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Oh Glorious War!

T'was my first, Mael-Duin's as well and what a fine time we had raining down death and dying, aye and being maimed, as well as resurrected...

There we were, gathered for battle when Mael-Duin and I found ourselves reluctant turncoats fighting for the East! Resigned to possibly maiming or killing our friends from behind the castle walls I brought an arrow to my bow, my stomach fluttering in anticipation as Mael-Duin ascended the tower steps to shoot at the side of the King. It seemed to happen so slowly and yet, all at once.

Arrows began breaching the tops of the walls and I let fly. Arrow after arrow flew out to the now enemy, some taking arms or legs others sliding away harmlessly and yet I shot. Until the day I close my eyes one final time I shall never forget the look upon the pike-man's face as he took one of my arrows in the head. Somehow the arrow flew true, through a slot between two shield-mates seemingly only inches wide and as it struck I could see the look of disbelief cross his features, he'd been felled, his was a chivalrous death.

Meanwhile up in the tower... Mael-Duin's attempting to taunt Loric, who stands opposing us upon the field, crying out "Loric, move back a little, so I might shoot you!" I do not believe any managed to kill the man- he seems able to slither away from nearly any arrow that comes his way, though he fought from his knees for quite some time.

As this battle raged, I loosed many more arrows, most disappearing into the masses toward a fate I never knew. Did any strike their mark? I still wonder. I expended my ammunition and had to remove myself from the lines, praying that the tide of the battle would move away from my now, unarmed person. Mael-Duin too, ran out of ammunition, but fate put him at the side of the King, who's supply was plentiful and he continued to shoot for some little while.

We did not hold the castle the entire day and it did not seem long before we found ourselves in the position of assaulting the walls. The King, being as he is the King, once more found himself a position in the tower, this time it was the Queen herself whom shot at his side. Many it was that she slew, myself among them twice over (ahh but resurrection is a glorious thing!) and my lord husband as well! An impressive display, even for one on the receiving end!

The first time she shot me I determined I would not, I say not be caught from above again... It was it seems, fated to be a short resurrection for as I began to loose arrows over the walls I feel something thunk into me from above and I looked up just in time to see the Queen's head sink below the lip of the tower... Well strike me PINK! She got me again! I really must learn to look up now and again! Pay attention ALIS, she keeps killing your silly self!

Your Majesty- truly, I aspire to be so accurate in such confusion... Well met!

Alas, I must confess that, as much as the double death left deep indentations upon my memory, the singular incident which carried me off the field and impressed me the most was a feat wrought by none other than the gallant yet wily Squire John Woflstan. Crafty fighter that he is he took up the challenge of ridding the assaulting forces (at least temporarily) of their archers. Slowly, quietly he flanked our small force and as I shot a heavily armed man in the sally port and turned to find another target (Having just been resurrected after the queen's final killing blow upon my person) I see him charging in among us. Well, being slow witted twice over this day my brain registers "friend" as I spy his tabard, forgetting that I am, for this day, a turn coat. Before my wilted brain can gather enough nurons to spark the flashing neon "ENEMY" sign on my retnas, he is upon me. "Light light your dead" he declares with a wide, wolfish grin. Well strike me pink! I think to myself "I am so dead!" I agree aloud, shaking my head and smiling at his bold, yet successful ploy as I walk from the field.

I was not the only archer to be felled in that one man sally. Mael-Duin had been the only one, near as I can figure, who saw him coming! He attempted to shoot him down, but luck was not with him and my lord husband too, had to leave the field as did all of the or at least, most of the archers. It seems, not one other person recognized the enemy! He walked through our ranks slaying with impunity as our heavily armed swordsmen stared numbly on! How can this be you ask? Well, who would have believed one man WOULD attempt to sneak in among us in such a way?

I will... NOW.

I wonder... How many might think it some small bit of wolfish gratification on his part- this seeming to relish my death- for the arrow I shot in his face a few weeks ago at practice...? NAAAHHHH! Mine was the lucky shot. His, the skill.

To wind it up- What an adrenaline rush! I had a blast, I know my husband did as well.

For those I shot against- my friends and neighbors, I salute you! I hope I died as graciously as you fought! For those I fought with- I salute you! It is my hope that my inexperience did not hinder you too very much and that I fought half as bravely as you did.

Thank you all for the kind advice, the helpful tips, the gracious compliments on my shooting and my armor, but most of all- thank you for the experience! It is one I hope to repeat many, many times in my future.

-Alis inghean Ruaidhri
Arcuarius to Archos Thorfinn Kolsson
On the Occasion of Oasis War 2005

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