Home Are The Hunters

by Mathurin Kerbusso

There was, of course, a response to Hal's banter

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Well fed warriors, watered with mead,
Boast of battle and of Boar hunting.
Days of Warring jarls and shiriffs,
Aetheling's feuding, all are over.
Merry-making, revelers dancing,
Bards are chanting, word-webs weaving.
Glows the hearthfire, warm and welcome,
Gold and purple on foe-friends' meeting.

Red pig, bounty of the hunting,
Spitted, turning, juices yellow,
Feeding flames of gentle friendship.
Sits in place of greater game-lords,
Boars of Power, battle-tested,
Hooves of iron, tusks of fire,
Mountains tremble 'neath Their treading.
No hunter here could take Their measure.

High on a mountain, Falcon perches.
Watchful eye and sharpened talons
Guarding lands from reaver's pleasure.
Beneath the perching Great Swines slumber,
Snowy hides seem saffron-golden.
Red Their ears, or night-sky colored?
Battle-maidens soothe Their brows with
Brush and comb, from bristles taken.

Herd-circle shares a common Dream,
Of warrior-giants, arrayed in battle.
Deeds they do of marvelous telling,
Livery changing with each Summer,
Now shield-brothers, now contenders.
Faces change with passing seasons.
But whatever banners carry,
Falcon-eyes from each helm shining.


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