He was well received and would be more than fairly paid

the merchants hired the best so that they need not be afraid

they’d set off on their journey soon with wagons full of wares

to find a foreign market place and make its fortune theirs

The mercenary band initiated him with glee

something that he knew of from his time in piracy

they came at him with wooden swords to see what he could do

but one by one they questioned what they got themselves into

The merchants gathered round to see the reason for the noise

mercenaries shouting like excited little boys

starting with the weakest every member tried their hand

but in an hour he’d made it to the stronger of the band

The newest of the group was young but on a winning spree

then the merchants realized an opportunity

they started taking bets on who would win from passers by

and soon it was a tournament with tensions running high

By noon it was a festival and guests were pouring in

it didn’t take much longer for the profits to begin

the merchants didn’t even have to try to entertain

as long as the performance of the fighters didn’t wane

The new recruit was happy to oblige a challenger

whether mercenaries or a fellow traveler

many people came to spar with him just for the fun

but it was clear a healthy competition had begun

“You’ve got some beginner’s luck, I’ll put you in your place

let me wipe the smug expression of your hairless face”

some men were suspicious that the fights were being thrown

they were soon convinced though, with a beating of their own

Even several mages came to see with their own eyes

and came to fight the champion while wearing a disguise

posing as a swordsman they would join the fighters’ game

the cheating mages entered but the outcome was the same

With a spell they’d weaken him or break his wooden sword

but all their tricks and magic left the young man feeling bored

he felt like he was picking on a petty, desperate child

but still when he defeated them, the audience went wild

As the sun was setting on the mercenaries’ game

finally the leader of the mercenaries came

“the way you swing your sword is crude and stinks of piracy

did you hone your skills on helpless victims out at sea”

Suddenly the air around the new recruit was cold

the audience grew tense and wondered what would soon unfold

the merchants took a break from taking bets and backed away

suddenly the hecklers in the crowd had nought to say

The leader of the mercenaries drew a sword of steel

his junior formed a fiery blade whose heat the crowd could feel

the flaming sword was swung and though the audience was scared

it was soon revealed that the old leader was prepared

He had no problem parrying the young boys sword of fire

but still it wasn’t long before the veteran would tire

as the young man lost control and anger filled his eyes

the leader laughed and put away his sword to his surprise

“Welcome to our humble band of mercenaries, friend

I hope to see you fight again before our journey’s end”

the leader praised the boy, who slowly overcame his shame

embarrassed that he’d been provoked by such a simple claim

“Sorry for offending you, but you’re too fun to tease

many of us here were pirates, fight the way you please

just don’t scare the ladies, and we’ll get along just fine

now let’s see if you’re as strong against our cheapest wine”

The tournament was over and the champion declared

and for the shining star no single compliment was spared

songs were sung and drinks were drunk until the break of dawn

the merchants revelled in the crowd the new recruit had drawn

Later they approached him with a bag of gold to say

“we’ve yet to even leave and you’ve already earned your pay

here’s a bit of what we made as thanks for all you’ve done

the gold is rolling in and still the journey’s just begun”

Confident that they had paid the man what he was owed

it was time to pack their things and hit the open road

they bid the town farewell and with their spirits ever high

they set off on a journey to the land where treasures lie