What a season this has been, a year of hard work and dedication, training in the list every week, and putting the hours into the gym to best prepare for some of the biggest tournaments I have faced. Last weekend saw myself and my team travel to Pfaffen-Schwabenheim for the Eisenliga Way Of Honour tournament. Some of us drove, some of us flew, but we all met collectively to finish the season off as we started. I had already had a taste for bigger things when we fought at the Mercia Cup a few months before, we had the please of fighting our overseas sisters -Kivuttarett, Korventenn en Ermin, The Prague Vixens and our old friends Hellions from the UK. This was the most teams I had fought in one tournament, we went to three rounds for most fights but we eventually reigned victorious. Excitingly, we faced an even larger roster at the Way of Honour. We met with familiar friends The Prague Vixens, Korventenn and Hellions, and were joined by Helvete and the Blood Griffins! First fight in, the nerves are fluttering in my stomach as I strap my helmet on, we walk into the slippery list, saturated from the days rain and fighting before. The crowd is eager and show their appreciation with cheers and chanting. I look to my side to see my friends, my team, holding the line and ready to battle. I have complete trust and faith in them, this is where we show-case how hard we have worked and how much we trust one another. The marshal starts the fight, we advanced to a clattering of steel, the burning sparks from the strikes to my head linger in my nose, and the banging of shields rattles in my head. I look to my team, everyone is active, everyone is grappling, striking and before I know it, we have taken the round with all fighters left standing. This fight would set the precedent for us...every following fight was a different exhibition of mastery from my team, combined take-downs, blindsiding, trips, halberdiers crushing blows and big kicks to the chest! Every fight we were successful in our goal - we kept all our fights to two rounds, and with each victory the excitement and anticipation grew. Our final fight was with our good friends the Prague Vixens, a team of incredible fighters who took all our strength and determination to tackle in the last tournament. These would be our deciding fights. Could we keep a clean sheet? We hear 'START FIGHT!' and so we advance, tentatively, the two teams begin striking at one another, never breaking formation. This is it, now or never, as quick as a blink of an eye, our runner is through and the final battle begins. Fighters from each team begin to level the playing field with take-downs and trips. Displays of beautiful and cohesive team work ensures we get the number advantage and take the round! One more fight. One more fight and we have done it! We have so much support in the crowd, from friends and our UK support from the combined Primus and White Company men's teams. Confidently we begin our last fight, and what a wonderful fight it is, stamina, strength and determination from all of the women in the list makes this an exciting end, but like all good things, it did end. And Cygnus reigned victorious once again. Fist bumps, hugs and high fives were exchanged, never has your competitor been your biggest supporter other than in buhurt. But, we hadn't finished yet, who could forget the sheer chaos and carnage of the 12v12 category, such a successful tournament attracted enough women that we were able to field two teams of eleven fighters! Another first for me! I have fought in mass battles,but typically we have only ever managed to facilitate an 8v8. Team UK formed an alliance, the ferocious 'Hellswans' saw Swords of Cygnus and Hellions unite to fight a mixed team comprising of fighters from the other teams. Mass battles are where we test our mettle, two handed axes come chopping down onto our heads runners sprint through the list, smashing into other fighters, leg pick ups and blindsides. Let's face it, we all got into fighting to experience the knight life, and this is it! Much to our delight we dominated the 12v12 taking gold as the Hellswans! What a privilege it was to fight teams I have looked up to since starting the sport and with my peers, who I truly sometimes do not feel worthy of. This whole experience was incredible for me, everyone we met was so friendly, welcoming and supportive, for my first international tournament I think I picked a good one! Here's to many, many more. Big thank you to all our support, the marshals and the organisers at the Way of Honour, see you next year!
Abi
