Ah, the season comes to an end.

What a wondrous season it was though. Weddings! Food! Knightings! Jousting! And WENCHING!!! I love Briarwood! Wenches abound...and yes some WERE bound! A magnificent feast for my pallet in either case.

Royal weddings are a thing to behold. They would be even better if it wasn't forced upon the whole village as a spectacle. As I support Robert the Bruce in all endeavors, I don't particularly care for this Elizabeth DeBurg that he took as Queen. Beautiful? Aye! Her beauty could swoon the most chaste of priests! But I get the uneasy feeling that she is a spy, or has other motives than just the bearer of children. Clandestine she is...I can feel it. I'll keep an eye on the Bruce for his own protection.

For those of you who haven't the pleasure to have visited Briarwood village, let me give you schooling of some of the good people there.

It is Robert the Bruce's summer get-a-way. This alone brings many merchants and entertainers. The village literally expands in population a hundred fold, during the summer. They even had the Coronation of Robert the Bruce at the village!

Their Mayor. A simple minded fellow, though. I'm sure he attained the position through relation. He is kind of heart, yet clumsy. One must watch his step when walking in the vicinity of the Mayor. For he himself trips over his very sword! And when accompanied by his very lovely wife...he sometimes trip over her dress. Heart of gold though. He can't bear to ask the village to pay their taxes. So he has the Sheriff do the collections. I hear he is a bear when it comes to politics though. Even the Cardinal gets nervous when dealing with the Mayor in matters of state.

The Sheriff is a good and hardy man. No one forgets their taxes when he is out and about. I'm confident that he is a capable man, as is the village...until it comes to apprehending thieves. I don't believe he sees well, though. Some thievin' lasses procured some soap by accident. When the Sheriff pursued, he lost them behind the shrubbery. The thieves got away with it for a time, because the village folk were too busy laughing at the poor Sheriff for not being able to see the forest for the trees...so to speak. Ah...he's a good man. I'd have him on my side when the pub gets rowdy though. No doubts there.

As in every village in Scotland, there is one poor soul that has found the love of ale, and married it! Phillip McGuinness is particularly married to the ale. Though once I seen him down a pint of rum, but he'll never admit to it. As a man of order, seeing him stumble down the main in full daylight just boils my blood. There are bloody children he could fall upon! I've tried a time or two, to carry him off so the children wouldn't get hurt. As soon as I get ready to knock him out (because walking a drunkard isn't easy) he starts rambling on about nothing in particular. But somehow, his ramblings have me bursting outwards in laughter! I don't understand him. But I know what he's saying, if you catch my meaning.

The Bruce's friend "The Black Douglas" is a different sort of man. Little, I'd say. I understand he likes the fire...and the wenches. Don't see him settling down soon. He fancies himself as the slayer of the English. But I know a certain salty sailor that has saved The Black Douglas a time or two, while battling the English. The Bruce believes in him, a so I shall...for the time being.

I'll save posting on the women of Briarwood for another time. As that will take a full day of scribing, in order to do them justice.

I'll end with this...

Though I have been banned from my families land, I follow along my family line in support for Clan Bruce. If the Bruce were to see me, he might feel obligated to inform my father of my where abouts. It's this reason that I stay in the shadows when he is about. I know the Bruce well...from my childhood. If he knew that I was orchestrating his protection while even his personal guards didn't know, he'd send me back to my father. That relationship is not ready to mend just yet. So Briarwoods main pub, Hoodoo's pub, is where I relax...and command.

Oh...I almost forgot. I wanted to mention a little more of that salty sailor I spoke about earlier. Capt. Amos is his name. Nobility to be sure. Yet he finds the sea a far better mistress than court. He's also a friend of the Bruce, though he's not afraid to charge the Bruce a little extra on the Rum...and on passage. The Captain and I have spent many a night drinking pints over at Hoodoo's pub. More often than not, we're dragging out those that couldn't hold their ale, when Holly and Ginger are looking to close for the night. Holly and Ginger work the place you see. As true gentlemen, the Captain and I have oft walked the two home. In the name of safety you know. ;)

Bless you Captain! When the Sea returns you, we'll continue where we left off.

I'll scribe again soon.  You must hear about the women of Briarwood!  Until then...Safe journeys. 

LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN!

It is March 2007.  The spring breeze will soon announce itself to the glee of all!  The time to shed the lambskins approach, and escape into the lands for glorious adventuring (and of course...wenching)!  Time to shake off the wintery staleness and boredom and prepare to stretch your legs; to listen to lively music and drink the finest of ales!

In times past, I would trudge from village to village...enjoying an multitude of delights and beauty.  Cheering at the joust for the knight I have wagered coin upon, and ending the evenings in the arms the most beautiful and willing of wenches.

Ah, but last season changed all!  I have found shelter and friend of a different nature.  True, they have been.  Welcoming and full of vibrant energy.  This banished Lord has found solace and friendship, in a small village named....Briarwood!   This village captivated my every sense and desire!  Meade, Mistresses and Minstrels!  Games of skill and bravery!  Wares of the finest to be had!  Even those that live in the muck and mire will entertain!

Last season, I could not briefly stay at Briarwood.  I stayed the entire season!  And this season...I shall do it again!  All winter long I have dreamed of the little village, and it's inhabitants that have stolen my heart.  Even Robert the Bruce settles in to Briarwood!  LONG LIVE THE BRUCE!

So those of you that have traveled to my encampment, know thee this...

Here the trees provide you with shade and calm; the land will feed you well if your bow is true; and the spring nearby will quench your thirst and wash clean the road from your feet.  But I beg thee...don't stop here to revive your soul. Trudge a little while longer to Briarwood...to forget all your troubles and to remember how to LIVE!.

Lord Hendo of Blackburn