Beltane XLII a.s.

Spring is here and my House, my Tribe, celebrated it with several new beginnings. I can officially call it my Tribe now, I suppose, as I was accepted as a Fosterling. Niam Ingan Eoghanin, She Who Must Be Obeyed, stood up as my Foster Mother. Should all go well, and I don’t see why it won’t, I will be ‘Made’ a full member of tribe in a Year and a Day, on the Morning after Beltane. I will be granted a Torc by the Chieftain that day and declare my Tuatha (Warrior).

Niam’s own son was made a full member of Tribe that night. The Chieftain placed the torc around his neck as the whole Tribe watched by the firelight of the Beltane fires. Erik Mac Malcolm had served as a ward of the tribe for many years and he is the first Tribe member to choose to be Made without fostering for a year and a day.

Of course the big event that took place this Beltane was the handfasting of our own Thor Ulf Bjornson and Brighid ni Siun. After a week full of rain, the sky opened up on Saturday to bright blue Spring skies and the sun shone upon the gathered Tribe as Thour Ulf and Brigh were joined in marriage in a beautiful ceremony conducted by our own First Born, Malcolm.

Blackstone Raids. Or Not. Again.

This weekend the Dragon roared and Blackstone Mountain trembled. As warriors and their followers came from all over the Realm converged in the Eastern Mountain Range, I too had backed my parcel and, while not quite ready to wield my sword and shield with my brothers and sisters, I was ready to lead support. And shop, if at all possible.

Alas, ‘twas not to be. The veterinary healer announced on the very eve I was to leave that my faithful hound was ill and would need constant treatment and the administration of a certain costly potion in order to recover. So, instead of schlepping (that’s a period term, no?) the pooch across the hills and valleys, I remained on the ranch here at home. My thoughts, if not my annoying self, were with my comrades in the Barony and my new family in Tribe.

Malcom Mor spoke with me late last night before turning in at his own homestead and told me there was much taking of heads and bloodshed and that the Dragon was victorious.

Chaaaa!

And the puppy seems to be doing better as well.