The Epic of the Grey FalconAnido Jhone, editor)  = As uncovered and translated by Anido Jhone, RoyalArchaeologist, from an ancient tome: This tale comes from sometime in the 2nd Era, most probablyafter the time of the Knahaten Flu, or at least I have sosurmised due to reasons in the text. Whether or not the taleis true, it remains an interesting story of survival. The reader will, I trust, forgive me if I translated theepic somewhat informally. The message, I think, isuniversal, and should not be misread. Enjoy, gentle reader. A.J.J.The Epic ofthe Grey Falcon The Grey Falcon , a small warship of the SumursetIsle, Was patrolling deep in the ocean for a pirate Thathad been looting the coast. The first three weeks out wereuneventful. Two hours after sunset, on the 22nd day out of port, The lookout spotted a top of a sail in themoonlight, Just on the horizon. "Sail! To starboard,forward quarter!" The lookout of the Grey Falcon cried. Thecrew and captain of the Grey Falcon were quicklyroused, And stumbled to the deck. "'Tis the ship we're lookingfor, Captain," said the lookout. "All hands to battlestations! All archers to their posts," The Captainyelled, "Full ahead!" The two ships closed, And a dark figurestepped out onto the forecastle of the pirate ship. Thefigure made a gesture with his hands, And a giant ball offire streaked towards the Grey Falcon. The ball of firestruck the Grey Falcon in her sails, Quickly catchingthem aflame. The figure made another gesture. Large boltsof ice streaked out from his hands, And hit the GreyFalcon just above and below the water line, Gouginglarge holes in her hull. The Grey Falcon was mortallywounded. The Captain cried, "All hands abandon shi-" As hewas cut off by a pirate's arrow shot into his throat. Asthe Grey Falcon, aflame and listing badly, plungedinto the sea, One of her sailors, Darik Seaspit, Managed avoidthe pirate arrows and spells to make his way to alifeboat, And lowered it into the darkness below. Just as thelifeboat entered the water, a quick grey shape jumpedinto it. Darik looked, and saw it was Helnor Snarlsbane, AKhajiit mercenary assigned to the ship. The two rowed thesmall boat away, As the Grey Falcon finished her descentinto 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 thelifeboats stores. Normally the lifeboat carries enough foodand water To supply seven people for at least tendays. In place of the food, though, Helnor found a note: "The food in this lifeboat was found to be inviolation of Sumerset Navy regulation duringinspection. In accordance to that article, the food was taken away and destroyed. A replacement may beobtained by redeeming this letter at the Port SupplyOffice. Signed, Lt. Inspector Windhollow" Helnor readaloud. Said Darik, to his Khajiit Companion, "We have plenty of water, but we are out of food. I don't know whatwe're going to do. I suppose we could try fishing, butwe have no bait. "There's no chance we can make it back toland Before we starve to death - 'twill be over a month in this craft" "Wait, I have an idea" said Helnor, with agleam in his catlike eye. Six weeks later, the lifeboatentered the port of Corwich. As it was tethered to thedock, a solitary figure was pulled out, Lookingweather beaten and thin. One of the dock workers peered intothe life raft, After the figure was taken away to the porthealer for treatment. "Hmm, what's this", a worker saidto himself, As he picked up a large bone from the boat, A bonebleached white by the sun. After the sole survivor of theGrey Falcon recovered from his ordeal, He was taken tothe inquest for the death of Darik Seaspit, And placed ona chair before the magistrate. "We here in High Rock have a dimview of cannibalism. You'd better have a good reason foryour actions," The inquisitor boomed at Helnor Snarlsbane, "By the Lady, do you?" Helnor stood, and said, "YourHonor, I had no choice. There was no food, and it was atleast two months to the closest port. We both decided thiswas the only way someone would make it" "Well, then , Isuppose that is understandable, If somewhat distasteful,"the inquisitor said. "You think it was distasteful?," Helnormuttered to himself, "I didn't have any seasoning." "One final thing, Mr. Snarlsbane, How was it decided thatyou would be the one that would dine on the other? Thetoss of a coin?" Helnor drew himself up and said, "Yourhonor, it was very simple. Darik Seaspit was avegetarian" "Case dismissed!"