[Artemisia] Middle Eastern War This Weekend!

[rayzentz at aim.com]

  Willem swallowed nervously as he tightened his grip on his shield.   His bow had broken yesterday, and he had been drafted to be part of the shield wall if the horde broke through the outer bailey.  They had.   They had already attacked the narrow passages that led to the castle twice, and had twice been driven back.   
     Bodies littered the steps and cobblestones.   After the retreats, the urchins of the castle had raided the bodies, of both sides, for weapons and loot, aided by some of the older men.   Weapons, arrows, spears… all were gathered to be put to use again by the defenders.   The bodies were then shoved to the bottom of the stairs, to provide a barricade of sorts, slowing down the invaders enough to allow the remaining archers to pick off a few more as they scrambled over the pile.   If the defenders survived, the dead would be separated, and then buried or burned.
     Willem picked a few splinters off his shield, which had been damaged by spear thrusts during the 2nd push by the easterners.   His was not as bad as some others, for which he was grateful.   He remembered Bertram, who had carried a shield right next to him, until a spear had gone clear through the shield, and Bertram both.   He would never forget the sound of that spear thrust.  Bertram’s shield was useless now.
     The watchman’s trumpet sounded!   Willem, and the rest of the shieldmen, quickly shuffled into place.   He felt the weight of a spear on his shoulder, and glanced back at James, a boyhood friend.   
     “I’ve got yer back," James said.   "D’ya mind if I rest me spear on your shoulder a bit?   My wrist be a bit tender.”
     “Not at all," replied Willem.   “Put it to good use!”
     James smiled a bit wryly.   “I’ll do me best.  Been useful so far.”
     Willem, glancing at the blood on the point and shaft, nodded and turned back to face the stairs.   He could hear the sound of boots on the cobblestones below.   It wouldn’t be long now…
 
 
 
One and all, again we beg of you to aid the Shire of Arrows' Flight in defending the castle against the marauding horde.  Many magnificent warriors and their lovely ladies are already here, awaiting your presence to add to the glory of this grand event.
 
Site opens at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 11.   A Saturday schedule follows, subject to the whims of the Crown...
 
 
10:30a.m.-- Opening Court
11:00 a.m.--Armor Inspection
11:30-1:30 p.m.--Heavy Fighters on the Castle, Rapiers on the field (tourney)
1:30-p.m.-3:30 p.m--Rapier on the Castle, Heavies on the field (tourney?)
11:30 am 4:30 p.m.--Classes, schedule and signup at Reeve's table
Intermittant throughout the day--children's activities
12:00 p.m until the food's gone--Shire food fundraiser
3:30 p.m--Archery tournament
3:30 p.m.--Boffer tournament, and an opportunity to Slay the Dragon
5:30 p.m.--Battle of the Bards immediately followed by Closing Court
After court--Dinner Hour
After Dark: Hafla on the hill
 
 
For any who have an interest in merchanting, the fee is merely a donation to the coffers of the shire, of an amount to be determined by you.   Contact either autocrat to let us know of your interest.
 
The site is, as in past years, the "Castle" behind the State Hospital in Provo, Utah. Site Opens at Noon on Friday May 11th and closes on Sunday May 13th. For those who haven't been to this wonderful site take your best route via I-15 to Provo Center street exit (#265, Eastbound). Go east on Center (towards the mountains). Follow it until you see it curve to your left. There will be a sharp right hand turn onto a divided street which will be marked with the usual SCA Signage. Follow the rest of the signs up and behind the hospital. 
 
Site Fees are $15 for the weekend and $10 for day trip $5 for those 15 years old and younger. There will be a $40 family cap on these fees. This is a State Park and so it is a dry site. There are limited water sources. No feast will be held this year although there will be a lunch fund raiser on Saturday consisting of burgers, hot dogs, chili, chips, sodas and bottled water.
 
Autocrats are Lord Stephan Schwartzwald ( ktucker59 at yahoo.com )  and Lord Padruig McTavish (rayzentz at aol.com)
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