โ you should see the other man. he got the worst of it. โ ย
โ and who better to lead us to glory than me? โ
โ i am most at home helping others. โ ย ย ย
โ iโve waited long enough for you, and you for me. โ ย
โ know that however far away, youโre always in my thoughts. โ ย
โ when you see your god, tell them i sent you. โ ย
โ what you make up in muscles, youโre lacking in spine. โ ย
โ i almost envy you, to see the world through such a muddy glass and live with such petty concerns. โ ย
โ i smell the stink of a dozen kingdoms in your beard. โ ย
โ this feud is not yours, yet you fight it all the same. i find that strange. โ ย
โ by the look on your face, you have lost your will to live. โ ย
โ my arms are numb from battle. does it need any dressing?ย ย do you think it is a serious wound? โ ย
โ oh dear. this is not how i foresaw things. not at all! โ ย
โ should we take this to your chamber? โ ย
โ i want this. i want you. โ ย
โ turn around, walk away, and you keep your insides inside. โ ย
โ stay back! back! i will fight you! โ ย
โ you look like reddened shit. what happened? โ ย
โ i have always wanted to experience the world as you do. โ ย
โ you come like a valkyrie out of a fog. but i have no dead to give you. โ ย
โ all right, stay close and do as i do. โ ย
โ home. orโฆit was home, once. now it is nothing but bone. โ ย
โ iโll have no qualms wiping clean your grin. โ ย
โ just take care. such hatred can make you careless. โ ย
โ away from your table for a day and you are already lusting for blood. โ ย
โ if i did not know any better, i would say you are teasing me. โ ย
โ the dream of new lands is a powerful lure. โ ย
โ i love climbing up here. makes me feel as high as a raven. โ ย
โ if i donโt find your horse, i will steal you a new one. โ ย
โ i feel somewhat trapped. in this room, in this settlement, in this life. โ ย
โ you are lost in a sea-storm of your own making. โ ย
โ the poet in you sings once again. โ ย
โ tonight, we will eat and drink like gods and wake in a kingdom made new. โ ย
โ i wish i understood you better. for those i do not understand, i do not trust. (and i cannot stomach a lack of trust.) โ
โ iโve been called worse. โ ย
โ you have nothing to fear from me. i bear you no ill will. โ ย
โ you are a shadow of your father. weak and witless. โ ย
โ what is this? is thisโฆare we in hell? โ ย
โ keep company with kings and you will soon have a crown of your own. โ ย
โ a toothless cub may grow to be a dangerous wolf. โ ย
โ you are far too young to speak so wise. โ ย
โ i need clear, sound judgement. i need you. โ ย
โ kind and courageous people live the best lives, but it can be a difficult path to keep. โ
โ i want to sayโฆi love you. and i have for some time. โ
โ you smell that? the stink of jealousy. (of our budding friendship, i think). โ ย
โ ah, while i have you, iโm remindedโฆi have this for you. โ ย
โ your lies are just like you. big and bold. โ ย
โ donโt excuse yourself. you enjoy this too much.ย โ ย
โ youโve come back. why are you wasting your time with me? โ ย
โ care to sing a song? helps me pass the time. โ ย
โ that is twice you have earned my admiration. โ ย
โ you have only the setting sun to tell you when to stop. โ ย
โ i want to know what you know. name your price. โ ย
โ people like you deserve something worse than death. โ ย
โ they called me a lout, a disgrace. they were right. โ ย
โ i will have to get used to watching the sights of war from afar now. โ ย
โ thereโs no other way. fight or hide. itโs up to you. โ ย
โ do not think me a coward. i am not afraid of war. โ ย
โ friendships end. often at the point of a spear. โ
โ i will make you beg as your father begged. โ ย
โ (until that time,) it would be best to keep all discussions aboutโฆย ย about us to yourself. โ
โ without you i would have lost my way a thousand times. โ ย
โ you have no other friends. so tread lightly here. โ ย
โ be it a blessing or a curse, family is always first. โ ย
โ letโs not walk too far with that idea. i need you right where you are. โ ย
