[MR] Fool's War

[sajah at att.net]

Greetings!

What a wonderful little War!

We had /lovely/ weather Friday evening, complete with a raging lightening storm
and tornado warnings but my how glorious was the dawn! And the Atlantian Army
did take the field, all five of them.

The first round was a three pit Bear Pit to determine the Meridian King's
standard bearer. Our fighters had to announce as they approached the pit that
they were not Meridian (so the marshal would know to not count any points they
might earn by a win as they were not eligible to be said bearer) but all five
took place in line and did fight with heart against Meridian and Trimaran. The
rest of the afternoon was all melees, including a reinactment of the Battle of
Mortimer. They held fast as a unit and, at the marshal's request, fought for
Meridies during the reinactment. Many Trimarans (read Normans) fell under the
swords and spear of the Atlantians. The last scenario was "Dunk the Warlord"
which set the Meridian Warlord against the winner of the Warlord tourney held
on Friday evening - Lord Cristian Rosado de Bayamon of Sacred Stone, squire to
Duke Olaf. Lord Cristian was given charge of the Atlantians and Trimarans,
leading them from a dunking booth platform as the object was for one side to be
able to strike a telling blow on the release and dunk the opposing warlord. Our
side was victorious BOTH times.

And although I admit I do not know nearly enough about Equestrian to be a fair
and good reporter of the events, there were almost a dozen fine steeds on site
and in competition. And on the field I saw more than one Hidden Mountainer (or
is that Mountaineer?) participating in the list activities and care of those
fine animals.

Court was a bit long as War courts can be but we were all witness to a great
act of honor. The lady who was announced as the winner of one of the equestrian
competitions and given a handmade Arabian bridle replete with tassles turned to
the assembled and said that according to the rules of the list a break in gate
is a penalty and she was not penalized although she knew that she had broken
gate (the rate of speed/type of step the horse is taking - trot, canter,
gallop, etc) and she could not accept the award. There was a moment of silent
praise for her action then, after some consulting with those in charge of the
equestrian events and the kingdom seneschal who was parcelling out the day's
winning prizes, she was told that by unanymous vote of all involved, due to her
chivalrous and honorable act she deserved a prize ... a handmade Arabian
bridle! Thunderous applause ensued.

I know it is a bit of a drive for many in our kingdom - it was 8 hours one way
for us from Windmaster's Hill - and it is Georgia so be prepared for fire ants,
but what a WONDERFUL time! The Meridians were very hospitable. And they learned
a bit about how wrong stereotypes can be as our soldiers fought with grace and
gentility and with a /measured/ strength, ever respectful of their host
kingdom's acceptable fighting technique.

Vivat Atlantia!

YIS,
Saaida Sajah bint Habushun