[Northkeep] A little news for Ian, the poor little guy...

Wed Mar 24 04:29:27 PDT 2010

Glad you enjoyed it.  Next time perhaps you will join us on the fields and we will retell your stories.

Gassion

> Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:23:33 -0700
> From: j.t.herring at sbcglobal.net
> To: northkeep at lists.ansteorra.org
> Subject: Re: [Northkeep] A little news for Ian, the poor little guy...
> 
> Truly this is a tale to raise the spirits and set fire to the blood. The hands tighten as if to grip a weapon, the eyes narrow as if seeking the foe in each word. As you read on in silence of the office barely heard are the echos of rattling armor and fading shouts of combatants. From the words on the page to the minds eye you can see the fall of each honored opponent. Well told Gassion.
> 
> In the days ahead, as you return to a war more real than many of us care to think on, may the fun and joy you had warm the lonely desert nights. Let each memory remind you of that peaceful place where you may find that honored home among your friends and family you so richly deserve.
> 
> Kindly
> Ian
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Gassion <gassion_de_beaumarchais at hotmail.com>
> To: The Barony of Northkeep <northkeep at lists.ansteorra.org>
> Sent: Tue, March 23, 2010 11:36:43 AM
> Subject: [Northkeep] A little news for Ian, the poor little guy...
> 
> 
> Delesse, Ethan & I arrived on site the day before the Armoured
> ravine battle. A good thing since I needed gauntlets in order to fight.
> So, shopping we went. I picked up a set of clamshells that were over-priced
> but well made of spring steel. The more I use them the better I like them.
> Later that evening I received a Sable Talon, from back in November. HM Owen
> gave me a good talking to about leaving site before court. I'm honored that
> someone thought so much of me to make such a recommendation to the Crown,
> whoever you are you have my thanks.
> 
> For the Armoured ravine battle, and indeed all of the armoured war
> point battles, I participated as a guard for HRH. HE Facon, and up to four
> other gents did our very best to protect the future Queen of Ansteorra.
> Early in the battle it was quite obvious that it would be a challenge, as
> she enjoys being up close and moves often. In our initial contact, several
> enemy made a push in our the line just to our front. One soldier managed to
> get tied up with the honor guard to my left, I feel sorry for him that he
> forgot I was there... I'm glad my time away did not diminish my capacity or
> desire to strike down our foes. Bolts and arrows were the tool of the day.
> They littered the field, almost to the point of being a hazard. In the end,
> HRH was felled once by a bolt from our north flank. Each time she exhausted
> her supply of bolts she made a declaration for her guard to join in the fun
> and strike as many enemy down as we could. And so it was done... At some
> point Delesse was watching and mentioned my position on the field to another
> Lady, also watch form the sidelines. As she pointed me out a Trimarian
> attempted to push through our line, only to be struck fendente from my
> blade. To hear her side of it, it was a perfect blow that forced the enemy
> to the ground. From my perspective, no single moment stands out, a sure
> sign that glory was in the air and in abundance.
> 
> The rapier field battle was next. We began on the forest side,
> facing what seemed to be near even odds. The non-white scarf warriors of
> our army were graced by HRH with wearing a favor of a cast war pony. The
> commanders had a plan and devoted the army to carrying it out. We formed a
> single line, encompassing the whole of the fields width. Our enemy broke
> their line into three equal formations, West, center, and East. The battle
> began and we moved forward in-line. The enemy center and East flank
> formations made for our East flank, we maintained our lines. Much of the
> enemies West flank were diminished by the time our East flank enveloped
> them. The "Anvil" that was Ansteorra held as the "Hammer" of our allies
> pounded the enemy into dust. Why fix that which isn't broken...? For the
> second rapier field battle we took the same approach, with a similar
> outcome. Victory, and a whole war point to Ansteorra was gained in those
> two battles. Yet the fun was not to end there, we conducted a third rapier
> field battle. It took two losses for our enemies to learn how to counter
> our tactics. Counter they did, and secured success in the third battle.
> 
> Weary after the days events, we retired to camp to enjoy the fire,
> food, and friends. Bottles were passed, glory re-told, and bonds
> strengthened. But, early was to be the cry for our defenses to be gathered
> for the Armoured Field battle to following day, thus early to bed was the
> motto for the night, at least for myself.
> 
> The first Armoured field battle felt much like the rapier field
> battle, how easy it seemed we managed victory. Among the Princess's Guard,
> two remained alive to the end as did HRH. Many enemy lay dead as our
> Princess stole their lives and captured our hearts with her skill at the
> crossbow. We marched up and down the lines at will, striking down the enemy
> as they closed. An angle of the archers at our backs, seemingly defending
> us instead of the other way around. In the second Armoured field battle, we
> were the ones enveloped. HRH and the Honor Guard were among the last to
> fall. I distinctly recall the feel of the blow I rendered to an approaching
> shield man and his salute... a salute I should not have returned, as it was
> the opening a spearman used to strike me in the face. Yet, this defeat was
> not to be in our thoughts for long. The deciding Armoured Field battle
> brought victory once again to Ansteorra and her allies. Again we turned the
> enemies flanks and pushed them, at times to the brink of the field. Our
> Princess, her guard and as few as two dozen other Ansteorran's and allies
> eventually defeated similar numbers of the remaining enemy. We did so by
> forming as large of a unit as we could and engaging the enemy in smaller
> numbers as we crossed from the Northeast side of the field to the Southwest.
> HRH was honored with an award for her skill on the field following the
> battle. But no time was granted to reflect on that glory as we soon
> mustered for the Rapier Ravine battle.
> 
> The rapier Ravine battle was a blur of activity initially. Small
> units were selected to charge beyond and hold critical terrain while the
> remainder of our forces advanced to the three objectives. The enemy were
> persistent but were unable to dislodge our hold on the objectives for more
> than a few moments at a time.
> 
> By the end of the days battles I grew weary & hungry, yet somehow
> energized for the night to come. At camp, our Prince approached with very
> kind words. His tone is always that of a thoughtful man speaking to a good
> friend. At first I thought he was there to ask a favor. I was honored when
> it became apparent his words were for me, I felt the need to neal... As he
> thanked me for the service of guarding the Crown Princess he gave a token
> of his colors to wear. A badge I excepted and will think of fondly. I both
> look forward to their reign and regret that I will miss it. The remainder
> of the night, we caught up with old friends from all the Kingdoms we have
> been blessed to live in. The beer was grand, thick, and dark. The scotch
> smooth. The friendships rekindled. Many days I wonder how it is we became
> so lucky, others I regret not being able to be there at those most important
> times. Delesse and I both look forward to the time when we can enjoy being
> part of a community on a permanent basis.
> 
> There is one last battle to write on... I'll save that for others
> to share. In all, leaving one war to attend another was well worth the
> travel and expense. We hope next year will bring us back.
> 
> Gassion
> 
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