Lady Rawens teaching between a Â
Father and a Daughter.
The quest given me by Lady Taliria was to explain the differences in howÂ
Kai teaches honor and how Leya presents honor to me. To do that, I feelÂ
I need to explain Leya's Way as passed down through the generations ofÂ
Amazons.
In Leya's shrine, there are four statues, Day, Night, Strength andÂ
Mercy. These are used as keys to help us remember what Leya expects ofÂ
each of us. My explanations are short, but as I quote each of Kai'sÂ
talisman, I will attempt to show you how Leya's Way would be used toÂ
explain them.
Day is the beginning. A new start and the sun to help us see clearly. IÂ
strive always to grow in strength and knowledge and try to see things asÂ
they truly are.
Strength reminds me to be strong. Not only in my physical form, but inÂ
my mind and heart and soul.
Mercy is perhaps the one hardest to follow for most. To show kindness toÂ
others weaker than myself of course. But also to show mercy to those whoÂ
are perhaps stronger and even to my enemies. Though some would say mercyÂ
is a weakness shown by weak people, many times mercy and understandingÂ
will win the day.
Night is the time of reflection. To think back on the happenings of theÂ
day. To learn my weaknesses and improve on them or use them to make meÂ
stronger. It is also the time to think back on those who have touched myÂ
life and made it better. It is the time to prepare myself for when dayÂ
returns.
Lord Kai teaches us that, "Defeat cannot be measured by blood spilled onÂ
the battlefield, nor by an empty purse. To know the pain of loss is toÂ
prepare oneself for the joy of victory. We cherish our failures as muchÂ
as our successes,Â
for the bitter taste of defeat only makes triumph that much sweeter."
I believe in Leya's Way, through the guides of Night and Day, I amÂ
taught that defeat is something to be learned from, not something toÂ
despair at. If I can study the mistakes I made in battle and learn fromÂ
them, then the defeat is not a true defeat, but a learning tool. TheÂ
next time I do battle, I will be stronger for having learned from past.
"Without honor in his heart, the mightiest of warriors is but a mewlingÂ
kitten when the world stands at the brink of disaster. Honor, above all,Â
do we cherish. It is the glue that binds mortals to one another. WithoutÂ
it we are merely frightened voices crying out in the darkness."
From Leya and my sisters in the Amazons, I've learned about the buildingÂ
blocks on which Honor is focused. Respect and mercy for others,Â
regardless whether they be friend or foe and loyalty to those I wouldÂ
give my pledge to. To carry myself in a way which tenders respect andÂ
not derision.
The third talisman of Kai reads, "Ours is not an easy path to follow,Â
yet we follow willingly, for in truth we did not choose this road soÂ
much as the road chose us. We are the Sons and Daughters of Kai, and noÂ
mortal soul shall despair of life in our presence. We are the championsÂ
of the innocent, the protectors of the weak, the gladiators of yourÂ
heart."
In the part of Leya's Way dedicated to Mercy, I am told that I must showÂ
mercy to all those weaker than myself and those who may be stronger, butÂ
have weaknesses. I am also told to show mercy to myself and to theÂ
enemy.Sometimes, strength is not enough and showing a little mercy willÂ
go a long way in overcoming the enemy, be it a physical enemy or one ofÂ
the soul.
It is also addressed in that part of the way which comes from Strength.Â
I am told that I should strive to make myself stronger, not just inÂ
muscle and power, but in the mind as well. The stronger I am, the betterÂ
I am able to fight. By becoming stronger, not only do I serve myselfÂ
better, but I can serve those around me better.
"Purity of spirit cannot be measured by mortals, for that which theyÂ
behold is truly only what their minds allow them to comprehend. We areÂ
firm in our resolve, and do not fret over the judgments of those whoÂ
cannot fathom worlds beyond this. Souls cannot be placed into boxes andÂ
marked with labels for the world to see. Only she who possesses theÂ
spirit within herself shall ever know the truth."
Leya teaches me to be true to myself, to know myself, this is the partÂ
Night stands for. I believe that if I am strong in myself and knowÂ
myself, no one else will be able to dissuade me from what I believe andÂ
if they do not agree with me, then it is no matter. By knowing myself, IÂ
only have myself to answer to.
Kai tells of hope. "If we are allowed to take one treasure from thisÂ
place, it is hope. We may rail against the present when the world seemsÂ
to mock us, but our hearts will always beat so long as hope graces eachÂ
breath. Defeat, sorrow, despair - these are but milestones by which toÂ
measure our lives. One flicker of light burning at the end of a darkÂ
road shall guide us through even the darkest of times. We are theÂ
Daughters and Sons of Kai, and we shall not waver."
Through the teaching of Night, I've learned that introspection andÂ
remembering what has gone before helps me to prepare for the future, theÂ
Day. Each day dawns, renewing the promise of life. One must be preparedÂ
to face each day and to carry on, learning from experience and growingÂ
stronger in pursuit of the night's dream.
"The passage of time cannot fade the memories of those who have traveledÂ
at our sides. Engraved on our hearts are the names of comrades, friends,Â
brothers, sisters, mates, with whom we have shared our lives. You shallÂ
never die, for your soul has touched countless others in its quietÂ
journey through this world."
Leya calls on us through Night to remember those who have gone beforeÂ
us. To think about what they strove to accomplish and how they affectedÂ
our lives.
As an Amazon, I'm held responsible to pass on to younger sisters andÂ
others I may meet the knowledge and experience that I learn. This meansÂ
that the spirit of the Tribe, and the honor and loyalty which helpsÂ
preserve the lands, will continue to be taught, even after my teachersÂ
and myself are gone.
"Despair is our constant companion, sorrow our shadow, as we walk theseÂ
mortal plains in search of truth. Our packs are heavy, but our bodiesÂ
are strong, and we welcome these burdens, for they serve to strengthenÂ
our resolve. Only the strongest shall persevere in this quest, and soÂ
we, the Children of Kai, embrace the burdens which others cannotÂ
endure."
Through all four statues, I'm reminded that Leya is the patroness ofÂ
women fighters and that as an Amazon, I should strive to rise above theÂ
hurdles placed before me and to help my sisters overcome theirs. ToÂ
learn from those things that seek to destroy me and in some instances,Â
take them to heart to grow stronger. Sometimes, just admitting to aÂ
weakness will make me stronger or can be used to make me stronger. ToÂ
admit that sometimes a weakness can actually be a strength or used toÂ
reinforce my current strengths.
The inner strength of an Amazon is that she is a woman and that sheÂ
rises above the problems which would defeat others. That she would showÂ
mercy to those around her and use her strengths to help where she can.
"All the lightning and thunder of the heavens cast from the palm of aÂ
wizard can never equal the poetry of a beautiful blade in the hands of aÂ
skilled swordsman. Magic may be the lifeblood of these lands, but itÂ
shall never replace the glory of magnificent bodies sculpted into theÂ
finest weapons ever known." This is the last talisman.
Leya, like her father, is a warrior. She is pleased by the sight of aÂ
well-trained warrior and thrills to the hunt. But some were not born toÂ
be physical fighters. The Amazons are made up of all walks of life, butÂ
each Sister must prove a desire to fight against the evils of thisÂ
world. And each strives to live her life according to the Way.