Travels to
"Ostgardr North"

By Lady Andrea Caitlin MacIntyre

The prospect of three whole days with no obligations loomed before us
and, having never had this experience before, we recoiled in horror.
Unaccustomed to such a life of leisure and knowing that our own
Province was cheerfully working at its usual site, we sought out the
position of "Ambassadors of Ostgardr", whereupon we loaded up our
carriage and headed due north (actually a little east first and then
VERY north).

Our steeds were strong and tireless, our carriage had nary a bump, so
with a nod to our fellow Ostgardians in their new town named
"Brattleboro", we continued on northward to our final destination in
The Incipient Shire of Panther Vale. Imagine our surprise to arrive at
a place nearly as big as the great Pennsic Wars, with barely two
hundred people upon it!! The place was wondrous. The lake was
beautiful, clear, and cold (make that very cold). We planted our
pavilion upon a hill overlooking the water, within the sight of others
and what looked to be the makings of a great bonfire.

The people of this fair shire were pleasant and fine. Their wares were
wondrous and very reasonably priced (ask me about my new tables). Their
archery range was extremely well thought out and seemed to be very well
used. Alas, as they were so far from others their arts and sciences
exhibit was small, but impressive none the less. The martial arts were
well represented, considering the size of the group.

As my lord and I tend to find the more boisterous art forms compelling
as well, we were pleased to find that we were camped close enough to
enjoy a large and cheery bardic circle upon the eve. With the set of
the sun, many gentles gathered with burnables, potables, edibles, and
many a tale to tell.

As the night drew its mantle upon us, we were pleased to have the
warmth of the people and the fire (Ever been camping in Vermont in
MAY??). However, as my lord and I grew weary (in sooth, two times the
cock did crow -  we are getting old after all), we were most pleased
with our forethought to have brought not one but four warm animal
throws. We truly did need them as the night air did frost the earth.

As we had arrived later than the inhabitants, we were dismayed to see
them pack up after they recovered from the night before. We had planned
to stay yet another night in this pristine paradise. However, whispered
warnings and common sense soon overruled our desire to commune with
nature. It seems had we stayed, nature probably would have communed
with us on its own terms. The bear (plural) that normally lived there
were sure to come back, and that "little fire last night" probably
scared them off for a change...  So, regretfully we repacked our
carriage, watered the horses and pointed themsouthward. We left with an
appreciation of the beauty of the wilderness and a keen respect for the
inhabitants of such a wondrous place.

from the July 1996 Seahorse