[Ansteorra] VIVAT to the Shire of Emerald Keep

[Lady Simone ui' Dunlaingh]

Greeting good people of Ansteorra,

I hope all of you had a good Easter weekend. Mine was spent amongst the
company of friends new and old in the Shire of Emerald Keep. At their annual
Tourney of the Emeralds.

This was a wonderful laid back and relaxing event. Friday night while others
arrived was spent experiencing the warm hospitality of the Shire of Emerald
keep. Talking with friends eating diner and talking about the activities of
the day to follow.

Saturday Morning mother nature had decided to water the site with spring
rain so many of us sat back and enjoyed the time to socialized and catch up
on old news with friends and newcomers alike. The sound of children's
laughter could be heard in the back ground as the Shires MOC successfully
entertained 20+ small children  in children's activities. many people took
this time to set their A&S displays up for the afternoons competitions. the
Heralds table was opened.

Several individuals  took the opportunity to paint their first kingdom
charters at the scribes table. which hosted 5 first time scribes and 3
veteran scribes over the day. One of the Charter scrolls completed at this
event was worked on by every scribe  that attended and painted charters at
Emerald tourney. it is a beautiful piece of work done by the scribes who
attended emerald tourney.

We had one young Scribe Sir Lances 12 year old Daughter Daniele de Courcey
painted her first scroll. which was absolutely gorgeous and well done. She
was also a great help at the herald's table manning the table to allow me to
take occasional breaks before the Weather allowed the fighting to start. She
also voiced heralded many of the morning announcement and with grace and
poise was the field herald for the rapier list for the first two rounds,
before she traded out with another herald and retuned indoors to paint
scrolls and help more with voice heraldry and the heralds table. She was a
joy to have around and her service to the shire at this event was exemplary.

As I was indoors manning the heralds table much of the day I can not report
on the fighting at Emerald Tourney except to say that it looked like fun was
had by all. The Archery Shoot was the largest of the martial activities
attended with 20+ archers shooting Saturday afternoon.

Indoors during the list was a magical place of wonder with spontaneous A&S
activities, Bards Practicing for the evening competition.  Children's
Laughter and many of us getting to sample the very wonderful confections
created by Mistress Honor.

The children's bardic was attended by 3 very talented 7 year old Bards
Catherine who  Won the children's Bardic as well as distinguishing herself
with service and helpfulness throughout the day. Lee who overwhelmingly won
the Days Children's Quest. and young Brittney who also was helpful to may
inside while her parents were occupied in service to the shire. these three
children were wonder to hear and observe.

The title bard competition hosted 7 bards of exceptional skill and talent
two new talented Bards which both come from the Steppes. Were Evonna Nacola
Bonnichi for her it was her firsts competition which she showed outstanding
skill and wit. And Jean Herbert who Brought tears to many an eye with her
rendition of Heart of a Warrior in this competition. Both these ladies
brought honor to their home Barony of The Steppes.

>From Bryn Gwald came 2 Bards of talent and Skill  Audette who moved to this
kingdom last year from An Tir she has the voice of an angle and the talent
to go with it and Pubear who emerged victorious to be named the new Bard of
Emerald Keep. Mortimer entertain all with his instrumental skills with the
guitar.
all the Bards performed exceptionally well it was a stiff competition that
though small in number rivaled the Talent of bardic competitions of Steppes
and Elfsea.

The evening concluded with a wonderful feast prizes given out for the days
endeavors and the comical entertainment of the "List Babes" how are a wonder
to behold in action both as list mistresses and in their presentation's of
prizes at the end of the day.

For those who did not have the opportunity to experience the hospitality and
fun of this years Tourney of the Emeralds in Emerald keep I hope to see you
all for the challenge tourneys the hold in the fall at Hunters Moon. For
Emerald Keep again rose above and beyond the call of duty to provide a
comfortable relaxing and entertain event.

VIVAT!!!!!! to the Shire of Emerald Keep For A job well done


Lady Simone Maurian ui' Dunlaingh
simone at elfsea.net