By Karin Verelst

A few days ago all of the HEMA community stopped for a second. Sad news passed among us, and we continue to act as a family thinking of the loss and the people close to a great man. Esfinges, a small HEMA community of  248 girls unites at this moment and  we want to show our respect to AMEK and Rory’s family.

In motion to startle the Heavens

In stillness to startle the Earth

Truly this is shinbu (true martial spirit)

For what should we lament the world?

Kunii Zen’ya verse

Dear Rory,

Many of us knew you only by name, some of us had the chance to meet you in person, and a few of us were really good friends. But to all of us you were, are and will remain a shining example, both as a warrior and as a man. Us, that is the community of female HEMA-fighters that you encouraged and supported in words and deeds, first and foremost by taking women seriously both as warriors and as friends.

To the outside world, you seemed to have it all: good-looking, successful, strong, fast, a real champion of the sword. At the age of 28 and only a few years after your former sports career you quickly became a rising star on the HEMA-firmament; who could ever have doubted that there was so much more to come? Yet as a person you remained always a gentleman: friendly, helpful (not the least to the ladies!) — “how to put on the Dutch knuckles in time before the tournament starts” will remain a favourite to many nervous debutants — and a little dry in your humour indeed, until that boyish smile burst out and creased your face from ear to ear.

No wonder then that so many were blinded by that brightly shining star blotting out the fragility of your vulnerable heart, the anguish in your gentle soul. Hidden behind your radiant screen even you could not clearly see what you meant to other people and to the world around you. We look in each other’s mirror and stand dumbfounded. Unable to reach out you chose to step into this darkest pit and fall —

Dear Rory,

You chose to ride away, fair knight, to face your ultimate fight alone. We, our sadness notwithstanding, can only respect your decision, and hope that you finally found the freedom and the peace you so deeply longed for.

To the family and friends of Rory, the Esfinges community expresses sincere and deepest sympathy. We wish you much strength in this difficult time.

Original post: http://esfinges1.wix.com/e/apps/blog/farawell-rory-van-noort