[Steppes] The heart of the Gulf War matter

[Trish Kvamme]

Greetings Unto the Barony of the Steppes.

My phone has been ringing about this matter, alot (laugh) and I felt that 
even though I have not been able to be as active as I would like for health 
reasons, and am just slowly working back into the swing of things, that 
perhaps my words here could be of some help.

For the first part, Peace please between us and our brothers and sisters in 
Elfsea.

I feel in my heart that while HE Borek's intentions were noble they were a 
bit misplaced.  Not out of lack of caring or ill intent, but out of love and 
dedication to his home Barony which he loves and has served faithfully for 
years.

Sometimes when the holidays are crashing upon us, when we are busy with real 
life wants, needs and concerns, and when we try to deal with something so 
delicate as SCA matters can be on a email list, our words haunt us as we can 
never truley convey our love and respect for each other as we can when we 
meet face to face and talk.  You cannot see the concern or care we have for 
each other or the matters at stake and the heaviness they may weigh on 
anothers heart.

HE Borek feels he needs to champion his Barony so that they have 
accomodations fitting their status and showing honor to it's members and our 
Beloved Baron and Baroness.

Elfsea has shown us friendship in the past when our Barony didn't have the 
number of pre-registration we needed to get us a land grant and shared with 
us.  That Hospitality was noble and should be remembered.

The heart of the matter doesn't lie with our neighbors in Elfsea, it lies in 
our own hands.

If we as a Barony want a grand encampment at Gulf War, then ***WE*** as a 
Barony, all of the households, single members and areas attached to ***US*** 
need to send in those pre-registrations as a Barony, not as a seperate 
agency.

We have an incredible gift in our Baron and Baroness.  Two wonderful people 
whom are universally loved and admired, and can make for us a strong Barony 
if we will open our hearths and drop our encampment walls to each other as a 
community and make this push to get the numbers we need to change that land 
grab map and give us a desireable spot upon it.

To Her Excellency Elfsea and the members of that Barony, we are your good 
neighbors, and I know Her Excellency to be a gentle and caring Lady who will 
aid us in any way should we just ask her.

To Borek, your love of your Barony is unquestioned, lay down your sword and 
armor.  Remember that even in emails we always win when we use the medieval 
courtesies we work so hard to grow and nurture even in the worst of times.  
Your service to this realm and to many is unquestioned, you just need to 
walk this path gently and with the love you have for the dream in your 
heart.

It is up to you now Steppes, what a working map an autocrat begins with is 
often nothing like the finished product.  If you want to change that land 
allocation and area, then send in your pre-registration as a Barony and make 
it something beautiful.

If you want help, ask your peers, many of us stand ready waiting for just 
that request.

In love and service,


Duchess Larissa Alwynn Clarewoode of Aquitaine, OL, OP