Online:The Book of Circles

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The Book of Circles

by Frandar Hunding

Proverbs on the creation and use of swords

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Forging Maxims

In the clay smelter you shall build a charcoal fire, of a heat to blacken teeth.

You shall add a layer of iron-sand upon the charcoal.

After six yarbans you shall add a layer of charcoal atop the iron.

You shall repeat this process, layering iron-sand over charcoal, for three days.

After cooling, you shall separate the low-carbon steel from the high-carbon steel.

You shall use the low-carbon steel to form the core of the sword.

You shall use the high-carbon steel to form the skin of the sword.

You shall forge-weld, fold, and forge-weld anselim the skin of the sword, until it attains its needful kotu-ajcea.

You shall sharpen the sword-skin until it may shave an egg without breaking it.

You shall speak the Oblation to Onsi, then drink of the Purifying Beverage of Kotu.

Then, anselim.

Sundas Maxims

Thus on Sundas, Faithful Ones, do we consider these maxims of the Master:

"Be as dawn to your ally, and set dusk upon your foe."

"The Four-Hundred and Fifth Strike: the serpent's right fang as it pierces the eye."

"When swarmed by flies, favor the flat over the edge."

"Anger is a crack in the hull that sinks the ship."

"First blood matters less than last breath."

"Journey many and many miles, but do not leave the Hall of the Virtues of War."

"Discover your foe's habits and discard your own."

"Do not lose the melody in the rapture of one triumphant note."

Tirdas Maxims

Thus on Tirdas, Faithful Ones, do we consider these maxims of the Master:

"The sword is the self. Its edge is the mind."

"To shed the mantle of fear is to cast it upon your enemy."

"Shouting to halt the sands' shifting only leaves you hoarse."

"Prepare to pay for victory in blood, but do not waste a drop."

"The victor's tempo grasps his opponent's and devours it."

"The Seventy-Ninth Strike: the spear of the fisherman sharpened at daybreak."

"Live and die in every moment of battle."

Fredas Maxims

Thus on Fredas, Faithful Ones, do we consider these maxims of the Master:

When your foe takes his ease, make him toil.
When your foe is full, remind him of hunger.
When your foe seeks his bed, wake him.
When your foe longs for home, keep him in the field.
When your foe is ready to take the field, keep him at home.
What your foe prepares for you, do not taste.
What your foe does not prepare for you is a banquet, laid out on a golden table.

Loredas Maxims

Thus on Loredas, Faithful Ones, do we consider these maxims of the Master:

"Train your opponent to make the wrong response."

"The worst action executed with vigor is superior to the best action executed timidly."

"A thrust is elegant, and a cut is powerful, but sometimes the right action is a head-butt."

"The high guard is most suitable for feints and crossovers, but mind your nether limbs."

"Your opponent's sword is not your enemy. Watch your opponent, not his sword."

"Perfection in the eight basic cuts is critical—though you will never use them in battle."

"A closed line is not open."

Mastery of Discipline

In the season of life in which I passed through the Rain's Hand, more than 90 duels did I face to prove myself invincible. I learned the 38 grips, the 750 offensive and 1800 defensive stances, and the 9000 strikes that I would practice for all my future days.

With Onsi's blessing, the sword-singer must do the same to achieve Mastery of Discipline.

Mastery of Devotion

In the season of life in which I marched beneath the Sun's Height, before the power of the gods did I kneel. I dedicated myself wholly unto to the spirit of the sword to forge my Shehai, which I would wield for all my future days.

With Tall Papa's blessing, the sword singer must do the same to achieve Mastery of Devotion.

Mastery of Wisdom

In the season of life in which I was exposed to the Hearth's Fire, into deep contemplation did I withdraw to ponder the nature of truth. I sharpened my mind as my blade and defined the principles I would honor for all my future days.

With Tava's blessing, the sword-singer must do the same to achieve Mastery of Wisdom.

Mastery of Sacrifice

In the season of life in which I shivered from the Frost's Fall, so did I find myself called upon to cast aside the notions of my destiny that I had deemed true. I left the land of my home to which I did not return for all my future days.

Under Satakal's ever-changing influence, the sword-singer must do the same to achieve Mastery of Sacrifice.