[Intro] Five brethren entered, their vengeance possessed Five stood before him, all armed and impressed He rose from his seat, adjusted his vest: “Behave.” We came for the devil who butchered our kin Five blades at his throat, five hearts full of sin The eldest stepped forward with steel in his hand— “One final warning. Dost thou understand?” He raised up the dagger, the same one he bore The eldest was certain he'd settled the score He lunged with a cry— “Thou hast done this before.” “My dear chap…” “Misaddressed.” The eldest fell first, his blood on the floor The dagger went clattering— He moved for no more. The strongest among us, our leader, our guide Had fallen before us with one fatal stride My brother beside me whispered: “God preserve—” “Thou hast two choices.” He looked at the steel, then looked at the face He thought he could master the lord of the place He stepped from the line— “And another erased.” One brother struck high, one brother struck low He stepped through the measure and let them both go One steel met his shoulder, one met his chest— He answered with steel— “And now, thou shalt rest.” Three of us breathing. Two brothers lie down. Blood on the floorboards, dark in the town. He turned from the bodies, as calm as before— “Gentlemen, I tire. Shall we settle this score?” He walked from the chamber, mounted his steed We followed behind him, consumed by our greed He rode through the darkness— Never ran, never fled. He rode to a fortress beneath the moonlight Iron-bound gates opened wide at his sight Men filled the walls as we entered the keep— We knew in that moment— We'd followed too deep. “You followed me willingly.” The gates slammed behind us. The soldiers drew steel. My brothers looked round, starting to feel He could have us slaughtered— “But that would be rude.” “Leave…” “…or fight.” The second stepped forward, his courage restored He raised up his blade— “Come then, my lord.” Steel rang against steel, precise and cold One brother swung twice— He paid for it threefold. The second struck harder, determined to win Hark turned at the wrist— And drove the steel in. He dropped at my feet, his blood on the stone I stared at his body— Left all alone. “One brother remains.” He looked at me calmly. He wanted me mad. He wanted the rage that had killed every lad. He wanted my blade— He wanted my breath— He wanted me standing beside them in death. “Come forth.” I looked at my brothers. Then looked at the gate. I lowered my weapon. I would not share their fate. “Wise.” [Outro] Four went down to the edge of his steel Four names left behind that the living must feel And then came the question that froze me with dread: “If thou diest as well…” “…who remembers the dead?” I understood then. That was his game. He was not asking for courage. He was asking for another name. “Behave.” I bowed my head. And lived. Five brethren entered. Four lie dead. One walked home— To speak of the rest. “Be gracious.” “Hark.”
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