The Dragon Chronicles, Part 7

Every knight, rogue, squire, mercenary, page, or freeman has a gift...a special talent for affecting power and/or change in the world around them. This gift may be recognized or unrecognized, developed or undeveloped, appreciated or unappreciated...but can never be denied or abdicated. The talent is truly a gift...given to bring uniqueness to the individual...to give them a purpose...to make them necessary, resourceful, even vital. This gift is given from outside the individual and originates beyond their power or knowledge...indicating a purpose, an intelligence greater than the individual themselves.

It is the very existence of this power that creates a sense of urgency in the individual to make use of their gift, for the better if possible. After all, can such a power not remove such a gift as easily as giving it? And if so, should not one feel a responsibility to be accountable, at least in part, for the proper cultivation and use of their gift? The answer to that timeless question provides the foundation to the adventure of a lifetime...a journey of purpose and meaning...which is every man's fulfillment and destiny. An epic quest always begins with an epic question...and the answer to that question comes through the living of the journey...the experiencing of life.

The Dragon Chronicles - A Rogue's Response

Dear Knight Gallant,

I really fail to see the reasoning behind your classification, my good knight! You knights are all the same, grouping the rest of us adventurers with you in everything we do -- though we are really nothing like you. Certainly I am nothing like you! Sleuth, Secrecy, Covertness...yes, there you have a point...but to call me a knight only shows me how naïve your mind is. My battle, sir, is not with evil or dragons -- no, my battle as a rogue is with myself.

I hold nothing dear to me. For, you see, everyone who encounters me and parts paths with me is an asset, nothing more. Whether it is wealth, laughter, sinful lust, or desire...I pick and choose that which I warrant as important. If it just so happens that I pick a goal that meets up with yours, then of course we become brothers. But, don't take for granted the joint direction we share. In an instant my short blade might find a home between your own ribs!

My struggle is with that at which I am best. My talents are looked upon as scandalous. I know right from wrong...and yet to be good at so many wrongs -- does that determine and justify the definition of what you think that I perceive as right? Then to hell with you and your virtues, your impeccable character and your wholeness of heart!! You disgust me, oh righteous knight!! Do not think for an instant....

Wait... I apologize... In fact... ARGGH! Now at last you see! I do not understand that of which I speak...or do I? My companions have learned to love me -- even my spectacles -- HA! Therein lies the battle, knight! See that? That which makes me rogue? Now let's shut up and go get some mead and women... By the way, do you recall where that brothel is again??

--Romayo, Grand Master, Rogues Guild

[Submitted by my very dear friend, from whom I learned all the roguish arts and by whom I was inducted as an honorary member into the Rogue's Guild...]

The Dragon Chronicles, Part 6

Rogue Knights... Knights who are addicted to the adventure in life. Knights who love the questing almost more than the quest itself. Knights who specialize in stealth and secrecy and covertness and the element of surprise. Knights who love to win in the unexpected way. Knights who may well be called the "special forces" of knighthood...

Every questing knight has need now and again for the covert. Either the dragon is too crafty, or the quest is too complicated, or the goal is too elusive... The knight who champions the right and boldly strides forth to face the dragon head-on can often find himself flat on his back, well-singed, and wondering just what happened. Dragons are sneaky and dishonest and not at all afraid to use the "back door" to fell an unsuspecting knight. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to employ stealth tactics to overcome a particularly crafty dragon.

It is here that the rogue knight operates at his best. Trick for trick, stealth for stealth, cleverness for cleverness, the rogue knight is the dragon's mongoose, hitting him in the very places where he himself attacks the gallant and unsuspecting knight. For a rogue is able to think like a dragon and act like a dragon when need demands. And most importantly, a rogue understands that the dragon, clever as he is, can still only think in one dimension...and that is his weak point. The dragon is usually so bent on the knight's destruction, that he fails to realize when he gives away all his own best secrets by employing his covert tactics. Turning a dragon's tricks back on him is often the most effective way to find his soft underbelly and the very best time to strike. This a rogue knows almost instinctively and employs most ruthlessly...

This most useful skill can often get the rogue into trouble with his fellow knights, however. The order of knighthood, after all, seems to champion only truth, justice, forthrightness, and honesty. Using the covert tactics of the rogue can seem somewhat out of joint with those most righteous virtues, so the others claim. And the rogue is very often caught drinking in life with gusto (sometimes literally!) and consequently disregarding rules, regulations and propriety in his "off-duty" escapades. And it doesn't help that the often handsome, dashing, cavalier, yet mysterious 'scoundrel' rogue seems so deft at attracting the most desirable women...much to the virtuous knights' chagrin. So the rogue is often ridiculed and scorned, even though it is he that so often saves the day when those 'righteous virtues' keep the other knights confused, disoriented and off-guard in the face of relentless dragon fire...

