The Brute and The Trickster

I see my foe across the field
The mist is swirling, ghostly, cold
I draw my sword and charge into
The epic battle as foretold

My battlecry cleaves through the air
My legs are pumping, muscles clench
How dare he think to challenge me
Just to protect a filthy wench

He stands stock still, He's not afraid
He waits in silence for his death
He will not get mercy from me
I will not stop while I draw breath

He starts to smirk as I draw near
My blade, it shimmers in the light
He brings his sword up to meet mine
The clang of steel. Oh such delight!

I drive him backwards, blow by blow
For I am stronger than my foe
The rhythmic clanging fills the night
A thousand startled birds take flight

Parry, thrust, then swing and cleave
I no not grant my foe reprieve
Yet no blow lands. No blood spurts out
I long to tear his insides out

My heaving chest is soaking wet
I'm covered head to toe in sweat
And yet my foe is standing tall
Completely unfazed by it all

And with regret I see his trick
As I fall victim to his kick
He held me off to wear me out
He made me run, he made me shout

I try and get my balance back
In time to stop my foe's attack
Alas my foe is just so quick
So now my blood runs hot and thick

The gash is deep, the end is nigh
And I unleash a fearsome cry
As I unleash my final wrath
My blood and sweat form a steaming broth

My sword flies down with murd’rous speed
But my foe takes little heed
He steps aside just half a pace
And my blade cuts through empty space

I stumble, stagger, trip and fall
I’m not unbeaten after all
Pain and fear and endless rage
Can’t help me now I’m at this stage

The grass is stained red from my blood
First a trickle, then a flood
Yet somehow I forget the pain
And manage to get up again

At last the fear is in his eyes
He staggers back in sheer surprise
I rend his flesh and make the kill
His body lifeless, cold and still

As I lie bleeding in the field
My hour of doom is firmly sealed
But I’m unbeaten, all is well
I’m proud of how I finally fell

My heart swells both with blood and pride
At the sword stuck in my side
A thousand Vultures fill the night
To pick the bones of my last fight