“Between Death and Dawn”

Snow on steel, the banners torn, Cities fell before the morn, Chains rang loud, the rivers bled, Hope lay quiet among the dead. From the mist where breath turns white, Out stepped one the dark denied, No warcry given, no name drawn— Only pale fire… before the dawn. Not for crown, nor banner raised, He walked the space the Veil had grazed. Between death and dawn he stood, Blade of light in frozen blood, Time bent low where his feet fell, A silver cut through chain and spell. Between death and dawn he swore, Not to rule, not to conquer more, But to hold one fragile breath— One step back from certain death. Bridges broke where none were seen, Commanders fell to silent gleam, Behind the lines, through frost and flame, He struck, then vanished once again. Moonlit armor, fur of gray, Eyes like ice that would not stray, They called his coming when hope was gone— The Pale Knight… before the dawn. A circlet burned in cloud and snow, Black rode hard with fire below, Three nights long the heavens split, Silver clashed with endless night. He bled, but still the blade rang true— The dawn survived… though barely so. Between death and dawn he ran, Through falling stone and burning span, Veil torn wide by Ilthrenor’s cry, He caught one life as cities died. Between death and dawn he turned, Back to flame from which none returned, No farewell sung, no stone to mark— Just frost… and light… and ending dark. If snow falls still and time feels thin, If the Veil draws close to skin, Pray you never see him yawn— For he walks still… Between death and dawn.