Battle of the Bridge

Maelcolm Mor

It was in the early summer when the bloody spear went 'round,
The southern host was marching north to invade the Dragon's ground.
Bardolph spread the dragon's wings, and gave a dragon's roar,
He summoned forth the rising out, and marched them off to war.

The People of the Ring Tribe heard the Dragon's call,
The sound of their own battle cry thundered from their hall.
A score or so of warriors picked up their axe and sword,
And left to join the battle brewing at the reiver's ford.

The sun was starting to descend into the western sky,
The Dragon knew to win the day, he must call men to die.
He called upon the Dragon Host to stop Merides' fyrd,
And Ring Tribe stepped upon the bridge prepared to meet their wyrd.

They charged into the southern line just like a snarling pack,
They would not merely hold this bridge, but they would drive them back.
Half a hundred and a score fell to the celtic flood,
They drove into Merides' host, and drenched the bridge with blood.

The sun went down, and twilight fell upon a field now bare,
The Valkyr moved upon the field to count the raven's share.
And as they gathered up the dead, the wept at what they found,
For half the tribe that fell that day lay on Merides' ground.

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