The prince was on the battlefield with struggles of his own

　　the timing of the wave of demons chilled him to the bone

　　as if fate was working to prevent his slow advance

　　and in the chaos his friend had been caught up in a dance

　　From his mount he led his knights and heroes in defense

　　but he had caught a glimpse of something that made little sense

　　the very friend who`d given up on war just recently

　　was moving through the battlefield and killing gleefully

　　"Is that the man who looked me in the eyes and begged for peace

　　trying to convince me that this pointless war should cease

　　weakened so much by his mental anguish that he ran

　　where did that old coward go when this battle began"

　　No one heard the prince`s words as he looked on in awe

　　he questioned whether it was really his old friend he saw

　　he thought that without magic he could hardly be called strong

　　but it was clear to him that his assumptions had been wrong

　　Still it was not time to dwell on how well his friend fought

　　with some odd kind of swordsmanship that could never be taught

　　his army needed power to resist and then advance

　　and he could only spare his weakened friend a passing glance

　　The battle lasted many days after its sudden start

　　but many heroes soon entered the fray and did their part

　　warriors with magic, some who even wielded flame

　　no longer in the hero`s but the old emperor`s name

　　Once the northern army had retreated they could rest

　　the hero`s unit was content that it had passed the test

　　a few were injured in the fight, but no one dared to run

　　with such a mentor, their journey as soldiers had begun

　　As always after battle, time for song and drink would come

　　the hero`s unit all wondered where such a man came fromThe story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

　　"where did you learn how to fight like that, you`re really strong

　　to think you were so natural a soldier all along"

　　"And didn`t you say something about not enjoying war

　　I don`t think that you can spout such nonsense anymore"

　　but now there was no trace of glee upon the hero`s face

　　the smile he wore in war had disappeared without a trace

　　"Speak no more of battle, we`re just lucky when it ends

　　you should think no less of enemies than your own friends"

　　his words made little sense to those who listened to him speak

　　but in the end they blamed it on a very tiring week

　　Later they retired, each to their own respective tent

　　but while they slept the hero thought about what his words meant

　　he felt he was a hero for the battles he had won

　　but how come he felt so unsatisfied when it was done

　　No answer came to him but as he watched the campfire die

　　a voice he knew rang out beneath the dark and starry sky

　　"you sure did look like you enjoyed yourself today my friend

　　did you come to feel the empire was yours to defend"

　　The prince sat down beside the hero and gave him a drink

　　the hero sighed and drank it, too exhausted now to think

　　"and you were quite a spectacle yourself your majesty

　　I`ve only ever seen a queen fight so relentlessly"

　　"I`m not sure what you`re thinking of, but this is now my role

　　I must play the part even without a hero`s soul

　　but I`ve been thinking about what you said to me that day

　　maybe there`s a chance to end this war a peaceful way"

　　The hero was surprised to hear the rugged prince concede

　　"but didn`t you say war was all the army here would need

　　honestly, I may have been na飗e in what I said

　　these armies will not lay down arms til one of them is dead"

　　"You have slain the dragon though, and then the demon lord

　　they must know by now they`ve given all they can afford

　　but if there`s something out there, I could send an elite team

　　I cannot let some unknown threat impede our empire`s dream"

　　"All I know is there is evil lurking in those hills

　　evil that can resurrect the monsters that it kills

　　whether this war ends or not, you should send someone there

　　I would go, but as you know, my strength has gone somewhere"

　　The hero took another drink and laughed with a dry voice

　　"and who would do something as dangerous as that by choice"

　　the prince knew that the hero was exhausted and he sighed

　　but with that information he was more than satisfied

　　The prince stood up to leave his friend in peace to drink his wine

　　but just a final question for the hero would be fine

　　"you said this war was pointless but I saw the way you fight

　　is it war or peace in which you find the most delight"

　　The hero finished off another drank and wiped his lips

　　"war is war, no matter on the plains or pirate ships"

　　too drunk to make much sense of how he felt, he fell asleep

　　the prince looked down upon the man, defenceless as a sheep

　　He dragged him to a tent to keep him safer from the cold

　　trying to remember all the stories he had told

　　"I don`t know what`s happening inside your stubborn head

　　hopefully at least you find some peace while you`re in bed

　　He left and made his plans to find some heroes for a quest

　　confirming if the hero`s words were true was for the best

　　he would let no threat delay the peace which he longed for

　　the sleeping hero smiled as he began to dream of war

　　~