Quest for the Pink Ribbon - Results from Ceilidh and Thanks

[Diglach Mac Cein]

What an amazing day for me.

First, I have to thank the good people of the College of Saint Joan - I had asked them if I could use a corner of their list field for my quest, and when I arrived, I found they had set up a seperate 12x12 list field for my use, including tables and chairs! Their hospitality and generosity is a tribute to their barony, and the Kingdom.

Second, I need to thank Lady Kate and my squire Lady Acelin for all their help - keeping score, making sure I drank enough, making an emergency repair on one of my swords, and relieving my wife Una, who was able to keep track of my daughter better!

I also want to thank EVERYONE who fought me that day - I had asked a few fighters to act as "rabbits", providing me with fights if I didn't have enough volunteers - and they were completely uneeded. I don't recall a time when I didn't have at least 3 opponents in line, and at one time I had 10 gentles waiting to take their turn!

I must make special mention of a few of good gentles in particular - Lady Lyonnette of Cleftlands (from here on AA) - she fought me 25 times! EVERY time I looked, she was in line! This is in addition to the other tourneys going on! Next, Lady Aine - my battle-sister. She offered a one of a kind challenge, presented poetry on the field, and fought with great ferocity - would all of us be able to take heart spirit and heart into every battle, the Midrealm Dragon would be a juggarnaut! And last but not least, Tigernach the Battle-poet. He not only wrote the original poem annoucing my quest, he crossed weapons with me many time, brought food to refresh me, helped me set up, tear down and many, many other little things - whatever was needed. A truely remarkable and wonderful person I am proud to call brother.

And last but not least I must thank those who inspired me to do this thing -
HRM Rebekah - A Lady who in many, many ways personifies every romantic ideal we hold for a Queen. Brannos might command an army willing to assault the gates of hades itself, but for Rebekah we would throw ourselves on the flames and put them out.

My Lady Una - My wife, my heart. I would do anything to see you smile, and endure all to save you a moments pain. You lift me, grant me strength beyond my own, hope beyond hope. You are my life.

My daughter Samantha - My light, my joy. About fight 125 or so I was tired. I just got hit on the knee and needed a break. I removed my helmet and reached for water. My little 3 year old ray of light handed me a towel, looked at my next opponent and said "That's my daddy, he's the BEST!" She then blew me a kiss and said "Go daddy! FIGHT!". I could tell you if it was sweat running down my face or tears. But I won the next 20 fights.


Now, the results -

I completed 235 fights in 3 hours and 40 mintes or so (including breaks) - at fight 236, I could no longer defend myself (arms wouldn't respond), and my vision had gone blurry, so it was reccomended that I stop - that I had done enough.

For those who are curious - according to the ladies who counted the bouts and took the names of my opponents, I was victorious in 205 of those bouts.

The generosity of people has amazed me. I received pledges from throughout the known world - from at LEAST 14 different Kingdoms. I had 2 pledges waiting for me when I returned home that evening.

Total pledges should exceed $4,500.

Thank you my Kinsmen - Thank you.


Dilan