Burlap Hammer: Clyde's Travel Log

Gulf Wars XXVI

Kings Arrow Ranch, Lumberton, MS

Kingdom of Gleann Abhann

12-18 March 2017

On a beautiful spring day, I once again journeyed south to the lands of Gleann Abhann. This year, we answered Their Majesties call to 'Crusade for Joy'. Our small levy from Easaraigh was made up of Marek, Asa, Darri, and myself along with Earl Benen and Countess Rosabelle.

Some day, the Trimarian and Ansteorran differences may be settled. But, it will not be this year. Our Meridian might is once again put to task to bring order to the chaos this annual war brings.

11 MAR
Marek and I traveled under fair skies to an inn near the contested lands where we stayed the night before venturing further. While fortune favored our journey, some of our brethren found the journey hard and fraught with foul weather. Rain settled in this evening in a steady downpour from the heavens. The rain lasted well into the following morning.

12 MAR
Marek and I waited for the rain to subside in the mid morning time and traveled to the site established by the old treaty for the Trimarian and Ansteorran 'negotiations' and 'conflict resolution'. We helped the good Earl and Countess get settled in to their camp before moving to the Foxes Den camp to establish our own war lodging with our family and neighbors there. The rest of the day was filled with camp preparation as more fyrd men and women arrived answering Their Majesties call.

13 MAR
After meeting with the good Marshals for gear inspection, I found that I was late for the first battle of the war, the town battle. I was able to watch the latter half of the fight and saw that the effort was hard but there were many smiles on the faces of my brothers and sisters in arms. I took great pleasure in watching our larger-than-life general, Sir Timothy of Longbeddington, toy with our adversaries in honorable single combat after he was separated from his element. Normally, his stature is enough to strike fear into the foe, but these men were filled with false bravado that fell away when he tested them. I took great pride in our general. Im thankful that we have him to guide us.

14 MAR
I greeted the day early to offer my service to the War Marshallate. I put on my Hospitaller's attire and went to Hastings Field. My morning was spent assisting with inspections and preparing the field for the upcoming Field Battle.

Mid morning the opening ceremonies started. I was privileged to witness the Meridian Crusade in all its glory. Onlookers cried 'What army is that!'. In answer I replied, 'Meridies! Corona Vult!'. It was an awesome spectacle in honor of our recently fallen hero's. Each of us remembering those no longer with us in a great show of unity. It was a site to behold and will be a treasured memory in my mind.

In the early afternoon, I donned my kit. After a brief warm up with Sir Valdryk, I joined my battle brethren in the shield wall for 5 engagements in the afternoon. With Drogo and another shieldman who's name I have forgotten, I dove headlong into the fights with vigor. My brothers and I wrought havoc on Ansteorran, Midrealmer and Caidian alike. Again and again we put our shoulder to the anvil. Each time the anvil would make way for our powerful presence. We were a wall that waves of foe men broke against. Many of our brothers thanked us for our war work. It was a good day.

After the field engagements completed, I managed a pickup with Sir Marek of AEthelmearc. An excellent fighter of great prowess that bested me several times. Regardless, it was an enjoyable engagement at the end of a great day of work on the field.

A presentation of a reliquary was ongoing when I attended the King after my pickup. The Meridian mood was somber and full of emotion. We miss Earl Richard. I thought of my own missing mentor now two years gone. We ended in celebration of the excellent day with a resounding 'Corona! Vult!'.

Later that evening around the campfire, I was in a somewhat darker mood. It was lightened somewhat with some excellent discussion with Masters Ysabel and Corbin on 'the path' one takes in the journey through the SCA. This would be a theme that fate presented to me daily it seems (if you believe in such things).

15 MAR
It was tourney day. Many selected champions would tested their mettle this day. I suffered from poor timing most of the day and never managed to get myself or my kit in the right place at the right time. Sie la vie. I did some shopping in merchants row. As usual, there was an excellent selection of wares being offered.

I attempted to watch some of the Meridian Rose Tourney. One does not call a fight from the viewing stand, but I found the fights I watched to be less that appealing for my experienced eye. I hope it was only my perspective that was wrong in what I witnessed.

