Colyne at a Skeldergate Fight Practice, March 13 AS XXXVI (2002).

(Colyne's belt is NOT white. It was at that point undyed.)

Thorfinna at a Skeldergate Fight Practice, March 13 AS XXXVI (2002).

Colyne fighting Graham, at Humour Us, April 2002.  

Colyne fighting Duke Sir Finnvarr, at Humour Us, April 2002.  

Colyne fighting Gunther Katzkin, at Humour Us, April 2002.  

Colyne fighting Gunther Katzkin, at Humour Us, April 2002.   

Thorfinna fighting on the bridge in the culmination of the Warlord Battle, at Pikeman's Pleasure, 2002.

Colyne in his new kit, at Pikeman's Pleasure 2003.

Colyne authorizing in spear, Pikeman's Pleasure, 2003.

Colyne fighting Duke Sir Roak in his first ever tournament, Pikeman's Pleasure 2003.

Colyne (yes, he is in there) at Winter War, March 2004, where he got some of his first melee kills.

Colyne giving his oath of fealty to Sir Evander MacLachlan, Coronation of Berus II and Marion II, April 2004.

Thorfinna placing the new belt around Colyne's waist at his squiring  to Sir Evander MacLachlan, Coronation of Berus II and Marion II, April 2004.

"Don't yank my chain!" A fellow new squire pulls on Colyne's chain at his squiring  to Sir Evander MacLachlan, Coronation of Berus II and Marion II, April 2004.

Colyne with his eldest squire-brother, Lord Tiberius of Warwickshire, at his squiring  to Sir Evander MacLachlan, Coronation of Berus II and Marion II, April 2004.

Colyne fights with Lord Berend van der Eych, also a new squire (to Duke Sir Finnvarr), at his squiring  to Sir Evander MacLachlan, Coronation of Berus II and Marion II, April 2004.

Stephen authorizing at EWP VI, July 2004.

Stephen Swordbreaker.

The casualty.

Thorfinna and Colyne at Fall Crown 2004.

Thorfinna becoming Cennedi's man-at-arms, at Coronation of Edouard II and Genevieve II, April 23, 2005.

Thorfinna congratulates Colyne after his Fian win.

Colyne at the Unbelt Tournament. On TwoRavens.org the following messages were left under this picture:

From: Vitus (Wed Aug 31 20:37:33 2005)

A gallant and preaux Squire.

From: Hereward (Thu Sep 1 10:56:27 2005)

Colyne! Vitus called you preaux, dude! (that's good :)

Colyne at the Unbelt Tournament.

Þorfinna and Colyne in camp.

Þorfinna in the field battle.

Colyne and Thorfinna in the Mountain Pass Battle.

Both Thorfinna and Colyne began training for Armoured Combat (Heavy Fighting) on April 25, 2001. Ardchreag's fighters were training at Skeldergate, and House Hrogn and the other fighters there were very welcoming. Everyone was very friendly, and eager to pass on information and training techniques. On June 20, 2001 they finished their armour and waded into (practice) battle. Both did well (for newbies) but much practice was still needed. Colyne was told that his offensive instincts are good, but that his defense is next to non-existent.

Fighting update, July 15, 2001: Colyne and Thorfinna have now been in armour four times, and have been told that they are fighting like people who have been active for two months. This is due largely in part to the instruction given them by numerous other fighters, including but not limited to: Berus, Eanor, Brandt, Stroenwald, Vlad, and Cole. This past week, Colyne got his first melee kill, a battle archer. (So it's not quite a real kill; she submitted.) Cole found a hole in Colyne's armour, so its back to the workshop. (It left a big ol' bruise.)

Fighting Update November 25, 2001: Fighting has unfortunately fallen on the back burner since Pennsic as both Colyne and Thorfinna have been through two bouts of illness each, and their apartment is in a state of re-configuring flux (eating up mush of their free time. An informal fight practice will begin at Ardchreag's new keep soon, and they both plan to get back into things then. In the meantime, they have been studying fight manuals. (See our Fighting Links page.)

Fighting Update January 14, 2002: Ardchreag had its first fight practice in almost a year. (It was more of an unofficial pickup fight more than anything else, with some pell work thrown in.) Thorfinna and Colyne felt a bit awkward in armour for the first time in five months, but they soon got most of their old groove back. They each got a new bruise, and Colyne got to work in his new elbows.

