By Master Hector of the Black Height
I
Draw you closer, come
the nearer
Hear the tales now,
tell the story
Tell of David,
deer-shanked regent
Northern knight,
well-known and famed
Tell of valour, tell
of triumph
Tell of lovely lady
near him
Let Tangwystl's tales
ring also
Princess puissant,
gracious one
II
Forth they came that
fabled day
To a tourney long
expected
List of legend, arms
of valour
Sought to seize the
wolf's fair lair
Long the line of
heroes ventured
Seeking sight of
storied day
Talymar did view the
victor
Eliahu hastened North
Stood by sweet Queen
Ariake
And Tadashi, old
sea-otter
Watched the
granite-cleft come crashing
Watched Sir David
stand alone
Did declare him Prince
of Northlands
Raised his lady to
rare honour
First of foremost for
that land
III
Tell the story of
their travels
Strode the hills of
Skraeling Althing
Did declare their fine
cup-bearer
Sweet lady Sarra,
first of Otters
Gilded cup for golden
lady
Chosen champion of the
arts
Hear them named in
gracious Northwoods
White wolves there at
last revealed
Saw the deeds of
splendid valour
Comar's crowning did
inspire
Saw the Prince pluck
forth his champion
Kicked the glaive that
Cordigan caught
Slew the pair with
foot's fleet motion
Quick as Princess
conquered hearts
Heard the heads of
noble Midrealm
Call North jewel in
dragon crown
IV
Heard the howls from
Yngvar's fiefdom
Saw the two swords
draw the death-cuts
Left the field with
blood as fallow
Carbuncle-splatter on
green grass
Stood as Dag did join
the white wolf
Prince by Prince at
dragon list
Heard high herald,
Artair named
Cried the Southlands
for Sea's admiral
Padraig stood, his
steel at hand
Æthelmearc did all
then see him
Elder man of
Ealdormere
Saw the seats, serene
North's regents
One did blossom, bore
a rose
Hearts did melt before
mere flower
V
Hear the deeds of
noble white wolves
Knelt before King
Comar's throne
Doe's grace did
descend onto them
Heard the cheers of
their proud people
Then sought shelter at
the Melee
Meadow's murky nights
of song
There they did treat
with brave Thorgrim
Sang rare praises of
Rozakii
Gave them gifts of
arms and flowers
Earned their honour,
won their hearts
Praise for travel to
Pont d'Azur
Wild the whims of
David's Princess
Gone then to fair
Starleaf Gate
Not as conqueror, but
kind fellows
North wolves both, and
by all known
VI
Elspeth's play they
saw in Eoforwic
Heard the hammers of
the smiths
Saw the merchants,
sent stones slinging
Boarded boats that
first of times
Fled the South for
Flaming Skies
Led the search for
brave new lands
Sang sweet songs to
win new hearts
All the while the
war-fires kindled
Rumours rolled 'cross
Inland Sea
Told of tygers roaring
loudly
Dealing scorn on
dragon fine
Blazing brands set on
the skyline
Signals of sore times
to come
Heard the heralds cry
the great hall
War words whipped
across the woods
Saw the sea-side's
great old maple
Once more watched the
call fan forth
VII
Tell of wild wolves
and brave warriors
Drawn to Southland
sought by Kings
Tell of David,
deer-shanked regent
Fair foe-slayer, bane
in battle
And Tangwystl,
Princess proud
Ever at her husband's
side
Hear the tales of
triumphs won
Hear the baleful cries
of bloodshed
Hear the heroes names
be spoken
Count the cost of
glory done
VIII
Sailed the wolf fleet,
swift the longships
Prows set South,
crossed Inland Sea
Proud flotilla, course
fair reckoned
Aimed to beach in
Æthelmearc
Horizon hewn by pirate
raiders
Wily southmen,
windward wise
Sails cast wide,
carbuncles painted
Yngvar's fleet dared
come and close
IX
Shouted deer-shanked,
daring admiral
Told his crews off to
their boats
Dragonships and
doughty small craft
Met the pirates face
to face
Wolf-fleet met the Southron
menace
Longships lunged
'midst the line
Small boats bobbed
beyond the spear-kiss
Slipped inside to
blood the blades
Boots did crash aboard
decks foreign
Osis led wolves o'er
the side
Finnvarr sent ships
flying onward
Grappled with the
groaning timbers
Smote the Southron
like sad flowers
Harvest past, the
petals scattered
X
Cordigan, the crafty
champion
Met the might of
Æthelmearc
Drew he Gwailor,
Prince's great sword
Gregor's gift, as yet
blood-bare
Loosed the champion,
lopped heads flying
Falcon-keen the
flashing steel
Marshall strode the
decks, death-bringer
Salt-foam mixed with
ruddy froth
Slipped from seas the
