The Blitz

One who follows a warriors path will fight many different battles on many different fields but the code they live by and the rules are always the same for a warrior who is honor bound. There is however a moral dilemma that emerges for the warrior when it comes to a fight with a family member or friend because in this one is faced with a difficult question. Which is more important to the warrior, the brother or the code?

It was something that I pondered over for some time when penning my own code of honor and it is so noted in the 5th field:



"If he be your friend go not with him into the field. But if you do
go, do your best. Because it seems childish to say, "I will go and
fight but I will spare him and favor him." --The Code



When it comes to a confrontation, no matter the wrong, a fight with someone who is close enough to your heart to invoke this moral dilemma is probably someone who knows you well enough to have some idea of what you are capable of. This makes the confrontation that much more dangerous because their tactics may vary from the tactics of a stranger. In these confrontations the body is not often the only thing that suffers wounds. Because of this, these fights never end on a positive note and even if the wrong is righted no good will come of it and most likely very little balance. So the best tactic to use would be to end the fight as quickly as possible or ask them to withdraw the challenge.

In other confrontations the same tactic should be implemented whenever possible. Fights do not need to be drawn out until both parties are exhausted. Especially when the seasoned warrior has the advantage in battle. Anything less than their full potential may be taking their opponent for granted or putting them into the light where they appear to be fighting for sport and nothing more, a light that is far from being honorable. There is nothing honorable about fighting when the advantage is yours and your opponent does not have a chance of winning at all.

This does not stop enemies from attempting to pick a fight however. And so the code continues to include those less than that of the warrior:



"To walk away from strong words or a challenge is shameful. Honor is
held fast by courage and courage must be proved by action." --The Code



This does not mean that the fight must ensue. In most cases a simple gesture or word will cause the opponent to change their mind about the idea. After fair warning is given and a fair chance to walk away is offered then the opponent's only ally is mercy, if mercy should hold when the fight is done.

Fights are in most cases a battle of will. Therefore, a warrior witch who has trained to focus their will always has an advantage in battle. A well-trained witch can project enough energy towards their opponent that their presence becomes suffocatingly overbearing. Often the intimidation from that projection of raw power is enough to put fear into the enemy, cause them to falter, and possibly run away when the fight or flight instincts sway. Should their instincts tell them to run you should allow them to do just that and consider it a greater victory than one where blows were actually exchanged because in this a lesson was learned on both sides. The opponent is reminded of their limitations and the warrior is reminded of what their power is capable of. Offering a great perspective when it comes to choosing which fights are worth fighting. A great warrior never chooses to fight. Because there are no worthy battles and more importantly because he knows what his power can do.

A warrior who is aware of their capabilities in battle, no matter the field or enemy, has the ability to act before the fight can fully develop. To focus their willpower and primal energies to the point where the fire of the fight is extinguished much like an explosive that absorbs the oxygen around an inferno, snuffing the fire out and putting the fight into their control.

This we will call "the blitz". Tremendous surges of energy and dominant willpower that sways the outcome of the conflict and, should luck hold, end the fight completely. Of course, events could also play out the other way and the tactic will get one hurt. Another important factor in knowing your capabilities and only choosing fights that are in your league, all ego aside.

Most people have a bad habit of thinking that they are bigger than they are. And often enough they're the one's who can talk pretty well and run away even better when it's time for the talking to end. You should never bring a spell to a sword fight and never bring your vocabulary to a fistfight. Choose your weapons wisely and forever remember the 4th field of the code:



"If they be matters that touch your honor and that you be compelled
to accept the combat, do the best you can when you have your sword
in hand, and consider that fights are dangerous…" --The Code





The heat of battle can blind even the most seasoned of warriors. The energies exchanged and rage invoked may be overbearing to anyone. A warrior has some level of control and a great warrior will remain in control of the fight at all times even if it appears that he is not. He will use a wide range of weapons and tactics to keep his opponent off guard and the key to his victory is that he has no fear or shame that comes with loosing the battle. Honor is held fast by action and so long as action has taken place his honor holds true. To turn his back with no action when the field is fair is shameful. To turn his back with no action when the opponent is at an obvious advantage is the difference between a wise warrior and a foolish child. A tactical retreat is never a dishonorable notion. Simply live, grow stronger, and fight another day.

Another field of battle has emerged in the modern age that was also taken into consideration when penning the code. And this is the field of written words and "cyber-fighting". The Internet has allowed for many great boasts to come and go on nearly every forum there is. Men and women alike are now considering themselves great warriors when it comes to the power of wielding written words while shielding themselves from actual combat behind a computer screen and screen name that offers them a safe place to hide. There is a lot of posturing and positioning when it comes to who can insult whom in the most creative fashion. I know this field well because I happen to be a master of completely overwhelming people with written word. And I have a natural talent of running off a creative line of adjectives and colorful metaphors that could disarm a rapid rhino and send them packing. But any great warrior will learn to master the weapons of any field and any kind of combat. However when it comes to actual honor and strength, honor and strength are not in the words, they're in the man. So I include the 14th field of the code:



"A Master of Arms is more honorable than a Master of Arts, for good
fighting came before good writing." --The Code



This has been a more highlighted field within the past year. I believe it is something that cannot be taught but something that comes naturally with experience. For the most part I don't partake in such mundane squabbles anymore. I've already been tried and tested in the area. There is nothing left to learn from the sticks and stones. However, should one come along who does not already know this, I make for a great teacher. Keeping in mind that, for the most part, the only reason that they want to argue with me is because in reality all they want to do is talk to me. So I allow the fight as a way of keeping the dialog open. I end the fight when the lesson is over and with the Gods willing, walk away with a new friend rather than a defeated enemy. That is the one and only time a warrior will actually gain anything of worth in battle. Because one should never consider another a friend until they have seen all of their worst qualities and afterwards overcame them.


Angel Snowden -2006