ES - Springfaire Saga - Chapter 4

[Paul Mitchell]

And now for the final chapter of


				Springfaire Saga

	Lord Ulrich was disappointed.  He had hoped to win this tournament. 
Perhaps if he had not focused so carefully on the consorts... but no,
that had been one of the most enjoyable aspects of this Tournament.  He
was not involved with any lady currently and often he went to events
alone or with his knight.  Often the only person he had to take care of
was himself and sometimes it was lonely.  But not today, he had a
brought a lady to fight for.  She had been able to stay with him under
the pavillion most of the day, since he was able to keep her for most of
the rounds.  And his friends had done wonderful service, keeping
everyone well watered and fed and even entertained.  He must remember to
do something very special for them soon, he thought.  And until
recently, Lady Igraine had sat under his pavillion and of all the
consorts, he thought he was most happy being with her.  He wondered if
she liked to dance and if there would be a ball tonight...

	Lady Igraine was happy.  Although she sat under Sir Blake's pavillion,
her mind was still with the kind and gentle Lord Ulrich and the
wonderful time they had.  She remembered his smile and his laugh.  Now
he looked so lonely sitting under his pavillion by himself.  She
wondered if she could join him - but no! that would be rude to her host
and she did so want to be Queen of Love and Beauty or perhaps, the Most
Inspiring Consort?  But she did catch his eye and waved to him,
smilingly.  Perhaps she could talk to him later and thank him again for
such wonderful hospitality.  Perhaps, after court...


				Epilogue

	That night during court the winners of the Consort's Ransom Tournament
were presented.  The winner of the Tournament, the one with the most
consorts, was Sir Blake.  He was given a torse and mantle, a tooled
leather belt, with matching purse, dagger and sheath, and a book about
chivarly.  His consort was named "Queen of Love and Beauty" and given a
cap in the same colors of the torse and mantle, a book of sonnets, a
necklace of fine jewels, and a bouquet of flowers.  

	Then came the real winners of the Tournament, those who gave their most
to make it enjoyable for others.  At the end of the tournament, all the
consorts and all the combatants were given tokens.  Each consort had
been given a stone to give to the best host and each combatant given a
rose to give to the most inspiring consort.  They had been asked to give
these to the person of their choice and then present the tokens to the
list mistress to count.  And if any wished to give word fame, they could
request a few minutes at court that night.

	"Would Lady Igraine and Lord Ulrich, please present themselves before
this court?" Called the herald.  Lord Ulrich escorted Lady Igraine up to
the Presence.  "We hear you have words about each other's deeds for this
day.  Who would go first?"  Lord Ulrich bowed to Lady Igraine and asked
that she speak first.  She thanked him and cleared her throat.  Then she
launched into a song about the man who fought bravely, died honorably
and gave his all to be the best host and how grand it made life seem. 
And on the last note, the crowd broke into cheers and clapping for the
song so moved them.  When it died down, the Baron smiled and said softly
to Ulrich, "It looks like you have a tough act to follow."  Ulrich only
smiled in return and turned to face the crowd.  "And now you see why I
fought the way I did today.  This lady sat with me and mine under the
pavillion and made it a paradise.  I loathed to leave it and made short
work of my opponents so that I could return as quickly as I could.  My
lady, no greater inspiration could there be but you."  And the crowd
erupted again, with a few sobs and gasps from some of the other ladies.

	"And that is why we do present to you Lord Ulrich and Lady Igraine with
the prizes for the Best Host and the Most Inspiring Consort of the
Consort's Ransom Tournament.  Vivat!"  And Ulrich was presented with
gifts, among them a vase full of flowers, a decanter with matching
glasses, some serving dishes, and table linens.  Lady Igraine was given
a book of songs, jewelry, a recorder and a music book, and an oil lamp,
as well as other presents.  And all were invited to sit at the high
table to dine with the other nobility that attended there.

Thus ends the Springfaire saga.  Pray please come to our Springfaire
event and see some of the magic shown here.  I'm sure you will not be
disappointed.

Allessandre Desiderio
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And now for the first chapter of...

			Springfaire Saga

	Lady Igraine sits beneath her champion's pavillion, making certain that she has not left anything back at camp.  Fan... goblet... harp... music book... she goes through her litaney of things.  Trinkets!  Oh yes, there they are, and she breathes a sigh of relief.  She sits back and admires her gown, glad that she decided to make a new one for Springfaire.  She wonders who will be her first "captor".  She hopes for Duke Ehrlich, who has a lovely pavillion and a wonderful spread of food and drink on a table in the back.  She decides she could provide great inspiration for him to keep her there in the lap of luxury.  With that thought in mind, she raises her harp and begins to tune...
	
