By fire’s incandescence, a ragged beggar warded himself from the cold of the night.
No sounds carried on the wind, save for a horse’s neigh and an alley cat fight.
He sipped gingerly of a cheap wine and roasted mysterious meat on a spit,
while rats watched from the shadows, weighing the odds of stealing it.
From those shadows stepped an imposing figure of copious girth and lofty height.
The beggar remained composed while the vermin chattered and retreated in flight.
“Greetings,” said the beggar. “Come share my fire, cheap wine, and a portion of meat.”
“Well enough you offer me what I could surely take,” replied the stranger, taking a seat.
“It is my custom to be hospitable to all, although I haven’t much to give.”
“Very wise,” the stranger responded. “I accept, and have decided to let you live.”
The beggar seemed unaffected by such callous threats and offered him the wine.
The gesture was beneficent and sincere; his voice was not unduly kind.
The beggar eyed the stranger patiently, curious to see if he would defer.
His guest reached for the flask with a large hand, clawed and covered with fur.
“Do you hail from these parts?” the beggar asked it as it took a long draught.
The beast-as such its host surmised-wiped a dribble of liquor from its chin and laughed.
“Does it matter to you, old derelict?” it barked, finding the question quite profound.
The beggar shrugged nonchalantly; “I’m just a vagabond making my rounds.”
The beast leaned forward, intent upon its host; “So you’ve sworn no fealty to the throne?”
“I serve no other man,” the beggar divulged, “And answer to none but myself alone.”
From the ebon shadows of its cowl, the beast betrayed a gleam of ivory fang in its smile.
The beggar offered it half the meat without betraying any guile.
“Do you know why I visit this kingdom, old man?” the beast inquired, quite sincere.
“I shall kill the king and usurp the crown, and rule a people wrought with fear.”
“How do you intend to slay him?” the beggar asked, feeling the tension across the space.
The beast stood up and thundered; “The king hasn’t the valor to contest my animal grace!
“I am not enthralled to the fear of man, for not one has yet opposed my might.
I am great and terrible, and I’ve made widows and orphans of many a hapless knight.”
With grunts and growls, it ravenously devoured the meat like it was a fresh kill,
while casting rapacious glares at the castle perched prodigiously atop the hill.
The beggar reached for the flask; “Let me drink to a deed of which bards will surely sing.”
And on his young hand the beast espied a ring bearing the insignia of the king.
With a bestial roar, the usurper lunged for his throat; over the fire it soared.
Claws and fangs bared with intent to rend its foe, it was impaled upon the royal sword.