Tag: Bonfire

Brrrrr … it’s cold outside

Or rather, not at all. This was an unseasonably warm Coldwood. I would say it’s named for the season and such, but it happens to be named for the shire it is hosted in.

This would prove to a more lax weekend for me, but c’monnnnn campfires and bonfires every 50 feet. This is a Skald’s paradise.

One of the things I am working on as a Skald is to not hesitate to share my music as long as it is welcomed. I had a previous conversation with Her Royal Highness, Matilde back at GNEW. It was clear that she appreciated classical music and vocalists in general. I challenged myself to not wait to be beckoned for a performance. Saturday afternoon, after I had completed fencing for the day (It was 80+ out), I shambled… well, wandered over carefully to EK royal and made a stiff upper lip. There was no backing down now. I took a knee (Not the football style) and asked if in about 30 minutes if she would care for a song. She happily obliged.

30 minutes later, after cleaning up and looking less like a schlep, I wandered back over. It was exactly 30 minutes later. Never keep a princess waiting and as a musician I was trained to never be late. Alack, Alas! The princess had wandered away to manage a personal matter. No matter. I would take matters into my own hands… well I’d wait patiently. I wandered off to spend time conversing with the other fencers until she returned. After she had a few moments to settle down, I made my way back over.

This was it! I offered up my song. I opened my mouth and let the music pour from me. When the piece was over, I was greeted with a welcoming hug, a thank you and a token. I don’t think I had had ever been this warmly thanked for a song. This, was most gratifying, not as a bard, but as a human to another human. Music is a very dear thing to me. You could see that her highness had been moved and she shared that gift with me back.

I would say that this was the end of my successes, but that would be a fib. That evening, Tearlach shared a great story about the cow that wouldn’t die. Folks were still gathered around the bonfire and it appeared they were looking for entertainment. I against, poured out another song. I only expected to sing one piece and then leave. I was beckoned to sing more. From time to time, I also sat next to her excellency, Jocelyn, from Stonemarche, and would serenade her privately. I then finished a personal request to new friends made.

It doesn’t seem like a super exciting story, but it’s starting to appear that my SCA dreams are coming true. People are asking me to sing and I am aware enough to read my audience. This is a great accomplishment and step in my journey.