PENNSIC WAR
(Part I - The Fighters)
by Modar Neznanich
Upon a battleground
Named the Pennsic Site,
Fighters from the kingdom
Called the East,
Gather under the Tiger banner.
Warriors from the lands
Known as Calontir,
Prepare for battle
Beneath the Falcon standard.
As a horn sounds,
In the distance,
The tiger roars.
The falcon soars.
And the two armed masses
Ramble toward each other.
As the falcon's front ranks
Near the tiger's troops,
They fall.
Not casualties of war,
Put kneeling to place
Their shields side by side
Forming the great shield wall
They are known for.
Many enemies have launched
Their men-at-arms against this wall.
Few have ever succeeded
In breaking through it.
Soon other armies
From other kingdoms,
Such as the West, the Middle,
The Outlands, Meredies, Trimaris,
And others, join the fray.
Each choosing their
Respective allies.
The war commences in full assault.
Weapons fly, and armour protects.
And when the sun begins to set,
The weary troops disengage
And return to their respective camps,
Where they will gain a respite
And fortify themselves
To continue the next day.
The weapons and armour will be repaired.
Bruises and minor wounds will be tended.
The dead will rise again
To partake of more, as well.
For over a week this will go on.
For fun, glory and honor
Men and women will contest
With armour and weapons
To show their martial prowess.
And at the end of the great war,
All will return to their homes
Throughout North America
(And, for a few, the European continent);
Happy to have partaken of such an event;
Having taught someone,
Having learned something,
And having made a few more friends.
©1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007 Ron Knight/Modar Neznanich
©2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Ron Knight/Modar Neznanich