โ you bested me. yet, iโm the one left standing. โ ย
โ itโs a pleasure to meet you at least. โ ย
โ you and your people here have done more for me than i could ever repay. โ ย
โ you have my highest respect, regard, and trust. โ ย
โ youโre not shy, are you? โ ย
โ if we do this, youโll earn the right to call me friend ten-thousand fold. โ ย
โ does this have the stench of betrayal to you? โ
โ today has meant so much. we rode, we fought, we drank, we laughed. (you showed me your world.) โ ย ย ย
โ your end was written the moment you came for me. โ ย
โ i am a sellsword. i ask what i please, and i take what iโm owed. โ
โ you move and i will take your eyes. you hear me? โ ย
โ i will leap first. on my word, you must follow. โ ย
โ many times i wished to tell you. wished to say what was in my heart and what i desired. (but duty kept me from it.) โ ย
โ these wounds will heal quickly. youโre lucky. โ ย
โ anything to help you feel at home. โ ย
โ our friendship is the best thing to come from this mess. โ ย
โ you will be remembered for this, for years to come. โ ย
โ i thought i had lost you. for good this time. โ ย
โ you have shown me a great kindness. it is only fitting that i do the same. โ ย
โ the mess youโre inโฆyou donโt know the half of it. โ ย
โ you have drawn a dark conclusion about me, havenโt you? (that is all well and good. iโve drawn some about you as well.) โ ย
โ you seemโฆstrangely familiar. โ ย
โ here i am, an upright man who never once learned how to bend the knee. and yetโฆi shall try. โ
โ thatโs a bread knife. do you mean to butter me? โ ย
โ is that not something you worry over? โ ย
โ a blind pursuit of vengeance has made you predictable. โ ย
โ no matter where you are, or how far you travel, i will hunt you down. โ ย
โ i came for you, looking for a friend and ally. โ ย
โ people change.ย ย it may be that you change with them, or you go your separate ways. โ ย
โ i wish you whatever peace you may find in this new life youโve found. โ ย
โ i want your word: you will follow my orders. โ ย
โ the day is new, and the air is bracing. are you ready for the fight ahead? โ ย
โ erโฆgood to meet you as well? โ ย
โ what riches are worth so much misery, and the deaths of honorable men and women? โ ย
โ my destiny is mine to weave. โ ย
โ my road forward has been a muddy one. slick with blood and tears. (but we can reach its end together.) โ ย
โ it is a wise leader who considers the needs of others. โ ย
โ i think my mouth has gotten me in enough trouble today. โ ย
โ at the end of all things, you will find yourself with nothing but your regrets. โ ย
โ you saw fit to keep me guessing through your fits of madness. โ ย
โ by all the gods, what was that? โ ย
โ i wasโฆrestless. a quiet walk alone clears the head. โ ย
โ when winter is past, summer will come and wind you in a flowered skirt, for you are beauty and shall not wither. โ ย
โ โฆunless you had a more interesting day planned for us? โ ย
โ i do hope you see it now, for all you have done for me. โ ย
โ your passion, your strength. i have never met such a burning soul. โ ย
โ i have no guilt nor regret for what we have done, but we should be careful. โ ย
โ i see before me a person full of passion, vigor, and a love for their people. โ ย
โ if i wanted to hear you talk shit, iโd cut out your tongue and shove it up your ass. โ ย
โ you! you look stronger than most of the others. โ ย
โ your hatred for me burns bright. i could warm my balls on it. โ ย
โ youโre quite like your arms: incredibly thick. โ ย
โ i fought as i do, as hard as i do, to survive. (for i know what awaits us in the end. only darkness.) โ ย
โ a shameful trick. you are your fatherโs child. โ ย
โ you destroyed my life. i will take yours. โ ย
โ you snore a little, like a wounded bear. โ ย
โ thatโs when i knew i would live and die for you. โ ย
โ iโm going to pretend your last words were taken by the wind. โ ย
โ i might still kill you yet, if your prattling doesnโt cease. โ ย
โ you are weak like your father was weak. (you dance better than you fight.) โ ย
