ANST - News from the front

[Alexis]

Greetings everyone from Sir Alexis LaBouche:

	I write to you to share some thoughts and reports from the war.  Like
so many others, I spents untold hours preparing myself and several
others to get ready for the war.   On tuesday I arrived amid the usual
confusion of Gulf Wars, but thanks to having pre-registered (and not
having sought a cabin), I was through in a flash.  Next came the usual
confusion of finding out where my group was camped (Go Loch!).  A
willingness to hike to the end of the road (and Sir Galen's early
arrival) had assured us enough area to cammp together and still have an
open common area.  Next came the bustle of setting up a home away from
home for the next week.  As always those who had arrived earlier were
quick to lend a hand and the pavillion was up in no time.  Then it my
turn to lend a hand to all the others that trickled in through the
night.
	Wednesday dawned and it was time to look at the schedule.  The first
glance was overwhelming enough with row upon row of activities from
tournies, chivalric and rapier, to archery, A&S, and finally the one
that caught my eye, equestrian.  Everyone in camp headed out to begin
the experience that is Gulf Wars.  Before too long the day turned into
evening and it was time to seek out some long lost friends that you
might only see once a year.
	Thursday began with the same daunting selection, and I vowed to see all
the merchants.  Not as many as last year, but some really good armorers
were there to make up for it.  More equestrian.  Time to put on the
armor and pick a few fights.  As always, more opportunity than you could
swing a stick at.  Finally the sun went down and the torches were
brought out.  Although only a spectator, the Ansteorran torchlight
tourney was great.  More socializing.
	Friday we were greeted with rain, and rain and more rain.  Soon the
whole site was a mudbowl.  Fighting was suspended and then cancelled as
lightning blazed.  The equestrian field was soup, i.e. eq tournies
cancelled (but did manage mounted security until dripping wet).  Finally
as the rain settled in, and the word of cancellation spread, people
began to pack up.  Then it was time to start digging cars out of the
mud.  One parking lot required a tractor since even the tow trucks
wouldn't go in.  As the day wore on, whole campsites began emptying
out.  Pretty soon it was decision time:  to stay or go.  Looking around
my head said the war was over, there would be a couple of days drying
things out, long drive back solo, etc., but my heart said something
else.  With great reluctance, I began to strike camp and load up the
wagon for the journey home.  I refused to strike my banner until the
last.  With great reluctance I finally loaded it as the last piece of
gear.
	Though I had made the decision to leave, I had to stay for Ansteorran
Court.  As the rain finally slowed, the remaining Ansteorrans packed
into the royal pavillion.  As Court began, the regret at the
circumstance was apparent.  However there was another mood as well, and
that was determination.  Again, the news of cancellation of war points
was announced, along with the results of the first several days. 
Ansteorra had overwhelmed our opponents in volunteer service.  In static
arts, our artisans had smoked the competition, with the help of three
perfect scores.  In Bardic, our opponents would not even take the field
against us.  As for the champions battle, let me relate the tale:  As
fighting had been cancelled on the field, there was some fighting taking
place in the Trimaran camp inside a pavillion.  Our King's Champion Sir
Alaric Drake went over to the Trimaran camp and challenged their
champion.  The first bout went to Sir Alaric, the second to his
opponent, the third killing blow was thrown by Sir Alaric, but landed on
His Higness Bytor, Crown Prince of Trimaris who was fighting in the same
pavillion.  During this time, Their Majesties Ansteorra and Trimaris
were meeting to debate the fate of the champions battle when Sir Alaric
arrived and announced that he had defeated their champion and thus the
battle had been won by Ansteorra.  Their majesties agreed and so it was
another point for Ansteorra!  As the results were tallied it was agreed
the war was a tie (but we really know better!). 
	Awards were then presented.  Lord Ian McFergus was called up and his
Majesty commended him for his service to the Barony of Bjornsburg.  As
we all know, Lord Ian is the seneschal of Stargate, and though he has
served the kingdom in so many ways, he is most closely associated with
that group.  His Majesty Gunther then announced that he only allows
himself one mistake per court as Baron Michael Silverhands extolled Lord
Ian's accomplishments to the Barony of Stargate and read the Crown's
awarding of the Star of Merit to Honorable Lord Ian.  Next Viscount
Galen of Bristol was summoned before the Court.  His efforts and
accomplishments within the chivalric community were then listed as the
crown conferred a sable falcon upon him.  Citing Viscount Galen's
accomplishments and requesting a falcon with an honorable legacy, His
Majesty inquired of His Grace Kein MacEwan if he would provide the sable
falcon for Viscount Galen.  His Grace Kein responded loudly from the
rear of the pavillion that he had not been awarded the sable falcon. 
His Majesty then proclaimed that as he had already made his one mistake,
he then requested His Grace Kein to come forward.  His Grace Kein was
then awarded a sable falcon (provided by Duchess Alisha, who has two!),
which he then passed on to Viscount Galen.  The approval of the populace
was heard throughout the camp.  The laurels were then assembled for the
Crown to announce the elevation of Raisa Korcorova to their order
(please excuse the butchery of the name).
	Finally, His Majesty announced that as the fighters of Calontir had
driven such a long way to fight, they had announced their intention to
be at the fort in the morning.  He then listed other kingdoms that
intended to be there as well.  Finally he called for Ansteorra and the
pavillion resounded with the voices of our remaining army who vowed to
fight rain or not.  At the echoes faded, the populace rose to honor
their Majesties for their great leadership and concern that they had
displayed throughout that most trying day and the might of Ansteorra
stood like a beacon on that cold wet night.
	As I began my journey home, I felt as though I left a piece of my heart
at foot of that castle.  Though the logic of the decision was sound with
the predicted weather, yet I could hope that those who remained behind
would have nothing but glorious sunshine.  As I made my way home I
resisted the temptation to turn around and once again head east to war. 
Instead I consoled myself with a vow that next year I shall lead no less
than a dozen warriors onto Hastings Field and into the breech of that
castle.
	I hope you have enjoyed this tale and look forward to seeing everyone
at Gulf Wars Nine.

Sir Alexis LaBouche

p.s. I'm looking for a few good fighters.
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