Clyde's Travels - Castle Wars 2025 - Viking Raids: The Battle of Two Baronies

Bert Adams Scout Camp
Covington, GA
Hosted by the Barony of South Downs
November 13-16, 2025

Night sky at Castle Wars

Greetings travellers,

This years Castle Wars was different and the same for me.

I camped out of my truck. I've done that before. It’s OK, except for I also setup a field side shade. Not an issue, but tear down and transport back to my truck is a task that takes time and it’s a good trek from the field to where I had my ‘truck camp’ setup. But, it worked out OK with an application of patience on my part though I did miss court because of it.

 

Truck camping extravagance.

I went down on Friday and came back on Sunday. The trip there and back was typical. There were some slow downs both ways but that’s expected these days.

 

On Friday, I setup my field side shade and such followed by setup of my ‘camp’. I took to a walkabout afterward. A bit aimless, I wander through a few camps before settling for a bit with friends from Glaedenfeld for an offered meal. Good food with friends is good. I wandered a bit more afterward and visited a few other camps before going to watch the tournament that evening and spending some time chatting with friends until I ran out of gas and called it a night.

 

I managed to contribute some retinue time to TRMs on Friday and Saturday as ‘Throne Wrangler’ and general ‘do stuff needs doing’ helper. It wasn’t much but made me feel good about getting to contribute a little bit. I’ve always enjoyed helping keep the ‘big show’ going and have missed not being able to do as much the past few reigns.

 

This Castle Wars, I chose to use polearm and spear only in the armored combat engagements. Didn’t even bring a shield. Was reminded by a few people during the event that I’m known as a ‘shield guy’. Well, not this day at least. It’s been several years since I made a full day of no shield play. It was a bit of a mixed bag. Had to try and figure out where to be and what to do at times. I had some assumptions in my head about how the role works, but not a lot of practical time with it. I had some good moments where I figured things out and found a sweet spot in the game. There were also some bad moments where I felt totally useless and debated my choices. But, I was in kit on a beautiful day and playing like a kid with my friends. Good times.

Here is a note on ‘hero’ moments on the field that I feel is worth sharing. Most of us who have been participating in armored combat melee have taken the plunge into an opposing force’s line and flailed for all we are worth trying to do as much chaos as we can and hopefully take out some of ‘the other guys’ team. It’s an adrenaline rush and almost always sacrificial. That flood of hormones can be a problem when we don’t realize that there are half a dozen people surrounding you and swinging sticks at you while you are dancing up a storm and swinging yourself. Here is my point. There is no way to get out of that without someone making contact on you. It’s right up there with ‘there is no light to the jimmy’ in my book. It’s on you, hero, to recognize that there was a lot of contact in your headlong charge, deliberate or incidental, that could have resulted in a well calibrated blow and say ‘Good!’. I don’t care which thing you accept as a good blow. All, 1, 5 hits… it doesn’t matter. You must recognize and accept that the ‘odds are not in your favor’ that you would survive a headlong rush into a crowd, get surrounded by said crowd, get wailed on by said crowd, and you can come out of that unscathed. The failure of accepting your fate with an uncompromising foe usually results in an escalation of force in said pummeling. That effect increases the risk of injury to someone and decreases enjoyment for those involved. We are out here practicing a level of skillfully applied aggression and trying our best to not hurt each other in the act. In short, this type of stuff makes a person look thick and probably falls under rule #1 generally. So, have your hero moment, just don’t come out of it with pie on your face afterward.

 

This was my first event post writ. Had a few sidebar conversations with folks about it. Many congratulations where given. But, it was still just a normal day at the event all in all. No special attention. No people hunting me on the field (that I know of). No groveling or spontaneous retinue following me around. It was just me flying solo at an event.

 

There was a Legio Ursi meeting after fighting. It was probably my last meeting as a voting member. Chivalry are not usually allowed to vote and only provide counsel in the meetings. I don’t feel I really got a good handle on the Order and how it works in my short time as a member. It’s a very fluid thing with many differing personalities and concepts about what it is to be a Bear of the Legion. Now I get to observe the Order as an emeritus attendee going forward.

