October is already upon us, so that only means one thing! The latest Hornsounder Newsletter is out! There are lots of articles this month, which is great! Keep up all the writing!

Unfortunately, Canis, our editor, wasn't able to get back to us this month as his life is quite hectic at the moment. We wish him a speedy return, and hope he pops in now and then! As a result, Mallet and I have taken over The Hornsounder editorship temporarily!

So, what is there in October's edition? Lots! The Jak O' The Shadows Contest returned, as well as a special version of JotS by Mallet! The Marshal-General's Monthly Recommendation appears, as well as a review of the Games for the month. We get a in depth look at Bandy, the Cavalry drink, and much much more!

I would like to make a little request about The Hornsounder. It is great to have articles, but I would love it if we had a few different people submitting each month. So, get your thinking caps on and write an article! It could be a funny story that you know, a few jokes, or a serious topic you want to bring to the attention of Band Members! We take anything and everything! The Hornsounder is your mouth piece! (Sorry about the bad pun! )

So, all that is left to is to sit back with a cool drink and read October's edition of The Hornsounder!

Corki Gaidin
Marshal-General of the Band of the Red Hand

Jack of the Shadows - With a Twist!
By Banner Captain Mallett of the Infantry

I was sitting thinking about my JotS verses for this month and I had a great idea.

Lets write some verses about Band members.

I was hoping that other Banders would put together all their silly verses about Band members so that we could make our very own Band version of Jack o'the Shadows

Well here they are, I hope you enjoy them.

Cumadrin, Master of the Knife
With a bow he can take a life
But what he wants is a pretty wife
And to Dance with Jack o’the Shadows

Well Northie was an Aes Sedai
Enough to make a big man cry.
But she’s a Bander till she die
As she Dance with Jack o’the Shadow

Oh Mallett gotta face like a boot.
With a temper that is just to suit
Yet Illian girls think he’s cute
When he Danced with Jack o’the Shadows

Well Lazy’s socks their very ripe
For that stink he should lose a stripe
We’ll make him smoke them in his pipe
And Dance with Jack o’the Shadows

Bandy ‘s a drink made by Witch
For its taste he needs the switch
Or thrown at the front without a stitch
To Dance with Jack o’the Shadows

Well Corki plays with his stones
Even in his tent all alone!
If he calls for me I’ll run for home
Or to Dance with Jack o’the Shadows

Helike's arm is very rough
For a girl she’s really tough.
She switched me once I screamed ENOUGH
And Limped with Jack o’the Shadows

Canis, our hero, never afraid
He wears undies made of plaid
And pink mittens his Mom made
When he dances with Jack o'the Shadows

Oh Cam, he is a warrior true
His body count's five hundred and two
It's a shame he can't handle his brew!
When he danced with Jack o'the Shadows

Oh Footman's new, he's just signed
In the mess he's called a Wonder Find.
I'm sure it's cos he'll kiss behind
And dance with Jack o'the Shadows

And some new ones for the article

Oh Heathen's brave, he's very great
But he's been acting strange of late
I think its when he wears that Plate
And when he Danced with Jack o'the Shadows

Razz she is a famous Star
Her name is known both near and far
For her dancing on the bar
And when she Dance with Jack o'the Shadow

Well Mushu he is really missed
A brew or two he can't resist.
He's lost somewhere totally pi$$ed
Or Dancing with Jack of the Shadows

Our new lad, he carries a staff!
He even has it when he's having a bath
We should hide it just for a laugh
Before he dances with Jack o'the Shadows.

Our Piper's name is Private Jea
She don't do Brew as she like's her tea
I don't mind, its more for me
When I dance with Jack o'the Shadows

The Return of the Crazed Announcer
By Captain-General Blade of the Archers

And it looks like a high of about.. AHHH GAKK GET OFF OF ME. No what's that. NOOOOOOOOOOO!. Sorry for the momentary interruption folks, but it looks like your announcer is indisposed as of the moment, so I've taken the liberty of filling in for him. I've been on extended leave recently but now I'm back. And it seems things have changed recently, so let's just STEP OUTSIDE ONTO THE GROUNDS OVER HERE. I'M HAVING TROUBLE SPEAKING OVER THE CLASH OF WEAPONS. IT LOOKS LIKE THE BAND HAS GONE CRAZY AND ARE ALL TRYING TO KILL EACH OTHER. WHooh. Sorry about that folks. IT took a while to get up to this hill, but we've got a pretty good vantage point from up on this hill. And It looks like there are two men going at it with bare knuckles. Yes they're throwing some fierce punches around and it looks like they're going right through Armor! Man aren't those infantrymen strong. Let's hear it for Cam and Idennis, who will likely murder each other before the day is out. And it looks like Cumadrin is down for the count and down on his luck. He's lost two fights in a row, though to give him credit they were close. Don't worry about it, there's always the next one. And there in the corner is a cavalry man and an archer going at it. It looks like it's coming down to the wire!! Oh and spectacular dodge by Blade saves him and he puts an arrow in lazy's back to seal the deal. Wait, Blade's challenging someone else now. looks like infantry... and he's shooting himself in the foot? Yes that does appear to be what he is doing. There he goes again! Well Blade doesn't appear to be feeling to well after those punishing blows by footman. He has now put four arrows through his foot. Oh well lets move... *gurgle*

