Ballade of Vesna, the Handmaiden of Death

Stanza 1 In Zlatozhita’s fields so green, Where childhood laughter filled the air, A maiden fair, with eyes serene, Did wander free, without a care. Her father, noble, wise, and just, Taught her the ways of sword and lore, In peaceful times, she placed her trust, Unknowing of the coming war.
Stanza 2 Her mother’s songs, so sweet and clear, Would echo through the castle halls, And Vesna’s heart, devoid of fear, Would dance along the ancient walls. With friends and kin, she’d often play, In meadows bright and forests deep, The world seemed kind, both night and day, In dreams of peace, her soul would sleep.
Stanza 3 As seasons turned and years did pass, Her mind grew sharp, her spirit strong, She learned of lands both near and far, And trained in arts of right and wrong. Her brother, Dmitry, brave and bold, Would spar with her by morning light, Together, tales of old retold, Unaware of the looming fight.
Stanza 4 The drums of war began to sound, As shadows crept across the land, The empire’s grip, so tight and bound, Brought sorrow with its iron hand. Fields once lush, now scorched and bare, The cries of kin filled every night, In Vesna’s heart, a deep despair, Yet still she vowed to stand and fight.
Stanza 5 Her father fell, her brother too, The city walls began to shake, With every blow, the anguish grew, As lives were lost for freedom’s sake. The streets ran red with comrades’ blood, The air was thick with smoke and cries, Yet Vesna stood, amidst the flood, With fire burning in her eyes.
Stanza 6 The final siege, the city’s fall, As Zlatoreka faced its doom, The empire’s might, a crushing wall, Turned homes to ashes, lives to gloom. Captured, bound, and drenched in red, Her kin displayed in cruel parade, Yet Vesna’s spirit, though near dead, Would rise again, unbowed, unafraid.
Stanza 7 In chains she walked, her head held high, Through streets of sorrow, lined with pain, Her captors’ jeers, a bitter cry, Yet Vesna’s heart did not refrain. Her brother’s fate, a haunting sight, His broken form upon the wheel, But in her soul, a spark of light, A vow to break her bonds of steel.
Stanza 8 By night she struck, with silent blade, The guards fell swift, their blood did flow, With stealth and skill, her path she made, Through shadows deep, she moved below. Her comrades freed, their spirits raised, Together, they did flee the night, In Vesna’s eyes, a fire blazed, A beacon in the darkest fight.
Stanza 9 Through narrow streets and hidden ways, They fled the city’s iron grip, Yet peril marked their every phase, As freedom’s hope began to slip. A guard patrol, with torches bright, Did block their path, a deadly snare, But Vesna, with her heart alight, Faced danger with a warrior’s flair.
Stanza 10 With breath held tight, she led the charge, Her blade a flash in moonlit gloom, The clash of steel, the cries at large, Echoed through the night’s dark room. A perilous moment, life on edge, As foes closed in from every side, Yet Vesna’s vow, her sacred pledge, Gave strength to turn the deadly tide.
Stanza 11 Yet in their midst, a traitor lay, Pomishchik Vladimir, false and sly, His heart with greed did lead astray, For empire’s gold, he chose to lie. He fed their plans to Rupert Grey, And led their foes to secret lair, Betrayed his kin for selfish pay, And left their hopes in deep despair.
Stanza 12 The trust she placed in him was torn, A dagger thrust into her heart, Yet from this wound, a strength was born, A fire that would not depart. With cunning mind and steely will, She rallied those who still believed, To fight against the traitor’s ill, And see their land from chains relieved.
Stanza 13 For fifteen months, she hunted down, The Godclaw’s chiefs and empire’s men, With vengeance fierce, she claimed renown, As Smertidochka, feared by them. In shadows deep, her justice swift, No mercy shown, no quarter spared, Her blade a gift, a deadly lift, To those who in the bloodshed shared.
Stanza 14 Through forests dark and mountains high, She tracked them with relentless might, Their screams did pierce the midnight sky, As Vesna struck with deadly sight. The rapers’ kin, the willing throng, Who brought her people endless pain, Fell one by one, their lives now gone, By Smertidochka’s hand, they slain.
Stanza 15 Her legend grew, a whispered fear, Among the ranks of empire’s best, For Vesna’s wrath was ever near, A haunting shadow, none could rest. The Handmaiden of Death, they named, Her vengeance swift, her justice cold, In every heart, her fury flamed, A tale of terror, fierce and bold.
Stanza 16 In shadows deep, she learned the place, Where Vorstag Helmspur’s horrors lay, A castle grim, a dark disgrace, Where captives’ souls were led astray. With clockwork beasts and magic dire, He bound their wills with cruel device, Yet Vesna’s heart, a burning fire, Would free her kin at any price.
Stanza 17 She led her band through night’s embrace, To castle’s gate, with stealth and skill, For Vorstag’s power, a deadly case, Required their silence, strength, and will. They found the captives, bound and chained, Controlled by dark, unyielding might, Yet hope was sparked, a chance regained, When Thalion’s wisdom brought the light.
Stanza 18 An elven sage, with knowledge vast, His spine adorned with cruel device, He taught them how to break the cast, And free the souls from Vorstag’s vice. With careful hands, they worked as one, To sever chains and minds restore, And when the final task was done, The captives rose to fight once more.
Stanza 19 Among the freed, a bond was formed, With Thalion, wise and steadfast friend, For Vesna’s heart, so long stormed, Found solace in his gentle mend. No longer lone, she shared her plight, With one who saw her strength and pain, Together, they would face the night, And strive to break the empire’s chain.