A merchant came to find the mercenary right away

“come with me now, hurry, I’ll explain along the way”

near the inn where they had stayed for several quiet nights

the hero saw just up the road an army full of knights

All in shining armour, like the mighty steeds they rode

guarding one grand royal carriage there upon the road

“listen son, the news about your strength has reached the queen

better you cooperate, if you know what I mean”

The merchant’s face was pale and he was visibly upset

up til then he’d never seen the crafty merchant sweat

the hero was escorted by a scary looking knight

and led into a building where a mage provided light

They sat him in a chair between two knights with long swords drawn

ready to attack if they had cause to act upon

they told him not to speak unless her highness granted leave

and if he disobeyed he would be killed without reprieve

The hero kept his wits about him, following their lead

as he read the air the hero nodded and agreed

then the knights announced the honoured entrance of their queen

and though he was prepared, it was an overwhelming scene

The queen was not a dainty figure, nor was she unkempt

her aura was a warriors’ her face full of contempt

she wore a suit of armour full of gems and made of gold

radiating magic that was awesome to behold

The knights were clearly weakened by the power of the queen

but this was not the greatest power he had ever seen

the hero smiled and looked at her with unaffected eyes

wondering if she were just a soldier in disguise

“I can see that everything they say of you is true

as your queen I’ve had a royal charge prepared for you

you shall be a knight of mine until the day you die

we shall bleed our enemies until their blood runs dry”

Her vivid speech continued and he listened with intent

trying to discern exactly what her words had meant

she wasn’t like the kindly king, who once had spared his life

her husband died in battle, but he left a tyrant wife

The queen explained that now her kingdom found itself at war

though they had a fearsome army, they had need of more

recently an ancient empire somewhere farther north

invaded with disasters which their mages could call forth

Then she took a box from one knight standing at her side

and carefully removed the item neatly kept inside

“this will make you even stronger than your wildest dreams

put it on your neck and let your power reach extremes”

The hero just assumed that it was jewelry with a charm

and didn’t think the queen would try to do him any harm

he put it on and right away he knew that he was wrong

it bent his mind to serve her, and its magic was too strong

He felt betrayed at first but then he started feeling good

thinking that he’d like to serve her any way he could

he bowed to her in gratitude for giving him his quest

asking that she quickly put his powers to the test

“We must now unite our enemies beneath my rule

and build a worthy army where you’ll be the crowning jewel”

suddenly she gestured to a knight from where she sat

“let me introduce you to my charming, useless brat”

Another figure then appeared swiftly at the door

a handsome man in fine attire which only princes wore

“hello brave young knight, I am a general by trade

let me just congratulate you on the choice you’ve made”

The prince was far from strong but he was flawless in his speech

the hero understood how far such fancy words could reach

the prince explained the nature of the armies that he led

then humbly bowed and left the room when all was clearly said

The queen arose and nodded at the hero sitting still

who’d finally responded to her domineering will

“tomorrow we depart, so pack your things without delay

we’ve already bought you from those merchants anyway”

The queen had judged his powers to be worthy of regard

so he became a member of the queen’s own royal guard

she told him to prepare for when her knights would come to call

moving his intentions like a child could move a doll

As the queen was leaving he then followed close behind

longing for to serve her with his body, soul, and mind

the queen then joined her son upon the carriage right outside

and when the carriage doors were opened, he could see inside

There beside the prince he saw a girl with emerald eyes

suddenly he felt his stomach filled with butterflies

a guard beside him noticed what he happened to have seen

“that’s the eldest princess, heir to our exalted queen”

Only for a moment did he catch her eyes and then

the carriage door was closed and it was on its way again

the hero stood a moment with an awkward looking grin

but soon a knight escorted him back to the local inn

Presumably to keep him from escaping in the night

the whole block was engulfed in some old mage’s magic light

looking from the window of the inn down to the street

all he saw were royal knights he thought he’d like to meet

He packed his things and went to bed then closed his eyes to sleep

for when the morning came he had a schedule to keep

he fell asleep content that he’d achieved his dreams and more

wondering what he’d even need to dream of anymore