	On the other side of the list field, Lord Ulrich is also preparing.  He has asked several friends to help him to prepare. Lady Elaine and Honorable Lord Karl are attendants for the consorts he will "win" in honorable combat.  It will be their job to make certain that any consorts beneath his pavillion will have their every comfort provided when Lord Ulrich is not there.  They have flowers, and music, and some food and drink to refresh the consorts and pillows and chairs for their comfort.  Lady Elaine also has a voice as sweet as an angel and Karl has brought his lute.  Ulrich is pleased with his little "salon".  As he dons his armor, Ulrich rehearses the speeches and poems that he wrote with his knight's guidance.  Even if he is not the winner of the tournament, perhaps his generosity will win him wordfame, or even the prize for being the best host!

	Soon it will be time to call the pairings.  The list mistress will write down the name of the combatants, while they write down the name of the consort they brought and give it to the list mistress to be put into a bag.  Then the combatants line up and choose a name from the bag.  If they draw their own consort, they must drop it back in and draw again.  As soon all the consorts are drawn, the fighters must find her or him and introduce themselves.  Then the combatants return and make it known to the list mistress who they will be fighting for that round.  And so it begins...

Stay tuned for the second chapter of 

			Springfaire Saga
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And now the second chapter of 
		
		Springfaire Saga

	Lord Ulrich comes out upon the field with his opponent Sir Donner.  When the heralds cry "Acknowledge the consort's favor you bear" they both turn to Sir Donner's lady, Mistress Gerdis.  Sir Donner is puzzled enough that he takes a moment to talk to Lord Ulrich.  "My lord, why bow to she who is _my_ lady?"  "Ah," replies Ulrich,"but who can say whose she will be when this fight is fought?  My lord, I do but honor your lady who inspires me to do my best for her honor and entertainment."

	Sir Donner is impressed by this speech and lets Ulrich know that whatever the outcome, Ulrich is invited to his camp and be entertained by Sir Donner this evening.  Lord Ulrich accepts with a smile.  And lay-on is called...

	Meanwhile Lady Igraine is not having the most satisfying time of her life.  She had thought that being under Sir Ehrlich's pavillion would be wonderful and although she has had her fill of sweets and drink, she is quite bored.  Sir Ehrlich spends all of his time with his buddies and doesn't come near the pavillion, and she is quite alone otherwise.  However, she has hope; a lady combatant named Vanessa de Gascon.  She is quick and light on her feet.  Igraine watches the fight intently, hoping that she might be "set free".  As the blow falls, she nearly cries aloud with joy - The lady has won!

	Tears almost blind Igraine's eyes as the Lady Combatant strides forth and kneels at her feet.  "My lady, I come to escort you to my pavillion.  All I can do to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable I shall endeavor to do."  "And I," said Lady Igraine, " shall endeavor to compose a song to delight your ears and those who also attend you.  I have been a prisoner and now I am set free.  I am delighted to be your 'ransom'."  And they set off to sit under the little pavillion already adorned with the Lady Combatant's Consort.

Thus ends Chapter two of 

		Springfaire Saga

Tune in next week for the third Chapter of

		Springfaire Saga!
-------------- next part --------------
And now for the third chapter of 


				Springfaire Saga

	It is near the final round of the Tournament.  Prior to the semi-final round it was decided that only those combatant who had "ransomed" 6 or more consorts and that the final rounds would be "winner takes all".  Lord Ulrich was glad, he actually had 6 consorts.  Duchess Alison, Honorable Lady Theresa, Lord Sven, Lady Igraine, Lady Gwendolyn, and Master Douglas.  They were having a marvellous time.  Between rounds they talked and joked.  Lord Sven pretended to be a lady and made everyone laugh with his antics.  Ulrich treated Master Douglas like a reverent father or uncle, providing shade and drink and a soft pillow for when the elderly gentleman said he wanted a nap.  Ulrich was happy to comply.  The ladies were kind and gave him trinkets and baubles.  They laughed merrily and shouted his name from the side of the field.  Yes they all seemed to be having a good time...

	Lady Igraine was definitely having a good time.  After being rescued from Sir Ehrlich's pavillion by the Lady Vanessa, Igraine's luck had changed.  There she sang songs and told stories.  She cheered on Vanessa as she strode the field to do battle.  And when Lord Ulrich won her bout she was a little sad to go.  But glad when the reception she received at Ulrich's pavillion was so warm.  Ulrich was very attentive, perhaps even a little too attentive, for he almost lost his bout with Centurion Fox which would have deprived her of their company.  But he had won and the final round was coming...

	"Would Lord Ulrich and Sir Blake please to take the field," shouted the heralds.  As the combatants made their way, the consorts of each combatant stood next to the list field to watch.  The crowds were breathless as they watched the fighters make pass after pass, never quite connecting, swords ringing on shields and being blocked by swords.  Suddenly, Ulrich is down - Sir Blake has won!  As Ulrich makes his way off the field, the people who have been sitting under his pavillion come up and thank him heartily for the entertainment and refreshments.  The gentlemen shake his hand and the ladies offer him a token and a chaste kiss.  They go with Sir Blake and sit under his pavillion until the tournament is over...

But wait!  It's not over.  Stay tuned for the final chapter of

				Springfaire Saga