โ have you ever seen muscles as massive as mine? โ ย
โ iโm honored by your faith in me. and your confidence. โ ย
โ after my missteps, i worry what you must think of me. โ ย
โ with so much blood in the water and death in the air, iโd like to know your name and purpose. โ
โ i have a good feeling about this place. โ ย
โ how much would you sacrifice to be freed of fateโs shackles? (would you give your tongue, your hand, your sight?) โ ย
โ please, you must fight for me.ย ย who knows what vile people might come to harm me? โ ย
โ i have no need to count my kills. they number too many. โ ย
โ i appreciate you for all of your qualities. โ
โ i think it is time i take my leave. โ
โ you really thought my life was in danger? (and you risked your own lifeโฆ) โ
โ the path ahead is bright, with glory at its end. โ
โ it is easy to lose oneโs way on the road to glory. do not let false victories blind you to what is true. โ
โ the act of leaving so beloved a home, there is a sadness to it. โ ย ย ย
โ so thereโs nowhereโฆyou call home? โ ย
โ all things end. ruins are not a warning, they are a testament. โ ย
โ be nice to sleep in a real bed when this is over. โ ย
โ in my sleep i dream. and in my dreams i see an end to the doom that will grip the earth once again. โ ย
โ even when we win, we lose. โ ย
โ i am as good with my lips, as i am with my tongue. โ ย
โ is this your idea of a pleasant ride through the country? โ ย
โ no whispering god brought me here. i brought myself. โ ย
โ i would like very much to pass some time with you. โ ย
โ โฆand thatโs how i got that scar. โ ย
โ do i now haunt your dreams? โ ย
โ it was never in their character to lead, it was always within yours. โ ย
โ so easily wounded by words. imagine the ruin my axe would inflict on your flaccid ego. โ ย
โ i have felt this way for some time now. i care for you. โ ย
โ i have not felt safe since then. not really. โ ย
โ how long have you been chasing me? seventeen winters? eighteen? โ ย
โ you are not always to be trusted. your passions overcome you. โ ย
โ i like you. you may help me here or step on meโฆand by the look of you iโd welcome either. โ ย
โ it is good to have you in this fight. โ ย
โ you need only know my impressive scale and flawless build. โ ย
โ i am better than any man here. โ ย
โ i can tell by looking at you, you are not a great warrior. (you know it too, there is no reason to deny this.) โ ย
โ iย am looking for honor, and have become lost as a result. โ ย
โ many apologies. you are no child, simply a frail and fully-grown fool. โ ย
โ i was stupid, selfish, reckless, blind, boneheaded, and i smell like blood and shit. โ
โ anything to say for the mess you led us to? โ ย
โ how was yourโฆfirst kill? โ ย
โ you squirm like that and my axe will miss your neck! unpleasant for both of us. โ ย
โ i know you would defy me to the death, fighting for a glorious end.ย ย ย that i will not allow. โ ย
โ most men choose to be loud or stupid. impressive, that you managed both. โ ย
โ you are a great warrior. conquerer of this land and that of your birth. โ ย
โ youโre chasing shadows like a madman howling at the moon! โ ย
โ quite a hit you took. how many were lost? โ ย
โ well fought! even if your wits were somewhat rattled. โ ย
โ we suffered no losses in this fight, and the men who humiliated us are dead. what is there to say? โ ย
โ i would like to be close to you. โ ย
โ if you are a warrior with honor running like sunlight in your veins, then you may help me fulfill my destiny. โ
โ you are a long way from any warm hearth, warrior. Is this where you call home? โ
โ am i to go the rest of my days without love or attention? i think not. โ ย
โ the gods favor you. they always have. โ ย
โ the others, they are like clubs. blunt and ungainly, you are nimble, like a knife. โ ย
โ people with eyes that gleam like yours are always up to something more. โ ย
โ only a fool stays awake all night worrying. you are tired when you get up, and the problem is still not solved. โ ย