And in other news, the crazy reporter you were just listening to took an arrow through the throat and is being rushed to the hospital. Now back to the weather..

October is Knife of Dreams Month
By Corki, The Marshal-General


Attention all Band Members!!! The whole month of October is being dedicated to the release of Knife of Dreams.

So, basically, that means most of our threads are KoD based, celebrating the long-awaited publication of th 11th book.

Please get involved in all the threads being created!

This is our Service Project for the month of October! No other ORG is doing anything like this, so enjoy it while it lasts!

Threads will vary, ranging from predictions (which will have rewards) to Band Members posting their favourite moments in the series so far! Plus there will be so much more!!!

Let the fun begin!!!

Bandy, the new Spirit from the breweries in Angmar
By The Witch King of Angmar, Captain-General of the Cavalry

The Angmar and Angmar brewing corporation is pleased to announced the release of there newest spirit, Bandy. A subtle mix of Flaming Shot and Battle Brew, with a touch of a secret ingredient, knows only to its founder, TheWitchKing and his assistant, Lazy_Man.

Now widely know as a drink for only the crazy and the foolish, Bandy's popularity has tripled in the last weeks. The health community voiced there opinion on this matter. Billian Bogs, chairman of the comity of Drinks, weapons and slaves, voiced his opinion about Bandy at there last meeting.

"This drink, Bandy has now been linked to the deaths of 35 individuals, all gone mad and tried to rid them selves of the voices in there head by drilling into there skull. I press for an immediate banning of the substance in question."

For more information on Billian Bogs hidden links to a submissive slave trading ring, feel free to turn to page 3a.

We were able to catch up with TheWitchKing after the meeting and he had these few words to say.

"What is this, a Witch hunt? Bandy is not dangerous, it is not recommended for the weak of heart, quite literally. Sure it has been known put hair on your feet and voices in your head, but I have been drinking Bandy for a long time now and I have not gone mad and killed myself… What was that, yes Father, I will start a rebellion against the English and get a mad Irishman to help me invade."

After those few words, TheWitchKing left talking to the sky, apparently with some on called “The Almighty”. A poll set up in last weeks addition of Witch Weekly, made it clear that the greater number of the population had drinked Bandy, and are now completely addicted to the substance.

Bandy, the newest spirit from the spawning… I mean brewing pits of Angmar. If it does not kill you, Machin in your head Sin will!

The Cavalry have Horses, The Infantry have Better!
By Banner-Captain Mallett of the Infantry

In the Band of the Red Hand we like to travel and we like to share our experiences, but we never talk about our journey only the destination. This review is different.

I want to thank Helike for suggesting this review.

“The Sights and Sounds of a One Tank Trip”

One tank of gas in my hard tail chop. I have no idea where I’m heading I’m just going to do that Bilbo thing and let the road drag me from my door.

The cool autumn morning is bright but cool, the wind is non existent and there are few clouds in the sky.

I grin as I wheel my chop out, matt black and a little rough around the edges but she is mine and she lets me escape. I kick start her engine, no electric start on this beast, the engine is from 1977 and the growl of her is music to my ears. I rev the throttle and listen to her angry voice. I sit in the low seat and drop her into first gear and pull away.

The thrill of the first acceleration puts a bigger smile on my face as I zoom away. I get to the end of the road, Left or Right, choose quick? Right! Right and up to the national speed limit through country lanes.

The bike doesn’t like corners much and I take them slow and smooth, the engine growling all the while, onlookers watching as the chop turns and then bursts forward on the straight. The engine sounds great, noisy and gritty. I wave to someone who has stopped to watch. It was never like this on my racing bike!

At last the country roads, suburbia gone, concrete jungle replaced by fields and hedges. The world is now green and gold and brown instead of grey and black. A straight piece of road and I open her up and let the wind blow hard into my face and I grin even wider.

