Gulf Wars XXIV
15-21 MARCH 2015
Please accept this entry as the first of many entries regarding my travels throughout the Known World as I take on the guise of a squire with no liege lord, a poor mans ronin if you will, seeking to find if I still have the strength of will and character needed to stay on the path set before me so long ago.
I had intended to attend Gulf Wars this year for several months before unwelcome events in February took place and put me in a mind to reconsider. But, in consulting with my wife, Lady Ellen, and the need for a mental break from the mundane world, it was decided that I would go through with my intended plans to go to the War. In the telling that follows, I will bounce around from time to time as to hit the high points and the most memorable moments of the event (for Merek and I at least).
As luck would have it, I was able to travel with a returning Easaraigh shire member, Merek. I must say that the value of a good travelling companion is well worth the effort as his company was greatly appreciated.
We arrived early on Wed of the War. The Company of St Michael graciously gave us a bit of land to camp on. Sir Stuart reviewed their very amicable camp rules that Merek and I both found to be acceptable. Two of these rules set the table for a couple of our most memorable moments from the War.
The first camp policy was to contribute to a daily camp meal plan. We later found that Don Domingo was to be our camp cook and proved to be a variable genius at this endeavor. He prepared period and semi-period dishes every night that were a pleasure to the taste buds and filled our bellies to contentment. The fare that the esteemed peer produced from a camp stove and open fire were excellent to behold and will not soon be forgotten. He is a credit to his order.
The second policy of note with St Michael's was concerning the requirement of 4 hours minimum of volunteer service to the War. I admit that I was unsure about this as I had not offered and service to the War before (shame on me) and really had no concept how it worked. But, Merek was game and we found ourselves at the Volunteer Point looking for a service needing support. After thumbing through the binders we noted that no one had signed up to support the Known World Party (KWP) on Friday. We also noted that we could basically get our 4 hours covered by that one activity. So, Merek and I signed up. Later at the Meridian court we found out that Dame Fiana was to be our 'employer' for the the KWP and that she was still short on volunteers. I love job security.
Friday night, Merek and I went to the fort to start work and fell in with the usual 'move this and that' routine that I had expected we would. After a couple of hours, things seemed to calm down a bit. He and I saw some others unloading the 'bar' and went to help. After unloading several kegs and ice, we were assisting Count Sir Richard with 'tapping the kegs' (which proved to be challenging since the kegs did not like this and kept spitting at everyone in range). Merek and I found the experience ironic since neither of us particularly liked beer or much any alcoholic beverage anyway and thought the kegs were spitting at the wrong people since we felt no ill will toward them. So anyway, there we were helping with the bar setup when someone started letting attendees to the KWP in the front gate. Sir Richard started serving beer and Merek and I fell in behind him idly watching the activities as the grounds became crowded with happy masses standing in line at the bar. It became apparent shortly there after that everything was not entirely ready and that the sudden influx was causing some difficulties.
Those difficulties are some of what Merek and I fell into at that moment and I shall list them here. First, there wasn't enough light. To that end, Merek and I produced powerful pocket torches to light the way for the barkeeps trade. Second, we had a pool of ice filled with bottles of home brew but no bottle opener. To that end, I produced my bottle opener from my squires tool kit (special thanks to my mentors for teaching me the requirements of a satisfactory squires tool kit) and I became the bottle opener guy. Third, there were several bottles of corked mead and wine on the bar but no cork screw. To that end, I produced a cork screw from my trusty squire's kit and became the cork puller guy. Lastly, Merek and I, positioned behind the row of kegs behind the bar in the open field became localized 'Burly Men' keeping the masses of enthusiastic KWP goers at bay so the barkeeps could ply their craft. So, in that exact moment in time, Merek and I found ourselves in the exact place in time were fate deemed we should be providing light in the dark, opening bottles to quench the peoples thirst and providing a safe harbor for the barkeeps in a sea of humanity. Later in the evening, we found we were being praised for acts that to us seemed trivial in nature but none-the-less became important to the success of the endeavor for those who were involved. Sir Ragnar relieved us from our detail and we took a small break in front of the fort. When we heard the sounds of 'lights out, the party's over' we returned and helped with the tear down. As the KWP was closed down and before we were released from our detail, we were rewarded with Gulf War 'thank you' medallions.
