[MR] Paying debts!

[Malone, N.]

Unto the peoples of all the know world, does AshaHito send news.

	The war is done and peace reigns again. I did not get the tribute I
felt was due but we fought to a draw and I have taken Hire with the
Baron. You say stipend, I say tribute why quibble. In the field, the
great numbers of large men in metal cases did cause us some problems but
we showed our worth in the champions battle. We, of course, took the
archery contest but they also gave a point for throwing axes and such at
targets, strange lands these. I barely managed to defeat the baron in a
series of personal contests and am shamed to say he bested me with a
bow, the fates are nothing that have no sense of humor. I escaped his
contest with only minor broken bones but upon meeting his armored
champion I was rightly reminded of an old knee injury and was required
to withdraw for the sake of all the little one I must feed. Well that
and the look on her face, I believe she would have eaten my liver. the
feast and the dancers were a great success and judging by the leftovers
the hospitality tent provided by the hareem was well used and
appreciated. Excellent work done by the ladies of the Hareem, thank you
ALL enormously.  I believe my lady ( now my wife, as of the court) did
manage to locate our forces and pay our fighters several coins each.
Since the war was a draw it might be a friendly gesture to share a small
token of coin with ones that you feel were worthy opponents. Special
thanks are due to many. Mongo, MariaTeresa, Sir Ramses, Baron Werner,
You all added to the feel and flair for the day greatly. And while friar
Thomas's poetry seems a tad lopsided I realize the church still supports
the barons due to the large tribute er Stipends they pay. Seems I am now
in a position to appreciate their point of view much better. The
friendship warmth and respect I felt that day is beyond compare. Besides
how often does someone get an event about them unless they win one of
those crown things. Of course the feelings could have come from large
quantities of fermented beverage too.
	Baron Balynar, I have the utmost respect for you as a man, a warrior
and a leader. I would assist you in waging war on hell itself if asked
to, and the hareem would shed clothing faster as it got hotter. It seem
the late spring is an excellent time to wage war. The weather was very
cooperative. Yes the heavens pouted a few times and made as if to weep
for the fallen but tears never actually fell. And to my infinite
surprise thunder and lightning never actually struck down those masses
in the heavy metal suits. Destiny can often be fickle that way. What for
next year I wonder! There is a shire that rebelled and left the barony,
called Barley Corn, they might have things of interest to warriors,
given their name and all. ANd they there is a landless band of nomads
locally called Yarnvid that are said to carry large chests of treasure
about. Hmmmm, Of course if you look at any good map it seems there are
good lands that rightfully belong to his excellency the Baron, strange
lands with women and wealth, with odd names such as Tear-it-Down and I's
in Fear. These are definitely things to be studied and scouted over the
long summer and planned in the dark of the snows, we shall see what
comes of it.

Caer Mear Minister of Surreptitious Affairs, AshaHito