Defenders of the Children
And it came to pass that in the year AS XXXIV, there went forth a call throughout the lands for a champion. The children of Caid needed one of noble and chivalric virtue to come forth and stand ready to defend them against all who would ally with evil closet monsters and dreaded under-the-bed-bogeys. The call was answered, and in the early spring of that year, warriors gathered in the Shire of Heatherwyne to meet upon the field, and through challenge of arms, see who would be chosen to defend the Honour of the Children of Caid. At the end of the day, there were two warriors chosen. Bjorn of the Kuma would defend using his skill in the arts of Heavy combat, and was given a symbolic Acorn dagger to carry so that others would know of his position. Likewise, Eogan Ua Confraich, using his prowess with a rapier, would also fight for the children. Thus were the first Defenders of the Children chosen.
It would follow that in the year AS XXXV, it would be decided that this burden could not be carried in perpetuity by only two men, no matter how able or willing. To this end, the call went out again for the warriors of Caid to meet in the shady fields of Heatherwyne in order to find strong new shoulders upon which to place this great responsibility. In that year it was to be that Eorl Sir Gar of Loch Carron would represent the Heavies, and the Acorn dagger was passed on. Also that year, Don Giacomo Cavalli da Treviso would take the mantle for Rapier, and a cloak with the arms of the Children of Caid was presented him to wear. Thus were the Children of Caid protected for another year.
The time is upon us now, in the early spring of AS XXXVI, to once again look within and ask whether the Children of Caid should go undefended. In answer, and with the gracious permission of Their Royal Majeties, the Shire of Heatherwyne once again offers the field to all who would come forth and prove their worthiness. At the March Hare tourney on the day of Saturday, the 30th of the month of March, champions will once again be chosen, and the symbols of defense will pass once again. This time, in order to increase the ranks of the defenders, all warriors who combat with shinai are challenged to come forth and find who among them will be chosen. The Children of Caid deserve no less than the best that we can offer. Let us strive to show that we are worthy of them.
And so it has come to pass in AS XXXVI that Count Sir Alaric Santiano proved victorious on the Heavies field, thus receiving the Acorn dagger. From the Period Fence lists Tora Taka emerged as the new Defender and received the cloak and a newly made buckler emblazoned with the badge of the Children of Caid. Upon the Shinia fields Gregor am Turic won claim to become a Defender, thereby receiving as a token of his position a double edged oriental dagger wrapped in leather.
With the passing of four seasons, the time arrived to find new Defenders of the Children of Caid. By Their Majesties gracious permission the call went out once again for the warriors of the Known World to travel to the shady fields of Heatherwyne to determine the newest Defenders. On a glorious spring day in AS XXXVII the call was answered. That year Sir Alaric passed the Acorn dagger to Ajax. The cloak and buckler passed from Tora Taka to Don Laertes McBride. The oriental dagger, with a newly made sheath bearing the Children's badge, passed from Gregor to Cassius of Huntington. Thus were the new Defenders known and the populace did cheer them and their predecessors.
to be continued...
In humble Service,
Lord Ieuan Chwith
Coautocrat: March Hare, AS XXXVI, 2002
Lady Jeanne Marie Lacroix Coautocrat: March Hare, AS XXXVII, 2003
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