The first towns that he passed through were excited by his quest

　　they welcomed him with luxuries, and only served the best

　　the ever gracious hero wouldn`t tire of all his fame

　　but he was never unaware that there was more to claim

　　One day once he`d travelled farther north than he had been

　　he came across a village that he didn`t think he`d seen

　　it made him think about his friends from when he was a lad

　　would they recognize him now since all the fun he`d had

　　Since he`d left the capital a month ago or more

　　he hadn`t met someone who hadn`t heard of him before

　　perhaps, he thought, he`d get a little peace and quiet here

　　he`d almost grown a little tired of endless wine and beer

　　He found an inn that looked as nice and warm as it could be

　　he`d pass the night in quiet comfort, with a cup of tea

　　but when he opened up the door, walked in, and said hello

　　he found a dozen faces staring at him white as snow

　　"Run away and take the children, leave your gold behind"

　　the hero watched in horror as the village lost its mind

　　everyone who saw the hero standing by the road

　　screamed and ran in panic from the town and never slowed

　　The hero in confusion grabbed a young man by the arm

　　and asked him why the town believed he`d come to do them harm

　　but all the man could do was cry and then just faint in fear

　　he thought that it might suit him best to quickly disappear

　　On his way to leave, he heard the sound of weathered steel

　　a man in rusty armour, came before him just to kneel

　　"please just take the food and gold and leave the young alive

　　we thought that we had nothing left, but let my child survive"

　　"Answer me you rusty knight, what evil have I done

　　how come when they see my face they quickly turn and run"

　　the man in rusty armour slowly raised his head cried

　　resolving to distract the man while others tried to hideUnauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

　　"I`ve never seen your face, but we all know your armour well

　　it`s the last thing many see upon the road to hell

　　and judging by the crest upon your shoulder you`re a knight

　　here to spread the terror of the empire out of spite"

　　Confused and overwhelmed to be the source of their despair

　　he couldn`t find a single word to clear the heavy air

　　he silently continued down the road and didn`t try

　　the hero didn`t need to understand the reason why

　　Now was not the time to deal in politics and blame

　　if anybody doubted him, his deeds would clear his name

　　his emperor has guaranteed a fight of epic scale

　　and as a hero, all he had to do was never fail

　　He marched along the lonesome road and more than once a day

　　ignored the ones who screamed in fear and quickly ran away

　　"maybe in the countryside they aren`t too well informed

　　surely once I`ve spread my fame, their feelings will have warmed"

　　The empire was a righteous place where no one lived in fear

　　he himself had fought to keep the peace which it held dear

　　still he thought to use a cloak to hide the empire`s crest

　　avoiding such misunderstandings might be for the best

　　He quietly collected information as he went

　　claiming he was just a hunter that the guild had sent

　　but at the very last town at the edge of the frontier

　　he finally found just the rumour he had longed to hear

　　Though it was a town it was a poor and wretched place

　　more a den of hunters than residential space

　　tents and wooden huts that housed the grizzly and the strong

　　warning of the monsters that he`d face before too long

　　A kind old lady found him curious and said hello

　　he thought he`d ask her for a tale before he had to go

　　"you don`t seem the type to go inspecting for a guild

　　but it wouldn`t be the strangest thing that they have willed"

　　She seemed to be an elder of the hunters` tattered town

　　and brought the hero to a campfire where they could sit down

　　"since I was a young girl hunting monsters, I`ve lived here

　　sure I`ll tell a story if you`ve time to lend an ear"

　　Several hunters gathered round to hear the lady speak

　　the hero noticed when she spoke that she was far from weak

　　a hunter in her own right, and respected by her peers

　　the hero understood that she`d been hunting many years

　　"It is not my business why you`re here, but you should know

　　things are not so easy in the place you plan to go

　　the kingdoms to the south have long been wary of these lands

　　fearing what awaits them where the tallest mountain stands

　　The monsters rarely venture south but those who do are strong

　　and we take care send the creatures back where they belong

　　but take my words, you do not want to meet the monsters` king

　　whatever it is, it`s the one controlling everything

　　Some say it`s a mighty giant from the great beyond

　　I say it`s the dragon of which legends are so fond

　　only such a beast could rule so many monsters` hearts

　　no human could compare to it with any magic arts"

　　The lady warned the hero of the legendary beast

　　but as he listened his enthusiasm just increased

　　the hunter was surprised that he would still continue on

　　and when he said he`d hunt the king, she thought his mind had gone

　　"You`re better off reporting to the guild that things are fine

　　the balance is protected here by hunting tribes like mine"

　　excited to have heard that such a monster could be found

　　he carried on the sacred quest to which his heart was bound

　　Following the rumours he`d collected on the way

　　he sought the tallest mountain whereupon he`d find his prey

　　and when he found whatever creature ruled the monsters there

　　then he`d know he was the strongest hero anywhere