This 'shiny' medallion was unexpected and one of the better items we brought home from the War. We bid our farewell to our KWP 'employers' and returned to camp content in a job well done and impressed by the gratitude shown for our simple act of volunteering to support the Known World Party. (I should note that Merek has been carrying that medallion in his pocket ever since...lol).
Outside of camp responsibilities, Merek and I took in several different activities but mostly as spectators to the event and enjoyed a very relaxing time immersed in our hobby. I had brought my kit and had opportunity to gear up and join in the fray, but my mind and heart were not ready for the memories that would bring. Ill have opportunity to swing a stick later on and resolved to just rest and recuperate this time around.
Wed night was Midnight Madness in merchants row. Merek found it to be an ideal instance of SCA immersion when he came upon merchants row after dark lit with torch light and flooded with the sounds of wandering musicians. There were many shoppers about in their finest garb. He was greatly impressed.
We witnessed the elevation of Sir Johann. This was Merek's second elevation witnessed, having watched Sir Hrothgar's elevation at MGT last year. Elevations are special occasion for everyone who gets to share. Huzzah" for Sir Johann and all the other elevations that took place at the War.
We also attended some classes. The first was 'The Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon Ship Burial' taught by Duchess Katrina of Iron Mountain. Her Grace is an excellent teacher. We were most impressed by her knowledge of the subject matter and ability to handle a disruptive 'heckler' that was in attendance. Additionally, she really won Merek over when she recited Beowulf in Middle English (might have been Old English, but I am no judge in 'coolness' factors). Merek was so impressed that he attended an additional class the next day on 'Old English Riddles, Boasts and Flytings: The Weaponry of Words'. I think the Duchess has a groupy in the making with Merek. Hes definitely a fan and we were both rightfully impressed.
Shortly after we arrived, Merek asked me what it was like to be in an 'entourage'. Unlike the mundane definition, in SCA terms the entourage is an important part of a sovereigns reign and integral to its success. An opportunity for a demonstrative answer came about after the classes when we assisted Duchess Katrina pack up and carry her gear to her next destination. There were several people wanting to chat with her as Merek and I patiently waited for her, holding her possessions with quiet grins on our faces as we looked on. As Merek followed in her wake, I looked at him and said 'Remember your entourage question?' He acknowledged. I responded, 'It's a lot like this.' Of course, my own experience in the entourage was a long time ago. But, I doubt much has changed over that time.
Merek and I toured the A&S entries. All the entries were of top notch quality and we were impressed and humbled by the experience.
We watched some of the heavy and rapier fighting. We also took in a few rounds of youth combat. All of it was as it should be at Gulf Wars. Everyone was fully vested in their activity, camaraderie was high, and most importantly it seemed that everyone was having fun.
On a more personal level, which I do not want to spend too many words on, the loss of my friend, Hadi, was ever on my mind. There were several moments of intense, and almost unbearable, spikes of grief that would leave me speechless. It was in those moments that I rediscovered some of what I was missing in my SCA experience.
The SCA has much to offer and it is our anachronistic nature that compels us to take the good and leave the bad. For all the pain and shame I felt in the grief and inability to control it, I found the very things in an SCA life that could salve my wounds. There is simple satisfaction of service to another. Service given freely, without expectation, is a reward like no other. I remembered the gift of comradeship and the bond that we SCAdians share. Merek will never know the value his presence was for me during the trip. Sir Stuart, Don Domingo, Earl Benen, Countess Rosabel, my big brother Griffin and 'Uncle' Mandin all helped to remind me of those simple tenets of Service and Comradeship. Principles on which, I learned long ago make the Society such a worthwhile endeavor.
As I move forward once again on my SCA journey without my most valued sponsor, I hope to find my way again, build on the history of the Society I joined so many years ago, and re-introduce myself to my hobby again with 'new eyes'. As I do so, I will honor my fallen mentor and his family by doning the Sable and Or of House Aspiring and displaying his arms proudly wherever my path leads me.
Well met, friends. Safe journey to thee.
Ld. Eoin Mac Cana, CACM
Squire of House Aspiring
Seneschal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
