Etienne de l'Isle sends greetings to all who receive this.

While many good people of the Middle Kingdom and Ealdormere were in Tyrnewydd celebrating the invigilation of Viscountess Kaellyn for the Order of the Pelican (and mourning the death of good Sir Forgun), Duke Finnvarr de Taahe, my master, travelled from Flaming Sky to another tourney and feast in Ard Creagh.

When he arrived there, he found that his squires, members of his household, and other friends had hosted this event specifically to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his knighting. He wishes the word spread, not for his own glory, but so that the generosity of his friends should be remembered.

A number of gifts were given to the duke, most notably a large brass in his likeness, but the best of them was the event itself, which my lord wishes described here.

There was a tourney in the best fashion, in which all participants took on the identity of famous warriors of history, such as Roland, Lancelot, William Marshal, and Richard Larmer, Esq. (so that there should be at least one squire present). Their Serene Highnesses of Ealdormere, Elizabeth and Menken, fought as themselves, for it seemed to the king of arms, Lord Nicolae Cioran, that their fame was sufficient to qualify them. Their Highesses led one team and a team of challengers faced them in a "barrier fight without a barrier." When the teams tired, there took place individual challenges, either a l'outrance "with weapons of war" or a plaisance "for pleasure" (i.e., to three good blows). Further melee and challenges continued until all were happily exhausted.

While this was going on, others less combative were dancing, hunting treasure, playing games of skill and chance, and making small impromptu sculptures. When the fighters and the gallery of spectators tired of martial sport, they rejoined the others to dance and to eat a magnificent feast.

Their Highnesses convened a brief court, at which some kind words were said about my master. But first, Mistress Ragni Dzintara was honored for her promotion of the equestrian arts, and she was added to the Principality retinue as the first Equestrian Champion of Ealdormere.

Principality court was followed by a brief court of Baron Ieaun McKellmore, in which he rallied support for an expedition to the Barony of Skraeling Althing's Feast of the Hare, to punish what Baron Ieaun claimed were great usurpations of his rights.

The skill of the cooks was great that night, and the feast was accompanied by entertainment of the highest caliber: Master Hector, Sir Cordigan, and Lady Marion of Heatherdale, among others gave us song and story.

The duke my master wishes it known that he was especially gratified by the gift of the city of Eoforwic: a seat at the alderman's council and a voice in the Michaelmas moot in perpetuity, given in celebration of his role in the founding of said city.

In service to my master, and with regret that not all responsible for this gaiety can be named here, I am

Etienne de l'Isle