December 2002


Ladies and Gentlemen of the Winter Warlord Tournament of 2002,

Wear armor.

If I could offer you only one tip for this tournament, armor would be it.

The long-term benefits of armor have been proven in battle, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice.... now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your chix0rz. Well nevermind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your women until they are gone. But trust me, in 20 years, you 'll back at photos of those hot babes and recall in a way you can't grasp now, how much possibility lay before you, and how fabulous they really looked. She is not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the title. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to explain to BRK that swords are better than fists. The real trouble with winning the tourny is that you never know who you're going to face, the matchups will blindside you unexpectedly like a Mack truck on some idle Tuesday. Fight one person every week that scares you.

Slash.

Don't be reckless with other people's weapons. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Dis.

Don't waste your time with posturing. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long. But in the end, there can be only one.

Remember compliments you recieve. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old trophies. Throw away your old betting forms.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you'd do with the Overlord mantle. The most interesting Overlords I know didn't know what they wanted to do with the title when they won it, the current Overlord still doesn't have a clue what he's doing.

Get plenty of alcohol.

Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they get cut down.

Maybe you'll have good luck, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll go 0-2, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll go 40 rounds and lose, Maybe you'll dance a victory jiggle in the ring after 75 victories. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid to dive for that point, or what others may think when your kilt flaps up in the wind. It's the greatest weapon you'll ever use.

Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but the middle of the ring.

Read the Insider, even if you don't duel in TDL.

Do not read Tao's articles or my roundups, they only make me look brutal.

Get to know your callers. You never know when they'll be up for a bribe.

Be nice to other duelists. They're your best link to the Arena and the people most likely to stick you in the future.

Understand that wins come and go, but with a precious few, you should gloat. Work hard to bridge the gaps in records and standings, because the older you get, the more you need the bragging rights you had when you were young.

Live in Rhydin once, but leave before it makes you pregnant. Live in New Caithness once, but leave before Ian can collect too many taxes from you.

High Cut.

Accept certain inalienable truths. G's head is huge, Elle will sleep with anyone, and you too will lose. And when you do, you'll fantasize that while you were still in it, the callers were biased, Elle would sleep with you, and new duelists respected the old-schoolers.

Respect your new duelists.

Don't expect anyone else to win. Maybe they have a good record, maybe they've won it before. But you never know when luck will be a whore.

Don't mess too much with the serving lads, or by this time next year, you'll have to fetch your own damn drink.

Be careful who's ward you trust. But, be patient with those who supply it. The ward is a tool of violence and healing, using it is like sticking your hand into a garbage disposal. You never know who will come along and flip the power switch or when.

So trust me on the armor.



----------=Thorn=----------

A pair of letters

Greetings Topaz,
Mi'lady, I have been gone for quite some time, I know, but in this following week I shall be returning to battle in the arena once again. Though the letters scribbled upon this parchment are most likely alien to you when you see my face you shall once again remember who it is that I am. To give you but a hint I shall refresh your memory. I am an old friend of yours, a bit flirtatious mind you, but a friend none the less. Perhaps you remember the armor that I had worn. Midnight-blue plate armor with black and gold ivy inlaid into the metal. Perhaps maybe the name of my lost and broken sword will bring the memories flooding back, or perhaps the one I used at other times. Crysomer and Valinor. If still you do not know me then send missive back to me. In this missive please tell me when the Duel of Swords will meet next and at what time I should present myself to you in the Arena. I shall end this letter with the hope that I shall see you soon, for you have been in my mind through my ordeals most of every day. For when we gaze upon each other once more.
Arrisian Kyle-Caltarr
Lord of Norminglade


Baroness Topaz,
You do me honor with your words. Though I have many things to do since my recent return, I will do my best to come and spectate your match of teams this Thursday night. I wish Atrabla luck if I am unable to attend. Now on to more matters, relating to the change of name and fortune. I must ask that you tell no one that I am the same man of Martafan Illusian Faxfallen or as I was more commonly known as Daryl Kyle. I will be more than happy to explain this request when we have time to sit and to talk to each other.
With Hopes of Thursday,
Arrisian Kyle-Caltarr
Lord of Norminglade

From the History of the 9th Ring

Intending to mark Tinuviel's upcoming one-year anniversary as Baroness of the Ninth, Warlord Topaz Eludes issued challenge as a friend to a friend. Out of respect for that intent, the Baroness requested Overlord Dalamar not defend her in this instance. The match went twelve long rounds, with Topaz taking an early, strong lead and maintaining it throughout to win 5-3.

