The Epic of the Grey Falcon                                     Anido Jhone, editor                                                                                                                                                )	   
  =           As uncovered and translated by Anido Jhone, Royal Archaeologist, from an ancient tome:      This tale comes from sometime in the 2nd Era, most probably after the time of the Knahaten Flu, or at least I have so surmised due to reasons in the text. Whether or not the tale is true, it remains an interesting story of survival.   The reader will, I trust, forgive me if I translated the epic somewhat informally. The message, I think, is universal, and should not be misread.   Enjoy, gentle reader.   A.J.J.      The Epic of  the Grey Falcon                  The Grey Falcon , a small warship of the         Sumurset Isle, Was patrolling deep in the ocean for a         pirate That had been looting the coast. The first three weeks out were uneventful. Two hours after sunset, on the 22nd day         out of port, The lookout spotted a top of a sail in         the moonlight, Just on the horizon. "Sail! To starboard, forward quarter!" The lookout of the Grey Falcon cried. The crew and captain of the Grey Falcon        were quickly roused, And stumbled to the deck.  "'Tis the ship we're looking for, Captain,"        said the lookout.  "All hands to battle stations! All archers        to their posts," The Captain yelled, "Full ahead!" The two ships closed, And a dark figure stepped out onto the        forecastle of the pirate ship. The figure made a gesture with his hands, And a giant ball of fire streaked towards        the Grey Falcon. The ball of fire struck the Grey Falcon        in her sails, Quickly catching them aflame. The figure made another gesture. Large bolts of ice streaked out from his        hands, And hit the Grey Falcon just above and below        the water line, Gouging large holes in her hull.  The Grey Falcon was mortally wounded. The Captain cried, "All hands abandon shi-" As he was cut off by a pirate's arrow shot        into his throat.  As the Grey Falcon, aflame and listing badly,        plunged into the sea, One of her sailors, Darik Seaspit, Managed avoid the pirate arrows and spells        to make his way to a lifeboat, And lowered it into the darkness below. Just as the lifeboat entered the water, a        quick grey shape jumped into it. Darik looked, and saw it was Helnor Snarlsbane, A Khajiit mercenary assigned to the ship. The two rowed the small boat away, As the Grey Falcon finished her descent into        the sea. In the darkness, the Pirate ship missed their        small craft. After the two rowed well out of the pirates        possible view, They both collapsed from exhaustion. Early morning the next day, They took an inventory of the lifeboats stores. Normally the lifeboat carries enough food and        water To supply seven  people for at least ten days. In place of the food, though, Helnor found a note:    "The food in this lifeboat was found  to be        in violation     of Sumerset Navy regulation during inspection.     In accordance to that article, the food was        taken away     and destroyed.     A replacement may be obtained by redeeming        this letter     at the Port Supply Office.     Signed, Lt. Inspector Windhollow" Helnor read aloud. Said Darik, to his Khajiit Companion, "We have        plenty of water, but we are out of food. I don't know what we're        going to do. I suppose we could try fishing, but we have no        bait. "There's no chance we can make it back to land Before we starve to death - 'twill be over a month        in this craft" "Wait, I have an idea" said Helnor, with a gleam        in his catlike eye. Six weeks later, the lifeboat entered the port of        Corwich. As it was tethered to the dock, a solitary figure        was pulled out, Looking weather beaten and thin. One of the dock workers peered into the life raft, After the figure was taken away to the port healer        for treatment. "Hmm, what's this", a worker said to himself, As he picked up a large bone from the boat, A bone bleached white by the sun. After the sole survivor of the Grey Falcon recovered        from his ordeal, He was taken to the inquest for the death        of Darik Seaspit, And placed on a chair before the magistrate.  "We here in High Rock have a dim view of cannibalism. You'd better have a good reason for your actions," The inquisitor boomed at Helnor Snarlsbane,       "By the Lady, do you?" Helnor stood, and said, "Your Honor, I had no choice. There was no food, and it was at least two months to       the closest port. We both decided this was the only way someone would       make it" "Well, then , I suppose that is understandable, If somewhat distasteful," the inquisitor said. "You think it was distasteful?," Helnor muttered to       himself, "I didn't have any seasoning."     "One final thing, Mr. Snarlsbane, How was it decided that you would be the one that       would dine on the other? The toss of a coin?" Helnor drew himself up and said, "Your honor, it was very simple. Darik Seaspit was       a vegetarian" "Case dismissed!" 