3 minutes

The shadows stopped and watched
As the helmet teetered on the edge
Before clanging its way down
The cold, wet stone stairs bouncing
One last time before finding rest
Against bloody, black hoofed legs.

Powerful Legs taking the steps in pairs
quick hard thuds of hoof on stone
resounding from the tunnel below
Up to the poorly lit passage above.
the determined beast neared the top
His horned head cresting the final step.

A soldier drove down the head of his maul
onto the ground with a mighty boom.
The intimidating sound giving pause
to the bloodthirsty beasts in armour.
Steadying himself on the shaft of the maul
the crusader hoisted himself to his feet.

With unusual strength defying his size
and to spite injuries from a previous fight.
He raised the great maul pointing it towards
The horde ascending the stairs.
He didn't think he’s worth much, he only needed 3
Filling his lungs, then yelling “3 minutes”.

They paused at the sight of a single bloodied man
holding an impossibly threatening pose
and hollering nonsense in the dark.
For a minute the horde watched, assessed.
Smiling at his challenge the horde
entered into melee one on one.

A tiny vibration, the ground rumbled lightly
joined by the squeak of a metallic wheel
and the sound of stone sliding over stone.
The beasts looked up realizing their mistake
The heavy, thick doors were closing.
A minute later the dungeon was sealed.