winged serpent
Rozak warship, steered
to slaughter
Thorgrim, khagan,
crafty captain
Man of honour, lord
beloved
Set his standards on
the foe's deck
Rozakii rending
pirates proud
Padraig did his daring
deeds
Battle-joy did coax
his keening
Blade well blooded,
trophies taken
Well that day did
Southron see
Trinovantia's time of
triumph
Feared the fierce crew
of their ship
Smote they well the
Southron pirates
XI
Waves washed over
faces pale
Yngvar's ships, in sad
disorder
Limped away for
harbours loath
Sylvan sailors lost
and slain
Widows would their
weeping do
Wash the decks with
their salt-water
Offer orphans
bloodstained keepsakes
Southron sons to raise
new sails
Memories drear of day
unsettled
As Ealdormere did draw
to shore
Leapt from longships,
beached the boats
Gained the shore,
aground in far lands
Set to strike South,
Comar's will
XII
Came the armies, all
campaigning
Caravans all close
beside
Sentries set to sound
their calls
Northmen came South
for great Northman
Comar's levies in
their lines
Serving King at
Prince's call
Came the ladies, love
must follow
Servants to their
Princess sweet
Came they all to serve
and strengthen
Fireside smiles to
mask sweet sorrow
Proud their hearts,
but pained beside
Fearful for the dawn's
awakening
Blood-red sun o'er
sanguine fields
XIII
Came the nightfall,
called the Northmen
Wolves together, wild
and free
Faeringolds in
freehold open
Cheered the children
of the trillium
Sang the old songs,
told gay stories
Danced wild dances
just for joy
Welcomed all to feast
most fair
One last night of joy
and laughter
Time to treasure in
days ahead
Lucius led the welcome
chorus
Song well-met for
merry hearts
XIV
Dawn's approach
restored men's mettle
Women armed beside
bold men
All marched forward,
fair songs cheering
Mighty rank on noble
row
Scarlet banner borne
before
Closed the distance,
sought to conquer
Then to hurdle hundred
yards
Feathered shafts to
flay the Eastrealm
Batter bailey and high
wall
Lined archers, lords
and ladies
Drew the bow string,
set the trigger
Prods bent back, the
yew-staves straining
Prince and Princess in
the line
XV
Arlo sent his shafts
toward them
As did Alfred, wise in
years
Odd did watch the
fletching flashing
Saw the foeman flinch
and fall
Came Tangwystl to the
ramparts
Shot she six bolts
toward the tower
Saw six Eastmen fall
past merlons
Earned a kenning,
called far-striker
Red the soil around
sad keep
Hayley Green hied
arrows foe-wards
Ricard rent the
tyger's ranks
Ragnar stood in second
bow-line
Honoured Catherine,
let her forward
Reynard led the lines
full well
Wolves fangs flying,
shafts sent sunward
At behest of Dragon
bold
Honoured be the
hundred archers
Cleft the clouds at
Comar's call
XVI
Sortied squires and
men at arms
Challenged champions
'neath the walls
Stood the wild wolves
with proud dragons
Ceallach honed his
axe, shield-splitter
Crooned the Gregor's
battle-keen
Sworn to bear
Tangwystl's baldric
Bodyguard to trillium's
blossom
Taymar stood, marine
'midst landsmen
Wolf set baying by the
blood-scent
Garth did fearless
face the sortie
As did Aeden, laughing
greybeard
'Neath the gaze of
North's true monarch
Once again would
Gwailor gleam
In the hands of canny
Cordigan
David's chosen,
Northern champion
Close beside the
rugged Raasey
Sylard's skillful
shield-companion
Captain of the clans'
broad shields
XVII
Surged sides together
wildly
Beside the tower,
arrow-torn
Met two bands of
brothers beltless
Hard beside the sick
and slain
Green grass red with
broadhead's blood-prize
Gore-slicked boots of
bonny fighters
Fallen foes last dour
defiance
In the blood of
battered Southron
Wolves did howl their
wild lament
Surged the Southron,
swept the North's line
Wolf-pack parted,
wolves too few
Fell too many, finest
gone
Wounds did take their
toll most dear
Comar's chosen met
their moment
Saw the sanguine
curtain fall
Last of all was lonely
Eadgar
Saw his
steel-companions stilled
Stood the taller,
struck the firmer
Last to fall, the
brave wolf-fighter
Sold his life and
saved North's honour
Many did his praises
hear
From the lips of
battered foes
Came the keening of
our women
Gathered up the grimly
slain
Carried off King
Comar's pride
Loud Queen Lisa's
lamentations
Some were swooned from
wounds and buffets
They would stand again
that day
Some were wept o'er,
