The Balad of X-13. A Bardic Satire

Lads and Lasses did ye know there is another ship that sails these
seas and you'll never see a Prouder, more determined Bunch O pirates
in ye life!

The Captain built her up piece by ruddy piece. Hand hewed each
timber himself. And years it took. He became known as a pirate in a
sense and that did not bother him overly. But the crew was always
the same headaches. Keepin good help always is though

Finally one day he mailed an old friend and asked could he come look
over the ship and maybe help? Now the Gods have their own ways and
the new first mate sent out messages to others who came and together
they helped build up the X-13 to a ship that tests the patience of
the Crown GREATLY.

And a pirate ship she is! Though shes in drydock and getting
repaired... Coooor! Ye should behold her! Slee

Sleek! She cuts the water
like noones seen before!

Flies in the very face of her Majesties own fleet time and again.

Here tell, some swear shes made of cork stem to stern cause though
shes been shot from the water time and again....POP! theirs the
blamed crew a hualin the lines again and laughing as she pirouettes
to stern and the scow of a chaser ship dashes against the Cliffs of
Truth!!

The Barons don't like it Oh Gods no!!! Not at ALL by The Oak! The
crews been likened to that Locksley kid...Did and doin same stuff
that won him his title back ya know!!? What with the givin away
whats others is taxin people for, and champion'in us simple folk ya
know? Hehehe thats always sure to get you attention and a beer. Or
you neck stretched if one of them cutters catch up to you. Hahahah!

And the Bishops are redder in the face than a brand new cabin boy
one week at sea!! Sssssh quiet lest they overhear. Here tell They
got this new fangled idea...a rudder I belive that steers all kinds
of ships in harmony or someting odd like that. But then they are
druids too.

But now here is the eerie part. The crew are Mainland AND Upper
Seaway folk!! Pullin the SAME oar they are! By the Tree I Swear!

And ya know what? People are starting to listen to the captain and
crew. Farmers, travellers, soldiers, folks that still gots their ear
to the ground and nose to the fresh winds!

I heard the first mate meself. Aye! Talked to him over a flagon I did,
down Barbary Coast way! Wern't much to look at. But But he had this grin
that just wouldn't go away!

So I asked him why should we belive him? What was the so caleed "secret to the
power behind the X-13"?

He just winked and said

"Keep your eyes peeled, smell the air often. When the wind hits from
the ssw watch as Many Ships become One!"

Peace