An Invasion in Triplicate

[Elspeth]

There are times when the raids of Balthazar come so fast and furious, it appears as if it one continuous drumroll of invasion. This is one warrior's perspective on a set of three such close-set occurrences ...

RAID THE FIRST
'Twas at first light: she had just boarded
Branishor's ferry, brilliantly warded
When Crier called: "In Fartown
Balthy's minions can be found"
So off she ran through streets unguarded.

Quick to the northern gate ran lass
Then up into East Mountain's pass
Swiftly raced her flying feet
Anguished, her heart's brave beat
'Til she skidded round a corner's mass.

Beast 'pon beast now blocked the trail
She had to fight! She COULD NOT fail!
Fartown's call once more played
Three-on-one, she softly prayed ...
And somehow emerged mostly hale.

Overhead flew enchanter and cleric
One quite pleasant, the other choleric
One to spell, one to bless:
'Twas they who ended Fartown's mess
And then returned, still atmospheric.

Despondent, blade still dripping gore
Trduged she back to Branishor
Passed within, feeling blue
Crier called: "They've come here too!
To beach, where find Sea Aggressor!"

RAID THE SECOND
Swiftly once more sandaled feet
Pounded down narrow city street
Helm askew, eyes alight,
Came abruptly on the fight
Despatched the first without retreat.

Yet in the rush of battle's wrack
Healing draughts stayed in her pack
... Looking up, her sight showed
Lifestone where her name now glowed
Cursing delay, she paced circular track.

As soon as time showed health as good
Once more she dashed through neighborhood
Stab and slash, left and right
Sword put ev'ry foe to flight
Or simply dropped them where they stood.

Breathing hard, as the last one fell
She noted distant ferry's bell
About to settle for a rest
Crier called: "Milltown's behest;
Dread Mallards flock, all is not well!"

RAID THE THIRD
Luckily, 'twas on dock she'd ended
Jumped to ferry's plank extended
Alone upon the boat she fared
None came near; most just stared
This apparition who'd defended.

With death's-head grin, she raced ashore
North over the Dark Forest floor
Came upon her mallard first
Ready to slake Solis' thirst
But found that she could fight no more.

Rallying, her voice cried aloud
Bringing friends to make her proud
Each of them a duck slew
(In some cases, just tried to)
When 'twas done, her head she bowed.

REQUIEM
What was the cause of Bathy's ire?
Why tried he to light the fire
Fartown first, then Branishor
Then to Milltown's very door
Where it came down to the wire?

And yet each stalwart gave their all
If lifestone'd, they'd still stood tall
Returned, to step into the fray
At every turn throughout the day
For only now was dusk to fall.

What horrors will Balthazar next raise?
Where will his minions next corpse-graze?
It matters not to defenders' pride
For all of them stand side-by-side
Vigilant, strong in Cory's ways.