Fighting Update March 16, 2002: After going out to a few practices, Thorfinna and Colyne decided it was time to crap or get off the pot (so to speak). At Northern War College they both went through, and passed, sword and shield authorizatin under the watchful eyes of Sir Ed the Red, Sir Berus, Streonwald Wulfesbanna and (possibly) the man known as Naga. Both were done the honour of having Baron Cynred fight with them for their test. Colyne went first, and he wasn't in good shape. He had not been sleeping well the past week, and the night before had been bad. At the Skeldergate fight practice the previous Wednesday he had injured both his elbows, and received a big ol' bruise on his hip from Eogan. As the Baron and Colyne fought he could feel his elbows giving out on him, and Cynred landed three blows on the bruise, which is now bigger than Colyne's out-stretched hand and is the most amazing shades of black and purple. His off-hand was sloppy, but he did pretty good on his knees, and when it came time for the Tourney fight, he actually managed to defeat the good Baron. Colyne passed.

Thorfinna was next. She also fought Cynred, and though she says she felt the authorization took a long time, those watching told her later that it only lasted five minutes. She quickly flew through all the parts of the test, her shield work being remarked upon by quite a few present. She also passed, and Cynred praised her skill.

They are both very happy, but are too tired (and in Colyne's case, sore) to be very enthusiastic about it at the moment. But once the shock wears off...

Fighting Update April 9, 2002: On April 6, Colyne took part in the Quest for the Holy Pail at Humour Us in Flaming Sky. Along with Thorfinna acting as Bard, Berend as Squire and Mahault as Horse, Colyne set out. They were competing against teams led by Sir Mordain, Sir Ed, Sir Menken, His Majesty Aaron and Robert the Blue. First, Colyne had to fight youth and battle young Graham, son of Richard Larmer, and the youngest fighter present. He is a skilled opponent and in the contest of counted blows he emerged victorious. Colyne then proceeded onto the stage where he fought the venerable and skilled Duke Sir Finvarr who portrayed the Dark Knight of the Soul. Against this most excellent fighter Colyne managed to hold his own, and Finvarr considered himself satisfied with our combat when Colyne hit him a ringing blow to the head. Colyne was awarded a taper and then the company walked into the serpent’s lair. There they found a terrible serpent (played by Gunther Katzkin, who wielded a bastard sword), which Colyne awoke by slamming his sword against his shield. He sprung to his feet and began to circle Colyne, his tongue (sword) flickering about him as he explained that Colyne had to strike his heart before he could move on. Not having a thrusting tip, Colyne felt a twinge of despair, for it would be difficult to strike a telling blow to an opponent’s chest without one. Still, he met the beast without fear and after only half a minute or so he dropped the beast to the floor. He was then awarded with one of its claws.

Fighting Update May 10, 2002: Last weekend was a time of heavy fighting for both Colyne and Thorfinna. On the Saturday they both took part in a demo at which they fought for a few hours. On Sunday they went to a Septentrian Baronial Fight Practice, at which they fought for another few hours. (Both were told that their shield wall work was excellent.) Then, on the Sunday, Colyne fought at an Ardchreag Fight Practice. That turned out to be too much for his tendonitis, which cut the Monday practice short and made him wear an arm brace for two days. To try and combat the strain in his arms, Colyne has replaced his lanyard with two very short lanyards, on tied to the top of his basket hilt, the other to the bottom. This should help him hold his sword, allowing his grip to be looser and should theoretically ease up his arm pain. We'll have to see.

Fighting Update May 29, 2002: Been to the doctor today. Both my arms have been sore since the previous post and I've found out I've got tennis elbow in both elbows. (Not from fighting, but from typing at work.) So I'm off to see a physiotherapist tomorrow and we'll see what happens. I'm also on anti-inflammatories called Vioxx. I can't fight at Pikeman's this weekend, but I will still be in the shieldwall at Murder Melee, Ealdormere War Practice and Pennsic no matter what.

Fighting Update May 30, 2002: Saw the physiotherapist today. He doesn't think I have to give up fighting (thank god) but that I will have to do stretching and strengthening exercises for my arms and wrists. I also have to become more ergonomic at home and at work (neither of which can afford to). So, in short, I can still fight but I'll have to learn to live with the pain. Physiotherapy is an option, but I can't afford it. We'll see how the exercises work out.

Fighting Update June 2002: Thorfinna took part in the Warlord Battle at Pikeman's Pleasure and ended up on Earl Sir David’s team by the end of it. (For those, like myself, who have never seen a Warlord Battle before, it is run thusly: two opponents face off. The victor is the Warlord, the other is their vassal. This team of two faces a similar team of two. The victorious Warlord now takes the other two as vassals. This continues until everyone is on two teams.) Thorfinna learned how to use her shield to good effect against Vlad’s spear as he battled her Warlord, under the gentle words of Earl Sir David. ”Push his spear, Thorfinna! Get in there! Block!”

Fighting Update Sep 3, 2002: This is the first chance I've had to update since before Pennsic War. Yes I went. Yes I fought. But first, Murder Melee. Both Thorfinna and I were on the Septentrian team, along with Thegn Cynred, Brandt das Lederwerker, Seonag nicThomais and others. Though our team did not win a single fight (many of us had never fought together before, and it showed) but our shield work was once again praised.

