HERO OF OLD, by John Keller: The hero sat upon his horse; his steely gaze was set. Before him was an army fell. His blade with blood was wet. With aching arms he held aloft, a blessed, shining blade. His battered plate-mail dully shone, No fear his face displayed. A horde of reavers, giants, trolls, […]

THE LAY OF CUTHRED KING, by Joshua Hampton Now told is the tale of Cuthred King of Keenland, East away, across field, fen and whale-road, where none dare pass in these grim years. From his castle keep, all timbered tall of aged oak and elm, he ruled with wit and wisdom bolstered by his cruel-edged […]

From the ramparts voices sing

A ballad old and sweet,

Of

Maidens faire,

Dragons foul

From the ramparts voices sing
A ballad old and sweet,
Of
Maidens faire,
Dragons foul

The summer’s heat is hardly past, The harvest not yet in. Confused on hillsides, cattle roam With nary barn nor pen — But not a horse you’ll find abroad Where Ansel’s army’s been. This time last summer, side by side, We worked in every field. The kingsmen and the cottagers Made every meadow yield — […]

Believe my words, I tried the settled path — You, my wife of raven hair to make the night jealous, Our daughter and two sons all with matching sapphire eyes, Books to comfort restlessness with distant knowledge — But my young feet would never give me rest! Every wind carried scents of amber music With […]