The next day Dan was very wary around Mandy. She of course sensed this and asked him out to lunch. At first, he refused, but then thought it was unfair. It was his problem, not hers.

Sitting in the café the conversation was muted. Dan was wary of her. She seemed to be able to look into him. He suspected that she knew he wanted what she had.

“Dan, I think I understand what’s going on. You dress or have dressed as a woman before, haven’t you?”

Dan could feel his face flush red. He could barely look at her.

The two vessels continue on their voyage along the great river. The newest passengers learn what it takes to live on the water as they head towards Faralan. As they round the last bend an unexpected danger threatens.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

63 - Learning the Ropes

I woke to the dawn chorus. The birds happy to have made it through another night were twice their normal volume. As I opened my eyes, I realised that I wasn’t in my bed. In my flat the sound of a motorbike or the squealing of the breaks on a bus normally woke me.

I saw through my blurry vision that it was still dark outside. I knew that it would be getting lighter by the minute. So, it must be about 6AM?
I could have reached for my phone, but I didn’t want to disturb Ray. That’s what I did last night I thought, I finally accepted his invitation to go home for a “coffee”.

Chapter 3.15

May 30th, 2023

8:27 PM

Marcia was out riding Tigger when Darryl phoned her.

“Hi, Foxy,” he said when she answered. “Can you come up to the house? We need to talk about something.”

“Do you want to meet me at the stable?” she asked him.

“No, I think we need to talk in the house about this,” He told her.

“What’s this about?” she asked. “You’re sounding kinda cryptic.”

“Nothing bad, Foxy. I promise that.”

“Okay, now I’m getting suspicious,” she said as she steered the horse toward the barn.

Wonders of Weird, Manhattan, New York:
Carla walks into the store and the theme song to Ghostbusters starts playing. She really hated that song and found it really annoying. She heads toward the counter to see if Pixel was in.

James comes from the back and spots Carla standing at the counter. He knew he heard the Ghostbuster theme song played. A smile appears on his face “long time no see Carla. What brings you in here today?”

Chapter 3.14

May 23^rd, 2023

12:34PM

Bruce sat on a log bench that was sitting near the barn. It was facing out towards the water and Pioneer Peak, and he was enjoying the view. He had his eye on a golden eagle circling something below. He supposed it was a rabbit, and he watched to see if it would dive for its prey.

Chet exited the house, looking for the older man, and when he spotted him, he followed Bruce’s gaze and saw the eagle just as it dived. A moment later, it was heading back up, a wiggling mass of brown and white fur in its talons. He hoped it was a rabbit.

Walking up to Bruce, Chet observed that the man was munching on a sandwich. “Well, did the police mess up your camper?” He asked.

The two fugitives have to be smuggled out of Wadek and the Norse have unusual ideas how to handle this. Once the two vessels depart the crews settle down to the next leg of their voyage, learning more about each other as they do so.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

62 - Blood and Subterfuge

After lunch Ursula finishes recounting to the Old Führer what had happened on Earth since he departed. A possible way of extracting the young healer is arranged and an awkward ride back into Wadek follows. Then confusion reigns as the Commissioner asks some unexpected questions.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

61 - Unexpected Arrangements

“Listen to me Derek. If you move in with me as my full-time wife. There is no backing out. Do you hear me?”

“Yes Brian. I understand. It’s what I always wanted.”

“You look convincing, but you’ll have to work on your voice a little. You drop too low sometimes.”

“How about I put on a Scottish accent?”

“I don’t want you to sound like Mrs., bloody Doubtfire!”

“Oh, ay, no ah won’t”