Long Nights - A Warrior’s Path to the Queens Heart

We headed over to St. Pete for a rapier focused SCA event. It was a rare cold day in Florida but it was perfect weather for fighting all day. 

Myself with Marcus (Max) getting ready to fight in the tournament.

Luca (Will) in his new armor.

Photo by Max McDougall. 

Showing off the long sleeves on my new linen underdress.

Myself with Luca (Will) and Marcus (Max).

Trimaris Memorial Tourney 2024

At the end of May the SCA hosts the Trimaris Memorial Tourney. It was a wonderful day with friends as we celebrated Sergio’s last event before moving to Texas.

We showed our support for Dan (in yellow) as he greeted the king before the tournament began.

Myself, Daisy, Luca (Will), and Javier.

Myself, Giovanni (Ryan), and Ja’far (Sergio).

Dan in battle.

Daisy and Freyja (Sunny) making faces while Javier plays guitar.

Ja’far (Sergio) with a group of dancers.

Ja’far (Sergio), Luca (Will), Tiger, and Marcus (Max).

Ja’far (Sergio) and Emmanuel (Jeremiah) being the best dressed men at the event.

Myself with Luca (Will) and Ja’far (Sergio). Time Travelers on a quest for Gatorade.

Ja’far (Sergio) with a scroll made for him by Finnguala (Susan).

Freyja (Sunny), Luca (Will), Marcus (Max), Tiger, and Franco.

Ja’far (Sergio) and Luca (Will).

Ja’far (Sergio) and myself. Photo by Will Jacobs.

Before the fencing tournament began Ja’far (Sergio) presented me with a scholar’s collar. After he was honored with being elevated to The Order of Defense he saw fit to make one of his cadets a scholar, which signifies a student deepening their commitment on the journey to mastering the art of fencing. He asked the other three cadets whom they felt should be offered first, and they all said me. I was honored. I never in my life thought I would learn to fence, let alone be chosen to be someone’s cadet. And now, scholar. Ja’far (Sergio) had given me the same collar that was given to him in his journey, now with his badge in the center. 

Luca (Will), Ja’far (Sergio), and myself. Photo by Max McDougall.

Luca (Will), Ja’far (Sergio), and myself. Photo by Max McDougall.

Freyja (Sunny) and Ja’far (Sergio).

Tiger and Ja’far (Sergio).

Fall Coronation 2023 - The Elevation of Ja’far to The Order of Defense

On Saturday, September 2nd Ja’far (Sergio) got elevated to The Order of Defense. This is the highest honor you can receive as a fencer in the SCA. 

Ja’far (Sergio) seated before the populace and surrounded by other members of The Order of Defense.

The first person to speak on his behalf was Mistress Julianna, a peer from a foreign land.

Dan spoke on behalf of The Order of Chivalry.

Davius (reading a speech from Matthias) spoke for The Order of Defense.

Ennelynne (Whitney) spoke for The Roses.

Finnguala (Susan) spoke for The Order of The Pelican.

Sayf spoke for The Order of The Laurel.

Rurik spoke as a member of the populace.

Sibilla presented him with his ceremonial sword.

Master Robert presented him with his medallion and white collar.

Swearing his oath of fealty to King Vincent (Nathan) and Queen Catherine.

Finnguala (Susan) presenting him with his scroll.

Standing before the populace as a Master of Defense.

From left to right: Blaze (Keith T.), Luther (Franco), Ja’far (Sergio), Hélèna (myself), and Javier. 
Photo by unknown.

Ja’far with all of his cadets.

Ja’far proudly displaying his new weapons belt.

Trimaris Memorial Tournament 2023

A lovely day at the Trimaris Memorial Tournament.

Myself and Rochelle. She had been coming to our weekly fighter practice for about a year, but this was her first SCA event.

Will getting authorization to fight in tournaments.

Myself, Tiger, and Rochelle.

Giovanni (Ryan) wearing his daughter’s hat discussing serious business with Ja’far (Sergio), with Aedric (Ed) and Rochelle in the background.

Photo by Edward Stapleton.

Since it was Rochelle’s first event I got to walk her into court. The court likes to recognize everyone who came for the first time and offer some gifts to choose from. Rochelle picked a lovely ceramic mug.

Photo by Edward Stapleton.

Getting ready to walk Ja’far (Sergio) into court.

Photo by Edward Stapleton.

Ja’far (Sergio), receiving his award for winning the cut and thrust tournament from Queen Catherine and Master Robert.

Myself and Rochelle.

Aedric (Ed) and Hiroshi, the event photographers.

Aedric (Ed) with his wife Janet.

Freyja (Sunny) with Xena. 

Brian on the monkey bars in deep discussion with Ja’far (Sergio).

Tiger relaxing under the pavilion.

Will.

Ja’far (Sergio) and Freyja (Sunny) being silly.

Ja’far (Sergio) going through his gift basket and dividing up the spoils with the household.

Late into the evening Oskar (Keith H.) hosted a secret fencing tournament. Brian competing against Octavian (Johann).

Luke with Octavian (Johann).

The final round between Brian and Luke. Brian emerged as the victor.

Oskar (Keith H.) and Brian with a picture of the prize. A lovely wood carving of an owl, befitting the Night Owl Tournament. The actual wood carving did not make it to the event, but would be delivered to Brian at a later date.