"A killing blow the plate deflects"

Unto his Excellency, Count Sir Sarnac Bahadur, from the Canton of Ardchreag,

Good Count, I write to you this day in appreciation of the fine breastplate which you donated to the Daughters of the North raffle at Berus’ Bar and Bar Room Brawl. This item was won by a member of our canton who is busy training a unit of new fighters for the upcoming Pennsic War. This unit is affectionately known as ‘the dojo’, and is currently training at Ardchreag’s fight practice. One of the dojo members will have the honour of wearing the breastplate to the Debated Lands this August.

On behalf of the dojo and our canton we offer our humble thanks for your contribution to the war efforts of Ealdormere.

A killing blow the plate deflects,

Ealdormere steel the man protects.

Struck fighter lives throughout the fray

And with his sword is won the day.

Illumination by Lady Nadja Kesali

Words by Laird Colyne Stewart

Calligraphy by Lady Thorfinna gra’feldr

Upon the Passing of the Khan of Ealdormere

Colyne Stewart, Oct AS XXXVII (2003)

Once the leaves were scarlet, once the leaves were red,

Once our King was living, but now the Khan is dead.

One sunny day in fall time he went out on the hunt,

Setting out on horseback, riding to the front

With his loyal guardsmen and Duchess by his side.

He set upon the game trail; t’would be his final ride.

An arrow whistled from the dark and struck him in the eye,

A hero from the steppe-lands, a hero meant to die.

Bahadur we called him, knight in Western lands,

Keen with wit and wisdom, generous with his hands.

A man like this makes enemies of unseelie souls,

These creatures hated goodness, they hated lofty goals,

And so they sent an archer of hate and shadow formed,

Hidden in the red trees past which hunters stormed.

Once the leaves were scarlet, once the leaves were red,

Once our King was living, but now the Khan is dead.

Carried by the Kashek, carried to his Queen,

His body placed upon the grass, red upon the green.

The people then they grieved him, railed against their loss,

Cried for Sarnac Bahadur, who bled upon the moss.

Some say they saw his glowing shade dressed in snowy white

Watching as his followers bemoaned their awful plight.

He kneeled beside his children, as Roak took the Crown,

His noble face lost in the grass, his hands upon the ground.

And as his children stepped away, the Khan began to fade,

Leaving naught but steel-clad bone within the leafy glade.

Once the leaves were scarlet, once the leaves were red,

Once our King was living, but now the Khan is dead.

To Sarnac, Lupine Highness of Ealdormere, Upon the Occasion of His Knighting

Colyne Stewart, March AS XXXVI (2001)

Hear my words new Ba’adur¹.

Though new to these lands, you do I know.

When tales were told of chivalry,

Of bravery on the battlefield,

Always your name did I hear.

At War I saw you inducted into our Kingdom’s martial order.

I have watched you fight, as others have watched you fight,

And those who wear the white belts and baldrics have deemed you worthy

To join their Great Order.

At Winter War you were invested

And I saw the love that the people have for you.

I saw the other Heroes who traveled from kingdoms far

To be with you that day.

I watched as blessed spurs were placed upon your feet,

As a chain that had long been awaiting that day was placed about your neck,

As a sash made by your Princess was placed about your waist,

As a sword from the east was placed in your hands,

Blows exchanged, horns drunk

And you now Ba’adur, proud Sarnac.

But with this privilege comes great responsibility.

You must now act as the leopard, tiger and bear² to us,

The people.

We who look to you for guidance, both as Ba’adur and Prince.

You are our protector, our leader.

Teach us to live in tegsh³.

Sit beside the hoimor⁴ and contemplate

The universe reflected in your ger⁵.

I see the fire in your eyes,

Reflections of the gal golomt⁶

And I am at ease.

You are worthy Ba’adur.

You have high hiimori⁷

From past deeds you have done,

And I see it, glowing white,

Growing greater as the years progress.

Your ancestors you will make proud,

And we will follow you.

Ba’adur,

May your bow shoot straight,

May your blade find its target,

May your heart remain true,

May Father Heaven and Mother Earth succor you,

May you lead your people well.

Ba’adur,

We are yours.

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1.                     Ba’adur is Mongolian for Hero, and is Sarnac’s new surname as a Knight.

2.                     Three of the highest-ranking animals in Mongolian shamanism.

3.                     To live in balance.

4.                     The north side of the ger, the holy seat behind the fire. A place for holy objects.

5.                     A tent, often called a yurt in the West.

6.         The daughter of Father Heaven who lives in the fires that are placed in the center of gers.

7.         Also known as windhorse; personal psychic power gained through living well and honourably.

Note on this Piece:

This is told as from the point of view of a Siberian Mongolian shaman, in a style similar to their ritual chants.