The hero later opened up his eyes and looked around

　　he saw no sign of dragons but a claw upon the ground

　　the icy mountains all around looked silent and serene

　　it may have been more beautiful than anything he`d seen

　　The battle he`d experience then echoed in his mind

　　as he looked upon the scars the dragon left behind

　　canyons carved into the mountain still releasing steam

　　he was sure the battle couldn`t just have been a dream

　　In the blinding light, he knew he`d landed his attack

　　the last thing he remembered before everything turned black

　　the dragon cried in agony, or was it in despair

　　whatever words the dragon spoke, the hero didn`t care

　　If the dragon wasn`t here, he might have flown away

　　too scared to confront the hero which he`d fought today

　　as the hero thought about the battle`s awkward end

　　he waited for the dragon just in case it should descend

　　After several hours had passed with no sign of the beast

　　in the woods below, the sound of monsters had increased

　　he listened to the sound of chaos growing steadily

　　but hunting was a duty he accepted readily

　　"Now that their old king is gone, the monsters should be scared

　　will they challenge me just like their former leader dared"

　　he laughed as he assured himself that he had truly won

　　the reign of the old evil dragon here was really done

　　He looked at the memento of the dragon which he`d beat

　　the mighty dragon`s claw was lying near the hero`s feet

　　he picked it up and didn`t wonder where the king had flownThis narrative has been purloined without the author`s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

　　"let this be the proof that victory is mine alone"

　　He started his long journey to report his victory

　　all the world would sing a song for him eternally

　　but in the woods around the hill he noticed right away

　　the monsters had increased since he was there the other day

　　Even passive creatures started acting very strange

　　the forest in its essence had begun a drastic change

　　monsters fighting monsters, there was chaos everywhere

　　sometimes he was so surprised, he had to stop and stare

　　Slowly he continued on while cutting monsters down

　　though his once triumphant smile was traded for a frown

　　such a nuisance didn`t suit so glorious a day

　　but still he was the saviour of an empire either way

　　The hunters were preoccupied when he passed through their land

　　but he had little time to stop and lend a helping hand

　　he didn`t stop in towns that hadn`t welcomed him before

　　and in a week he found himself before the castle`s door

　　Excitement spread throughout the capital without delay

　　the emperor arranged an audience that very day

　　"my loyal knight, the cornerstone of my great empire`s force

　　we witnessed an astounding light and wonder at its source

　　Did you really find a dragon on some northern hill

　　such a foe that no one ever dared to try to kill"

　　before the emperor and all the nobles in the hall

　　the hero raised his head and said with pride to one and all

　　"I fought many days and nights to carry out my quest

　　endless hordes of monsters leaving me no time to rest"

　　he took the claw out from his pocket holding it up high

　　even such a fragment was enough to mystify

　　"But atop the highest peak, with just my wit and sword

　　it was I who who conquered the immortal dragon lord"

　　confirming that the claw was real, the hall was full of song

　　the hero knew that this was what he`d worked for all along

　　As the nobles and the knights all danced around with glee

　　the emperor leaned back and looked upon him thoughtfully

　　the hero met his eyes and noticed something in his smile

　　but caught up in the dancing, he was busy for a while

　　The empire`s nobles all rejoiced to hear the hero`s news

　　revelling that such a knight was theirs alone to use

　　parties once again became the hero`s daily life

　　and still he hadn`t had the time to go and see his wife

　　After several days had passed the hero felt at peace

　　finally he`d done enough that his struggle would cease

　　the emperor arranged to meet the hero he adored

　　the hero wondered what might be his ultimate reward

　　Visions of the future flashed across his weary mind

　　he`d settle for some treasure or a prize of any kind

　　now his songs would echo through the ages for all time

　　even just the thought of his new legend was sublime

　　He knelt before the emperor to whom he owed his fame

　　and after he exchanged a greeting, then the order came

　　"now that there`s no dragon standing in our empire`s way

　　you`ll be leading our great army north within a day"