Chapter 21: A Round Of Much Needed Retribution The Duchene Estate, Leighton, England, (1762)... More than a week had passed since that most peculiar day Noreen had asked Alain to meet her at the docks and they ended up sharing a bed at a local tavern. Alain could not get over the dirty looks he received when he exited after spending more than a few hours with Noreen. He could never tell if it was because he was of noble standing or if it was the act everyone had perceived he'd been up to that made them all dislike him. Noreen seemed to pay them all no mind as she escorted him from the docks and back to the areas where he'd been accustomed to traveling. Alain saw his way to stealing another series of kisses before she parted going on her way as she had so many times before as he ventured back toward home. Before parting she insisted they meet at the old grove before he was scheduled to depart as it was her favorite place for their encounters. He didn't tell her that he thought t

Chapter 23: The Well Wishes Of A Maiden The Laurel, Merchant Ship, Leighton Shipping Docks, Leighton, England (1762)... It was one thing to stand about the docks and view the ships from the eyes of a five-year-old boy whose view of the world consisted of romanticized stories of seafaring and adventure, but it was another to be a young man of legal age and standing on board a merchant shipping vessel in person. Alain Remington found himself at a loss for words as his inquisitive hazel eyes took in the magnificent sight that was The Laurel. His father was moving about the dock making preparations, checking and rechecking supplies, shipping manifests, and crew members. While Lady Alana had not liked the idea of her youngest son taking a voyage across the sea she knew that he was safer by all accounts with his father by his side instead of stowing away on some cargo ship just because she denied him the right to pursue his dream. She managed to meet them at the docks to offer her far

Chapter 25: A Bit Of Fatherly Advice Upper Deck, The Laurel, Open Water... Nearly one week had passed ever since the seafaring voyage had begun and it was looking to have been quite an impressive journey as it were. Sir Alfred had been astonished to note how well his young son had been fairing while they were at the mercy of the ever-fickle waters of the deep. If he had not known any better he would have taken him for the progeny of a true sailor as he needed little to no adjustment when it came to being far from shore. For young Alain seemed ever the curious lad eager to learn and be taught at once. He'd been even more willing to deal with the constant jeering and insults the crew of commoners happened to heap upon him whenever they believed their words were not in earshot. They took him for a nave of course. He'd been the picture of wealth and privilege being born into the ranks of a prominent family of noble status. The crewmen had not taken too kindly to one such as him

Chapter 27: A Whole New WorldUpper Deck, The Laurel, Open Water... The moment Erwin awoke in the crow's nest and announced that there was land ahead it seemed to lift everyone's spirits as of late. The endless miles upon miles of murky deep water was something of a dreary sight as the days passed and the sweltering heat got the better of them. The crew had remained professional despite all the excitement of having finally arrived at their destination and Captain Davys and Sir Alfred spoke at great length about the trip and what supplies the ship would need in a bid to make the voyage back across the blue waters. Alain had barely come up from the guest quarters when he caught sight of the land mass in the distance. Just as his father had said days prior, their journey was at an end thus far and they were pulling into the port belonging to the Territory of New Orleans. Alain seemed captivated by the many ships that also had come to port and the number of people that occupied the

Chapter 29: The Ill Proceeds Of An Omen The Acquired Lands, Vermont, The New World (1762)..... Alain Remington awoke to the sound of construction as his father and a few others set to work on the vast undertaking that had been Sir Alfred's most ambitious project. He rolled out of the bed, which was as hard as stone and reminded him all too much of the bed he was assigned when onboard The Laurel. He shook off the grogginess of sleep and stretched before leaving behind his lodgings and venturing out into the bright new world. The warm glow of the sun beaming down on the various aspects of vegetation was a welcome change of pace from the shimmering rays being reflected from the deep waters of the seemingly endless sea. Their hosts had made breakfast yet none had the foresight to build a table where one could enjoy it. Instead, they were each treated to a bowl of hot porridge via a hasty campfire, a strong cast iron pot, and a wooden ladle. While Alain had better cuisine on the shi