Running like the wind he came upon a frightful scene

a merchant’s wagon under siege by goblins, big and green

the merchant’s arm was injured and his wagon was destroyed

the group of goblins screeched and swung their clubs as they enjoyed

Without a second thought the hero made a magic blade

a sword of fire appeared and soon the goblins were afraid

he swung the weapon once and all the goblins burnt away

the merchant cheered in disbelief, the boy had saved the day

“I don’t have much to thank you with, for saving me today

but I can be of service if you need a place to stay”

the merchant wasn’t rich but he was glad he wasn’t dead

“as long as you’re in town I’ll keep you warm and dry and fed”

It felt like it had been a lifetime since he had a friend

he’d been doubtful that his lonely life would ever end

the merchant introduced his wife and children, young and kind

and offered him the finest food and drink that he could find

The merchant introduced his saviour to the busy town

and offered him a job when all the parties settled down

“we’re in desperate need of noble men as strong as you

we’d love for you to help us if you’ve nothing else to do

Soon the boy would learn the town was different than it seemed

he’d crossed a bridge into a world of which he’d always dreamed

goblins and the like were common enemies to find

and magic wasn’t rare enough that anyone would mind

The merchant introduced him to a mercenary guild

where work could be acquired if the applicant was skilled

there he found a list of jobs that offered fair reward

jobs of varied difficulties posted on a board

If he wanted, he could escort merchants on the road

any trade he chose, he would be paid what he was owed

he wasn’t much inspired by the size of the reward

but wanted work where he could prove his value with a sword

He chose a quest which called upon a charitable soul

to aid a poor and humble doctor with a simple goal

he’d gather plants for medicine to make his patients well

deep within a forest where some giants often dwell

The guild arranged a meeting and the boy was thusly hired

the doctor was excited by the help that’d be acquired

he’d receive his payment when the mission was complete

a bonus paid if he could kill a giant that they meet

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He followed the old doctor through the hills and through the trees

assuring him that he could handle ten giants with ease

within a day they’d made their way to where a flower grew

but then they learned the rumours of a giant’s nest were true

The doctor found his flowers soon before the sun had set

but what he saw before him filled the doctor with regret

a giant made of rock and stone with eerie glowing eyes

but what should happen next would fill him further with surprise

The young man who he’d thought was somewhat weaker than a knight

waved his hands and cloaked himself within a fiery light

a flaming sword extended from his hand and then he said

“I’ll show you that a fire is meant for more than baking bread”

He flew toward the giant which let out a mighty roar

the doctor nearly fainted and was shaken to the core

the giant swung his arms about which caused the ground to shake

if it struck the fiery man, his bones would surely break

Shortly after thinking so, the doctor shook his head

for when the giant hit the man, the giant broke instead

the sword of fire came down and then the giant was destroyed

the doctor wasn’t sure what sort of monster he’d employed

Wary though he was of such an overwhelming power

he humbly thanked his hero as he put away his flower

the young man was content, for now his heart was full of pride

it wasn’t long before his stories travelled far and wide

People back in town were all excited by the tale

shouting that they’d pay him if his powers were for sale

children came and asked to see a fireworks display

and he became the centre of attention in a day

He conjured all the fire he could and shot it at the sky

then he made some ice and snow, that caught a mage’s eye

“you have skills beyond your years” his voice was soft but cold

“could it be that you can use the healing spells of old”

The mage requested that they meet together later on

and look into his magic, once the busy crowd had gone

so the young man met him in the forest where he dwelled

to further learn the nature of the powers that he held

The old mage called upon a man whose eyes were white as frost

“though this man survived the great war, both his eyes were lost”

the mage explained a little of how healing magic works

how, once mastered, healing magic could have many perks

He practiced both his fire and ice, then opened up his mind

wondering why hero’s would be made to heal the blind

sure enough he found the words to cast a certain spell

and from the old blind soldier’s eye, a joyful teardrop fell

Though he’d only healed one eye, he suddenly was tired

the veteran was sworn to secrecy and then retired

the mage explained that though he could use healing magic well

if used carelessly he’d soon become an empty shell

He told him not to use the healing magic til he’d grown

then one day he’d be the greatest mage the world had known

“thank you for your guidance but I’m not a mage or priest

with my fire I’ll cut through any goblin, orc, or beast”

Happy to rely upon the element of fire

with his skill he soon became a famous sword for hire

showing off his fiery magic any chance he got

never tired of the attention which his boasting brought

Soon he could afford the finest room in any inn

and every day he woke, a new adventure would begin

he earned his way escorting merchants through the mountain trails

saving them from monsters and then telling all his tales

Never even minding if the jobs he took could pay

living for adventure sake, enjoying every day

there was only one thing that he could complain about

often when he hunted monsters, they would soon run out

His reputation grew as fast as he could swing his sword

and soon he was a bodyguard that everyone adored

in town he wore the finest clothes that all his gold could buy

if his mood could still improve his head would hit the sky

Sleepless nights he spent with thoughts and memories of war

were easily forgotten when he swung his sword some more

to cut or burn a monster, who was evil to the bone

in all his years of fighting, no such pleasure had he known

For a while he lived in comfort in that busy town

where merchants, knights, and mercenaries never settled down

he learned a little magic from the wizard that he met

and trained his sword against his comrades, any chance he’d get

One day after he had been in town a year or more

he heard a call for warriors that he could not ignore

a lengthy expedition to a very distant land

an escort for some merchants in a mercenary band