ALL IN A NIGHT'S WORK 19910712
Now I lay you down to sleep
Promising your soul to keep
Dark the tunnel spiralling steep
Ruby and sapphire bolts plunge deep
Upon entering this world anew
With Asgarth for an astounding view
The power of Xodarap wells in you
As Bloodsol rises to catch the dew
On the familiar back of R'leh you sail
The Red's quirks and antics never fail
Yet you are trusting of the arrogant male
Despite the occasional swat of dragon tail
Xodarap; my kind of place
Where a few look upon my true face
Here I may choose adequate tests
Challenges best suited to your quests
You wander through aspens in the night
Adapting to the secrets of thermal sight
Within a clearing you feel a chilling bite
For there stands a shadow with sword spilling black light
Your first response is to retract
The two blades strapped to your back
You circle warily waiting for attack
The shadow whispers forming a second sword of black
The Archmage coalesces in the dark
As blooding blades scream for their mark
Swords dancing in graceful arcs
Lighting the grove with hellish sparks
Your arms burn with fiery pain
With blinding speed the strikes rain
Both thought and thews you train
And invaluable is the experience you gain
A bow marks the end of the session
Concluding this night's lesson
Again you've proved through thought and passion
That you have earned both rank and station
Xodarap; my kind of place
Where I may reveal my true face
Adept; you've passed all of your tests
And embark again upon your own quests
[© 1991 Joseph Wheeler, all rights reserved]