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were people who would try to exact revenge for Anne Bonny’s exploits.

    Not all days proved to be smooth sailing. There were times when storms whipped up the ocean and the Mystic was tossed about like a nutshell, but Annemarie and Stormy showed no ill effects from it. However, they were both happy when they finally landed in Bristol, England and once again had firm ground under their feet. Though what met their eyes was a far cry from what they had expected.

    * * * *

    In contrast to the pristine landscape of Dreamscape, Bristol was dirty, smelly and rather noisy. Annemarie and Stormy simply stared in amazement, since neither had ever been exposed to such squalor or noise.

    “A harbor city is hardly an example of the rest of the country,” Trevor explained when he saw the shocked expressions on the women’s faces. He hadn’t realized that it would cause him actual pain, if someone were to find fault with his homeland, especially these two. “The country is as lush and green as poems talk about and once you get out of the city, you’ll find the same serenity as we have at home. Give it a chance.”

    He turned to Annemarie. “While you ladies see to the trunks and boxes that will accompany us to Emerald Hills, I will hire a closed carriage and a dray for the luggage. We’ll spend tonight aboard and then set out early tomorrow morning. A word of caution, so you won’t be caught unaware. We probably won’t make the trip in one day, unless the roads have improved greatly.”

    The rest of the unloading of the Mystic was left in the capable hands of his captain, Master John Simon. “I’ve already made arrangements for furniture and some other fripperies.
    They’ll arrive within the next few days, but we’ll lie at anchor for at least a month. See to it that the crew goes over the sails and the hull with a fine toothcomb before we attempt the return voyage.” He favored the captain with a wistful grin. “I intend to show my wife around with a short sojourn to London before we come back.”

    Bristol was still shrouded in fog that softened the squalor and filth of the docks when they left the city behind. Once they hit the country road, morning dawned with a brilliant sun. It refracted off the dewdrops on lush green leaves, lending a freshness and sparkle to the landscape unfolding before them.
    STORMY HEIDE KATROS
    12

    “What did I tell you?” Trevor’s voice conveyed the pride he felt. “Just look out your windows. Isn’t it a gorgeous morning to be alive? Have you ever seen a more dazzling blue sky? Ah, and the air smells of fresh earth.”

    Stormy rolled her eyes, while Annemarie hid her smile behind her gloved hand. She had never heard Trevor wax so poetic, but then this was his homeland. Even though he loved the Americas, you just never forgot the place where you grew up.

    The hired carriage rumbled along rutted roads and through several copses of dense trees ever onward to Emerald Hills Manor, passing occasional herds of sheep or cows that dotted the landscape in a picture perfect idyll of country living.

    Stormy stared her fill of the unfamiliar scenery. Engrossed, she blocked her side of the window completely, exclaiming ever so often at something unusual.

    Trevor and Annemarie shared the opposite window, both seeing the passing panorama with less avid interest. Both were lost somewhat in their private thoughts, though every so often they shared a smile over Stormy’s enthusiasm.

    At noon they stopped under the shade of a willow tree near a babbling brook and shared a basket of goodies they had brought from the ship.

    “I sent a courier ahead to Emerald Hills to inform my brother Thomas that we are on our way,” Trevor remarked idly after they had eaten. “The road is a bit muddier than I expected, but then I had warned you that we wouldn’t make the trip in one day. But don’t worry, there are several inns along the way where we can spend the night.”

    “I can hardly wait to meet my