[Ponte Alto] We are the Gatekeepers (but who is the Keymaster?)!

[Max Nelson]

Unto Ponte Alto, Scholum Artis Bellum, and Friends does Maximilian Von  
Halstern send glad tidings:

This afternoon at Defending the Gate -- a Greater Ponte-Alto team  
consisting mostly of Ponte Alto newcomers (e.g., Daniel, Theresa, Kat)  
critically supplemented by the deadly arms, strong backs, and wise  
tactics of our very good friends from the Central and Southern Regions  
-- did prove victorious in the melee tournament hosted by our allies  
and neighbors in Stierbach (for those may keep track of such things, I  
believe we may have even been undefeated in the day).

While the melee team was busy at the Gate, the Ponte Alto rapier team  
was apparently also sticking it to our foes, and similarly proved  
victorious on their field.  Given the success of our teams (and  
whatever similar success those of us who entered the A&S might have  
achieved), the fine people of Stierbach and Sudentorre decided that  
Ponte Alto clearly won the day and thus declare us the "Defenders of  
the Gate" and awarded us not only the individual tournament prizes,  
but also the annual "Allies Gate" cementing allegiance with Sudentorre  
(and allowing us to paint our Arms on the gate as those who have  
previously proven victorious have done).

Thus, would I like to congratulate our newest fighter, Theresa, on her  
authorization; thank our wond'rous kind friends and allies for  
fighting with us, for adding greatly to our fun and merriment, and for  
helping make all our victories a possibilities; thank everyone on the  
Ponte Alto heavy fighting team for fighting their hearts out all day  
in the cold, wet, and mud; thank the Rapier fighters for the skill and  
success adding additional glory to us all; and to every other  
participant who helped contribute to our fun and effort.

I realize it is but the first melee of the season and the day was cold  
and wet... but for an event in our own backyard (so to speak), we  
might have been able to have provided a greater turnout in support of  
our Baronial neighbors to the South.  Blackspear, Wulfshaven, and all  
the other units out there will take this victory as a call to arms to  
ensure we don't take home any others... so we'd best start getting  
ourselves into action and out to events!  We cannot rest on our prior  
good deeds, but must instead take each step forward on a path as a  
spur towards further glory and renown!

I hope and pray that each of us individually and all of us together  
will take this victory in the face of so low a turnout as rallying  
point to start getting to fighter practices, War Musters, and events  
to ensure we keep Ponte Alto moving forward.

Congratulations, and thanks again to all those participants who made  
these victories possible.

In Service,

Max Von Halstern
Warlord, Ponte Alto and Tribune of the Northern Army of Atlantia