A merchant came to find the mercenary right away
“come with me now, hurry, I’ll explain along the way”
near the inn where they had stayed for several quiet nights
the hero saw just up the road an army full of knights
All in shining armour, like the mighty steeds they rode
guarding one grand royal carriage there upon the road
“listen son, the news about your strength has reached the queen
better you cooperate, if you know what I mean”
The merchant’s face was pale and he was visibly upset
up til then he’d never seen the crafty merchant sweat
the hero was escorted by a scary looking knight
and led into a building where a mage provided light
They sat him in a chair between two knights with long swords drawn
ready to attack if they had cause to act upon
they told him not to speak unless her highness granted leave
and if he disobeyed he would be killed without reprieve
The hero kept his wits about him, following their lead
as he read the air the hero nodded and agreed
then the knights announced the honoured entrance of their queen
and though he was prepared, it was an overwhelming scene
The queen was not a dainty figure, nor was she unkempt
her aura was a warriors’ her face full of contempt
she wore a suit of armour full of gems and made of gold
radiating magic that was awesome to behold
The knights were clearly weakened by the power of the queen
but this was not the greatest power he had ever seen
the hero smiled and looked at her with unaffected eyes
wondering if she were just a soldier in disguise
“I can see that everything they say of you is true
as your queen I’ve had a royal charge prepared for you
you shall be a knight of mine until the day you die
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we shall bleed our enemies until their blood runs dry”
Her vivid speech continued and he listened with intent
trying to discern exactly what her words had meant
she wasn’t like the kindly king, who once had spared his life
her husband died in battle, but he left a tyrant wife
The queen explained that now her kingdom found itself at war
though they had a fearsome army, they had need of more
recently an ancient empire somewhere farther north
invaded with disasters which their mages could call forth
Then she took a box from one knight standing at her side
and carefully removed the item neatly kept inside
“this will make you even stronger than your wildest dreams
put it on your neck and let your power reach extremes”
The hero just assumed that it was jewelry with a charm
and didn’t think the queen would try to do him any harm
he put it on and right away he knew that he was wrong
it bent his mind to serve her, and its magic was too strong
He felt betrayed at first but then he started feeling good
thinking that he’d like to serve her any way he could
he bowed to her in gratitude for giving him his quest
asking that she quickly put his powers to the test
“We must now unite our enemies beneath my rule
and build a worthy army where you’ll be the crowning jewel”
suddenly she gestured to a knight from where she sat
“let me introduce you to my charming, useless brat”
Another figure then appeared swiftly at the door
a handsome man in fine attire which only princes wore
“hello brave young knight, I am a general by trade
let me just congratulate you on the choice you’ve made”
The prince was far from strong but he was flawless in his speech
the hero understood how far such fancy words could reach
the prince explained the nature of the armies that he led
then humbly bowed and left the room when all was clearly said
The queen arose and nodded at the hero sitting still
who’d finally responded to her domineering will
“tomorrow we depart, so pack your things without delay
we’ve already bought you from those merchants anyway”
The queen had judged his powers to be worthy of regard
so he became a member of the queen’s own royal guard
she told him to prepare for when her knights would come to call
moving his intentions like a child could move a doll
As the queen was leaving he then followed close behind
longing for to serve her with his body, soul, and mind
the queen then joined her son upon the carriage right outside
and when the carriage doors were opened, he could see inside
There beside the prince he saw a girl with emerald eyes
suddenly he felt his stomach filled with butterflies
a guard beside him noticed what he happened to have seen
“that’s the eldest princess, heir to our exalted queen”
Only for a moment did he catch her eyes and then
the carriage door was closed and it was on its way again
the hero stood a moment with an awkward looking grin
but soon a knight escorted him back to the local inn
Presumably to keep him from escaping in the night
the whole block was engulfed in some old mage’s magic light
looking from the window of the inn down to the street
all he saw were royal knights he thought he’d like to meet
He packed his things and went to bed then closed his eyes to sleep
for when the morning came he had a schedule to keep
he fell asleep content that he’d achieved his dreams and more
wondering what he’d even need to dream of anymore