 

After I tore down my field side gear and hauled back to camp, I cleaned up a bit and then went out to see what I could get in to. To that end, I ran into Sir Iazzie and Sir Haukr. We chatted a little bit. Iazzie mentioned that the feast was short staffed. So, I offered to help. No muss. No fuss. I ended up devoting the rest of my evening to the serving and cleanup of feast. Several others also joined in. One person was at his first event. Several others were old professionals in the game. It was simple but tasking work that was hard on my feet. But, I was reminded of an adage this week that was obviously tempering my comportment – ‘share the suck’. Lol. It’s a military mindset that says make the best of whatever is in front of you. I guess I do that sometimes. Things sometimes just need doing. It doesn’t matter who. It just matters that things get done. So, I put on a smile and helped. Might as well enjoy it. In the process, I think I lightened the burden carried by others. If we can only do one thing in this hobby that is worthwhile, sharing the load is one of the immeasurable things we should all agree is worth doing.

 

 

It was a good event. I didn’t do all the things, but I did get to fight some and help others some. That’s a good combination of stuff, for me at least.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'

Warden of the Northern Plateau

Squire to Earl Benen MacTire

Shire of Easaraigh

Kingdom of Meridies

Clyde's Travels - The Unexpected Writ, Part Deux

Yesterday, I was, once again, left dumbfounded. Surprise, shock, and the full gambit of emotions were unleashed upon me. Words fail. I am still trying to rectify what was done.

One year ago today, I was inducted into the Order of the Pelican. I had thought that today, on my anniversary, I would be writing about that elevation and its effect on my hobby life. But instead of a decertation of then vs now and my SCA as a Pelican, my 'now' has been altered further.

Yesterday, I attended Fall Crown List here in Meridies. It was nearby. I was able to spend the day watching the tournament and hanging out with my friends. Ellen and I were both able to attend. At court that evening, I was looking forward to several of our newer people getting their first or second awards. So, I sat to the side with Ellen. I had my video camera running to record court to capture the moment for them. Ellen was taking pictures. As the Khan and Khatun of our Kingdom progressed into court, I noted an anomaly.

My knight, Earl Benen MacTire, was carrying the sword of state into court and took residence behind the thrones. This was strange to me on the subconscious, but not registered until later after events transpired. It is the first time, that I can recall, that I saw him act in the retainers role. But, as I said, I registered it, but I did not really give it much thought.

Court progressed much as I had expected. Shire members got the expected awards. Ellen was caught off guard when she was called up and inducted into the Company of Meridian Scribes. Then, my name was called.

My first thought was that it was for some recognition of service to the crown. A formal thank you, if you will. But then things took a turn when His Majesty asked the Good Earl to the fore. From that point, I have little recognition of what happened next. But I heard the word 'CHIVALRY' spoken.

Tears welled in my eyes. I looked at the ground to regain my composure. I think I nodded consent to His Majesty as he asked me a question. The people were cheering and clapping as I was helped to stand. And there they all were…

The Order of Chivalry. Faces of peers that I have known for many years, some for my entire SCA life. People I respect. People I trust. Knights all. And now, they have asked me to be one of them.

I was asked to join the Order of Chivalry.

I first picked up a rattan stick in 1987. Lord Padraig Brun and others helped teach me how to fight in SCA Armored Combat. I was glad that he was at the event to witness the announcement. Later, I met the man who would be my first knight, Hadi al Hadad. He taught me much. I would go on to see him achieve knighthood and win a crown list on the same day. We shared many adventures before his passing in 2015. That year, I met the man who would pick me up and help me find the squire's path again, Earl Benen MacTire. In 2017, I joined his house. He is my friend and peer in equal parts. On the 8th day of November 2025, he brought me to the next part of our journey with the Orders request for me to join them. My quest to knighthood, some 38 years in the making, is almost achieved.

There are many, many strong emotions tied to this accomplishment. Not to diminish my acceptance to the Order of the Pelican, which was a very, very proud moment in itself, this writ for Chivalry has a depth of attachment for me like no other to date. This is the thing I sought to achieve. This is the thing that I felt I failed on for Count Hadi and his passing caused me to rededicate myself to. This is the thing that Earl Benen and I worked on together. The thing that he helped accomplish. This goal, with the unrivaled support by my wife, Ellen, is now true. This honor, with the help of so many people in addition to those named, is what I have worked for.

So if you congratulated me yesterday, or today or do so tomorrow and I responded with a quiet nod and 'Thank You', know that I just don't have the words to voice much more than that without shedding a tear of joy and just breaking down into an emotional mess.

Thank you, everyone, for helping me get here. More to come. 