Topaz Eludes (6/21/98 - 7/22/98)
First to challenge the new Baroness was Lupton est Dracoern, long-standing Warlord and previous Baron of the Fourth ring. In eight hard-fought and bloody rounds, the Baroness was only able to tie Lupton's score once, and in the end he became the new Baron of the Ninth with a 5 -3 victory.

M'lady Topaz,
Tis an honor to have received your invitation. I congratulate you on your upcoming challenge, and wish you luck. Currently, I have no conflicting appointments and I would love to be in your corner on the night in contention. However, as I am sure you are aware of, I have much to watch over and may be so unfortunate as to be unable to make it. Again, I wish you well, and I hope to watch what will surely be a victorious celebration.
Sincerely,
~Melgarth Mithmellon
~House Phoenix

Dear Topaz,
I accept your invitation and shall see you then at the Annex on December 4th at the 10th hour by the Rhydin clock. In the unfortunate situation in which the weather is bad and my transportation cut off I wish you the best of luck.
Your Dearest Friend
Michelle Montoya

I shall most certainly try to attend, if my schedule permits. If not, I wish you the best of luck in your challenge, and almost certainly an early congratulations.
Warmest regards,
-Rix

Jerry Slade, week 4: Can an article or blurb about Atrebla even be written this season without mentioning the loss during the off-season of former captain, Gloria Blaze? While league experts knew that losing the team?s MVP and captain would hurt, I believe everybody has been shocked by just how badly it has hurt. Unfortunately, for Atrebla fans, I don?t see them turning around a bad season this week either. Despite winning in the first two weeks right out of the gate, The League of Extraordinary was still not considered a contender by many. However, after their win against MRC last week, it?s impossible for any team to take them lightly (despite their many mentions in Note the Quotes) any longer.
Marvin Tinoosh will take his record to 3-0 with a win over Wulfson while that little spicy Topaz evens things out by getting a win over somebody named Wooah. Jake and Zoogma will take down Mathias and Laelyan respectfully. The final duel, Rose against Michelle, is a toss-up. It doesn't matter, however, as TDL's top contender for weirdest duelers of the season will roll over last year's TDL Cup winners in a 3-2 or 4-1 victory.
Jerry Slade, week 4 round up: I am certainly no prophet as my predictions for Week 4 proved. These two teams were much more evenly matched than I predicted. Atrebla went on the road, and despite losing, really put up a tough fight against one of the top teams in the league. Wulfson and Michelle both got wins for Atrebla and Laelyan came very close to completing a comeback which could have given the League their first loss of the season.
Quite clearly Atrebla is not going to win the TDL Cup this season or even the division for that matter. Tormay is not the duelist that his mother is and even Topaz does not seem to be the duelist that she once was. However, Atrebla did show some signs of life this past week to keep a small sliver of hope alive for Atrebla fans. LXD fans don't need that small sliver. Week in and week out, the League of Extraordinary Duelists has gone out and dominated their competition. Teams, such as WRC and CDR, who thought their only real competition for the Cup would come from within the Metal Conference are now keeping a wary eye on the Amethyst Division.

Ms. Topaz,
My son, Ryan, has come down with a nasty stomach virus. I don't feel comfortable leaving him alone tonight. I'm very sorry about this. Perhaps we can reschedule.
- Jerry

Lakes

Were we like lakes
ensconced in wooded vale
to seek a surface free
of rippled thought

And there reflect
the beauty of the dale
surrendering
tranquility for naught

Then we should sense
the beauty of the skies
and all the clouds
that loft above the earth

And they should be
reflected in our eyes
and we by that
reflection should gain worth

(Unknown)

Dex Eulogy by Keirin Moonwalker

Some of you don't know me, but I met Dex shortly after I came to Rhy'Din. He asked for my help when Lady Topaz was captured, and helped to make me feel like someone to be trusted. I would like to take a few moments to tell about Dex's achievements.

Condextint "Dexter" Montoya came to Rhy'Din many years ago. He settled near what is now known as the Atreblian valley with his wife and family. He left his homeland of Krondor, seeking a better life for himself and his family. Dex was, to many, an enigma. Someone they have heard of, but have never known. It is with the most profound pride that I stand before you today and tell you: I knew Dexter Montoya as both friend and mentor. He was the most honorable man I have ever met.

Dex challenged for his first Barony in the Duel of Swords several years ago. He lost his challenge to the Baron of the First Ring Ford Prefect in a brutal thirteen round duel, but did not give up on his quest for stewardship of a Ring.

Less than a year after his failed attempt at a ring, Dex finally realized the first of his dreams. Dex issued a challenge to then-Baron Tarl Cabot. Dex defeated the Overlord, who interceded for his Loyal Baron, and then went on to defeat the Baron himself for stewardship of the 8th Ring of Swords.

