by Isaac Alamantus

Created on: August 14, 2008

Standing in the battlefield, the dust clears, and the two teams of five returned to their positions in lines at the top and bottom of the slope with weapons ready in hand, awaiting the command to charge. Every man has an inborn desire to hold a weapon in hand and partake in battle. As time has gone on, the "weapon" has gotten weaker and friendlier, transforming into balls and equipment for sports. A few men, however, have the opportunity to fulfill their desire through taking hold of a sword and truly satisfying the need to fight.

My desire was awakened by my first trip to see a show at Medieval Times. My dad and I went together, and we were seated in the section championed by the Black and White Knight. There was a tournament, jousting, and finally several battles. Watching well trained men swing real metal weapons at each other with full force, and seeing the sparks fly when the weapons clashed made me realize my need to wield a weapon. Years passed, three years, until I finally found a store that sold swords for reasonable prices. I, making money at that point, quickly bought one, and when I received it, I was very excited. It was a claymore that reached from the ground to my chest. Within that same year, I saved more money and bought and was given more swords, and my collection grows still

I discovered the answer to my need for battle at my first Renaissance Faire: A dirt arena, pipes wrapped in foam and cloth shaped to resemble swords, daggers, and axes, and other people with the same desire to fight. After papers were signed, a tutorial of the rules was given, and practice was done, enough people had gathered to start a battle. It was an even combination of experienced and inexperienced fighters, but my inexperience did not prevent me from fighting valiantly! I fought and ran and aided my team to earn victory many times. After another fight, I was standing in the battlefield, waiting for the dust to clear. The two teams of five had returned to their positions in lines at the top and bottom of the slope. We waited, with weapons in hand, for the command: Lay On!

My thirst for battle was quenched that day, but even now, it continues to well up in me. I need the fight, the heat of battle. Now that I have tasted it, I cannot be satisfied if I do not have it. I belong on the battlefield with my friends at my side and my enemies in front. And so it shall remain

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