face is fell and still so dire
The mount we dare assail and trail aspire.
So still your heart the worst is coming soon
The trials grant themselves may give us tomb."

The warrior nods his head at maid and cast a stoic face
That showed he knew the need they both did bear for present haste.
Into the night the hasty go not daring turn and look
For sake of place they left and reason pair had fast forsook.

And on they go through night and morn not taking risk to stop
For fear if pair no distance made they'd soon by guard be caught.
As time did wax their fear did wane and finally pair did rest
The cheap reward they both are gave for passing current test.

They carefully ration food for man and maiden watched the night
To grant his strong but mortal form the nightly hours respite
And slowly path they take did grow and coarsen well with time
As steeper roads with worsened ways did both the pair yet find.

Yet still they went the lore of old the map they use for land
Did present work and give them hope that maiden's daunting plan
May bear it's fruit and lend them way to wage their subtle war
And win against the wizards' men in greatest battling chore.

The barren winds and failing light did break across their back
And cause the pair who high ascend no little ailing wrack.
Yet still they press not daring turn from task they both are gave
As one for love and other honor ever go as bade.

They reach a narrow mountain road that's hedged a sheerest cliff
Yet still the pair are forced ascend the thing if both their wish
To gain the weapon old and great inside that barren land
Can come about and free the realm as peasant long did plan.

For moment brief they pause and give no little thought on thing
Of many treach'rous ways that range their early death might bring.
Yet still they go not daring stop when after all this time
The pair across the wilder land so long already climbed.

They cautious tread the narrow trek their pace is greatly slowed
To reach the ancient place of sword that foreign held abode.
Their steps are slow uncertain held across its wending path
That beats their skins and scores their arms with winter's stinging wrath.

Yet none the less they onward fight the cresting wind's ascour
Though mortal frame does little aid in helping fight its power.
Yet after many hours fought to broader place they come
That grants them little shield to keep them safe from constant thrum.

The man when seeing place that's kept his words now swiftly speaks
And tells the woman quick his plan to make this place their keep.

"Broadness of path and the stillness of air
Little we'll find if we ever on dare.
Cast here our tent for the rest of the day
Long 'fore we journey on rest of the way."

And maiden hearing word of man did quickly nod her head
As swift to both their task the pair in fleetest haste then sped.
The man departs a little ways to gather fire wood
And woman works erecting tent so place they sleep be stood.

For briefest time she works at thing to keep the cold at bay
So both the pair may forward go across the mountain way.
She seldom stops and turns a hand from chores she's present give
Or looks away from task she's grant though hard the thing that's bid.

Then sudden coughing voice is heard and quickly head she cast
Away to edge of path they took aside from present task.
There stood a group of men now kept with brazen look in eye
As gloomy stares did downward gaze on maid like one despised.

From tent she rose and backward drew not knowing well their want
Yet simply knowing presence kept on cliff did current daunt
Her will and mind at sight of men unkept and sordid worn
With clothes and grins and beaten beards so long and ratty torn.

Then forward stepped from group a man with brazen grin on face
His ways were brusque and manner cruel, abrupt in all his haste.

"Bite of wind and depths of day
Even calmest nerves may fray.
Still a maiden high on mount
Brimming deep with fear like fount?"

The mocking voice of man did make the woman long to pause
Not knowing well the will of men or even current cause
They bore along this lonely road what need or sordid want
Did make them stay and keep these paths like specters deep in haunt.

So quick she answers question give to try and turn aside
But also hoping task she's bid from wicked men she'll hide.

"My husband's gone on path but little ways
Not long he'll linger far afield or stay.
His men he's brought from foreign realm agone
They number well with arms a great and strong.

So turn aside they'll harm not men who fly
On back to place you live and deep abide.
I'll tell not tale and keep my word I give
If man will leave this place as woman bids."

Then sudden lashing forth with anger great and hatred high
The ruffian grabs her wrist and throws her down on ground to lie.
To feet she scrambles quick but quicker 'nother man does leap
And pushed her down to ground to lie in gasping crying heap.

But still again she upward rose and ran from wicked men
Who made their way in world along the paths of lowest sin.
Across the camp they chase the maid who tries her best to run
Yet futile effort only adds to bandit's wicked fun.

They start to scream and jeer at maid and rifle through their good
A cry she gives as things unfold on ground at which their stood.
Then sudden answer hasty comes along with sound of steel
As blade from scabbard's singing drawn and swiftly iron's pealed.

