The Guard's Tale

Awakened by a golden light
I wander through the darkened night
While pondering curiously
Whatever is approaching me

I see ten men in cloaks of white
Accompanied by many knights
I run to save the very town
I'm sure they're planning to take down

I warn the guards about the plight
They gather fast and run to fight
I follow with my trusted blade
To battle this unknown crusade

We're caught in fighting, fierce and long
The force at hand is much too strong
We try our best, but see no chance
As many more knights now advance

I scream aloud, "Why must this be!?
Why wish you destroy this city?"
The men in cloaks now raise their hands
Their gestures I don't understand

Above us glows a magic field
Our swords become too hot to wield
The knights kneel down and sheath their swords
As the cloaked men recite their words

"We are the Magic Knights of Nore
We did not want to start a war
But when our armies fiercely met
We only saw you as a threat

His Majesty has summoned us
To catch a fiend he cannot trust
He's somehow fled from town to town
We're trying yet to track him down

We had no clue where he'd appear
Now all our trackers pointed here
We came to see if it was true
But then our troops encountered you."

I finally did realize
The truth and honor in their eyes
I slowly outstretched my right hand
Their orders I did understand

"We guards will not get in your way"
I said, "But this is where we stay.
If you wish to pursue this man
Our company we must demand."

"As you wish, guard," they did agree
"We'll kindly go along with thee
But do be warned, if you attack
We will not pull our forces back."

"I understand," I told the knights
"But let us bring peace to the night
We'll help search out this awful fiend
So better days can yet be seen"

We searched through the entire place
But of the fiend had not a trace
However, just outside the town
There was a cavern underground

I led them down into the hole
Inside we found the evil soul
He was a young mage of high skill
And has a very evil will

He put up a tremendous fight
But could not stand our total might
We helped the knights do their duty
To take him to His Majesty

They took his head and cast a spell
To keep his soul entrapped in Hell
The town is safe; the King is pleased
But one thing is disturbing me

The man was found inside that hole
It's grave to just a single soul
An evil force from long ago
Stronger than any other foe

Since he was there, I now hear sounds
Of evil dwelling underground
I'm worried and I can't sleep well
Could he have brought it back from Hell?

And if he did, and it is here
This town may once more fill with fear
And will townsfolk will die in pain
While watching our guards fight in vain...?