on war today

Princess,
The way of the warrior that I read of often is good. Courage and bravery is easy to come by when you walk [or ride] into battle - when you know that the worst that can happen is that you die into oblivion. Death in battle after all, is the way of the sword – something that the warrior lives for.
What happens to a mercenary like me trying to model the old way into this new world of ours?
Where the warrior fights not with sword or axe or bow – but with words and text and suggestion? These weapons do not kill, they only maim. They do not bite into flesh, they claw at spirit. How easy is it for me to bring in the blood-lust and the bravado when I know that it is not sweet death that might be my end – but broken failure to live the rest of my life with?
I am truly brave… or plain stupid.

Winterborn IX