Blades...

Just walk down my corridor and marvel at the familiar picture of steel gleaming in the light, illuminated from the candles.

I expect you to respect this area of treasures that I have accumulated, so take off your shoes and replace them with these sandals.

The carpet is one hundred percent Chinese, hand crafted from the finest quality material. It is a rare find at best.

Each blade comes from one of the far reaches of the world where many have died in battle and many more were put to the test.

But this isn't much. No. This is just one man's involvement in wild times of war and discrepancy. But all of these blades are similar.

I have used all of them as guides, tools and put them to other uses. To me, every blade is individual, but familiar.

What is really strange is, each blade represents a life that has meant something to me. A symbol of what they were, are and will always be.

Each life that these blades represent has had an enormous impact on me. Each has changed my future in some way, but if you wish to see…

Over here, in the glass case, heavily protected and shining in full glory, the one that means the most and the one that gleams so true.

It is a very special blade indeed. A blade I treasure more than any other. It is one that I could not live without. It is the one that represents you.

Now you could just dismiss this as me being my usual foolish romantic self. But there is something about you and this blade that I can’t explain. 

There is something about the both of you that have a profound effect on me. It is the effect of taking away any essence of pain.

It is this blade that I hold so dear.

It is you I think of, year by year.

I believe both of you came from above.

With both, I can protect you, and still call you my love.