At Pennsic we took part in the Ealdormere/Northern Army training on the second Monday as well as the Hadrian's Wall and Field Battle. For the training I was in the pink army, under the command of Kaylah the Cheerful, while Mel fought for Master Hector in the Yellow Army. We did alright but the heat was intense and Thorfinna and I were both suffering from a very bad stomach flu (which lasted all war.) We only lasted three engagements. We skipped the woods battle but fought all through the Hadrian's Wall battle except for the last five minutes (which stretched out for seventeen minutes). We were ready to go back in but our shields and swords had been loaned to other members of the Isengesitha. (Baron Cynred bore my shield into battle.) I was well looked after by Alaani of House Mjolnir during this battle. (House Mjolnir being a mercenary house aligned with my Barony.) The battle was fierce and I was killed many times as I was sent on charge after charge into a breech. On the field battle I lasted past the first hold which was my aim. Unfortunately, my group (the Ealdormerean Baronies) got caught in a kill pocket and we were struck down. Still, we did our jobs, and we were both granted a Bear's Claw by our Baron and Baroness.

Read more about my Pennsic fighting here: Once More into the Meat Grinder: Reminiscences of a First Time Pennsic Fighter

Fighting Update Sep 9, 2002: At the Ardchreag meeting I decided to fight since I hadn’t on Saturday at Day in the Country (plus Wulfgang asked me to). However, after my first bout with Graham (recently of Greenhithe, of Skeldergate before that) my wrist was inflamed with pain. I managed to fight Thorfinna’s brother Joe and Wat of Sarum before I called it quits. I was still going to fight with Wulfgang but he could see I was in pain so he told me to stop. Both Isotta and Aurelia were worried (I must have looked terrible). So I stopped.

Kenric wants to work with me on my equipment as he has wrist problems too. We’re going to look at making me a floating elbow cop (I think my leather and steel arm is constricting my movement) and maybe a thinner half gauntlet. Vlad and Sieggy suggested a bigger basket hilt, and maybe a different weapon form. Vlad suggested spear, while Dafydd pontificated on the effectiveness of maces. I will likely try all these options, as well as doing my exercises more regularly.

Fighting Update Sep 25, 2002: I've now tried cutting down my sword and put on a bigger baskethilt, and this increased my speed considerably (according to Kenric, who said my opponent was surprised I was moving so fast). I also played with a polearm for half a fight practice and it was a load of fun. I'm gonna have to make one that's a little longer and a little lighter, and then get some half gauntlets. It was fun! As for my sword, I still think I'm going to make a new one out of thinner rattan, with a plastic baskethilt.

Fighting Update Oct 1, 2002: At the Ardchreag meeting that week I armoured up right away and waited in a chair, swinging my feet, waiting for other people to show up. Some business had to be taken care of, and I had one point to raise, so I didn’t get to fight right away. By the time I got outside Berend and Kenric were already fighting and nobody else was suited up. Teah came outside and asked me who I was going to fight, and I said the next person who came through the door, which was an unarmoured Domhnaill (who was visiting with Corwyn and Hector). So we couldn’t fight, but Hector was giving her a lesson with spear so I acted as a pell for them. This gave me a good opportunity to learn what to expect when fighting spearmen.

Once the long lesson was done I sparred with Kennric (who I owed a fight to)and then Domhnaill (who had since put on her kit). She has gotten very good, very quickly. She just disappeared behind her shield and would take my leg and as I dropped to my knee swinging she’d poke me in the chest. (Damn lefties.) I don’t think I killed her even once.

I then convinced Wat to put back on his helm so we could have a go, and Kenric showed us how to throw better raps. Unfortunately I threw it wrong and jarred my arm so I had to call it quits. Still, Wat and I were the last ones in that night, and since I’m usually one of the first to quit, that felt really good.  

Fighting Update November 3, 2002: The first Sunday of November found us traveling to Petrea Thule for their fight practice. With us went Mahault van der Eych, Teach van der Eych, my mother Carolyn and my brother Stephen Scrymgeour. While Thorfinna, Mahault and my mom visited with Ann Tinker, Aurelia Gabriana and Ann (Grimmy's wife), my brother and I suited up. This was Stephen’s first fight practice so he had to use our bag o' loaner stuff which consisted of mostly sports equipment. While suiting him we broke a strap for the arm, but luckily it was still long enough to be effective. We also discovered that there was no belt for his tabard (my old red and white one). Tiberius Justus Brittanicus had an extra handy and he took Stephen out for some sparring while I attended to my own belt dilemma. While I was putting it on I somehow managed to rip my buckle in half. Again luck was with me as Aurelia has an extra O-ring and she sewed it to my belt.

