Swordspeak

The silence chokes him
it hurts more
than the shaft in his side
he cries
made weak by the extended doom
alone in the endless gloom
panting
his breath on the wind
hits soldiers nearby
ready to die
he huddles down anyways
still careful
defiant

The clinking of mail
is calming
through the trees
a sound
not friendly
he hears the steel unsheathed
it says hello
he knows this language
and returns the welcome
they know him now
he's done with waiting
and the first swing says
"hurry up and go"

But he just arrived
so he side-steps
and takes a slash
"watch your back"
but the ally awaits
"I'll take that"
they both thrust
"we are as one,
and you are outnumbered"
he dodges both
another slash
"You cornered me,
it's not your fault"
one falls
the other backs up
the red stuff comes between them
around them
but only for a moment


Chop
"I only follow orders"
parry
"My instict doesn't care"
thrust
"I want this to be over"
but it continues
neither is a person
to the other
and they wish it would end
but neither gives in
when at last a slash up
sends ally to his friend
sends fighter to his grave
where both can once ascend

the man stumbles away

and the final blow said
"I'm sorry"