Magic Moments

[Kathy Lee]

How to choose just one "Magic Moment" ... OK, so how about my first?

I had done some fencing in college, and originally joined the SCA in Loch
Sollier for the rapier combat.  At fighter practice, I met up with Rodger of
York, who was then a newcomer as well.  We knew each other from high school,
and soon became fast friends and travelling companions.  (Getting horribly
lost most of the time.)

At our first event, which was Quest for Clover, Rodger and I stumbled across
a bardic circle.  People were taking turns performing, and the candle
eventually made its way around to us.  We were clueless.  We had sung
together in high school, though, and we both knew "Today."  That was as
close to Period Music we could come.  We steadied our nerves, stood up, and
did our best.

The circle made a few more rounds, and we managed to avoid performing again.
Afterwards, a red-haired lady with a crown on her head, who had sung the
most beautiful song I'd ever heard, introduced Rodger and I to the concept
of largess.  I still have the string of beads she gave me, and Rodger I
beleive still has the pin.

I later found out that the lady was Duchess Siglinde, and the song was "Come
Share the Dream."  She shared her dream with two newcomers that evening, and
it's been alive for us ever since.

-Katerina