[Moo] Brigands in Stierbach's Forests, No more!

[Tatsushu .]

Having just returned from the fighting of the brigands, I sit to pen this 
letter on the 10th day of the 4th month of Hokuan 2 from my domicile in 
Okamizu-han, Ushikawa-shu.

As you are no doubt aware, our lord called us to action to defend the 
livestock of the province, which were apparently being stolen by brigands.  
While archers shot from afar, others marched into the woods to do battle.

And glorious the battle was!  We were all shocked to find ourselves fighting 
not brigands, but honorable and well-trained warriors.  The battle started 
off with the roar of the teppo, and soon after the sides closed into range.  
In the woods, metal rang--surely great enough to reach up to the Heavens and 
bring down the Celestial Gaze upon the deeds done this day.  At first, it 
seemed that the battle was lopsided, and that it would surely be over 
quickly, but as the fighting dragged on through the day, the favor of fate 
seemed to swing between each party in an unknowable tide.

My friend and ally, Takeda Akimasa, was taken out with a wound early on.  He 
had already been fighting for some time before the main forces had engaged, 
and his actions took a heavy toll on his body.   Stepping in to avenge the 
casualty of my friend, I grabbed the naginata he had and waded into battle 
with the rest of our comrades.

We fought with bands within and without.  The gallant fighters of Galatia, 
from the Land of Mark, showed up, and their superior tactics and unit 
cohesion won them great praise.  They consistently pushed their adversaries 
back--only shear numbers were able to counter their well-trained warriors, 
and even in that they arose victorious.

Throughout the woods of the province, fighters clashed.  How many deeds may 
go unknown and forgotten, sealed upon the lips of those who have gone to 
sleep forever?  We may never know.  By the end of the day, the death toll 
was high.  I felt as though my own heart had been stabbed through again and 
again, such was the great loss of life.  Yet, this costly sacrifice has 
secured the woods and borders of our land.  At least for now--who knows what 
great dangers may lie in the coming year?


Ushikawa no Ii Katsumori Roku-i

*********************************************
Okay, the above was inspired by a great event and a great site, even if the 
turnout was a bit stifled.  The area for the woods battle is wonderful, in 
my limited opinion.  There is enough of a slope to the hill to provide high 
and low ground, but it is level enough to provide both forces with a fairly 
even approach.  If some more brush is taken out (and it sounds like the SCA 
may have permission to do so next year), it could provide a goodly sized 
field for fighting.  I definitely encourage people: if you want a woods 
battle, come on down to Sudentor!

-Ii