In wind-swept Isles

Lorccan hua Conchobair
fallen in Spring Crown Tourney, A.S. XLII

In wind-swept Isles, as seagulls screamed and wheeled,
at Springtime’s height, brave Lorccan took the field
and stood before his Monarchs and the crowd
prepared to win or die - for he had vowed
he’d hazard life itself in battle’s game
for honor and Sviatoslava’s fame.

So, armed and ready, at the herald’s call,
he strode across the field to face Jamal.
He fiercely pressed this first chivalric foe,
resolved to win the bout and lay him low,
but though bold Lorccan fought both hard and well
Jamal prevailed, and Lorccan, wounded, fell.

Though bested by Jamal and hurt full sore
brave Lorccan turned and sought the field once more.
The foeman’s sword had bitten deep and true,
but Lorccan’s strength and valor saw him through;
Mansur and Dante reeled and fell, dismayed,
beneath the bloodied edge of Lorccan’s blade.

But honor, valor, strength and skill alone
are not enough to guarantee a Throne,
for destiny and luck must both befriend
the one who’d stand as Prince at battle’s end -
and destiny and luck, this somber day,
both chose to turn their smiles another way.

Sviatoslava’s champion strode out,
despite his wounds, to fight another bout.
But gallant Lorccan’s losing die was cast;
the foe he faced would prove to be his last,
and mighty Edward, Edric’s destined Heir,
confronting Lorccan, struck and slew him there.

Alas! Brave Lorccan lies among the slain -
and yet, the Throne and Crown he sought in vain
are not the only or the best reward
of those who tread the pathway of the sword:
in death, he claims and keeps the brighter Crown
of lasting glory, honor and renown.

— Mistress Fionnabhair Kyriath Inghean ui Neil

... An expatriate Irishwoman living in the Low Countries. She strenuously denies the rumor that she owns stock in the word “and.”

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