The truth is, though, that the rogue is most fiercely loyal and trustworthy in his allegiances. For just as the rogue can see to the true heart and mind of the dragon when others can not, so can he see to the true heart and mind of a fellow knight when others can not. Therefore, the rogue knight whose allegiance has once been earned truly makes the very best of friends...and that can make all the difference.

The Dragon Chronicles, Part 5

...Dragons are unpredictable. Some dragons come with fire and rage and ruin, and you know well before they arrive that your life is going to quickly take a turn for the worse. Some dragons are content to scare you with their presence and only occasionally spout flame and fume at you to remind you that they are there and that you should be very, very afraid. Some dragons are already grown fat and lazy by the time you encounter them and are content to let you starve to death in the wasteland they have created around them without bothering to confront you directly.

...But SOME dragons are very, very dangerous! They have a full arsenal of the weapons described above and use them individually and corporately as the mood strikes. Their most fomidable weapon, though, is their ability to completely curse your existence. They coax you into believing that you have a chance to stand and fight them. Yet, while you face them with all your courage they are weaving wicked, cursed magic behind your back to bring rack and ruin upon your family, friends, community, and kingdom. They undercut your supports one by one. They don't just kill them, they visit slow, cruel torture upon them using every wile of hate, deceit, cruelty, wickedness and ruthlessness. And when they finish, you suddenly realize that the real fight was behind you, not in front of you, and there is now no longer anything left to fight for. So fighting becomes robbed of its sweetness and reward and every offensive stroke becomes riddled with futility.

...Pretty bleak picture, huh! Kinda makes you feel like not bothering to fight at all. But, ah, therein lies the real key to victory. You see, dragons are incapable of seeing anything positive. They only see the potential for ruin and despair in everything. They only win so long as they are able to push you backwards into the crippling futility of despondency. They are incapable of understanding the knight who has already pledged irrevocably to press forward with the fight no matter what lies behind.

...Such a knight fights for an ideal, a dream of what can be in a dragon-less world. They fight for all the other knights and families and friends and kingdoms which will come after them. They believe, in the words of Samwise Gamgee, "...that there is some good in this world...and that it's worth fighting for!"

...Knights gallant see all the opportunities to give up as touchpoints for steeling the resolve, grasping the sword more firmly, and standing strong when all around seems on the verge of annihilation. They understand that the true danger is to look a dragon in the eye and lose sight of all that's really important. And they know instinctively that a shield can also be used as a mirror to turn a dragon's evil and wickedness back upon itself. For the one thing a dragon cannot withstand is the unavoidable truth that all the evil in the world cannot conquer the steadfast heart and the noble spirit. The true knight is a knight in every fibre of his being and no amount of dragon fire can ever burn that essence from him.

...So steel your resolve, fellow knights. Keep your eye on the true treasure and never, never forget your shield!

The Dragon Chronicles, Part 4

This week, I find myself extraordinarily busy pursuing quests and fighting dragons. I've encountered some bigger dragons than usual and, as a result, I am having less than the usual amount of success in conquering them. Therefore, naturally, I find myself revisiting the means by which I choose to measure my success at questing. Such difficult times tend to make this "cup-half-full" warrior-knight do that.

I believe that to measure the final success of a quest by too high of a standard is to invite frustration, despondancy and resignation. To measure by too low of a standard is to invite mediocrity, complacency and indifference. Somewhere between those extremes is a place where success is measured by direction, determination and forward progress. All with an eye towards the supra-natural, of course.

"Success" has, I believe, many elements to it, as far as questing is concerned. The very act of donning armor and taking up sword and shield is in and of itself a measure of success. Pledging honor and honoring the pledge is, after all, the very essence of being a knight. Sallying forth on the journey with no complete understanding of the nature and scope of the path (or of the outcome!) is also a measure of success. Valor and uncompromising bravery are very knightly virtues. Continuing to confront and wrestle the various challenges of the quest, even though the journey seems endless and the requirements impossible, also qualifies. Perseverance and determination are intrinsically knight-worthy. Being willing to deviate from the path in order to protect and serve those who are weaker counts, so long as the warrior remains true to the quest and resumes the journey at the earliest possible opportunity. Unselfishness and chivalry are knightly qualities held in high esteem by all.

Ah, but herein lies the true essence of success. It isn't just in the accomplishing of the end goal of the quest, it is in the nature of the questing and the nature of the questor as well. After all, to slay the dragon at the cost of the damsel in distress, the townsfolk, the kingdom, and one's own virtue is hardly a victory at all. The knight who fails at the quest, yet returns to fight another day stronger, wiser, and more mature is better for it. And the knight who ultimately surrenders his life in battle with the dragon is certainly no less a knight than the one who stands victorious beside the slain beast, triumphant and exultant.

