[Ravensfort] From the Raven's Fort Knight Marshal

[Brian du Val]

 Howdy,
           Well the summer is upon us and we are holding fighter practice at
the shaded Gazebo on  the corner of Nineteenth Street and Avenue O. It would
seem that the heat has driven the good people of Raven's Fort to cooler
domains. I would like to encourage those who would enjoy the company of fine
people and share their travels to come to the fighter practice on Sundays. I
will be organizing the use of some box fans to help create some level of
comfort and supply cool water for all while the weather is so humid and hot.
Oranges, apples and pears will be available to all who attend. Maybe even
some grapes if the price is right!

    For the first month of my duties Sir Kief has been working with me as a
good knight should when teaching his squire. After being out of the "field"
so to speak, it feels good to be back in the "swing" of things! I have lost
quite a bit of my endurance and have even taken a back to basics approach to
fighting again. I do feel a bit lonely though when only a hand full of
participants come out and only two of us practice. Ahhh, do I hear the word
that every Knights Marshal has spoken in the past. Do I feel that this is
the true normalcy of the office: " to just show up and wait for others to
just decide to come out and play."  HECK NO, When I wanted other kids to
come over to play I had to break out the good toys and ask mom for some cool
drinks! If I was a real cool kid we got Ice Cream for the whole group!
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    I would love to invite all members of the Barony to come out at least
once a month to share the Gazebo with the Rapier and Chivalric fighters. If
we can organize one day a month with out hauling out all of our good stuff
and just bring some other project or even armor to practice in that would be
great. I'm not asking for a mini tourney but a practice that all feel
welcome to attend. Refreshments and food will be provided and even cool air.
Yea I said it "cool air".........well maybe not real cool but at least a few
fans to help with the shade and cause some level of comfort and curve the
discomfort of the heat.
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    I have fond memories of the fighter practices that I attended when I was
just learning to fight. I remember Lord Keagan with his carpet armor and
when Squire Kief was not even a baron yet. I know that when we practice we
enjoy our selves and at the same time hone our skills for our own pursuit of
tourney and glory. We have become to comfortable in our days and I for one
will not let the golden opportunity pass us by.

    We who have the burning desire to place leather and steal to our bodies
and lust for the taste of  adrenalin  share an uncommon kinship. The sting
of sweat in our eyes and the determined focus that drives us to our goal is
an expression of art. We share in the learning and the pain, the wins and
losses, and we keep coming back for more. So lets embrace this desire and
share in the dance, you and I. Who knows we just might learn a thing or two.


Baron Brian du Val