Jackals

They snarl and drip saliva
A circle of suspects closing in
Not to be dispersed
But she still indulges them
Kindness to a fault
She cannot be alone
The solitude a source of weakness
And the scavengers picking up the scent

But there will be a knight involved
Flakes of rust drifting to dust
As wrinkles furrow his brow
He will lift his mace once more
Dispel the pack around his lady
And split the skulls of these curs
Then drop down on bended knee
One red rose still offered
One breath, alas, still being held.