[MR] Royal Court Report--Revenge of the Stitch: Sword, Stitch, and Song

[Beatrice Shirwod via Atlantia]

Unto Your Majesties Dietrich and Thora, unto Cian Triton, the College of
Heralds, and the populace of fair Atlantia, Greetings!

On this beautiful (if overcast) mild spring evening in the far eastern
reaches of Their Kingdom, in the breathtakingly lovely Shire of Spiaggia
Levantina did Dietrich and Thora, rightful rulers of this mighty Kingdom,
see fit to hold Their Royal Court. Herein is an account of that same Court.

Their Majesties, after bidding Their people be seated, first greeted the
populace, speaking at length on the beauty of this corner of Their Kingdom,
and the talent and hospitality of Their people. They then desired the
children of Atlantia to come before them--which, after some rather stern
persuading from Count John, Their Majesties' champion, the children did.
After being assured of the children's good behavior earlier in the day,
Their Majesties summoned Douglass Wallace Morton to come forward, and asked
that he perform a service for his Sovereigns.  The hapless Douglass was
then presented with the Royal Toy Chest, whereupon despite his best efforts
to flee, he was quickly set upon by the children. Naught has been seen of
him since...

Their Majesties next called for Niklas of Spiaggia Levantina to present
himself. Speaking at length of Niklas' service to his Shire, especially the
behind-the-scenes work of setting up, cleaning up, fetching, carrying, and
other such useful tasks, including a description of Niklas as "unsung hero"
of the Shire, Their Majesties were minded to raise him to the ranks of
their nobility, and awarded him Arms.

Their Majesties then summoned Lady Meleri, who had to be sent for as she
was in the kitchen preparing a delectable feast for all assembled.  Lady
Meleri being temporarily unavailable, Their Majesties did ask that all
newcomers step forward, that all might see the future of our Society.  Two
gentles stepped forward, one a lady who earlier that day had had the good
fortune to don Her Majesty's own armor and learn some basics of swordplay
from Their Majesties' champion.  The other was a young man whom His Majesty
had conversed with at some length, who also showed promise as a future
soldier of Atlantia. Both were given Spike tokens, as a memento of their
first event.

Lady Meleri had by this time been retrieved from the kitchen, and was
escorted before Their Majesties by the newly-minted Lord Niklas.  For her
dedication as Seneschal, her service and talents as Head Cook for feasts
(including the one to be enjoyed that very night), and all she does in
order to enhance the enjoyment of others, Lady Meleri was inducted into the
Order of the Opal.

Their Majesties did next call forth Lady Rosalie of Rosethorne Castle. That
good lady had been brought to Their attention for her beautiful
calligraphy, amazing hand-knotted hairnets, and beautiful jewelry. Her
Majesty noted that, despite having a reputation for creating such wondrous
jewels, Rosalie herself wore very few. Her Majesty then correctly surmised
that this is because Lady Rosalie not only makes beautiful adornments, but
also most generously gifts them to others.  For her efforts in beautifying
the Kingdom, Their Majesties inducted Lady Rosalie into the Order of the
Coral Branch.

Next did Their Majesties summon before them Lady Angeline of the Grove.
Lady Angeline is a talented fiber artist, adept at naalbinding, card
weaving, Opus Anglicorum embroidery, and has designed and produces a
special trim for the Shire's use.  For these talents, and for her
willingness to teach others the same skills in the arts, Their Majesties
saw fit to induct Lady Angeline into Their Order of the Coral Branch.

Their Majesties next called for the Event Steward, Lady Eleri Vwyn, and
asked that she recount the day's activities.  Firstly, Lady Eleri had the
bard, Lord Richard Wyn summoned, for the results of his bardic
competition.  After asserting that any one of Atlantia's bards is worth ten
such from anywhere else, Lord Richard announced that he had had no fewer
than thirty entrants...and then proceeded to call the three competitors
into Court.  While all three had been strong competitors, it was determined
that Lord Faolán mac Raghnaill was the victor. Among the prizes he received
was a poem written by the multi-talented Lady Meleri, which was read to
those assembled.

Lady Eleri then called up Sir Ragnarr rifsbrjótr, who was that day's
Marshal in Charge.  Sir Ragnarr explained that there had been a ransom
tournament using buttons, as well as a warlord tournament, won by His
Majesty. One fighter in particular had been recognized earlier, a Lord
Simon who had traveled from distant lands to spar against some of
Atlantia's finest warriors.  His Majesty noted that, time and again, Lord
Simon had challenged both Himself and His champion, Count John, out of love
of fighting and a desire to improve his skill.

One last competition yet remained, and so it was that Lady Eleri summoned
the judges of the Garb Wars competition, who in their turn asked that the
"models" from each of the three teams arise and show everyone the
masterpieces their teams had created in the 24 hours allotted to them.  The
models (Her Majesty Thora among them) did so, and processed along the
"catwalk" so that all could see the beautiful creations they wore. In the
end, it was the Tudor creation modeled by Baroness Greer Jonsdottir which
carried the day. The spectacular ensemble was created by the team of
Baroness Greer, Baroness Swieczka Kaim, Lady Clara von Wonsiedel, and Baron
Gabrell of Lochmere.

A resounding Skal! was called for the Lady Autocrat, and for all those who
competed so fiercely.

Their Majesties then spoke of another fighter, one who had been unable to
take the field, due to injury, but who despite an injured sword-arm had
been able to authorize that day, and join the ranks of Atlantian soldiers.
Her Majesty, in particularly, spoke warmly of this new soldier, as women in
the Atlantian army are still a rarity, and soldiers of Her Majesty's own
stature rarer still.  With this, Their Majesties did request the presence
of Freydis sjona in Their Court.  Speaking further not only of her
dedication to the Heavy field, but also of her skill and service in
crafting scrolls for both Barony and Kingdom, her participation on the
archery range, and her encouragement to those who are new to our
Society--all while having been involved herself for a mere six months!
Their Majesties deemed her worthy of being raised to the ranks of Their
nobility, and awarded her Arms. The new-made Lady Freydis was not, however,
permitted to leave, as there were others who had business with her.

At this point, with the permission of Their gracious Majesties, Their
Excellencies of Bright Hills did open a Court of Their own, the proceedings
of which I am sure Their own herald(s) will relate in due time.  Their
business being done, focus then returned to Their Majesties, who noted that
surely by now a truly amazing feast must await all assembled, and with a
final shout of SKAL! from all assembled, Court did close.

This is, in as much as I am able to recall, a true and accurate account of
all proceedings from this evening's Court.

I remain, in service to Kingdom, College, and Crown,

Lady Beatrice Shirwod
Opal Pursuivant