This year’s regional archery muster, held at the castle of Sir Byron and Sir Ariella, drew a small but enthusiastic group of archers and throwers. Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope reports on the activities there.

The weather was lovely with warm temperatures, light breezes, and just enough overcast to keep the sun out of the archers’ eyes. The day began with bowmen testing themselves against the Gwyntarian Winter Challenge at the lower level of the castle, while weapons were being thrown on the driveway in front of the castle.

After a pot luck lunch with drinks provided by our hosts, the main action moved up to the parapets, where archers shot at an array of inventive targets provided by THLord Deryk the Archer. This year’s novelty targets featured a pirate theme, with doubloons, ships, ghosts, kegs of ale, and shipboard rats. The ghost and a whale moved (thanks to assistants pulling them along on a rope) to provide extra challenges.

In the Great Hall, a table of items donated by gentles of the Debatable Lands was offered in a silent auction to benefit the Barony-Marche. The auction, run by THLady Elss of Augsburg and Baroness Elizabeth Arrowsmyth, netted $170.

Their Excellencies, Byron and Ariella, were also pleased to welcome a visitor from the soon-to-be-Kingdom of Avacal, Lord Peregrine Falconer, who was in the Debatable Lands on business and attended the muster after reading about the castle in the Gazette.

The organizer of the muster, Master Urho Waltterinen, looks forward to running it again next year.