[Bryn-gwlad] A warrior's riddle

[Sir Lyonel Oliver Grace]

Salut cozyns,

I have a riddle for you to contemplate in preparation for tomorrow's 
practice. This is not a koan--it has a clear, rational answer. And, no, the 
answer has nothing to do with humility, modesty, or confidence.

A traveling samurai came upon a small throng of locals gathered to watch and 
gamble upon the fortunes two warriors about to engage in a duel. A diligent 
student of technique, the traveler stopped to watch the bout, hoping to see 
what factors would decide the outcome. When the two men closed, the elder of 
the pair ducked under his opponent's sword and struck a single fatal blow. 
The bout lasted less than two seconds, but what astonished the traveling 
samurai was the astonishing shape of the winning stroke. The young swordsman 
had never seen a swordstroke--much less an effective stroke--from so odd a 
position and in so odd an angle.

Once the throng had dissolved, the body of the defeated had been removed, 
and the victor's well-wishers had departed, the young samurai ran up to the 
elder and threw himself at the other's feet. "Sensei, much have I traveled 
and many battles have I fought, but never before have I seen such mastery 
concentrated in a single sword stroke. Please, sensei, take me as your 
pupil. Teach me your way with the sword."

The older samurai looked over the prostrate youth carefully and said, "You 
carry the swords of a gentleman, and I see that you have a warrior's scars 
upon your hands. You say that you have fought. Have you killed with a stroke 
of the sword?"

"Yes, sensei."

"And if the need arose, could you do so again?"

"Yes, sensei."

"Then there is nothing that I can teach you."



lo vostre per vos servir,
Meser Lyonel
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Micel yfel deth se unwritere.
		--AElfric of York