washed with sorrow
Fallen in those far,
grim fields
XVIII
Forth went knights who
well knew battle
Sworn to slay their
liege-lord's foe
In those ranks stood
North's proud regent
Parfait knight, his
lady's pride
Closed the dragon with
the tyger
Wolf-fangs snapping
firm on flesh
David did his glaive
wield fiercely
Took fine trophies,
belts of white
Comar's champions
could not vanquish
Once again the tide
did turn
Fell first one, and
then another
Stalwarts of the
ill-starred King
Comar's pack cast
down, though costly
Midrealm's price dear
paid in blood
Last to stand beneath
King's banner
Were proud Palymar,
brock of Southland
Of the line that
spawned the trillium
Beside brave Moonwulf,
wild war-singer
Legend-maker, proud
last ranger
And with them, his
glaive star-gleaming
Stood braw David,
polearm singing
Prince between this
storied pair
Having slain his
Southron equal
And the father fast
struck down
Stood North's regent,
deer-shanked David
One against attacking
three
Stood 'midst Palymar
and Moonwulf
Lofty men, to make new
legends
As they faced East,
and fell
XIX
Raced forward did
retainers
Bore the North-wolf to
his bed
There Tamarra tended
softly
Nursed his wounds and
wiped his brow
As his lady wept,
heart heavy
For the Prince did
bear wounds bloody
Yet his heart, for
love of lady
And for duty's burthen
dear
Roared like
North-wind, battle ready
Gave him mettle, met
his will's end
Bound and bandaged he
did rise
Clad in armour, called
his guards forth
Bade them bear him to
the battle
For the foe was on the
field
XX
Rank on rank the
shields assembled
File on file the
spears stood to
Raised again the
scarlet standard
Trefoil flower waved
again
Poised beside the gold
and purple
Calontir came to their
side
Whipped to wildness by
the war-songs
Did two races reach
the field
Shared the songs of
North and Southlands
Verse and verse their
voices raised
Led by mighty Moor
Tomeeki
First of falcons,
Saracen sage
Queen Fiona close
beside him,
Clad in cuirass and in
plate
Standing in the
shieldwall storied
At the head of
huscarls grim
Falcons flew to field
of slaughter
Wolves beside them,
baying loud
Seen by tyger, caused
it tremble
Two blood allies, bred
to fight
Standing side by side
once more
Fell into the lines of
fables
Saw the dragon's pride
sweep hence
Watched the left flank
leap cross war-field
Swept the wing, and
war began
XXI
There stood David,
drearily wounded
Formed his guards,
grim-sworn to die
Followed regent fleet
of foot
Told to tarry Eastern
shields
Early did foe meet
Ealdormere
Their North Army met
true Northmen
Sought a Prince
slipped through the line
Brunt well borne by
scarlet shieldmen
Aeden stood the test
right truly
Grimwulf gave the line
its anchor
Tarver let his gyns go
silent
Slew with blade, not
with ballista
Routledge stood his
rank in battle
Rory's drum did fill
the din
Thorgrim's clans did
stand and die
Serpent's hiss did
split the foemen
Bought time for the
Falcon's square
Cennedi supped on
sweet conquest
Won his nickname, the
Duke-slayer
Left sad Sheridan in
the dust
Stood beside them
brave Bjarki
Seven years his spear
sipped blood
Seven years hied he
with Eastrealm
Honour called, he
answered well
Eight times did his
honour beckon
Eight times did he
face a foe
Eighth time stood he
'midst the Midrealm
Torn from East by
sweet Tangwystl
Honour called, but
heart cried louder
Supped his spear
beside wolves, kin
XXII
Then did David slip
line's shackles
Flew towards flanks,
and danced his dance
Formed his guardsmen,
gathered shield-friends
Menaced many an
Eastern flank
Set the tyger wildly
scurrying
Made a maelstrom on
the field
Drew attention from
dear allies
Adrielle bold banner
waved
Ieuen's own pride,
brave standard-bearer
Tiberius bode as
David's buckler
Sing the tales of
David's shield
Feared no foe, feared
but for David
Stood odds awesome,
hero honoured
Watched all woeful
fall of Mongol
Tai Chen Wu did tumble
earthward
Chamberlain of dear
domain
Feared as fighter,
wild with prowess
Struck down like
Achilles ancient
Felled by foot-smite
of opponent
Slain before his song
began
No fair swing could
fell such valour
Treachery must take
its toll
Bought his
blood-price, drew his death-fee
Left in weeds an
Eastern widow
Long did women weep
that fore-noon
Mongol mourned as
wasted life
Stood beside our
Prince bold Baldric
