Melderyn
I
When King Etobron ruled the Wizard’s Isle
With resolute hand, by wit and guile
And noble blood did surmount all trial
Where the cold dark wind breathes into the dawn
In Cherafir on an autumn morn
Prince Chunel’s second son was born
For strength and valor he was acclaimed
In a brother’s shadow, he would ne’er remain
And so a monarch’s crown would gain
So he grew strong and he grew stern
Of magic and warfare he did learn
And then to Western Hârn did turn
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To Anfla Isle, off Hârn’s west coast
His loyal men and troops did post
There he did muster a mighty host
As worthy Jothysan, of high regard
With laden nivik and stout talbar
Did ferry troops on up the Thard
To Caer Techen’s walls, where to invest
He did seek there to serve his Prince best
And soon bring death to the dread Lenesque
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In Caer Chaftar on a New Years Day
Where Rethemi blood did long hold sway
A sceptered sovereign this Prince would slay
To the royal chamber, in the night’s small hours
Prince Arren moves through hall and towers
To confront a tyrant where he cowers
With lethal thought, this Prince did vie
And bent a cold, remorseless eye
So Araku’s craven blood did die
Then a new-seized crown placed on his brow
The Rethemi lords did make their vow
And together they joined forces now
But the Thardic senators, so ill-advised
And fast misjudging his army’s size
Thought to take King Arren by surprise…
II
So Tharda schemed with Andasin, for war they did prepare
But winter slowed Kandaysian boots, who would join those legions there
So alone the grim Republic troops, to Techen’s lands did go
To mass their camp on the Gomisen, swelled from the winter snow
Where valiant Osric Jothysan, cadet of Baron Ontur
A belted earl by Arren’s hand, did make Rethem’s flanks sure
With Marshal Kronas in command, Thard’s legions loosed did strike
Across the river Gomisen, against King Arren’s might
Yet Queen Marada’s legionnaires, stood fast against that thrust
While Arren, taking field himself, in guile did place his trust
So his men pulled back to feign retreat, to lure over bridge and ford
Where Rethem’s legions fell on them, and put them to the sword
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Then the black and silver pennants, chased Elernin’s eastward course
To Imrium and Geminost, King Arren split their force
And shattered Marshal’s legionnaires, the Gerium troops so mauled
For in Osric, Earl of Techen’s heart, awakened glory called
Down south Sir Alric Stanley, who caution did disdain
Toward Geshtai drove the Coranan, and plundered Tharda’s train
The garrison raged within Geshtai, against the Ninth Legion
But Stanley seized the battlements, the fortress he did win
While the Fifth Legion stormed Selvos Keep, and the aged Earl did flee
To nurse his power on Tesien’s marsh, his vengeance for to see
And the shattered troops of Tharda strove, to stay the Conqueror’s hand
But Marada’s men sacked Imrium, and cost Kronas’ command
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With sword and bow the screaming clans, put the Third Legion to flight
That summer’s day on Tesien Moor, was such a bloody sight
While Arren marched east to Shiran’s port, where treachery held sway
The gates unbarred before his host, they breached the walls that day
In the desperate streets of Shiran town, old fortune did turn cold
Those scheming vanquished senators, sold the city for Arren’s gold
His army now ten thousand strong, he was resolved to sweep
Across the land north of the Thard, seizing castle, manor and keep
And stole the march on Anaflas, to drive off that young prince
So in the woods of Ravinath, he crushed Heroth’s defense
King Arren entered Coranan, with Tharda at his feet
And the power was finally broken, of the grasping senate elite
Chorus
I’ll serve thee in such noble ways, was never heard before
I’ll crown and deck thee all with bays, and love thee more and more
A proclamation issued there, in the Palace of Red Domes
The capitol thereafter be, and his royal family’s throne
So the black and silver pennants then, swept southeast across the land
Until at Castle Moleryn, proud Kronas signed his hand
Earl Osric’s bold united force of Techen men took field
Against those desperate Selvos troops forsaken by the Checkered Shield
So it came to pass that Selvos’ might, was smashed on Tesien Moor
And the standard of old clan Chahryn, behold those fens no more
Chorus
Then noble queen Marada rode, down south to Moleryn
Was tasked to hold King Arren’s line, through all the conflict’s din
The new-crowned Haldan of Kaldor, resolved to intervene
Marched west with Vemion and young Dariune, to face King Arren’s queen
But Marada calling on her troops, her voice so strong and fair
Did urge them forth to follow her, and rally to her star-spun hair
That glorious queen of brave memory, did drive back Kaldor’s son
But fell herself in victory, in death her day was won
Chorus
The lesser man fears fate too much, or his deserts too small
That dares not put it too the touch, to gain or lose it all
So at Heroth, Quivum, and Ibinost, the royal standard shone
While Andasin clung to Dyrisa Keep, where he did reign alone
Converging on those Daenshire lands, where treasure could be found
The soldiers fought for bounty there, while Andasin fought for his crown
King Andasin fled from his castle strong, as Arren’s troops drew near
Scant refuge for this beaten king, no pity for Kanday here
Chorus
Kandaysian lands all wasted, King Arren resolved to press
While Lord Sarkum and Andasin, fled south toward Aleath
But the four long years of miracles, like a slowly setting sun
Were drawing to their final hour, when all he would do was done
When the haughty Kandaysian herald came, so insolent and vain
Delivered King Andasin’s gauntlet thrown, a duel on the Norea Plain
King Arren, scorning cautious lords, his eyes they did burn cold
To meet young Kanday’s impudence, for all his lands and gold
Chorus
III
The banners lined the frozen field, beneath midwinter’s sky
Their armor bright cast such a light, it fair dazzled the eye
The nobles fell into a hush, while rebels called and jeered
He mounted up in stately calm and sat quite unafeared
Spurring each their splendid steeds, these two kings did engage,
And breaking lance upon their shields, the rabble screamed with rage
With Kanday’s mount struck to the ground, they stalked that blood-stained sward
And shattering his rival’s shield, they clashed with deadly sword
Trading blow for fearsome blow, such royal blood did flow
And ruthlessly King Arren drove across that crimson snow
With ball and chain advancing now, he looked so grave and high
So noble was his manly frame, so clear his steadfast eye
Driving Andasin to his knees, he aimed his stroke the best
And though he slew with that cruel blow, the sword pierced Arren’s breast
King Arren’s arms raised o’er his head, clouds left the sky
In battle he had never stood more proudly than to die
The rebel rout forbore to shout, and each man held his breath
For well they knew a hero’s soul was face to face with death
Loving Tharda and his men, he faced his death that morn
A shudder ran across the sky, the work of death was done.
Chorus x2