Bitterwaters War XVII/1983

The year of the Burning Cross.

See also: Bitterwaters True Cross

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(A series of "keeper" postings from the Lions Gate e-mail list, posted Aug 2006.)

I can't recall which year it was, but I do remember it. I think between 1984-1989. Most likely '85 or '86?

The morning after waking up in my collapsed pup-tent (the same locals had kicked the tent-pole in half), as we sleepily started gathering around the smouldering camp fire where the cross had been tossed. We were listening to the stories of certain fighters who had chased the cross-burning locals around in the middle of the night, and discussing that we weren't to carry our rattan swords in a situation like that (lethal weapons, in trained hands...)

Father Christopher stepped into the embers and began whittling at the charred wood. When we asked him what on earth he was doing, he jumped up with something in his raised hand and exclaimed loudly "it's wood of the True Cross!"

I still have my piece, kept with my war tokens.

Regards,
Master Angantyr Hjalmsmithr
known at that time as Richard of Broadmeadow (or maybe even Tybalt of Broadmeadow, if it was early enough)

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I remember that night. I was one of the few awake at the campfire who saw the fire.

We thought that someone's tent had caught fire down in the lower part of the field. Only the cross piece was burning. We sprinted down the field to help and were, needless to say, surprised at what we found. We heard the a vehicle drive quickly away from the road below.

We knock it [the cross] over and put out the fire.

There were, as I remember, three of us who stayed up the rest of the night on watch. If people were willing to put up a burning cross, we did not want to think what else they might do. So we stayed awake until daylight and people started getting up.

Running down a field and finding a burning cross; Best cure for feeling drunk and tried I have ever found, but would not recommend to anyone. :)

My first Bitterwaters War was AS 17. This was one or two years later as I remember, making it 1983, or 84?

Yes I still have my piece of that 'one true cross' also.

Lord Frederick von Zwickau,

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I am sure it was 1983, and yes I still have my piece of the true cross. Fujiwara was Constable in those days, I know that Sunjan lurks here from time to time, perhaps she can see if he has recollections?

I had just gone to my tent and was just about asleep when the yahoos knocked part of it down. I remember seeing their sign and "warning note" the next morning, "Salt Sprig (sic) Island Warlords strike again you fagits (sic). If the poor idiots only knew what fear they DIDN"T strike into our hearts! ;-)

Colin Mackay of Balmaghie

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I believe it was Bitter Waters 3. A very wet event. We made hot drinks for the waterbearers...

Meresigha