[Ravensfort] Three Longships

[Peer2]

Greetings.

I wanted to share this little story with you. It's a story close to my
heart. I think you'll see why. It's actually based on a true story, but I
don't recall the fine points anymore. If anyone knows the details, let me
know.

= = = = = = = = = =

There was once a large Norse town which wanted desperately to expand it's
trade routes. They had heard of a own on the English coast where all many of
merchants cross paths, so they loaded three longships with trade goods and
sent them across the sea to England.

It was a difficult journey across stormy seas. The rowers carried the burden
because the winds were too strong for sails. But finally, after many days at
the oar, they sighted land.

As the three ships pulled up to the dock, they saw a herald ride from the
walled town. The ships were half unloaded when the herald stormed up to the
three captains.

"You can't dock here." the herald saids bluntly. "These docks are for the
fishermen. You must go south and use the merchant docks."

The captains looked at each other. The first one asked, "But why can't we
use these docks? We are already here and tied up with half our cargo
unloaded."

"Your cargo must be assessed and taxed." the herald replied, "That can only
be done at the merchant docks. You'll have to load everything up and sail
south."

The second captain asked, "I don't see any other docks. How far south are
they?"

"Six miles." the herald replied.

"We have no horses. How are we to get our good back here?." the third
captain asked.

"You might hire drivers," the herald advised, "but they are very expensive.
If you can't pay for drivers, you'll just have to carry the goods here to
the market yourself."

The captains looked at each other. They looked at the herald. They looked at
their tired crewmen and the piles of cargo they would have to haul for six
miles on foot. All three were in silent agreement.

Without another word, the captains killed the herald, led their men against
the town, smashed the walls, slaughtered the everyone inside, looted
everything of value, burned every building, and sailed for home leaving
nothing behind but charred ruins.

= = = = = = = = = =

*sigh* I love a happy ending.


--Ld. Cedric Aeschere Einarsson