The prince was on the battlefield with struggles of his own

the timing of the wave of demons chilled him to the bone

as if fate was working to prevent his slow advance

and in the chaos his friend had been caught up in a dance

From his mount he led his knights and heroes in defense

but he had caught a glimpse of something that made little sense

the very friend who’d given up on war just recently

was moving through the battlefield and killing gleefully

“Is that the man who looked me in the eyes and begged for peace

trying to convince me that this pointless war should cease

weakened so much by his mental anguish that he ran

where did that old coward go when this battle began”

No one heard the prince’s words as he looked on in awe

he questioned whether it was really his old friend he saw

he thought that without magic he could hardly be called strong

but it was clear to him that his assumptions had been wrong

Still it was not time to dwell on how well his friend fought

with some odd kind of swordsmanship that could never be taught

his army needed power to resist and then advance

and he could only spare his weakened friend a passing glance

The battle lasted many days after its sudden start

but many heroes soon entered the fray and did their part

warriors with magic, some who even wielded flame

no longer in the hero’s but the old emperor’s name

Once the northern army had retreated they could rest

the hero’s unit was content that it had passed the test

a few were injured in the fight, but no one dared to run

with such a mentor, their journey as soldiers had begun

As always after battle, time for song and drink would come

the hero’s unit all wondered where such a man came from

“where did you learn how to fight like that, you’re really strong

to think you were so natural a soldier all along”

“And didn’t you say something about not enjoying war

I don’t think that you can spout such nonsense anymore”

but now there was no trace of glee upon the hero’s face

the smile he wore in war had disappeared without a trace

“Speak no more of battle, we’re just lucky when it ends

you should think no less of enemies than your own friends”

his words made little sense to those who listened to him speak

but in the end they blamed it on a very tiring week

Later they retired, each to their own respective tent

but while they slept the hero thought about what his words meant

he felt he was a hero for the battles he had won

but how come he felt so unsatisfied when it was done

No answer came to him but as he watched the campfire die

a voice he knew rang out beneath the dark and starry sky

“you sure did look like you enjoyed yourself today my friend

did you come to feel the empire was yours to defend”

The prince sat down beside the hero and gave him a drink

the hero sighed and drank it, too exhausted now to think

“and you were quite a spectacle yourself your majesty

I’ve only ever seen a queen fight so relentlessly”

“I’m not sure what you’re thinking of, but this is now my role

I must play the part even without a hero’s soul

but I’ve been thinking about what you said to me that day

maybe there’s a chance to end this war a peaceful way”

The hero was surprised to hear the rugged prince concede

“but didn’t you say war was all the army here would need

honestly, I may have been naïve in what I said

these armies will not lay down arms til one of them is dead”

“You have slain the dragon though, and then the demon lord

they must know by now they’ve given all they can afford

but if there’s something out there, I could send an elite team

I cannot let some unknown threat impede our empire’s dream”

“All I know is there is evil lurking in those hills

evil that can resurrect the monsters that it kills

whether this war ends or not, you should send someone there

I would go, but as you know, my strength has gone somewhere”

The hero took another drink and laughed with a dry voice

“and who would do something as dangerous as that by choice”

the prince knew that the hero was exhausted and he sighed

but with that information he was more than satisfied

The prince stood up to leave his friend in peace to drink his wine

but just a final question for the hero would be fine

“you said this war was pointless but I saw the way you fight

is it war or peace in which you find the most delight”

The hero finished off another drank and wiped his lips

“war is war, no matter on the plains or pirate ships”

too drunk to make much sense of how he felt, he fell asleep

the prince looked down upon the man, defenceless as a sheep

He dragged him to a tent to keep him safer from the cold

trying to remember all the stories he had told

“I don’t know what’s happening inside your stubborn head

hopefully at least you find some peace while you’re in bed

He left and made his plans to find some heroes for a quest

confirming if the hero’s words were true was for the best

he would let no threat delay the peace which he longed for

the sleeping hero smiled as he began to dream of war

~