'Twas the dreadfully hot summer of 1428
When they came riding to our high gates.
The beggar who sat there looked up with hate
But he did not know why, so he sat there in debate.
The Riders, on their horses sat proud and straight
Wearing beautifully engraved armour plates.

Appearances are deceiving, so they say.
Unfortunately, 'twas too true for King Raye.
He smiled, welcoming them to stay.
The Riders smiled, while inside, laughing away
At the game they were going to play.

For weeks they laughed and dined with Raye,
Who greatly enjoyed his time with this array;
For in a large, lonely citadel he did stay -
Thus, he never noticed the evil under way.

Then on that fateful fall Friday, Raye woke up
Watching the Riders drink from his beloved gold cup.
Bound from head to toe, he knew something was up.

"What are you doing?" Raye perplexedly pondered.
Replied a Rider, "Your trust, milord, has been squandered.
"'Round your kingdom and palace we have wandered
"And this is the kingdom that will be captured."

Shocked was King Raye, struggling against his restraints,
Voicing to the Riders in vain his complaints
All the while knowing that help could only come from the saints.

Many more weeks dragged by; autumn came and went.
The kingdom still under siege, much to the subjects' resent.
Raye, bound in the towers, his life being one of torment.
Knowing his death would be an eventual event.

His soul, somewhere between the living and dead
Saw a myriad of white feathers that led
Right to what looked like a dragon's head.
When he saw the scales, he gave a stifled scream.

It lifted his head, scales shining like an axe's head.
The dragon's mouth yawned open and it said:
"Tomorrow morning, do not eat your stale bread -
Find the weapon and key you wish for instead."

True to its word, a shiny dagger did appear,
With the silver key that was so revered.
Unlocking the door, shaking with excitement and fear,
In the castle did he finally reappear,
He tragically stabbed at the Riders with a sneer.

Finally, order was restored after weeks
Of torture, murders, and endless deceits.
Raye waved and smiled tiredly to the joyous shrieks.

Thus is the legend of King Raye of 1428
Whether a dragon really helped is up for debate.
Some suspect the dagger came from the beggar at the gate.
But to this day, he still stays, an unmovable weight,
Staring at the path that brings danger to the gate.