The helm we had brought for Stephen to use (Thorfinna's) turned out to be too small, so he and I shared it throughout the day. For my first round of sparring versus Graem deListe de Cherbourg I used Daffyd ap Sion's helm which was a tad too big and has a grill-face) I'm used to a closed face helm. It had been a couple of weeks since my last practice so I was a bit rusty against Graem. I would rate myself as fair. I did better later against Tiberius and Thevenin de Cote d'Azure who are both very good teachers. They were patient, jovial and encouraging and I may have picked up a trick or two from them. I did better in the later bouts though by then my shield work was beginning to slide (I was letting it dip once I was engaged with my opponent.) Thevenin managed to completely chew up my right side, and gave me some nice stripes. (Dern lefties!)

Stephen also had long bouts with Grimmy and Thevenin (he and Thev had to be pulled off the field when it was time to go). Stephen shows great promise and was the recipient of many words of praise and encouragement. Hopefully he'll be able to start coming out a little more often.

Fighting Update November 25, 2002: I woke early and went downstairs to fix my knee (which I still had not gotten around to, and had been feeling guilty about all Sunday night). At the Ardchreag meeting I was the only person there who had brought armour. Everyone else was either under the weather, did not show, or was taking Wat of Sarum's chain mail class. Then Eanor walked in wearing her armour and coat. I playfully kicked her in the shins and asked her if she wanted to fight. She answered in the positive so I quickly suited up. We only fought for about an hour but I was pretty pleased with my performance. I would say we were about 50/50 in the win-lose situation and I did not feel stiff (though I still tired out quickly).

A few days earlier, Wulfgang had asked us what made us fight. Here's my answer.

Fighting Update December 9, 2002: Kenric, Ymir and I suited up at Ardchreag’s practice and we each fought the others once. (The cold was hurting my wrist, and Kenric had to work hard and fast against Ymir and that tired him out. Usually we all three would have lasted much longer.) I fought Kenric first and was doing alright, but not fabulous. As things progressed I was getting better and was blocking a fair number of blows. We actually had some of those fights where shots fly for thirty seconds before one manages to land. Siegfried was on hand was giving me pointers, so Kenric asked if this was wrestling or what. So Isotta came over to his corner and starting coaching him and he and I began to bad mouth each other and bump stomachs.

Ymir I fought while he did two stick. I’ve fought two stickers before but not for a long time. When we first engaged he kept getting through my guard until Thorfinna called out for me to move my shield over more to my sword side. D’uh. That should have been self-evident. Anyway, after I did that the fighting became much more even and I think we were about even on the wins. At one point he had dropped me to my knees and was standing back poking at me with his left sword, trying to get me to swing at his leg, which he had stuck out. I just sat there and let him poke me then lashed out and took that arm. He looked surprised for a second, then laid on again. It was sweet. I found the best thing to do was to press him but make him swing first. He would often swing his right sword first, which I would block with my shield, then block his left with my sword, and then bring mine up at his head. Perfect theory. Sometimes it even worked.

Fighting Update December 23, 2002:  On Dec 23^rd Ardchreag hosted its last fight practice of 2002. There was no meeting, just some battlin’. Thorfinna, Wat, Wulfgang, Kenric, Brandt and I suited up and I had what was one of my best fight practices yet. First I fought Wat and did pretty good. He told me at the end of the night that he had had a tough time fighting me. Thorfinna was admittedly off her game that night with an aching arm that left her blows without strength. She would hit the mark, but not hard enough. This is exactly what usually happens to me with my arm pains. I kept finding the slot between her sword and shield and was one shotting her until she adjusted. She got a lot of power in one shot that pushed my shield back into my helm and crushed my thumb. It had a noticeable bruise and was stiff for days afterwards. Kenric whupped me as usual though I think I did pretty well against him. Brandt I fought twice. The first time he was using a sword and a mace. I actually did pretty well against him because he kept forgetting his mace was not as long as his sword so he would under-extend himself when striking or blocking. I just kept my shield square on him (like fighting any two-stick opponent) and waited for him to throw. If his shot was with his mace I’d try to block with my sword, then bring it back in for a hit on him. Something else I kept doing was stepping back as I threw a shot to take me out of his mace’s range. The second time we fought he used a gladius and his mace, and I used a centre-boss round shield for the first time. These fights I did very well. I took to the round right away and did not really have too much trouble with Brandt. He now had no range whatsoever, so keeping back, swinging a lot, meant more wins than losses for me.  