โ i liked you from the first. i saw something in you that captivated me. (as if a forgotten memory of an old friendship had suddenly resurfaced.) โ ย
โ youโve done nothing but give me your blind word! โ ย
โ did you bring me any treasure? โ
โ the woodsmoke from your firepit does sting the eyes. but the warmth is welcome. โ
โ it is not something i can speak on. or wish to. โ
โ iโm with you. only say the word. โ
โ until we cut off this serpentโs head, it will poison us, day by day, drop by drop. โ
โ get some rest and return here at first light. โ
โ i missed having you at my side. how i wished i could have taken you along on my travels. โ
โ i do not like this, but i will not stop you. โ
โ i have waited too many years for this day. when ___ stands before us, give me the final blow. โ
โ why do you carry such a useless burden? let it go. โ
โ i have waited years for this, but i will not risk losing it through rashness. โ
โ i cannot fathom your game. you are either a young foolโฆor deceptively wise. โ
โ your confidence blinds you to so much in plain sight. โ ย
โ itโs good to be here, with you and your people. (i feel my life has found a new road.) โ ย
โ there has always been war, even among the gods. โ ย ย ย
โ my honor has been stained. until itโs wiped clean, i want nothing else. โ
โ i lack the patience for pole fishing. i would have better luck with my bow. โ ย
โ if we tell all our stories, weโll be here for a week. โ
โ can you teach me the art of archery? โ ย
โ i missed you. your clear head and your courage. (we have not had enough of both in recent months.)ย ย โ ย
โ i have a good feeling this war is near its end. โ
โ explain in plain words why you have willfully disobeyed my commands. (do you mock me?) โ ย
โ the gods favor you. they always have. โ ย
โ my love for you rises tall and strong, like the tree of life. โ ย
โ the prize is some of my time. (a walk in nature, maybe more if that is where our conversation takes us.) โ
โ together, we are unstoppable. โ
โ it is natural to fear change. to resist it. (but all things change, and all things end.) โ
โ you said nothing of this to me, not a word. โ
โ so long as men and women fight to secure honor and freedom, their allegiance hardly matters to me. โ
โ i care for you. i do not know how to say it any other way. โ ย
โ love can burn brighter near death. โ
โ i knew this would be difficult, but sometimes the weight bears down heavily. โ
โ you are young and still foolish, so i will spare you your life. (but cross me again or harm anyone i cherish, and you will join your friends in hell.)ย ย โ
โ if you are as brave as you appear, you will come. โ
โ this is not a natural quiet. itโs as if a curse has befallen this place. โ
โ there was a curse here long before i came along. โ
โ weโll forge a warrior from your softness, hammered on the anvil of war. โ
โ you are different than the kind my flights of fancy attract. burdened, decorated andโฆdelicate. โ
โ i do not know what else to say. m-my memories are faint, hazy. โ
โ how are you doing? you survived a serious blow. โ ย
โ weโll weave our sagas together, thread upon thread. โ
โ i try to use my knowledge to help others. i am only a threat to those who fear the unknown. โ ย
โ slap some moss on that gash and wrap it well. โ ย
โ with me you have wisdom! glory! power! what more do you need? โ ย ย ย
โ if your hell is real, iโm glad youโll get to see it. โ ย
โ to fight beside such legends is an honor. (iโve only heard tales of your conquests. now i get to live them.) โ ย
โ i have tried to live well. it is enough that the gods know that. โ
โ a cloud hangs over you. is something wrong? โ ย
โ you have plunged my city into chaos. โ ย
โ my sword is gore-greedy. i am ready to fight. โ ย
โ accept your fate and die a coward, here before your peopleโฆ and i will spare the rest. โ ย
โ you would take the rescue for yourself, so the victory song is written about you? โ ย
โ kneel, and i will spare your life. โ ย
โ it has been some time. what brings you so far to see me? โ