It is not unusual to observe the female Seafaring Warrior strolling along the Docks; sometimes with George, her business partner and co-owner of the Fox and Hound Pub, sometimes with a member or two of her Viking crew, and sometimes (more often than not) by herself. On this particular day, Shylah is in search of that unkempt and unsavory man who is known by the nickname of "Fish-eye Ferguson." Once an adept trader, a well-respected merchant of RhyDin, he is now nothing more than a homeless wreck seeking solace in bottles of whiskey, rum, or any other container of alcohol he can wrap his filth-covered hands around. Knowing how far the male has fallen into despair, her first stop is at the seedy drinking establishment called the Powder Keg, partially owned by the notorious pirate Captain Stephen Kidd. Before entering the mostly dilapidated building, peers between the 'Keg' and the shop next door which sells material used in making clothing, or sails. Sure enough, in the dank space between the two structures, slumped against a rain barrel, is the unconscious body of "Fish-eye." Strewn about his feet are at least half a dozen empty booze bottles, ranging in size from large to small, and had contained various alcoholic beverages. She can only hope that he is not dead. Quickly moves to Ferguson's side and stoops down. Checks the transient's pulse by placing two fingers against the side of his neck, locating the carotid artery. The beat is weak, but he is still alive. After making sure nobody is around to see what she is about to do, calls forth the magic of that special silver ring, bestowed upon her by one long departed from the realm.

"Komm, Fisk-eye, tis time you return to hva you once be and hjelp me in my endeavors!" And then they are gone.

A.D. Eight hundred eighty-three



At the ripe age of thirteen Barra, the second-born son of Finlay and Muirne Ferguson, pleaded with his parents, as well as with Shylah, leader of the dragskip Norsk Dronning, to let him join her fierce Viking crew. Barra had wanted to go seafaring ever since he was a child of only four years old. He could still recall how his excitement grew on that warm Spring afternoon, with each passing minute, as he set eyes upon the wonderful dragon-prow longship; the very same longship that struck terror and panic into many villager's hearts when it first appeared on the horizon and was headed directly toward Sommerhaven.

As far as Shylah was concerned the robust Barra was welcome aboard. He not only was tall and burly, he was also intelligent, good with a sword, 'held his own' with her crew, and knew his family's business better than his older brother. It did not take long to convince Finlay and Muirne how much of an asset Barra would be to their commerce, if they should continue to accept her business offer.

After five years had passed, Barra had accumulated quite a fortune. Since the goals he set for himself were reached in that short of a time span, he decided to retire from voyaging at the age of eighteen while he still had all of his limbs and was in relative good health. A year later he opened his own business, alongside his parents, selling handcrafted carpets; including high-quality rugs of Oriental and Persian designs, thanks to Shylah's trade and her over-seas connections. He also decided to marry the pretty and even-tempered Sorcha, a bright young lass of the coastal village. Together they prospered, and had a dozen children.

Business remained good for all of them.

A.D. Nine hundred twenty-five



All went exceptionally well for eight years.

Murrough became a strikingly good looking and charismatic man once he reached adulthood. Learning to charm even the most stubborn of merchants over the seven Seas, he accumulated both knowledge and wealth beyond his wildest imaginings (increasing Shylah's coffers, too). He also fulfilled every expectation that Shylah had for him pertaining to battle and the ways of the Norse; in fact, he exceeded some pre-set goals, surprising the Seafaring Warrior and her crew. But alas, Barra's son eventually decided he wanted to start his own business, much sooner than the female Viking wished.

It took a lot of sweet-talking and special promises on the twenty-year old's part to convince Shylah into releasing him from the contract he had signed with her, three year's prior. Firmly believing that Murrough will keep his oath's, she sent him on his way with a letter of recommendation to someone long-trusted in the import/export commerce, seeking a rare apprenticeship for the adept young man from Sommerhaven. When word arrived that Murrough was taken under the dealer's tutelage, and that he was learning the trade by leaps and bounds, Shylah knew she had done the correct thing.

For three years the handsome Murrough remained under the foreign dealer's astute teachings until the businessman believed there was nothing left for Murrough to do, but to strike out on his own in order to gain additional hands-on experience as well as to establish his own clientele. Over the next two years Murrough brought in much monies for himself, the dealer, and for Shylah. All three were greatly pleased.

The year was A.D. Nine hundred thirty-one: Murrough was twenty-six years of age when he suddenly vanished. It was said that he was lost at Sea.