Fighting Update January 13, 2003: Master Hector’s dojo came for the first time to Ardchreag’s weekly gathering. These dojo members are all folks, most, if not all, from the Skeldergate area. About of half of these folks will also be part of Hector’s mercenary unit at War this year. We were supposed to be sewing tabards and whatnot that night, but due to the rash of inclement weather Gailana did not get to the store. So instead Thorfinna and I suited up to fight with Kenric, Brandt, Wulfgang, Wat, Eanor and, eventually, Hector. Donovan also had armour that night but did not engage in combat. Instead he went through drills with Eanor, Kenric and Hector.

The sequence of fights escapes me know, but I know I fought Wulfgang, Wat and Eanor. When fighting Eanor I did a snap return that left a big goose egg on her clavicle. Over all, I again felt competent but not excellent. However, Wat says he just cannot figure out what it is I’m doing out there and am continually surprising him. So that’s good.

I suggested we do some two on two battles, which we did for a while. During the battles Wat would blow off my elbow and Kenric stuck me a good one on the back of my calf as I tried to pull back from his blow. I did well in theory in the two on twos but my blows still lack power at times so my foes just won’t die. I have to do some pell work I think and get some more hips in my blows. During the night I made use of three different shields, causing Eanor to call me Colyne Threeshields.

Fighting Update January 27, 2003: Armour still not repaired, so did unarmoured polearm drills with Hector.

Fighting Update February 3, 2003: The first meeting of February was wet with at times torrential freezing rain. Attendance took a hit because of this and only about fifteen people came out. There was a short business meeting which I did not attend (Thorfinna sat in for me). Thorfinna was voted in as the new canton chronicler. After I finished printing and folding the Ursus I armoured up for the first time in three weeks.

Berus, Kenric, Wulfgang and Wat also put on their kits—Berus for the first time in a few months. I fought Kenric first and did my average against him, which is something like 35-40% victory. He won’t say it but I can tell he thinks I’m getting better because he takes longer to kill me now!

My hand was bothering me that night so I sat down and stretched it for a while. I can’t remember the order of my remaining fights but I fought everyone once, Berus twice.

My battles with Wat are a blur. With Wulfgang I kept legging him and then taking his head. He said I was owning him that night but I’m pretty sure he had almost as many victories against me. Both he and Wat have said I’m getting faster and they’re having troubles solving me. Since they both train so much I take that as a very nice compliment.

Now Berus. I think Berus pretty much owned me though I did get the odd kill on him. I also got a lot of pointers from him that night. Staying out of range when setting up, pivoting while engaged, loosening my grip, etc. He said my hand problem would lighten up if I loosened my grip. He said I may loose my sword once in a while but so what. I’ve got a lanyard. Of course, my lanyard ending up breaking and I shot my sword half way across the warehouse. He managed to thrust me twice in my most tender bits, and hit me three times on the right clavicle so I have a nice bruise to remember the night by. (I swear, some days when I come into work I feel like I’m in Fight Club.) In return I caught his vambrace with a shot that tore some of the strapping off.

Berus remarked on my speed, power and endurance, all of which had improved since we had last fought (which was months ago). It’s encouraging. Maybe I won’t be dog food at Pennsic this year. (Well, not all the time anyway.)

Fighting Update February 10, 2003: I put my kit on almost first thing and was armoured before most people even arrived at Ardchreag's meeting. I fought several bouts, at least once with everyone else in armour and by the end of the evening would have been happy to continue except for the slowly seeping strength of my shield arm. I had one of the best nights I’ve ever had. In no particular order:

The first couple of fights with Wat were very quick. Double kills, head shots on the first blow. After that we decided not to fight like mirror images and we mixed it up. I could rarely leg Wat, and the kills I did get on him were head shots. Likewise, he rarely legged me. I think our fighting styles are becoming similar. We quite often would find our swords hitting each other in mid-stroke.

Wulfgang is as strong as ever and when we did a bear pit he ran out on his turns like a charging bull. He seems to protect his head rather well but I legged him almost every fight and usually ended up killing him after that.

Berus fought with a sword in his left hand and a dagger in his right. He would lean really far over on his left which I found a bit disconcerting. Generally he beat me, thanks in large part to his speed and my still shoddy shield work. I did however get a few kills on him, though, as I told him, I don’t actually count wins and losses. (He told me at one point I had more kills on him than he had on me, to which I just shrugged. I’m pretty sure by the end of the night he was well ahead of me.)

I fought Eoin for the first time ever; we did shield and sword against shield and sword. He readily recognized my dippy shield point and took full advantage of it. I managed to get a few kills in but need to work on that shield. It is unfortunately a matter of strength and not just skill. As the night wears on my carpel wears on me and my shield dips more than ever. (It also costs me power on my sword blows.)

