No alarm clock today- Saturday morning. The sun arrives early, shining first blue, and then blinding white through the shutters. The air smells like it does in the morning when you go camping- wet, bright, full of birdsong.

I swing my legs out of bed. I’m not the only one who’s awake. My sons are up, checking their weapons and gear. We worked on swords last night, but those were “guest swords”. Each of us has our favourite, and we double check them this morning, and make adjustments to frogs, belts, straps and scabbards.

It’s an interesting feeling and I savor it- I imagine that a millennium ago someone woke up and felt the same as I do this morning- nervous and relaxed at the same time. Reserved- knowing I’m going to need a lot of energy later. Calm before the thunder storm. This afternoon we fight.
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It’s our first big fighting day of the season and we’re to meet a large party at this huge 165 acre park and do battle. We call...