Seven swans his fabled
charge
Chased the chosen
Northern Regent
Stood as shield in
guard's stout wall
There stood Princess'
sweet sword-wielder
Bess the bold,
Tangwystl's own
Swung her sword in
strokes of beauty
Slew as trillium's
petal proud
Also stood the maid
Madinia
Princess' lady,
Prince's reaper
Followed she her
Prince, as proper
Servant to her
mistress' man
Danced did David, led
the tyger
Steered them clear of
Calontir
Cordigan did flay his
foemen
Met the motley
tyger-whelps
XXIII
Then came time of
bloody trial
Dancing ceased, drear
contest come
Broke the guard away
beside him
Save Tiberius,
Prince's shield arm
Stood rare Rozak with
the white wolf
Saw his banner
flutter, fallen
Pushed ahead did
doughty David
Wild with frenzy on
the field
Six men grasped grim
Prince's banner
David struck at six,
alone
Three did David's
buckler batter
Tiberius torn from
him, hard pressed
David rained his
rugged sword-blows
Struck he was in
gallant struggle
Felled again by foes'
fair fighting
Twice now fallen, sank
in swoon
Left alone, his banner
lost
Brought at last Prince
back to senses
Rose past piles of
shattered men
Found around him fell
his banner
Tribute left by
tyger's own
Stumbled David, weak
and weary
Found he lady there to
look
Brought her banner,
won through glory
Ringed were they by
guardsmen rare
None would gaze upon
great lovers
Turned all outwards,
tears free-flowing
None may know what
passed in circle
Came men from
Confederation
Joined the circle,
five feared foemen
Elders honoured, gazed
to groundward
Praised our Prince and
Princess dear
XXIV
Then the tyger, trim
and hungry
Scattered scaly
dragon's men
Wandered David and his
dear ones
Into forest, field and
glade
Calontir did grasp the
high ground
David did his arms
assemble
Sworn again to save
Tomeeki
Bought the banner time
to fly
David did his guard
then gather
Elizabeth did eager
stand
Came the foeman, hot
and harried
Dusted by the dirty
fields
Crouched on hill crest
were the wolfpack
Finnvarr faced them
with the line
Lanced with Aeden,
laughing greybeard
Commanders canny on
the hill
Fell upon the famished
tyger
Struck their column,
keened in triumph
Then withdrew, whipped
line together
Threw them once more,
at the flank
Keen command of ragged
war-band
Never has such noble
deed
Rang in saga and in
story
Twice fought fighters,
bought in blood
Tell of Terrance, sing
of Skraelings
Redcoats rugged,
feared of foemen
Twice they did the
blood-price buy
XXV
David led the gallant
guardsmen
Harried he the tyger's
columns
Buying time Tomeeki
sought
Fell the banner, fell
fair falcons
Scattered wolves into
the woods
Ran the race again
with David
Fleet of foot and
stout of heart
Osis stood beside the
Prince
Maximilian, woodsman,
wolf's-eye
Sweet the blows he
threw before
Scouted swiftly for
Prince David
Sought the truth,
clear situation
Hied in haste to say
his rede
Ran like lope of
lonely wolf-pup
Skirted foes and
scouted well
David did companions
gather
Once more did he dare
to dance
Struck the column,
sent men crashing
Tried they truly,
still they fell
Feared foe-slayer bit
with broadsword
Ran them ragged
through the brush
Elizabeth did fling
wounds from her
Pain denied, prowess
bold
Gathered guards as
Princess' champion
Took command as
consort's sword
Led the line back to
the battle
From the front she
faced the foe
Grouped with Gunnar,
sage Norselander
Viking honoured,
vision fierce
Led the line once more
with laughter
Songs Bess sang, all
followed true
Swung away from paltry
sallies
Saw the banner, sought
King's prize
XXVI
Charged the
hill-slope, hied to battle
Faced house
Bloodguard, brave East shieldmen
Northern line did lash
and strike
Bore the baldric
Anthea gave
Struck the East with
wolves' wild strength
Sang the foes praise
for the battle
Pressed them back,
bore well the fighting
Fey Cospatric fell,
wounds forward
Tore the line, then
Tuchux charged
Wild the frenzy of
weird allies
Clan-cries rang, as
gaps they found
Saw the tyger's column
tremble
Wolf and clansman
gained the crest
Dag did see the
Ealdormerans
Watched the wolves and
marveled more
Then the battle's din
drew silent
Banner trapped, time
run fast out
Eastrealm did retire
as vanquished
There did foemen,
armed and honoured
Leave behind the prize
long sought
Banner taken, but
returned
Trapped by wolves'
blood, time well bought
