Journal of Maestro Táriq ibn Jelal ibn Ziyadatallah al-Naysábúrí
Maestro ibn Jelal did institute the Challenge as the Premier Ring Bearer, with the challenge being issued to Lochac on the 16th February, AS LII (2018).
On the 17th of February, AS LII (2018), Maestro ibn Jelal did journey to the hunting grounds of the Burley Griffin, to join in the festivities of the Sweet Valentines tournaments. Upon his arrival he was immediately stalked by two Valkyries, seeking to challenge for the Iron Ring. Due to the high heat, it was decided that only the single mandatory challenge would be met that day. Thus Maestro ibn Jelal called for all who wished to place challenge to come forward, and the two Valkyries were the only ones to stand challenge. Duchess Liadan ingen Fheradaig and Lady Amanda Martel were thus sent to determine by combat who would have the right to issue the premier challenge to the Ring Bearer of Lochac. The matter was decided with 5 very hard fought passes in single rapier with Lady Amanda securing the right to challenge, winning the passes by 3 bouts to 2. She did then proceed to challenge Maestro ibn Jelal for the Iron Ring of Lochac, nominating rapier and flag, single rapier and rapier and dagger as her challenge forms. The challenge proceeded, with Maestro ibn Jelal winning rapier and flag with 3 bouts to 1 and 1 double kill. This was followed by single rapier which Maestro ibn Jelal won 4 bouts to 1. The last form of rapier and dagger was also fought, in which Maestro ibn Jelal proved marginally superior with 2 bouts to 1 and 2 double kills. The Lady Amanda thanked Maestro ibn Jelal for accepting her challenge, and declared herself satisfied, having secured more touches on the Maestro than she had ever been able to previously achieve. Thus did Maestro ibn Jelal succeed in retaining the Iron Ring of Lochac.
On the 23rd of February, AS LII (2018), Maestro ibn Jelal did journey to Borderscross, as part of the forces of the North for Border War XX. He did join with the war band of his home Shire of Dismal Fogs as one of their champions. The high heat, and exhaustive teaching provided on the 24th of February meant that none felt fit to challenge for the Iron Ring that day, and Maestro ibn Jelal retired sad and unchallenged. On the 25th February, another of the Valkyries of Politarchopolis was the sole fencer with the fortitude and will to brave the elements and challenge for the Iron Ring, proving once again that the female of the species is a far tougher breed. Thus did Lady Merione French challenge Maestro ibn Jelal for the Iron Ring of Lochac, nominating rapier and cane, rapier and buckler, and rapier and dagger as her challenge forms. The challenge proceeded under the watchful gaze of her lazier shipmates from the Red Griffin, with Don Lorccan Ruadh presiding over the challenge. Maestro ibn Jelal did take the first form of rapier and cane 4 bouts to 1, followed by the 2nd form of rapier and buckler which Maestro ibn Jelal also took with 3 wins, and 2 double kills. The final form of rapier and dagger was fought with grace and vigour, with again Maestro ibn Jelal taking the form 4 bouts to 1. Lady Merione French retired satisfied, pleased at having risen to the challenge, and enjoying her bouts immensely. The Maestro thus once again retained the Iron Ring of Lochac, and thanked the challenger for the excellent warm up to the day’s tourney, which he then proceeded to win as undefeated champion.
On the 10th of March, AS LII (2018), Maestro ibn Jelal did journey to the far southern waters of the Shire of Adora for the for the Tournament by the Sea. He did receive challenge from Stategos Ariston, in the forms of rapier and buckler, single rapier and rapier and dagger. Once more the challenge was accepted, and proceeded under the watchful eye of Don Lorcan Ruadh. The challenge was mighty, and extremely hard fought. Maestro ibn Jelal did secure victory in the first form of rapier and buckler, winning 3 bouts to 2. The second form was won by Strategos Ariston, with 3 bouts to ibn Jelal’s single bout, and one double kill, making this the first form to have been lost by Maestro ibn Jelal in his role as Ring Bearer. Strategos Ariston also took the third form, winning 3 bouts to ibn Jelal’s 2 bouts. Maestro ibn Jelal congratulated the Strategos on his prowess, noting he almost succeeded in securing the Iron Ring. However Maestro ibn Jelal has retained the Iron Ring by the narrowest of margins since Ariston did not secure victory in all 3 forms as required by the rules of the Challenge. Thus was Strategos Ariston declared highly dangerous, and in firm alchemical traditions awarded the skull and crossbones belt plaque in recognition of taking a form from the Ring Bearer, and the imminent danger he presents to all fencers. Thus did the old pride of Persia repel the challenge of the young mighty force from Macedonia!
