The early days upon the road were peaceful but enjoyed

　　there was little trouble near the main road to avoid

　　the hero always loved to tell his stories when he could

　　anytime he thought of more to tell, then soon he would

　　Later on the group was often subject to attack

　　but any monsters that appeared were quickly driven back

　　there were many mercenaries strong enough to fight

　　but none of them could hold a candle to that hero`s light

　　He revelled in their praises and dismissed their jealousy

　　and put his powers on display for everyone to see

　　goblins, giants, orcs, and bears were all repelled with ease

　　those that weren`t obliterated fled back to the trees

　　Sometimes when he chased the monsters back from where they came

　　he looked around the woods and thought of what his world became

　　sometimes he`d forget that in the place where he was born

　　his brothers` only fear was getting lost in fields of corn

　　"I`ll be sure and bring you back a few good souvenirs

　　maybe something simple like a bag of goblin ears"

　　he laughed walked around the woods while thinking of the day

　　when he returned he wondered what his family would say

　　Even though he didn`t know the way back home right now

　　he`d be busy fighting monsters out here anyhow

　　now he had some gold in store but that was just the start

　　there was now a greater plan, of which he was a part

　　Sometimes when the woods were quite, on a starry night

　　he thought he might have seen a faint but otherworldly light

　　whether he had dreamed that meeting on that fateful day

　　all he knew for certain was he`d walk the hero`s way

　　Eventually the caravan would pass a town or two

　　the merchants and the mercenaries both had work to do

　　the merchants did their trade while mercenaries drank their ale

　　to anyone who`d listen one young hero told his taleThe narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

　　The merchants varied greatly in the nature of their trade

　　by nature they would deal wherever profit could be made

　　some would deal in handicrafts or treasures found in caves

　　some had even made a decent living trading slaves

　　The hero didn`t dwell upon the fate of those enslaved

　　he kept his conscience clear with thoughts of people he had saved

　　but still it made him anxious to recall his time in chains

　　many scars reminded him of many trials and pains

　　But now he was a hero and he wouldn`t shy away

　　although his client traded slaves, he still had gold to pay

　　by winter, when the group had travelled half a year or more

　　they came upon a place that dealt in prisoners of war

　　The town was on the border of a kingdom strong and old

　　the queen of which was known for being fearless, wise, and bold

　　the town was well defended by the kingdom`s royal knights

　　the caravan could rest in comfort there though winter nights

　　The merchants were surprised to find a booming industry

　　the kingdom was advanced and had a strong economy

　　the mercenaries quickly spent their gold on fun and games

　　drinking with the locals without asking any names

　　The merchants settled in and right away their plans were made

　　in an hour they`d found a busy place where they could trade

　　the hero joined them but he didn`t share in their delight

　　men and women bound in chains in storefronts plagued his sight

　　The prisoners wore emblems that he hadn`t seen before

　　although he knew the faces that the beaten soldiers wore

　　that was not his problem though, his business was in gold

　　how could he relate to beaten soldiers bought and sold

　　As his mind was wandering he heard a friendly shout

　　several of the merchants who employed him called him out

　　"we have an opportunity to recommend to you

　　if you bought those soldiers, you could make a profit too"

　　They dragged him in to haggle with a merchant of the town

　　speechless in the chaos as they drove the prices down

　　caught up in their pace he found no moment to protest

　　and suddenly was stood before the slaves he now possessed

　　"Fear not my young merchant friend, I finalized the deal

　　these ones in particular were really quite a steal

　　sorry that I couldn`t strike a good deal on that elf

　　though I`d rather trade in strong and working men, myself"

　　A dozen men in heavy chains now stood in front of him

　　not sure how he came to own so many on a whim

　　in the end he brought them to the caravan with food

　　finding no words suitable to end the awkward mood

　　The other merchants told him he`d be rich when they returned

　　slaves would make more money than a hundred monsters burned

　　they bought at least a hundred men and women to resell

　　filling up their carts with fancy furniture as well

　　After his experience the hero had grown tired

　　still he`d come away with everything that he desired

　　in the weeks that followed while the merchants did their trade

　　rumours spread throughout the town about his group`s crusade

　　It was very rare for traders from so far away

　　to travel to this kingdom and not perish on the way

　　the mercenaries spread their tales about their strongest man

　　it helped to ease his mind when he was drinking with a fan

　　Two long weeks of trading human merchandise and then

　　the caravan prepared to get back on the road again

　　even though events had left him feeling slightly ill

　　soon he`d be preoccupied with monsters he could kill

　　The hero wandered down the street excited soon to leave

　　when suddenly he saw a face that he could not believe

　　sitting on the road alone beneath the falling snow

　　a pair of old familiar eyes he`d known since long ago