I gathered men,
and gathered tents,
gathered water,
ropes and mince,
bows and quivers,
slings and stones,
and all the knights
who bravely fence.
...And cried the wenches
and the wives,
in their fear of ill portent,
so I left them all behind,
and struck out with only ten.
Others volunteered,
but I feared The Queen would win,
and leave a village full of widows
with no one to defend.
I needed stealth to stop the wretch,
a small team to get me in,
and the men could save their homes
should a larger war begin.

The mountain shades our valley:
The path long and thin,
to the other side of the Titan,
to the caves of burning wind.
The first leg of the journey:
The cold of winter's bend,
then the heat that boils brains
through hair, and skull, and skin.

So with provisions, well-wishes,
kisses, and gifts from love and kin,
I took my men
through the most vicious limits
the elements could comprehend.