Ernst Berne c/o Captain I Aguirre IRB Isabella River Aver Marktag 15 Jahrdrung

My Dearest Martina,
I hope my letter finds you well. I arrived in Averheim yesterday, and was glad to enter the safety of a civilised town. But I get ahead of myself, so I will begin with the events of the 13th.

We were seven days out of Striessen and the time was approaching midday, when the lookout, I forget whose watch it was, shouted a warning of two fishing boats out in the center of the river. However, the two boats split and went to either bank, and so we ploughed on between them. Now unbeknownst to ourselves the boats occupants were involved in river piracy, and had set a log bar across the river, under the surface of the water. When we hit the obstruction we came to a halt and the pirates launched their attack. I know very little of the attack itself as I believe I was the first to be removed from combat by the application of a swift hard strike to the back of my head, and did not regain consciousness until it was all over. Fortunately my travelling companions and the captain and his crew managed to repel boarders. I awoke to a battered but victorious crew and once we had cleared the obstacle and had seen to injuries and lunch, we continued on our journey

Unfortunately we underestimated the vengeful feeling of the survivors of the river pirates, and so found ourselves under attack just before daybreak yesterday. This time I was asleep when the attack commenced and was awoken by the clatter of horse's hooves on the deck above. The despicable brigands were attempting to set the Isabella ablaze with flaming arrows from across the river. We would have been done for but for the fact that Ignacio's crew knew exactly what to do, and we all awoke within moments of the attack beginning.

We finished off all but one of the brigands, and the one that was left was so badly wounded that we do not expect ever to see him again. I know this sounds callous, but when we have beastman attacks to contend with, humans who attack their own kind deserve no mercy.

I must go now as I need to find the captain, but I promise to write to you again soon. In the meantime I send this letter with a picture of the Independant River Boat "Isabella" and plan so you can see which cabin is mine.

Your loving brother, Ernst.

This page © Greg Aldridge, 10 February 2001