He ran into the woods and hid among the ancient trees

  not even the sun could find him running like the breeze

  once again confronted by the choices that he’d made

  but surely any debts of his had long since been repaid

  “I guess the empire’s enemies have started to return

  but now is not the time for every enemy to burn”

  dreams of peace and war both fill the hero’s waking mind

  pulling at his heart, which felt like it would soon unwind

  He stopped catch his breath beside the entrance to a cave

  tired of running from the world he’d only fought to save

  “they just don’t understand the sacrifices heroes make

  who are they to judge me should I make a small mistake”

  He strained his ears but heard no sign of those who hunted him

  relaxing as their chances of locating him were slim

  he turned to look into the cave, and it was no surprise

  that in the shadows he could see a pair of smiling eyes

  There was a time when they struck fear into the hero’s heart

  but now he felt like they’d been with him from the very start

  maybe it was part of him, he never could be sure

  maybe it would wander off some time in the future

  He picked himself up off the ground determined to survive

  there was still a path ahead and somewhere he could thrive

  even if he tired from war he still was strong and proud

  and he could be a hero still, if ever fate allowed

  He walked along a river hoping he would find the sea

  thinking of a life of sailing free of piracy

  maybe if he sailed away beyond the lands he knew

  he could find a better place to start a life anew

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  He travelled through the woods along the peaceful riverside

  hoping it would lead him to the open ocean’s tide

  but after weeks of walking something caught the pilgrim’s ear

  a sound of swords and screams that filled the air with blood and fear

  He came upon a carriage under siege by evil men

  a scene of thieves and merchants he’d seen time and time again

  as he walked toward the bandits anger filled his mind

  how far would he have to walk to leave these things behind

  In a moment every bandit fell upon the ground

  the merchants only watched the bloody scene without a sound

  some ragged man came from the woods and slaughtered every thief

  his speed and skill to leave them all in utter disbelief

  As he stood among the bodies of the men he killed

  he knew his quest for blood and war had long since been fulfilled

  despite his strength returning, he felt heavy on his feet

  and found so little pleasure in his enemies’ defeat

  “Was I not a hero, or will I be one someday”

  he mumbled to himself before the merchants came his way

  he had no want for glory or a hero’s great reward

  the wondrous life that he had lived would never be restored

  He asked the merchants where he could find passage overseas

  and offered them protection in return for bread and cheese

  the grateful merchants gave their saviour food and some supplies

  and thanked the ragged man with shock and wonder in their eyes

  The pilgrim from the woods who sought the sea was well received

  as long as he escorted them, the merchants were relieved

  as luck would have it, they were also headed for the sea

  and offered him a place aboard their merchant ship for free

  Several times upon the road the pilgrim earned his pay

  fighting beasts and fearsome bandits every other day

  “It wasn’t always like this, once these roads were safe to walk

  the most you had to fear was tripping over some old rock”

  The merchants’ conversation sounded strange to their new guest

  he wasn’t sure when they spoke in sincerity or jest

  for all they said of the empire which he had helped to make

  was they were glad that it was gone for everybody’s sake

  “The battles were the least of it, the taxes were the worst

  they drank our profits up each year like they would die of thirst”

  “and with our mercenaries caught up in that horrid fight

  the monsters of the forest seemed to double every night”

  They asked him what he thought about the evil empire’s fall

  he answered that he didn’t know much anything at all

  they took his words to mean that like so many other men

  it hurt him to recall what the empire did to him then

  Passing for a victim of the war which he had made

  he paid for food and clothing with a dull and rusted blade

  when they got to town they cheered and gave him wine and gold

  and despite his pleading soon the stories had been told

  He recognized the town from when he was the empire’s knight

  and fearing recognition disappeared into the night

  the merchants were confused but he was nowhere to be found

  but this time he was faster than the rumours going round

  ~