"Colin's Dance"

by Ld. Colin of Tighan

My Lords and Ladies,
Those who know me, and mayhap those who do not know me so well, know that I am not yet at the level of a Laurel in matters of the feet.

Put somewhat more bluntly, I don't dance worth a darn! I do enjoy watching others dance, and I can appreciate well that marriage of melody and movement that we consider one of the finer, more courtly arts. Alas, however, my every attempt at it has been doomed to shame and failure, and so I remain an observer.

Save once...

It was Red Tower, being as I recall the Twentieth gathering by that name. Ryan and Gillian were on the throne, and I was blessed by being in their company for much of the day, as I had travelled there with Count Hadi and Countess Ameraulde. As it so happened, Hadi and I had stopped outside the Royal Cabin to discuss some matter or other, he continuing my then-meager education in the ways of the Society. I fancy I was a fairly attentive student, but what happened next took us both quite by surprise!

While conversing with the Good Arab, I chanced to glance down. Without warning, I jumped to the left. Before Hadi could inquire, I as quickly leaped to the right! Then, with a Highland "WHOOP!" that would have brought a smile to the face of Robert the Bruce, I began to jig and dance and spin and whirl in a most amazing fashion, as to some music that only I could hear! My kilt flapped in the breeze, my hands clutching at it in indecorous fashion, and my feet moved so quickly, they were a blur beneath me!

At last, I came to rest, sweating and exhausted. Concern writ across his noble features, Count Sir Hadi exclaimed, "Colin? Are you alright?"

Gasping for breath, I replied. "Beggin' yuir pardon, Yuir Excellence! But a Bee flew up me kilt, and I cannae FIND the damned thing!"

And that is the tale of how Colin, called mac Forbes, now of Tighan, danced his first dance!

Author's Notes:
There are those fine gentles who may question the veracity of the story above. I will concede that, yes, in the tradition of the Bards, I used some artistic license in order to make the tale more pleasing to the audience. I shall note the deviation from fact below:

A) I did not, as I should have, immediately beg the Count's Pardon.
This was rude of me, and I include it in the story as being what I should have done.
B) The rest of my reply to him was not, in fact, in a Scots accent, as I had other things on my mind at the time.
C) At no time did I either spin, nor whirl.
Too, I believe I jumped to the right and leaped to the left.

And I swear to you that every other word herein is the truth, unadorned! If you don't believe me, ask Hadi!
In Service to the Dream, Ld. Colin of Tighan