Dark Fantasy Novels: A Poem About a Minor Character

Sir Walmer goes to War.

I, Sir Walmer, heard the call, my noble liege lord has gone to war.

My arms are strong, my spirit bright, most willing am I to stand and fight!

Not the War, of brotherly spite, his brother fled, his men contrite.

Rather War, most vexatious found, from beings deep from underground!

A fiend, his horde, arisen great, no mortal man, would have escape.

Countryside aflame, the folk a wail!

How can my noble Duke, prevail?

No fear have I, within my breast, I’ll proudly stand for my family crest.

The people I pass, make it all so clear,

‘tis no wonder I’ll fight, for what I hold dear.

My horse is fast, and strong, most worthy, fleet hooves bring union to me early,

with fortress, town, and citadel of old, Evehollow, the focus, the fulcrum, of defenders resolve.

My Lord, my Duke, welcomes my sight, but grimly, and sadly, explains our plight.

“The Fiend is a demon.” I hear him say.

“A Knight of all Darkness, yet who goes forth by day!”

I quiver, and shudder, I repress my fright, as my old Duke tells me of the enemies terrible might.

“A Horde of great goblins, as vast as the sea!”

I see his eyes widen as he tells this to me.

“Fear not!” I cry.

“We shall win, or die!”

My voice it was gallant, my heart it was pliant.

A wish beset me, perhaps, I could flee?

But then I felt it, a force almost giant.

A power quite unearthly, beyond any sanctuary.

Something most ancient, uninterred.

A mind had touched my mind, I inferred.

Some malady, some nervous fright.

Will soon be settled after a good night.

Alas, this was not to be, for me, nights comfort flees!

My sleeping feet wandered, as my waking mind slumbered.

I woke, cold and trembling, walls round me ne’er ending.

Some quest, I had taken, ‘til sleeps veil had slakened.

The days they went by, and sleep not could I.

Until, one night dreadful, my feet took me in dark that’s most hateful.

Down passages grim, to lost crypt within.

Awoke I once more, a gaze at the floor.

A ring opalescent, grasped by my hand most quiescent, my hand moving on its own.

I tried to let out a moan, but all I kept hearing,

a dark voice was laughing, in my voice it was roaring.

I see no more now, body, lost evermore now.