"Looters and crooks at the falling of eve
Stand before eyes as are sackers and thieves.
Turn from you path and now hasten your way
Long before samurai grants you you're grave."

And sudden maiden ceases run and turns to path to see
The warring man arrived at last at maiden's screeching plea.
They turn their head and smirk at man who came with only sword
To stop the men who current laid their claim to all his horde.

Then leading thief again now stood to tell his fickle way
And bid the man to leave this place and goods where current laid.
To hands of men who came to take what ever thing they willed
Less warring man by bandit blade would have his heart be stilled.

"Turn aside and leave these place
Flee from camp at quickest haste.
Count it well that little's lost
Life could lay among the cost.

Given well to man this day
Leave and arms of war we'll stay."

His smirking grin did show his sureness knowing all desired
Atop this mount at present time would surely now transpire.
But man now held his curving sword at ready guard in hand
To fight the men to surest death was warrior's current plan.

And slowly grin from face of thief did fall away and show
That man did know no fear in heart his words had tried to sow
Then high with scowl he brings yet forth his other warring men
To ready blades against their foe and down to death yet send

The warrior stood alone no one to help his present course
Nor aid the man in fighting ways or add to soldier's force.
Uneasy laugh amidst the foes did issue forth and show
They wished no fight to gain his goods nor risk to gain their goals.

Yet still they came to face the man their strength in numbers gave
Those come to fight some certain courage facing down the grave.
And maiden wept inside her heart she knew they both were doomed
No matter skill the warrior's gave too many foes do loom.

Yet still then Naegi pushes forth, against his foes he clashed
His saber hard against their swords with clanging ring does slash
Yet numbers swelled against him hard to many men they field
For man to ever overcome and death to foes yet deal.

Then sudden warrior starts to turn and crowds them hard to side
And forces men to closer draw and deep in numbers hide.
Aback they fell to edge of path to face of cliff they go
Though men do know what lies beneath and far though pressed are slow.

For time they both do test their strength not either winning way
Though many men the warrior kills there's many more to slay.
But sudden cracking's heard aloud beneath the bandit's feet
A sheering cliff does crack aloud a clever trick they meet.

Their weight atop the edge of path had caused it give away
And many fell from mountain road to soon forever lay.
The few there left did meet his sword their blood did stain the snow
Atop the mountain road they bide and present time abode.

Now once the bandits all had fell to maid the warrior turned
To speak and ask of peasant's health a thing he long had spurned.

"Cry of the battle and clamor of wrack
All of which drew me from comfort you lack.
Tell me your hurt and what things I may aid
Given to health of my helper and maid."

The maiden seeing great concern did speak and drew away
The worry found in warrior's eyes to heavy present laid.

"To great relief unhurt I lay
No hand of hurt the bandits gave.
Before you came and stopped their will
And drive to wrack and also steal.

Yet present camp is filled with ruin great
That shows no hand of fortune guiding fate.
I fear supplies we kept for long are swiftly gone
Though hard I labored well for goods so long."

Then hearing words the warring man did turn to face the maid
To tell her plan he thought to change the current course their gave.

"Harshness of mountain and coarseness of wind
Howling at night on the sweeping of wends
Tells me some camp that is near they did own
Probably cavern of rock they had honed.

Gather what's left and we'll set to then find
Place where the bandits had hidden for time
Deep in the winter when all is yet cold
Enter we will into thieves own abode."

Then quick the pair did gather things and onward set their course
To see what goods are kept by band and take the things by force.
They march along a little ways and mouth of cave they see
A place from which the folk had came that both the pair did grieve.

"Ominous mouth and the darkness inside
All that is dangerous surely does hide.
Stay at this place till you hear from me call
First I must glean what inside it is sprawled."

The maiden stayed behind a rock and looked for long at cave
And saw the warrior go inside his sword was drawn and brave.
Then after time she heard a yell again again some more
That told that warring man the death of many foes had scored.

Then out he came and waved her on to join him in the place
And come along and quick abide inside with fastest haste.
The cave was warm a fire was lit inside its pressing halls
Though grim and dark the mighty stones that makes its bearing walls.

The warrior drug the forms of men he slayed into the open wild
There binding fate of bandits' corpse to feed the creatures vile.
Inside he hasty came at last to meet the peasant's eyes
And see what fear inside them laid what manners he did spy.

"Stock of the bandits are plenty and full
Walls of the cave will protect us from cool.
Long here we'll stay till we're ready to go
Leaving this cavern pursuing our goal."

