With Orion’s sword, the Hunter arose
And swept the world with fury and grace.
In him I was born, in him I will die,
In him I will lose name, station and face.
Death over weakness
Death over despair
Death over personal gain.
Death over dishonor
Death over undeath
Death over fire with no flame.
All this I pledge thee
O Grendel, great Khan
To serve and protect
Over death’s endless tide,
With your word in my heart
Your eyes in my face
And your tooth in my hand
By my side.
— from Matt Wagner’s “Grendel”
Eric Robert Nolan, Author 