Later that evening, Midnight Madness was in effect for the merchants area. I wandered a bit, aimless before falling into a melancholy that would stay with me for the next couple of days. Again I returned to thoughts of my path and journey that I relayed in a separate writing. I ended the evening back at the campfire absorbed in my own thoughts.

16 MAR
A muster of the Meridian forces was called in the royal camp. I marched with Sir Valdryk's unit to the gathering. From there, we Meridians marched with our Imperator and Imperatrix to the Ravine.

The day started out joyous and emotional with a field court, several worthy recognitions and the elevation of Seamus the last of Gyver to the chivalry. It was a good ceremony. Earl Robert's comments during the ceremony revolved around 'the path' Seamus took. Again, a recurring topic that struck a chord for me.

The Ravine. Traditionally, this is an ugly fight. 3 control points and an hour long resurrection define this fight on some nasty, uneven terrain with fairly steep elevations.

I started out fairly strong. About 30 minutes in, I overheated and had to retire from the field. Sadly, I feel my performance was substandard. On top of that, I think I hurt an adversary when I stumbled in a pulse charge and landed hard on them. We all have bad days, and this was mine.

I spent the rest of the day in doubt as to my path and where it was going.

17 MAR
St Patricks Day. I woke debating whether to put my kit on at all. The bridge and fort battles were scheduled for today. I got word that Earl Benen would be on the field today so, I geared up to share the day with him since its a rarity for him to get a chance to be on the field at Gulf Wars. I arrived as the army was gearing up and took my place in the wall with my comrades in arms from the field. Add to that, Earl Sir Benen taking his place in the line.

We fought the middle of three bridges against the Ansteorran foe we had met several times before. The fight was friendly and courteous as these things go. Much laughter and joy could be heard on both sides. After the second fight, I was put out after a few minutes and fell to the rear to regroup. I noted Benen stumbling from the line, disoriented. Myself, along with a few others, went to him and assisted him from the field of engagement. It seems he received an unchivalrous blow at the end of the 2nd engagement from an unknown adversary.

Thoughts of fighting took a back seat as I watched over him with others with concern. HRM Barthelemy commanded I stand watch over him as the 3rd engagement ramped up. To which I acknowledged and prepared to guard over him. After the king departed, Earl Sir Benen regained some of his faculty and ordered me back into the line. After a brief appeal that 'I had been ordered to stay by HRM', Earl Sir Master Master Benen convened a council of Earls on the spot and ordered me back into the line again. Outranked and outnumbered, I consented to return to the fight while hoping to not offend either the injured Earl or the Imperator of my Kingdom.

So, I entered the 3rd fight late as the engagement started before I had my helmet strapped on. As I came on with the reserve, I noted 3 enemy spears on the bridge, without protection and unawares. So, I took all 3 of them for a swim. That was fun.

Benen retired to his tent as the 4th engagement commenced. The 4th engagement started with all the royalty fighting on the middle bridge. As that 'battle royale' ended, all hades broke lose as both armies charged. I found myself on the edge of the bridge, stepped on the boundary rope and twisted my knee. That ended the day for me.

Later that evening, I spent time with Earl Benen and Countess Rosabelle to offer what service I could. I found myself in deep conversation with His Excellency that evolved into a discussion on joining his house as a squire. I accepted. We exchanged oaths to each other as Rosabelle looked on in the privacy of their tent. For me, no public announcement was required. A bond set with an oath and handshake is enough.

It was a very unexpected offer (and hopefully not symptomatic of the earlier trauma he received). Im very thankful to have a new voice to guide me and to add new knowledge to the foundation set by Count Sir Hadi before his passing.

18 MAR
Packing day. We woke this morning and began the tear down of the Fox's Den encampment. As tear down was completed, we bid farewell to our friends. Its an excellent camp and the companionship will be missed. Marek and I then went to assist Benen and Rosabelle. We had them packed later that evening with help from several Trimarian peers. Marek and I travelled in caravan with them back to the fair lands of Easaraigh, arriving in the early morning of the 19th.

Here ends my recount of Gulf Wars XXVI.