The Tale of Dreaded Arlin

Long time ago in a foreign land
there lived a Lord called Arlin.
Most noble he would tell he was,
his grace unmatched upon the world.

His peons would tell different tales,
for through fear not love they knew him.
To get what he was longing for
was normal to him like his breath.

There lived a damsel, Jelin called
in the lands of Dreaded Arlin.
When his gaze fell on this beauty's face,
he knew that she would sate his thirst.

So he sent his henchmen out to get her
against her will they brought her in.
To a room high up above the earth
they dragged her and her fears proved true.

"I want you know, you lusty wench"
and waited for Jelin to please him.
Despised of him she proudly denied
so against her will he took her.

After he had stilled his needs
he kicked crying Jelin.
With a crooked smile he said to her:
"I always do get what I want".

"Curse you then, you mangy beast,
not splendid but foul Arlin.
Not more than what you deserve you'll get",
spoke Jelin, her eyes full of tears.

And so poor Jelin, stained and hurt
rose staring at Dreaded Arlin,
walked slowly to the window wide
and threw herself unto her death.

Months later then an odd disease
befell Lord Arlin on a whim.
Healers came from many lands
but none of them could make him well.

One evening though and ancient man
came limping to Arlin seeming dim.
"I have a cure for you", he spoke
and looked straight into Arlin's face.

"What is your price then, ancient lad,
for that, what cures the splendid Arlin?"
"No more than a meal, that sates me full,
for never was my hunger stilled."

"That shall be done" spoke the cured Lord
and thought the old one really dim.
And let his cooks prepare a meal,
that should have been enough for four.

"I long for food" the old one said
and ate the meal they brought him,
"I long for food" he said again,
so they brought him all they had.

"I never saw a man eat all,
that was in the stores of Arlin",
spoke the befuddled Lord his mouth agape,
while the old one smirked at him.
"I long for more, am hungry still,
there is more room here in",
the old one pointed at his stomach,
his gaze locked with gaping Arlin.

"Some gems and riches might taste well",
he spoke to Dreaded Arlin.
Snapped his fingers, made them appear
and dined till all was gone.

"Seize him!", the Lord cried to his guards,
face red like the sun had burnt him,
"I long for guards" the old man spoke,
and shortly later they too were gone.

On went the old one hour by hour
till empty was the house of Arlin.
"I am still hungry" he spoke then
his gaze still locked with the shivering Lord.

"Mayhap you might sate me full",
he spoke to pale Lord Arlin.
His peons heard his dying screams
and fearful hid inside their homes.

So ended the life of this foul Lord,
all had been stripped from him,
his land was shattered, void remains
but the tale of Dreaded Arlin.

-- Told by bards when they want to show a greedy one how easily his greed can undo him