On the 19th & 20th of May, AS LIII (2018), Maestro ibn Jelal did journey to Ynys Fawr to teach at a Little Bit of Rapier. He was unchallenged throughout the course of the event, and returned home with the Iron Ring to await future challenges.
On the 28th of July, AS LIII (2018), Maestro ibn Jelal did journey to Stowe-on-the-Wold, to support the fencing activities at Stowe Newcomers. Despite the presence of a dozen fencers and taking to the field in poor health, he remained unchallenged for the Iron Ring, returning home disappointed that none would rise to the challenge.
On the 1st of December, AS LIII (2018), Maestro ibn Jelal did journey to Politarchopolis for Fields of Gold. Feeling full of confidence, and possibly high on the excitement of successfully passing his Journeyman’s Prize, Christopher of the Red Shirt did issue challenge for the Iron Ring of Lochac, nominating rapier and dagger, rapier and buckler, and single rapier as the forms for the Challenge. Maestro ibn Jelal did readily agree to test the mettle of his sometime student. The challenge was presided over by Guildmistress Juliana de Northwood, who was keen to see the skill that her student could bring to the field, and possibly to take the ring from her husband. The challenge began in rapier and dagger, with Christopher to the surprise of all taking the first pass, followed by a double touch in the second pass. Maestro ibn Jelal then rallied, taking the next 3 passes to secure the victory in the first form. The second form of rapier and buckler was extremely hard fought, with Christopher and Maestro ibn Jelal taking two passes a piece, and doubling on the fifth. A sixth pass was played, which again resulted in a double touch, forcing a seventh pass which Christopher managed to win in a hard gritty bout, securing victory in the form. The challenge concluded with single rapier, which Maestro ibn Jelal won with 3 wins, and two double touches. Even though Christopher was unsuccessful in his bid to secure the Iron Ring, he did push the Maestro hard forcing him to play the old age and treachery card against his sometime student. Having taken the second form, Christopher of the Red Shirt has been declared highly dangerous, and in firm alchemical traditions awarded the skull and crossbones belt plaque in recognition of taking a form from the Ring Bearer, and the imminent danger he presents to all fencers. Maestro ibn Jelal gratefully retired retaining the Iron Ring, having once again proved that all who wear a red shirt in battle are sure to die!
On the 18th April, AS LIII (2019), Maestro ibn Jelal did journey to Rowany Festival in search of suitable challengers for the Iron Ring of Lochac. With much trepidation, but full of determination to completely test himself, Lord Seumas Mac Thorsten, a Free Scholar from the Barony of Stormhold did challenge the Maestro for the Iron Ring of Lochac, nominating single sword, sword and dagger, and sword and buckler as the forms to be fought for the challenge. Lord Seamus stunned all present, including most especially himself, by taking the first form of single sword most convincingly winning 4 passes to ibn Jelal’s 1 pass.
The second form of sword and dagger finished the first 5 passes with 2 wins a piece and the last pass as a double. After some discussion as neither party, nor any spectator, could remember the exact wording of the rules for the Challenge, it was decided to replay the double until there was a clear victor for the final pass. This was promptly followed by another two double kills, and it wasn’t until the third refight that Seamus emerged as clear victor with a kill, whilst receiving only an arm wound from ibn Jelal, giving Seamus victory in the second form.
The third form then commenced with a win a piece, then a double, followed by a win from ibn Jelal and Seamus clawing back victory on the 5th pass to once again finish in a tied form. The previous rules were implemented, and the first refight again ended in a double kill. The pair once more formed up and Seamus again placed a clean killing shot on ibn Jelal to take the 3rd and final form of the Challenge. Thus did Maestro ibn Jelal declare that the challenge had been played and Lord Seumas Mac Thorsten was successful in his bid to become the Second Bearer of the Iron Ring of Lochac.
The Ring Bearer is dead, Long Live the Bearer of the Iron Ring of Lochac.
Thus concludes the journal of Maestro ibn Jelal, Premier Bearer of the Iron Ring of Lochac, who held the ring for a respectable 426 days from the time he announced the Challenge.
In recognition of his time as ring bearer, Maestro ibn Jelal was awarded a silver star to wear proudly so that all may know his prowess.
The Chronicle continues in the Journal of the Second Bearer of the Iron Ring of Lochac.