There the council sat

Half circled

Twelve men sat and watched

And twenty soldiers held the three kings of men.

The King of Rivers and Lakes,

Far to the North was his domain,

Stout and rich.

The King of Horse and Beasts,

Over plains and hills was his domain, 

Fearless and proud was his bearing.

Then lastly the King of Mountains and the Sky,

The Southern regions,

Rich with ships and seas,

These were the kings whose power and lineage was absolute,

Their Knowledge and Wisdom was supreme,

None doubted them,

And yet this council denied them.

Such a treachery.

Men sworn to be noble,

Trusted men, 

And yet their minds were filled with poison,

And their hearts ground into sand.

This council sought the deaths of their kings.

They had kidnapped them all in the dead of night.

Had them beaten and stripped. 

Their titles, crowns, and loyal soldiers could never protect them again.

It was this council’s duty to strip the kingdoms of their leaders. 

Then to step in and lead in their stead.

Trusted men to lead.

But before a lead, 

First a death must come.

Each King had a soldier next to him,

Each soldier had a knife in hand. 

Their King, Their King, Their King.

The knives went across Their throats.

Their King, Their King, Their King.

One by one each of the Kings fell.

With the death of wisdom and lore,

How much time was left for Their Kingdoms?