What truly separated Dexter from all other holders of this ring was his ability to hold onto it past his first challenge. Walker Boh was the challenger, but the Warlord's blade never left a mark on the Baron. Dexter shut out the challenger in 8 rounds in an impressive first defense of both the ring itself and his right to wear it.

Dexter made his second defense against former holder of this ring Raiyko Hideo. Something of an anniversary challenge for Raiyko, though in this challenge he actually got to face his opponent in the ring. A relatively short duel, it ended in 8 rounds with Dexter on top, 5-3.

Dex lost the ring not long after to former Overlord Daegarth Mithmellon, recently returned after a long absence from the rings. The duel lasted 13 rounds, with Daegarth winning 5 - 3.

Dex was not content to simply rest on his laurels, however. He took to the Duel of Magic and of Fists with equal fervor. Dex was the 30th ArchMage of the Duel of Magic, and the 13th Diamond of Fists, as well as being the 4th holder of Moonberryl, the Yellow Opal of Fists. Not long after his reign as the Diamond of Fists, Dex returned to the Duel of Swords to press a challenge to then-Overlord Cristian de Oro. Dex was successful in his challenge, and became the 31st Overlord of Swords. Dex held this title for nearly a month, successfully defending his right to the Crown against the Baron of the Third, Jaycynda Ashleana.

Just this past November, Dex added to his achievements when he won the right to wear the 12th Baron's Ring by virtue of a most impressive performance in the Warlord's Tourney, Dex wore this ring proudly until just before his death. Dex lost the 12th Ring's Stewardship to Roland on only moments before his death.

Dex was not only interested in the Duels, however. Dex was a charter member of the Guardians of Truth. He served in several posts with the Guardians. He served as the first Lord of Arms of the Guardians, and then as the Magi of Truth. When Le Amon fell sick, Dex was asked to accept the post of Grand Marshall. He served in this post until his retirement from active service to the Guardians. Dex eventually took a position as Advisor to the Guardians after his retirement.

During his tenure with the Guardians, Dex taught at the School of Dueling and eventually founded what is now House Atrebla.

It was my greatest honor and privilege to be counted among Dex's friends. He showed me how to live with honor and pride. Dex was a great man, and I pray the Shadows will guide his eternal soul to his eternal rest.


Dex Eulogy by Cassius

I didn't have a speech ready, so I'll shoot from the hip... Dexter Montoya touched the lives of everyone here. And frankly, someone like him comes along maybe once a lifetime. As Keirin stated, his prowess in the rings needs no introduction. First man to hold the Triple Crown. First Baron of the 8th to defend the ring. First to win a tournament in all three of the sports. I could go on and on....but...that is what the historians will remember Dexter by. I would rather remember him for the patience he showed a newcomer to the Arenas, for his compassion and kindness, for his always having an ear open.

I considered this man my friend. This...this is a tragedy. I dedicate my reign as Archmage to his memory, and wherever he is, it is surely brighter and richer for his presence. Thank you.

Vision

I am getting up and out
I pause to close the door
It is red, bright red
And higher up than normal
A Jeep Cherokee

I look up and over
I see cars and people
I see a black car
It is a hearse
I was looking for it

I step onto softer ground
Grass perhaps
Someone walks beside me
I do not not know who
It doesn?t matter

I walk slowly
A little up
A little down
The grade is soft
Barely noticeable

A hole is in front of me
I stop
It is an open grave
I look inside
It is empty

I see rows of chairs
Through a black haze
Only two are empty
On in the first row
One in the second row

People sit on the chairs
And stand about
Some of the faces
Are vaguely familiar
Others are not

I do not want to see them
I look down
I see black shoes
Shiny black shoes
They are mine

My feet are in them
Covered in dark black
I didn?t know
Pantyhose could be this dark
I see the seam of a black skirt

Grass is around my shoes
The blades are green and short
Thin threads at angles between
Dried dead grass
Nearly white

The grass is sparse
I can see the ground
Under the blades
It is brown
Dark brown

An arm around my shoulders
As if to hold me up
I don?t know who?s
I don?t need it
I stand straight and stiff

I look into the hole
I see the lid of a coffin
A clump of dirt lies on it
And a few crumbs
They should not be there

I hear voices
But not words
I don?t want to hear them
I look down again
Now there is only one voice

Breathing
I should breathe
I know how, don?t I?
It is easy
In, out, out

No, in again first
Then out
Again
Good
I can do that

Flowers are in my hand
Roses, pale pink
I tighten my grip around the stems
I can feel the thorns
They are large

I am supposed to do something
I don?t know what
I tighten my grip yet more
My palm feels warm
I like feeling

My eyes are burning
But there are no tears
I am empty
Me feet are moving
Someone is leading me away

