[Ravensfort] Winter Crown Tourney

[Sher M]

Thank you for the fantastic tale of Crown Tourney.  I was able to see in my 
mind what you were telling.

Lady Runa of The Thundering Herd
http://www.bedlambazaar.com
http://bedlambazaar.blogspot.com
http://runa-herd.livejournal.com
http://thethunderingherd.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Reuter" <jareuter1066 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Ravens Fort" <ravensfort at lists.ansteorra.org>; 
<ravensfort-officers at googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 6:00 PM
Subject: Winter Crown Tourney


Cold, wet and muddy are the best words to describe the conditions of the 
day. Honorable, chivalrous and challenging is the best way to describe the 
fighting! As the list of 39 entrants progressed before Their Majesties the 
morning dew turned into a fine mist. The first round was interesting to 
watch as the seasoned combatants had to negotiate the deteriorating ground 
as the mist turned to a light rain. Some called it a perfect English day. 
The once sandy and firm soil was now  a quagmire of mud and slippery mush. 
As each fighter tested their opponents skill and prowess , they to were 
tested by the elements as each thrown shot proved much more difficult than 
usual. Duke Miguel threw a snap shot that causes his feet to jet out in 
surprising directions. Sir Romanis and other surefooted knights would have 
benefitted from lug soles as their smooth soled foot wear made them slide 
with the slightest well trained maneuver! The list progressed, as spectator 
and combatant alike were soaked and muddy. After the second round ended, His 
Majesty Ulstead the Unsteady inspected the condition of the field and 
determined that the tourney would continue as long as the weather did not 
worsen. Off and on the mist turned to a heavy drizzle but for the most part 
the day was tolerable. As the finals were ending, an air of concern was felt 
by all. A fighter would slide or stumble while vying for an advantageous 
position and his opponent would pause and allow him to recover. It was 
obvious that some shots would have been devastatingly accurate but patient 
were all the combatants as they minded each others safety.  An opportunity 
to demonstrate an act of chivalry was more of a necessity for each maneuver 
was a new lesson in dexterity and balance. In the final round it came down 
to Count Hrafin and Sir Lochlan Dunn one of the Kingdoms newest knights! As 
Lochlan fought to keep his footing and his center of balance he maneuvered 
closer to Hrafin. A flinch, a shrug and a subtle shift caused reactions back 
and forth. Finally a step, a swing and an explosive exchange of blows. 
Lochlan strikes high, Hrafin ducks and rises with his guard tight as he 
presses in and Lochlan steps back.........a dramatic pause. Both shields up 
high at the ready. Swords cocked and poised to strike. Their eyes locked and 
the mist dripping from their visors as they calculate their opponents next 
move. Lochlan circles looking for an opening and another exchange of blows, 
Lochlan connects.... They separate... Hrafin excepts the blow.
The two pair up again as they check their footing, nod to the marshals as 
their brother knights look on. Sir Lochlan again circles as count Hrafin 
patiently positions himself. Lochlan moves sharply and looses his footing 
slides to the right, leans back arms wide open, his right leg kicks back and 
he regains his balance as he readies himself. During which time Hrafin 
shifts to the left, pauses and refrains from engaging and allows the young 
knight to recover. It was as if time stood still for that brief second 
seemed like an eternity, as Lochlan's guard was down and his sword arm his 
only point of balance. Out of the corner of his eye he see Count Hrafin 
within sword range as his right leg kick back to put himself back in to 
position and Hrafin gracefully nods. It's a moment that could have changed 
the fight but chivalry was the deciding factor.
Sir Lochlan continues the fight and looses a point with a sound blow from 
Count Hrafin. They are tied now and all bets are off. Count Hrafin's 
movements are conservative and confident as Lochlan again circles his 
opponent. The crowd is silent, the mist subsides for just a moment. Countess 
Elisabeth is focused on her Champion. Silent, poised and full of grace she 
witnesses Hrafin's every move. Sir Lochlan's Lady Fair Gwen look on, the 
same feeling playing out again as her husbands prowess takes him ever closer 
to another Victory. Patiently they both watch, knowing that the next blow 
will be the one. Focused and ready they step in and exchange blows. Nothing 
to fancy or extreme. Nit enough here, just short there and a skip, a thrust 
and perry! A slight pause and then a ringing "PATANG" a slot to the grill. 
Total silence, not a sound. Hrafin sighs, Lochlan steps back.......Count 
Hafin nods. Sir Lochlan's shot was Good! The crowd claps and cheers as the 
honorable combatants embrace briefly as the King's Herald opens court on the 
field that very moment. As Lochlan embraces Gwen the crowd gathers and Their 
Majesties have them kneel and are crowned as our new Prince and Princess of 
Ansteorra! King Ulstead speaks to the assembled populace and addresses the 
acts of honor, chivalry and valor displayed that day. The conditions that 
all had to suffer to witness this day as it unfolded. He said that all 
combatants were cautious of their actions and of their opponents movements 
as well. Some of the best fighting was seen that day with every single blow 
being with out question. His Majesty used the phrase "A good clean 
tournament" with all the mud and soggy boots I wonder if that was his humor 
showing a bit.
In the hour following the list, our three candidates vying for the privilege 
of being our next baron and baroness were to be interviewed. In the Curtain 
Theater,  Lord Vlod not Vlod with Mistress Jalali, Centurion Michael of 
Graves end with Valery Longhair and Lord Pasquale and Lady Giovanna were 
seen in that order. After the interviews were over the Crown visited with 
the knights of the realm in a Belted Circle. One question that all the 
candidates asked me about was...... Their Majesties asked if we had a 
trailer hitch. What did they mean by that? I simply replied...."Do you have 
one?" and when they said yes, I said "That is Good".   I guess having a 
trailer hitch is a prerequisite to being a landed noble these days. I guess 
we will see.

I hope you enjoyed this.

Baron Brian :)


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