The Swordsmith's Betrayal

Verse

How I sweated years ago

to forge that sword for our crusade

and trusted it would cleave the foe

as I finely honed its blade.

Chorus

Now, may blood it shed beget the rust

that sunders it apart,

just as you parry some fell thrust

towards your rotten heart.

Verse

Then were we young and filled with zeal

for the great and noble cause,

and burnishing that bright smooth steel

I laboured without pause.

Verse

I endured my humdrum fate

and hoped that my creation

would fall upon the apostate

and shine in the contention.

Chorus

Now, may blood it shed beget the rust

that sunders it apart,

just as you parry some fell thrust

towards your rotten heart.

Verse

I wondered how that longsword sleek

would serve you in that savage land,

but now I hear you robbed the weak,

and you had it in your hand.

Verse

Now people say that you betrayed

the quest we vowed to share

and with my handiwork unmade

the oath I heard you swear.

Verse

It stung me like the lash of birch

on hearing how you fell from grace;

our boyhood memories to besmirch,

our friendship to efface.

Chorus

For people say that you betrayed

the quest we vowed to share

and with my handiwork unmade

the oath I heard you swear.

Now, may blood it shed beget the rust

that sunders it apart,

just as you parry some fell thrust

towards your rotten heart.

Chorus

For people say that you betrayed

the quest we vowed to share

and with my handiwork unmade

the oath I heard you swear.

Now, may blood it shed beget the rust

that sunders it apart,

just as you parry some fell thrust

towards your rotten heart.

Johan Friedrich 2026