Prythee allow my indulgence with this tale. I, Richard of Woodenbridge, a subject of the Kingdom of Acre (MSR and only recently SCA) and thereby not too familiar with the customs and proper manners of your noble Kingdoms, know not if this missive would be well comed or considered bold on my part.

Presently I shall cut to the point...

On the last day of the Pennsic War XXVI, which to this time had been difficult, I did in all haste join with my Kingdoms forces nigh a thrice of time ere the cannon blast in our ear to let slip the dogs of war. Still without breath from the search for my fellows the cannon did sound. Only then I did find it was a flanking manoeuvre to the north we were to implement. This discharge was met by a smaller yet faster force moving and taking even the northern most ground of the battlefield, distracting us from our cause whence I did conceive a more formidible force mustering to our south side. This did not bode well and I made call to regroup as they made their charge-but time would not allow. I took the point of the meagar few who did harken to my call yet still called in voice laude, as what seeming more numerous Middle Kingdom forces collided with ours. I managed to be struck by no sword but found myself under this tidal wave of men. There was a sound like no other I have ever heard. Shouting, Crashing armor, Thundering feet all about. Mine own heart pounding so that were it not for the breast plate of steel it were to burst from my chest onto the field. What seemed an eternity yet for certes was but a few moments I struggled to free myself from the carnage and whence I gained my feet stood amongst the mixed forces of those who did survive. All seemed to need gather their wits and regroup and so too, I attempted to make my way to familiar fellows and to catch my breath.

Presently I tell that which is the matter at hand.

Looking for those with blue adorning their helms I stumbled almost headlong into a fair knight who was passingly well visaged, addorned in most comely array and shining, well kept armor yet with the red of the Midrealm and its allies upon his helm. It did seem he wished to have ado with me. I then did complement him upon his accoutrements and introduced myself and asked what knight I would have ado. In the din of the battlefield I heard what I thought was "Malamar" (and forgive this...but for a brief moment I did in my minds eye conceive the chocolate covered marshmellos and thought it a strange name for one so finely attired) then did come to perceive the golden work about his helm. I then did dress my shield. Great strokes were exchanged yet none finding their mark save one and I fell. As I was arranging a more comfortable position there on the the ground, I noted this most noble gentleman standing over me and he did tell that he did conceive the blow I took as fatal was not sufficient and that he would allow me another go. By Gods wounds! Such grace and noble actions I had never seen in War but was well pleased by such, though I was somewhat hesitant to again take my feet. At his insistance I did so, and we were each at the other once more. Blows were again exchanged though I do conceive my only contact was a thrust to which he was not sorely grieved and I was then smote down in no uncertian terms.

A marshall had bade me to leave the field and methinks was helped to my feet by this most noble man. As I left the field, Duke Angus O'Corra of Acre informed me I had done well, especially against a Duke as indicated by the dressing of my noble opponents helm. When I told him his name was "Malamar" Duke Angus made great cheer and asked if his name was not "Palymar" mistook. For certes I knew not. I truely am honoured by this all and I, by this noblemans grace, have left yet another Pennsic War with a great tale. I sought to find him there and then the rains precluded my search.

Upon the advent of the next War in the Fields of Pennsic, I had been directed to a Noble encampment to which I was told Duke Palymar did make his abode to which I made great cheer. Whence I had made myself to the camp and of my intentions known I was greeted warmly and brought before the Duke, yet I found no comfort there as I did not find what I had sought. Duke Palymar was nay not the man on the field and betide him my tale. Peradventure he did know of the man I spoke and of the tale and wished to offer succor to my end.

The man I sought first mistook for "Malamar", was too misconcieved as "Palymar" and the name to which I should find him was "Talymar" too Duke of the Midrealm.

As my retainue approached the camp of Talymar I did make mark of a wonderouse and familiar banner. It was that of my rememberance upon the surcoat in the field time away but alas my relief was stayed. Although I had found the camp of he whom I sought and most warmly recieved, Duke Talymar was not present, but away at War preparations. I related the tale of his Deed to his retainers and his Lady. They bade me to return anon, for they did concieve he would like to meet anyone to do him such honour to seek his audience with such persistance.

On the morrowe I did so return with a small retainue and found he was waiting my return. The moment I espied his noble visage I was again brought back to that great day in the fields of Pennsic. His personage, handsome and strong was as I remembered, the embodiement of all things noble and goode. I then began to betide the tale of the field and was well pleased to find that well it remained too in his rememberance.

I knelt then before him and explained of my intended gift, The Medallion of Richard, offered to those of outstanding chivalry and courtousie in personal recognition and gratitude. To my suprise he denied my offer. I was heartstruck. A silence fell and not a single breath was drawn. Then he spoke...'twas not for ignoble cause the Medallion was denied, but for most noble cause. He believed that his doings were not of great worship but required of the noblish indeed and therefore could not in good heart accept the Medallion. These words I could not deny yet still he had given me a wonderous memory and I must requite his gift to me and offered some favored meade from the house Woodenbridge and to this he did accept yet still with two conditions. First that I offer mercye to all fallen by my hand and too to one day fight at his side. For certes I could take no force against such request and did, most humbled, accept.

We did then part goode company yet still the memory lingers as the sweet smell of the rose and so you may presently concieve my cause to render to all this adventure of a true Knight Exemplar for it is noble and embodies the meaning of chivalry, that which those of us who strive for these ideals endure.

Richard of Woodenbridge