Thank you.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'

Warden of the Northern Plateau

Squire to Earl Benen MacTire

Shire of Easaraigh

Kingdom of Meridies

Clyde's Travels - Silver Hammer 50

 

Silver Hammer 50th
Big Ridge State Park
Maynardsville, TN
25 October 2025

The tournament field with view of the autumn sky.

On a cool autumn morning, Sindri Brynjarsson and I left our warm Cumbrian hearths and headed East into the mountain valleys surrounding the Barony of Thor's Mountain for Silver Hammer 50. The passage was uneventful and thankfully there was no fog to impede our way.

Over the years, I have been to many Silver Hammer events. It was one of the first events I recall ever attending. It is one of the oldest annual events in the Kingdom. Locally known to many as 'Shiver Hammer' as the higher elevation and fall season often means that it will be very cool at the site. And this year, did start out as a cold morning but warmed up nicely as the day progressed.

I opted out of combat again this weekend. Doing my best to be a good patient and adhere to my doctor's recommendations to 'take it easy', I brought no kit. My particular problem has been a hand issue with my right hand. It's been a hassle and I miss not fighting. The liberating activity is a stress reliever for me. I look forward to getting back into it soon.

Sindri was able to join the fray though. Also in attendance were some of our other newer fighters from our area, Aznor and Valka. I envied the fun they were having to some extent. It was a good list. Duke Ailgheanan mac Sithigh won the armored tournament and bade Valka to carry the Silver Hammer heirloom in his stead to ensure it gets returned next year. Here is a video of the final fight between Duke Ailgheanan and Sir Gaeus. 

This year, in addition to being the 50th anniversary of the event, was also host to an investiture. In baronial terms, this is when the sitting Barons step down and their duly elected replacements take their place. In the attached video, I captured both courts, the traditional procession before the tournament, and the early parts of the tournament.

I spent my day doing several things. I performed some service as entourage for HRM Chinua as well as setup and tear down of the fixtures of state (thrones, shade, etc). I was able to spend some time with my old friend Fionn Ó Cinnéide of Dun na nGall. Shortly after I found the SCA, I introduced it to Fionn. It was good to see him again. Late in the afternoon, I visited with Masters Jean-Azriel du Corbier and Ysabel de Saincte Croix to discuss rapier weapons and the authorization process. These few things along with side discussions with several different people made for me having a fullfilled day.

Older and more respectable version of Fionn and I.

Silver Hammer is one of my favorites. And I will look forward to many more chances to visit with the Thor's Mountaineers.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies

Clyde's Travels - Bacon Bash XI: The Bacon Games, Chewy vs. Crispy

Bacon Bash XI: The Bacon Games, Chewy vs. Crispy
Montgomery Bell State Park
Burns, TN
18 October 2025

Sindri and Martin de Bernay doing pickups.

On the middle of the month of October, A.S. LX, I travelled to an event, hosted by the Shire of Crimson River, in the western borderlands of the Barony of Glaedenfeld. Sindri Brynjarsson accompanied by on the journey. The event, called ‘Bacon Bash XI: The Bacon Games, Chewy vs. Crispy, is an annual staple gathering well attended and a good regional gathering of the northern region of Meridies.

 

I did not bring any harness or kit to the event. Trying to heal up some aches and strains that professional guidance directed me to ‘lay off’ for a bit to try to allow recovery. Instead, I opted to do other things. I went to the event without a plan and just looked about to see what I could get into.

 

My travelling companion, Sindri Brynjarsson, was able to fight in the armored combat tournaments and got in on several pickup fights. Here is video of the tournament.

After some socializing, I found myself on the fighting field helping Lord Benjamin de Hatfield and Sir Legio Uv Orkney with the tournament administration. And, shortly in I found myself as a voice herald for the tournament. That was a first I think. I don’t believe I ever specifically did voice heraldry for an entire tournament before. I took a few rounds of introductions before I got into the swing of things and started getting name pronunciations right. But, it was enjoyable. I started feeling a ‘Vegas fight announcer’ vibe as I got comfortable and had some fun with it. Normally, when I raise by voice I just sound like an angry person (military command voice be like that), so I do so rarely. With a little radio DJ inflection though,  I don’t think I sound too mean. My only concern is that the pitch of my voice can be a little low and I think it might be hard to hear in some conditions. Lord Benjamin handled the salutes and such. Which offloaded about half of what a normal voice herald job involves. That made things a lot easier for this first timer.

