This was the crystal anniversary of the elevation of Axemoor to the status of Barony. It is a shame that the crystal turned out to be so cloudy and flawed.
The event was graced with the presence of Their Majesties Boru and Caroine and a royal prince from the Make A Wish foundation. Also in attendance were Court Sir Beorn Collenfehrth, founding Baron Axemoor, and his gracious wide, Countess Megan of the Shore.
The day started out rainy but by midmorning the drizzle had stopped and the g=fighters were able to compete in tests of arms. Unfortunately the pleasant atmosphere of the tourney was marred by a challenge in which Sir Manfred von Schwazwald, displaying the Teutonic philosophy of might makes right, cruelly struck down the redoubtable Lord Alexandre de Vouvray in a dispute over the playing of doumbekls.
For non-fighters there were contests utilizing thrown weapons as well as contest of archery skill. The highlight of the archery competition was the hunt for the purple dragon, Barney. The polyester worm was slain by His Highness.
At the Royal Court of Their Majesties, Ladislaus DeBrody was given a well-deserved Award of Arms. At the Baronial court, the newly resurrected Lord Alexandre was made a companion of the Order of the Axe, Axemoor. Congratulations to both Lord Alexandre and Lord Ladislaus.
Honorable Lady Daphne of Colchester once again eloquently stated out fair Shire’s position on the land between the Peals. Once again Baron Ragnar called forth his tadpole to reject our position. At this point our Seneschal, Mistress Isolde, her patience tried beyond all endurance, entered the court to confront Baron Ragnar personally. Baroness Isolde’s entrance had been delayed by the necessity of putting on armor lest Baron Ragnar’s baronial guard be tempted to an act of treachery. She was borne into court upon a shield carried by the loyal fighters of Seleone who had vied for that honor. Standing to her full height so that she might look the Baron square in the eye (how tall is that guy, anyway?) she flung a gauntlet at Ragnar’s feet.
Baron Ragnar, in true Viking fashion, stoically accepted the harsh fate that his intransigence had brought upon him. He had his champion pick up the gauntlet and it was agreed that the armies of Seleone and Axemoor shall meet at a neutral sire this Spring. There it shall be decided by clash of arms to whom the land between the Pearls belongs. Our Seneschal left the hall in triumph, carried by the stouthearted warriors of Seleone.
The bloody business of the day having been settled, the populace was treated to an excellent feast followed by a performance of the commedia dell’arte play, The Dentist, performed by the Silver Sphinx players. After the play there was dancing, singing and storytelling that went far into the night.
I should like to thank the kind people of the Barony of Axemoor for gifting Mistress Isolde and myself with the fine pearl-encrusted tableware that was set at our place at high table. I’m sure that out Shire can hire many mercenaries with the money that those pearls will fetch.