The quest given me by Lady Taliria was to explain the differences in how
Kai teaches honor and how Leya presents honor to me. To do that, I feel
I need to explain Leya's Way as passed down through the generations of
Amazons.

In Leya's shrine, there are four statues, Day, Night, Strength and
Mercy. These are used as keys to help us remember what Leya expects of
each of us. My explanations are short, but as I quote each of Kai's
talisman, I will attempt to show you how Leya's Way would be used to
explain them.

Day is the beginning. A new start and the sun to help us see clearly. I
strive always to grow in strength and knowledge and try to see things as
they truly are.

Strength reminds me to be strong. Not only in my physical form, but in
my mind and heart and soul.

Mercy is perhaps the one hardest to follow for most. To show kindness to
others weaker than myself of course. But also to show mercy to those who
are perhaps stronger and even to my enemies. Though some would say mercy
is a weakness shown by weak people, many times mercy and understanding
will win the day.

Night is the time of reflection. To think back on the happenings of the
day. To learn my weaknesses and improve on them or use them to make me
stronger. It is also the time to think back on those who have touched my
life and made it better. It is the time to prepare myself for when day
returns.

Lord Kai teaches us that, "Defeat cannot be measured by blood spilled on
the battlefield, nor by an empty purse. To know the pain of loss is to
prepare oneself for the joy of victory. We cherish our failures as much
as our successes,
for the bitter taste of defeat only makes triumph that much sweeter."

I believe in Leya's Way, through the guides of Night and Day, I am
taught that defeat is something to be learned from, not something to
despair at. If I can study the mistakes I made in battle and learn from
them, then the defeat is not a true defeat, but a learning tool. The
next time I do battle, I will be stronger for having learned from past.

"Without honor in his heart, the mightiest of warriors is but a mewling
kitten when the world stands at the brink of disaster. Honor, above all,
do we cherish. It is the glue that binds mortals to one another. Without
it we are merely frightened voices crying out in the darkness."

From Leya and my sisters in the Amazons, I've learned about the building
blocks on which Honor is focused. Respect and mercy for others,
regardless whether they be friend or foe and loyalty to those I would
give my pledge to. To carry myself in a way which tenders respect and
not derision.

The third talisman of Kai reads, "Ours is not an easy path to follow,
yet we follow willingly, for in truth we did not choose this road so
much as the road chose us. We are the Sons and Daughters of Kai, and no
mortal soul shall despair of life in our presence. We are the champions
of the innocent, the protectors of the weak, the gladiators of your
heart."

In the part of Leya's Way dedicated to Mercy, I am told that I must show
mercy to all those weaker than myself and those who may be stronger, but
have weaknesses. I am also told to show mercy to myself and to the
enemy.Sometimes, strength is not enough and showing a little mercy will
go a long way in overcoming the enemy, be it a physical enemy or one of
the soul.

It is also addressed in that part of the way which comes from Strength.
I am told that I should strive to make myself stronger, not just in
muscle and power, but in the mind as well. The stronger I am, the better
I am able to fight. By becoming stronger, not only do I serve myself
better, but I can serve those around me better.

"Purity of spirit cannot be measured by mortals, for that which they
behold is truly only what their minds allow them to comprehend. We are
firm in our resolve, and do not fret over the judgments of those who
cannot fathom worlds beyond this. Souls cannot be placed into boxes and
marked with labels for the world to see. Only she who possesses the
spirit within herself shall ever know the truth."

Leya teaches me to be true to myself, to know myself, this is the part
Night stands for. I believe that if I am strong in myself and know
myself, no one else will be able to dissuade me from what I believe and
if they do not agree with me, then it is no matter. By knowing myself, I
only have myself to answer to.

Kai tells of hope. "If we are allowed to take one treasure from this
place, it is hope. We may rail against the present when the world seems
to mock us, but our hearts will always beat so long as hope graces each
breath. Defeat, sorrow, despair - these are but milestones by which to
measure our lives. One flicker of light burning at the end of a dark
road shall guide us through even the darkest of times. We are the
Daughters and Sons of Kai, and we shall not waver."

Through the teaching of Night, I've learned that introspection and
remembering what has gone before helps me to prepare for the future, the
Day. Each day dawns, renewing the promise of life. One must be prepared
to face each day and to carry on, learning from experience and growing
stronger in pursuit of the night's dream.

"The passage of time cannot fade the memories of those who have traveled
at our sides. Engraved on our hearts are the names of comrades, friends,
brothers, sisters, mates, with whom we have shared our lives. You shall
never die, for your soul has touched countless others in its quiet
journey through this world."

Leya calls on us through Night to remember those who have gone before
us. To think about what they strove to accomplish and how they affected
our lives.

As an Amazon, I'm held responsible to pass on to younger sisters and
others I may meet the knowledge and experience that I learn. This means
that the spirit of the Tribe, and the honor and loyalty which helps
preserve the lands, will continue to be taught, even after my teachers
and myself are gone.

"Despair is our constant companion, sorrow our shadow, as we walk these
mortal plains in search of truth. Our packs are heavy, but our bodies
are strong, and we welcome these burdens, for they serve to strengthen
our resolve. Only the strongest shall persevere in this quest, and so
we, the Children of Kai, embrace the burdens which others cannot
endure."

Through all four statues, I'm reminded that Leya is the patroness of
women fighters and that as an Amazon, I should strive to rise above the
hurdles placed before me and to help my sisters overcome theirs. To
learn from those things that seek to destroy me and in some instances,
take them to heart to grow stronger. Sometimes, just admitting to a
weakness will make me stronger or can be used to make me stronger. To
admit that sometimes a weakness can actually be a strength or used to
reinforce my current strengths.

The inner strength of an Amazon is that she is a woman and that she
rises above the problems which would defeat others. That she would show
mercy to those around her and use her strengths to help where she can.

"All the lightning and thunder of the heavens cast from the palm of a
wizard can never equal the poetry of a beautiful blade in the hands of a
skilled swordsman. Magic may be the lifeblood of these lands, but it
shall never replace the glory of magnificent bodies sculpted into the
finest weapons ever known." This is the last talisman.

Leya, like her father, is a warrior. She is pleased by the sight of a
well-trained warrior and thrills to the hunt. But some were not born to
be physical fighters. The Amazons are made up of all walks of life, but
each Sister must prove a desire to fight against the evils of this
world. And each strives to live her life according to the Way.