[Ravensfort] Winter Crown Tourney ( correct version)

Brandon McDermott brandonsmcd at yahoo.com
Sun Jan 16 17:10:02 PST 2011


Your Excellency,

That is a wonderful recalling of they day. Thank you.

Gramercy,

Sir Lochlan Dunn - Prince 



--- On Sun, 1/16/11, John Reuter <jareuter1066 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

From: John Reuter <jareuter1066 at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: [Ravensfort] Winter Crown Tourney ( correct version)
To: "Kelley Schulze" <kds032 at SHSU.EDU>
Cc: "Ravens Fort" <ravensfort at lists.ansteorra.org>, ravensfort-officers at googlegroups.com
Date: Sunday, January 16, 2011, 6:13 PM

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 so
aked 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 subt
le 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 looks on, the same feelings 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. Not 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 Lady 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 ask......."Do you have one?" and when they said yes, I simply replied  "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 du ValBaron of Raven's Fort
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