 

I might have to look into doing voice heraldry some more in the future. The only issue I had was potential throat soreness, but I had some Ricola on me and that solved my voice issues before they became a problem. I don’t talk a lot normally and public speaking is ‘a punishment’ generally in my mind. Like, I get shaking nervous in formal settings where I have to speak. It’s horrible. But, field heraldry is just shouting into the wind. No real audience other than the grass and trees, unlike having an audience and the feedback of facial expressions and body language. So, no nervousness. Just reading the names from the cards and such. 

 

Sindri and I only visited for the day. We stayed on the tournament field for almost the entire time. The event also had classes and live weapons in other locations of the site. The feast later in the day had a lot of bacon, true to the events name and by all accounts was really good. When Bacon Bash next appears on your calendar, circle the date and make an effort to visit. It is worth the trip.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies

Clyde's Travels - Meridian Grand Tournament

Camp Discovery
Gainesboro, TN
26-28 September 2025

On the 26th day of October, Anno Societatis LX, I made my way into the hills and dales to the west of Easaraigh to attend the Kingdom of Meridies premier armored combat tournament, the Meridian Grand Tournament (MGT). The event was hosted at Camp Discovery. The site is a favorite and has a long history for the Shire of Easaraigh as a place of good times and treasured memories. Many Easaraigh events have been held there in the past, having the Kingdom host an event there a blessing for us as we are so near.

Image of the tournament field, the MGT champion banner blowing in the wind.

On Friday evening, I attended the vigil for a friend, Xenos Theodrikes, who was to be elevated to the Order of Chivalry on the following day. While standing as a guard, I watched the coming and going of many esteemed persons from Meridies and other kingdoms. The vigil is a blur for the vigilant. We get to celebrate their coming elevation. They get sequestered away and held in place by sage council, the occasional anecdote, some humor, and shared wisdom. Xenos’ vigil ran late into the night, there on the shores of Flynn Creek, lit by firelight and heralded by the laughter and voices of communion. I bid my farewell while the vigil was still going strong to find my way home to rest for the coming tournament.

Xenos, on vigil in a tent, receives counsel from TRMs Lochlainn and Paraskova.

The following morning, I returned to prepare for the tournaments. There are 6 tournaments in total at MGT. I had planned to compete in 3 of the tournaments, the Count Francois Duvant Memorial Chalice Tournament, the Sable Sword Challenge, and the Sir Lee Fribrand Memorial Great Weapons Tourney. But, I withdrew after participating only in the first two of my intended. An injury that has been plaguing me for some time made me think better than attempt a third tournament. That is a story for another time and audience. I made it to the second round of the Chalice and fought 10 or 12 fights in the Challenge. While my showing was not spectacular or noteworthy, I mostly enjoyed myself and had a good time in the tests of skill I was able to participate in. 

 

In the morning, I helped marshal the Armatura, a 3 v 3 bear pit format tournament. A rapid, endurance test starts MGT off with a bang. The Legio Ursi sponsors the tournament and its our job to keep it moving to run as many matches as possible in the allotted time period.

 

The second tournament was the Order of the Blade’s Sabre Tourney. I assisted marshalling again and helped to keep things on schedule. This is a single weapon tournament, single elimination with lethal double-kills. 

 

Image of my helmet, gauntlets and list tree shield.

Still early in the day, I armored for the Count Francois Duvant Memorial Chalice Tournament hosted by our Order of the Chalice. This is a donation tournament where the entry fee is required. It is single elimination, open to any weapon style. The collected fees and additional donations are sent to a charity of the champion’s choosing, which is traditionally a woman’s shelter or something similar. This year, our community contributed $4,700 and the Order of the Chalice was able to send proceeds to Stepping Stones Safe Haven in Murfreesboro, TN. The tournament is a truly worthy and wonderful endeavor to participate and contribute in.

 

On the heels of the Chalice Tournament, the Order of the Sable Sword’s Challenge Tournament was held. This is a William Marshal style event. I helped the Order get things going before joining in myself. Much like the Armatura, this tournament is more about accumulating a number of wins more than anything else. It can be quite a test of endurance if you are doing well.

 

The final open participation tournament, which I withdrew from, was the Sir Lee Fribrand Memorial Great Weapons Tourney. Polearms and greatswords are the only weapons styles allowed, fought to single elimination each round. 

 

MGT List Tree with the shields and heraldry displayed of the champions for the Grand Tournament.

