Page 96 of Homeward for a Spell

Long the road stretched before them,

Treacherous and hard,

But they rode side by side together,

The ranger and her bard…

They played in a village hidden,

The bard charmed for the night,

Then northward they rode,

To face the wilds and the frights

Of that misty icy country,

Full of monsters of old

Ice nymphs with claws like knives,

Winged ghosts, furious and bold.

Treachery stalked their party

A friend turned desperate and strange

With a knife at her neck, the bard

Begged for things to change.

Long the road stretched before them,

Treacherous and hard,

But they rode side by side together,

The ranger and her bard…

Into the Swallow the bard tumbled,

Her life now in danger,

But into the churning waters,

Dove her fearless, bold ranger.

A bit of magic saved them,

An acorn with hidden space,

From the waters they emerged,

And stumbled upon a magical place.

Cold the wind blew and deadly,

All food and warmth were gone.