By THLaird Colyne
Stewart
When Thorfinna,
Eirik and I set out for Bryniau
Tywynogg on Saturday morning I was concerned. I
had not been sleeping well of late, and had b een
to a party the night before where Brandt had plied me with demon spirits. My
concern was, namely, that I would sleep through the entire event. Normally, I
nod off on wagon rides and was surprised when we arrived at the hall and I was
still awake.
The change rooms
turned out to be a single room, with partitions set up along the length of it.
As we Lords changed on one side, we could hear the Ladies on the other say that
there was a gap between two of the partitions. Looking over I saw who appeared
to be THL Aelfwyn og Longwood peeking through the gap and waving.
We entered the
main hall to find that Normand and new canton-mate Emma Shaw had created an
Ardchreag presence near the Thrones, between the Baron and Baroness of
Skraeling Althing and visiting dignitaries from the Middle Kingdom. Normand had
his table spread, well stocked with candies made by Emma. We sat and talked and
waited for the innkeeper’s stock of liquid refreshments to arrive. Normand
sampled Icelandic chicken for lunch, which he liked so well he went back for
seconds.
Fellow Chreaggers
Eanor, Gunter and Kenric took part in the tourney, and Marian of Heatherdale
arrived to display her wares, sporting a stylish new ‘do.
Colyne, in his
capacity as a member of the Games Guild, was to run three tournaments along
with local Ragnarr Kennari: beginner’s tafl, advanced tafl, and tabula
(backgammon). Unfortunately, there were not enough advanced tafl players in
evidence (at least none that wanted to show off their skill). However, the
beginner’s tourney ran smoothly (once Colyne gave up on waiting for the
promised tables and Normand let him set up the boards on his). Emma squared off
against Eirik in the first round, then moved into the finals against a fellow
named Thorfinn. She likewise defeated this noble lord to win her own tafl game.
In tabula, Master Rufus walked away victorious, with a mancala board as prize.
(Ragnarr donated b oth prizes.)
While Colyne ran
about the hall (for the tabula was being played across the room from the tafl),
Thorfinna sat and talked pewter casting with the Baroness of Skaeling Althing,
her Excellency Dame Eleanor.
When the tourney was completed, and the
fencers began to suit up, the Baron and Baroness of Ramshaven called an
impromptu court, and summoned their cousins the Baron and Baroness of
Septentria to appear before them. It turns out that the B&B of Ramshaven
have been in negotiations with Cynred to secure him between two to three new
wives! (In exchange for, I believe, a sheep and a sword.) Needless to say,
Gaerwen was shocked, and to chastise her Baron, she publicly encouraged all the
bards to sing decidedly unglamorous songs of Cynred.
Later, a carol
circle sprang up around our beloved Baron and Baroness, led b y Master Hector. When a herald came out and said
that Her Royal Highness, Joleicia of Lichefield was feeling lonely (she had b een put on vigil for a Laurel that day), it was decided that the
Barony of Septentria would entertain her. Leaping to our feet, we Processed to
the vigil room, Hector leading and announcing us (“Make way for the Barony of
Septentria!”). Cramming into the tiny room, and sending other Nobles fleeing,
we closed the door to hinder Her Highness’ own escape, and proceeded to
serenade her as only Septentrians can. That is to say, Hector sang while we all
bobbed our heads and slapped our thighs, only raising our own voices during the
choruses, for that’s all we know. Poor Joleiica did not know what to so, and
sat patiently until, springing to our feet again, the Barony Processed b ack into the Hall proper. The entire incident
left many other folks bewildered.
When it came
time to feast, we had to depart, though with much grief. For the smells coming
from the kitchen were sumptuous, and there were still seats available. But
alas, we had prior commitments for that night. Still, it was with a merry heart
that our wagon lumbered on its way under the stars as we departed from a truly
wonderful event.
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