The last tournament of the day is the Earl Richard Raefen Grand Tournament. The top 2 from each of the day’s tournaments along with 6 chosen combatants for a tournament of 16 are matched to determine the overall MGT champion. This year, the champion was Sir Haldr. He had an excellent day. One of Easaraigh’s own, Sindri Bynarsson, was asked by the Order of the Laurel to represent them in the Grand Tournament. He represented himself, our Shire and the Order of the Laurel well. I was very happy for him. It’s a big honor to be chosen. I had that honor for the Pelican at my last MGT. It really made my day.

 

While MGT is a big ‘stick jock’ day for us in the Armored Combat community, it is also a great day for just reveling in our hobby. Under my day shade, field side (thanks to Sir Conal MacDale), members of my shire congregated. We shared the day in each other’s company, bonding, laughing, and witnessing the event together. That part of MGT is more important to me that anything else and that shared moment in time is what I will remember in the years to come.

For those interested, here is a video playlist of the tournaments and the royal court that I captured.

MGT 2025 Playlist

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde', Warden of the Northern Plateau
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies

Clyde's Travels - Hausblot III

Pulaski Rec Center, Pulaski, TN
Pulaski, TN
Hosted by the Shire of Loch an Fhraoich

On the 20th day of September, Anno Societatis LX, I rode with Lord Ronan and Lady Elysant of Axebridge from the Easaraigh hills to the lowlands of South Reach to attend the Shire of Loch an Fhraoich (Loch-on-ree) event, Hausblot III.

I fought in two tournaments on the day.

The first tournament was a William Marshal format. In this open format tournament, combatants fight opponents of choice. The combat is conducted for a set time limit, at the end of which the fighter with the most points wins. For this competition, a win awarded 2 points. A loss awarded 1 point. I ended up with 24 points. The champion, Sir Idris, won with 44 points.

Scoresheet for the William Marshal tournament at Hausblot III.

The second tournament on the day was a 3 v 3 melee tournament. We fought a round robin format, were all teams fight all other teams at least once. There were 3 teams. We fought the best 2 out of three passes for each round. I joined my squire brother, Lord Ronan, and HL Xenos. We did OK, but lost out to the team of Sir Haldr, HL Giermundr, and Lord Boros who won the tournament.

Here is some video I took of the two tournaments.

In between the tournaments I spent some time Masters Jean-Azriel du Corbier and Ysabel de Saincte Croix, learning some principles of rapier combat. I hope to authorize for rapier before Gulf Wars next year. I am still gathering kit and taking opportunities to learn when I can. I just so happened to be able to sit in on a class that master Corbin was teaching for fundamentals. There is a lot to learn. I am a clumsy and have bullish grace. The rapier art requires a level of finesse that I will need to spend time to achieve.

My fighting day was middle of the pack. I had some good moments. I got to learn some things. But most of all, I got to spend time with friends in the sun and shade. 

I thank the Shire of Loch an Fhraoich, our gracious host. It was a fun day.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
SCA Inc

Clyde’s Travels - Heroes & Heroines: A Renaissance

Heroes & Heroines: A Renaissance
A.H. Stephens State Park Group Camp
456 Alexander Street NW, Crawfordville, GA 30631
6 September 2025

Sigmund’s Tale

Heraldic display of Sigmund Nacht. Photo Credit Kenneth Haldane.

In the summer of Anno Societatis LX in the Kingdom of Meridies, a crier arrived in the Shire of Easaraigh. In the warm summer sun, the messenger proclaimed a call of tournament, a summons, had been issued throughout the Kingdom. The noble and sometimes enigmatic Order of the Sable Sword has put forth invitations to many fine and able fighters of the land. Among the selected, was a squire from this very shire, Sigmund Nacht. Combatants had been called to attend the field at the Heroes and Heroines event sponsored by the Shire of Forth Castle on the first weekend of September, only a short time hence.

Sigmund and I at the Meridies 40th year event. Photo Credit Katherine Radford. 

