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The Uses Of Peace For A Warrior,

As Told By Stique Mac Jacques
In A Run Down Ale House After The Mists-Cynagua War.

Reluctantly Related By Lord Thomas Buttesthorn

"Well, now that we have had some goodly wars to warm the heart, mayhap I will find some respite from hearing all ye milk-sop pups whine about there being too much peace. While, aye, these old bones have of late complained of a scarcity of battle fields to tred and enemies to slay, yet this old warrior has learned of the uses of peace.

"What, ye say! Uses of peace? Ye wink and laugh and mutter that old Mac Jacques is ready to tend a garden and trade his sword for a hoe. Fie! Ye downy-cheeked babes, fresh from thy mothers arms! Wipe the milk from thy naked chins and take an old warrior's rede!

"While, aye, it does to the eye seem that peace is of no use and is best done away with whenever it bestraddles thy path, and often this is sooth, yet as ye shall see, when in judicious measure, ye can turn it to thy advantage.

"Ye can well make use of this time to patch that rent in thy chainmail, lest it allow more than sunshine (and mayhap a willing wenche's fingers) to enter. Be not as a lazy lout, and sharpen thy sword or axe so that should ye have occasion to debate the finer points of war with some other warrior, thy argument should have a keener bite.

"Ye can also make a good use of peace in the telling of thy adventures in the wars. It does allow ye the time to reflect on what really happened, the better to amaze all with thy prowess.

"Ye will find that with each maiden ye tell thy tales to, thy memory will improve and ye will recall glorious feats that perchance ye overlooked before in the rush of heroic combat. Ye will find also that several tankards of ale are helpful in jogging thy memory.

"But more to the point and dearer to the heart is the greater wealth ye may receive withal. Unless ye should be fortunate enough to be first in paying a warrior's respects to some rich church or manor house, ye shall find cold comfort in paying a call on one that has been overmuch respected by those of a more fleet foot.

"A more judicious use of peace will allow crops to grow and wealth increase, the better to provide ye a more hearty welcome. Take the good farmer as thy model, and take thy harvest in its season. After all, as ye can see, his crops are in some manner thy crops. Aye, why settle for a few paltry pennies gleaned from a hard season of raiding, when, with a little peace put to labor for ye, fat ransoms, strong ale, and fair lasses can be thy warrior's wages!

"So, when an excess of peace does break out, leave off of thy despondency (and wearying my ears with thy endless whining). Instead, look on it as a true benefactor for ye and for thy purse. And look ye instead to the next war, that as the cheery sun, does lie on the horizon."

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