Sit good stranger, warm yourself by my campfire. You have traveled far to reach me now listen to the few tales I have to tell. Briefly let me enchant you with an overview of war, then I will tell you of my experiences.

Being at War is like being transported back in time, you truly do "Live the Dream", that dream being a time and place where the true ideals of Chivalry live on in you and those around you.

    In order to more fully explain the experience of going to a war let me take on a journey through what are to me some of the most spectacular memories I have of my short time in the SCA.

    My first war experience was one I wouldn't trade for the world. I rode about 13 hours with a guy that I had corresponded with over e-mail and had met in person only a few times.  By the time we got to the war we knew each other's life histories.  I didn't see him much at the war, after all once you spend 13 hours straight with a person you need a break. I showed up and had no idea where I would be sleeping!  It's very comforting to know there are still places and people in this world where you can go and stay with and not know until you are preparing for bed where you are staying, things are much less stressful this way.  I was informed that my space had been used to set up Their Royal Highnesses camp, including themselves and their retinue and so I would be sleeping in a pavilion with one of the members of the retinue, whom I knew well enough to trust,(not that there many people in the SCA that in a pinch I wouldn't trust).  I was on site all of probably 20 minutes before I had a frosty beverage in my hand and was relaxing under the Kingdom pavilion.

    I got a few hours of sleep then was up with the army for muster.   A Calontir Army muster is really something to EXPERIENCE. I will none the less try to put the experience into words.

    The Army began it's muster by what else but getting in their armor, at the same time the trusty waterbearers made sure that they have enough water and that all the jugs have been properly washed.  Once the army, waterbearers and of course The Crown were ready, those who know the tunes began singing army songs.   We sang one at camp to get in the spirit and in the "key of army" and begin our march to the battlefield.  This was the most incredible of all for me. I fell into a large warm fuzzy and up until the third day did not notice the people who were eating at the merchant area watching and listening as we marched by! After a few morning musters I started to realize what Calontir is really like, a big home! No matter where we go, how far we travel from our mundane homes, if you are with Calontiri you are truly at home.

        Another memory that warms my heart is that   of watching the mass of purple tabors fight to their hearts' content.    Our army fights with such honor, and joy that you cannot help but feel it as you watch them.  Our army is very well know as being fun to fight for, with, and against, I can't even count anymore the number of times I have been around or over heard fighters talking about how much fun the Calontir army is to be around.  I have numerous times in my short war career been told  wonderful heart warming stories of our army both on and off the field.

           At Lilies War XII I was authorized to fight and though I only got to fight in two battles., I had a blast! I wouldn't even consider not fighting at a war, except for Pennsic which will always be my lazy vacation and party war.  I can't wait until next year when I can go to Gulf Wars and hopefully get to jump the wall!  I can't imagine a more exhilarating experience then fighting a person on the field of battle then seeing them at a party later that night and having a beer and exchanging stories and/or shots.

    Other magical moments of a war include walking through encampments at night light by torches.  There is something very magical about walking around at night with 25 people, most of whom you just met, past camps where all you hear is joyous laughter of an evening well enjoyed and stopping every so often to refill your mug at an encampment where you meet many more people who love "The Dream" just as much as you love it.

    Having now been to two Lilies, two Pennsics, and two Gulf Wars I would like to share some more war experiences with you.  No two wars are the same, but all are awe inspiring to me.

Lilies to me is the ultimate war, you party all night get up around noon go to the lake, fight and do it all over again. Lilies 12 was enduring to say the least. But I think it taught us all a lesson about the SCA. There were many storms during the week but one which ripped the camp apart. Ruining some pavilions, damaging many more, but once it was all said and done everyone had a place to stay, and had made a few more friends. It wasn't much fun living through it but it has made so many heart warming stories that I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.

      This years Pennsic was very interesting for me. I was in charge of the Calontir waterbearing efforts, which was  a first for me.  It was very rewarding and really not all that much work. Thanks to everyone that helped make that statement true.  One of my foundest memories of Pennsic XXVII was when Sato stopped and asked me it he had "found" me yet. To which I answered "I don't know have you?" He then reached into a pouch he was carrying and pulled out a red leather thong and began to explain how he had crafted replica coins to hand out to all waterbearers just to say "Thank you".  That one gestured touched me very much. As did the lovely gift of a beautiful Celtic knotwork necklace given for the same reasons by Lord Conrad Martin Von Kessel.  Then there were the nights roaming with friends and family of the fair lands we call Calontir!  Walking past campsites light by tiki torches, with Their Royal Majesties Valens and Susannah leading the way. One night we stopped at the food court to get a few bits to eat, once we had all eaten we began to sing. We sang the traditional Calontir songs like " A Grazing Mace", "Under the Shield Wall" etc.

I recently returned from the far away lands of Meridies for their hosting of Gulf Wars VIII. This makes my second pilgrimage there. This was much like Lilies12. We quite the road Thursday, tired and cramped. The weather was beautiful that day and the men napped, armored up and fought. As we women went to see what wares were available to buy. After assessing the merchant situation we went to watch our boys with pride. This year Calontir was a force to be reckoned with doing their job well. Being the first day on site we decided to hit midnight madness and retreat to the tent early to rest for the adventures that laid ahead of us. We awoke to the sounds of rain and kept sheltered in the tent for what seemed like hours. Eventually I couldn't take it anymore and ventured out to see what the day might offer. Rain seemed to be the only answer and once we had quite a gathering in Camber and Ali's tent we began drinking "for medicinal purposes only" because there was still fighting to partake in. Then the dreaded news the war was cancelled. All official battles had been cancelled and many continued to pack up and leave. Many Calontiri were just arriving at this point since, it seemed unlikely that this pavilion shaped piece of battle field would be used, we unpacked the Royal Pavilion and called for aid. "Calontir set up your living room" was the cry we heard. It was still pouring down rain so we were not being perfectionist about it. The pavilion went up slightly crooked but it went up. By this point many had left for the uncharted land of New Orleans. The rest of us began quenching our thirst in earnest and manufactured our own fun. We watched in awe as people packed up to leave and as some watched us in awe that we were staying. The revelry lasted well into the night, it eventually stopped raining. Only to begin the rain again as we packed our things to return home. We stopped in the Barony of Grey Niche for an overnight stay and then continued home on Sunday. Despite all the problems we still had a great time.

        Well, this is where I should   end this brief journey through my memories. I would like to end by  saying    "Go to War good friends all, go to war."

Live the dream always,

Sayidda Jahanara bint Orianna