Prompt Post - El Viento

He was ten days out of Cheyenne
Rode quietly past the fort
He figured he’d head to Denver
But he’d stop over in LaPorte

The summer air went dry and chill
Though he could smell no storm
He just watched as light died out
And the clouds began to form

Then the sun broke through a bit
And lit such a sight to see
A trio of warriors gave a salute
and said “El Viento, hail to thee.”

“Don’t go by that name no more,”
He said polite as you could please
“My storm’s long since blown out,
My fearsome gale is just a breeze.”

“We have need of one such as you,”
They said, their spears at rest
“Your hand and eye are still quick.
Your talents are still the best.”

“And just what sort of work would
I be doing for the likes of you?”
The trio said, “The work which
Is the best work that you can do.”

“Gave up that work in Santa Fe.
Got sick of the blood on my hands.
Haven’t killed for twenty years
And my decision still stands.”

“The Host needs you, a proven sword,
One who knows how one must fight.
A flashing blade against Darkness,
A burning brand in the night.”

“Blood work, all the same,” he spat,
“Fancy words to hide that I must kill.
I rode on a horse of lead and steel
Half my life. No more. Had my fill.”

The clouds grew black, the trio stern,
And said “The other side will also try.”
El Viento said, “I won’t go into the
Ground any more than I will the sky.”

“Their words are poisoned velvet, and
they will do anything to make you go.”
El Viento shook his head. “If the Devil
Wants me, I’ll tell him, ‘Hell, no.’”