I see a flower standing by itself
It looks like a small daisy
But the colors are wrong
Yellow, narrow petals
With a very pink center

I see stones
Gray headstones
A white marker
A polished black marble slab
And grass

There are flowers, too
Cheery pink and yellow
They are too bright
I step from the grass
Onto a sidewalk

I see a stripe of black tar
Beyond the light sidewalk
The step of a car
A different car
The door opens

A dark grey seat
I am expected to sit on it
I sit down
The door closes
I look down

I see black shoes
My shoes
On a dark gray mat
Above them a stripe of gray
Part of the glove box

I hear a voice
But not the words
It is soft
An arm reaches over
Pulls a seat belt over me

Forward movement
I don?t look up
My hands lie in my lap
Not folded, just there
Are they my hands?

Something is wrong
The hands look so young
I feel so old
Something feels hot
It?s inside the right fist.

The forward movement stopped
I don?t look up
I hear a voice
But not the words
It is soft

The voice is to the right
That seems odd
Someone leans over me
Obstructing my view
The seat belt is gone

I get up and out
I walk down a path
The light grey tiles are small
Shorter than my shoes
That seems strange

I walk up some steps
One, two, three I count
I pause
There is a door
The door opens

I step inside
Onto clean carpet
The carpet is brown
Not my carpet
I stand there

A glass is pressed into my hand
My fingers are being curled around it
I do not see by whom
The glass is cool against my palm
I wonder at that

The glass is lifted to my lips
I am not doing that
I am watching
Sunlight catches in the clear liquid
Coloring the glass

White and some light blues
A little pale gold
It seems familiar
It should remind me of something
But I don?t know of what

I am led to a chair
I sit down
I see a table cloth
A sad shade of not white
Not my table cloth

I look down
Hands in my lap
They still look too young
Clean fingernails, calluses
How did they get there?

A bloth of shiny black
It spreads under those hands
On matted black
Someone opens the right fist
I see several shades of red

I didn?t know
Red came in so many shades
A white cloth moves over the reds
And turns brown
I wonder at that

I feel time pass
I see a with a white cloth
My vision adjusts
The cloth covers my palm
I wonder about that

I look down
The carpet is beige
My carpet
I look up
I see a light blue screen

I see four rectangles
I write a name into the first
It looks wrong
It is not the right name
I do not correct it

I leave the right field empty
And the one underneath
I stare at the big field
I type ?He died?
Just those two words

I stare at the screen
I feel time pass
The words are still there
And the wrong name
Yet it is right

The curser moves
Right and up
Onto an envelope
The rectangles are replaced
Your mail has been sent

I wonder about that
Two words are not mail
Will it get there
The name looked wrong
I stare at the line

Your mail has been sent
I see a face over the words
I know the face
It has a name
*******

I feel time has passed
I am standing on a low hill
I was looking into the distance
I do not know at what
I do not feel a breeze

The sky is light blue
Nearly white
Someone is standing next to me
I turned my head
I see dark curls

I lift my hand
I know what I will feel
Before I touch them
Soft, silky between my fingers
I wonder at that

I see strands of white
Amidst the dark hair
As it passes through my fingers
I like the feeling
I wonder at that

The face turns toward me
I know that face
It has a name
*******
My heart swells

More time has passed
I am lieing down
On something soft
I see a face above me
It smiles to me

Something touches me
It touches deep inside me
I feel I died
I feel I was born
I like it

I see a face
The face is so beautiful
I know that face
That face has a name
*******

(FH Aug. 2007)

That Quiet Place

Early in the morning
While the mist hovers lowly
And the dew's still on the grass blades
And the chill's still in the air

I walk down to the creek bank
And hear the morning bird songs
And wrap the peace around me
Like an old and favored shawl

I look off to the East
And see the sky a-pinking
(And orange and marooning)
And the clouds all lined in gold

The scent of moist earth rising
Redeems and refreshes
Soft breezes caressing your cheeks
Are soothing to your soul

In the enchantment of the moment
You half expect to see a fairy
Pirouetting on a mushroom
Arms spread wide in sheer delight

Or little flower children
Swaying and gently nodding
Keeping time to earth's own rhythm
We're too far gone to feel

Or gentle water nymphs
Dancing on silver sparkles
Leaping over rocks
And cart wheeling on the foam

Grace as in a tempel
Infuses each tree and flower
The Powers That Be have been here
And blessed it to be so

Come be with me in the morning
Be beside me at the dawning
Take my hand and know the fullness
The world tries so hard to take away

I can't wish away your worries
I can't smooth away the rough spots
But I can give you a refuge
I can share this peace with you



With appreciation and best wishes
From and by Linda Hurst