ibi iacebat nobis

By Jack Taylor

 

Up on the mountain

The town talks of a dragon appearing,

Saying of its power and absolute might,

It was seen up on the mountain,

The terror set the town alight.

Since young we hear of the stories,

Of their species`s evil

Brought up in hate for the creatures,

That terrorises our people.

We had never seen one before,

Only come across them in legends,

The knights and their battles we wish we had saw,

When will their terror end?

This one had not yet attacked,

We knew it was only so long

until the beast came raining down

Of cattle and land ravaged.

Someone needs to kill this beast.

Its scales hard like armour,

Wings built for crushing,

Its teeth are sharp like swords on our backs.

We need a warrior to save us from this-

Generational beast,

The reeve put out the money,

Which no one came to collect..

Where have the knights gone?

Who told of their battles and slaying,

Why have they abandoned us?

Will we succumb to the beast?

A young man stands forth in the crowd,

His sword still safe in his scabbard,

He calls to vanquish the beast so proud,

We hope his victory is starred.

I heard of the beast up in the mountain,

Its terror already made known,

My village paralysed in fear unknown,

I have heard of the stories and now it is my turn.

I set out early for my great quest,

The villagers cheered me off,

Wishing me luck

I will be the saviour

The mountain i went forth was long and treacherous,

I knew what i would face at the top,

The path seemed to be desolate,

No trace of damage - what is this dragon?

Since young we hear of the stories,

Of their species`s evil

Brought up in hate for the creatures,

That terrorises our people.

But this one seems to be unconforming,

Its terror not reaching us like its foretold,

Why has it not attacked us yet?

Could the stories be false?

I reach the summit,

And look upon my impending doom,

To fall or to fly. I must commit,

This battle of the beasts.

The cave in front. Covered in darkness,

Like the gates of the underworld,

And i travel to hades,

Into the beats covered world.

My sword ready in my hand,

I charge forth towards it,

Only to set my eyes upon this creature

This cant be what terrors our people?

I cannot kill this beast.

Its scales not hard like armour,

Wings not built for crushing,

Its teeth are barely sharp at all.

I must go back, and spread the news.

This beast is no monster at all,

No. but rather needing help,

So I traveled back to the village.

To the reave i travelled with this illuminating revelation,

The reave met me in happiness,

“You vanguished the beast” with a hand on my arm,

Welcoming me back.

I corrected him,

Mentioning the size,

Told him to tell the villagers to not be affraid

The beast is no killer.

His face changed for the worse,

Called for his guards. Who took me away,

How come he wants to keep them in fear?

What does he gain?