Anyway, Baron Joseph of Silveroak, affectionately known as Baron Joe, being a cautious man, decided to quickly muster all of his forces and find as many allies as he could. He had heard that Canyons had recently acquired a group of mercenaries within its borders, which we turned into the Canton Levee (affectionately known by the Canton as Canyons Fodder).

The then captain of the levee, Stromberg Blackrune, negotiated with Baron Joe that if they should win the war, the Canton should receive taxing rights to the Barony of Altavia.

The day of the Border War arrived, a beautiful, clear day. From the north, appeared Baron Joe with 45 eager fighters. From the south, appeared Stromberg Blackrune with 45 zealous fighters. Between them were the Altavian forces, Baron Robear and his two stalwart squires.

Knowing Sir Robear as I do, I am sure that he felt that 30 to 1 odds to be quite reasonable. As the frey began, he and his squires managed to keep the opposing forces at bay.

However, during the battle, one of Sir Robear's squires heard Stromberg order his troups to capture Sir Robear alive. When it became clear that this would be accomplished, the squire slew his master rather that see him captured. Whether this was a wise idea is something for historians to theorize about, I cannot.

With Altavia overrun by the Nordwache and Canyons forces, the Altavian seneschal met with Baron Joe and Stromberg Blackrune to negotiate a peace. I do not know what Baron Joe requested, but I do know that Stromberg insisted on keeping the taxing rights. He was told that as soon as Altavia established a mint that we would receive the taxes.

"A mint!", cried Stromberg, "I don't want a mint! I want Golden Splonders! (Chocolate chip cookies)"

To this day, Canyons still has not received the taxes.

While the Levee has been disbanded, the mercenaries still live within our borders. There has been some wild talk going around lately that the Canton should deputize our mercenaries as tax collectors and send them to Altavia to collect our long, overdue taxes.