Pondering Civility over a Swordfight

[Publius 4098]

Spoiler

 

Pondering Civility over a Swordfight
Or
An Evening Duel at Witt’s End, a Treatise on Petran Fencing

 

The Dance, art piece done on stained glass by Matsuda Sakuraba, 139 SA

 

Penned by Monk Matsuda Sakuraba
Printed at the Monastery of the Sacred Heart, Lemon Hill

______________________________________________________________________

 

Author’s Statement

 

Peace is easy to come by on the beautiful Lemon Hill, but any trip into the markets of the surrounding cities leaves little room for interpretation; agitations in the Canon realms careen our laymen towards a bloodletting.

 

For this reason, as a monk of the Canonist Church, I seek to learn from each of these nations - lessons from their history. What made righteous our Warrior-Saints of old, and what mortal powers they possessed that we could mimic on our paths to a good life.

 

These lessons, I pray, to pass on to our laymen, so they may triumph over the wrath we face.

 

Amen.

 

______________________________________________________________________

 

Standing opposite sides of Lord Nicolas in the halls of Witten’s end, an evening of hard questions and philosophizing brought us to the logical conclusion - a duel.

 

Our ordeal though was not that we disagreed, but could not find a single issue with the other’s reasoning: If, GOD forbid, Canonism were to fall again into conflict, it ought to at least be done with honour and dignity. As a monk though, I know little of even honourable and dignified conflict.

 

Sword as my scroll, I was to take this lesson with the Baron of Wittenbach.

 

Our battle did not start with horns, but salutes and gestures of respect, the Lord refusing to take up arms without proper decorum. As sinful as squabbles may be, I could not even describe this as a brush up.

 

Uncertainty ruled me initially, finding my footing to even stand before my opponent was a task that vexed me. Encouraged to widen and lower my stance, I waddled into conflict like the most furious of crabs. The utility of this alien stance dawned on me as we slid and stepped towards one another.

 

Within a battle, it is imperative for a combatant to strike and not be struck. For this, we often use shields, praying we have the fortitude to withstand a barrage. We only had one focus - to land a strike at all, or to force a retreat. Our only defence was control and evasion, and this to me was a demonstration of skill and restraint not often associated with the brutal business of war.

 

Refraining from offering a single signal to our next move, we rose our blade high to the skies, darting in quickly, pricking at each other's near sides. I will admit with no shame I lost each of our 3 matches, but in each I gained skill - no longer lunging and stumbling about, I could bear witness to all factors that I had to be mindful of in attack and defence. My assessments of his actions were like reading a story as it unfolded.

 

In such a closed, pleasant setting, it is easy to mistake such an exhilarating experience with a true battle. Admittedly, it took me a few hours of rest to change my perspective.

 

Lungs burning, tunic drenched with sweat, arms burdened after overuse, it is difficult to ponder on a nuance greater than the flavour of water. It is our GOD given instinct to seek it out after all, but desperation may cloud our foresight and ability to reflect even after our thirst is quenched. Worse yet, blood is viscous, and those who thirst for it may only know thirst.

 

Philosophizing about conflict is often done by those who do not suffer its consequences, and even less often by those who eagerly participate. Our instincts drive us to action, not to think.

 

Petra Fencing represents a compromise between secularism and morality. Compromise that acknowledges the inevitability of conflict, but the restraint to take it only as far as it needs to go.

 

Virtuous living ensures our salvation, but there’s nary a man who lives safely without the security of a sword. Let us at least be civilized in our conduct when we bare arms.

 

My sincerest thanks to Lord Nicolas Wittenbach for the wonderful conversation, hospitality, and lesson in swordplay.

 

 

AS WE JOURNEY,
OUR PATH ILLUMINATED GOD’S LIGHT,
MONK MATSUDA SAKURABA OF THE MONASTERY OF THE SACRED HEART

 

Spoiler

Hey y'all, I am pursuing an arc where my monk char is going from community to community to explore different fighting styles and to learn moral lessons from them. Should you be interested in having your character involved, either as a teacher, as a tag along, or any other way, feel free to reach out!

 

Ideally, I would like to contribute to the communities that humour me, and I would be more than willing to do lots of writing, event prep, etc to see this through. Cheers!

 

For ease of reading, I may soon release audio of the posts being read-aloud. If anyone has an idea on who this may be done, let me know.

 

My discord and MC name is olde_publius

Edited July 30, 2023 by Publius

[JoanOfArc 4604]

Saskia van Aert took some note about the strange monk’s ambition for warrior-saints and combat prowess, yet also insightful philosophizing. She extended an invite to the League should the monk take it…

[Publius 4098]

2 minutes ago, JoanOfArc said:

Saskia van Aert took some note about the strange monk’s ambition for warrior-saints and combat prowess, yet also insightful philosophizing. She extended an invite to the League should the monk take it…

 

Without delay, the monk packed his bags and set out for his next journey! Ahead of himself, he sent a small message:

 

"Good Lady,

 

I have met honourable men of the League, some Adrians, at Lemon Hill. They conducted themselves well, alongside the other dignitaries at our feast. It would be my pleasure to travel to your lands and learn what I may while I am there.

 

My keep I can pay in labour. It is almost harvesting season after all!

 

Regards made warm in GOD's Light,

Monk Matsuda Sakuraba of the Monastery of the Sacred Heart

[EtowTheSaltyCat 574]

*Sitting comfortably in the Halls of Witten´s End, Nicolas is reading this missive fondly, remember his match with the monk Sakuraba* 

[Chorale__ 2147]

The Prince of Valfleur, Paul Alexander of the Petra, a man who particularly enjoys the sport of fencing remarks, "I thank the Vice Chanzlé, the good Baron Nicolas for introducing such a sport to our peoples!