Bar Gemels XXVII

Things started on Tuesday before I even got out of the area. I attended the southern Summits regional practice in Grants Pass, I received a bad shot from Thomas Direwolf to my left shoulder, which drove my pauldron into the back of my shoulder, striking a nerve. A few fights later I realized just how badly I was affected; my shoulder and elbow were extremely sore, and I had lost most of my strength in my hand. I stopped fighting and only hung around for a short time after, packed up and drove back to my house. I now regret not trying to ice it that day.

Thursday was a repeat of my previous trips up to Terra Pomaria - leaving immediately from work and driving like a lunatic to get there on time to see Visc. Acacia before I headed off to the branch practice with Sir Brian. Unfortunately the then apparent sustained injury's symptoms persisted only after a few fights. Brought around by recoil in my sword arm.
I've never realized how frustrated I become when obstacles impede my path. Astrid was in attendance at the practice, and I spoke with her regarding my sentiments and concerns about the coming fighting at the event that weekend.

We (Visc. Brian and Acacia, their children, and I) skipped the Friday of the event, as they worked, and there was little of interest (to us) occurring at the event.
Saturday saw us arrive on site around noon to a simple local event. We showed up towards the end of the ransom tournament, which saw a large contingent of Adiantum fighters, including the Summits' Tanist, Squire Aaron Duncan, and Baron Tadhg.
Both Sir Brian and I didn't don armor until much later—he also suffered an injury, a spastic neck after a major chiropractic adjustment. I was anxious and unhappy about my injury preventing me from doing pick-ups for part of the day.
Shortly before the torch-light tournament I gave my oaths to Brian and Acacia, which turned out to be sentimental words and an exchange of items rather than an official oath. It felt more wholesome than a display, that way.
Brian gave me a leather pouch which has a boar on it. He had spoken of this pouch before, its original purchase was to give to a friend whose helm he now wears, which also bears boars—though Brian's device includes an eagle. Acacia gave me a leather strap with dragonflies—the charge on her device—which I am to wear around my sword arm. I, in turn, gave them a length of cord my mother (non-SCAdian) made via card weaving, which has always been something which holds sentimental value, and has survived quite a bit of moving.
The torch-light tournament only saw Azizah bint Rustam (a very good, young [17] fighter, stepdaughter to Visc. Sir Abu Nur Rustam ibn Abdallah), Duncan (one of his Highness's man-at-arms), Sir Brian and myself in the list.
Being concerned for my shoulder (thinking without the snap motion, my arm should be alright), I went with a glaive and dagger. I bested Duncan (fighting flourentine), and gave Brian (fighting center-grip round/sword) a run for his money before he blasted me. Azizah, having a broken hand, was fighting single sword, I of course obliged without a thought.
I was unsure of the format, Azizah and Brian tied for the win, and Brian, after consulting with Acacia, ceded the win to Azizah. I'm still unsure of the prize.
The fighting then ended up in "fun fights", with the Bar Room Brawl weapons: a torch mace, ham-hock short maces, and a drumstick. By that point, I was so caught up in fighting that I forgot about my injury until we tapered off and my shoulder began to smart.
(Probably the best shot from that weekend, and the pickings were slim.
Photog cred: Mike Murphy)
The next day was the Gryffon's Quest tournament, formerly known as The Summits Sixes, a scholarship tournament orchestrated by the Ladies of the Rose and Valorous Estate who reside in the Summits.
There is to be four tournaments this year, the winner of each is provided with travel and site fee money for the coming Ursulmas event.
Entry into the tournament requires sponsorship from a Lady of the Rose or Valorous Estate. Visc. Acacia was kind enough to accept my request for sponsorship.
The tournament list was seeded by warm-up fights with his Highness and several members of the Chivalry in attendance. Unfortunately I was chewing on nerves and had an overly-serious mind. I won no fights against the Chivalry or his Highness. I then lost my first two fights in the tournament, being eliminated.
Can you tell I'm still not happy about it?
This was also my first "serious" tournament fighting for Astrid (there was a short processional before we began). I think we ironed out a few things through the experience.