Page 4 - SagaOfBarak2

These Norsemen as well as other rugged venturers from the far Baltic and
beyond, were not alone in their dealings with the hundreds of ports littering the
ore rich coastline of Britain.
Why traders from as far as Arabia and even the distant Orient ventured to this
most lawless part of Britain.
Oh and of course, all this whilst shrewdly searching for a better bargain than
could be got from the richer but far greedier southern part of the island.
True it was that these, large cumbersome galleon like vessels from afar often
chose to moor by the great harbour which lay at the eastern mouth of the Salmon
River.
Then when once secured with trusted guards remaining to protect their vessel,
these merchants continued their journey upstream using one of the many narrow
boats supplied by the local traders, this as more or less a ferry service.
Further up river away from the big harbour there were many bustling village
markets, yes and the livestock here sold for half the price than in any major port.
Also as an extra bonus this livestock was in far more better condition.
By the by this great river started its life somewhere far beyond, deep into the
northland beyond the wall, indeed its waters sprang up from the peaty earth
somewhere in wild Pictom.
Only as a bubbling, struggling stream at first this great river started its life.
At first here was only a mere trickle of water, but a trickle that gradually grew
in magnitude on its downward descent toward Hadrian’s Wall then flowing ever
eastward until finally bursting out into the cold grey North Sea.
It was from this very river which flowed through Northumbria then out into the
cold North Sea where had begun Barak’s last epic trek.
Barak’s last adventure had witnessed the great, tattooed, shaven headed giant,
first rescue Aulric`s daughter the young Princess Ellena.
At hot haste after some careful planning the slayer quickly saved the child from
a band of worthless cruel uncaring northern pirates.
Fools and cut-throats obviously these men were for daring such a heartbreaking
outrage.
Thus with this being so, then of course these pirates were without mercy slain
down to the very last man.
Barak being Barak, well then there was certainly not going to be a single callous
bloodthirsty soul of their number spared from the giant’s savage vengeful rage.
Later when once this simple task was completed with Aulric’s daughter safely
homeward bound, Barak sailed on ever eastward after that brief but bloody
onslaught.
On this voyage the ogre was accompanied by his big hairy Viking friend Ragnor
Thorenson.

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