Our Sigmund has travelled far and wide from his humble beginnings. I was there the first time he donned mail and hefted a blade. We saw his promise and supported his training. The shire lamented when he left our lands to seek fortunes in the Kingdom of Trimaris to the south. There, in the land of sand and storm, he join the house of Sir Teric Gwynedd as a squire to that good and renowned knight. I admired his growth from a distance and watched his progress on the squire’s path with joy. He learned much in his time there in those lands. Eventually, he returned back to the Cumbrian Plateau and the quiet Shire of Easaraigh. Sir Teric, as is common when a squire is separated from mentor, released Sigmund from his oath. With his return to Easaraigh, Sigmund shared what he had learned in the southern lands with any who would listen and he had learned a lot. Our Sigmund is a warrior in his own right at this point in his life. The Trimarians saw this, awarding him a Lion d’Or for his valour and skill in combat prior to his return north. And, I could not agree more with their recognition. Meridies saw the warrior in him as well, adding him as a Companion of the Argent Shield this year. After a short time back in our lands, he found a new mentor in Viscount Valeric the Blackheart, a knight of the west that had moved to our lands many years ago. Sigmund continues to grow. He is renowned and well respected. His skills are as solid as any. He is generous with his knowledge and has been a boon to our fighting community in Northern Meridies.

The Order of the Sable Sword took notice. These mysterious becloaked fighters of Meridies, subtle watchers all, sent riders throughout the kingdom to call a cadre of 24 skilled fighters to an invitational tournament. Sigmund was on their list, an invitation received with the sword and escutcheans seal in wax adorning the writ. I offered my support to this new adventure laid before him. To this end, we found ourselves in the eastern hills of the kingdom in the late summer of Anno Societatis LX.

Our journey not overly long, we made rest in a roadhouse a short distance from the tournament grounds. The excitement of the coming day kept us up late, but we found sleep eventually, waking early the following morning to break fast and complete our journey to the grounds.

The day was clear and the sun bright. This fact of the day would prove to be the most important one. As the sun rose in the heavens, it began to excise a tax upon everyone under its gaze. I confess, it would vex most all of us before the day’s end.

The day started with a tournament in the bear pit format for all armored fighters. Sigmund did not partake, choosing to save his efforts for the Invitational he was there to attend later in the day. I did participate. I made I 12 or 14 passes before I retired and had to hydrate and rest. The Sun’s cost on me was hard and I took my leave before the tournament completed.

 

After the bear pit, Sigmund was able to spend some time warming up with his knight, Viscount Valeric. Warming up is a good add to anyone’s tournament preparations. Having the opportunity to do so with your mentor is even more beneficial. Like a have a coach in your corner, they can bolster resolve and help you with any butterflies roaming in your stomach.

Valeric and Sigmund warming up. Photo Credit Eoin Mac Cana

The Invitational Tournament began with 4 ‘pools’ of fighters, a count of 6 in each pool. Each combatant found everyone in their grouping. I was marshalling a pool, so did not get to see Sigmund fight firsthand. But, he did well enough to advance to the next round of the event.

The second round was another sequence of 4 pools of combatants, 5 per pool. This is when the great orb in the sky began to wreak is worst upon the participants. The brave warriors not only fought their opponent, but the far reaching blaze from above. Sigmund was in the pool I was marshalling. I could see the effort in him. He fought well both against his opponent on the field and the one in the sky. He did well enough to make it to the third round of the tournament and was announced to the final 16.

List tree with shields. Photo Credit Kenneth Haldane

There was a procession. The 16 where announced to the populace, with their consorts where present.

The final round of 16 was a single elimination tournament. Each pairing would fight for the best 2 or 3 fights to progress. Our Sigmund was matched to fight Drogo inn Keiliselgr, an noble man and fighter of the southern reaches of Meridies. The fight did not happen. Recognizing that he was spent,  Sigmund withdrew… with humility and grace. His name called, he came to the field and yielded. He shared private words with Drogo and they embraced in comradery and happiness.

Sigmund and Drogo. Photo Credit Kenneth Haldane.

I could see the conflict on his visage. Sigmund answered the invitation for many reasons. He was asked, of course, but there was more. He came to show his Kingdom who he is.

Sigmund is proud and humble. He loves this hobby. He shares his joy with those around him. He brings a strong spirit and embellishes the community with it. He is makes smart choices. There is no lament about the withdraw. It was the right decision for him and a decision all of us (both in and out of the martial part of this hobby) have to make at times. While I am sad that was not able to see it through, I was happy for him to be able to experience the journey and that I was able to see his impact and how he affects those around him. I could argue that the way in which he yielded the field says more about our Sigmund than swinging a stick does.

Sigmund Nacht is a pretty cool dude. Im happy to know him and call him friend.

Fare the well, friends! Safe journey to thee.

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana, OP
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
SCA, Inc