By: Kyle Jacobson
War paint sinks into the pores of the warrior’s face. He nods in approval at his sage green mask, ferocity highlighted with golden streaks. Today would be a great battle indeed. The man grabs his yellow cheddar crown and steps back to admire his armor. Shimmering green and gold scales stress white stripes and numbers to complete the ensemble. The man would invoke fear into the hearts all his enemies, be they Bear or Viking.
There would be hundreds, nigh thousands, dressed as he to give strength to those who fight for his honor. It is fortunate, however, that he would not be doing battle as, truth be told, his abilities fell far short of the greatest warriors. And it was the greatest warriors who put everything on the line in hopes of appeasing those who had courage enough to cheer them into battle. Spectators cursed and praised their warriors as they fought hard for hours. The man and his kind constantly claimed that they could perform better, that they were smarter, and that they could lead with greater strength. They believe their knowledge of tactics to be superior to that of the General.
As the battle presses to a conclusion, tensions are at their highest. If the battle be won, the supporters would certainly terrorize the town with unrestrained celebratory hijinks. However, if the battle be lost, they would surely sulk themselves to their homes and find only despair in their sleep. Was it best for the victors to gloat and let others recognize their supremacy, or should the man hate the General for poor warrior choice during the hiring of mercenaries. Either way the man would wake the next morn and come to the same conclusion he had many times before: in the end all is good and well, for ‘tis only a game.