After Hector and Eoin had fought I convinced Hector to keep his kit on for a few bouts with me. I had to use Wulfgang’s shield as somewhere during the night mine had received a crushing blow that splintered my top edge. It wasn’t quite slung right for me, and was slightly uncomfortable, but it fit (I couldn’t even get my arm through Wat’s straps). Hector fought with a bastard sword that has little balls on the hilt. At one point one of the balls got stuck in my basket hilt, which caused no small amount of mirth for those watching. I did well against Hector, and would guess we were relatively even. When he killed me it was generally on his second swing while I was taking my own swing at him. I would block his first strike, swing and not pay enough attention to his sword anymore.

At one point during the night Wat, Wulfgang and I did a rotational two on one exercise that was a lot of fun. The team of two always won but it was good practice for when you end up alone on the field.

Fighting Update August 4, 2003: I have obviously stopped updating this record whenever Thorfinna or I fight at practices. It happens so regularly now that it would be redundant to continue keeping such a record.

However, I can say that I had a good day at Pikeman's Pleasure back in May. For details see my event report (coming soon).

Also back in May, Thorfinna authorized in combat archery at a Skeldergate fight practice. Since her knee is bad right now, and she will be unable to fight in a shield wall at Pennsic, she thought combat archery would be a good option. This way she can at least participate in some of the battles and submit if she has to on the field to save going down on her knee, or falling to the ground.

Fighting Update January 29, 2004: Late with this update but... I got sick at Pennsic in 2003, so neither Thorfinna nor I got to fight. At Septentria's 25th Anniversary Event she took part in a buckler tourney and made it to the second round, loosing to Sir Ed the Red. (The good Viscount found Thorfinna hard to kill, as the buckler she was using was not much bigger than her round.)

Fighting Update May 2004: At the Coronation of Berus II and Marion II, Evander called for witnesses to Colyne's squiring. He asked if it was still Colyne's intention to become his squire, and he
affirmed that it was. He then presented Colyne with several pieces of regalia. He said that as a squire, it was his duty to ride with him as battle, and therefore he would give Colyne spurs. The spurs given to him were crafted by Lord Verenko (a squire-brother), and they were exact duplicates of Evander's (though silver instead of gold). The chain placed about his neck was crafted by Lord Brandt das Lederwerker (another squire-brother). Colyne knew that a belt had been commissioned for him, but he also knew that its construction had been delayed by a fire, so he was not sure if he would receive one at the ceremony. However, his friends surprised him when Evander pulled out a beautiful belt crafted by Berend, Mahault and Brandt. The belt incorporated Colyne's oath to
Evander (fealty, sword in battle, counsel), as well as elements of his heraldry (a fox) and Evander's (a castle). After Thorfinna had placed it about Colyne's waist he knelt, clasped Evander's sword, and swore his oath to him. Evander then swore an oath to Colyne. At this point, Colyne's eldest squire-brother, Tiberius Justus Britannicus, pulled a mount from his belt and gave it to Colyne as a
gift. He also told everyone present that Colyne was currently challenging into the White Bear Fian, which is a Septentrian fighting order. (To enter you must defeat a member in a best two out of three trial of arms. You could keep challenging until you succeeded. Colyne had already fought on challenge at Septentria's 25th Anniversary Event, against Baron Konrad Matthias Jaeger
von Dubrau, which he had lost.) Tiberius took a knife and cut the belt end from his belt. He presented Colyne with it, saying he would not replace it until he had successfully entered the Fian, as he knew he someday would.

Colyne was very moved by all of this, and generally just kind of stood their grinning like a fool.

He is truly blessed to have friends—and now family—such as this.

On the down side, Thorfinna was diagnosed with bursitis in her knee, which means fighting is out for her for a while.

Fighting Update July 2004: Thorfinna tried fighting at a Bastille practice, and even fought on her knees for a while. She did well, and her knees did not bother her, so it is possible that she may soon be able to regularly fight again!

At Ealdormere War Practice VI, Colyne's brother Stephen (or Snaebjorn, once he makes up his mind on whether he's Scottish or Norse) authorized in sword and shield. 

He was armed with a sword made from rattan that had been gifted to him by a certain Excellency. Unbeknownst to all, that rattan was slightly older than it appeared. When the call came to lay on, Stephen swung his sword with such verve that it snapped clean in half upon his opponent's shield.

"When the call to hold came I thought I had failed after one blow," said a chagrined Stephen.

Luckily, Herr Wulfgang Donenrfaust was standing close by and gave Stephen a sturdier sword for the rest of his authorization. From there things went smoothly, and when it was announced that he had passed, he was hailed as 'Stephen Swordbreaker'.

