War is hell, and indeed, the temperature this year proved it. However, the antics of our comrades-in-arms and comrades-in-arts did a fairly good job of helping us keep the heat at bay even during the worst of times.
Let no one claim otherwise -- Lazaro was squired to Sir Edward. With my eyes did I see this man receive a red belt from the venerable Sir Edward in the year of the Great Heat, the year when the coldest of the nights was hardly cold enough to require a cloak. One of those evenings when the heat had finally abated, I gathered energy to visit Sir Mordred and Lady Gisella ... all of 200 yards, perhaps, but a vast distance in the heat of the day.
The lord and lady had company but made me welcome. I listened from the edge of the circle and chatted quietly. "The heat is so extreme that it will leave no doubt," I pointed out, "of what year it was that Edward took Lazaro as a squire."
Mordred smiled and said, "True. That is why when a child is taken to a great event, you point it to her, and give her either a slap or a bit of sugar when you tell her to remember it...our girls prefer the sugar. When time has passed and a witness is needed, the child will be older and able to testify-even though she may not really have understood at the time what happened, she can stand and say 'I saw that man go on his knees before a man with a sword, get slapped sideways, and get a red belt.' She will be a proper witness."
I drifted with exhaustion on the edges of the conversation, but came awake with a start to hear a proud voice saying "I have something you need to see, Sir."
"Has Edward seen this yet?" Mordred asked. "No, Sir," replied the squire who bore the tall banner that I knew from the Japanese encampment.
"I think he'll be very pleased, squire. I want to see this."
A group of gentles headed up the hillside to Sir Edward's, where his excellency and his lady were holding court around a security cart lit by flickering lights. "Oh, very good squire!"
I whispered my confusion to Lady Gisella as the knight spoke with his squire. She explained that banner wars are a venerable but hidden tradition ... and to be sure to keep my banner pole under 11 feet if I do not wish to participate at future Pennsic Wars, for the 12 foot banner pole mounted in a "portable hole" in a public place is the symbol of the banner warrior.
I headed back to my camp for another glass of my Uncle Baron Sean's mead ... and from there to the Ostgardr campfire where bards and minstrels played. Until I raised my head to see in the flickering lights of Sir Edward's cart, two gatherings of gentles and I went up to take a look. Deus, but it's the newest Knight of the East Kingdom, Sir Yoshi! Again, Lady Gisella gave me knowledge I lacked. "He was Number One Squire for Sir Ogami. He's come to get his pants back."
I kept my laughter subdued and ladylike as Mistress Elizabeth pouted to Sir Edward. "But I don't want to give the pants back, love. I'm very attached to these pants, they're such a fine fabric.' Edward patiently replied, "But we have to give the pants back, dear, to get the banner." Some banter and barter followed; the Japanese contingent offered up one of their camp followers instead of the banner, but Sir Edward insisted on the banner.
Eventually, the transfer was honorably completed, Sir Edward's banner was planted where it belonged, and Sir Yoshi's contingent left with theirs. And then the security radio crackled, "Where's the banner!" And laughter rang again-it was Sir Ogami!
"Your banner! Why, I just don't know why you think your banner is here!" Sir Edward responded. "In fact, we just saw Sir Yoshohami going down the road with your banner." A sly tone crept into his voice. "What on earth could the kingdom's newest knight be doing with the clan banner!" There was no answer... but several minutes later a security cart "buzzed' the campsite, circling around the laughter and hollering about being an F-16. Strange gentles these Japanese must be!
Well, the hour was late, and the moon had begun to put itself to bed. The banners were home, or on their way there. And all too early the next morning I myself was due to go home. So I bid the camp a good night and traipsed back to the De Londres encampment.
I emerged from my Aunt Suzanne's tent the next morning at the break of day. Enjoying a light fog and a pleasant chill to the air, I allowed myself to wake up before packing my car. To the East, the sun was thinking about burning through the light fog. To the west, a bright red banner caught the first rays of dawn. To the north, my passenger waved. To the west? Edward's banner isn't red!
Again, I looked up to Edward's camp at Ostgardr -- there flapped the banner of Clan Kamanari. More antics had come and gone while I slept ... and because it was time for me to leave the Pennsic War, I know nothing more of the Banner Wars. Would the other participants please fill us in!
In servitudine,
Lady Emme