The pilgrim felt the hardest chapter of his life had closed

　　a world he couldn`t fathom full of mystery exposed

　　the guards who stopped him at the gate just laughed and waved him through

　　staring at their shining armour, as a child would do

　　The boy recovered quickly from the overwhelming sight

　　of endless waves of people walking to his left and right

　　he ventured through the noisy crowd not sure where he should go

　　but confident that when he met his fate that he would know

　　Suddenly a big man missing half his teeth or more

　　brushed against the traveller then fell upon the floor

　　before the boy could stop and help the fallen man to stand

　　another man approached the boy and grabbed him by the hand

　　"How dare you push that old man down and try to steal his things

　　you`re about to see the consequence that stealing brings

　　someone call the guards, this boy should surely pay a price

　　even all the gold that he could pay would not suffice"

　　Before the boy could understand the trouble he was in

　　he looked back down and saw the toothless man now wore a grin

　　a guard appeared and asked the boy what he could sell for gold

　　and if he couldn`t pay the fine himself, then he`d be sold

　　The wide-eyed boy attempted to appeal to passers by

　　but such a common scene would make no stranger bat an eye

　　the guards who confiscated every item he possessed

　　didn`t even hear the desperate pleading of their guest

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　　Confused and stripped of everything except his ragged pants

　　he tried to talk his way of his chains, but had no chance

　　his first night in the city was in jail, confused and cold

　　his company a sleeping drunk who stank of beer and mold

　　The night was long and sleepless but the sun did rise again

　　maybe on his second day, he`d find adventure then

　　he ate the bit of moldy bread the guard tossed in the cell

　　when first it crossed his mind, he hoped his family was well

　　His stomach turned but he resolved to face adversity

　　if he gave up, he could never face his family

　　as he sat in silence trying to formulate a plot

　　a man appeared before the boy who took him to be bought

　　"Sinner, now the time has come for you to go and pay

　　Stand up straight so we can get you sold and on your way"

　　the jailor dragged him out in chains into the busy street

　　dreaming of a warmer place with something good to eat

　　He, along with half a dozen other sorry men

　　chained upon a platform, saw the city once again

　　standing there without his shirt and shoes he wasn`t sure

　　if life in this big city, was a life he could endure

　　After several hundred pairs of eyes had stopped to stare

　　the boy in chains was guided off the platform in despair

　　a guard removed his chains and said, the payment will suffice

　　and then he heard a voice cry out, "you went for quite a price"

　　"Pilgrim I must say I`m happy, you took my advice

　　I`m sure that you`ll agree that city life is rather nice"

　　a man with sharp blue eyes emerged from somewhere in the crowd

　　he paid the auctioneer a fee and then politely bowed

　　The merchant laughed and threw the boy a blanket laced with gold

　　and fed him with some meat and cheese which drove away the cold

　　"to think that we could meet again so soon, I`m truly blessed

　　Although it cost a little more to buy you than I guessed"

　　Your lesson here is twofold and it`s best you learn it well

　　luck and friends are all that stop you falling into hell

　　so keep your state in mind, it doesn`t matter where or when

　　you can work for me, or you can try your luck again"

　　The boy could not deny the fact that he`d been caught off guard

　　and getting used to city life might be a little hard

　　so just this once he`d listen to the merchant`s free advice

　　sometimes even heroes needed saving once or twice

　　"Pilgrim I can see you made it this far on your own

　　but honestly, you might not get much farther all alone

　　in the end, I cannot help you mend your wounded pride

　　but when misfortune comes to call, no man alive can hide"

　　The pilgrim, now employed, could only sigh and shake his head

　　"I`ll return the gold you paid, as sure as blood is red"

　　the merchant cheered and slapped the shoulder of his new young friend

　　"I have blood and gold to spare but do as you intend"