Though the fearsome vampire was quite inclined to bluff
When it came time to fight, he found those frays rather tough
For every lout and gone-adventuring flake
Knew to hammer home a stake
Would be, regrettably, enough

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 19, 2019

“Your point is taken. To brighter days for us all.”
“To brighter days. Go in peace, Your Majesty, and go well. You carry all our hopes with you.”
“I have only the two hands.”
“I did not say our hopes were large.”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 20, 2019

Before the Blood God, the horned high priest did confess
And the fervour of his bleat
As he reported utter defeat
Did not bode well for his continued survival, let alone success

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 20, 2019

1)
Sages ponder follies such as: Can humans and dragons breed?
And then they pen books about such things, that no one bothers to read

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 22, 2019

2)
Until, deep in their dotage, when their minds have quite run to seed
They get consulted by adventurers wanting to justify many a bloody deed

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 22, 2019

Adventuring can earn more than a drudge’s wage
But when tumbling, scalded, in the blast of a dragon’s sneeze
You’re inclined to find the nearest dungheap, and say: Shovel, please
I’ve had enough of the fire and fangs of a dragon in rage

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 20, 2019

The ballads bards sing of dragons about
Because they’ve been sadly misled about
May in a few spots cleave to actual fact
For among all those bones gnawed and cracked
Aren’t some humans; the handful that fled intact

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 21, 2019

Wise kings choose brains over beauty for a queen
For they see ruling a realm is far more
Than shouting and carousing and riding to war
And—despite all the tales—it always has been

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 21, 2019

1)
“They don’t look friendly.”
“That’s half the act of being an economically successful brigand, Palond. So they’re halfway to success. Let’s deny them that other half.”
“Well, THAT raised my morale.”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 24, 2019

2)
“I’ve missed your biting sarcasm, Lady, but my aim is getting better…”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 24, 2019

1)
“Although I’d like to ride out of this area now festooned with dripping brigand gore, I should point out that in the distance, ahead, I can see yet MORE brigands. Patiently awaiting us. No pikes that I can see, nor bows, …”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 25, 2019

2)
…thankfully, but…”
“Wolf, you spoke earlier of entertainment. Your tastes differ from mine, no doubt, but these brigands are getting REPETITIOUS.”
“A dire sin indeed, Sire.”
“Ho, Prince Elvar!”#epic fantasy 3)
“Ah, now! THAT’S different, right there! How many brigands know your face, and hail you by the title of your greener years?”
“I don’t like it, Wolf. Make them go away.”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 25, 2019

4)
“Without even hearing who they are and how it is they know you, Sire? KNOWINGLY leaving a huge gap in our intel?”
{Sigh} “You’re a rectal pain, Wolf.”
“You mean I’m always damnably right.”
“That’s what I said.”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 25, 2019

I buried her in the mouth of the graveyard
Under a weeping moon
I shed not a tear, but I cursed hard
Knowing I’d be joining her soon

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 4, 2019

Beyond the misty mountains
And the great wild wood
O’er the blood-drenched battle plains
The wizard’s dark tower stood
I’ve seen its ruins in my dreams
And, awake, heard the screams
And when that mageghost comes for me
Ashes be my proud remains

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 4, 2019

I saw a princess with black knights smiling all around her
Come to take her life with their blades
I saw the dragon that sent them contentedly purr
As it watched from its bed of previous victims’ shades

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 5, 2019

1)
“Ho, all! MORE brigands ahead!”
“My, they’re sprouting like weeds in the spring! Wolf, DO something about these everpresent ruffians, will you?”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 23, 2019

2)
“I am already engaged in ongoing brigand elimination, Sire. Abetted by these invading armies, as it happens. The kingdom needs a good cleanse from time to time, and—”
“Don’t tell me. This is one of those times.”
“Indubitably.”#epic fantasy 3)
“What does THAT word mean, when it’s at home?”
“Patently evident, Palond. Certain. Unquestionable.”
“Ah. So you make a firm claim, and hope that claim alters reality to match itself.”
“That IS the essence of governance.”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 23, 2019

The Duke most deeply regrets
That his present weakened state
He can no longer fully appreciate
Court ladies of admirable assets

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 22, 2019

The Duchess collects on all debts
And wins more than her share of the bets
Placed by ladies peering through their lorgnettes
At young men in quartets and quintets
Wagering on who’ll first get caught in passion’s nets

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 23, 2019

Her blandishments were rather tentative
But I took them as representative
Of awe at meeting a scion of a noble breed
So I kept my courting stately
And it has only lately
Given way to the usual raw passion, urge, and need

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 23, 2019