I think, therefore, it is safe to say that true success lies in the soul of the valiant warrior-knight, not in the outward circumstances. Outward accomplishment is nothing if not accompanied by a virtuous and upright heart. Therefore, I determine to daily take up armor, sword, shield and the heart and soul of a true warrior-knight, all dragons be damned!....

The Dragon Chronicles, Part 3

I find myself spending much time lately pondering the quest log of my life...the challenges I wish to pursue and the dragons I wish to slay. The rewards and experience to be gained for such questing are obvious motivations for sallying forth, but there are other motivators as well. People, to be precise.....

...There are those I find myself desiring to protect, damsels in distress and so forth. (My family is chock full of damsels in distress!)

....There are those who provide my means of warfare: armorers, patrons, serfs, stablemasters, and the like. (My employers and resourcers are absolutely obligatory in my questing after dragons!)

...There are those who are my progeny...those who wish to have me mentor them into glorious copies of myself. In them I see my greatest strengths...and most dismal failures. (Teaching and exampling are the ultimate way of learning!)

...But the most intriguing are those I meet upon the road...those who, like myself, are questing after life's dragons and the concomitant rewards. Many are on the selfsame quests, eager to have aid in resolving their quests handily and avoiding the slow and arduous path of soloing their dragons, especially the elite ones. They intersect my life, solicit my aid and move away again, with various levels of expressed (or unexpressed!) gratitude. Some return from time to time as they learn to know my strengths and how those fit their needs. Some even become firm acquaintances, eager to lend me aid as well as asking for it, and ofttimes desirous of my company for its own sake.

......But the most truly valuable (and intrinsically satisfying!) persons are those precious few who embrace me as part of their own life's questing. They are those who understand fully the depth of my need to quest and intentionally infuse their own need into mine. We live, and love, and sweat and bleed side by side throughout the journey. We are guildmates, fellow knights and companions, pledged to go the distance together and to act as one in conquering our quests and subduing our collective dragons. They encourage my strengths and actively hone the rough edges off of my weaknesses and solemnly plead for me to reciprocate in kind. It is they, my brothers, who are the true motivation for the quest and the only sure way to defeat the greatest dragons....

The Dragon Chronicles, Part 2

Strange how life puts us in places where we have to rely on forces outside ourselves for success and/or survival. No matter how good we are, or think we are, at what we do, there is always that place where it simply isn't enough to get the job done. Being in a great new position where the proper training to do the job right is available, but purposefully withheld, (and yet the expectations remain!), being a good example. No matter how hard you might try, failure is imminent unless outside forces intercede.

Relationships are another good example. Whether it be a spouse, a family member, a close friend, or a colleague, it is never enough for only one of the two persons to work at the relationship. It takes both people investing in and committing to the relationship for it to grow strong. One can try their hardest, but the other's ability to cripple the relationship will always have the potential to triumph in the end. Thus each is forced to rely on the other to make the relationship succeed.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not spouting pessimism here! I'm simply musing on the miracle of succeeding where that success is simply beyond one's own power. Kinda makes you want to look at the other person differently, doesn't it...realizing that if you cheat another of their potential to succeed, especially for the sake of your own advantage, it will most certainly turn and bite you in return sooner or later.

So I think we should all take advantage of opportunities to help each other succeed, knowing that such selfless acts of human kindness will assuredly return to us in time. (The "Pay it Forward" principle...) It is a most certain way not to tease the sleeping dragon of selfishness, in whose affairs we should never meddle...lest he discover just how good we taste...............!

The Dragon Chronicles, Part 1: The Quest of Life....

Well, October is here and life seems to be moving faster than ever. Work, volleyball games, and the demands of being a homeowner. Hardly any time for family or friends, let alone hobbies. As I pass another birthday, I find myself thinking that I should make the most of every opportunity to do the things I was born to do. Music, family, friends, and enjoying life are what make me what I am. I need to find a way to keep doing them all. Finding a decent job in my chosen profession...making sure to leave enough time to enjoy the people that really count...playing if there's time left...that is the quest ahead of me. Distraction, discouragement, and fear of survival are the dragons I so fear!

....So I don my armor, take up sword and shield, mount my valiant steed, and charge off on the mighty quest into the unknown after that holiest of grails: a sense of purpose for being in this world and the conquering of the impossible!....

Humble Beginnings

Here I am again, embarking upon another adventure. The quest for greater meaning and higher understanding has led me to this new avenue of expression. It is here that I choose to open my mind and heart and pour out the humble musings of a knight on a journey, a warrior intent upon slaying his life's dragons and bringing peace to his realm. Join me as I travel and fight and conquer and find the ultimate treasure.....