The pirate ship became a scene of chaos suddenly

at once they all attacked the stowaway mercilessly

the stowaway was wondering if how he swung his sword

was like a hero in the songs that he had once adored

But on the pirate ship, he found no joy within the fight

he only wanted to protect his vessel from its plight

he barely gave a thought to those before him as they died

no one reached the stowaway, no matter how they tried

Soon the pirates knew they had no chance of victory

the pirates who were still alive surrendered quietly

from the ship the crew recovered hostages and gold

the merchants filled their pockets up with all that they could hold

No one held a grudge against the secret stowaway

they offered him some gold and slaves because he saved the day

he graciously declined but asked for secrecy instead

along with something cold to drink, and maybe cheese and bread

The captain held a banquet for their hero stowaway

crewmen drank and sang their songs of heroes through the day

then the captain said he’d introduce him to his boss

the merchant who employed the ship and would’ve suffered loss

The captain led the hero after taking one last sip

to introduce him to the man who hired the merchant ship

the captain knocked upon a door and showed his friend inside

the hero thought he may as well say thank you for the ride

Sat upon a fancy chair a man with sharp blue eyes

looked upon the stowaway and stifled his surprise

the merchant bid the captain leave the two to speak alone

the stowaway then spoke with an enthusiastic tone

“Don’t you think you’ve seen enough of pirates my old friend

you’ve only one more leg no matter how much gold you spend”

the merchant with one leg of wood, but clothes adorned with gold

slowly rose and smiled a smile that chased away the cold

“Didn’t I assure you that we hadn’t met our end

as long as we’ve a little luck, or one unlucky friend”

the pilgrim felt nostalgic, almost dumb with disbelief

for too long he’d felt nothing but confusion, pain, and grief

The merchant told the pilgrim of his business and success

but hearing all the pilgrim’s tales had cause him some distress

he offered him some wine and then they spoke into the night

trading tales of all they’d seen and done by candle light

“Now I’ve lived so long I thought that it would be a waste

not to have one last adventure, like the one we chased

but though you’ve seen a lifetime’s worth of suffering and pain

you’re too young for memories to hold you like a chain

I hired this ship to take me home, I thought it would be nice

to say one last goodbye before I go to paradise

let me buy you passage to a place that’s far away

where you’ll be safe and out of trouble, til your dying day”

The pilgrim hadn’t felt so blessed in many lonely years

he took the merchant’s offer then and thanked him through his tears

their conversations lasted til the voyage was complete

knowing this would be the very last time they would meet

The merchant gave him news about the world he’d left behind

rumours of the hero’s evil deeds weren’t hard to find

the evil empire’s rise and fall and all the death and war

blamed upon the very hero they had loved before

The merchant gave his friend some gold to see him safely on

advising him to travel fast and light from dusk til dawn

until he reached a place so far away that he’d be free

from any grudges bourn by any friend or enemy

“My friend, I’m glad I had the chance to know your story well

you’ll always be the hero in the stories that I tell

go forth and find adventure and leave all regrets behind

rest your weathered body and relax your weary mind”

~