IntroductionsEmpriseXIII

Let it be known to all princes, lords, barons, knights and squires of the above marches, and others from whatsoever nations they are, not banished or enemies of the king, our lord, take heed!

I, Mistress Arabella da Siena, having heard the Challenge thus issued from the northern kingdom of AnTir, do on this day step firmly forward to answer the call for glory and honor.

So that all may know that I come from ancient nobility, bear witness to my arms Gules, on a pale between two hippogriffs combatant each maintaining a glaive argent, three cinquefoils sable, as is the ancient custom.

So that all may know of my prowess, know that I am the Premier Golden Lance of Caid, 7th White Scarf of the Outlands, former Queen Champion to Kolfinna II and Eleanor di Michelozzo Gianfigliazi, former champion to the Barony of Altavia, DarachShire, and Ruby Joust Champion for the Barony of Caer Mear.

Let the thundering hooves of my noble steeds be known! Zia, a fiery Arabian mare from the Stock of the Ruala Bedouin. Althogh small in stature, her quickness and wild desert spirit has earned her respect and a place in the family stables of destriers. Behold Octavious, decended from the Spanish warhorses of Andalusia - let not his gentle nature persuade you that he is not to be reckoned with upon the Lyst.

These are my words and my meaning is clear. Good, Noble and Honest Tenants of the Black Lion, what say you? Do you accept myself and my steeds as competitors in this Emprise?

Signed by my own hand, this twentyfirst day of August, AS XLIX, Mistress Arabella da Siena

To the very noble and very powerful judges of the Emprise of the Black Lion XIII:

I, Spike Zoetaert, herald to Guillaume de Garrigues, greet you and inform you that my master has charged me to deliver this letter to you, which you may read whenever it pleases you.

Word has reached my master of the very noble tournament the Emprise of the Black Lion XIII, and accounts of the great chivalry and prowess that he knows is in your very noble persons. He wishes you to know of his intention to enter into the lists of this tournament dressed and accoutered as prettily as possible, and to take up arms not out of any ill will, but rather in all love and friendship in order to please you the judges and to amuse the ladies.

And you will know that he is come from ancient nobility by the way his destriers are covered, as is the ancient custom, with his noble arms argent, an oak tree proper, on a chief gules three Toulouse crosses or.

And if by chance it may happen that my master will, by doing well, get mercy, grace, or an increase of love from his very gentle lady Annisa Gabrielli, then he will have done his loyal duty, asking always that she forgive his mistakes, for if by chance he errs, from which God protect him, it will be more from innocence than from vice.

And my master, Guillaume de Garrigues, wishes to take the field in such a way that fame and widespread rumor will go out to sustain nobility and increase honor, so that, if it pleases God, every gentlemen will wish henceforth wish to practice the exercise of arms more often.

I, Spike Zoetaert, in the service of my master Guillaume de Garrigues, announce these things to you, and I tell you this on behalf of my master, so please excuse me.

Unto all to whom these words shall come, greetings.

Word of a great gathering of noble riders and handsome steeds assembling in these lands has reached me at my manse in the Barony of Madrone. I am intrigued by this news, thus do I take my pen in hand to write of my intent to travel to the gathering and into this fine company.

Unto the Noble judges of The Emprise of the Black Lion, this being the thirteenth of that name, I do present the dancing Willow of the Loch and myself as venants.

I am Lady Aeschine Gearranach, known to this company and the known world by the banner I bear: Per chevron gules and vert, two crescents and a sheep passant argent. Likewise shall you know me by the crest upon my helm, a silver sheep crowned by a crescent moon. I am a bearer of the Jambe de Lion, which was bestowed upon me on the field of the Emprise by the hand of Queen Miranda.

My partner, in this quest, shall be, the swift and fiery Willow of the Loch , sired by Galahad of the Loch out of Sorsha. We will ride as one, against all who would give challenge honorably on the field of the Emprise of the Black Lion XIII. We shall appear as a blur of color as we dance past the ladies of the Berfois and those others who are drawn to the display of skill and grace which are the equestrian games. We shall undertake the competitions of: Lance at Three Heights, Ring Tilt, Quintain, and Willow’s favorite, Pig sticking.

I ride not for the prize, nor yet for the word fame, or such graces as might fall to me, but to inspire others in the grand passion that is horses. I ride for the love of the horse, and of the tourney, and the spirit of chivalry and honor which mark this grand display of equestrian might and skill.

Signed by my own hand, this AS XLIX, being the 9th of September. Lady Aeschine Gearranach