//------------------------------//
// Noble 
// Story: Noble 
// by Zeppo 
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He trudged through the snow,


 the snow that did blow,


 that swirled through wind-washed landscapes.





 He trudged over mountains,


 through howling gusts


 as the bitter air stung his face.





He trudged along caverns


 and cliffsides and footholds,


 by pits and chasms below.






But In spite of this cold,


 in spite of this wind,


 he did not shiver;


 he did not slow.






He galloped 'long plains


and burning hot deserts–


He traveled the Whitetail;


through the Everfree Forest


its canopy blocking all light.


He journeyed a journey that was exhausting


and deadly


yet his place remained in his sight.






For you see, he was a warrior,


 a stallion called Noble Quest. 


And this was his penultimate trial,


this was his final test.


 He would prove to himself and all,


 that of warriors,


 he was the best.






He was proud, and large, and chivalrous,


 and a little strong in the head. 


Many fine mares from terror he's saved; 


many monsters, of him are dead.






He has spelunked through the changeling caves,


nearly driving him mad.


He’s fought the tatzlwurm, the manticore, the Ursa–


and put down the terror, King Crag.






He’s had victory over the parasprite swarm


(though actually doing them almost no harm.)


He’s even tamed Ceberus, and it is said thus:


free passage to Tatarus, he has.






They sung songs of his deeds and his doings,


His charm and impeccably good looks.


Yes, he was the hero that everyone knew;


He was the hero that everyone sook.






Now this journey he went on, 


it should surely be said,


 filled most others with terror,


most others with dread. 






For he was to slay a creature,


the thought of which shook the soul.


 It was a beast of might, of fire, of flight.


 It was a dragon, this was his goal.






The dragon with emerald scales, they say,


 lived in much solace, quite far away,


surrounded by frost, where no one could stay.


 And the legends of him: 


"They cannot slay."






So Quest went on this journey,


 to defy this legend of old. 


He gave up everything: 


his trinkets, his fine clothes,


his house even eventu’ly was sold.






It could be said that he was foolish,


 to take up so momentous a task.


 "A dragon," some trilled,


 "by them can't be killed. 


For death, Quest," they lamented, "you ask."






But Noble Quest, at his own behest, 


so boldly went his way.


 And he did not budge, 


though him others did judge,


 and bid them farewell with a smile so gay.






"I'll be back," he told,


 "with a chest full of gold, 


and the head of the beast 'bove my fire.


 Now you all hear, and don't you fear,


 I'll bring pride to this town, Whinnyshire.”






Of these mem'ries he thought, 


as the deep cave he sought,


 and the dragon it held within.


 He found it at last, and entered it fast–






–but not before, as he thought some more
taking a peek at the sun. 


This look could be, 


solemnly thought he, 


his absolute very last one.






He breathed musty cave air,


 and began to prepare,


for his battle with beast in the cave. 


The pit was foreboding,


 he could hear the wind moaning, 


nevertheless, he felt stoutly brave.






Taking deep breath,


 with his sword in his sheath, 


he went downward and onward below. 


And came to a clearing, 


with a hole in the ceiling,


 big enough to let through a home.






He continued on, his resolve still strong,


 and spotted some dragon tracks,


 that went further back


in the cave he was in.


And then he could hear


from a place quite near


a snoring, resounding within.






His heart took a leap;


the beast was asleep!



He now went off at a livelier trot.


For what could be easier


(though perhaps a bit sleazier)


to fight a beast that could fight back–


not.






He slowed down his pace


as he arrived at the place


where Emerald Scales did sleep.


And though Scales was snoozing


Quest thought not of losing


so into the shadows, he did creep.






He rounded a corner


as he thought his plan over;


what he saw, could no one expect:


A house in this pit


quite extravagantly lit


though it was a bit derelict.






Inside were some stands


from which hung clothes so grand,


collecting dust on the linens and trims.


This confused Noble Quest


as he yet could not guess


why a dragon would do this on a whim.






The mirrors were polished,


the paint wasn’t peeling,


the dining room table was set


It was all bewildering,


this display of housekeeping,


this thing that Quest couldn’t quite get.






As he pondered this strange mystery 


up to the dragon he krept.


And within the claws of the beast he could see


as the dragon all the while still slept–






–A portrait of times ago, on which our hero caught sight


of a beautiful mare,


with deep purple hair


and a white coat which shone in the light.






She smiled at Quest with a look so warm


the effect of which softened his heart.


This kindly fair miss who seemed incapable of harm


reduced his diamond of resolve to a shard.






From whence she came,


let alone her name


Quest sadly knew he knew not.


But here was something in her face,


her beauty and her grace,


for a moment, of the beast he forgot.






Then Emerald Scales yawned


and stretched his neck long


and Quest, he could finally see:


that this dragon was old


with faded scales far from bold,


and like dust, 


they no longer gleamed.






The dragon drew the portrait close to his chest


 and rolled and laid on his side.


And though he spoke not a word to our Noble Quest


his secret he did already confide.






Quest put down his sword


and gave his true word


that this quest he would no more pursue.


He realized with a smile


that all the while


this dragon was a friend too.






His name was Noble,


and so he was able


to resist all the gold and the jewels.


He bowed politely


and trotted out lightly,


bidding the dragon farewell.






As he left the cave


He found something strange:


an opening not noticed before.


He might take a small look


at what lay 'round the crook;


what he saw caused


 his sorrowed heart to soar.






The dragon's trove!


protected not by


that who owns


the gold, and treasure.


You see,


for in the room's back


Quest discovered a plaque


with a single word: "Generosity"






It was all clear to Noble Quest,


this strange little truth he could see;


Though of warriors, he being the best,


the dragon was noble, as was he.






He put some gold in a sack,


slung it up on his back,


and felt a warmth that replaced his chill


He exited the abode


of the dragon alone


And left the beast "that they would not kill."






The dragon let off a sigh


as he thought of past times


and of his lady as he soundly slept.


For today was their anniversary


and he dreamt of her blissfully,


and of her, he would never forget.