The maiden nods her head at man and studies well his form
And sees on arm a place his flesh by bandit's weapon's torn.
To little sack she brought along the woman quickly turns
In hopes to nurse the wound on arm before it gangrene earns.

Now quick to work she had him set and makes her craft again
She once had done before for man when body maid did mend,
And after many moments passed in silence starts the maid
To thank the man for help he wrought and safety blade had gave.

"My greatest thank to man I lend
For fact my lid you did defend,
By beating down their foul intent
Until to death the men were sent

By fall below and lay of land
Those men did meet their death by hand
And justly earned their fate though dire
For things those wicked men conspired."

The warrior nods his head and turns again from maid who works
Not showing any sign to woman mending done does hurt,
But merely speaks forgoing thanks that peasant current brought
By showing only duty done was thing the man had wrought.

"Horse that does run and a fire that burns
Both of these things are but serving their turn.
Neither are thanked and yet neither this need
Such is the way of my people and creed.

Bound by our honor and bound by our heart
Man was just merely then playing his part."

The maiden hearing pursed her lips at words the warrior spoke,
That fouled the air between them both a storm had sudden broke.
She lifted high not eye but spoke with face that's downward turned
To question man regarding well the answer maid had earned.

"I bid you speak and tell what honor's worth
When thing is born from many other's hurt.
Before this wizard's time another ruled
Though less the hurt he dealt he still was cruel,

And maid suspects that only nature held
The man from deeds that sure are just as fell.
So tell I bid what makes you serve this creed
What promise code has made to make you heed.

The warring men, the ones your pledge to serve
Not always such a loyal heart deserve.
Don't men that follow wizard work as bid?
To fiend they also loyal service give.

Don't men who wear the crooked blade on hilt
Like such not also bear their master's guilt?"

For long the warrior thought on maid and searched to find a word
Like master long before this time when man the boy had heard
Yet ask a question just as one the maiden current ask
What drove him forth to serve this code in lethal fighting task.

Then after long of thinking hard he finally lowly speaks
Like answer man along with maid does also current seek.

"Lapsing of memories and passing of days
Long from the time in my childhood yet lay.
Far in the past by my clan I was left
Cast from it's hold by an order bereft

Of mercy to just but a child then so small
Sent from the place of my birth not by law,
Maiden does speak of with deepest disdain
Rather ambition that elders did claim.

Man who did raise me yet lived by the code
Ever his actions it's heedings did goad.
Also his son by this thing will yet live
Ever his actions and deeds will it bid."

The maiden turned not sure of thing that man at present said
But still he saved her life and kept his word though thing was dread.
So though she loathed the oath that's kept by one who saved her life
She still admired man for waging war for hard was mortal strife.

"I thank the man for guarding path
And saving maid from bandit's wrath
Though foes he faced were grave and dire
Still man did pass the test of fire.

And also saved the vaunted quest
To rescue tribe from certain death
Thus many lives their deaths have spared
When man the bandit's ways did dare.

Yet still I wonder long at oath you keep
If thing a goodly man can ever wreak,
Or whether all who hold your station high
Are filled with only pretty words and lies.

Yet current maid is safe by arm
Of man who bandits great did harm."

So maiden ends the words she spake and goes to tending wound
Thus giving man who saved her life a well deserving boon.
And whole of winter pair inside the cave at present bode
Afraid to leave before it breaks and face the winter's cold.

And fonder both at time do grow with leisure briefly gave.
Before they both prepared for quest and risked an early grave,
But present time affords a better air for making known
Themselves so each the other one's affection sharply hones.

Yet winter goes and spring begins to melt the fallen snow
That long had held the pair inside the deep and
growing bode.
Till long at last the time to leave arrives and breaks respite
So once again the pair must go and take the marching plight.

The maid the goods inside the cave did gather well and store
To aid the pair along the last of daunting questing chore.
The man did also gather all the cloak and battle garb
To aid the path he seeks to take on journey far and hard.

And fashions hodgepodge armor made for lack of better choice
Yet still he held his tongue at thing and raised not angry voice,
But stoic bore the brunt of fate and knew that such was boon
To find these tools in hidden place might save his life from tomb.

Then forth at mouth of cave they met and silent stood for time
Though neither one the words they need at present moment find
So off they went again to quest for ancient fallen blade
And strength to go about their task was both the pair then gave.

Hey guys what do you think of the journey so far? Do you think they make a good couple? Leave your comment!!!