Redemption

Redemption
By Joshua
4-19-2008

Cursed are they who betray all trust,
Their shields will break, their swords rust.
So did Karth live out his doomed life,
Clothed in black, his soul in chaotic strife.
Like a skull his face glared at the world,
His voice was ragged, his eyes hollow, hands gaunt and cold.
He sold his people, and therefore his soul,
And now until redeemed he pays his tragic toll.

But though his heart was cold as stone,
Love still rang a single hopeful tone.
And so in the forest near Martha’s house,
He stayed until, his anger arouse,
He would take up his great sharp sword,
To defend her against a dark horror.
And many a time she would find a bear or lion,
On the ground nearby, it’s blood not done drying.
But knew not she who had killed it,
Nor to whom she owed her debt.

Then, when war came to the land,
And the people could feel the King’s strict hand,
Four soldiers came upon Karth’s precious charge.
Four, dressed in the red of the Royal Guard.
And, running from their sadistic pleasure,
Into the forest through fern and heather,
Into the camp of Karth she stumbled,
And upon seeing him her senses crumbled.

And the Guard came hard upon her tread,
Seconds later all but one were dead.
And the last ran back to his camp,
And back his troops up and tramped,
To take revenge on their fallen comrade,
To have revenge on this terrible outrage.

But the rage of Karth was risen in full,
And his sword was blessed with Death’s wretched rule.
His eyes blazed bright and his teeth were bared cruel.
His claw-like hands grasped his mighty blade,
And the Guard’s blood ran red in the forest glade.

His skull-like face cast fear like a knife,
And many a Guard ran in fear of his life.
The terrible skirmish ran on for an hour,
And Karth’s sword arm still had all it’s power.
But blood ran from gashes and cuts on his chest and crown.
Blood filled his mouth and eyes as he fell to the ground.
And there he lay, until after a time he died.
With no one to watch, mourn or cry.

A warrior fallen twice was he,
But he stood again in brilliant glory.
For his appearance changed as he lay drowned in blood,
And it was washed away, as one might thick mud.
And Martha, as she knelt nearby,
Took one look, then laid back and cried.
For no longer lay there one of death and doom,
But one worthy of an Emperor’s royal tomb.

And so passed Karth, who lost all mankind’s esteem,
But through his own death, has been forever redeemed.