I’m free, like a bird and I race down that road. A corner coming in the distance, I slow down and smoothly flow through it. I see woods in the distance and hills. Yes let’s head there and the bike seems to hear my thoughts and is heading there without conscious thought.

Now I’m racing through a tunnel of trees, the sunlight flickering through the canopy of leaves, making golden light on the road… a path of gold to the rainbow’s end?

Then in no time at all I’m in a small country village, quaint little shops and wattle and daub pub. The Red Lion… Why where ever you travel you can find a Red Lion? I ride past an old man walking his dog; his weathered face speaks of a lifetime in the outdoors, a young mother with toddler in tow, and two elderly ladies having a chat in the middle of the street. All of them look up as I go by; no doubt they have seen it all before, a biker in the country… as common as a cow.
Then I’m on the open road again. Another biker comes the other way; I give him a brief wave in salute as he hurtles past. His R1 like a rocket flying along at crazy speeds, that’s not for me any more, slow and sedate. I want to appreciate what I see. Soon I’m by a small river, more a glorified stream but the sun catches the water and it makes the water look inviting. But the saddle of my chop is more inviting and I cruise on.

I move from the country to suburbia again, and crawl down the roads watching the passers-by going about their lives. I enjoy grinning at the car drivers trapped in their metal boxes, I’m free look at me and I’m gone.

I grin as a police car appears, the point of me is slow and loud, so I don’t care and that makes me smile even more as all the people around me slow to an almost stop as I continue along as my own pace. What ya gonna do, stop me for standing out? For being that little bit different?

I pass along the streets that carry the fairest scenery and grin as all the pretty office girls go by. But soon even a pretty face holds no sway against the road and I’m drawn again along to faster roads, quieter roads and freedom! How many miles I done? I ain’t sure but my stomach growls for food and I think a meal in a café will do nicely. I see one, one is as good as the next I guess and I pull up.

A meal and a cup of tea or two and I’m ready for the road.

Back the way I came?

Why not?

And the bike takes me home!

Jak O' The Shadow Contest
The Winning Verse By A Band Member

Well, the Jak O' The Shadow contest was back for October by popular demand after being left out for September! As always, the competiton states that no more than two verses can be submitted on the chosen topic. The topic for October was Innkeepers.

The October competition proved poplular with 4 brilliant submissions. However, there can only be one winner, and that was Mallet. The great verses are shown below.

The Keeper, he who fills our ale
It keeps us strong, keeps us hale
In drunken bliss we never fail
when we dance with Jack o'the Shadows

He serves us with our daily brew
that's ten for me and one for you
a fighting man needs a drink or two
Before he dances with Jack o'the Shadows

Lets hope for some more brilliant verses for the Contest in November!

The Marshal-General's Monthly Recommendation
By Corki, the Marshal-General

So it is time for another monthly recommendation. I have already covered a book and a film, so for this month I will choose a place. Now, where do I pick? Do I pick the little town I live in, or the big city I have just moved to for University? Monmouth or London? There is only going to be one winner!

London! What an amazing city! There is just so much to do, whether you live here, study here or visiting! It is brilliant! Once you get over all the noise and pollution, it is a truly amazing city. As I said, there is just so much to do! There are so many tourist places to see, which over my time here, I will revisit as I used to love in the South of England. It will be great to see the Tower of London again, but also see The London Eye for the first time. I can't wait to see the amazing views you get as you go around. It will probably be spectacular at night as well!

Food is fantastic! I know I get catered meals for breakfast and dinner during the week, but there are so many great places to eat at the weekend and at lunchtime. Just yesterday, I went to a Chinese restaurant with a few friends and stuffed myself stupid on great food just off Tottenham Court Road. I expect I will find many others over the three years I am here.

Entertainment! Wow! Where do I start? Cinemas, theatres, pubs, clubs, bars! There is just so much! I have found quite a few nice pubs, like the Rising Sun on Tottenham Court Road, and The Rocket on Euston Road. Again, I will find placs over my three years here! I hope to be off to the cinema in Camden over the next few days. Unfortunately prices are a little expensive, but that is what you expect in the capitol city.

I would definitely say that you should go to London at some stage in your life, just to experience the sites. If you are lucky enough to live there for any time, make the most of the chances and experiences, and you will have a great time!

Promotions in September
By North Star, Captain of the Archers

I would like to thank Northie, our dear Icon Fairy for covering the promotions that occur in the month! It will be a task that is much appreciated, and a valuable article for The Hornsounder. You will do a fantastic job! Corki

N.B. Northie's Article will appear here!