Well, the first Moot was in Jackal lands, and we were struck with a bizarre mixture of scorching heat and driving rain in the southlands of Aegyptus. I spent the majority of my time with the Bards Guild – chatting, singing and drinking with the other Bards. I actually escaped back to the rock pools of Hearth and Home (and my awaiting gypsy lasses) for a while – and hence was late to reappear on the Saturday.
It was quite a quiet Moot, and there was little trouble – excepting the continual excursions of elementals. These timorous beasties are leaking out of the expanding plane of fire, searching for and destroying magical items to fuel their plane’s expansion – and the power of the terrible ancient of fire. Apparently, the ancient is creating more potent critters with the remnants of the artefacts his minions have destroyed - and we need to reclaim these ‘hearts’ when we destroy those beasties.
I visited the Lions quite often, where their friendly gate guard ladies squabbled over who was to check me out – don’t worry, ladies, there’s plenty of Kianan for all! Upon my travels, I oft ended up bouncing from camp to camp, assisting wherever the corrupted elementals emerged. It’s a fine way to meet people! The Dragons were also being plagued by a nasty foe, demons stalking them wielding terrible powers: a would-be ancestor warring to claim rights over their fallen, I believe.
Saturday evening found me in the Lions camp, for their Wavesinger competition. Sadly I missed the opening songs, including Footnote’s – which I’ve been keen to hear since he defeated the Games Master with it at a Bards meet – due to a further eruption of violence. However, after bouncing around the Dragons, Gryphons and then Lions gates for some action, I was finally able to enjoy the show.
I did not myself enter, despite urgings on the grounds that the beast is apparently female! But the talent on display was formidable and provided a very enjoyable evening. The winner, however, richly deserved his prize.
The second Moot was on Albion soil, and the odd weather seemed to follow us – along with rather a lot of mud. It is not my intent to dwell here on the ‘politics’ that happened.
I spent much more time with the Bears, soldiering on despite the weather to rally around the campfire – flitting from fun to fun between the Unicorns and Bears camps, and getting to know a few of our newest allies. The Moon was out in full, and I was delighted to entertain Her Majesty and the incorrigible Datura. Sadly my Guild had other ideas, and kept dragging me back to work…
I had news for the Privy and the Muster on the Sat’day, as word had reached me – care of Mistress Ei’Kara - of a sighting of Ciara’s foul minions and some of their hostages. A scouting force was rapidly assembled and dispatched to the Blodwyn’s Spring, where they battled foul unliving and others to free the Spring of a diseased taint. A second force ventured out in support, to bring home the wounded for healing – once the virulent diseases had been cured.
Elemental attacks continued, as did attacks from red-faced demons, and mud elementals began stalking the carriers of silver and mithril items – seeking to shore up their plane against the ravages of fire, and somehow pulling these items towards them. My companions and I continued to wade from scrum to scrum, chasing the mighty and illusive ‘fracas beast’ on our travels - for Pillow and I have claimed rights on the trophies!
Saturday evening was a busy one. I gathered my half-dozen lovely ladies to accompany me to the Harts for an entertainment competition. Sadly they had given up on holding it by the time we arrived, so we took over their command tent and entertained the beautiful Theni as best we could instead. Though I’m not sure they appreciated the more Caledonian numbers! And then I had to take my leave, to contribute in my first ritual for the Bards.
Then off we went to the Bears and, finding it quiet, the Bards started a party of their own. We were joined by two lovely Lions whose date had failed them, and so – of course – I stepped in to ensure their night was not wasted. Master Cosaint, myself and several others around the fire took turns entertaining, and the legendary Dougie joined us from the command tent’s revelries to sing a few old favourites alongside me. And, of course, there were further elemental attacks – for what night could be complete without?
The final day dawned, and the Bears assembled, ready to stand with the Harts against an approaching horde. A plague of demons had found its way to Albion, ‘The Court of Lies’ and ‘The Court of Truth’ vying for power and seeking allies against our neighbours. Agents had been visiting the factions over the weekend, pleading, persuading and beguiling their way into alliances. And now it was time to stop the menace.
Many factions formed up alongside the Harts force, ready to do battle. The Bears formed a mobile block of skirmishers, charging gaps and countering the assaults of the demons and their minions. The battle was hard and long, moving between fields, enemies appearing all around – yet they soon learned to fear the highland charge, and the combined forces were triumphant - I trust without loss.
All Works are © Original Author
(OC Author - Paul Martin)