He ran into the woods and hid among the ancient trees

not even the sun could find him running like the breeze

once again confronted by the choices that he’d made

but surely any debts of his had long since been repaid

“I guess the empire’s enemies have started to return

but now is not the time for every enemy to burn”

dreams of peace and war both fill the hero’s waking mind

pulling at his heart, which felt like it would soon unwind

He stopped catch his breath beside the entrance to a cave

tired of running from the world he’d only fought to save

“they just don’t understand the sacrifices heroes make

who are they to judge me should I make a small mistake”

He strained his ears but heard no sign of those who hunted him

relaxing as their chances of locating him were slim

he turned to look into the cave, and it was no surprise

that in the shadows he could see a pair of smiling eyes

There was a time when they struck fear into the hero’s heart

but now he felt like they’d been with him from the very start

maybe it was part of him, he never could be sure

maybe it would wander off some time in the future

He picked himself up off the ground determined to survive

there was still a path ahead and somewhere he could thrive

even if he tired from war he still was strong and proud

and he could be a hero still, if ever fate allowed

He walked along a river hoping he would find the sea

thinking of a life of sailing free of piracy

maybe if he sailed away beyond the lands he knew

he could find a better place to start a life anew

He travelled through the woods along the peaceful riverside

hoping it would lead him to the open ocean’s tide

but after weeks of walking something caught the pilgrim’s ear

a sound of swords and screams that filled the air with blood and fear

He came upon a carriage under siege by evil men

a scene of thieves and merchants he’d seen time and time again

as he walked toward the bandits anger filled his mind

how far would he have to walk to leave these things behind

In a moment every bandit fell upon the ground

the merchants only watched the bloody scene without a sound

some ragged man came from the woods and slaughtered every thief

his speed and skill to leave them all in utter disbelief

As he stood among the bodies of the men he killed

he knew his quest for blood and war had long since been fulfilled

despite his strength returning, he felt heavy on his feet

and found so little pleasure in his enemies’ defeat

“Was I not a hero, or will I be one someday”

he mumbled to himself before the merchants came his way

he had no want for glory or a hero’s great reward

the wondrous life that he had lived would never be restored

He asked the merchants where he could find passage overseas

and offered them protection in return for bread and cheese

the grateful merchants gave their saviour food and some supplies

and thanked the ragged man with shock and wonder in their eyes

The pilgrim from the woods who sought the sea was well received

as long as he escorted them, the merchants were relieved

as luck would have it, they were also headed for the sea

and offered him a place aboard their merchant ship for free

Several times upon the road the pilgrim earned his pay

fighting beasts and fearsome bandits every other day

“It wasn’t always like this, once these roads were safe to walk

the most you had to fear was tripping over some old rock”

The merchants’ conversation sounded strange to their new guest

he wasn’t sure when they spoke in sincerity or jest

for all they said of the empire which he had helped to make

was they were glad that it was gone for everybody’s sake

“The battles were the least of it, the taxes were the worst

they drank our profits up each year like they would die of thirst”

“and with our mercenaries caught up in that horrid fight

the monsters of the forest seemed to double every night”

They asked him what he thought about the evil empire’s fall

he answered that he didn’t know much anything at all

they took his words to mean that like so many other men

it hurt him to recall what the empire did to him then

Passing for a victim of the war which he had made

he paid for food and clothing with a dull and rusted blade

when they got to town they cheered and gave him wine and gold

and despite his pleading soon the stories had been told

He recognized the town from when he was the empire’s knight

and fearing recognition disappeared into the night

the merchants were confused but he was nowhere to be found

but this time he was faster than the rumours going round

~