The Gauntlet

[ellyssian]

This is my oldest "official" work... or, at least, it's listed first...

Almost all of my poetry has a melody line, even if it's never been heard anywhere but in my head. This one was sung by Artie, the bass part played by Brian, and the drums by Bobby. To get an idea of what it sounded like - as no good recordings exist of it - hear an Iron Maiden tune or early Fates Warning/Queensryche disc.

The Gauntlet
by Everett A Warren
December 5, 1985

The night falls on the city as you fight for your life once more.
Killer for hire, dealer in darkness, expert in the field.
No one can touch you, you're known by your work not your name.
But house to house, in shades of black, you are the target now.

Perfect kill, no traces are left, escape to the roof and jump.
Land on your feet, get up and get out, over the wall and away.
First sign of pursuit, arrows brush past, laugh at the archers folly/
Taking chances, living on the edge, grasping at straws --
Pushing your luck too far... pushing your luck too far.

Can you pass the test of fire, each night you run the gauntlet.
Terror comes, terror goes, shadows climb the walls.
Hide from the light, you're in their sights, no one would ever know.
Live through one night to live for the next,
Mercy has no purpose, no reason, no meaning.

Running the gauntlet -- Surprise is your element,
Running the gauntlet -- Fighting for your life,
Running the gauntlet -- Into the alley ways...
Running the gauntlet -- Into the alley ways they're closing in on you.

Running blindly, meet a wooden wall, a dead end, no time to go back.
Arrows cross the sky, the burning pitch, the barrier alight.
Ashes and embers fly, you throw yourself at the wall and through the blaze.
Run away, vision blurring, wipe the fire from your eyes.

Run to the left, and then to the right, no time to stop and think twice.
A guard up ahead and you draw your sword, block and parry.
The victory's yours, to the victor go the spoils, your fee is at hand.
Search the ground, no gold around, you know you've been had --
No honour among thieves... no honour among thieves.

Can you pass the test of fire, each night you run the gauntlet.
Terror comes, terror goes, shadows climb the walls.
Hide from the light, you're in their sights, no one would ever know.
Live through one night to live for the next,
Mercy has no purpose, no reason, no meaning.

Running the gauntlet -- Surprise is your element,
Running the gauntlet -- Fighting for your life,
Running the gauntlet -- One fatal slip...
Running the gauntlet -- One fatal slip and you'll fall to the ground.

Drop two more as you go, swords hack and slash.
The city wall in sight, you taste the freedom and revenge beyond.
But luck has a flipside, the arrow in your side.
Footsteps coming as pain overcomes, one last stand as you hurl your knife.
The enemy staggers, then he falls and you fall too.
You look up and you know he'll never move --
You breathe your last, you breathe your last.

The test of fire took its toll, when you ran the gauntlet.
Terror over came you, shadows came alive.
Into the light, into their sights, no one will ever know.
Another night, another will take your place,
Mercy had no meaning in the game that you were playing.

Running the gauntlet -- Surprise was your element,
Running the gauntlet -- You fought for your life,
Running the gauntlet -- One fatal slip...
Running the gauntlet -- Surprise was their element,
Running the gauntlet -- They fought to take your life,
Running the gauntlet -- One fatal slip...
Running the gauntlet -- One fatal slip and you fell to the ground.

Copyright (c) 1985 Everett A Warren