'm Back!!!! Its been a long time since I have written an entry, but theres been a lot going on. Since the last time I wrote, I have bought a house, become a squire, taken over the knight marshall position in our shire, worked, read books, and fought fought fought!!!!!

The summer was real good to me. I went to Ansteorra's Twentieth year, became a member of Queen Octavia's guard, and in general had a real good time. I also started jogging and tried to get my weight down a bit (not very successfully).

However, I spent most of the summer learning to fight unpadded glaive. So far, its been pretty good, but I have been neglecting my sword and shield work of late. And it showed this last Wednesday night. Last Wednesday (October 20) Sir Iain (pronounce Yane) from Atlantia came down to Hildebrandt's (my Knights) house and spent the evening beating up on Angus and myself. Now, in Angus and my defense Sir Iain is one of those perenial finalists in the Atlantian crown tournament. This year he was narrowly (ask him about "3 inches") knocked out in the semifinals of the Atlantian crown.

So we spent most of the night learning the value of leg shots, footwork, and closing, three things that Sir Iain excels at. The actual high point of my night was when I finally legged him, closed quickly and effectively, and then killed him on the ground. Granted, I was huffin and puffin at the end, but I managed to do it.

All in all though, it was a great time. Iain has an infectious smile and sense of humor, and I positively enjoyed all of my fights with him. I will see him again this weekend at Rundel's Margrave Tournament, and I am both looking forward to it and dreading it (my LEG!!!!)

Shade and Sweet water,

Jean Paul de Sens
Seconde, Lion Dragon Guard