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<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Greetings, Elfsea!</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2> Something rather ironic
happened to me today. My Blackstar arrived, and I read the advertisement
about our grand Norse themed Springfaire. (No, that's not the ironic
part.) The ironic part occurred when I opened my new National Geographic
magazine, and the cover story was about Vikings! Wow!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2> The article is
wonderful. It documents the discovery of whole Viking ships that were
scuttled in a lake, possibly as a tribute to the gods. It also describes
the travels of many of the more famous Norsemen, including Erik the Red
and Leif Erikkson. I learned some new facts about the Norse, including
that they traveled as far as Bagdhad, Kiev, and Byzantium, where Swedish
strongmen were hired as Varangian guards. I also learned that their ships
were made to be flexible in the rough seas of the North Atlantic, with oak
planking no thicker than a finger. It also has a beautiful photo of a
Norse belt and scabbard jewelry. Wow. It's so much fun to learn about
ancient cultures! I highly reccommend checking this article out.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=2>Enjoy, all!</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=2>In service,</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Lady Genevieve de la Gamba<BR>Fourth Artisan of
Dragonsfire Tor<BR>Former Rapier Guardian of Dragonsfire Tor<BR>Matron, House
Silver Moon</FONT></DIV>
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