XXVII
Trekked back to the
draw-bridge fighting
Marched MacQueen midst
Northern men
Ladies there bore
beverage well
Wended Walays through
the wolf-press
Drink delivered to her
Princess
Slaked the thirst of
bonny David
Served them well she
did that day
Likewise did Vittoria
duty
As she had done days
before
She and Edward, eager
helper
Served the Coronet so
well
Scribes and servants,
ever working
Averylle, sweet
Coronet's comfort
Whispered words to
soothe Tangwystl
Heard all there the
sweet harp music
Rose Rhiannon to her
laurels
Cast sweet spell o'er
all who heard
There keened Katerina,
heart-broke
Felt for fallen pangs
of loss
Like the Pelican,
breast bloody
She who nursed the
noble Northrealm
Came to camp of bold
Melita
Greystanes' father,
Giacomo
Heard glad tidings of
sons' safety
Christopher still hale
and whole
Slew he several, did
Doge honour
Sweet Francesca and
dear daughter
Fed the fighters once
again
Ivarr banked the
blazing cookfires
Frezenghelli fed them
all
XXVIII
Then came time to
storm the castle
Came the time to cross
to keep
Pushed the fords and
filled the bridges
Forward now to face
East's might
Surged King Comar's
subjects forward
Strove to seize the
fords and spans
There was King's great
keep assembled
Frederick, servant fine
did work
Served his Prince and
served King Comar
Shadowdancers at his
side
Scouts became as
gallant sappers
Ericson did every task
In drear combat made a
curtain
As the Dragon King
designed
XXIX
Banks soon bloody,
ravens feasting
Fallen floating in the
moat
Drowned was Rory,
grand duke-slayer
Gallant leap made,
lost from bridge
Bess did bear the
brunt as leader
Raasey stood close to
her side
Kaffa did the spear
point blood-slake
Shared with husband,
greybeard bold
Edmond faced the foe
with valour
Nott did stand and
never falter
Ælfwyne did as duty
bade him
Left the East lines,
heart his honour
Finnvarr forced a few
to fall
Hero's bridge renamed
for Northmen
Long will legends sing
that time
Gallant Bess heard
King's command
Stood in place, her
honour foremost
Others might make wild
attackers
Wolves do fight in
packs aye proud
David slew foes
standing foremost
Glaive did give out
mighty blows
Then the press did
close 'round white wolf
Trapped by friends,
his freedom lost
Could not move as
spear-point pierced him
Gallant Prince did
swoon and slip
Thrice had wolf blood
run in ribbons
Thrice did David feel
his wounds
XXX
David could not count
the triumph
Could not hear the
cries of joy
Missed the mass as it
went charging
Took the tyger's
battered tower
There fought Roak of
Rozakii
Grimwulf too, they
gathered flags
Two together stormed
the bailey
Edmond spurred the
swordsmen on
Fell the banner by
broad bridges
Roak seized standard
proud
Thorgrim's men once
more did duty
Proud the serpent's
mighty sting
Bridges fallen, fords
dead-choked
Yet not triumph, cost
to tell
XXXI
Bore they David to his
sick bed
Christian carried him
away
Comar's squire, his
heart bought over
Trapped by sweet
Tangwystl's gaze
Princess' tears once
more fell freely
All did mourn the
mighty Prince
Comar did bring Queen
to tend him
Lisa did do what she
could
Yet there was no
knowledge useful
No sweet succor, no
revival
Comar quit the costly
field
Sent his army slowly
homeward
Mourning for a mighty
Prince
XXXII
He was stilled, but
not yet slain
For the heart that
beat within him
Like a legend, cannot
die
He was not the Prince
of people
His was not a reign
o'er race
His heart spanned the
snowy Northlands
He had grasped the
great Wolf's powers
Bore they North sole
sleeping warrior
Bore his sick-bed to
the shore
Sailed him, admiral,
o'er his searealm
Now he rests beside
the breakers
Hied to hall by Inland
Sea
There sweet lady lies
beside him
Tangwystl let her
heart sleep too
Never has such love
been seen
Never will her heart
be stilled
There she rests, waits
time and tide
When the North may
once more need them
He will wake then, at
her side
So the North stands,
wolves all-puissant
Long the legends, foes
great fear
Rue the day of David's
wakening
Wolves will pack in
Ealdormere
Waeshael the North,
still strong and free
Waeshael white wolves,
all glory be
XXXIII
Here ends a tale told
for delight
The North lives on;
let wolf fangs bite(copyright Arthur McLean 1991-2000)
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