The angel on the mound

Fear me not. Twas to me the word spoken in the twilight, I looked to where it came. Twas I that looked, before me the mound, on the ground lay a shadow of a lady fare, but no one stud above it. Twas my hand gave my heart a combing. Twas my body gave way to fear, but only for a moment, then wonder grasped my mind. Should I speak, no listen; no speak. Twas me I said is some one there? Twas to the ground I glanced I saw. Encircled me, the mound. Twas there I saw, a glowing light and amber mist. Twas from a far my courage came. Twas I that muttered once again who spoke to, finish, I could not. Twas then the word came back. Fear me not, for I have a message. Twas then the silence fell again. Twas to the mound I looked with astonished eye. Twas on the mound what did appear, but a lady fare. On her shoulder golden curl. Twas then I saw her face, oh, her face. Twas me to my knees did drop. Twas to her I said, speak once more, the message I await. Twas her with eye so green my way did look, her voice all comb. Your master tell come forth must he, to the angel on the mound, with fading breath was gone.1

Twas me to the master house did run. I knocked: I entered. Twas the master there, in crimson rob he stud tall with hair of black; upon his chest his beard did reach. You came for what, my time to steal. Twas again for me, to my knees did drop, up stretched arms, hands in clasp.2

Twas me I said master, oh master she came, twas her the lady fare at the mound she was. What lady? What mound? What babble! To you be gone from here. Twas me I said but master a message she has. The mound upon she stood, an angel. Wait, what you said. Were there the angel on the mound, for me a message told. Twas me I said not told to me. Twas to me she said, for you she waits upon the mound a message for you she has. My horse, make ready my horse; to the mound I must go in haste.3

Twas on the road it stood. The morn a chill, twas great and tall, three heads upon it frame. Twas two hours from the master’s house we left. Twas the master road his horse of white. Twas on a donkeys back I sat. Twas I from chill a blanket drew. Twas then the breath of the dragon came. Twas hot the flame and his eye glowed black like coal. Twas a screaming roar was heard. Twas arched the dragons back. Twas then the master drew his sword. Twas in fear I looked upon the seen. Twas then suddenly, quiet fell, the dragon upon the master looked, then spoke. Go the no further. Twas quiet fell again. Twas then the master took to speech. Aside you will stand for it is a quest I’m on. Time I have not to waste on dragon tales. Then through me you must go. I will not stand aside. Twas fear returned to me. Twas what was now not for me to watch. Twas me my head did bury. Twas the screaming roar heard again. Twas the sound of battles too my ear came next. Twas then the quiet came once more. Twas me I looked upon the seen. Twas the dragon lie there in his own defeat. Twas now forward we were to go. Twas the mound where we must reach. Twas the angel there await.4

Twas the mound that came to light, sat there empty no one in sight. Twas then I saw the shadow fall. Twas upon the ground the shadow fell as before it did, I saw. Twas me I said, twas the master listened. Twas to the ground your eyes must drift. Twas me I said, oh master there behold the shadow of witch I told. Twas the master said.5

Be quiet here you must, for the angel will appear. Twas with widened eye I looked, twas again the mound there empty. Twas I that said, but master there be. Twas now again I could not finish. Twas the glow returned with the amber mist as before I saw.6

Twas then again the silence came. Twas the master fell on knee this time. Twas me that followed the masters lead. Twas to the mound now our eyes did gaze. Twas the angel standing there. Twas the master first to speak. A message for me you have. Twas then the thunder lowed. Twas me I saw the sky a light. Twas then the silence came once more. Twas the angel now did speak. I have come to speak these wards. The message I will tell. There is a dragon in your world. Three heads upon his frame, alive this dragon must remain. Twas me now all in fear I was. Twas the master in quiet ponder. Twas then the angel spoke once more. If so this beast does parish all your world is lost. Go thee forth protect it.7

Twas the master spoke once more, twas a tear fell to his cheek. Twas then master said in tones of grey, then already I have failed, by my hand; my sword did kill this dragon of witch you speak. Twas not as soon the master spoke the thunder lowed again. Twas the sky alight with steaks of red. Twas the heavens all in flame. Twas the angel there now gone. Twas the heavens door did open wide with blinding light. Twas the earth that shook with vengeance, twas me I saw. Twas the world my master lost and all within did perish. Twas the world no more, the gods they spoke aloud. Twas the earth gods took now, gone to the land of lore.8