Fighting Update October 15, 2004: Have received my acceptance letter for my first Crown tournament. Though life keeps interfering with my attendance at many fight practices, I am still following a rigid training program at home: weights, biking and the like. I do exercise everyday, sneaking it in whenever I can on top of my regular routine (like doing toe touches while waiting to get into the bathroom). I have decided that I rely too much on my thrusting when I fight, so after Crown I will stop using it and will work on the rest of my sword work. Will also be setting up a pell in the basement to use when I exercise. It may not all help me this Crown, but maybe next time.

Fighting Update April 2005: Haven't updated this in a while. Fought in my first Crown back in October. fought OK, was out in two. Should have done better.

On Monday April 25 I fought again for the first time after 8 weeks. I had broken two ribs at the East Kingdom Winter War in February.

Two days earlier, Thorfinna swore fealty to Sir Rory Cennedi, becoming his man-at-arms.

Fighting Update June 4, 2005: At Pikeman's Pleasure Cennedi was planning on challenging into the Fian, and several of my friends asked me if I would re-challenge at the same time. I had been feeling down on my fighting (especially after missing three months of training due to broken ribs) so I wasn't planning on it. However, Baron Konrad and Tiberius (both White Bear Fian members) caught me on the list field. Konrad (who I had fought in my previous two unsuccessful challenges) asked my why I had a belt buckle hanging on my camaille. I explained that my squire-brother Tiberius had cut it off his belt at my squiring and said he would not replace it until I had successfully entered the Fian, as he knew I some day would. He then went on about how he had his eye on a new belt end... So I said, OK, and we trundled down to the island. I watched Cennedi defeat Sir Evander to successfully enter the Fian, and the Konrad and I went out. I had been watching him fight now for two years, and I had noticed that he dips his shield a little bit when he throws, so I concentrated on his head. I don't think I thrust at all--something I usually do a lot, and I only threw conciously at his leg once (and I actually did it just to mix up my shots). I won the first fight with a head shot that I didn't even see land. I questioned him on it and he insisted it was good and I was later told it had been a very quick precise strike. Our second fight was a double-kill, both of us getting in head shots. This fight was nullified, and we re-fought the second bout. This time Konrad legged me, but I did a tourney shot as I was dropping to his knees, and he fell over. I had tagged him in the head again.

I was astonished. This was a mountain I'd been trying to climb for a long time, and the win means a lot to me. I was almost more overcome with the support and exuberation of my friends than in my own win. Before the fight I had numerous people coming up to me and giving me calming supportive talks, and afterwards I was touched by the crowd's reaction.  I was overcome.

For me this was a real test of my fighting, and I can look back at my three attempts, all against Konrad, and all in the same form (sword and shield) and note the steady improvement. In my first attempt I was 0-2 (and we fought a third fight just for fun and I lost that too). In my second I was 1-2 (and the last fight found us both legged and armed, though Konrad had given up one of those as a point of honour). This time (not including the double kill which was re-fought) I went 2-0.

The best thing of all was my younger brother, who was witness to the fights, later tell me in the car how proud he was off me. (well, best next to congratulatory hugs from Thorfinna of course!)

Fighting Update Sep 2005: On Sunday Colyne took part in the Unbelted Tournament on Ealdormere's team along with Mistress AElfwyn of Longwood (the Captain), THL Baldric Leeman of Newcastle Emlyn, Laird Colyne Stewart, THL Corrig McKail, Baroness Domhnail Galbraith, THL Etain au Naval, THL Hereward the Fardweller, Lord Hugh de Rose, Lord Ioannes, THL Kaylah the Cheerful, Lord Lothar the Gregarious, Lord Naga-san, Lord Tarquin Bjornnson, Lord Tiberius of Warwickshire, Lord Tormod of Kirk Andreas (who unfortunately could not make the event), Baron Tynne Duair ap Beul, Lord Ulvar van der Nederlanden, Lord Volodymyr ‘Vlad’ Blahuciak, and Lord Wat of Sarum.

Our team fought very well, but only went 1-4. Unfortunately we fought too much like the polite Ealdormereans that we are, assuming people were dead when we hit them, and not swinging again to make sure. This meant that we would hit someone, and move away looking for a new target. A lot of time though, the people we hit did not think the blow was hard enough, and hit us back, killing us. Live and learn. I fought three of the bouts, sitting out two so that Lothar could see some action. When the tourney was over His Majesty Edouard praised our sportsmanship and execution. The one memory that I’ll always have from that tourney is of a very large man with an axe falling on top of me.

Monday saw the Bridge Battle. Ealdormere was asked to lead the forces on the bridge farthest from the castle. In the first run through the Unbelts fought as a unit and were placed in the front lines. We had been facing the Western Alliance which included something like seven spear wielding kings and various knights. In this run through the East pulled right off the bridge and tried to create a killing pocket but Ealdormere would not be baited. In the last minute the East made a push but we held them off. 

