The Bane of an

Yet from the gloom, a legend rose A band of soldiers grim Who braved the night, and laughed at Death And Fate's capricious whim The tones from the final verse dissipated throughout the crowded room leaving a cold, crisp silence like still mountain air just before the rise of the sun. Eyes expectant, all attention focused on the innkeeper. He took a long draught from his mug. He dragged his sleeve across his face. He stared out at his audience with cruel eyes and smiled a wicked smile before shattering their reserve in a voice like the distant echoes of an approaching storm.