InterKingdom BIRTHDAY BASH/fighter practice
Shire of Nant-y-Derwyddon
Laurel Grove
Bristol, TN
26 August 2023
As I stood outside my shire home one fine day, a messenger arrived. He was on a donkey with a dull, deliberate demeanor that left me with the impression that the beast was casually going about its duty. The burden mounted upon its back, in the form of a perfumed herald, was the beast’s equal in inconspicuous urgency. The herald spoke, “I hear the bird’s tune can carry on the wind for 12 leagues.”
I paused for a moment, slightly surprised. I knew the day might come but had not expected it so soon. “That is sometimes true for the Jay and the Robin, but only the Duck is guaranteed”, I replied.
The herald rummaged in his bag and retrieved a bound with wax, rolled parchment. The herald handed me the parcel. The donkey turned and away they went, leaving me standing in the road.
I broke the seal, and here is what I saw.
Unto the Warden, Shire of Easaraigh, Meridies, We are aware that you, your liege, and squire-brother are rarely seen in the same locations at any given time. You must foster unity and brotherhood with your kin. Do better.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to get off your collective ‘duffs’ and go do something together.
As usual, any knowledge of you, your associates or the missive will be expressly denied in the event of discovery. This message will self destruct in 10 seconds.
I blinked twice. A black and white goat approached. In passing, it snagged the missive from my hand. It chewed loudly as it moved away. The missive was gone. The goat soon after, disappearing into a field over a small rise.
A few days later, opportunity presented itself in the form of the dashingly heroic form of Sir Marek. Trusted confidant of our good Earl, he asked if we would be going to the Shire of Nant-y-Derwyddon for the upcoming regional practice. The Earl must have been in a good and magnanimous mood because he responded positively to the inquiry. To my amazement, a plan was coming together.
That very eve, I dispatched a messenger fowl to my squire-brother, Ronan, to see if he would also be amicable to a journey east with the Earl and I. No more than three quacks and a duck flatulence later, we had our answer. He accepted. The Earl's wolfpack would be making the journey to the far northeastern reaches of the Meridian lands.
Early on the morning of the event, Earl Benen, Ronan, and I mounted a wagon heading east. The journey into the mountainous reaches of Meridies was peaceful and as quick as the wind. We discussed many subjects of serious and less than serious nature as we followed the trails into the Appalachia.
We arrived at the Laurel Grove estate early in the afternoon. The estate, within the Shire of Nant-y-Derwyddon's oversight, is a prime venue in the region. Popular with the locals as well as travellers from the Kingdoms of Aethelmearc and Atlantia.
Many fighters were arriving in the same time span as we did. Immediately upon our arrival, we were greeted by the stalwart Sir Marek, knight of Aethelmearc and friend to the house of Benen MacTire. He helped us to the fighting eric, and we were greeted by many friendly faces from the local shire and others of the region.
There were many fighters of renown and fame present from three kingdoms - Meridies, Atlantia, and Aethelmearc. Here is a list of some of the most prominent present in the eric that day:
Duke Cuán MacDaige
Duke Christoph Krieger
Duke Anton Tremayne
Duchess Signy Heri
Earl Benen MacTire
Viscount Waleric von Bredereke
Sir Marek Viacheldrago
The ducal contingent represented Atlantia. Earl Benen and Viscount Waleric were there for Meridies. Sir Marek, as previously indicated, is a champion of Aethelmearc. There were over 20 fighters from 3 kingdoms. Some brand new. Some newish. Skills ranged from novice to intermediate to expert to 'DAMN!, they're good!'.
I was most impressed with the mentoring nature that the Atlantian royal peers adopted throughout the day. Atlantians, known for their stout and powerful skills on the tourney field, surprised me at first with a side of Atlantian single combat I had not witnessed before. Me, expecting strong blows and near impregnable opponents, found an ally, showing me my faults and how to correct. While still damn near impregnable, everything was an opportunity for learning. I was amazed and truly impressed when I discovered they had adopted a teaching role for the day. They were overflowing with observations, technique and enthusiasm for teaching all day long. I felt privileged with a gift of a 'Ducal University' being delivered from Atlantia for all of us to share.
The day, while somewhat cooler, fell into the heat that has plagued us in Meridies all summer. It was oppressive, forcing us to work in short bursts of combat and longer intermissions to manage our constitutions.
I had many, many wonderful passes throughout the day. I think I fought 9 or 10 different fighters, only a couple I knew first hand. I got caught in some habitual fighting and corrected for it. I worked with some newer fighters and I was able to receive some direct instruction from Dukes Anton and Cuan. It was a fruitful day for me and I am very happy we made the journey. The lessons learned will be carried with me for quite a while.
Most of all, I got to spend the day with my peer and my squire-brother. We shared a day together. My improbable mission was accomplished.
We closed our day in Nant-y-Derwyddon at a local eatery with Sir Marek. We ate good food. Talked about fighting. Reviewed our day. And finished with some banana free banana pudding for free.
Sated, we warily dodged pedistrian railings back to our wagons were we bid the good Sir Marek adieu, mounted our conveyance and made our way down from the mountains to our Cumbrian plateau homes. It was a very good day.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
Baron Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Warden of the Northern PlateauShire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
