The life of a tunesmith is more than just travel
We need to learn to fight, to hold our own and not unravel
I had no problem with this I thought
Sparring should be easy---Boy, did I learn a lot
I went against Delgarth twice, Ottavius, and Arwyn
Learned swiftly that I should toss my ideas in the bin
But I stuck with as best I could, and soon I discovered
I rather like the rush and thrill that almost smothers
Alive I felt, after each fight, but thats not what Im here to say
Instead its about my battles that have made me who I am today

It wasnt much, that first battle
A thrust, a parry, and from there things just got better
He stopped me short, that kind templar
And gave me battle-words to remember.
Apply sileris, caloric, drink health
Sing tune, sing lay, sing lament, dont be dim
So I took his advice, and a bit more
Gripped my rapier, and jabbed him some more!
Well, I tried, at least, you see, but I fear
I couldnt hit, but only miss, oh dear!
But I gathered my courage and attacked again
And got sprawled on my butt again and again
Ive got to learn to dispel those auras of rebounding
But until that happens, Ill guard my tail and wear some padding
Soon the battle was over, although not as quick as I feared
And when out of the arena I was kicked,
He was kind enough to give my ego a cheer-up lick

Then we decided, again wed go at it
But we stood outside the arena for a bit,
And he gave me more lessons to make me a hit
Then when we went in, he promptly hit me upside the head!
I squawked and I honked, barked and flopped around
The voices, the voices, get them out, cease their sound!
He paused for a second, took pity, and told me what to do,
So I was stupid for only a minute longermaybe two
I sang and I played, ate and applied
Whilst he stood looking on, right by my side
And When I was ready, I brandished my rapier,
Played a lament, and watched him run away with a cry
He ran away, and I giggled madly, but then he came back
The battle didnt go on much longer I fear,
But I did my best, on that you can be clear!
I learned what I needed after that horrible loss,
And then I went away, with orders from my fighting boss
So ended my second attack, with me becoming a raja-snack.

My third battle was long, and came to a draw
My fellow bard was swift, and rough,
But what can I say, for a Raja Im tough!
Of course I had some experience under my belt
It seemed I used every herb but kelp, I know thats an exaggeration,
But what do you expect, Im a bard, albeit of low station!
He jabbed and thwacked me upside the head
Sang a lament, and drove me crazy again
But Id learned my lesson and swiftly I composed
And then I ran and I ran, and then struck a pose
I knew he was coming, as I carefully waited
And I threw myself into a handspring right then
Later He lured me to the trees, and cast me out of them
I broke both legs, and hurt my chin on a limb
But I mended and mended and rose up again
And ate moss as we began to fight again.
The battle went on for a little longer, but the next thing I knew
It had been declared a draw between us two!

My fourth fight was my friend Arwyn
A sweet Siren who was also determined to win
She was so high of a level, and I was so low
That I thought the fight would end with one measly blow
Happily I was wrong, quite wrong indeed
My shield served me well, and my speed
My rapier I brandished, struck out and jabbed
Away she would run, and those few seconds I nabbed
For that time I needed to desperately heal
That siren could skewer, envenom, and nearly kill
I sprung at her quite a bit, knocked her flat
Ran away, and within a second again she splat!
Handspring is a wonderful thing
Even if youre battling with venom going through your veins
Immunity sipped, hawthorn myself deaf
Attack her again, and then run my best.
So in conclusion, yet another draw,
But Id rather draw then to my death fall!

My battles were interesting on and all
And I have to say I learned enough to stand tall
For you see besides those fights, Ive fought more you see
Ive went up against another much stronger than me
And with a handspring and jab, and a thump to the head
I knocked him flat, and jabbed him dead.
For once it was out of the arena I was not kicked
And I had no sores that needed a lick
Ill never be the best, that I realize well,
But at least now I know when needed
It wont always be me telling the tale of defeat!

Penned by my hand on the 14th of Valnuary, in the year 387 AF.