In the next bridge battles Colyne fought with the MacLachlans (Sir Evander MacLachlan, Lord Tiberius of Warwickshire and myself), along with Wat and Þorfinna who were on loan from Cennedi, and Cadogan from Petrea Thule (who is training with Tibby). We fought alongside house De Taahe, which at its peak fielded up to thirteen of fourteen (not including the seven MacLachlans). In the second battle De Taahe was put in the front line. This time the East pressed harder faster but was still held off the half way point. In the third battle they came out hard and pushed Ealdormere almost right off the bridge, but we pushed back and the East found itself caught in a vise as other Midland forces broke through another bridge and came up behind them. Though the official bridge battles were then over, the Western Alliance asked Ealdormere to continue fighting, as they had five people on their team who had come from Japan for the event, and they were trying to get in as much fighting as they could. Ealdormere agreed, and most of us stayed out to run through two more bridge battles. In both of these the Western Alliance emerged victorious.

We did not fight the Woods Battle, but on Wednesday suited up for the Mountain Pass Battle. The field had three passes marked out on it, with siege weapons set up in the back fields. Ealdormere was to form a column and sweep up the right pass and harry the back field. We easily broke through the line (again, we had superior numbers) and took out much of their siege weaponry. We were fighting right along the East’s rez line, and a rather large Easterner stepped back onto the field, wielding a polearm like a scythe. Colyne attempted to take him down, but he caught him under the arm and lifted Colyne off his feet! Colyne left the field laughing, clapping him on the back, and headed for his own rez line. When he got back to the front Ealdormere had pulled back the line and were holding the pass. We tried to leave at least fifty feet of space so the East could build up forces to fight with us. We did not want to just push them right off the field. There would be no honour (or fun) in that for either side. We periodically threw off assaults or sent out skirmishers, but there was still very little fighting. Some of the East fighters then began calling out for singles, and Colyne fought with Lord Boldo (or something similar), which resulted in double kill.

In second run through Colyne was sent by Evander to kill a spear (“See that guy? Go!”). Colyne ran out with someone on his right and (he believes) Lord Angus Albani firing a spear on his left. They managed to get to their target and Colyne took him down just before a polearm crashed down on his right shoulder (giving him my only bruise of the War).

The Causeway Battle was held Thursday morning. The Middle started inside the castle, while the East had to walk up a causeway (like a wide bridge) and then fan out to attack the three gates). The attackers got unlimited resurrections, while the defenders got none. It was a little boring inside, as there was not much fighting, but it was great fun watching ballista bolts fly over our heads to land outside, and blocking arrows and dodging ballistas coming in. Baron Richard Larmer was killed by an arrow about two minutes into the battle. He said, “I’m dead,” and walked off the field. (Later, he was presented with the arrow that had killed him by a friend, and he tracked down the archer and gave him a gift of beer.) When we finally faced the push from the East a hold was called, and Þorfinna found herself completely surrounded by grinning Easterners. Cadogan caught a ballista seconds before he would have been able to swing a sword, saving Tiberius and I from getting hit with the missile instead. The gate Ealdormere helped bolster was the last gate to fall (I died about 30 seconds before the battle was declared over).

We then had to reset so the Middle could assault and the East could defend. Ealdormere’s general, Baron Sir Konrad Matthias Jaeger von Dubrau, told us to go up the causeway and assault the east gate. Holds were frequently called as the bodies piled up rapidly at the gate. At one point Colyne remarked that he could have lifted up his feet and not fallen down. During the holds, the heads of Easterners would pop over the walls, and both sides would trade witticisms. The people fighting at the front were pushing backwards on those behind so they had room, while people behind were pushing forward yelling, “Advance!” Marching on the castle in this format was not much fun (especially since the risk of wrenching a knee or ankle is very high), though it is likely very realistic.

The last large war point battle was the Field Battle. This time the MacLachlans fought on their own (not teaming up with De Taahe). Þorfinna fought with the baronies this time (so of course it was the baronies turn to be in the front lines). In one of the battles, Evander again set Colyne a target. He had one of his best moments of the war as he waded into the enemy’s line, killed his target, snapped his wrist and killed the person standing next to him, snapped his wrist again and missed the spear man next to him by half an inch before finally being killed himself. In the third run through he got a great double kill in on a two-sticker. When Colyne fell down he could see the two-sticker looking over at him questioningly and Colyne shouted out, “You got me too!” Afterwards, seeing Wat re-enact that duel made Colyne's day. Also in the third battle, all the Chivalry on the Middle’s side fought as one massed unit. His Majesty Edouard of Ealdormere was the first member of the Chivalry to smash into the enemy forces.

Fighting Update April 2006: At St. Maximus Day Market Colyne was presented with an Award of the Scarlet Banner, the AoA level fighting award for Ealdormere.