Welcome to the inn, your lordship!
'chance you'd like a room and board, sip
at an ale famed as legend,
sets a-tingling the skin?
but first, sir, if you're able
Littlefair's just set a table
have a seat, and let me tell you
tales of the Dragon's Inn.

Now you've all heard many stories
of our loves and woes and glories
for the inn has many heroes
that are famed the Nexus wide.
But this evenin's little tale
('scuse me while I sip my ale)
is of a pair we've known long,
that I call "The Two-Friends' Ride".

The first of the two I'll mention
is a man of good intention
though you'd never know, to see him
and the whis'ling of his blades!
his two weapons, flashing metal
are of style oriental
and his name to us is Timelord,
ever cloak'd in darkest shades.

And the other, dashing Lord,
wields an ancient fencing sword.
He is Rollik, come unto us
from afar in the Great Heath.
Some have wondered just a bit
which is quicker, blade or wit
and for only truth and justice
does his rapier leave its sheath.

As I open up this fable, then
we see the two leave stable
and go riding from fair Valiast,
the duchy they call home.
Over hill and down through valley
did these two companions sally
and 'twas not for aimless wan'dring
but response to message shown.

For a letter, waxen sealed
had been sent from far afield
by a maiden, named Risardel,
whom the two had never met.
"Could you come" it said, escripted.
"There's a curse that must be lifted"
And as he read did Rollik quote:
"Adventure here, I'll bet!".

It directed them past Rjonton
to a dark, foreboding mountain
where a cave-mouth loomed before them,
into which they had to go.
For to find, in darkness hidden
there a mount, and never ridden.
Were it tamed, the curse was broken
and 'twould end Risardel's woe.

Why, but when our two companions
travelled up past Rjonton's canyons
and they reached their destination
then their hearts dropped to despair.
"Hold!" cried Timelord, reining horse,
(Rollik followed in due course).
Cautiously they crept by cover
to the cave, and what lay there.

'Twas a Clawrog, twenty feet
from sharp toes to gnashing teeth.
Acting as the curse's guardian,
and dressed in shaggy fur.
"I'll attack it" stated Timelord.
"And I'll strike it down with my sword.
Or perhaps at least distract it while
you pass the mangy cur".

Rollik nodded with civility
(and faith in friend's ability)
and, although he longed to fight,
agreed to try the plan.
Timelord drew his sword with speed,
Rollik let him take the lead,
and (as they'd done for many times)
they acted as one man.

Moving forward, slowly, carefully,
(and just a little prayerfully)
our heroes crept from cover
and advanced upon the beast.
Timelord thought it hadn't seen them
'til it roared and sprang between them.
With its crooked, razored talons
it prepared to kill and feast.

Rollik dodged and gave a parry
with the dagger that he'd carry,
thoughts of going past forgotten,
for the fight was for the brave.
But "GO!" cried Timelord, striking
at the Clawrog, silver lightning.
Rollik nodded, and with purpose
turned, and ran into the cave.

Darkness closed as like a curtain
over him, and he was certain
that he'd heard a hiss or slither
indistinctly through the black.
Fearing something quite unsightly
Rollik lit a torch, which brightly
showed him just an empty passage as
it pushed the darkness back.

Pausing not, at hurried pace
Rollik ran, with grim-set face
through a long and twisted tunnel
as outside his comrade fought.
Finally the darkness brightened,
and anticipation tightened
on our friend who, in a cavern
found the mount that they had sought

But before I start to prattle
let's return to Timelord's battle
as yea, 'twas a duel so savage
that to see it was to gasp.
First he'd whirl and strike a blow
to his fluid, brutal foe
then, with life held on a hair's-breadth
he'd evade the Clawrog's grasp.

Meanwhile Rollik, filled with wonder
felt his fear fade, split asunder
by the beauty there before him,
of the graceful Pegasi.
Purest white, with wings aspread,
it shook its mane and tossed its head
lit with sunbeams in the cavern,
for it opened to the sky.

As the lord and beast locked gazes
Rollik spoke some soothing phrases
and approached it, and appraised it.
A stallion? no, a mare.
It even nuzzled him, so friendly
as he patted its nose gently.
But once he was atop its back
it screamed into the air.

Soaring up into the sunlight,
Rollik's mount began to gain height
at a rate he found incredible,
and terrifying too.
When the Clawrog saw- amazing!
it grew wings of fire blazing.
Timelord thrust his sword into it
and they rose into the blue.

What a ride, and what a chase!
through the sky at such a pace,
Rollik trying hard to tame his mount
before he fell to death.
And behind him, wildly thrashing
(still with Timelord's desperate slashing)
was the Clawrog, slowly gaining
Rollik thought he felt its breath.

As things looked to turn quite bloody
Rollik used his Equine study
over many years to break the will
of that which now he flew.
As it started to obey him
Clawrog hands thrust out to slay him
But then, with a mighty kiai
Timelord clove its head in two.

But his triumph at the killing
seemed a little bit less thrilling
when he realised he'd been miles up,
and killed what made him fly.
As our friend started to plummet
he regret it not! He'd done it
just to save the life of Rollik
(though he didn't want to die).

Timelord spun through empty space,
with raw terror on his face
for below him were the mountains,
and an awful lot of air.
He'd prepared to be quite flattened
when the miraculous happened,
as (although they were a long way up)
he landed on a mare.

Rollik hadn't caught him cleanly
but it didn't matter. Seemingly
he'd grabbed hold with a death-grip
and refused to let them go.
Still, as much as he was able
Rollik coasted, kept them stable
and they flew down from the heavens
on a horse as white as snow.

They were weary when they landed
(with a touchdown less than standard).
Timelord fell upon the downy turf,
and Rollik stopped to rest.
Then, before their very eyes
the mount changed in shape and size,
formed the maiden, fair Risardel,
who had sent them on the quest.

"So, my trust" the girl expounded
"in you two was not unfounded,
for you freed me from the evil curse
and slew the Clawrog too".
Rollik moved to say "Our pleasure"
when she kissed them (what a treasure!)
and with heartfelt thanks eternal
she then bid them both Adieu.

Now this tale had no nations
in the balance, incantations
over evil mystic symbols, wars
in which the thousands died.
But deep friendship's in this story,
is there any less the glory?
Cared not Timelord, nor did Rollik
as they rode the Two Friends' Ride.