Mage’s End

by N. C. Unruh

Time passed;
The soldier on the cliff turned,
Watched the figure on the rocks
Below.

Mage, run fast
From the fortress you’ve burned,
For the soldier there, he stalks
You through the snow.

The mage turns;
He fights, but knows he will not win.
With the fire spell he’s bought his country’s salvation
He has no strength to hurt the boy playing dress-up.

The fortress burns.
The mage grins:
No more threats to his nation.
His meal’s in eternity to sup.

The soldier-boy reaches him.
Stabs. Fear in his eyes.
The mage smiles in forgiveness.
His job is done.