A bit of an adventure to close out the year.

Vigil fire burning bright against the magic in the night
Gates of old have opened wide and rent the veils where they would hide.
Under cover of a spell, the Fair come forth with purpose fell.
And dare the guards to make them leave, from underneath the forest eves.

So watch the gates you never know
What might come and what might go.
The power binds and power breaks
And cuts the dawn to raise the stakes.

Spoken blade has left its sheath and magic bares its angry teeth.
Conn’lly blade and Blackwood staff step through fire and into wrath.
Where the Fair bind their bait and taunt the guards that come too late.
But taunting foes often lie, in forest eves beneath the sky.

So watch the gates you never know
What might come and what might go.
The power binds and power breaks
And cuts the dawn to raise the stakes.

Conn’lly fell on mage’s head and through battle long struck him dead.
Blackwood faced the rear guard well, and to his staff each one fell.
Then he turned to face the gate, and close the path where foes await.
On that gleaming threshold bright, will grimly raced assembling might.

So watch the gates you never know
What might come and what might go.
The power binds and power breaks
And cuts the dawn to raise the stakes.

And slow the door shuddered closed, Conn’lly and Blackwood still exposed.
But in the darkness of the night, no other foes came to light.
So Conn’lly wrapped a battered form, in his cloak safe and warm
Blackwood then led the way, back to light and cut of day.

So watch the gates you never know
What might come and what might go.
The power binds and power breaks
In the cut of dawn where the world awakes.

The Watch at the Gate copyright © Heather Strickler 2025 All rights reserved