The Duel

A fictional piece brought to you by too much Benadryl and not enough sleep. 

The attack is a total surprise, catching me off guard and I barely manage to escape a fatal wound in those first few seconds.  Groping blindly I finally find a sword in my hands and, clumsy though I am with it, I manage to hold my own for a little bit.  Sparring desperately I notice a pattern to the attacks, thrust parry thrust retreat, almost as if my opponent is giving me a chance to recover before pushing again.  Too bad I never actually have enough time to recover anything.  Equilibrium, balance, a chance to lick my wounds, nothing.  Bleeding badly I stagger on, fighting desperately and trying anything in my arsenal to hold my opponent at bay.  I scream for help, hoping someone is near enough to hear me.  In my brief moments of lucidity I realize I should have seen this fight coming, but somehow it has totally sneaked up on me, and now there is nothing left to do but attempt to muscle through.  


I realize suddenly that what I thought was a random pattern of attacks has managed to herd me into a most precarious position, right on the edge of a cliff.  Great, I think to myself, just what I need.  I try to sneak glances around me to attempt this trap I've walked right into, but there's no time.  I just keep fighting desperately, trying to avoid any more wounds.  I'm already bleeding in dozens of places, weakening me and making my reaction time slower, so its not a surprise really when i find myself balancing on the very edge of the cliff I was trying to avoid.  Sighing I wipe the sweat and blood from my brow and attempt an offensive maneuver that should give me an opportunity to retreat from the battle.  Sadly my opponent is way more skilled than I remember her being, and this gains me nothing.  "Crap"  I mutter.  I'm in for it now. Surely someone has heard me, heard this vicious battle going on?  Surely someone has heard my cries for help by now right? 


The next exchange of blows is the most brutal yet.  No matter how I attack, how a I defend, she is always right there ready to prick, ready to wound, turning my attacks to her advantage.  Finally I stand on the very brink of the cliff, teetering desperately.  I wobble wildly, hoping against hope that somehow, I can escape and survive.  Suddenly as I'm sure I'm headed over the precipice someone grabs my hand.  Then again on the other side.  I look to my left, and then to my right, and gasp with relief.  I've been heard.  Friends stand with me, Family right beside me.  Rescue is here.  Support, encouragement, and the strength to go on.  I take a deep breath and prepare to fight on, but my opponent just stands there, smiling gently.  With this group, with this support, there is no longer any need for battle, for she cannot stand against such numbers, against such love.  Without them, I am weak, outnumbered against this huge opponent, but with them, she dare not stand.   

For the support, for the love, for pulling my ass back from brink more times than I care to count, my thanks. 
Happy Mother's Day to all my moms.  I have been blessed to have so many willing to walk the path with me, and to have such a strong support network when I need it.   Love to you all.