Role

Chapter 7

"I was not the most skilled swordsman during my time, but I can sure hold off a couple
of criminals in a fight," ex-Captain Kerias said, as he took a long drag on the pipe.

"I should have been killed in many occassions. It is not only how well you wield your
weapons, but your focus and desire to be attentive to every little bit of details that
will save your hide. I remember chasing a criminal, Askelus, a duergar villager to near
the Battleragers' Shrine. As I was coming out from the forest, he stood there among the
Ruins, waiting for me."

"I tell you, lad, he's a tough fellow, famed for his strength and aggressiveness. His
sword swings can tear you apart in a flurry. You didn't even have a chance to parry
his blows. But I lived the day to tell you this lesson. He was arrogant and too
confident of his skills. He underestimated his foe and covered not his weakness to
the swords I carried. It was his bane."

"To be a cut above the rest, you have to push aside your emotions that cloud your
role + head. If not, you will lose it. I've seen better weaponmasters than me, and
they lie some feet underground or are given to the carrion birds. Some gave in to the
fear of death, some to arrogance. A couple were defeated even before they fought me.
They have heard of my reputation and lost even before we exchanged blades. Many were
just plain stupid and foolhardy."