I wasn't planning to go to Estrella this year, but then I got laid off, and so had plenty of time on my hands for war preparations and interkingdom travels. On Thursday afternoon, February14, I picked Tatiana up from work and we hit the road. About 8 hours later, we arrived at the site and found our Baronial encampment. Besides their Excellencies, we shared the camp with Sir Kazimir, Agnar, Sam and Kura, Sir John, and the Lovely Ladies of Lyondemere: Patricia, Christina, Lily, Johanna and .
I spent most of Friday at Collegium--there were lots of great classes being offered, including tribal bellydance, cotehardie patterning, and sprang (a type of textile made by twisting yarns in a net-like pattern). That night, there was a big party in Caid Royal. I was excited to bellydance, but had to wait until after the sumo wrestling match, a fundraiser for the Crown travel fund. We were rooting for our Baron, but he lost his title (Known World Sumo Champion) to Beorn of the Northern Seas, who earned his victory with grace, power and an unflappable demeanor. The drumming and dancing, once underway, went on for hours.
On Saturday morning we wandered over to the battle pit (we were at a war, after all), and then headed over to Merchant Row. I had a couple of Collegium classes in the afternoon, and dropped by a Scribal Tea hosted by the Barony of the Sun Dragon, where I saw some amazing examples of their scribes' work. That night the "Ladies of Lyondemere" joined our Baron & Baroness in dining with the Barony of Starkhafn. Baron Jamal had provided a whole roasted pig for the feast, and the entire meal was delicious. As the feast began, we enjoyed a spectacular Atenveldt sunset.
We'd reserved Sunday for waterbearing in the final war scenario: a 2-hour non-stop resurrection battle. It felt good to be of service to the war effort, and we combined our waterbearing duties with cheering on our Caidan army. I especially enjoyed meeting friends from the West, who were our allies, on the battlefield. Our final evening was spent rather quietly, sitting around the firepit, visiting friends, and walking the entire site to catch glimpses of firelit camps and late-night revelry. Tatiana and I knew it was our last chance to soak up the sights and sounds of Estrella--until next year.
 The Baron
and Baroness enjoy their new thrones. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
