Their Excellencies letter to the populace from The Quill September 2003

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Good Tidings and Salutations from Their Excellencies Rodrigo and Khadijah,

What is foremost on our minds as we write this month's letter is how fabulous and wonderful WW X was for us. We owe great appreciation and gratitude to all who helped make the event come off so well. So many contributed their time in holding a staff position or volunteering their time. We deeply appreciate all of you who make this Barony great with your time and service.

Did you hear the call of the Dragon? Did rush to the side of your kinsman to face the mighty Tiger? If so, share your storied and experiences with those who did not. Northshield had much to be proud at this war… the determination and valor in which our fighters fought, the dedication and caring of those who supported us all with song, water bearing, helping out, and serving our Royalty. It gives us great pride as we hope it does you, that our Barony answered the call of the Dragon in strength and bonded together with our brethren of Northshield to make a united Principality viewed by all as soon to be a Kingdom to be reckoned with.

I would like to share a story from Pennsic with you. It is one of battle, of standing shoulder to shoulder with my fellow Northshielders and of holding a castle being overtaken by superior numbers from the East and its allies. It is a story of bravery and of ferocious fighting and of pride. Northshield was sent to help hold the side gate as our forces there were already starting to be overcome. We ran to their support and formed a wall that stood long after the Eastern forces breached the gate, but yet held the wall could not be broken. It wasn't until the Eastern forces flowed around this wall and broke it from behind that Northshield fell and with the last breath flowing from the last man in that wall, the battle ended. I walked off that field that day knowing that Northshield had done its job against insurmountable odds and held to the very end.

Once again a reminder, at our September Folk Moot we will be determining the Baronial Executioner Position. The criteria for the competition will be the person who can put on a performance displaying themselves as the most fearsome. The individual must be a resident of Nordskogen and will be determined by applause.

By the time your reading this we will have just returned from our combined event with the Barony of Coeur di'Ennui, Snowflake and the Seven Boars. We want to thank all those who helped out with this event and especially THL Giovanna for all her efforts in making this happen

Many of us are torn between supporting our Barony in one of its major events and supporting Those who are close in our hearts as they ascend the Dragon Throne. Even Khadijah and I feel the conflict in loyalties and as such Khadijah will travel to the far lands to the Coronation of Their Royal Highnesses Alasdair and Guenievre. Those of you who will remain with me at Schutzenfest, please show your support for the Barony and for Their Royal Highnesses by volunteering and in celebrating the start of a bright and exciting new reign

Finally, Nordskogen is growing stronger with new members, yet it seems many of our new faces are not enjoying the events around our Principality. For those of you who are traveling to events, please take the time to invite someone new along either to share a ride or to caravan to an event. Open the doorways for these new members and introduce them around so they too can live the magic that is The Dream and by doing so make a friend for life.

May sunshine always grace your face so shadow never will.

Rodrigo and Khadijah.