He rode all night toward the coast

Like some dark and vengeful ghost

The stars were his guide; the moon illumed his path

No one had tried to bar his way

If any did, they’d rue the day

And be consumed by the fire of the Hero’s wrath

A week later, he reached the sea

And the town of Neptali

Its streets and gutters often ran with blood and gore

Pirates and smugglers used her bay

Thieves and cutthroats worked night and day

The tavern where they schemed was called the ‘Golden Boar

The buxom maids with full, red lips

And saucy wenches with lusty hips

Served more than mugs of ale and shepherd’s stew

One could buy their company

Your satisfaction they’d guarantee

Their reputation had been spread from crew to crew

It was here the Hero ate

And though he had arrived quite late

It was alive with noisy songs and drunken shouts

He found a table and a chair

A serving maid with flaming hair

Offered ale with a smile that offered little doubt

The strong drink washed down the dust

Food and rest was now a must

From the innkeeper information he hoped to glean

The Hero’s gold would loose his tongue

To tell what news the sea had brung

It might help him find the girl the mage had seen

While he was eating, trouble began

When a big, burly bear of a man

Gave the Hero a look he quickly recognized

The man was spoiling for a fight

His bullying would end this night

By everyone this pirate was very much despised

The brigand spoke as he drew near

Loud enough for all to hear:

“I smell the stench of a northern barbarian!

Tell me dog, what is your name?

I’ll send you back from whence you came!”

The Hero stood and said, “I’m a Cimmerian.”

“And I have killed a hundred knaves

For fewer words than what you gave.

Leave me alone or you will find I am your death”

The pirate gave him a shocked look

And with rage his body shook

In anticipation everyone sat with bated breath

“You mangy cur!” yelled the brigand

then for his sword he reached a hand

he would cleave this barbarian from stem to stern

before a stroke the man could take

the Hero’s fist caused bones to break

a fatal lesson the pirate would not live to learn

the Hero turned and then sat down

the news spread swiftly through the town

of how Taurus had his jaw and thick neck broke

the Hero gained many a friend

on him a new name they now pinned

‘Iron Hand’ was the man of which the whole town spoke

Everyone now talked freely

Of news brought back from the sea

He hoped soon would give him something he could use

Then one day in sailed a ship

Returning from an Eastern trip

That provided him with some very important clues

They had news of a strange isle

Where they had anchored for a while

And met people of an ancient warrior race

The men were strong, the maiden fair

But there was one woman there

Being held captive in some evil, secret place

Guarded by a fearsome beast

A Khitain dragon of the east

She was to be sacrificed on the ‘Altar of the Moon’

“It must be her”, the Hero thought

“The woman that for weeks I’ve sought

to save her, I will have to get there soon!”

he told all who heard this tale

to the island he must sail

a ship and buccaneers he was hoping could be hired

“I’ve plenty gold to pay the best

men, who will join me on this quest”

mention gold and the pirates’ lust was quickly fired

the Hero’s prowess was widely known

his ‘Iron Hands’ that could crush bones

made him a leader men would loyally fight for

choosing the crew to make the trip

he needed the Captain of the ship

who had sailed to that island’s distant shore

The Gods must favor the Hero

His good fortune seemed to grow

For he found the Captain was expecting him

His name was Donnal, of Ireland

“My ship is yours now to command

as is my crew, your legend has made slaves of them”

The Hero’s quest was near its end

And his fate would now depend

Upon a woman he must find someway to save

He’d conquer evil’s awesome might

Or die, though not without a fight

Many foes he’d take with him to his dark grave

Working the men around the clock

With provisions the ship was stocked

So that by dawn the ship could finally depart

Known to his men as “Iron Hand’

He told them how this quest began

How a glass chest was made a prison for his heart

The ship was given a new name

No longer ‘Donnal’s Naughty Dame’

‘Avenging Eagle’ was now the bird that ruled the sea

but first victory they must find

if fame’s light was going to shine

or dead and forgotten is all they would ever be.

Copyright ©2004 Anthony Hall