I've written of this subject before, but I cannot help to come back to it.

Light and Darkness.

I spoke with Loki yesterturn of the necessity to teach all aspects of combat with his new protégé. I've met many warriors, many combatants, that rush headlong into the fray with no idea of tactic or plan. He wanted to know what this important lesson was. This concept that stirred within me. Instead of simply telling him, teaching him nothing, I instructed him to stand near a building as the 'rifter rose higher in the sky. His order was to watch the shadows, what did they do as the light lifted high above the lands?

"...it's moving away from me."

The shadows looked to be retreating from him, and therein lies the lesson of the turn. Tactical Retreat.

It is important to know when to take a step back. When to feint retreat. To draw the enemy deeper into the ranks of those armed to defeat him.

The more I speak with Loki, the more I recall the words of the High Queen. How can I prove to be reliable, if I do not rely upon anyone else. Truly, Loki is one I rely on. He is a superb vessel, strong in mind and in character. Respectful, even when giving incidental insult. There is much to learn from him.

Seems Cody isn't the only in the lands that is honorable and worthy of my highest respect.

In closing, Loki made an excellent comment after my lesson:

"In order to be a leader you must first be a follower. Such as the circle of life."

May the Shadows protect him from the evils of the lands, both without and within.