A darkened grove in dead of night, I plodded slowly on,

The snap of twigs, then silence reigns, as stars fight coming dawn.

I sensed movement to my right, and took up a fighting poise,

A shape appeared from snapping fronds, exploding night with noise.

The shadows hid his face from light, a huge man in red armour,

For a moment when I saw his sword, I thought him an enforcer.

Stepping closer, his mouth smiled white, yet I remained on guard,

But a light of recognition sparked, like a vessel's missing shard.

I relaxed my stance in the hope I'm not viewed as a threat,

The stranger looked me up and down, in a way I'll not forget.

His cloud-grey eyes were just like mine, I noticed with a start,

Even in the dim starlight, he seemed a counterpart.

This may sound strange - it does to me - but suddenly I knew,

He was there to gather me - his appearance was the cue.

I recalled stories at my mother's feet of a father off to war,

He would return to us one day; at least that's what he swore.

The majestic forest seemed to shrink back before a light,

That filled the small glen quickly, slaying bonds of night.

"It's good to see you again, my son, but I fear bad times draw near.

There's battle in the outer realms - its course at us quite clear."

He hooked a thumb toward his chest, lending credence to his claim,

And then a smile and a crunching hug - paternal love his aim.

"Enough of idle chit-chat, but damn it's good to see you,

Let's retire by an idle fire, and talk like we used to do."

I swear I never felt a thing, just reclining on a couch,

In a fireside seat, in a bright plush room, in a comfy, sitting slouch.

My father Ares, had shed his job, just long enough to reach me -

From what he'd said chaos had spread, by a secret entity.

I listened to his deep, rich voice, munched fruit fresh from the vine,

And while he talked, I filled my mug, and enjoyed the sweet spring wine.

I must admit to getting smashed, sometime throughout the night,

And then he laughed, threw a blanket on me, and then he dimmed the light.

My dreams were utter madness, scenes of never-ending war,

The people seemed so strange to me and from lofty heights I swore.

I turned to my companion, that I sensed but had not seen,

No big surprise, my father stood, his eyes on a ravine.

A standing fight, in the dead of night, around an open fire

Axes clashed with glowing blades, as the pitch of screams grew higher.

A single man is battered down, but the fight had not yet left him,

Then he tossed his captors, like broken dolls, though his hope to win is slim.

The outcome of this battle, that I sensed would soon draw near,

Suddenly turned the other way, as war lust was turned to fear.

For from the different compass points, hidden men rushed forward,

And closed a trap on the enemy - their screams were all I heard.

A hurled spear, an arrow knocked, a dagger from the fold,

This war should not be taking place my father had been told.

With rousing cheers the forces clashed, the outcome now was clear

The surprise of men from the outer realm, and victory was near.

Awaking from a fitful sleep, my adrenaline still flowing,

I opened up my mouth to speak, saw dawn's faint light was glowing.

Cobwebs dwelt inside my head, but the battle's fever swelled.

I tried to shake it off and stood, but the heat of bloodlust held.

I walked toward a clearing and heard the clash of swords,

The god of war and a woman fought, and it wasn't done with words.

In fascination I stood and watched, they traded blow for blow,

Neither held the upper hand, basked in the dawn's dim glow.

A mighty thrust, an artful parry - I stood in silent wonder.

And then he struck with a mighty roar, his voice like mountain thunder.

The woman's sword went flying high, in the dawn a shining beacon,

And then she turned to look at me and I saw her dark mood weaken.

My father snatched the glowing blade, spinning through the air

And returned it with a princely bow - all I could do was stare.

His eyes caught mine and his mouth smiled wide, as he turned to view me

The warrior grabbed the sword from him, looking none too happy.

Despite her anger and hurting pride, she recovered in a second.

And smacked her blade on my father's butt - a normal act I reckoned.

They walked toward me, looking fresh, with neither breathing hard, 

A simple rhyme then sprang to mind, by some long forgotten bard.

This skillful woman, this mighty soldier, suddenly I knew 

The name Bellona was on my tongue, a hero in my view.

Legends claimed she walked in time, across the bloodied fields,

Through broken bodies, and screaming men, and the many-bannered shields.

To see a legend in the flesh caused my heart to race,

My shock was turned to wonder as I viewed her up-close face.

Her smile was warm, and her gaze intense, but their color held my eye.

A variation of my own, crossed with a slate gray sky.

I stood my ground as she reached and warmly grasped my hand,

As father made the introductions sound like a stiff command.

The shocking part in all of this when the secret finally fell,

Was that she was my blood and cousin - just how I couldn’t tell.

Our day was filled with drink and food – it seemed that god’s eat too.

I asked about the legends sung, and found that some were true.

“Waging war is nasty business and each side tends to cheat,

This office keeps the fragile balance throughout the battle’s heat.”

“How do you know,” I inquired, “that what you do is right?”

The conversation like a battle raged long into the night.

No smarting looks, no anger raised, as each explained their place.

The knowledge that they then imparted caused my mind to race.

 They told me beasts had risen and thrown off the gods of old.

In a bitter rage the gods struck back, but knew they lost their hold.

I thought that if a fraction of their explanation’s true,

Then three of us were the only guards but a horror soon was due.

Copyright 2005 Nick Nash