Baron Edwards Takes the Line

From Barony of the Cleftlands
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Nikolai Grigorevich Petrov was charged by Baroness Milesent Vibert to create a poem, song or verse about Cleftlands History and present it at Northern Oaken War Maneuvers 2008 XII.

At Baron Wars, a sunny day
When two armies met, each to pay
The wages of honor to their King,
Death to the other they hoped to bring.

Amidst the host, a seasoned lot
Swords and spears and bows well shot.
Nebuly white and blue they bore,
Cleflands their name, and this they swore:

To meet foeman and pierce their sides,
Brothers in arms, one battle cry
Like a rain of fiercest fire,
None dare invoke their mighty ire.

These warriors were heroes all,
But one of note, heeds the call.
The King's burden he does carry,
The man known as Brackenburye.

Baron Edward! Of him I speak
But not for glory did he seek
In Red Spears' battle on the day,
But glory found him, anyway.

The fights began upon the field
Neither side willing to yield.
Both had ranks of fighters bold
The kind of which tales are told.

In the midst of battle's zeal,
Cleftlands stood strong, hearts of steel
Badly outnumbered on all sides
Stoutly they fought--then all died.

But as is our glorious way
The dead all rose again to say
"The next battle will soon begin
And over the bridges we will win!"

After two bridges, all there knew
That prediction did not ring true,
Beaten back by numbers and skill,
Cleftlands was but grist for the mill.

And then the third bridge, it the last
The day's combat nearly past. 
Once again starting trumpet called,
Both sides charged forth, but midway stalled.

The dead piled up, marshals called hold.
Many brave lives were dearly sold. 
Combat was about to resume
As for the Cleftlands, they seemed doomed.

Just a few shields, against a hoard
Dealing death with bloodied swords 
But then, a ray of sun did shine
As Baron Edward took the line.

One shield and he, all that was left,
Of backing forces they were bereft
Foes drew near to kill the last man,
But Edward's blade had other plans.

Baronial hands held the sword,
His own safety he ignored.
As he struck both left and right
Enemy paled before such might!

Killing blows fell like rain
His bastard sword brought the pain!
Endless strikes were sure and strong
He cleaved a path through the throng

Edward charged to push his attack,
The enemy line took a step back!
But a sad fact I must confide
One man alone can't stop the tide.

Edward fought like a man possessed,
His foes put through a bloody test,
Truly he had given them hell
But the Baron, and the bridge, finally fell.

And with that, my tale is complete.
I ask you now to leave your seats.
Charge your mugs with mead or wine
A toast! To Baron Edward! Who held the line!