’Twas most wonders. Picture if you will a city of 3000 or more souls with a market place so large that it could not be properly traversed in the space of one day. From the market came the smell of exotic foods wafting through the air intermingled with the smoke of campfires. A grand parade of Nobles and populace aboard a ship threw valuable beads to all, as it made its way throughout the land. Encampments of foreign peoples also populated the lands, Mercenaries, Vikings, a large contingency of strange folk from the lands of the Crusades and beyond. Enchanting Music was heard from far and wide. Otherwise good women of the land, possessed as if by demons, were helpless to prevent themselves from gyrating their bodies to the sounds. Minstels, Singers, Heralds, Rapiers, Coursers, Equestrians - all met in great numbers in fellowship and competition. Battle cries were heard far and wide. Wounded and weary fighters were seen at all hours on all the roads but our good King and his men protected us from harm. To the dismay of some our ranks swelled to such a number and with the prediction of weather most foul on Saturday night the owner/keeper of the lands bid troll to close it's gates at noon that very day. And so it was with heavy heart we made haste to depart.
The moon was nigh unto full and the stars did shine with a great luster in the night sky as The Populace, weary from War, did assemble for the Court of the King and Queen of Meridies at Gulf Wars IX. From afar was seen approaching an entourage of great number bearing lit candles, at whose head strode a Lord and Lady of most Noble bearing. As the court was called open by the King’s Herald, The Populace was of uneasy disposition, being filled with awe and restless with anticipation. Who were these people and what was to transpire? Soon it was made known to all as four bearers, upholding a magnificent canopy of the finest gold cloth replete with emblazoned stars beneath, ushered into court the brave Baron Shoiel and his ever radiant Baronessa, Francesca. Came forth also drummers loudly beating, an archer of great renown, and a huge contingency of Axemoorovians. All eyes turned to marvel at this resplendent retinue coming before the Royal Presence. As they drew nigh unto Their Majesties, a member of a much smaller procession of little note was heard to remark thus, “Oh that our company might have appeared so grand; hereafter, it shall be done thus, as these of Axemoor do!”
The King and Queen gave greetings unto their Noble Cousins, heartily embracing them. Then did they ask of them, “What business have ye before this court?” To which our good Baron did reply that he would that he no longer be Baron of the Lands of Axemoor nor his Lady, Baroness. On hearing this grievous news the Prince and Princess of Gleann Abhann were struck silent, the good Queen grew wan, and our King was brought nigh unto tears. Then did the King cry out in a loud voice for all to hear “This cannot be for you have served the Crown faithfully and your people well, lo these many years!” Likewise did cries come forth from those assembled, but the Baron held firm his ground and relented not.
’Twas then that the People of Persona of Axemoor begged of Their Majesties the right to bring forth gifts to do honor unto the Baron and Baroness. The Populace sounded forth with oohs and ahs as the People brought forth a beauteous, large chest wrought by the hands of the able craftsman Pal Uto. So large was it that it took two men of their company to bear it. ’Twas like no other seen in these realms, being made of exotic, inlaid woods with straps of fine leather and lined with rich cloth, and within it held other riches, being medicinal liqueurs, lotions, tasty sweets and baked goods, carding tablets, wondrous candles, useful bindings and yet another chest of wood. And so it came to pass that on seeing this devotion of the Axemoorovians that the King and Queen were so loathe to release the Baron from Service to The Dream that it was decreed that Shoiel Ben Yisrael of Poznan and Francesca da Trani were to wear, in perpetuity, the crowns of Court Baron and Court Baroness.
As seen by mine eyes,
Lady Lucia Borromeo,
Order of Justinian
