2006-02-23 - 3:08 a.m.
��The Shield of a Knight!�
Vels posted this message to the Calontir list after my Knighting. I found it this evening and it touched me deeply that he would take the time to write this for me. I know that most folks in Calontir don�t even know who I am, and those that do remember, do so vaguely.
But I remember them, as they were present at the beginning of my dream. It was important to me that any that did remember me knew that I had finally made it.
Vels did something for me that I couldn�t do myself, and he did it without any thought of recognition since he never mentioned to me that he posted it. Vels is a true brother of my heart.
�Perhaps it is the news that does truly travel slowest. Our revels in
wartime sometimes o'er shadow those feats and accolades of our cousins. And,
as the years have spread with miles, memory fades of our brothers long
prodigal.
These are the men-at-arms we know, for they stand with us here, and now. But
it was another man-at-arms borne from the breast of the falcon, long flown
far from the nurturing nest that has surpassed many soldiers' expectations.
He stood where Sifa, and Simir and Lennox did, though some time before. Many
among our host this Pennsic have been from that time in between, very few
continue from then to now.
They arrested our wayward man-at-arms from a Bardic being hosted
in the adjacent Royal Encampment, and led him away to the glorious
battlefield. Long shadows posed by lanterns and torches against the proud
castle walls, met him. Twinned Majesties spoke wise words of counsel, to
bear the candidate through the long night.
Rauihdhri Ua Calleagh then declared himself to the Captain of the Guard,
bearing the colors and livery of Caerleon as the attending representative
of the house. For his station, the Captain readily allowed him any post he
chose to guard the vigilant. A fleet travelling friend speed quickly back to
camp, retrieving the Centian Huscarl Axe, returning with minutes to spare
that Rauihdhri would be appropriately equipped for the watch. By
happenstance, the second guard for that shift did not return, and a Fyrdman
and friend to both the vigilant and the Huscarl was invited to join that
watch, regardless of custom for only allowing squires to stand watch, and
was lent a spear appropriately. At that, two Calontiri stood the watch over
this prodigal brother who stood at the dawn to receive great accolade from a
distant King. A Huscarl, and a Fyrdman, to watch over a Calontir Man-at-Arms
become Knight. A steadily gaining rain washed the feet and faces, cleansing
all to remind of a new birth being prepared. These guards stood prouder in
their misery, for fierce was their love of their vigilant friend; to bear
this for him was all more the honor of standing watch.
Dawn came early, and armies gathered for the great battle on the open field.
Calontir came to the field, and in a moment of bright decision, His Majesty
Tristram turned to his herald to open court. Standing immediately before Him
was Anlon Greywolf, and it pleased His Royal Majesty to call the Order of
the Iren Fyrd forward and acknowledge Anlon at that moment. Short a
medallion at that moment, it was quickly improvised that the heavy chained
spearhead worn by the newest Fyrd was draped on him, and Anlon became the
last of the war to join the brotherhood.
Quickly then, a messenger sped to see what state occured for the expected
Knighting that would add to the joy of the Falcon's heart that morning. As
quickly returned and gathered their Majesties and what heroes of the host
would wish to see the spectacle.
The candidate now stood finely dressed, though slightly weary from the long
night behind him. Shortly, Their Majesties Atlantia, Robert and Denise,
invited Their Majesties of Calontir, Tristram and Katrine, Their Majesties
Northshield, Tarach and Fina, Their Majesties Midrealm, Alaric and Noelle,
to join them in created Atlantia's newest Knight.
The belt was brought forth and presented with pageantry. Then fitted the
spurs. The sword, from which a knight dispenses justice was then girded. The
shield of a knight, protection of the weak and the defense for the knight
was then presented-- particular, as it was very much shaped as a bardiche.
Finally, the Chain from Ternon himself was presented. Dubbed then, the chain
sworn upon and the final unanswered blow struck stoutly, the line of
Merowald to Ternon Cearleon to Justus fils de Ternon was marked, a new
branch to an august and esteemed tree.
What we hold most from this Pennsic, by the decree of his Majesty Tristram
All heroes among us!�
Vels inn Viggladi
Friend, Messenger, Iren Fyrd
