While the East and Atlantia were fighting on the field, I wandered the grounds and the merchant areas. The day was not too hot, not too cool, and somewhat cloudy towards the evening, but all seemed to be enjoying themselves. I noticed two 20-tyger bills crumpled in the grass. Having read of the Orient's concept of kharma, as well as having learned the Commandments since childhood (I knew someone on the grounds would miss this significant money, so it would have felt like stealing), I turned the money in to the hostess, Mistress Ceridwen. While I wandered the grounds still more, I found a nice Nordic-looking necklace, which I also gave to her. I joked that the next time I found something lying on the ground I was going to keep it. Unfortunately, none of the more eligible fighters were sufficiently wounded.
My travelling companion Lady Brithwen was at the archery ranges doing her bit for the kingdom, so I attended the Bardic competition. There is usually a topic for this contest, usually martially related, so I had prepared a pair of songs which I thought would suit the purpose. It was but a scant two hours before the contest when I learned that there was indeed a topic this year: the entry had to be about A Noble Act. It was sheer luck that I happened to have written a poem titled "An Act of Grace", a minnesong or leich, but days earlier, and that I had my only copy with me to polish it up. I wrote it, with a few more lines to fit the melody I chose for it, barely had time to sing it through once, turned it in and hoped for the best when my name was called.
At this contest, one of the judging points was the number of coins thrown at the feet of the bards at the end of each performance. The gentle who won, I believe his name was Master (or Lord) Robert of Traepp, another young lady and I each received 10 coins, so I can safely say I either tied for second or was third. It was a good competition, as I learned much from it, and from the Bardic Forum which followed it. The current Eastern Queen's Bard Linette de Gallardon and Atlantia's Royal Bard (former Eastern King's Bard) Ruaidhri an Cu did a wonderful job moving the forum along.
The clouds gave way to mist and rain when Court began, but the weather did not subtract from the sweet combination of solemnity and schtick which followed. A lady representing the Goddess of Discord was carried on a litter to the thrones and presented King Amalric of Atlantia with a golden apple, asking him to choose from three goddesses which was the fairest. Not daring to shoulder that decision, he passed the apple to his Queen Kaia. She felt that since Lucan V had seen so many queens, he would be a good judge, but even Lucan deferred to Queen Marieke, who gave the apple back to the Goddess. Seeing no solution at that time, a herald among Discord's retinue then announced a "Trojan War" style event to take place in the spring, and invited all to come to it.
Among the major awards given by the hosts of the Crusade is one for the fighting unit best represented heraldically on the field. Haus Bloodguard was given this award, much to the surprise of that haus, whose members had no idea there was even a contest going on. King Amalric gave the award to Sir Andreas with fond words. But there was more to come.
Sir Andreas led his squires to the thrones as they carried one of their comrades. This squire coughed and wheezed as he knelt and presented Lucan V with a medallion which he had found on a crusade which cost him his health, and this medallion would then be passed on to future kings of the East. Lucan accepted this gift graciously and then laid his hand on the squire's forehead and said, "You're healed," at which the squire jumped up, cheered and raced down the aisle. (I suppose that is one not-often-used benefit of being anointed...) Sir Andreas and the rest of his Haus turned to leave, but Lucan stopped them, and asked the knight to the throne once more. The look on Sir Andreas' face when he was presented with the pennant of the Blue Tyger Legion for his Haus was nothing short of priceless. He was clearly moved as he knelt, took the pennant, shook the king's hand and then passed the pennant to his squires.
By the end of Court, the rain was coming down fast, so the bardic circle meant to be outdoors was moved into the Court hall. As I settled in to participate, the young lady who had lost the money earlier in the day sought me out and thanked me, tears in her eyes. That was the money which was to take her home from the event, she told me. (Aww, shucks, milady, 'twas nothing at all.) I performed two of my serious pieces, but of course got the most applause from "Quick Little Queen of the East."
A very tall and personable Duke name of Byram (I think), started to drag me from the circle, earnestly entreating me to come with him. Being from Ostgardr, I said, "Very well, Your Grace...Why?"
I was taken to a cabin for a private party held by a duchess, whose name escapes me now, who was a long-time friend of Duchess Anna Ophelia. Thankfully she liked the song as well. I was escorted back to the circle to the winks, knowing smiles and leading questions of some of the ladies there. I'm not sure whether they believed me, but I was happy and flattered all the same.
All too soon the circle wound down and I made my way back to my cabin, escorted by none other than Duke Stephen of Bellatrix and one of his squires. If it sounds as though I'm dropping names, it's only because I still can't believe the highborn folk would take notice of a widow with little to recommend her but her words. In all, I had a great time and met many wonderful gentlefolk.
I will certainly return to this place, God willing, next year.